To the approval of an operating referendum in the
Glenville-Emmons school district. 

Out of 536 voters, 315 people voted on Tuesday to approve a referendum in this small community. The referendum will allocate $1,439 per student towards the general fund. The general fund can be used to pay salaries, buy supplies and keep buildings maintained.

The two referendums that are currently on the books will expire at the end of the year, and these referendums have been in effect for about 10 years. A referendum hasn’t been voted on since those referendums passed.

We applaud your support of the school. Let’s not forget our children.

 

To the 10 people in Albert Lea arrested on
charges of soliciting prostitution. 

It was eight months ago that the Albert Lea Police Department announced it had arrested four men for soliciting prostitution.

As part of a sweep conducted with the South Central Drug Investigative Unit Violent Crimes Task Force, police put an advertisement online and arrested people who responded to the ad and made arrangements to come meet an undercover officer.

When we received a news release Friday that something similar had happened again, our hearts sank.

While we are disappointed to hear this is happening in Albert Lea, we are proud of the local police officers who are making a statement that this is not acceptable.

May we all keep our eyes open to this kind of crime and report anything suspicious to police.

 

To Carrie Hershey, Jenny Sather, Kelly Gau and Elida Soto.

These four women are going after their dreams and have opened space in the Knutson Building in downtown Albert Lea.

While two have a hair salon, one has an artist studio and the fourth has a massage studio.

We commend them for taking this step, and we encourage the community to support them.

 

To steps being taken to support new market
rate rental housing in Albert Lea. 

The Albert Lea City Council on Monday approved tax abatement for a market-rate rental housing project.

The project, which includes five six-plex buildings, is slated to be built off of Wedgewood Road. It will be the first of its kind in at least about 25 years in Albert Lea.

We thank all developers who are willing to invest in our communities.