Providing news coverage isn't always easy, particularly when a tragic event happens and the news providers in the area are affected along with everyone else. When they occur, these events often serve to highlight the best in the news business. The reporter or news anchor that is able to stay the course and provide the story becomes the one you remember and forever associate with getting through the crises at hand. With the recent mall shootings in Omaha, NE, our editors were outstanding in the way they handled the unfolding events, providing updates quickly and often for their community. Today, we spotlight Upstream, who was in the thick of reporting the scene.

Why did you initially want to become a Topix editor? I was trying to find local news online and found that Topix offered news from my area, yet no one was actively editing that page. I positively begged to be a Topix editor. Once I'd done a little research and consulted the editor's blog, I jumped right in and started posting stories from "the wire" and adding photos - to spice things up a bit. I'm still learning how to create my own articles from scratch.

Where else do you find articles, outside of Topix? I find article information on the internet, from people who live and/or work in the area, and local television stations.

What are some editing pitfalls you've learned to avoid? I've learned that I've really got to remember to cite all my sources for a "scratch" article. I wrote two articles concerning the recent shooting at a local mall, through tears, as I listened to the local news channel. I was so focused on getting the information out, accurately and quickly, that I forgot to cite the television station I'd been listening to as my source. I only realized it today (when I was contacted by Topix). I went back into the articles and added my source, but I feel terrible about overlooking that important a detail.

What is your prior editing and writing experience? I am a writer and artist by nature. I've written and published two books ( http://amykjones.blogspot.com/ ) and I contributed local interest articles to "Paradise News", a Florida magazine, for several years prior to relocating to Nebraska.

You were actively involved in editing the Omaha, NE page in the hours after the recent shooting tragedy. What was that experience like? It was terrible! I was crying like a baby while I was trying to write the article for Topix. I was listening to witnesses wailing about the horror they'd just witnessed, to local reporters who could only tell them that their worst fears had come true - many people had not made it out. I almost didn't post the story at all, it was so upsetting.

My husband was working at one of the other area malls that day, and that made it horribly personal for me. He was sending me text messages, asking me for information for he and his co-workers, so I was sending him all the information I could find on TV and the local police scanner. I just wanted him to come home, but he said the police at his mall already, making sure nothing happened there.

The next day I cried even harder, trying to type out the list of people who lost their lives or were injured because that young man wanted attention.

Your articles were written yourself, rather than found on other news sites, how were you getting your information for your articles about the tragedy? I got information from the police scanner and from a local television station.

One of your articles received over 1300 comments, which has got to be a record for an original news piece by a Topix editor. Did you read them? Any impressions? I have read the comments from the articles, and I'm struck by the conversations (and heated debates) this young man's terrible act has sparked. People have come out of the woodwork to express their fears and frustrations with each other. That's one of the great things about Topix; people can express the impact the news has on them. I think that's very cathartic for people.

Are there any newspages not currently on Topix that you'd like to see? Oh my goodness, as long as I've been aware of Topix I'm sure I haven't seen every page available. Off the top of my head, I cannot think of one that's missing...unless it's a page of missing persons. That's one I'd edit in a heartbeat!

What do you when you are not on Topix? Well, that's not much time to account for, but I try to squeeze in working on my latest novel.

What is your editing environment like? Do you post from work or home? Snacks, routine, etc? Well, I work from home, so I guess that means I post from work. I drink coffee all day, every day, to prevent early onset of Alzheimer's, of course. Snacks? Love 'em! Routines? Scared of 'em! Etc.? My favorite word!

Are there any other user editors you'd like to promote? Absolutely! Citybeat also edits the Omaha, NE pages and provides great articles.

How else are you involved in your community? I sweep my neighbors front porches when I'm bored.

What other internet sites do you visit regularly? Quakerparrots.com National Center for Missing Adults

What advice would you give to other editors in making a great page? Photos when you can find them. They really make a difference.

What question do you wish we'd asked you? How long did it take you to answer these questions? (Ha!)

*UPDATE - Upstream's article on the Omaha, NE shootings has more than 2300 user comments on it at this time. That is most definitely a record for a "from scratch" article by a Topix Editor. The gauntlet has been thrown, Editors. Let's see what you can do!