While you might not know it given the prevalence of other news stories, the biggest wildfire in Nebraska history is currently raging, having claimed close to 600,000 acres since March 12th. One report from yesterday says it continues to burn out of control. And it’s actually worse than that sounds – because in addition to the biggest-ever fire, a further three major wildfires are currently…
We’re back today with Part 2 of our interview with Laura Graber, who was raised Amish, and taught in an Amish school for four years – starting at age 16. In Part 1, Laura shared how she was able to manage eight grades in one room, and how Amish teachers are chosen, among other topics. In Part 2 of this two-part interview, Laura shares what…
Author Haley Straw returns today with the final part – 8 of 8 – of a new winter-themed series, drawing on one of her more challenging experiences as an Amish taxi driver. Part 1 is here, part 2 here, part 3 here, part 4 here, and part 5 here, part 6 here, and part 7 here if you missed them. A special thanks to Haley for sharing this story with…
Author Haley Straw returns today with part 7 (of 8 parts) of a new winter-themed series, drawing on one of her more challenging experiences as an Amish taxi driver. Part 1 is here, part 2 here, part 3 here, part 4 here, and part 5 here, and part 6 here if you missed them. Everyone’s hard work and patience paid off. The families were safe and warm in their relatives’…
On my last visit to Holmes County, Ohio – December – I saw more e-bikes on the road than I did buggies, reflecting how popular they’ve become in America’s second-largest Amish community. These are very handy for getting around in this hilly area. But safety is an issue with a vehicle that can reach speeds of 20 mph or more, and which has become so…
In past posts we’ve seen the layout and details of Amish schools. In today’s post we focus not so much of the rooms or the buildings, but upon life in and around the schoolhouse. To help us navigate through this we have Laura Graber, who has been featured here as the bride in the “Amish-ish” Wedding posts. Laura was kind enough to sit down for an interview…
Logging workers have the highest fatality rate of any civilian job in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The profession sees 110.4 fatalities per 100,000 workers – a rate more than double that of roofing (the third-deadliest occupation) and over 33 times higher than the national average for all workers. Amish in many communities are involved in the lumber industry – both…
Sheriff’s deputies in Montgomery County, New York showed up on the scene of a fully involved fire at an Amish sawmill yesterday morning. Fire crews had yet to arrive – so the two men, Lieutenant Justin Smith and Sergeant Luke Paine, had to act quickly. As it happened, one of them had firefighting training, and the other did not. More from WRGB 6 News: GLEN,…
Author Haley Straw returns today with part 6 of a new winter-themed series, drawing on one of her more challenging experiences as an Amish taxi driver. Part 1 is here, part 2 here, part 3 here, part 4 here, and part 5 here if you missed them. We should have been home by then. Instead, we were still chasing taillights through the dark. Highway 30 was clear. Highway 151…
Fortunately, the Amish woman was okay. But it had to be a scary experience – and a reminder of the dangers of certain fuels commonly used by Amish for light and heat. This happened in the Bloomfield, Iowa Amish settlement. It appeared in a brief report at the Bloomfield Democrat: A busy week of fire calls for Davis County firefighters culminated with an explosion Monday…