EDITORIAL: Cheers and Jeers — May 20

May 20-- May 20--Cheers ... to MILO -- My Impact Lifts Others -- the after-school club that blends traditional and autistic students. Working together on a Soap Box Derby car helped to show club members what they all have in common: having fun.

Jeers ... to the increase in tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease in Ohio over the past four years, and the expected continuance of that trend, in part due to a growing tick population.

Cheers ... to 2019 McKinley High School graduate Michael Watson, who lost 115 pounds by walking to school every day for a year. Watson, who said he often was bullied about his weight, serves as an inspiration for people of all ages.

Cheers ... to GlenOak alum C.J. McCollum, who carried his NBA Portland Trailblazers deeper the into the playoffs with a stellar, 37-point Game 7 performance against the Denver Nuggets. If the Cavs can't be there making a playoff run, it's nice to see someone from home making a mark.

Jeers ... to an apparent missing element in Ohio law that allows a convicted flasher to avoid having to register as a sex offender because the charges are misdemeanors. When a man repeatedly flashes a 7-year-old neighbor, it's clear he presents a danger to others that needs to be monitored.

Cheers ... to state Reps. Susan Manchester and Tavia Galonski for sponsoring House Bill 8, which proposes to improve and streamline the process to train licensed foster parents. The state is in desperate need of more caring families to open their homes to the most vulnerable of our citizens.

Cheers ... to the Louisville High School softball team, which last week beat the defending Division I state champion, Perry, and this year's Federal League champion and top seed in the tournament, Lake, en route to the Leopards' first appearance in the regionals. We wish them well in Wednesday's semifinal against Chardon.

Jeers ... to how difficult it can be to close a nuisance bar plaguing a neighborhood with violence and nightly disruptions. There comes a time when city leaders should be able to declare, "Enough is enough," for the sake of residents who simply want to leave in peace.

Cheers ... to the all the men and women "in blue" who serve us every day. We hope you took a moment to honor one in some fashion during National Police Week, which ended Sunday.

Cheers ... to the 700-plus people who gave of their time and talent Friday by participating in United Way of Greater Stark County's 26th annual Day of Caring. The community projects toward which they contributed will make a difference in many lives.

Jeers ... to the insensitive commenters with nothing better to do than to go on social media to ridicule a Massillon Parks and Recreation employee who at the time was in a Canton hospital fighting for his life after an accident involving his riding mower. We will never understand what compels some people to act so callously toward another human being and his grieving family.

Cheers ... to new mothers who donate to Lifeline of Ohio's birth tissue program. Placenta is used to help severe burn victims in their healing process.

Cheers ... to Gabriella Findley and Matthew Hersher, Washington High School's Miss Massillonian and Outstanding Senior Boy, respectively, and all of the students who were nominated for the annual honor.

___

(c)2019 The Repository, Canton, Ohio

Visit The Repository, Canton, Ohio at www.cantonrep.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.