This past week, I observed another milestone with The Denmark News as I marked four years working for the paper. The past 48 months have taught me so much about reporting, about my community and about myself, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity this job has turned out to be. For this week’s editorial, I would like to share some thoughts on this anniversary.

On Saturday, I kicked a hornets nest by posting photos of Saturday’s Hog Wrestle in Maribel on our Facebook page. While I knew the subject was certainly controversial, I did not anticipate the wave of angry reactions and “debate” it would inspire. For this week’s editorial, I would like to clarify what it means when the newspaper publishes something and share my thoughts on the reaction.

Last week, I attended a meeting of the Village of Denmark Plan Commission where members declined to make changes to current municipal codes to allow for murals. I must admit, I was quite shocked with their reluctancy, particularly after hearing their reasoning. (See page [ ]) For this week’s editorial, I would like to share my thoughts on the proceedings and the topic.

If there is one thing everyone who has driven around the Village of Denmark can agree on, it is that our roads need work. Multiple times a week, I see online and hear in person people opining the dreadful state of one roadway or another, many times with very valid points. This week, the Village of Denmark Board of Trustees addressed the issue head on, agreeing to take a more proactive approach going forward.

Earlier this month, we reported on a potential new housing development that is being planned for the southwest side of the village near the Denmark water tower. As expected, this development was met with a good deal of negative reactions online with many people commenting their concerns and anger at the news on our post.

Over the weekend, people across the United States undertook celebrations and commemorations in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. America's 250th birthday definitely did not go by unnoticed and there are many better equipped than I who have better articulated the significance of the occasion.

For this week’s editorial, I would like to reiterate Mr. Propson’s sentiments and express my thoughts on the outpouring of community support that was this weekend’s Maribel Picnic.

This and last week’s issues of The Denmark News each featured articles about facts and controversies surrounding the use of Flock Safety cameras. It is apparent this is a divisive and controversial subject with passionate appeals on either side. For this week’s editorial, I would like to share my thoughts on the use of Flock cameras in Denmark.

On Friday, Elon Musk made history by becoming the first-ever trillionaire in the history of human civilization. While some may see this as someone simply utilizing capitalism to its most lucrative extent, others fear it is a sign of the ever-widening disparity between the ultra-wealthy and everyone else.

This week’s The Denmark News features our first-ever June Dairy Month section, highlighting the historical and ongoing contributions of our local dairy farmers. In honor of this occasion, for this week’s editorial, I would like to share some interesting facts about Wisconsin dairy and June Dairy Month.

This week, I had the pleasure of writing an article celebrating the impact and legacy of one of my favorite teachers. With his retirement at the end of this school year, Bill Dennee will leave behind a grateful and forever-changed district that will benefit from his efforts and talents for decades to come.

Last week, the community of Watertown, Wisconsin, made headlines across the country when their school board voted to ban the Watertown High School Wind Symphony from performing a song they deemed to be too controversial. As someone who was an active band member throughout my time in middle and high school and who now attends monthly school board meetings, I would like to share my thoughts on the story.

Recently, gerrymandering has been a near-constant topic of debate as more and more states across the country race to redraw their congressional districts in favor of one party or another. While gerrymandering is nothing new in the U.S., recent efforts to redistrict mid-decade have reached a fever pitch as both sides place the blame on the other.

Last week, many across the area were saddened to hear the news of the passing of Eddie Duckart. Eddie was perhaps among the best-known residents of the Maribel-Denmark area and will no doubt be missed by a great many. For this week’s editorial, I would like to share a tribute to Eddie and his local legacy.

With baseball season now in full swing, I thought it would be a great time to share a bit of home-team trivia that I picked up over the offseason. Even the most novice Milwaukee Brewers fan can pick out the unmistakable oversized, mustachioed head of the team’s mascot; however, I bet very few are aware of the bizarre origin story behind the character.