Arney, Yes, I saw that article. If crooks worked as hard at a legitimate business, they could be millionaires.

Another, two more recent signs of lack of prosperity locally:

The number of trailers (including tiny, old, scummy, moss-streaked ones) parked in driveways, and front and side yards, has increased by a factor of approx. ten. Most of them have orange extension cords running to them.

On my way out of my one-horse, one-gas-station, one-grocery store small town this morning, there was a fairly pretty young woman in her 20s sitting up in her sleeping bag beside a vacant building, holding a couple of small dogs. She looked normal, not like a junkie or homeless person, her hair looked clean, the dogs looked in good shape.

Sigh.

Sue