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Editorial

Jamrich left enduring legacy for significant work at NMU

Northern Michigan University and the region as a whole recently lost a figure who played a major role in shaping the university’s trajectory and physical presence in Marquette: former NMU President John X. Jamrich. Jamrich passed away Sunday in Savannah, Georgia, at the age of 101. He served as NMU’s eighth president from 1968 until his retirement in 1983. His 15-year tenure — the third-longest of any Northern president — was marked by tremendous growth in enrollment, academic programs and community outreach, NMU said in a news release. “Dr. Jamrich was the president who ...

Our privileges are far more fragile than we perceive

We live a life of extraordinary privilege in the United States — a life of freedoms far too many of us take for granted. That privilege shines in contrast on days like today, in places like this. This editorial page is where we, our community and a variety of pundits sound off on a daily basis about our world views and community concerns. Our neighbors regularly espouse criticisms of policies and bureaucracies that fall short of our collective needs and expectations. We call out injustice and malfeasance as we draw confidence from a nation rooted in fundamental values of free ...

Post-high school student aid deadline approaching next week

An important deadline is coming up next week for students who want to seek financial aid for studies after graduating high school. Students who want to secure priority consideration for state of Michigan financial aid programs should submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid — commonly known as the FAFSA — on or before Tuesday, March 1, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury. The FAFSA is a critical step in the financial aid process, serving as a gateway application to be considered for grants, scholarships and other forms of financial assistance. FAFSA ...

Legislature takes small steps in battle to control drug prices

Anyone who does pretty much anything to reduce drug prices is on the right track, from our perspective. So when the Michigan Legislature passed House Bill 4348, bipartisan legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs based on recommendations from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Prescription Drug Task Force, we, and a we’d bet a good many other people, were pleased. The state’s chief executive issued the following statement, which read, in part: “This bipartisan legislation will help us lower the cost of prescription drugs for Michigan families. We must continue working ...

PHF thanks

To the editor: Trinity Episcopal Church Food Pantry would like to give a great big thank you to Portage Health foundation for giving them a grant. This grant will help Trinity with its mission to provide a vital service in the Copper Country. Trinity’s food pantry is not the largest in the area. Trinity’s food pantry does provide support to many families in our community that may not qualify for assistance from other agencies. The pantry not only offers food assistance but also cleaning, paper, and personal products. It provides a non-judgement safety net for those that ...

Successful Barnelopet

To the editor: This is the second year in a row that my son has participated in the Barnelopet races. In spite of COVID, organizers provided a well-organized and efficient registration process. The race started on time and the course was clear. People made sure that all were accounted for at the end. This opportunity was a wonderful way for my son, who is learning how-to cross-country ski, to compete in a gentle, yet fun event. I really appreciate the organizers for continuing to host the event during the pandemic and for all who volunteered to make the event possible. I ...