Thumbs up, once again, to whoever dropped a gold coin into a Salvation Army bell ringer's kettle.

Somebody has been giving gold coins for several years, but so far he or she hasn't been seen making the donation. This year's coin, a $25 Liberty, is covered with a half ounce of gold, making it worth $400 to $450.

Thumbs down to whoever beat and kicked an 18-year-old man last week in a parking lot on the 900 block of N. Warren. The young man required three hours of reconstructive surgery on the shattered nose and eye socket he suffered in the assault.

Thumbs down to the poachers who illegally shot six elk, including two trophy-sized bulls, in the White Sulphur Springs area. The elk, which were found early Sunday morning, the final day of the extended hunting season, apparently were shot from a road. The shooters then drove away, leaving the elk.

Thumbs down to the woman "with puffy red hair" who the Lewis and Clark Sheriff's Department said was stealing mail in the East Gate area last week. The woman apparently was looking for cash and gift certificates in Christmas cards.