Leslie, I love your writing. Love. It. Even though you are respectful of journalistic News Rules, every article has a little pointy thing, a kind of poke in the butt. I mean that in the best possible way. Here are some of my favorite examples:

--The officer, unconvinced that O'Donnell was Polish,
--when this happens, the bubbles typically dissipate.
--Bell called the officer a profane name and wished for his death
--(and the best one) Frazier whipped out a broken pool cue and began whaling on the Lynwood woman

Looking at them out of context, now, it's hard to point at them and explain why they make me smile so much, but you use conversational words in what is normally a very dry way of reporting, so it's like finding little mini cupcakes on a plate of matzohs. Okay, now I'm just babbling, but I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy reading your writing.