Throughout the last seven days there was plenty to celebrate, with a big week of appreciation coming on the heels of Mother’s Day.

May 10-16 marked both Hospital Appreciation Week and Law Enforcement Week.

Newton Medical Center has served this community for decades, and its staff has been there when area residents have needed them most. We want to piggyback on the national appreciation of hospitals and their employees by saying thank you for being there when we need you most.

When a hospital is needed we are often at our most vulnerable state, and we want the staff is to be reassuring and strong. It’s a tough task. One we appreciate.

Lately, it seems, there has been anything but appreciation for law enforcement on a national level. For the most part our sheriff’s office and local police department not only operate the right way, but put themselves in harm’s way for residents on a daily basis.

These men and women are a constant presence for Newton County residents and make it a little easier to sleep at night without worry of what’s lurking outside our homes.

Thank you to our law enforcement officers. In a time when it is, to say the least, a struggle to wear the uniform, we feel we need to declare our appreciation for all that you do.

Sheriff Ezell Brown, Covington Police Chief Stacey Cotton and Porterdale Police Chief Jason Cripps are constantly working hard to keep their departments working hard to keep us safe.