Laurel to the compassion and generosity shown last weekend to the family of 11-year-old Kenleigh Dalton by members of the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office and Locke Fire Department. These public servants deal with tragedy and crime on a regular basis; they have to become hardened to some of the world’s sadness to do their jobs effectively. Yet their hearts went out to Kenleigh when her mother, 34-year-old Sonya Dalton, was struck and killed by a drunk driver a few weeks ago. The deputies and firefighters surprised Kenleigh on her birthday with gifts, toys and food for her family, bringing amazing joy to a child who has suffered a terrible loss. Her grandmother, Dixie Dalton, said the kind act showed there are good people in this world. “I don’t know them. They didn’t know me,” Dalton said. “They didn’t have to but they did. …They have just done above and beyond to support our family.”

Laurel to South Rowan High’s Kelly Withers, who is the only principal in the Rowan-Salisbury School System to win the Principal of the Year award twice. That she’s been honored at Carson and South Rowan High is proof that Withers is among the people who are moving the Rowan Salisbury School System in the right direction. What’s more, her Principal of the Year honors have come under two superintendents. Withers says the biggest obstacle at South Rowan is “continuing to build up the value of education, not just our school — the vision of how education unlocks doors, give opportunities. Our teacher design team is working on making the learning experience incredibly relevant.” We’re excited to continue watching Withers’ work at South Rowan.

Dart to federal elected and appointed officials, who shut down the government Saturday after failing to reach a resolution about border wall funding and, as the Associated Press reports, may not reach a resolution before the start of the new year. That past shutdowns have ended with a resolution involving back pay for furloughed workers is cold comfort for those living paycheck to paycheck — still far too many people in an economy that continues to hum at a healthy rate. Fortunately, most in Salisbury and Rowan County won’t be affected by the shutdown, but we’d encourage federal officials, including our own U.S. senators and representatives, to work toward a compromise, even if it’s not what they initially hoped for. Government workers shouldn’t suffer the consequences of a disagreement about a government initiative.