Should newspapers end anonymous comments?

By gabesemenza in Crowdsourcing

During the last two weeks, several in the newsroom attended training related to online commenters. Following is a column published about the topic. By their nature, columns -- which are different from stories -- are slanted. This column takes a ...

Have ties to deadly shootings at Ft. Hood?

By gabesemenza in Crowdsourcing

The U.S. Army reports 12 people were killed and 31 wounded today during a shooting rampage on the Fort Hood Army base. One shooter was killed and two suspects were apprehended today. All suspects are U.S. soldiers, according to AP ...

What does your license plate say about you?

By gabesemenza in Crowdsourcing

Advocate business reporter Allison Miles works on a fun and interesting story. She asks: What does your license plate say about you? Does it point to your child? (i.e. TIMSMOM) Honor a beloved pet? (i.e. FIDORULZ) Or perhaps it serves ...

Have you been a seller or buyer in a short sale?

By gabesemenza in Crowdsourcing

I'm trying to locate folks who have either bought or sold a house on a short sale this year. Have you? If so, please contact me at 361-580-6519 or gsemenza@vicad.com. Thanks for your help, Gabe Semenza / Advocate public service ...

Is now a good time to buy a house?

By gabesemenza in Crowdsourcing

I'm beginning work on a pro / con feature that asks: Is now a good time to buy a house? The ideas for the "pro" portion that come to my mind, and I'm no home-buying expert, are: 1) Deals exist. ...

Why is Victoria County ranked 41st in state?

By gabesemenza in Crowdsourcing

Victoria County's population growth from 2000 to 2008 ranks 41st among the 254 Texas counties, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Victoria County's population in 2000 was 84,088. Its population in 2008 was 86,755. The fastest-growing counties are the usual ...

What regional topic most interests you?

By gabesemenza in Crowdsourcing

We here at the newspaper are gearing up to begin discussions about our next major project. We will share ideas about which topic we feel most touches and affects the Crossroads. Then, we'll devise a plan to research and report ...

Wanna watch pumpkins, frozen chickens shot from cannon?

By gabesemenza in Crowdsourcing

Todd Jett shoots pumpkins out of a 20-foot cannon. He'll launch a half-dozen frozen chickens on Wednesday, too. Blasting fruit and chilled poultry are part of what Jett calls Great American Moments in Redneck History. You could also call it ...

Have a health question you want answered?

By gabesemenza in Crowdsourcing

For Wednesday's Good Living section, Advocate health reporter J.R. Ortega is starting a new feature called, "House Call with health reporter J.R. Ortega." Ortega will post a blog on Friday morning asking you for health-related questions. He will then contact ...

Victoria lacks zoning. Wanna help document this?

By gabesemenza in Crowdsourcing

That Victoria lacks zoning is not breaking news. The story I'm working on, though, attempts to document this reality, and to ask: Should Victoria become zoned? What are the benefits and pitfalls if the city were to move to zoning? ...