Thumbs up to agricultural producers and the work underway in local fields. National Agriculture Week is recognized March 15-21, and we want to take a moment to celebrate local farmers and ranchers.

With warm weather in recent weeks, area farmers have returned to the fields. As we see tractors at work, notice increased activity on farms and await the arrival of water in irrigation canals, we’re encouraged by these signs of springtime.

We’re also reminded of the vital role agriculture plays in our community, state and nation.

On average, each American farmer feeds more than 144 people, according to the Agriculture Council of America. We have ag producers to thank for the food we eat, many of the clothes we wear and products we use daily.

We know Powell wouldn’t be the community it is without agriculture. Since the early 1900s, when water first trickled through the Shoshone Irrigation District canals, agricultural producers have built and sustained the Powell Valley.

Spring officially begins Friday, and we hope the season ahead is an abundant one.

Thumbs down to an apparent resurgence of methamphetamine in our area.

Officers with the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, the Powell Police Department and the Park County Sheriff’s Office searched a home on Cheyenne Street Saturday and found evidence that a 47-year-old man was manufacturing meth there.

Meth is a highly addictive and dangerous drug, and Wyoming has ranked among the top states in the nation for meth use. That’s cause for much concern in our communities.

Unfortunately, there appears to be a resurgence in smaller-scale meth labs, said Powell Police Chief Roy Eckerdt. He noted smaller operations are still dangerous.

The Cheyenne Street house’s proximity to a popular park, local school and other homes gives us even more reasons for concern.

Thumbs up to two state championship titles for the Powell Panthers over the weekend.

To top off an impressive 22-4 season, the Powell High School girls basketball team won the 3A state championship on Saturday evening in Casper. The Lady Panthers defeated the Lovell Lady Bulldogs 58-52, and secured their spot in school history by winning the first-ever official state title in girls basketball.

A banner in the Panther gym shows state titles for girls basketball in 1974-75, but those victories were before the girls sport was officially recognized in the state. We’ve come a long way since then, and we’re so proud of these young athletes and their coaches.

Panther fans kept cheering Saturday night when news came in that the Powell High School speech and debate team claimed the 3A state championship in Buffalo. Powell High School last won a state championship in speech and debate in 2010.

The Panthers worked hard all season long, and we’re impressed with how they persevered, even when facing teams larger than their own. As one PHS senior noted, the team’s success shows quality outweighs quantity.

We wish the Panthers the best as they compete in the National Speech and Debate Association District Tournament in Riverton this weekend.

Also, best of luck to the Northwest College Trappers in the NJCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament and the Wyoming Cowboys in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. It’s been an exciting year so far for Panther, Trapper and Cowboy fans, and we hope to see the teams’ successes continue.