Here are the local news headlines related to the Balloon Boy hoax:

October 26, 2009: Sheriff's Office Presents Balloon Boy Case To DA
October 26, 2009: Women Urge Compassion For Heene Family
October 26, 2009: Sheriff In Balloon Saga Doesn't Shy From Soapbox
October 25, 2009: Lawyer Blasts Release Of Affidavit In Balloon Case
October 23, 2009: Affidavit: Mom Admits To Deputies Balloon Saga Was Hoax
October 22, 2009: Friend: Balloon Mom Would 'Go Down With The Ship'
October 21, 2009: 'Balloon Boy' Halloween Costumes Selling On Internet
October 20, 2009: Sheriff: Possible Jail Time, Fines In Balloon Hoax
October 19, 2009: Balloon Boy Charges May Not Come Until Next Week
October 19, 2009: Ex-Assistant: 'I Helped Richard Heene Plan A Balloon Hoax'
October 18, 2009: Sheriff: Runaway Balloon Incident Was A Hoax
October 17, 2009: Authorities: Charges 'Likely' Against Heene Family
October 17, 2009: Heene: 'Absolutely No Hoax'
October 16, 2009: Deputies Investigated Disturbance Between Balloon Boy's Dad, Mom
October 16, 2009: Could Heene Face Fines From The FAA?
October 16, 2009: Balloon Boy: 'We Did It For The Show'
October 16, 2009: Timeline Of Balloon Boy Events
October 16, 2009: 'Balloon Boy' Story Will Be Investigated, Sheriff Says
October 16, 2009: Raw Home Video Of Balloon Launch Fuels Questions
October 16, 2009: Balloon Boy's Parents Sound Frantic On 911 Call
October 16, 2009: 6-Year-Old Boy Found Safe After Balloon Floats Away

The latest one is:
October 28, 2009: Special Prosecutor Investigates Larimer Sheriff In Balloon Hoax

You can see the progression. The Special Prosecutor is from neighboring Boulder County, and he's looking at statements the Larimer County Sheriff (who is a real blabbermouth) made about Child Protective Services being called in to evaluate the parents' ability to raise their children. Turns out it's not necessarily true, and it does imply there are big family problems there. I think there are, but maybe not the sort where they can take away your kids.

Anyhow, I'm getting the feeling that we are drifting away from prosecution for the various charges. I just hope the county has the balls to at least send them a bill for the search.

My favorite development is where people have decided they feel sorry for the balloon family (Women Urge Compassion For Heene Family) so we are encouraged to throw notes of encouragement onto their front lawn. The family gave their permission for us to do that. What a silly picture that conjures in my mind, all that trash on the front lawn. It's a rental house, and the neighbors must wish they'd get evicted, trashy California fugitives that they are. Go back to Cal with your publicity stunts.