Thumbs up, down from the Yuma Sun

• Thumbs up to the members of Valley Horizon’s Super Aqua Squad, who are advancing to the First Lego League Global Innovation contest! The team is one of 20 that will compete with others from around the world in San Jose, Calif. The team is fundraising at https://tinyurl.com/SuperAquaSquad.

• Thumbs up to the Yuma Catholic golf team, which took second place at the Division III state tournament!

• Thumbs up to the student athletes from Cibola, Kofa, Gila Ridge and San Pasqual who placed at the state track meet last weekend!

• Thumbs up to the new medical clinic and services in the Yuma County Adult Probation building, providing onsite care to probationers. The goal is to help probationers get the care they need, in the hopes that they will be less likely to reoffend, instead moving forward on a path toward future success. • Sideways thumb to the upcoming closure of the eastbound off-ramp of Interstate 8 at Araby Road, as well as the news that Gila Ridge Road will be closed for 30 days and Araby Road, between 30th and 26th streets, will be reduced to one lane in both directions for three months. Roadway improvements are a positive in the end, but often come with headaches for drivers during the actual work.

• Thumbs down to the news of Safe House’s financial struggles after funding cuts by the Arizona Department of Economic Security, but thumbs up to the community members and organizations who have stepped forward with donations. Safe House provides emergency shelter services to men and women with children fearing domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, stalking and trafficking, filling a vital role in our community.

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.