Thumbs up: To the alligator rescuers who came to the aid of a unique 2-foot-long visitor. And more thumbs up to the White River Watchers who were cleaning up the waterway when Steve Clark spotted the alligator. The animal is under the care of Nightstalker owner Ed Roemer.

Thumbs down: To city officials who booted Susan Frye, an overly passionate animal activist, from the Anderson Animal Control Commission which oversees operations at Animal Care and Control. Board of Public Works Chairman Greg Graham supplied the way-too-often heard non-explanation: “We feel it was time to go in another direction.”

Thumbs up: To Anderson High School ceramics teacher Becky Vannatta and TV host Rachael Ray. Vannatta gives to her students to the tune of $14,000 a year by buying school supplies. Ray applauded Vannatta’s spirit by giving the teacher and her students a 10-minute shopping spree at Staples. They grabbed $29,000 worth of supplies.

Thumbs down: To building homes on top of cemeteries. Pipeline workers uncovered bones at 12th and Brown-Delaware, former site of the Tharp Cemetery. Investigators don’t believe there was a crime; they’re not taking into account developers who construct houses above old cemeteries.

Thumbs up: To Camp Hope, which gives uplifting and encouraging advice to youth grieving over the loss of family members. Organized by Saint John’s Hospice, the program is a valuable experience for youth and camp advisers.

Thumbs down: To the trio of thieves who set a fire at the vacant Powerhouse Church of God in Christ, 3101 Columbus Ave. But we also have a concern over the neighbors who saw three people break into a window, climb in and climb out of the church. Perhaps a quick call to police would have helped apprehend the trio.

Thumbs up: To being married for 70 years. As young couples are becoming more broken by divorce than ever before, we’re thrilled to know that southsiders Edmond and Martha Morris celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this week.

Thumbs up: To The Toast restaurant in downtown Anderson for going smoke-free on Friday. Not only does the move protect employees and customers from secondhand smoke, but it also has the added benefit of attracting new customers who may have reservations, the kind against eating in a smoke-filled diner, that is.

Thumbs up: To the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for giving Madison County a grant of $200,000 for reducing nonpoint source water pollution at the Little Duck and Lily Creek watersheds.

Thumbs down: To the Anderson parks department for pulling the rug out on the Madison County Health Center's Friday event by lending trash barrels and tables, promised to MCHC, to another event.

Thumbs up: To the Anderson street department for finally fixing the street in front of Anderson High School.