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Fred Dakota was one of a kind, will be greatly missed at KBIC

It’s not often that someone makes a profound and lasting impact on not only what they are doing but what others, perhaps many others, are doing. But that’s what Fred Dakota did during his years in leadership at the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. As most in the region are aware, Dakota died last Monday at the age of 84. Warren “Chris” Swartz Jr., who serves as KBIC Tribal Council president, issued the following statement on that occasion: “It was an honor and a privilege to stand shoulder to shoulder with one of the greatest leaders in Indian Country. Fred impacted not ...

Celebrate National Voter Registration Month

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson marked the start of National Voter Registration Month today, encouraging eligible Michigan citizens to register in September. “Our democracy is at its best when everyone has a seat at the table,” said Secretary Benson. “Michiganders now have more options than ever before to simply and safely register and cast their ballots. National Voter Registration Month is the perfect time to take the first step in exercising your constitutional right by registering to vote and learning more about how to participate in our elections.” The National ...

Renters also need to be prepared

September is National Preparedness Month and the Michigan Department of Insurance & Financial Services (DIFS) is reminding college students and other renters about the importance of purchasing a renters insurance policy to protect their belongings in the event of storm damage, fire, or theft. “Renters can suffer significant property losses caused by severe storms, fires, and other events, so it is important that they have the coverage they need before disaster strikes,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox. “It is critical that every Michigander, whether they rent or own their home, has ...

Marking Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month

Studies already have indicated alcohol consumption rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among women, mostly attributed to stress. The dangers of disease — liver, heart, cancer — are higher for women, the amount of alcohol that can be consumed in relative safety lower. Drug use, too, increased while people were encouraged to distance themselves. It’s led to a growing problem with substance abuse nationwide. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer have declared September to be Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, not just to ...

Slow your roll around schools and buses

First bells have rung at schools across the region with its annual uptick in traffic snarls, coffee spills and forgotten lunches on the kitchen counter. AAA-Auto Club of Michigan tells us that more than half of the state’s drivers pass through a school zone and close to half drive by a school bus stop in their daily commute. This means navigating around congested and often confusing drop-off zones for buses and cars, and swarms of walkers and bikes. Some of us are still in summer mode, so we’ve arranged a pop quiz to bring us up to speed ... or in this case, down a few clicks. ...

Remembering 9/11 carries the weight of complicated truths

Saturday we joined a chorus of voices remembering the events of Sept. 11, 2001. We heard the accounts of the responders, bystanders, victims. We saw the photos, the videos that broadcast in real time that fateful morning. We remember together, and bow our collective heads to history. We will remember. Remembering 9/11 is a civic duty. We cannot turn away, losing ourselves in the distraction of daily life. We must pull Sept. 11th close, wrapping our arms around it and wresting it into our present day. But what and how will we remember? How do we share the story with those who ...