When Major Steven Koehler saw the numbers for families in need of holiday assistance this year, he was shocked at how much it had jumped from 2008.

The polling firm Gallup reported this year that 39 percent of Americans accept the truth of evolution, that 36 percent have no opinion on it, and that 25 said they don’t believe it. With such apathy toward the natural world, it’s no wonder children from other nations have surpassed American students in science and technology.

YOUR VIEW
In addition to more-frequent local editorials, our expanded opinions coverage features a forum seeking your take on a key issue being talked about around town. Here's the current topic:

Some of Santa's helpers are concerned that children are spreading germs to the Man in Red when they visit him. This has prompted some to advocate offering the vaccine for swine flu to those who portray Santa. Should shopping mall Santas be given a priority in receiving the H1N1 vaccine?

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Tip-off for the 2009-10 boys basketball season is next week. Meet your team's veteran stars and promising new talent as they begin their march toward postseason glory. Find team previews here.

The Batavia Interfaith Pantry, 100 Flinn St., will be giving 250 turkeys to families in need this Saturday night.

Applications for project financing under the Kane-Elgin Consortium’s Rental Housing Development Network are due at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 4.

Kane Kares was recognized by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a leading health care philanthropy, as a Nurse-Family Partnership program that outpaces the national average for outcomes.

In debating whether we should abolish capital punishment, it’s important to decide which aspect of this story dominates — the psychopath who deserves the ultimate punishment or the wrongful conviction of two men. Is it better for us to enhance public safety by eliminating society’s most serious threats or to protect civil liberties by making sure innocent people are never put to death?

After canceling vaccination clinics last month due to a shortage, the Kane County Health Department has received another shipment of swine flu vaccines.

Dan Kairis decided to become an independent in the late 1970s after a failed run at office as a Republican.

The Tri-City Salvation Army, at 1710 S. Seventh Ave. in St. Charles, will distribute food for the holidays.

When Darlene Marcusson first found out she had been nominated for this year’s Roscoe Ebey Citizen of the Year Award, she was honored. When she won, she was shocked.

One week later and it seems the Schnaitman family and landlord Ken Voegele still can’t agree on anything.

Big-time college recruits and state title contenders take the court next week when the high school girls basketball season tips off. Check out your team's prospects here.

If there were a more effective way of weeding out ne’er-do-wells on the Internet, I’d strongly recommend using it. Such a mechanism would be helpful in identifying those who have good intentions and those who want to rip you off.

Rep. Bill Foster, D-14, Geneva now has a clear lane on his road to the November 2010 election.