Editorial: This week's hefty handful

Some Polk County numbers
The economic contribution/impact study on the University of Minnesota, Crookston that was recently completed and presented last week further cemented this fact: We are very, very fortunate to have a University of Minnesota campus in town. So, with that obvious fact out of the way, could we possibly see some specific Polk County numbers? The main findings, a $50.2 million impact that includes around 600 direct and indirect jobs, cover a “trade area” that includes Polk and Grand Forks counties. That brings the Grand Forks retail district into the equation, and most Crookston businesspeople already know that many dollars are spent in Grand Forks and not in Crookston. If we could see a split between the two counties’ numbers, that might provide an interesting snapshot to those who want to maximize UMC’s presence and impact in the community.

Reds finally solve the A’s
The saying goes, "The third time's the charm." Well, it wasn't for the Crookston Reds against the Ada Athletics, neither was the fourth time. This week they'll get a fifth and sixth try at the A's this week in Norman-Polk League Playoffs. The Reds host Ada Wednesday in game one and the teams to go to Ada Friday for game two. If Crookston can't get it done by then, its season will be over. If it can pull off a victory, game three will be in Ada Sunday. There is reason to be optimistic for the Reds, though. Their top three pitchers have faced Ada just once this season, Mitch Bakken in the first game of the season. The Reds are looking at throwing Bakken in game one with probably Ted Hasz and Aaron Motl also pitching in the series. We'll see what Crookston can do with its aces on the mound.

More steps in the right direction in youth baseball
Parks & Recreation summer youth baseball will be about wrapped up by the end of the month. It’s been an interesting summer, with Ted Hasz trying to rejuvenate and rebuild the program and develop better players and teams. He wants the program, all the way up to the Pirates, to be better, basically, so he’s made a lot of changes. With the out-of-town tournament season wrapping up before the in-house playoffs begin this week at the cadet and bantam levels, it’s clear the program has a long way to go. Simply put, the other teams field the ball better, they hit the ball harder and further and they pitch the ball faster than the Crookston kids. Nice job, Ted. Hopefully, more steps in the right direction will be taken next year.

Maybe just pay the ticket and move on
Granted, we don’t know exactly why she’s contesting the citation, and she obviously has the right to do so, but maybe Faith Mitzel, 92, should just pay the $20 fine and move on. Mitzel, in May, was cited for driving on the wrong side of the road on North Dakota Highway 57 after a crash that killed a woman riding on a motorcycle. Compared to Minnesota at least, North Dakota is already known for having small fines for speeding and other traffic-related offenses, but many thought her $20 fine was incredibly minor, given that someone died as a result of her driving on the wrong side of the road. They thought it was an injustice, a travesty even. The fact that she’s fighting the ticket likely amounts to rubbing salt in the wounds of those victimized by the crash.

New, young drivers getting off to a good start on the road
It's summer, which means drivers' education classes are underway. At one point, everybody has experienced the excitement of receiving your first driver's license. We can all understand that teens are eager for the freedom that comes with being able to drive without mom and dad there, but despite how much your parents like you getting some independence, it probably gives them never-ending nightmares too. One of the potentially scariest things on the road is a new teen driver. It is understood that experience is not learned in a classroom or overnight, but use your best judgment. Driving opens up more opportunities for you, but if not done wisely can close many doors.