To this week’s Freeborn County Fair.

The Freeborn County Fair is Albert Lea’s biggest event of the year. It is something residents both in and outside of the county look forward to each year, not to mention it brings a huge boost to the local economy.

We encourage people to go out and support this event and see what there is to offer. It opens Tuesday and runs through Sunday.

 

To a fraudulent website found earlier this week that seeks donations for Albert Lea youth sports.

It’s sad someone created a website that claims to be affiliated with Albert Lea youth sports to deceive people into providing personal information and potentially donations.

We encourage people to do as the Albert Lea Police Department has suggested and be suspicious of anyone asking for money or private information on the phone, through the Internet or the mail.

Do your homework. Call any organizations you are considering donating to and talk to someone about making a donation.

 

To Albert Lea Police Department Patrol Sgt. Tim Harves.

Harves this week received his fifth life-saving award for his quick thinking and efforts in using a defibrillator on Albert Lea resident Roger Olson following a massive heart attack.

It’s thanks to Harves that Olson is alive today.

Olson presented Harves with the award at the Monday Albert Lea City Council meeting.

Well done, Harves.

 

To Albert Lea resident Amy Bohlen.

Bohlen, 23, has been selected to participate in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant this fall in Burnsville. This will be the second year for her to participate.

An Albert Lea resident, Bohlen works at B&B Cafe and is a hairstylist at Dinah’s Style, along with modeling through Privileged Model Management.

We wish her the best of luck Nov. 28 and 29.

 

To increased texting while driving fines.

An increased fine for people caught texting and driving in Minnesota went into effect Saturday.

Under the enhanced law, drivers will face a $225 fine for second and subsequent violations of texting while driving.

We hope this brings awareness to this issue and encourages people to practice safer driving behaviors.

State officials state driver inattention or distraction is the top contributing factor in multiple-vehicle crashes. In the last five years in Minnesota, 19 percent of all fatalities and serious injuries were distraction-related. We must do better.