Thumbs up to the capture of Paul Cardwell, the former health care CEO who reportedly masterminded a scheme to steal nearly $1.7 million from a pair of hospitals, one in Powell, the other in Indiana.

Cardwell was taken into custody last week in Thailand, where he was reportedly living a life of luxury on money that he is charged with swindling from the companies that hired and trusted him.

We await his return to the United States, most likely in shackles, and wonder what more we will learn as the wheels of justice grind on.

But no matter what, it’s a very good thing that Cardwell’s days on the run are over.

Thumbs down to the reports that the Boys & Girls Club of Park County is struggling to keep its doors open.

The club serves nearly 600 kids and provides them with a safe, healthy environment. Its budget has dropped from almost $800,000 to around $500,000, and it needs all the help it can get from donors and government and private agencies that provide grant dollars.

We applaud the efforts of the staff and the board, as well as the people in our community who support the club. Gov. Matt Mead and Rep. Cynthia Lummis were asked this week if they could help secure the club’s finances, and let’s hope any and all means to boost its fiscal situation are used.

The club does a lot of good, and as Mead said, every penny spent there is money wisely invested for the future.

Thumbs up to the annual Jake Clark’s Mule Days, which are under way in Ralston this week.

Mules are fascinating, if at times cantankerous, animals who played an important role in the settling of the West. They are tough animals that can perform duties that man or horse struggle with, and it’s worth noting that even in the 21st century, they are highly valued.

In addition to an event that hails the hardy animal, Mule Days is also a lot of fun for people, with music, a dance, good fun and other attractions. We hope you get a kick out of it.

Thumbs down to a report from the Powell Police Department that local residents fall victim to scams that cost them thousands of dollars.

There are a lot of crooked people in this world who are willing to spend more time trying to cheat people than if they would simply get a job and earn some money. But while most of us can avoid these traps, some continue to fall for the bogus offers and wild schemes that these scam artists float.

Take the good advice of investigator Michael Hall and beware any offer that seems too good to be true. And if you are unsure what to make of an offer to make you suddenly rich, bring it to the cops and let them take a gander at it.

Thumbs up to dads.

Sunday is Father’s Day, and we salute the men who raise kids, pay bills, mow lawns and cheer from the sidelines.

Here’s to the men who support the kids they fathered, and to those who love and cherish the children they are lucky enough to have become part of their families later in life. Families come in all kinds, and anyone who serves as a father merits praise.

Hooray for fathers, Sunday and every other day.