Parents responsible

Thumbs Up: Prosecutors in Oakland County, Mich., have taken the unusual step of charging the parents of the latest school shooter with involuntary manslaughter. ames and Jennifer Crumbley, the parents of 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley, were called to his school just a few hours before he came out of a bathroom and shot up the school, killing four student. A teacher had found a drawing on Crumbley’s desk with a gun pointing at the words, “The thoughts won’t stop. Help me,” according to the prosecutor. The note also said, “Blood everywhere.” They resisted the idea of taking their son out of school, leaving him there. Instead of mentioning the handgun his father had bought the week before, apparently as a present for the kid and asking Ethan where it was, they left.

There are a lot of “should haves” in this case. Perhaps the school should have called police as well as the parents. Perhaps they should have ordered him off the premises, whether the parents wanted him to leave or not. But it’s not often a parent is made so clearly aware of a child’s potentially bad situation and chooses to do nothing. They should answer in court for their neglect.

Turner Talks

Thumbs Up: Turner Hall is harking back to its early history as the venue for educational and community events. This week it hosted the first of a quarterly “Turner Talks” program, a panel discussion on the subject of agriculture.

The second talk, in March, will focus on Manufacturing.

Turner Hall, early in New Ulm’s history, was one of the only halls capable of hosting lectures, concerts, plays and galas. It continues to serve that purpose today.

The Turnverein motto is “A strong mind and a strong body.” It continues its gymnastics program for the latter, and its Turner Talks will help foster the former.

Service to Ag

Thumbs Up: Congratulations to Tim and Mary Waibel, who learned this week they will be honored in January with the New Ulm Farm City Hub Club’s Service to Agriculture Award.

The Hub Club is an organization dedicated to service to agriculture, and its annual award is a significant honor to its outstanding members.

The annual meeting and banquet is Jan. 24.