This has been a busy news week for Lawrence County and we would like to take the time to recognize those who have made contribution to our county in recent headlines:

•  The staff of Impact Prevention, located in Ironton, who have worked to put together a rally and walk to focus on the issue of suicide prevention. The event, set for Thursday at 3 p.m., will begin at the group’s headquarters and go to the Lawrence County Courthouse.

Impact has been working with youth groups in local schools and hopes to motivate the youth in the area to create a sense of community and inclusion.

• The staff of Symmes Valley and Dawson-Bryant Elementary schools, who have both been recognized by the Ohio School Boards Association for achievement.

Dawson-Bryant was named a High Progress School of Honor, while Symmes Valley was recognized with the Education Momentum Award.

• Hannah McKenzie, of South Point Middle School. The eighth grader topped off five years of excelling in spelling bees by coming in second place at the regional spelling bee in Athens on Saturday.

• Organizers with Project First Impression, who got county and local officials, along with those carrying out community service sentences, together on Tuesday for a clean-up project.

The group met in South Point at tractor Supply and worked their way west, collecting trash and litter along the highway and filling dozens of bags.

We salute all of these people from our county who have helped to contribute to local pride.