HIT: To the Auburn school district's efforts to prevent underage drinking and other mischief at Owasco Elementary School.

“No trespassing” and “School grounds will be closed from dusk to dawn” signs were installed on the school's property. Reports of underage drinking and also fighting in the area prompted this action.

People who live near the school have a right to peace in their neighborhood and this action, hopefully, will ensure that.

MISS: To an increase in the volume of calls to the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office for the theft of metal materials.

Prices for natural resources such as iron, steel, copper and other metals have risen significantly because of increased demand.

It's sad to think there are people out there who are stealing these metals in the hope of a quick source of cash.

HIT: To a recent town of Brutus board meeting where horse-riding enthusiasts had a chance to voice their opinions on a ban the town has enacted on its Erie Canal trails.

The town listened to the horse riders and encouraged them to form a committee to address future issues and give the board a central group to contact. The town also indicated it will keep an open mind about the issue going forward.

The ban may not be lifted, but at least the horse riders are getting a fair hearing of their concerns from the town's board.

HIT: To First Niagara Bank, which is giving $150,000 to the Cayuga Community College Foundation to create an entrepreneurship center in downtown Auburn.

The gift will hopefully be the kind that keeps on giving if the center can help spur new economic activity. The center could open as soon as early next year. The center will be working with the Stardust Foundation, which is also trying to spur new economic development.