Our hearts go out to members of the Shelton family as they mourn the death of their beloved Sharrie Shelton Duncan, who was swept out to sea and drowned in Italy as she sacrificed herself to save her 12-year-old son. They were standing on a pier when a freak wave overcame them.

Tragedies like this defy understanding and we’re all left to wonder why.

Sharrie grew up in Kalispell and was a standout track star, diver and swimmer. She graduated from Flathead High School 31 years ago, but people still remember the gusto she gave in every athletic endeavor.

By all accounts Sharrie was one of those people you just don’t forget. In those final moments of life, pushing her son toward rescuers as the water tore her away, her heroism was seen around the world on grainy video footage captured by a bystander with a cell phone.

A lot of attention has been focused lately on the dangers of distracted driving, but motorists aren’t the only ones for whom paying attention is critical.

A couple of recent incidents underscore the importance of listening to the world around us:

n A Columbia Falls teenager, apparently listening to music while she jogged, was hit by an Amtrak train last week. Amazingly, she survived with relatively minor injuries.

n The outcome wasn’t as good in March when a man jogging on a South Carolina beach — and listening to his iPod — was hit from behind and killed by a small plane making an emergency landing.

These might seem like extreme cases, but they point up the danger of tuning out the world with tunes.

The Flathead County Courthouse is a landmark in Kalispell, and it’s worthy of the $1.8 million upgrade that will help preserve its facade and interior glory.

Just as important as the restoration of amenities such as the grand stairway is the addition of an elevator and handicapped-accessible restrooms to bring the 107-year-old building up to federal Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Access at the three-story courthouse has been a concern for many years.

Kudos to the county for also upgrading the Blue Building. It, too, is a landmark, but more for its color that its aesthetic appeal. A new facade will turn its hue from blue to tan, which will be a welcome change for most folks.

And just a reminder: The Treasurer’s Office, motor-vehicle department and Superintendent of Schools Office will relocate to the third floor of the Earl Bennett Building in early June until the building renovation is completed in December.