Jeff, I am happy the editor at the newspaper finally figured out that an attempted murder might be newsworthy enough to send a reporter out, even if it did take a few weeks. I was worried the editor in question would blow me off because he made it very clear he thought most of what people chatted about in forums like this are junk unworthy of space in his paper.
I didn't ask him why, if he is so slow to utilize internet material, he cut and paste a 'Famous quotes by Abe Lincoln' spam email that has been making the rounds on the internet since the 1990s and pass it off as his weekly editorial about two months ago. Never mind that at least one of the quotes was never spoken by Lincoln;I let it slide.
I hope the reporter in question helps you, I have faith in said ink-stained professional.