Thumbs up to
hospital officials
Thumbs up to Falls Memorial Hospital officials, who Falls councilors reported will challenge the jurisdiction and authority of the U.S. Army Corps in dealing with wetlands issues regarding development of a new health care campus off Keenan Drive.
Councilors said the challenge will be to the Corps assertion that the property is adjacent to navigable waters.

Thumbs down
to police
Thumbs down to the police who held an Associated Press photographer on a gross misdemeanor riot charge after he was arrested while covering a protest in St. Paul. A second AP photographer reported being picked up from behind, thrown down and kicked in the ribs by police before being handcuffed. He was released after showing an officer his press credentials. A Democracy Now! TV and radio show host was also arrested. Police are charged with arresting those that disrupt the peace, but arresting journalists while they are covering an event and holding them on charges is overzealous.

Thumbs up
to rangers
Thumbs up to National Park Service rangers who work to keep our national parks safe for visitors and are there to help when emergencies arise.

Thumbs up
to Falls Council
Thumbs up to the Falls City Council, which is expected to propose collected about $300,000 less in taxes for 2009.

Thumbs up
to Duluth Clinic
Thumbs up to Duluth Clinic for bringing in more full time services to International Falls. Constante Avecilla, MD, comes to International Falls from the Marshfield clinic in Wisconsin to replace the retiring Dr. Stephen Marchuk, and brings 44 years of physician experience including colon, rectal and gynecological surgery skill.

Thumbs up
to schools
Thumbs up to all of the administration, faculty, students and parents for putting a great summer aside and generating community excitement of a new academic year in Borderland. It takes a lot of work and support to help student perform at their best.

Thumbs up
to Hilke
Thumbs up to Bob Hilke for completing a historic trip in a row boat he crafted.

Thumbs up Falls school district
Thumbs up to the school district for their parent-friendly Web site. Parents can log on to the Skyward Family Access Web site to view their kids' lunch accounts, grades, attendance and more. Thank you school district for keeping parents informed.