news-record.com

After this post appeared in the newspaper, County Commissioners Chairman Melvin "Skip" Alston called me and my editor to complain we'd gotten the story wrong. He said he did not grab Linda Shaw. He apparently called John Hammer too -- because John's defending Skip's honor.

I called Skip back. He hasn’t responded. I spoke to Linda twice -- once before the item ran and again after. She says it's not something she likes discussing and that there's nothing incorrect in the story.

The post the Rhino's worked up over says:

“Shaw once took Alston to court after an argument ended with his allegedly grabbing her by the arm and her throwing a glass of water in his face.”

It doesn’t say that Shaw took Alston to court for touching her or charged him with assault.

They settled the suit in mediation, but it appears they still disagree on some of the specifics.

As for my name change - it's a personal family matter and nothing to do with journalism. Everyone - even my family - calls me Joe Killian. Send me an e-mail or call the paper and ask for me by name -- you'll get me.