FORT WAYNE — CHEERS

... to the Jeff/GRC 13-14 year old Junior All-Stars, which will begin play this weekend at the All-Star World Series in Taylor, Mich.

If the terms “Jeff/GRC” and “World Series” sound familiar being used together, it’s no coincidence. Many of the same players made the Little League World Series two summers ago and played three games in South Williamsport, Pa.

“For them to do it once is amazing,” Jeff/GRC coach Dale Sariscsany told The Evening News after the team’s regional win Thursday night. “To do it twice is simply unbelievable.”

The coach is correct. Congratulations on once again reaching the top level of baseball.

Look for continued coverage of the team in The Evening News.

— Editor Shea Van Hoy



CHEERS

... to the 2010 Bales’ Humanitarian of the Year award winners, who were honored Thursday night at Kye’s in Jeffersonville.

Congratulations and thanks for service go to Tiny Barthold, John Hartstern, Rebecca and Bill Resch and John Woehrle. And, thanks to those who bought tickets to the event, which will support programs and efforts of the Clark County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

— Editor Shea Van Hoy



JEERS

... to the further unraveling of the life of Peggy Wilder before the public’s eye.

No one wants to see such a personal downward spiral — or shouldn’t want to.

It’s obvious Wilder has made some mistakes — as she noted in an interview with The Evening News on Tuesday, just hours before an arrest on operating while intoxicated charges. It was her third scrape with the law in less than a year.

In that same interview, although Wilder said she was sorry, she also attached excuses to the apologies.

But maybe now Wilder has hit rock bottom and will “get her life back,” as she said in the interview that she is trying to do. Maybe elected city leaders now realize they could have helped the situation months and months ago if they simply took a stand regarding Wilder instead of sitting on their hands.

The council is planning a resolution to be introduced at Monday’s meeting asking for Wilder’s resignation. Read more about that issue in Sunday’s Evening News.

More important than any legal trouble, work history or public persona is human life. Peggy Wilder will have to decide to help herself, but a little tough love couldn’t hurt. Regarding that, there’s a difference in reporting the actions of a public official in the newspaper and people trashing Wilder for their amusement. It’s far past a funny issue at this point.

I hope for her and her family, she’s able to achieve her stated goals of betterment.

— Editor Shea Van Hoy



CHEERS

... to the owner or owners of Gateway Plaza for giving the 10th Street business strip a much needed facelift.

— Chief Photographer C.E. Branham



CHEERS

 ... to USA Cycling for choosing downtown Jeffersonville to run two days of criterium racing.

— Chief Photographer C.E. Branham



CHEERS

... to Willis Haviland Carrier, the inventor of the air conditioner. As About.com noted, you are indeed the “Father of Cool.”

— Editor Shea Van Hoy



READER CHEERS

... to the staff at Clark Memorial Hospital, which bless Clark county residents with their talents and care. It is outstanding.

My wife, Arla, was very sick with many problems and spent 18 days on different floors with five or six doctors at her care. I have never seen such good care and service.

A special thanks to Dr. Jessica Dennison, Dr. Khedr Kutman, Dr. Sweat and Registered Nurse Shelby Greer for a great job.

Every employee in all departments was professional. Thanks for a job well done. You all were wonderful. A big thank you.

— Jim and Arla Howard, Charlestown



READER CHEERS

... to the joystick operators during the Gulf oil spill crisis, without whom the oil would still be gushing.

— Charlie Gregory, Charlestown