It’s been busy at the Traditions desk this week, as you'll see this Sunday with two pages of announcements!

Most of the sparks in the Young Republicans' first-ever town hall debate exploded in the days leading up to it. Thursday night's affair was low-key because two of the four invited candidates didn't attend.

Chairman Greg Rogers kicked off the evening on an upbeat note, telling an audience of about 60 people that Republicans need to stay positive this year if they are to overcome the enthusiasm being generated by Barack Obama.

Rogers thanked the party activists who enabled the Young Republicans to get started.

The top of their party’s ticket remains unsettled, but Democrats in York County say they feel energized by their prospects this fall. That in itself is news around these parts, because Republicans hold most positions of power and usually take up much of the limelight around election time.

The buzz was evident at the annual Spring Forward fundraiser last Friday, where Democrats chatted around the indoor pool at the White Homestead and candidates gave brief speeches outlining their campaigns.

Tuesday night, I had the opportunity to watch the latest installment of "Costas Now" on HBO, and if you are interested in the changing face of the world of professional sports and how it is being reported, it's definitely worth a look.

Among Costas' guests included Will Leitch, the founder of Deadspin, perhaps the best-known sports blog among sports fans in the 18-34 demographic. If you are not familiar with Deadspin, I kind of liken it to kind of a TMZ of the sports world. The responses to the blogs aren't exactly G-rated, and seemingly by those with less-than-impressive IQs.

An ordinance recently proposed by County Councilman Tom Smith caught the eye of many, including the state’s Forestry Commission.

But Smith’s proposed burn ban isn’t supposed to limit what residents burn in their backyards. Instead, it’s aimed at stopping large businesses from blowing smoke across Lake Wylie.

Smith wants to limit new business’ ability to burn items that could be turned into mulch.

“We don’t want to take away farmers ability to burn leaves,” Smith said. “We’re looking more at developments.”

If you like your news of the weird to have a geeky spin, try this:

HOLYHEAD, Wales (AP) — A man who dressed up as Darth Vader, wearing a garbage bag for a cape, and assaulted the founders of a group calling itself the Jedi church was given a suspended sentence Tuesday.

Who wouldn't keep reading after a lead like that? You can find the full story in Wednesday's Herald, but here's a sneek peak:

Chester County Sheriff Robby Benson’s plans to build a firing range behind Chester State Park were shot down Tuesday night by Chester County zoning officials.

The county’s Zoning Board of Appeals voted to deny Benson’s request to build a shooting range and obstacle course at a 10-acre site on Ashford Road about two miles from the J.A. Cochran Bypass.

Board members didn't give a reason for their decision during the meeting, but several local residents voiced fears about the possibility of stray bullets striking park visitors or neighbors.

From a lady I have never met, Lori M., from Fort Mill:

"Thank you so much for your story on the homecoming of our local Guardsmen. You did a great job, brought tears to my eyes, runied my makeup!

My husband works in Fort Mill and he saw the buses coming in from Hwy 521, he called me on the cell phone, he was so moved. I wish I had know about it sooner, I would have taken time off to be at the airport. No, I don't have a family member in the service, but I would have welcomed them like they were one of my own.

“HEY YOU GUUUUUUYYYS!"

PBS is apparently making a new version of the classic 1970s show “The Electric Company.”

I was always more of a “Sesame Street” kid, but I remember hearing good things about the show from friends. Also, I know it was the inspiration for Sloth’s famous “HEY YOU GUUUUUUYYYS!” catchphrase in “The Goonies.”

Anyway, here’s a snippet from The Associated Press about the new show: