A thumbs-up, thumbs-down assessment of newsmakers here and beyond:

THUMBS-UP: Former Waynesboro school principal Jim Nichols is a man with a penchant for getting things done. Former students and teachers alike revere him for his tough, no-nonsense style. He has taken a similar approach even in retirement, during which he has declined a life of relaxation, opting instead for persistent activity. Nichols’ latest venture has been to organize a committee of volunteers under the umbrella of Waynesboro Downtown Development, Inc. to start a farmer’s market that will debut April 23. The market, naturally, will feature local farmers but also figures to be a weekly event, including entertainment and activities for kids. Nichols and his volunteer staff picked up startup money for the venture through a grant obtained from the Resource Conservation District Council. A previous farmers market in Waynesboro shut down roughly three years ago. “I did think it was worth pursuing to put another market on the ground,” Nichols said. Hats off to one of the city’s own for taking the initiative and then transforming the idea into reality. We urge others in town take notice and follow Nichols’ example.