The roses greatly outnumber the thorns after a hot week seemed to knock off some of the weeds.
Rose: To all the good neighbors who helped out following last week’s derecho knocked out electricity for as much as three days in some places. Your kindness manning cooling centers or sharing food during some of the hottest days of this summer may have saved a life.
Rose: To Brian Cook, of the Allen County Engineer’s Office. A reader who is a fan of his mowing work along Eastown Road complimented his professionalism, courtesy and attention to detail.
Thorn: To Josh McPheron, the so-called “Dad of Tik Tok,” who was sentenced to an intense sexual offender rehabilitation program for two counts of gross sexual imposition, along with 180 days in the Allen County Jail and five years community control. While these seem like slaps on the wrist considering the great harm done to the victims, we must remember the victims’ families endorsed the sentence, according to victim advocates.
Rose: To state officials for including $1 million for the long-shuttered Memorial Hall. If nothing else, this earmark should motivate someone to do something with the former entertainment venue, whether that means its restoration or its demolition.
Rose: To Alan Bruns, of Lima, whose idea will appear Friday in the nationally syndicated Pluggers cartoon. It’s about Pluggers being a “fine collectible.”
Rose: To Chad Owsley, of Lima, who set an Indian Lake record by catching a 42.87-pound flathead catfish.
