A conversation started this morning among readers voicing concerns about NapaValleyRegister.com's coverage of Sunday's plane crash in Butte, Mont. that killed a St. Helena family of five and nine others.

I want to know what NVR.com readers think of the coverage provided, so I am posting the start of the conversation here,asking you to continue the topic.

I'll post the initial comments and my initial response, then turn it over to you posting thoughts in the story comments section.

Thanks

— Dan

localmama wrote " This is very sad, the entire paper in the last two days has been about the tragedy that happened to this family. Does NVR have nothing else to report about. It's one thing to give us news and let everyone mourn, but the circus around this news is sick! Give us information, facts. But don't make it a spectacle. Let them rest in piece. Give them the honor and respect they deserve. Give them their personal space. "

B-side wrote " localmama - I don't believe that the news coverage is in anyway disrespecting those who have lost their lives in this accident. I believe the victims would want us to uncover as much information about this incident as we possibly can.

I am one who is particularly interested in this story. I am an aviation enthusiast with an airframe and power plant license.

I would like to know as much about this accident as possible.

Many questions probably will never be answered such as why the pilot deviated from his flight plan and why the flaps were retracted on approach.

The victims will rest in peace but we need to know the answers. Aircraft have achieved the safety standards we have today because we ask the question why. Then we do what we can to prevent accidents in the future.

I am saddened at the loss of life but look forward to the closing results of the investigation.

My deepest condolences to the victims and their families. "

Mr. Feasor wrote " I'm with you localmama. It's one thing to keep the public apprised. But it's another thing to have about 80% of the NVR articles consisting of this tragedy. At that level of saturation, it makes one wonder whether the coverage is based on keeping locals informed, or to use this devasting multi-family event to hock more papers for a quick buck… "

shgirl wrote " localmama: this is a local newspaper. which covers new that is associated with what is going on here. this particular story is a big story, especially for us. why don't you branch out and try reading the nyt, chronicle, cnn, msnbc, foxnews, drudgereport, usa today, etc?…they all are available online "

rico wrote " I agree with localmama. It is a horrible tragedy, but I don't think it warrants the kind of coverage the Register is devoting to it. "

NVR-Dan Ross wrote " Thanks for all the comments about coverage of the deaths of a St. Helena family of five. I believe you are reading more coverage than you might normally see when a local family dies outside this area. The reason the coverage exists is that this newspaper company also owns the newspaper in the city where the plane crashed, so you have two newspapers providing readers with information.

What we opted to do here at NapaValleyRegister.com is give the local community all the information gathered about the plane crash for people to sort on their own what they chose to read, rather than pre-selecting what items would be made available to readers.

The overall result has been that readership grew with each additional item we provided, showing readers were interested in the additional articles. If readership declined, we would have backed off on posting the volume of information.

You may or may not agree with our decision, and we appreciate hearing your thoughts on this.

( surveys)