It’s the only hospital in a 10,000-square-mile area with a trauma center--which treats severe burns and other critical needs.

As we were saying--Marion County, Illinois, will help plug a $1.2 million shortfall by axing employee health insurance. Officials attributed the situation to the escalating cost of insurance fees, and the high cost of housing prisoners elsewhere.

...meanwhile--Hamilton, Ohio, residents are being asked to chip in to finance a $400,000 sculpture of Prez Bush at the local high school. A year ago he went there to sign a bill that would increase, allegedly, funding for education and, also, "accountability."

Science for the masses--Apart from racial bias and other political faults, the census each decade can provide some useful data. The report for 2000 is available on four CDs. $895. The long-form, $1,595.

Royal shaft--Classy New York restaurants are competing to offer the most expensive hamburger. The winner seems to be the DB Bistro Moderne. Chomp on its Burger Royale, $50 (Freshly shaved French truffles, $21 extra). Chuck beef is added to the sirloin to give it some juice.

Slam dunk--With the disclosure of a 2002 net loss of $99 billion, America Online/Time Warner is taking its lumps. Investors are up in arms. Vice chairman Ted Turner left to try buffalo burgers. Observed top dog Richard Parsons: "2003 will be a challenging year."

Actually, he’s consistent--Joseph Rice, mayor of Glendale, Colorado, and a major in the Army Psychological Operations reserve, was called up for active duty. According to the Denver Post, he "promoted peace" in Bosnia "by using television commercials, newspaper ads and pamphlets that asked people to turn in weapons and ammunition."

Let’s not get coarse--"Many wonder now how many more surprises they can take. AOL has taken on the characteristics of a roach motel."--Wall Streeter Christopher Dixon.  
 
 
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