Opinionsforfree -- don't beat up the Gazette for printing bad news. They posted a story about a boy who rescued abandoned hamsters and there are people lashing out at them as we speak because it isn't "real" news like the Blago scandal. Seems like when we get a little feel-good news, there are still people who complain, or are like you and don't even notice because they're too busy looking for bad news.

Children learn from experience. Its the whole Nature vs Nurture debate.
If Mom and Dad are with multiple partners, staying out all night and partying like a rockstar what example does that set for our children?
Seems like a no-brainer to me.

whoanellie- I think you hit the nail on the head. Many times I have lived in areas where children are out all hours of the day/night unsupervised.
On another note, I have a difficult time believing that Walworth County ranks higher than Rock County. UW-W, Lake Geneva, Delavan??? These areas are KNOWN for their increased alcohol consumption. Every Friday & Saturday night many of the residents of Delavan can be found at VIP.. LOL

I completly agree that sex education in schools should be a high priority. Pregnancy and STD's are at a very high. Children need to be taught and well aware of the outcomes of young unprotected sex..I also think students 13 years and up should do volenteer time at a day care so they see babies arent something you dress up and walk around the mall with, babies are not a style!! If they have no exposure to it then how will they know its not a game? We all need to do our part and not look for a blame bucket. We are the parents.

whoanellie - Another brilliant comment! Blame the parents. If we all took a little personal responsibility for our actions and choices, we would not be having this conversation. That's right, blame someone else for the predicament we are in.

I think in part the fault lays with parents. No one believes in discipline anymore. We need to be honest with our kids, be open, and then tell them NO once in awhile. Kids run wild all over Janesville doing whatever, whenever they want and parents are not doing their jobs! While education is part of it, kids need boundaries and consequences to their actions.Now we just reward that behavior and do nothing. all the commities and other forums do nothing but waste money. Parents need to be parents again.

Opinionsforfree - That's what we want to do, stick our heads in the sand and pretend the issues are not out there. Get Real. These are facts deal with them, address them and fix them. The problem with society is people like you that stuff their heads in the sand and think the problems will go away.

Hey 2dognight......I own a water treatment business that deals in Nitrate issues in ground water supplies. The EPA limit is 10 mgl.
Most people do not know that Janesville city water ranges from 6-10 mg/l on a consistant basis. High Nitrate levels are caused from ammonification in the soil from farmers knifing in ammonnia into the soil and from manure spredding. Both are great furtilizers that help plant growth but are horrible for shallow wells that are less than 100 feet. The DNR warns about nitrates because it can contribute to blue baby syndrome or cancer. See DNR publication PUB-DG-001 2004. These ill effects can be issues only if the water is consumed. Bathing is normally not an issue.
The remedy for nitrates is normally using a reverse osmosis device that will supply treated water to a separate faucet on your sink
and a line to your ice maker. feel free to contact me: integrity@elknet.net

Another great article about our area from Gazette. Who’s team are you on I am speaking to all the decision making people at the gazette. Why not publish positive news someday. While people are going though hardships. No wonder why people drink smoke and have and teen sex is on the rise. People are trying to do anything to feel good in these hardtimes. I’d admit I started drinking more due to reading depressing news every day. So sit and think about that gazette management

It’s hard reading these comment while drinking my beer, smoking my cigarette, and eating my quarter ponder with cheese. Think I will go watch some TV.

biggirl, you ARE hitting the nail on the head! The problem, imho, is that this county still views sex education as "naughty" and not a part of healthy living and healthy lifestyles. So, unfortunately, while the nail is there, the hammer is the missing component. They shot down proposals in Beloit Public Schools to provide sex education a few years ago. Now they have childcare and playground equipment for the children on site for the teen moms. I see this as a very bad solution to the accepted problem.

Good, bad or indifferent, a young adult deserves the opportunity to educated choices. When the education component is taken away, educated choices are being replaced by street smarts.

Common sense isn't very common anymore. Adults need to take full responsibility for their lack of interest in keeping their children healthy. ALL ASPECTS of their unhealthy children.

The reason the ice age trail is not packed, is those laid-off individuals are in the bars, or the bedroom, perpetuating the problem...

Biggirl - I don't see what this has to do with equal rights for women(?). But I certainly support that concept! I look forward to the day when men's rights increase to that level.

Nitrates in the water is terrible in Rock County.
Where is it coming from? The county checks septic tanks every three years and requires an inspection. We pay $150 for septic tank pumping and $15 to the health Department to keep records on this.
At the same time the manure is hauled or pumped on the fields until it runs and there is no restriction. Go figure.

Please also read about the health care system right here in Janesville by reading my comment in WCLO, Lifestyles and Entertainment.
Thank you.

Well, this isn't the kind of report that will draw people and business to the area! Yikes!

With all the people laid off; why is'nt the Ice Age trail packed?

It has been proven time and time again that the more you work on equal rights for women the more that the rate of teen pregnancy and sexual transmitted disease goes down. I don't think that either of these counties are going to work to empower women through, for example, comprehensive sex education.