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The Daily Republic, Mitchell. Jan. 2, 2012
• Hoping for better news in new year
• Sad news tended to dominate The Daily Republic's top stories of 2012.
• South Dakota lost some great leaders in Bill Janklow and George McGovern, and tributes for both men filled our pages.
• Young Iszabella Morgan died in a tragic and needless crash that was caused by a drunken driver. There was tragedy in Wagner when 2-year-old Rielee Lovell was found dead in a closet of a Wagner home. And 3-year-old Jaxson Sehnert died in a Mitchell house fire.
• These were terrible tragedies and our prayers remain with the families of those young people. There were other tragedies throughout the year, too numerous to mention here.
• Drought dominated the landscape last year, and an unusually high number of fires struck Mitchell.
• Now, 2012 is behind us and our wish for 2013 is for a year with fewer sad stories.
• Don't get us wrong. We still will report the stories of unfortunate mishaps, accidents and tragedies, hoping that our coverage can help educate readers and prevent such things from happening in the future.
• Meanwhile, we pray that fewer people will die in mishaps and that fewer cars will veer off of our area roads.
• We pray that fires will be less prevalent in 2013 and that fewer people will be victimized by theft and violence.
• We pray that the drought will end, that our reservoirs and stock dams will be filled to the brim and that business will be brisk in our region.
• We pray for bountiful crops and employment for all.
• We pray for the region's military men and women who are fighting for us overseas in dangerous regions of the world. We hope for only good news to report on their well-being.
• We pray that enemies can become friends and that old acquaintances are not forgotten. We remind readers that life is just too short to hold grudges.
• We pray for the good health of all and for goodwill among mankind.
• These are our prayers, hopes and wishes for 2013.
• Happy new year.
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