Homers -- What's going right

NATIONAL HONOR: Tyler Smothers of Cedar Rapids was honored by Iowa's congressional delegation last week for being named winner of The Arc's first ever “Achieve with us” social media contest, which invited people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to share stories of achievement. After the flood of 2008, Smothers became the driving force behind The Arc of East Central Iowa's annual bike-riding fundraiser (Tour de Flood). He's led the event for four years, including Sept. 18.

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WELL DESERVED: The legacy of Don Canney, Cedar Rapids' longest-serving mayor, was honored on Wednesday with a plaque recognizing the city's decision to name The Eastern Iowa Airport's terminal building after Canney. He was a driving force behind the terminal's construction 25 years ago, seeing it as a key to growth.

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SURVEY SIGNS: The 2011 Iowa Youth Survey showed that 11th-graders' use of alcohol and tobacco has dropped sharply from 1999. Illicit drug use hasn't changed much, but Iowans, including adults, have the nation's lowest overall rate, said state officials.

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