Thumbs up, down from the Yuma Sun

• Thumbs up to Charles Flynn and the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, for their role in bringing the Waterfront Center of Washington, D.C. to Yuma for a conference in January. It’s an amazing chance to showcase both Yuma and Yuma’s ties to the Colorado River.

• Thumbs up to the news that Yuma County’s jobless rate has dropped once again, to 18 percent. It’s positive momentum, but the number is much higher than the state’s rate of 4.5 percent. Hopefully, our local number continues to shrink.

• Thumbs up to the families who adopted 27 foster children in Yuma County last weekend. There are 387 children in foster care locally, 84 of whom are ready to be adopted. Thanks to the families who have opened their hearts and homes to these children!

• Thumbs up to the recent boost in single-family homes in Yuma, which are being built at a pace greater than officials originally estimated!

• Thumbs up to all the agencies who helped feed Yuma’s hungry over the Thanksgiving holiday! Your efforts are appreciated!

• Thumbs up to the planned park for military veterans in San Luis. The city hopes to begin design work on the project in the next fiscal year, with a planned project completion between 2019 and 2023.

• Thumbs up to the Yuma County Board of Supervisors, for launching a webpage to allow drivers to keep track of county road project progress. The page can be found by visiting www.YumaCountyAZ.gov/government/development-services, and clicking on the CIP Project Updates link.

• A second thumbs up to the Yuma County Board of Supervisors, which is now live streaming their meetings on their Facebook page, giving residents another outlet to see the meetings.

• Thumbs down to the recent increase in vehicle burglaries in Yuma. The Yuma Police Department warned residents to be proactive in preventing such crimes — but it’s unfortunate that we have to have the conversation at all.

Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down are compiled by the Yuma Sun editorial board, based on recent events, happenings and activities around Yuma County and the nation, and will appear on Fridays in the Yuma Sun.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS OR NOT?