If you have turned on your TV in the past four days, you have undoubtedly been inundated with reports about the shooting spree in Tucson, Ariz. Saturday, and that is as it should be.

The tragedy has sparked debates about a variety of issues ranging from gun control to immigration to partisanship to what caused the shooter, Jared Loughner, to commit the act. As updates come in about victims’ medical conditions and as Loughner makes court appearances, we will see more news.

Sometimes, despite the horrendous nature of the shooting and its relevancy to so many topics, we need a break.

And the news hasn’t been all positive locally, either. Cass County residents have become victim to numerous home and vehicle break-ins; lake-effect snow keeps dumping, leaving roads slick and parents watching for school closing reports; methamphetamine manufacturing and selling seems to be rampant everywhere.

Although we as journalists don’t specifically hunt for “good” or “bad” news, sometimes good, if not great, stories fall in your lap.

In the Thursday Star, read a story about Niles residents Mark and Darcy Kromer, who lost their only child, Bradley, unexpectedly in September. Bradley was engaged and had a 2-year-old daughter.

But then something amazing happened to the heartbroken family who dreaded waking up on Christmas Day.

I can’t tell you, though. You’ll have to read it.

But wait, there’s more!

We have counted thus far four new businesses opening soon in Niles: Jimmy John’s, a sub shop franchise on South 11th Street; Rumor Has It, a coffeehouse/vinyl record store downtown; Squeeze, a juice bar next to Lipstick Jungle; and a fitness studio reportedly called Lace, also downtown.

And of course, there’s the Hunter Ice Festival, and there’s some “cool” events on the schedule this year, including Ice Fights, a chili crawl, an ice carver contest and of course, Food Network will be in town to film the creation of an ice carousel for its new series, “Ice Brigade.”

So while we can’t control the news, we can report some good stuff when it comes our way.

Katie Rohman is the managing editor of the Niles Daily Star, Off the Water, Cassopolis Vigilant and Edwardsburg Argus. She can be reached at (269) 687-7713 or at katie.rohman@leaderpub.com.