We want to take a moment and give thanks to the emergency responders whose dedication and compassion saved the lives of two people on Tuesday, with the help of the anti-overdose medication naloxone.

Sadly, a third person, 21-year-old Kade Shipkowski, didn’t survive what officials are calling a string of suspected overdoses that took place over the course of several hours. By now multiple overdoses aren’t surprising in Butler County, but that doesn’t make them any less tragic or troubling.

Despite a series of public forums on the opioid epidemic, it’s clear that some members of the community aren’t ready to accept that compassion and care are the only productive ways to respond to this crisis.

Thankfully, emergency responders and law enforcement officers across Butler County are leading the way, and saving lives in the process. We couldn’t be more proud of the example our public servants are setting as they do this work — or more aware of the toll responding to these waves of deadly overdoses must take on them.

It’s yet another reason to say “thank you” when you see police officers, EMS crews, or volunteer firefighters in your everyday life.

[naviga:h3]Jeer [/naviga:h3]

It’s been a bad month for Greek life on the main campus of Penn State University, which suspended recognition of two fraternities — Sigma Alpha Mu and Beta Theta Pi — amid concerns over a culture of excessive alcohol use, fraternity hazing, and the specter of sexual assault.

The university’s action is part of an even broader set of rule changes and a decision-making process during which PSU will reportedly consider whether to abolish its Greek system entirely.

University President Eric Barron has been blunt about the reason things have come to this crossroads. Despite a decade-long campaign to control drinking and partying on campus, Barron said, problems have persisted.

It’s true that Greek life has been a positive thing for tens of thousands of college students across the country. But if student leaders aren’t willing or able to step up and address issues that impact the health and safety of their classmates, it’s unrealistic to expect the university to continue to tolerate the system’s failings.

[naviga:h3]Cheer [/naviga:h3]

It’s undoubtly a boon that this region will be — at least partially — in the college sports spotlight over the course of the next several years, as Slippery Rock University helps host a series of NCAA championship events between 2018 and 2020.

The news came earlier this week, as NCAA officials announced that venues in Western Pennsylvania would host 12 events, with SRU and SportsPITTSBURGH, the sports branch of Visit Pittsburgh, selected to stage the events.

SRU specifically will host the NCAA’s men’s and women’s soccer national championships in 2019, as well as the Atlantic Regional and National Championships in cross country at Cooper’s Lake Campground in 2018.

This isn’t the first time the national spotlight has fallen on SRU or Butler County. But every time it does represents another chance to show off our excellent recreational infrastructure, the quality of our educational institutions and the character of our communities. Don’t sleep on the importance of those opportunities.