decorahnews.com changes the wording on its earlier story about the Calmar and Ossian parties

In an earlier version of our news story listing the names of the people at weekend alcohol parties in Calmar and Ossian, decorahnews.com used the word "arrests" instead of "citations."

That's because we were under the impression that the word "arrest" is synonymous with "bring charges against."  But in fielding phone calls from several parents, we've learned that "arrest" is synonymous with "take into custody."

We apologize for giving this impression.  The 43 people who were named in our news story did NOT get handcuffed; they did NOT get fingerprinted; they did NOT get taken in a squad car to the county jail.

They DID receive a citation for possession of alcohol under the legal age of 21.  That citation was similar in concept to getting a speeding ticket--you are not normally taken to jail, but given a piece of paper that orders you to pay a fine or make an appearance in court.

Once again, we apologize for unintentionally implying that these 43 people were taken to jail.