HIT: To the visit by representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to Skaneateles and Owasco Lakes.

The experts are learning about local efforts to eradicate invasive plant species from the lakes. And while there are no promises that the corps of engineers is going to get involved, the more our elected officials spread the word about the problem, the more likely that additional resources can be found to help work on it.

HIT: To a meeting in Auburn this week organized by the local chapter of the NAACP.

Representatives from the Auburn school district joined the public discussion about a wide variety of topics concerning diversity in education, such as the recruitment of more black teachers and a complaint by a student that racial slurs are a problem at the high school.

Keeping an open dialogue about these issues is important, and we encourage more community discussions of this type.

MISS: To the frightening behavior of an Auburn man who attacked a woman who already had a court order demanding that he stay away from her.

The man went to his ex-girlfriend's house last summer, removed an air conditioner from a window, and crawled through the opening.

Once inside, he threatened the woman with a knife.

The case concluded this week with the man being handed a 3.5 year prison sentence.

HIT: To Mark Hubbard, a businessman, who helped get the ball rolling for a new playground in Mottville. It seems like there's never enough places for small children to play, especially in rural areas.

So it's great to see Hubbard's idea come to life and bring some fun and games to youngsters.

Of course, there were other volunteers who helped build the playground and their contributions deserve to be praised, too.