The Center for Youth Health & Wellness staff is seen outside the new center on the Escanaba campus in 2024. (Courtesy photo)

ESCANABA – The Center for Youth Health and Wellness opened its doors on the Bay College Escanaba Campus in fall 2024. The center has quickly become a vital resource for students and local youth ages 10-21, providing accessible, high-quality medical and mental health services in a welcoming, youth-focused environment.

The center has demonstrated strong community engagement and meaningful impact. Since opening in 2024, The center has served 1,045 unduplicated clients. These individuals visited The Center for a wide range of health and wellness needs, including medical visits, mental health visits, and annual wellness exams.

“We are thrilled by the positive response and the number of young people who are choosing to access care right here on campus through the center,” said Cindy Gallagher, Bay College vice president of Workforce Innovation and Strategic Partnerships. “This partnership with Public Health Delta & Menominee Counties ensures that students and community youth have the support they need to thrive academically, personally, and socially.”

Since the start of the new fiscal year on Oct. 1, the center’s momentum has remained strong. In the first quarter alone, The center has provided 99 medical visits and 147 mental health visits.

Since its opening, the center has become a critical provider for the required high school sports physicals that allow youth to participate in high school sports. Kayla Coltson, family nurse practitioner at the center, shared that they have provided 755 sports physicals to area youth since August 2024.

These numbers reflect the continued and growing demand for accessible youth-focused health services in the region. The center’s integrated approach–combining medical care, mental health support, prevention services, and wellness education–helps empower young people to make informed decisions and build healthier futures.

“It’s clear that this collaboration is filling a critical gap in our community,” said Michael Snyder, health officer at Public Health Delta & Menominee Counties. “We are committed to providing quality services, reducing barriers and meeting the evolving needs of youth across Delta and Menominee counties.”

The Center for Youth Health and Wellness remains open to individuals ages 10-21, offering walk-in and scheduled appointments. Services include primary medical care, behavioral health counseling, vaccines, wellness visits, and health education–all provided in a confidential, inclusive, and supportive setting.

The center employs four staff, including a receptionist, a licensed mental health counselor, a registered nurse, and a nurse practitioner. The Center also has an active Advisory Board consisting of representatives from local K-12 partners, Delta-Schoolcraft ISD, Public Health, Bay College and local parents.

Funding for the center is provided through a grant awarded to Public Health Delta & Menominee Counties from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, along with reimbursement from billing public and private insurance plans. No client between the ages of 10-21 will be denied care due to an inability to pay.

Bay College and Public Health Delta & Menominee Counties look forward to building on this strong foundation for years to come as we continue to serve the youth of our community.

For more information, visit the Center’s page at baycollege.edu, contact the Center for Youth Health and Wellness at 906-786-1672 or visit The Center’s Facebook page.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t condone the actions that led to wide receiver D.K. Metcalf’s two-game suspension by the NFL following an in-game altercation with a fan, but added Metcalf has his full support during the appeals process.

The league punished the two-time Pro Bowler by forcing him to sit out the first-place Steelers’ final two games and fining him for taking a swipe at Detroit Lions fan Ryan Kennedy in the second quarter of what became Pittsburgh’s 29-24 victory.

Tomlin said Metcalf shared his side of the story with him, but declined to get into specifics.

“I won’t discuss what he and I discussed,” Tomlin said. “I think I’ve been pretty clear there.”

Former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson said on a podcast late Sunday night that Metcalf told him Kennedy used a racial slur and verbally disparaged Metcalf’s mother, an allegation that Kennedy denied through his attorneys on Monday.

Tomlin cited Metcalf’s appeal hearing and what he described as “legal ramifications,” though he did not define what those might be. An email to the attorneys representing Kennedy by The Associated Press was not immediately returned.

Metcalf remained in the game and finished with four receptions for 42 yards. Kennedy left his seat to meet with stadium security at Ford Field but was allowed to return.

Asked if the Steelers have any in-game protocols in place to try and mitigate interactions such as the one between Metcalf and Kennedy, Tomlin said, “We certainly may, but I might not be privy to it because my eyes and attention is (on) what’s going on on the field” and made it a point to credit the team’s “top notch security group.”

Tomlin would not elaborate on what his reaction was to seeing the video of the confrontation, though he acknowledged what he called the rise in “volatile rhetoric” in sports at all levels.

“Not only (in) our business, (but) college, youth sport parents,” he said. “I think it’s just a component of sport that’s developed and developed in a big way in recent years, and it’s unfortunate.”

There were reports that when Metcalf played for Seattle, he reported Kennedy to team personnel when the Seahawks visited Detroit. Tomlin did not speculate when asked if there’s anything more teams can do to protect players in those situations.

“Me speaking on it and speaking on it in detail and particularly expressing my opinion regarding things doesn’t help the circumstance in any way,” he said.

Metcalf’s suspension means Pittsburgh (9-6) will be without its top pass catcher as it tries to lock up the AFC North title on Sunday in Cleveland. His absence means Roman Wilson, who has been a healthy scratch the past two weeks as the Steelers have opted to go with experienced veterans Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen, will likely get an opportunity to return to the lineup.

Tomlin did not rule out the return of star outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who has missed each of the past two games while recovering from surgery to repair a partially collapsed lung sustained during a dry needling treatment. Tomlin said Watt has been in the team facility lately and is “hopeful” Watt will be cleared to practice.

The Steelers need to win one of their final two games or have Baltimore lose one of its final two games to win a division title for the first time since 2020. The longtime rivals are scheduled to meet in Pittsburgh in Week 18.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

BARRINGTON — Championship. That’s what’s on the mind of the Barrington boys basketball team. 

And if the Eagles can play like they did in the second half on Monday, that’s definitely within reach.

The talent is there. The chemistry is unquestioned. Barrington is built to win a title this season and showed as much in the last two quarters against East Providence, turning a tied game into an 81-60 victory that shows exactly what this team is capable of.

The Churchill Community Coalition on Dec. 17 named Daylene Starr, left, Andy Lenon, Star Olsen and Dawn Blundell as 2025 Community Champions.

The Churchill Community Coalition recognized Dec. 17 Dawn Blundell, Sarah Lavy, Star Olsen, Andy Lenon and Daylene Starr as 2025 Community Champions for their contributions to building a better community.

Blundell serves as the senior pastor at Epworth United Methodist Church and the Wolf Center Community Services. During the recent disruption in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program she stepped up to organize meals, volunteers and food bank resources for affected families. She also facilitates a group for LGBTQ+ individuals called “The Rainbow Connection.”

Lavy also played a vital role in managing resources during the SNAP shutdown. She coordinates an annual coat and clothing drive, prepares Thanksgiving boxes and connects sponsors with struggling families for assistance at Christmas.

Olsen, co-owner of Bighorn ATV, currently serves as a board member and volunteer with the Fallon Theatre. She has also given her time to groups such as the Churchill County High School Grad Nite committee, local schools, Girl Scouts, kid ministry and youth athletic programs.

Oasis Academy Vice Principal Lenon was recognized for his dedication in connecting students with resources they need to succeed personally and academically. He is known as someone who the students and staff can depend on to have their best interests at heart.

Starr runs an in-home daycare while volunteering as the secretary of the Fallon Youth Football Board, ensures the snack bar is always fully stocked and performs administrative responsibilities.

The devoted sports mom also serves on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Board with a key role in supporting the annual Battle Born Broncs Rodeo.

Undefeated 8 and under team has a 21-0 record.

Steve Marshall served in the Army for 14 years, including deployments to the Horn of Africa and Syria, then left in 2024. He is currently a Fire Medic with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.

When he returned from Syria, he began coaching to share the experience of football with his six-year-old son. In May 2025, he heard that a head coach position had opened up for the Plant City Dolphins. He had never been a head coach, but he applied and got the role. Marshall’s goal for the boys: “I want them to push themselves through adversity, play as a family, protect each other, and have fun loving the game of football.” 

The season started in June. The Dolphins won two preseason jamboree games, then went 10-0 during their season, winning the Tri-County Division Championship by beating the Dover Patriots in Dover. In the subsequent playoffs, they won both games, then won the Tri-County Superbowl. The team also won two games to emerge victorious in the Strawberry Jam Tournament. This made the team 17-0. 

As a result of this success, the Plant City Dolphins were allowed to put together an invitation-only team to compete in the United Youth Football League National Championship. There, the team won all four games, ending the season 21-0. In the championship, the Dolphins defeated a team from Cleveland by scoring in the last minute, and holding the line on a 4th-and-1. “Their execution was fantastic, so they didn’t look like little seven-year-olds and eight-year-olds,” Marshall said. “They looked like little men, the way they played football. Our quarterback is the best 8U player in the country. He can throw a football 50 yards.” 

During the season, the boys on the team scored 529 points while allowing only 25 points, and had 18 shutouts. “I know this season put a lot of core memories in these kids forever,” Marshall commented. “They’ll never forget it.” 

This success didn’t come without hard work. The team practiced twice a week. Including games and watching film, the coaches put in at least 14 hours a week, and some spent even more time watching film. Marshall gave enormous credit to his coaching staff, praising his phenomenal offensive, defensive, and assistant coaches. “You never know you can do something until you finally do it,” Marshall said. “I never thought that after seven months of coaching, that I would find myself winning a National Championship. You always think you have a championship team, but to be gifted one like I was, and have the coaching staff I did…some of them would drive eight hours on practice days. To have the group we had, the parents we had, the kids we had. It was a perfect storm to make this happen. It takes a village to make this happen, and we had the perfect village. These kids got these rings and these trophies, and it is a beautiful thing.”

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To the editor: As a member of this island community and a supporter of Nantucket’s young people, I want to speak from both the heart and the facts about our proposed synthetic turf field.

Much of the recent conversation has focused on fear — fear of PFAS, fear of microplastics, and fear of change. Those concerns deserve to be heard and addressed. But they also deserve to be balanced by current science and an understanding of what this project truly means for our kids, our schools, and the fabric of our island community – not backdoor lobbying and fear mongering.

What the Science Shows: Earlier generations of turf fields did contain PFAS additives used to strengthen plastic fibers. However, today’s technology has changed dramatically. In March 2025, FieldTurf released independent testing results showing no detectable PFAS in new turf products using natural infills such as cork and sand — verified through EPA’s most advanced testing protocol FieldTurf, 2025. Similarly, AstroTurf announced in 2023 that all U.S. fields are now manufactured without intentionally added PFAS AstroTurf, 2023. These shifts show an industry moving toward safer, more sustainable materials.

Yes, we must remain vigilant and ensure ongoing testing. But painting all synthetic fields as environmental hazards ignores this progress and prevents honest discussion of what our students truly need.

What Our Students Need: Over 70% of Nantucket High School students participate in athletics — nearly twice the national average. That’s not just a statistic; it’s a lifeline. Organized sports are linked to lower rates of substance use and improved mental health among teens, particularly in small or geographically isolated communities like ours CDC Youth Risk Behavior Data, 2023.

Our island faces one of the lowest ages of initiation for drugs and alcohol in the country. The more opportunities we provide for safe, structured, year-round activity, the better our chances of keeping kids engaged, connected, and healthy.

A turf complex does more than withstand weather. It gives teams consistent practice time, reduces cancellations, and allows for shared spaces that promote inclusion and camaraderie. When athletes feel pride in their facilities, it spills over into school culture: better attendance, improved grades, and fewer students feeling the need to leave the island for boarding schools to pursue athletics.

The evolution of artificial turf technology has led to products that offer enhanced safety, playability, and durability, addressing many historical concerns associated with earlier generations Gosnell et al., 2022; Russo et al., 2022. These advancements include improvements in infill materials and shock pad designs, which collectively contribute to reduced impact forces and improved biomechanical responses during athletic activities Gosnell et al., 2022. This allows for more consistent playing surfaces, reducing the risk of injuries compared to natural grass fields that can degrade over time due to weather and overuse. Furthermore, artificial turf fields have demonstrated the potential to significantly increase participation opportunities in sports by providing reliable playing surfaces year-round, which is particularly beneficial in regions with challenging climates or high facility demand May & Parnell, 2018. This expanded access to sports facilities can lead to numerous positive outcomes, including improved physical health, enhanced mental well-being, and greater social cohesion within communities Logan et al., 2023. The increased usage of these surfaces can also lead to economic benefits through enhanced revenue generation from rentals and event hosting, while simultaneously reducing maintenance costs associated with natural grass fields Barnes & Watkins, 2022; May & Parnell, 2018. Beyond these tangible benefits, participation in high school athletics has been linked to improved academic performance, increased accountability, and enhanced communication skills, translating directly from the field to classroom success Selber & Selber, 2021. These comprehensive benefits underscore the strategic value of investing in high-quality athletic infrastructure to foster holistic student development and community engagement Popek, 2024. Specifically, the overall injury rates on modern artificial turf are often comparable to, and in some cases lower than, those on natural grass, particularly as design and maintenance protocols have become more standardized Gosnell et al., 2022; Jastifer et al., 2018. For instance, third-generation artificial turf has significantly improved shock absorption and player-surface interaction characteristics, addressing concerns such as injury occurrence, physiological fatigue, and biomechanics during activities like cutting, turning, and kicking Strutzenberger et al., 2020.

A Healthier Island Spirit: Athletics are community-building. Friday night lights, youth clinics, and shared victories bring us together in a way few things can. They give our young people — and all of us — something to rally around. That unity matters on Nantucket, especially at a time when our community often feels divided.

This project isn’t just about turf. It’s about belonging, opportunity, and hope. By investing in a modern, responsibly designed athletic complex, we are choosing to believe that our island’s future will be stronger when our youth are supported, active, and proud to call Nantucket home.

Sincerely,

J. Brent Tartamella