Dart to the senseless and random acts of violence that have stunned different parts of our community in recent weeks.

In the Rockwell area, the family of Michael Earley is suffering after a senseless and gruesome murder that reportedly started with a drug deal during which Earley met his alleged killer Carlos Rosas, according to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office. Because of the troubling details that followed, we hope prosecutors will seek punishment to the fullest extent of the law for Rosas and two women charged as accessories in the murder, Madison Drew Harrington and Lauren Grimes.

Mya Miller’s family is grieving, too, after she was shot and killed seemingly at random on Long Street.. She leaves behind a 10-month-old son and a fiancée.

Jeffrey Wayne Hooker has been charged with her murder, but Miller’s family says they are forgiving him because they believe Miller would do the same.

Laurel to the many events last week honoring law enforcement officers, who dedicate their lives to keeping our communities safe.

The jobs of police officers have necessarily changed in recent years to react to shifting dynamics in our society, but one things has not — officers are putting their lives on the line every time they respond to a call.

And events last week honoring the sacrifices of law enforcement officers was particularly poignant following the tragic murder of Mooresville police officer Jordan Sheldon.

Another dart to members of the Rowan-Salisbury School Board for failing to make a decision about closures and consolidation, despite repeated tries.

At its core, the closure debate is centered around open seats across the district, but maintenance costs and long-term repairs are also a factor.

Last week, the school board received news that the system could see close to $2 million in unexpected maintenance costs for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. That’s money needed to continue operations, not capital improvements, of which there are many more millions of dollars in needs waiting for funding.

We’ve said closure decisions cannot be made without ample time for parents to sort through what comes next. That remains true no matter how many scenarios are considered.

Without a decision, however, expenses will continue to mount, and the school system will be forced to spend money on facilities that otherwise could be used for “renewal.”