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Local political parties do right thing

We absolutely applaud the actions of the Marquette County Democratic and Republican parties in the wake of the heinous killing last week of Charlie Kirk. Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University last Wednesday. A suspect is in custody. The easy play for political parties and politicians here and elsewhere would be to attempt to make political hay from this act of violence. Indeed, we are troubled to report, a great many have. Thankfully, the parties in Marquette County took a higher road when they released the following statement: "The Marquette County Democratic Party and ...

Dickinson board must resolve Open Meetings Act issues

Under Michigan’s Open Meetings Act, “a person must be permitted to address a meeting of a public body under rules established and recorded by the public body.” Dickinson County Board allows two citizens’ times during its regular meetings — one near the beginning and one near the end — limited to five minutes per person. During Monday’s meeting, as Jason Gibbs of Iron Mountain prepared to address the board, he was directed by Chair Dan Harrington to remove his cap while speaking. Gibbs declined. Harrington responded that Gibbs would have to remove his hat or “be ...

Both parties should demand RFK Jr.’s removal from post as HHS Secretary

How many times is Robert F. Kennedy Jr. going to be allowed to lie right to U.S. senators’ faces about his deliberate dismantling of America’s vaccine shields before they finally insist that President Donald Trump remove this dangerous anti-science zealot from the nation’s top medical post? Kennedy, who never should have been but is Trump’s secretary for Health and Human Services, was at it again Thursday morning. In unhinged, ranting testimony before the Senate Finance Committee, the nation’s foremost anti-vaccination conspiracy theorist repeatedly claimed to be rescuing the ...

MDHHS honors those in recovery from substance use

Each September, Recovery Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the courage of individuals living in recovery and to raise awareness that treatment works and recovery is possible. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared September as Recovery Month in Michigan. As part of that, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has stressed its commitment to building a framework of recovery-oriented care across the state, with investments in prevention, treatment, harm reduction and long-term supports to help more residents achieve and sustain recovery. “Recovery Month is an ...

Michigan marks day for suicide, crisis hotline

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services joined Monday with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to observe the second-annual 988 Day, marked on Sept. 8. The day is a national initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline through the theme “Compassionate Help. Anytime. Anywhere.” This observance, coinciding with National Suicide Prevention Month, underscores the critical importance of behavioral health awareness, fostering open communication and extending support to individuals in their moments of need, ...

Make safe choices near train tracks

Our neighbors to the west are advising the public this month about proper behavior when around railroad tracks. Wisconsin is home to 3,300 miles of active tracks that are essential to the state’s economy and connect travelers to their destinations, according to the Wisconsin State Patrol. Because trains cannot make sudden stops, drivers and pedestrians should be extra vigilant when approaching railroad tracks to prevent serious crashes, the WSP states in its September Law of the Month news release on rail safety. “Trains can move in either direction at any time, and they have ...