Daily Herald editors offer brief thoughts on suburban topics in the news.

Zone defense

Wouldn't it make sense for road plowing duties to be divided up by zones, rather than municipal, township, county and state highway departments each removing snow from their own roads? Seems like it would be cheaper and the roads would be clearer.

Keep your snow to yourself

It's against the law to push snow from your driveway or parking lot into the street. Beyond that, it's rude and could cause an accident that injures someone else. Just don't do it.

Naperville READS

It doesn't generate as much publicity as it once did, but the annual Naperville READS program is still worth celebrating. Sponsored by Anderson's Bookshop in conjunction with Jumping Off the Page, Naperville Public Library, North Central College, Naperville Unit District 203 and Indian Prairie Unit District 204, it encourages folks to read the same book and then discuss it.

Timely selection?

This year's author is Katherine Applegate and her book is "Wishtree," which she says serves as "a reminder that we are and always have been a nation of welcoming hearts and open minds."

Huskie comes home

Good luck to Thomas Hammock, who takes over as Northern Illinois University's head football coach. Once a star running back at NIU, Hammock returns home for what he has called his "dream job." Go Huskies.

Local Oscar nom shout-outs

Congrats to Plainfield native Melissa McCarthy on netting a best actress Oscar nomination for her role as writer-turned-forger Lee Israel in "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" Kudos also go out to producer John Walker (from Elgin) who received a best animated feature nod for "Incredibles 2" and producer Dede Gardner (from Winnetka) who is up for best picture for "Vice."

If you suspect drug abuse, snoop

Teens hide alcohol and drugs in seemingly innocuous items in their rooms, even stuffed animals. Experts advise following your gut and conducting a thorough search if you suspect something's wrong. "You have every single right to go through your child's room," says Sandi Lybert, founder of Your Choice to Live, which gave two presentations in the Fox Valley this week.

Keep it up, Tony

Tony Sanders, CEO of Elgin Area School District U-46, deserves a gold star for the information and transparency he has exhibited this past week concerning his decisions on closing, or not closing, schools in the state's second-largest school district. Sanders has gone out of his way on Facebook, Twitter and the district's website to explain not only his decisions, but all that goes into making them.

Too much of a good (or bad) thing?

Given that there's clearly a zero-sum effect at work when it comes to the number of people who frequent local gambling cafes, we're scratching our heads as to the wisdom of allowing two similar establishments within a few feet of each other on Dundee Road in Wheeling. Having two so close will just split the clientele. Who wins?

Be careful out there

After a mild early winter, it appears we're about to be socked with all the cold a Chicago winter can throw at us. Take precautions early and stay safe.