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Highs and Lows: Some of the best, worst of the week

Here are some of the best — and worst — of the week:

BEST

LOVING SENIORS — For the last 13 years Dunkirk teachers and students have been delivering Valentine’s Day cookies to area senior citizens. This year 174 dozen were handed out to residents in Steger Apartments, Bell Tower Apartments and Lincoln Arms Apartments. This is a wonderful way to share love.

50-YEAR WORKER — In this week’s Senior Scene was a profile of Charlotte McDonnell, who has been working Chautauqua Nursing Rehabilitation Center (and its predecessors) for the last 50 years. McDonnell, who lives in Brocton, started her career at what was called the Chautauqua County Infirmary as a nurse’s aide. Now days she spends most of her time in the secured Memory Care Community working as a unit assistant. She did “retire” in 2002 but returned two weeks later as a substitute. Now she’s back at it full-time. For how long? “My Magic 8 Ball is foggy so I am unable to tell at this time,” she said as she winked.

ON TO STATES — Certain sports are starting to wrap up and start the post-season. On Thursday two students in two different sports earned trips to their respective state finals. Forestville’s Ashley Forbes will be bowling in the state finals March 10 in Syracuse after making the six-member sectional All-Star team at the Section 6 Girls Bowling Championships at Airport Lanes. Meanwhile, Fredonia High School swimmer Bill Osula qualified for the state finals in the 100 backstroke during the Section 6 championships at the University at Buffalo’s Alumni Arena. Good luck to both students.

WORST

SCHOOL SHOOTING — Our hearts are broken once again for the lives lost in a senseless tragedy. Nikolas Cruz, 19, has been charged with killing 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Cruz is a former student at the school and reportedly said in a YouTube comment, “Im (sic) going to be a professional school shooter.” The FBI investigated the remark but did not determine who made it. Also, a person who was close to Cruz called the FBI’s tip line on Jan. 5 and provided information about Cruz’s weapons and his erratic behavior, including his disturbing social media posts. The caller was concerned that Cruz could attack a school but nothing was done. It seems there were many times this shooting could have been averted. Now there are more parents, grandparents, siblings and friends who know first-hand the heartbreak of losing someone in a senseless killing.

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