Thumbs up to Jamestown High School students who raised $12,892 for the UCAN City Mission through the 39th annual Battle of the Classes. The senior class raised the most money and won the most competitions. “The kids thought it was for a good cause for our community to kind of raise awareness for homelessness in Jamestown,” said Anthony Dolce, senior class adviser. The Battle of the Classes is a wonderful Jamestown institution. This year, it helped another wonderful institution.

Thumbs down to people who think they can outrun police and put the public in danger. A week ago, Jamestown police were lead on an hour-long car chase began on Prather Avenue in Jamestown before reaching Falconer, continuing on Interstate 86 and back into Jamestown. A 20-year-old Jamestown man was charged and booked into the Chautauqua County Jail once the chase finally ended. Officers had a good reason for pursuing the vehicle — the passenger was reportedly holding the driver at gunpoint and was wanted in connection with armed robberies in Buffalo. There were no injuries, but it is unfortunate any time these incidents spill into otherwise quiet neighborhoods.

Thumbs up to Janet Forbes, the 2019 Jamestown Interclub Council Woman of the Year. Forbes is a former registered nurse who earned her associate of applied science degree in nursing from Jamestown Community College in 1970 and a bachelor of science degree from Empire State College in 1995; has been a member of the AAUW since 1996, formerly served as the local chapter president and created the longstanding Get in the Game program, which encourages girl in fourth through seventh grades to be more active and participate in daylong self-esteem and team-building activities. She is also a former member of the YWCA of Jamestown board, has recorded more than 500 hours of volunteer service at the Audubon Community Nature Center and is the co-chair in the creation of Knitting for Peace Chapter of Chautauqua County. The Interclub Council, once again, has found a wonderful recipient of its Woman of the Year award. Our slice of Chautauqua County would not be nearly as nice without Forbes.