Sports world - & all of us - shaken by loss of Kobe Bryant

A look at the week that was, the issues and people who made headlines, and a few darts and laurels for those who deserve them.

DART: The sports world – and in fact the world in general – is a bit of a lesser place. Kobe Bryant, the pride of Lower Merion High and an NBA icon, was snatched away from us in an instant in a tragic helicopter crash. Making it even more heart-wrenching was the loss of eight others on board, including Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna.

LAUREL: To Lower Merion High. They have spent much of this week in the harsh glare of a national media onslaught. The school community has reacted with heartfelt emotion at the loss of an alum who put the school on the map. They will honor Kobe Bryant this afternoon with a service between the girls and boys games.

LAUREL: To Sen. Tom Killion and the Pa. Senate. The Senate this week passed “Deana’s Law,” a package of measures cracking down on repeat DUI drivers. The law is named for Deana Eckman of Brookhaven, who was killed last February when a six-time DUI offender slammed into her car. The measure now goes to the House.

DART: To the six votes in the Senate against the measure. Among them was Sen. Daylin Leach, D-17, who represents part of Delaware County along the Main Line. The other five no votes were offered by Sen. Katie Muth, D-44 of Royersford; Sen. Vincent Hughes, D-7 of Philadelphia; Sen. John Blake, D-22 of Lackawanna; Sen. Arthur Haywood, D-4 of Philadelphia; and Sen. Sharif Street, D-3 of Philadelphia

DART: 14. That’s how old Chester police say the shooter was in the killing of

70-year-old Robert Womack. They are now hunting for the teen believed to have pulled the trigger. 14. Sometimes you just shake your head.

DART: To the continuing controversy that has enveloped the Glen Mills Schools. This week five more students came forward to file lawsuits against the oldest reform school in the nation, located in Thornbury. The allegations in the suits are especially troubling, detailing claims of both physical and sexual abuse, and retaliation against anyone who spoke out about it. It left one lawyer to refer to the once-esteemed institution as a “house of horrors.”

DART: To the coronavirus. We’re not talking about the beer, on Super Bowl weekend, but rather the virus that is rapidly spreading out of control across China. Thousands of new cases have popped up and the death toll is rising. The U.S. is now urging against any travel to China. LAUREL: To Delaware County senior medical adviser Dr. George Avetian, who quickly went public with precautions and recommendations to address public concerns about the virus.

DART: Speaking of spiking, the costs linked to upgrades for the county 911 system are going up. County Council already has shelled out $1 million bucks for new equipment for the essential service, and word out of a public hearing this week is that the final tab will be much higher.

LAUREL: To Margaret Kuo. A very familiar name – and eating experience – has returned to Granite Run. Longtime restaurant scene icon is back with her latest foray – “Kitchen” – located in the new Promenade at Granite Run. Her Peking restaurant was a fixture from the very first days of the old mall. It’s good to see her back.

LAUREL: To the students at Jack Barrack Hebrew Academy on the Main Line. This week marked the

75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp and students at the school took part in a special simulcast of a service involving more than

200 Holocaust survivors at the camp in Poland. Never forget.

LAUREL: To Jerry Towe. The Brookhaven man was expecting a modest family gathering to help him celebrate 100 years on this good Earth. He was overwhelmed to walk into a party where 75 family members and friends awaited. Happy 100th, Jerry.

DART: More bad news for our friends at Wawa. The Delco-based convenience store icon this week was dealing with news that perhaps millions of credit card accounts used in sales in their stores that were hacked were being sold on the dark net. Gottahavva? Yeah, but not this kind. LAUREL: To the Havertown community in Haverford Township. We all know Haverford sports one of the county’s largest Irish contingents, but recently the town has a new reason for sporting the green. Several neighborhoods are bathed in green lights to show support for three local youths battling cancer. Great idea.

LAUREL: To Operation Lipstick. That actually stands for Ladies Involved in Putting a Stop to Innercity Killing.” What it really means is mentors sitting down with young women and preaching the dangers of straw-gun purchases. That is when a woman – or someone else – buys a gun and turns it over to someone who cannot make the purchase legally. Studies show young women often are the offenders, coaxed into the purchases by husbands or boyfriends.

LAUREL: To all those who took part in the recent retirement gala of William Penn Lodge No. 19 of the Fraternal Order of Police. All the best to the officers hanging up their badge.

Enjoy your well-earned retirement.

LAUREL: To the outstanding efforts on display at the recent 22nd annual Arts and Education Gala in Upper Darby. The school district prides itself on its arts programs, and once again the incredible talents of Upper Darby kids were on display.

LAUREL: To the Ed Snider Hockey organization. Named for the man who founded the Flyers, the group this week donated $500,000 to Neumann University in Aston for a series of scholarships.

LAUREL: To a nearly snowless January. Sure we’ve had some cold days, but the snowfall has amounted to little more than flurries. That’s our kind of winter.

DART: To those looking to put our pal Punxsutawney Phil once – literally. They want the prognosticating groundhog put on the shelf. Can’t have a Groundhog Day without Phil.

LAUREL: To Andy Reid. Here’s hoping “Big Red” finally gets his Super Bowl ring when his Chiefs take on the 49ers Sunday in the Super Bowl.

DART: To the Sixers. Their road woes continue after another loss in Atlanta Thursday night. But even more dispiriting was the lack of effort shown by the team. For some reason this team simply does not show up on the road. It’s looking increasingly like they need a shakeup.

LAUREL: All those who believe the Monday after Super Bowl Sunday should be a national holiday raise your hand. Thought so.