HIT: To the many volunteers who help the Cayuga County Red Cross conduct its blood drives.

We all know how vital it is to give blood, but it's easy to forget the people who make it possible.

Red Cross volunteers have different responsibilities, but each of them in their own way is important in the process of donating blood.

Most importantly, donating blood saves lives. If you want to donate blood or volunteer, call the Cayuga County Red Cross at 252-9596.

MISS: To a report detailing abuse of children in the state's juvenile justice system.

A two-year investigation by the state Office of Children and Family Services found that young people suffered broken bones and other serious injuries at the hands of some workers at youth detention centers.

The state must act quickly to put safeguards in place to ensure this type of abuse never happens again.

HIT: To the pledge by U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer to join the fight against milfoil in Skaneateles Lake and other Finger Lakes, using help from the federal government.

Schumer, who visited Skaneateles Tuesday, said he will ask the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to come up with a plan to get rid of the weeds that are spreading in local lakes.

Hopefully, the senator's words will become fact and something will be done to take care of milfoil.

HIT: To Floyd Little on being named a finalist in the senior division of voting for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Little, who played for the Denver Broncos for nine years, also was a star at Syracuse University in the mid 1960s.

Little wore the fabled No. 44, also worn by Jim Brown and Ernie Davis. Little gave Orange fans some great memories and we hope he earns pro football's greatest honor when the inductees are announced in February.