Our View: Hi-Line darts and laurels

Laurel — To all the players, coaches, refs and fans who are attending the 9C basketball tournament at Havre High School this week: Class C basketball is Americana at its best. It's tremendous to see the widespread community support for the teams. We hope one and all enjoy their stay in Havre.

Laurel — It may not seem like direct education aid, but Rocky Boy and Box Elder public schools got substantial help this week to repair their aging buildings. Rocky Boy will get $66,000 to replace an aging boiler, while Box Elder will get $775,000 to fix a leaky roof. It's pretty hard to educate kids when the boiler is broken or rain is falling on their heads. The schools are entitled to get the money because so much of their property is federal land. Both of the schools have been around a while and are in need of some help.

Laurel — The HELP Committee does a lot of projects in our community that have a lasting impact. One of their main efforts is to try to convince people — especially young people — not to take up dangerous habits, be it driving unsafely, drinking to excess or using tobacco products. You will never know how many people decide to stop endangering their health or wasting their money because of the work by the people at HELP. This week, they are promoting Through with Chew Week. It's a concentrated effort to get people to stop — or never start — chewing tobacco. If you chew, or are thinking of starting, take time to read Jay Schuschke's column in Thursday's Havre Daily News.

Dart — There is probably a lot to be said for and against proposals to eliminate gun-free zones at several institutions in Montana. Gun rights groups are taking their case to the Montana Legislature this week. Let's hear the pro and cons of the issue. But there is one place we think the gun rights folks are wrong. There should be no guns at schools. None. A bill before the Legislature would allow guns if they are locked in the trunk of a car in the parking lot. We hope it goes down to defeat. This would not be a slippery slope, leading to a slippery cliff.