HIT: To the local response to the devastation along the Gulf Coast caused by Hurricane Katrina.

From volunteers traveling to that region for relief efforts to people adding an extra buck or two to their grocery bills as a donation, every measure taken to help the recovery is important. Cayuga County is already responding with fund-raising opportunities, and more are sure to come.

MISS: To the principal staffing issues at Cato-Meridian and Southern Cayuga high schools.

Both places do not have permanent principals in place after their current leaders were denied tenure. We cannot offer an opinion on the merits of the decisions because the districts have not offered very much information, but we can say this: Going into a new school year without the top leadership post in a building resolved is not ideal for students.

We hope new principals are put in place soon.

HIT: To the return of high school football.

Few activities unite small communities like the ones in Cayuga and western Onondaga counties more than scholastic sports. And high school football is perhaps the most popular when it comes to drawing spectators.

Here's to another great season of good competition, good sportsmanship and great community pride.

MISS: To the gasoline prices we're now seeing.

The already high cost of fueling up has just skyrocketed this past week because of the damage to the domestic oil supply chain caused by Hurricane Katrina. The scary thought is that many experts said the price climbing is far from over.

While we'll give oil companies and station owners the benefit of the doubt, we also hope state officials - such as Attorney General Eliot Spitzer - will be watchful for any signs of price gouging.

As for those of us who are buying gas, the time has truly come to make conservation a priority.