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Editorial

Fireworks and animals just don’t work

We suspect more than a handful of Superiorland residents and people everywhere are in the process of laying in a supply of very noisy fireworks to help commemorate the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. And why not? Michigan law, changed a few years back, opened the door — with some reasonable limits — to the retail purchase of commercial grade fireworks. Put another way, it isn't just bottle rockets and sparklers anymore. All of that said, we have a hard time believing that reasonable people are not aware that setting off loud fireworks can profoundly frighten animals, principally ...

Unwanted visitors seen

Do you remember back when there were no invasive species in the waters off Delta County. In those years, beaches were not littered with the shells of zebra mussels — the first invasive species to arrive here. Today, they are a common site on beaches throughout the area. It’s not uncommon now to toss a line in and find a goby at the end of the line rather than a perch or bluegill. The round goby is another unwelcome invasive that is now common in local waters. In a few short decades, a few species of creatures have changed our ecosystem for the foreseeable future. If you listen ...

School’s out! Slow down and watch for kids

With the arrival of summer break in Delta County, children will be out and about more often. Bicycles, the beach and summer fun will be taking the place of the classroom. That’s why drivers need to remain vigilant as children spend more time outdoors. Statistics show that the risk of traffic incidents involving children increases during the summer months. Pedestrian injuries peak for kids aged 5 to 14, who are more frequently found in the vicinity of roads and streets. Here are some safety tips for drivers: Stay Alert: Watch for children on bicycles, scooters, and playing in front ...

Spreads the word about scams; critical to be vigilant

Have you been on the other end of a troubling, suspicious call, email or letter recently? Has someone claimed to be a tax official and asked for your personal information? If so, it’s critical to avoid potential scams by remaining vigilant, as the Michigan Department of Treasury is reminding residents that the summer season is a common time for criminals to contact residents and pose as government officials who ask for cash through a wire transfer, prepaid debit card or gift card. • Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law enforcement groups to have the taxpayer ...

Celebrate Juneteenth

We believe the word “Juneteenth” is much more than a cute play on words. It is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. From its Galveston, Texas, origin in 1865, the observance of June 19 as the African American Emancipation Day across the United States, explains the website juneteenth.com thusly: “Today, Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement,” the website reads. “It is a day, a week and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family ...

Wisconsin continues to recommend COVID-19 vaccines

Despite a reversal on guidance at the federal level, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services continues to recommend the current COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy and for every person 6 months and older to protect from serious COVID-19 illness and prevent spreading it to others. The declaration came after U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced May 27 that COVID-19 vaccines were no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. In a 58-second video posted on the social media site X, Kennedy said he removed COVID-19 shots from the Centers for Disease ...