I try to keep the news informational, and not editorial, but every now and then a situation arises, and it gives me the opportunity to speak my mind.

At least two sources gave me a news tip that a shooting occured on North Street over the weekend in Roulette. First of all, don't get me wrong, giving me news tips is a good thing. I need them to keep things going. News guys have to get tips to survive in the business. Even unsubstantiated rumors are all but demanded.

When I get a tip, I always call the authorities to confirm it. So I called the State Police, asked if they knew of any shooting in Roulette. The trooper laughed and let me know that there was nothing in the records.

So I asked if there was anything in Roulette that could be mistaken as a shooting. There was a domestic dispute on Seymour Drive and an accident on Fishing Creek.

There was a shooting in RIDGEWAY, which of course we covered at WESB( www.wesb.com ).

Now my concern wasn't with the folks who called me, because they understood my proffession. My concern is with the dozens of people in Roulette who spoke authoritatively on the issue to each other, and generated a rumor that spread across town like a wildfire.

"Hey Maude, did you hear about the shooting on North Street?"

I have to wonder how these things start!

Next time you hear about a shooting on North Street, or some other news worthy peace of gossip, before you spread it on through the rumor mills, email or call me. I'll do my best to find out from the authorities what the truth is, and then I'll let the whole world know!

Or at least our readership of 1400 people.