Our View: Hi-Line darts & laurels

Montana State University-Northern is en route to getting some of its education program off of moratorium. Other programs may be back on the books in the next few months. Provost William Rugg has spearheaded the efforts and deserves praise for his work. The future is bright for Northern’s diesel and technology programs, but the Hi-Line is also in need for training for a variety of fields, including teaching, nursing and liberal arts. We’re glad that Northern is not forsaking these programs.

The Hill County Community Foundation is quickly becoming a major force for good on the Hi-Line. The group has now granted money to the Havre-Hill County Library so it can continue the drawing project for young people operated by Vince Woodwick. The group has already done many projects for the good of the community and now will be able to do more. This while the youngsters are developing their talents as artists.

Lt. Gov. Angella McLean was in town to tour some educational operations in the area, especially Montana State University-Northern. To say the lieutenant governor is optimistic about the future of education in Montana would be an understatement. While there are many problems facing education, kindergarten through doctorate level, it is important to realize that Montana has a whole lot of be thankful for and is doing better than most states.

Someone was arrested last weekend after a massive high-speed chase. The defendant is, of course, not guilty until convicted. But there seem to have been an increasing number of such incidents in recent years. The suspects may look at it as a lark, but the dangers from high-speed chases are awful. Passerby could easily have been struck, Someone on the late shift driving home from work could have been hit. Our police officers who were trying to apprehend the suspect faced serious danger. And residents who were undergoing a legitimate emergency didn’t have the police services they needed because officers were tied up with this entirely preventable incident.