HIT: To the small dose of positive economic news released Monday by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who reported personal income tax collections rose in New York 15 percent over the past six months.

The information does not remove the dire situation the state faces in terms of budget deficits, but at least the picture is not as bad as we once feared.

A worry, though, is that the Legislature will see this information and no longer take the need for more spending cuts seriously enough. To his credit, DiNapoli was careful to point out that his report is no reason to celebrate.

HIT: To the preservation and education efforts being made by Moravia area residents and Boys Scouts at the Indian Mound Cemetery.

Last weekend Scouts from Troop 55 helped dedicate a new gate in honor of the Civil War soldiers buried at the cemetery.

This project is a wonderful example of how young people do make a positive difference in our communities. This effort will help ensure an important story gets told to many future generations.

MISS: To a first-degree rape arrest over the weekend in Auburn.

Police say a man raped a woman while she was sleeping, and he continued to assault her after she woke up and was fighting to make him stop.

It's certainly early in the judicial process, but it's nonetheless troubling to hear about these kinds of cases.

HIT: To the wide array of seasonal activities available for families in the region.

From pumpkin and apple farms, to haunted houses and hay rides, it's not hard to find some fun for children and adults of all ages. Be sure to check out The Citizen calendar pages in print and online for details.

It's also nice that many of these activities are not too expensive, which means a lot in today's economy.