Once again, in the space of less than a week, we find it necessary to use this space to help our community grieve the loss of one of its best, or in this case, two of its best.

Just days ago, we lamented the terrible passing of Ben Lauren, a member of the Forsyth Township Volunteer Fire Department, who died a hero last week fighting a duplex fire at K.I. Sawyer. Investigations are under way to determine exactly how Lauren, a third-generation firefighter, was killed inside the burning structure.

Today, we’d like to remind readers of the terrible deaths of 17-year-old Christopher Turpeinen of Pelkie and 17-year-old Dylan Roberts of L’Anse, who perished in mid February.

The Baraga County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call of a possible drunk driver at the end of Silver Road in L’Anse Township in the late afternoon of Feb. 17, a release from the sheriff’s office stated. A third person in the vehicle, Hunter Pelon, 17, is recovering.

This week, blood toxicology came back in the case and it was determined both died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Our prayers and best regards go out to the families of Christopher Turpeinen and Dylan Roberts and indeed, Hunter Pelon.

These were terrible, senseless losses that we struggle to accept.

We trust friends and family have drawn strength from the L’Anse and Baraga communities.