We begin with the Fourth of July. More than any recent year we can think of, it packed in so many hits and misses, it feels pointless to break them out individually.

We’ll start with the big one: Independence Day. Almost 250 years after the birth of our country, this grand experiment in democracy and self-government lives on. Yes, it gets messy and heated; the fact President Trump signed the “Big, Beautiful Bill” on Friday — to the unbridled joy of most of his supporters and the sheer horror of much of the rest of the country — is one prime example.

Locally, and nationally, people celebrated with parades and barbecues and fireworks. It’s good that people of all stripes and persuasions pause on this most American of holidays and share a day of celebrating our freedoms and existence.

But this year feels different, and a deadly explosion less than 100 miles down the road is a big reason.

A fireworks warehouse in Esparto burst into a fireball late Tuesday afternoon. The blasts and fires were so dangerous, authorities couldn’t safely enter the building for several days to search for survivors or victims. They were finally able to recover some human remains Friday morning.

And yet, some people had the nerve to complain that their fireworks shows (including one at Silver Dollar Speedway that was to follow a night of dirt track racing) were canceled as a result. Talk about missing the big picture; we’re sure the families of the people who were killed in the blast wish you could have still watched your big shows, too.

There’s also the annual headache of people who think July 4 gives them a license to set off fireworks night after night — often in areas that don’t allow fireworks in the first place, causing completely unwarranted headaches for neighbors and, all too often, firefighters. We have yet to hear a reasonable explanation as to how that all adds up to “patriotism.”

Let’s keep things in perspective. Yes, we should celebrate the birth of our country. That’s not a reason to be disrespectful of other people — much less insult their memory with misguided complaints.

Elsewhere:

MISS >> We were shocked and angered by news out of Durham that a 1-month-old baby had been exposed to fentanyl, necessitating lifesaving measures and the baby being transported to another hospital. The parents were arrested on felony child endangerment charges, which sounds about right to us. There is no excuse.

HIT >> In a case that sounds fit for a future “Dateline” episode, a suspect in a 1983 cold murder case out of Oregon was arrested in Chico this week. Mark Sanfratello, 72, of Chico has been arrested in connection with the 1983 killing of Teresa Peroni in Josephine County, Oregon.

Justice delayed is better than no justice at all. We applaud those who refuse to let cold cases stay that way.

MISS >> While we weren’t as literally sickened by the Sycamore Pool situation as some people who reportedly got e-coli poisoning, we do find it deeply disturbing, to say the least. It’s a serious situation, but we’re not exactly jumping with joy over the fact lawyers are already inserting themselves into the situation.

One was quoted in our paper this week as saying the e-coli was likely from cows, not humans; that left us scratching our heads. If someone can pinpoint how far up Big Chico Creek one has to go before there’s a hoofprint in the creek bed, we’d be fascinated.

HIT >> Great to see the Paradise elementary school being rebuilt. That’s one more tangible sign of recovery from the Camp Fire.

MISS >> In the “somebody else always has it worse than us” category, the ludicrous stories about the Tehama County Board of Supervisors just keep on coming.

A Grand Jury report has slammed the “dysfunction” on the board and says Supervisor Pati Nolen should be removed from office for “willful and corrupt misconduct” — while investigations continue into the role other supervisors and county officials may have played in the infamous “TumblerGate” episode, where Nolen was accused of drinking during a meeting. (She was later pulled over by Red Bluff police, and no alcohol was found in her system.)

It’s all embarrassing. Here in Butte County, we’re happy to accept squabbles over the parks any day.

HIT >> Finally, what’s more American than a plug about corn? You can support an FFA project by purchasing fresh-picked corn every morning at Maisie Jane’s at the corner of Hegan Lane and Dayton Road. Contact Lilia Hurtado at 530-966-0778 to confirm hours or ask about delivery.

Hits and misses are compiled by the editorial board.