Thumbs up, down from the Yuma Sun

• Thumbs up to the Regional Center for Border Health, which recently secured funding to build a $35 million medical office complex. The San Luis Medical Mall will expand health care services to residents of San Luis and the surrounding area, and will have medical offices, examination rooms, pharmacy, conference center and a large urgent care center equipped with a landing pad used by helicopters to airlift patients.

• Thumbs up to Joseph Turitto, who has been named Somerton’s new police chief! Congrats!

• Thumbs up to the new law in Yuma requiring coverings over trash and debris in truck beds or trailers. Beginning Dec. 21, the city will require all vehicle loads of scrap, debris, landscape trimmings, dirt, gravel, rocks, recyclable materials or any other type of waste products or trash to be securely covered to prevent materials from becoming loose. The new law will help keep our streets cleaner, and will prevent potential accidents from flying debris.

• Thumbs up to Lucky Arvizo, who is stepping down as Cibola High School’s head football coach after 17 seasons. Under his leadership, the program has had a 96-82 record, eight state playoff appearances and 12 Yuma Union School District titles. Thanks, Coach Arvizo, for your dedication and leadership!

• Thumbs down to the thieves who are targeting water backflow devices in Yuma. The thieves cut the pipes holding the device, taking both the device and the copper pipes. The problem, other than the obvious stealing issue, is the fact that these devices protect Yuma’s water system from contamination. If you have any information, please call the Yuma Police Department at 928-373-4700.

• Thumbs down to a recent report that ranks Yuma at No. 8 in the nation for labor force poverty rates. The study found that Yuma is adding jobs, many of which pay low wages — so it’s not enough to keep workers out of poverty.

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? You can write a letter to the editor or comment on this editorial online at yumasun.com