Thanks! I was wondering about that too. I figured there'd have to be a reason. The article read like the Beekeeper's attitude was, 'oh well, you are on your own bees -- see you in the Spring', but I figured there had to be a reason why the Beekeeper couldn't keep his livestock from starving to death.
My GF lost her hive this year in PA. I haven’t checked on the neighbors down the road. Most bee keepers that are in it for the honey usually keep italian bee’s but the downside is winters take a toll on that species. Russian bee’s produce less honey but are much heartier and can survive our periodic harsh winters.