As we leave Labor Day behind and look forward to all that the fall has in store for our community, let’s take a look at the good news that happened in our community.

• The Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office honored local law enforcement with its Thin Blue Line Award for heroics in the line of duty. Deputies Chad Fuqua, David Washington, John Cowan, Walter Mackel and Tony Godbold were honored for their actions during a standoff on July 25 where Mackel was shot and injured. CPSO deputies Justin Stevens and Johnathan Carol were also acknowledged for their heroic efforts at the scene of a fatal six vehicle wreck on Aug. 25. Thanks to all of the deputies who put their lives on the line to protect the community.
• Local Blues musician YZ Ealey was recently honored with a lifetime achievement award by the Jus Blues Music Foundation. After receiving “The Muddy” Lifetime Blues Award, Ealey said he was flattered to receive the honor, on the same bill that honored other blues legends, some living and some deceased, with awards, including Irma Thomas, Little Milton, KoKo Taylor and others. Ealey said he has been honored to have shared the stage with some of those musicians.
• Concordia Parish Academy sophomore Derrick Carson recently spent a week at engineering camp at Purdue University in Indiana. During the camp, he got the chance to explore biomedical engineering and agricultural engineering — two types of engineering Carson said he knew little about but was excited to learn.
• The community honored Dr. Barry Tillman for his 32 years of practicing medicine in the Miss-Lou. Doctors, nurses, patients and staff from Riverpark Medical Center and Merit Health Natchez honored Tillman for his service. We are sad to see him go and wish him a happy retirement.

As we enter the first unofficial week of fall, let’s always be on the lookout for good news.