To a successful first Wind Down Wednesday of the summer.

Though heavy rain cut short the first Wind Down Wednesday of the summer, everyone will agree that the event was still a big success.

Designed after a weekly festival in Rochester called Thursdays on First, this downtown event aims to have activities for all ages — whether it be music, food or games for children.

We applaud all of the people who organize and donate to this event. It is exciting to see the downtown bustling with excitement.

It gives our community a chance not only to come together in a relaxed atmosphere for some fun, but also to support area vendors and artisans.

 

To the community support seen in the five years since the 2010 tornadoes in Freeborn County.

When tornadoes ripped through Freeborn County on June 17, 2010, much of the county was left devastated.

While it was horrible for many to not only see but experience the devastation, it was amazing to see how community members came together to support their neighbors — and people they did not even know — in the aftermath.

Freeborn County residents should be proud to live in such a place where neighbors help neighbors and where that conviction of unity is strong.

Even though it has been five years since that disaster, the feeling of community togetherness during that time will not be forgotten anytime soon.

 

To the shooting deaths of nine people at a historically black church in Charleston, South Carolina.

It has been shocking to hear details unfold in the case of 21-year-old Dylann Roof, who reportedly admitted to shooting and killing nine people during a prayer meeting at a church in Charleston on Wednesday.

Roof was arrested on Thursday, and in the days since numerous political, church and civil rights leaders have decried the actions of the man.

Details about conversations that Roof had leading up to the shootings have been released in the media, along with other information about erratic behavior Roof portrayed. He reportedly had complained that black people were “taking over the world” and that someone needed to do something about it.

We add our condolences to those being given across the country and hope some sense of justice can be brought for those who died.