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Editorial

E-bikes must be respected — and regulated

The intersections in Marquette's downtown on a weekday are largely empty, relatively speaking, as the hour approaches 6 p.m., after the 5 p.m. traffic glut has cleared. It's a good thing, too, because a handful of random passersby recently were ringside to a near miss involving an e-bike and automobile, a proverbial close encounter that could have had tragic consequences but luckily didn't. The e-bike in question was southbound coming down the hill at high speed, approaching the West Washington Street intersection while the auto was turning left in front of it. Ridden by someone who ...

Foam on water should be avoided

It’s an unfortunate reflection of our times and the insidious creep of “forever chemicals” into the environment. With people likely to do some outdoor recreation over the Memorial Day weekend, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services this week reminded residents and visitors to avoid foam on lakes, rivers, streams and other surface waters. Foam can form on any body of water, the MDHHS advised in a news release. It can be white, off-white or brown, and may have an earthy or fishy scent. It tends to pile up in bays, eddies, dams or other river barriers. But foam can ...

Keeping safety in mind when traveling, boating

With the Memorial Day weekend signaling the unofficial start to the summer, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are teaming up to encourage safe driving, towing and boating through the season. “Wisconsin roads welcome travelers to explore the beauty in every corner of our state and connect outdoor enthusiasts to our lakes and rivers, creating unforgettable memories and adventures throughout the summer,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said in a news release. “… Whether traveling by road or enjoying time on the water, we all ...

Unofficial start of summer is today

Today, the day after Memorial Dy, typically marks the unofficial start of summer — an often long-awaited and typically very brief portion of the year in the Upper Peninsula. Short-lived as it may be, the website landmarkhealth.org has issued some tips for keeping safe in the summer months. They are as follows: • Stay cool; if you are outdoors, take breaks from the heat, especially during the hottest part of the day. • Stay hydrated; drink plenty of fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty. • Stay protected; avoid strenuous or high-energy activities. Remember to wear loose and ...

Never forget what Memorial Day stands for

For a great many in Superiorland and beyond, technology has made war seem like something of a video game. We read of remote-controlled “drones” killing our enemies. We watch videotapes of “smart” bombs blowing up bunkers. The rare footage we see of combat involving rifle fire, rocket-propelled grenades and house-to-house fighting rarely shows anyone being hit. We civilians prefer not to be reminded of the horror of war. But those who have served us in uniform and those now in harm’s way are all too familiar with the reality of war. It is not something they discuss freely with ...

MAPS millage recall unlikely to change anything

We understand why some people — perhaps many people — in the Marquette Area Public Schools district are unhappy with a local resident’s move to force a recount of some of the votes cast back on May 5 in the MAPS bond issue election. The millage, which will ultimately total about $60 million, was approved, 3,628 yes votes and 3,116 no votes, so it wasn’t particularly close. The money will provide funding to address facility, safety and learning-environment needs across all district schools. Resident Margaret Brumm, no stranger to controversy in her own right, filed the recount ...