These local students have recently distinguished themselves:

— Cecilia Snow of Schenectady plays Sarah in the musical Ragtime, being performed at the State University of New York College at Potsdam;

— Anthony DeSousa, of Schenectady, received a bachelor of science degree in engineering from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island.

It is hard to watch someone you care about battle cancer, says Rhonda Flansburg who is marshaling battalions of friends to help Tammy Ferriero.

Clearly defined choices are the heart of America's democracy. The heart is what pumps the life blood into the body politic.

These local students were recently awarded a degree from Binghamton University:

Sorrow and horror show in kids’ faces, lower left, as they watch a film telling Smokey Bear’s story: He was created in 1944, and now Smokey and his current motto — “Only you can prevent wildfires” — are recognized by 95 percent of Americans. The first living symbol of Smokey was a cub rescued in 1950 from a wildfire in New Mexico.

ITHACA, N.Y. — The longtime educational program known as the Highway School, which Cornell University had labeled a low priority and had threatened to shut down last summer, has been re-imagined and is expected to continue thanks to statewide support, according to the director of the program.

These local students have recently distinguished themselves:

— Jonathan Bintz of Altamont, majoring in music performance at the State University of New York College at Potsdam, was awarded the Jean Kettler Truimpho ’39Scholarship;

The American Red Cross Blood Services is holding these local drives in November:

— On Monday, Nov. 4 from 1 to 6 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church of Voorheesville in the social hall, 68 Maple Ave., Voorheesville;