HIT: To the Finger Lakes SPCA which is facing tough economic times. The SPCA is an unsung hero, it provides abandoned animals with food, shelter and medical care.

It takes money and people to do this and the Finger Lakes SPCA has been successful in continuing its mission with fundraisers and contributions from the community.

But like anything else these days, any help, whether it be financial or labor, is still needed. The SPCA said they can always use help with carpentry or electrical work to keep their building in good shape. If you can assist them, call 253-5841.

MISS: To a pair of recent thefts. One, a stolen wallet, in which a credit card was used at a restaurant. The other, shoplifting pain medication from a grocery store.

The common thread is video cameras captured the suspects' faces so the public can identify them and call the police.

Maybe if crooks knew their actions were being recorded, it would deter them in the first place.

HIT: To national honors earned by a local farmer.

Norman Vaill, of Vaill Acres in Poplar Ridge, took first place in a national corn yield contest for 2008.

Vaill, a member of the National Corn Growers Association, farms 600 acres of corn and soybeans and said he enjoys trying new things to maximize his yield.

HIT: To recent area visits from local U.S. representatives.

Rep. Michael Arcuri held a town hall-style meeting in Auburn and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand was in Syracuse and Cortland, introducing herself to central New York.

The public has a right to see their representatives face to face.

The Easter recess is a good way to do that, and we hope all elected officials take a lesson and meet as often as they can with their constituents.