Thumbs up, down from the Yuma Sun

• Thumbs up to the Yuma Police Department, which made three arrests in the Mesa Heights arson case, and announced it is looking for a fourth suspect. The Jan. 29 fire damaged 20 properties, totally destroying six homes and an apartment building that was under construction.

• Thumbs up to our Yuma County school districts, for providing two recess periods a day for students in kindergarten-5th grade. Gov. Doug Ducey signed a measure into law recently requiring two recesses a day; however, our schools were already on it. Kudos to our schools that value outdoor exercise and mental breaks for students!

• Thumbs up to Gila Ridge High School’s Aaron Mourik, who has been collecting water and donations for Crossroads Mission’s Heat Relief program. His efforts are part of his Eagle Scout project, and provide much-needed water to the mission.

• Thumbs up to the new Fort Yuma Health Care Center in Winterhaven! The new 76,000-square-foot facility is state of the art, and will offer a variety of services for the Cocopah and Quechan tribes.

• Thumbs up to the renovations at the Joe Henry Optimist Center, 1793 S. 1st Ave. From a beautiful new basketball court inside (thanks to APS and the Phoenix Suns!) and an awesome new mural outside, the future looks bright for Joe Henry!

• Thumbs up to 12-year-old Yuma resident Edwin Sierra, who won a national title in wrestling recently!

• Thumbs down to Gov. Doug Ducey, who announced last week that he would not meet with two teachers groups to discuss salaries. Ducey said he would meet with “decision makers” such as school superintendents. However, teachers deserve to have a voice at the table, too.

• Thumbs down to the people and parents who drive recklessly in school zones, or the wrong way through school parking lots, especially during drop-off and pick-up times. It happens all over Yuma. Please, slow down, drive smart, and help protect the children who are trying to walk out safely amid the chaos.

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.