For one year, in 1906, Felix Feneon re-wrote the news for a column in the French newspaper Le Matin, "Novellas in three lines." In a sparse sentence or two - only three lines in a single newspaper column - he captured the march of industrialization, the scourge of rural disease and the randomness of death. He showed acts of violence and charity throughout France.

What?! Children perched on his wall?! With eight rounds M. Olive, property owner in Toulon, forced them to scramble down all bloodied.

Each offered a detailed portrait. Together, they became something more, a mural of French society.

Inspired by Feneon, we set out to tell the stories of York County in 2008. Read those here. We're also continuing the tradition throughout 2009. New "short stories" will be added each week; please check back often.

Jan. 28

Shattered glass flew 40 feet after police said Charity Westry took her Jeep through the window of Graphic Images in Spring Garden Township. Read more

Jan. 25

Carrying a large kitchen knife, a man stepped out of a breezeway before Warren Cuswell, who was delivering Chinese food in the 200 block of Kurtz Avenue. Police said Cuswell refused to give the knifeholder money and drove away. Read more

Jan. 18

Police guarded the hospital room of Jeffrey David Kovens, saying the Stewartstown man robbed a pair of banks before checking in with chest pains. Read more

Jan. 11

Firefighters stayed inside a burning Carroll Township farmhouse for 20 minutes, until the floor collapsed. Read morehere and here.

Dec. 27

After arguing, Leann Kepler swung her hammer at Gilbert Cobb. Police said she struck Cobb several times in their Wrightsville home. Read more

2008

Read the 2008 "Year in Three Lines"