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Editorial

Snowmobile safety always good idea

The amount of snow the region has received this winter has certainly been well received by those who enjoy snow sports, including snowmobile enthusiast who are enjoying some of the best trail conditions in years. The well-groomed trails that crisscross the Upper Peninsula are hosting scores of snowmobilers, which also bodes well for the many local businesses that make a good share of their income over the winter. Along with the good, though, comes the not so good, which is when machine operators have an accident. These can range from a simple mishap to a tragic major crash. In an ...

The Washington Post on national nutrition guidelines

The Trump administration has flipped the national food pyramid as part of its campaign to “Make America Healthy Again,” and once again the new dietary guidelines recommend Americans change their food habits. The main takeaway: don’t get takeaway. Eat more protein and fats. Scale back on breads and pastas. “We are ending the war on saturated fats,” said Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The villains of the new food pyramid are “highly processed foods laden with refined carbohydrates, added sugars, excess sodium, unhealthy fats, and chemical additives.” The ...

Snow shoveling can impact health

With a lotof snow on the ground, driveway and walkway clearing is taking place every day in Superiorland. And a great deal of it is accomplished by out-of-shape homeowners looking to save a little money by doing it themselves. There might be problems with this picture. According to one medical study, about 100 people die each year from heart attacks related to snow shoveling. An unknown number of people are stricken but survive — perhaps to shovel again. According to the American Heart Association, one of the reasons heart attacks can occur during snow shoveling is the combination of ...

State seeks public input on proposed firewood quarantine

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is inviting Michigan stakeholders to provide comments on a proposed firewood quarantine. The proposed quarantine would restrict the movement of firewood originating outside the state of Michigan to help prevent the introduction and spread of more than 140 plant pests and diseases that can hitch a ride on untreated firewood. These plant pests and diseases include Asian longhorned beetle, oak wilt, beech bark disease and spotted lanternfly, which are pests that pose a serious threat to Michigan’s forests, agriculture and ...

Seasonal motoring a challenge

With the surge of snowfall in our area, we’d like to take a moment to remind our readers just how important it is to use caution when driving during winter in Superiorland. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website offers the following tips: • Slow down. It’s harder to control or stop your vehicle on a slick or snow-covered surface. In fact, in 2020, there were an estimated 119,000 police-reported crashes that occurred in wintry conditions. On the road, increase your following distance enough so that you’ll have plenty of time to stop for vehicles ahead of ...

Guidance for parents on kids and smartphones

Smartphones are a great way for quick connections and fast access to information. However, a new study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that children younger than age 13 who own a smartphone are more susceptible to serious health effects such as depression, obesity and insufficient sleep. As children grow in this digital age, Emplify Health has provided some guidance and support to parents on children’s smartphone use. “All of us can be significantly impacted by easy access to smartphones, and the internet access and social media that come with them,” Emplify Health ...