Editorial: Thumbs up

Longtime Mount Airy Councilman R. Delaine Hobbs was honored for his 36 consecutive years on the Town Council with a plaque now hanging in Town Hall. When Hobbs served from 1966 to 2002, the town implemented a water sewer system, managed the growth of the town and coordinated the resident trooper program. The town scheduled an event to unveil a plaque commemorating Hobbs June 3. Family members, childhood friends, former councilmembers and mayors spoke of Hobbs' dedication to the town. Since finishing his service with the town in 2002, Hobbs said he's had the pleasure of spending more time with his family.

Tyler Botelho, of Union Bridge, became the first Gateway High School graduate to receive a scholarship in the history of Gateway's program. The graduating senior finished high school in three years, at the age of 17. She received a scholarship from First Financial Federal Credit Union for $3,000, which she will be using toward her education at Carroll Community College. On top of completing high school in three years, Botelho had a two-month hospital stay last year after the birth of her daughter, Melody. A complication from the C-section led to an infection that kept her in the hospital. Instead of taking a break, Botelho took online courses and teachers visited twice a week to help with schoolwork. Not completing high school wasn't an option for her, she said.

More than 100 participants walked and ran Wednesday in the five legs of the annual Carroll County Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Participants included members of the Carroll County Sheriff's Office, detention center, Maryland State Police, Office of the State Fire Marshal, state's attorney's office and local police departments, and of course, some of the Special Olympians themselves. The event is geared toward raising awareness for Special Olympics leading up to the 43rd Special Olympics Maryland Summer Games, which were scheduled to begin Friday and continue this weekend at Towson University.

Two Carroll County businesses, Utz Properties and Real Estate and Apple Plumbing and Heating, won the Maryland Breakthrough Business Award, presented by the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. Utz Real Estate won the award in the one to 10 employee category, beating out another Carroll business, NoWorriesIT, and Fenwick Beer and Wine in Silver Spring. Apple Plumbing won the award in the 11-50 employee category, over Carroll business WellAdvantage and Annapolis business Millennium Marketing Solutions. The award is given to companies that show growth, entrepreneurial spirit and innovation, according to the Maryland Chamber of Commerce.