Shuttle program back on track

"Safety first" must be the motto of manned space flights, and the recently completed mission of the shuttle Discovery appears to have been a giant step forward for NASA.

The space agency has been vexed with problems since the Columbia disaster in 2003 that killed seven astronauts. In particular, there have been continuing questions about the safety of the foam insulation used to protect the shuttle on its return to earth.

On this flight, however, many of those questions were put to rest.

"This is as good a mission as we've ever flown," said NASA Administrator Michael Griffin.

No one who works on the space shuttle program can afford to relax their vigilance, of course. But once the current safety issues are overcome, there will always be tremendous technical challenges in running a program as complex as the space shuttle.

Incredibly, the next launch is scheduled in just six weeks. With hard work and good luck, the flight of Atlantis will be just as successful as this one.

Kudos to the Montana Officer of the Year, Doug Overman, of Kalispell.

Overman joins a cadre of Kalispell officers who have earned acclaim statewide for their accomplishments, not just on the job, but in the community, as well.

Selected by the Montana Association of Chiefs of Police, Overman joins other Kalispell officers in winning the prestigious state award in five out of the last seven years.

He joins Roger Nasset, Wade Rademacher, Scott Warnell and Brett Corbett in commendations for their commitments to the community.

Kalispell Police Chief Frank Garner, who wrote nominating letters for each of his outstanding officers, deserves credit, too, for recognizing and fostering excellence in his department.

Garner has announced his plans to retire by the end of the year, but he has encouraged and mentored an office full of professionals who will continue to do this community proud.

Public art with a message has appeared in unusual places around the Flathead Valley, ranging from a coffin concoction in a Kalispell park to a message on the side of a cow.

The unusual artwork is part of the Montana Meth Project's "Paint the State" project, the latest twist in the creative campaign to impart messages about the dangers of methamphetamine.

Substantial prize money at the county and state level - plus generous contributions from local businesses and civic groups - provided incentive for young artists to amplify the meth message.

This is one more example of community action toward a very worthwhile cause.