Thumbs down: To police officers who seemingly flaunt their authority in everyday traffic situations. A THB reporter waiting at a stoplight on Madison Avenue in Anderson last week noticed a particular incident. A line of southbound cars was stopped at the same light; the officer in the patrol car moved into the left-turn lane. However, when the light turned green, the officer drove forward quickly, without flashing lights, to get in front of the southbound line and then slowed to the cruising speed limit. Was there a police matter for him to respond? To the other drivers, it did not appear so.

Thumbs up: To the individuals and groups who put their talent on the line Thursday night to audition for the Anderson’s Got Talent competition. Those who made it through the preliminary stage will compete for prizes in the show planned June 20 at the AIMS (Anderson Indiana Main Street) Cultural Festival at the Anderson Town Center.

Thumbs up: To the Middletown and Pendleton Lions clubs for their hours of planning and set-up for the annual June fairs in those towns. Rain and thunderstorms always seem to arrive the same week and curtail many of the amusement ride hours. At Middletown, however, many of the activities are moved inside to prevent an event washout.

Thumbs up: To the 26 new volunteers sworn in since December for the East Central Indiana Court Appointed Special Advocates program. These volunteers underwent training so that they can serve as mentors and advocates for children who are caught up in the court system through abuse or neglect.

Thumbs up: To Anderson’s Continental Inc. that got the opportunity to work with Brevini USA on hiring workers for the new plant planned in Delaware County. Ground has not been broken yet for the new facility, so it will be about 18 months before those 450 jobs are filled.

Thumbs up: To the Anderson YMCA staff and volunteers who prepared and served gallons of strawberries, with shortcakes and ice cream, at the 29th annual Strawberry Fair on Friday at the Anderson Town Center. Scores of downtown employees and residents turned out for their annual “fix” of the sweet treats. Proceeds from the popular event benefit the YMCA’s youth programs. Did you get a chance to hear the Y’s executive director, Dan Sager, with the youths on the karaoke stage?

Thumbs up: To the opening of the pool at Beulah Park in Alexandria. The swimming was free to all on Saturday’s opening day in honor of the community’s response when the pool faced certain closure due to the city’s budget constraints.

Thumbs up: To the Madison County Federal Credit Union, which broke ground Thursday for its new branch office at Charles Street and Scatterfield Road. This office will replace the one on 53rd Street that has been limited to drive-through customers for several months. The new site was chosen as a more convenient location for southside members of the cooperative.