THUMBS UP: To Pastor Wade S. McCrae of New Greater Union Ministries, who will become a bishop during consecration ceremonies today. As bishop, McCrae’s territory stretches north to Rochester, N.Y., and south to Miami. Although he will travel often, McCrae also will remain his church’s senior pastor.

THUMBS UP: To the Georgia Bridgemen Marching Band of Lowndes High School for taking top honors at the Fourth Annual Bowdon Invitational Marching Band Competition. The nearly 370-member band returned home as Overall Grand Champion Winners. The band also received the Norman Padgett Musical Excellence Award, given to the band with the highest musical score of the day. The Bridgemen are under the direction of Charles Todd.

THUMBS UP: To the Valdosta High School Marching Cats for making a successful return to band competition at the 26th Annual Phenix Invitational Marching Festival and Contest. Competing in the AAA division for medium-sized bands, the Marching Cats scored three superiors in both the festival and contest competitions and took third place overall in their division. The band is led by Director Michael Thomas and Assistant Band Director Andrew Hill.

THUMBS UP: To Commander John Fason and Detective Choice Barnes for awards they recently received from the Valdosta Police Department. Fason was honored for 30 years of dedicated service. Barnes was presented a Certificate of Appreciation for his help in solving multiple residential burglaries in December.

THUMBS UP: To the volunteers and organizers who make today’s Rivers Alive and Hands on Georgia Day river cleanup possible. The event, which will bring workers to the Little and Withlacoochee rivers this morning, is part of the 15th Annual Georgia River Cleanup Month. While we look forward to the day when cleanups aren’t necessary, it’s good to know community-minded individuals will roll up their sleeves and protect our natural resources.

THUMBS DOWN: To Laura Mallory of Loganville for leading the charge to remove the Harry Potter series of books from Gwinnett County classrooms. Mallory asserts that the books promote witchcraft. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter, however, espouses the same virtues that children would learn from reading Christian author C.S. Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia” or J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings.” Besides, who gets more kids to read — Harry Potter, or protesters like Mallory?