Thumbs up, down from the Yuma Sun

• Thumbs up to the Yuma County Fair. We love the traditions we see every year, from the 4-H and FFA events to the family fun time. It’s a mini-reunion every year, where old friends bump into each other and new friends are made daily. Kudos to the fair organizers for a terrific event!

• Thumbs up to Alice Byrne Elementary School, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. It’s a terrific school, and countless Yuma children have fond memories of calling it home for their elementary school years. Happy anniversary, Alice Byrne!

• Thumbs up to Gadsden Elementary School District, which recently celebrated students with special needs during a Special Olympics day featuring a petting zoo, train, sports, art activities and more. It’s a wonderful way to establish community and celebrate inclusion – and it’s the type of event we love to see happening!

• Thumbs up to Sunset View Park, under construction currently in the East Wetlands. This will be yet another jewel for Yuma, and we’re excited to see the end result.

• Thumbs down to a parasite called Heterobilharzia americana, which has been found in the Colorado River. It was originally thought to be isolated to the states that border the Gulf of Mexico, but it’s been found as far south as Blythe on our river. Researchers say it can cause canine schistosomiasis in dogs. The illness, if caught with enough time, is treatable, but we hate that it threatens our four-legged friends. Pet owners, be aware – and be careful!

• Thumbs down to the road collapse on Highway 1 in California. The scenic route is absolutely stunning to drive, but clearly, the rains this year have taken a toll. According to the Associated Press, 300 cars were stranded overnight while they waited for a roadway solution. It’s going to be a challenge to find a long-term solution here.

• Thumbs down to the theft of sensitive information of millions of AT&T’S current and former customers, including Social Security numbers, which have now been found on the dark web. It’s terrible that this keeps happening at businesses again and again.

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.

Unsigned editorials represent the viewpoint of this newspaper rather than an individual. Columns and letters to the editor represent the viewpoints of the persons writing them and do not necessarily represent the views of the Yuma Sun.