Thumbs up to the report that Northwest College faculty members and staffers feel better about their jobs and college.

A survey, “Great Colleges to Work For,” was taken by 150 NWC staffers. It showed they are more pleased by the college’s leadership, its efforts to share governance, and feel faculty, administrative and staff relations and communication has improved.

It indicated there was room for improvement in communications as well as respect and appreciation.

Much of the credit, according to Lisa Smith, NWC’s statistician, goes to President Stefani Hicswa, who has impressed the college, the community and the state with her open approach, willingness to talk and listen to students and staff, and desire to improve Powell’s community college.

However, the staffers lowered the level of overall job satisfaction from 80 percent in 2012, the last time the survey was given, to 75 percent. Outgoing Trustee Rick LaPlante said he was pleased but wants to see more study.

“We need to determine what drives job satisfaction,” LaPlante said.

We agree. Steps have been made in the right direction. Let’s continue down that path.

Thumbs up to the Powell school board for allowing two Powell High School Student Council members to serve with them.

Senior Ben Wetzel and junior Tristan Bohlman joined the board at its Nov. 11 meeting. They will not be allowed to vote, but will have a voice. It’s important to allow students input on how their schools operate and wise to seek their input and perspective.

Every year, two students will be selected by the student council. This has long been under consideration, and we give the board an A for making the move now.

Thumbs down to poor driving habits as winter conditions arrive.

The cold weather arrived with the steady sound of calls on police scanners in the newsroom. Drivers skidded off roads, slammed into other vehicles and generally showed that they had somehow forgotten the number-one rule of driving in colder weather: Slow down.

Sheriff Scott Steward said it amazes him how many wrecks occur during and after the first snowstorm of the season. While some can be attributed to new drivers, in most cases, it’s people who should well remember that cold equals snow and ice and that results in more dangerous road conditions.

The only good news is that no one was seriously injured in the slam-bam-wham start to winter on our roads. Let’s wise up and slow down to keep it that way, folks.

Thumbs up to the NWC volleyball team, which will compete for a national title this week.

The Lady Trappers, who are 28-8 on the year, claimed the Region IX Tournament at Casper College in Casper on Nov. 8. They will be on the same court starting today (Thursday) and hope to still be standing, and playing, on Saturday for the NJCAA National Volleyball Tournament championship.

NWC is seeded ninth going into the tourney. The Lady Trappers won the Region IX Conference title during the regular season and was undefeated in the regional tourney. We’d love to see them add a third crown to their collection.

Thumbs up to the likely return of the “Longmire” TV series.

It looks like Sheriff Walt will be back to chasing bad guys and dealing with his personal torment in 2015. Creator Craig Johnson told the Powell Tribune that negotiations with Netflix, a popular online streaming service, are going well.

Like most fans and followers of the fictional Wyoming sheriff and his family, friends and foes, we were stunned when A&E canceled the popular show in August. Millions of people watched the first three seasons and are eager for more.

It looks like they will get their wish. Long may “Longmire” ride.