One week later, the newspaper reluctantly diverts its attention from cooking school and learns that "park site in New Albany draws concerns."

Each day, we see the ramifications of the News and Tribune's ongoing inability (unwillingness?) to hire a reporter for the New Albany city beat. It isn't just that the newspaper proves late to the table on the Cannon Acres/Native American story.

Many questions that might have been asked and should have been asked aren't, because staffers filling in aren't as familiar with the running story. That's why beat reporters cover a beat. Bill Hanson has a lot to answer for. Unfortunately, he emulates Jeff Gahan as it pertains to openness.

City Hall's case rests on architect Larry Timperman's openly stated reliance on a letter from the state of Indiana delineating what lies where at Cannon Acres. The letter references stages of archaeological examination conducted more than a decade ago. Timperman told WHAS-11 that planners in his position always trust the most recent letter.

But what if different, newer instructions were to be issued by the state? That's the crux of it. I'll have more on this later today in "Shane's Excellent New Words." If you're just tuning in, see NAC's "previous story" links below.

Park site in New Albany draws concerns, by Chris Morris

NEW ALBANY — Julia Youngblood and city officials agreed to disagree Tuesday morning as she walked out of the City-County Building.

Youngblood, Floyds Knobs, is concerned that the proposed dog park planned for Cannon Acres, which is off Budd Road, will disturb ancient Native American historic sites which includes artifacts and possible burials. But the two historic mounds identified by Indiana Department of Natural Resources Archaeologist Cathy Draeger-Williams won't be disturbed, according to David Duggins, director of Economic Development and Redevelopment for New Albany.

Duggins explained to Youngblood after the meeting that only fencing will be placed around the area designated for the dog park. He said there will be no digging or excavating on the site. There will also be gravel paths built to the dog park area at the park.

"We have have been respectful of the historic significance of the property," Duggins said.

Youngblood and Duggins, along with architect Larry Timperman and city engineer Larry Summers, talked for several minutes following Tuesday's Board of Works meeting.

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Previously at NAC:

In unprecedented act of territorial pissing, outraged dogs gather to protest Native Americans.

Belatedly addressing the Cannon Acres dog park fiasco, Mayor Gahan insists he watched "Dances with Wolves" on the VCR over the weekend.

Tony Nava on WDRB: "Would we want to use a church grounds as a dog park?"

4:00 p.m. today: Citizens trying to save a Native American church from being used as an inappropriate and unnecessary dog park.

Commentary: Amid quintessential City Hall arrogance, a petition to "save the Cannon Acres Native American site."

Dog crap on a sacred area: Jeff Gahan moves timeline forward, with the desecration of a 3,000-6,000 Native American site to begin Monday.

An AWOL Jeff Gahan evades Native American activist seeking dialogue about potential site destruction at the dog park.

The city of New Albany may soon try to destroy a 3,000 to 6,000 year old Native American site to build a dog park.