Lockport Union-Sun & Journal — CHEERS:

For several years Sandi Pfohl has made countless sacrifices to protect the animals of Niagara County. Whether it was a horse or a family of ducks or a skunk that could have stunk out the city library after it got stuck in a window well, Sandi made sure the animals were cared for. Now, she’s in need of help after a terrible fire destroyed her Pendleton animal sanctuary. We’d like to salute Sandi for all her hard work and humbly ask if there’s anyone out there who can lend their support.

JEERS:

Here we go, again! Another labor stoppage in professional sports. Once again, it’s in the National Hockey League where the owners and players can’t decide how to share billions of dollars in ever-increasing revenue. Baseball learned its lesson after the 1994 World Series was cancelled and the fans stayed away in droves upon its return in 1995. Obviously the NHL learned nothing following the lost 2004-05 season. Hockey fans must retaliate where it hurts: in the wallets of these greedy, unashamed men.

CHEERS:

Bar patrons answered the call when they heard a store clerk’s cry for help last week, helping to thwart a pair of would-be robbers. Law enforcement personnel and plain common sense advise us not to interfere in matters such as this — you never know who has a weapon and who’s not afraid to use it — but it’s nice to see kindness and the human spirit prevail. Maybe some beer muscles didn’t hurt, either?

JEERS:

Most traffic lights perform their jobs with minimal interruption. Then there are those that maddeningly stay red forever when there’s no other car for miles or change so quick that you’re lucky to get three cars through an intersection. That brings us to the traffic light at Transit and Willow. Anyone who’s ever tried to make a left turn south on Transit from Willow knows the frustration that is this traffic light. It takes FOREVER. When you plan your trips to avoid this light, you know something’s wrong.

CHEERS: Once it was clear that there was a problem surfacing on Walnut Street, it didn’t take long for city workers to swoop into action. An aged water main break on the main thoroughfare could have been crippling. Instead, thanks to city crews, the leak was stopped, the pipe replaced and the street reopened. We’re often quick to criticize government, municipal departments and their employees. We should make sure to give credit where it’s due. Nice job.