This week we offer the latest installment of an occasional Editorial Ink Drops feature we titled “Standing O’s And Oh, Nos!” — because some issues and individuals deserve this kind of heightened focus, for good or for ill, right at the top of our front page.The Newtown Bee hits subscribers’ mailboxes on Friday, August 11, at a 4:30 pm celebration at Edmond Town Hall conceived and hosted by State Senator Tony Hwang. As the Cal Ripken organization points out, reaching the milestone of a World Series appearance is something reserved for a rare few teams. We are so proud of all of you — GO BLUE HAWKS!

This week we offer the latest installment of an occasional Editorial Ink Drops feature we titled “Standing O’s And Oh, Nos!” — because some issues and individuals deserve this kind of heightened focus, for good or for ill, right at the top of our front page.

Our first “Standing O” this week is well deserved by Newtown’s 9U Blue Hawks. This year the venerable Little League team battled through their state and regional championships, making it all the way to competing in the Cal Ripken World Series in Ocala, Fla. While being eliminated in play against a national field of rivals, this achievement was a tremendous feat, and every player, coach, supporter, and related family member who played a role in getting each player to the “big show” should also be commended.

The team will be honored shortly after this edition of

Every time we learn of yet another vehicle crash in the area of South Main Street and Button Shop Road we utter a collective “Oh No!” As one Letter Hive writer points out this week, that particular intersection with its uncomfortable hard left jog for northbound drivers, and being at the top of a long hill where two lanes merge into one for southbound vehicles has been a problematic area for years.

This location and the areas immediately north and south of it have been the scene of numerous high-speed crashes and at least one death. Perhaps it is time for our Police Commission, which serves as Newtown’s Traffic Authority, and our state legislators to make a special appeal to the State DOT to evaluate the vicinity to determine if new warning signage, adjustments to speed limits, or other traffic controls or calming features need to be implemented.

Let us offer a “Standing O” to Newtown State Rep Mitch Bolinsky, who enthusiastically supported PA 23-161 in his capacity as a member of the legislature’s Aging Committee, which had been fighting for these types of protections for over five years. The bill that was just signed into law provides a new, proactive set of protections for seniors by establishing guidelines to engage and empower banking and financial services providers to disclose to them or a trusted agent when suspicious, out-of-the-ordinary financial activity will be disclosed.

This way, their authorized broker-dealer, investment advisor, financial institution and/or probate court administrator may flag unusual activity and execute a temporary account hold to prevent possible (or probable) financial exploitation.

Our final “Standing O” for today goes to the appointed Town Administrator Work Group, which has been dedicated to delivering a recommendation to local officials ahead of the November local elections. The group recently reached consensus, and will recommend Newtown move forward exploring whether this executive administrator should be retained to provide day-to-day operational support to the elected first selectman.

We know there are still miles to go on this journey as the recommendation faces political and public scrutiny, but we do not see the prospect of installing a town administrator — which has worked successfully for numerous other Connecticut communities — as a bridge too far.