Some online posters keep an eye on the others

Sad coincidence.

Last week, I wrote that I was horrified about some of the insensitive comments posted to the story I'd written about Kyle Bergeron, a 23-year-old Cary man who last Sunday at 4:30 a.m., fell off the roof of his house.

At the time I'd written the story, nobody knew whether the fall was drug or alcohol related and many people posting comments to the story assumed it was, without knowing the facts.

I asked that posters reserve their opinions until they had the full story.

That's because it could have been a suicide attempt. Or if he'd been pushed off, police could have just as easily been investigating an attempted murder.

I got a call from Camille Viemann, a regular poster from Algonquin who had not written the inflammatory comments. She was concerned I was also targeting people who post to our Website with good intentions.

There are those posters like herself for example, who correct other posters when they get out of line in the online community, she said.

She wanted to be sure I saw the distinction.

I do.

And my message was directed at those who posted on the Cary story before they knew the crucial details.

Well, the same day the column ran, Cary police confirmed that Bergeron had indeed been drinking when he went to the roof to chat with a 23-year-old woman.

Police did not know his level of intoxication.

The woman, who police said also had been drinking in the house, reported that Bergeron lost his balance before falling off the roof's southwestern corner, landing on his back and rolling onto his stomach.

He was later airlifted to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital as a precaution.

I'm sure some posters feel vindicated that alcohol played some part in Bergeron's descent.

Although I know it's a losing battle, given that people can say whatever they want from behind a computer screen, I still think people should wait until they know the full story before commenting.

And I applaud those posters who put their counterparts in check when they type something foul.

Happy commenting!

Mark your calendars: I know it's not for a while, but I wanted to remind you that Lake in the Hills' Splish Splash 5K Dash has been rescheduled for Aug. 2.

It was originally scheduled to begin earlier this month on the 14th, but organizers pulled the plug on it at the last minute.

Butch Hagele Beach, where the event was to take place, had been closed all week due to high E-coli levels.

The 104 who signed up for this year's event can either have their registration carried over or they can ask for a refund.

If you'd like to participate, visit www.signmeup.com.

Pingreepalooza: Live music is the name of the game in Pingree Grove every Sunday now through July 27 at Centennial Park on Reinking Road.

Performances typically begin at 6 p.m. and I'm told that this week's will include a puppet show.

For more information, call Cathie Vavra, the village's events coordinator, at (224) 659-4747.

Lenore Adkins covers Algonquin, Lake in the Hills, McHenry County College and weekend events and crime across the Fox Valley. To reach her, call (847) 6082725 or send an e-mail to ladkins@dailyherald.com.