To volunteers who participated in Rocking the Block.

We applaud all of the volunteers who took part in the fourth annual Rocking the Block property rehabilitation project this week. Volunteers were scheduled to fix up nine homes across Albert Lea.

Recipients had to be income-eligible and this year included a variety of residents, including single families and elderly residents.

This project not only changes homes, but it changes people. It was great to see people in the community come together for it.

 

To the Hormel Foundation’s $263,200 grant to Riverland Community College.

The Hormel Foundation on Wednesday announced it was giving the grant to help launch the Center for Agriculture and Food Science at the Riverland campus in Austin. The hope is to develop one of the biggest agriculture and food science two-year schools in the Midwest.

With agriculture being such an important part of the region, it seems like a perfect fit.

Riverland will have six agriculture-based programs: precision agriculture, food science, food science technology, agricultural sciences, biotechnology and agribusiness.

We look forward to seeing how the programs help strengthen the agricultural segment of our area.

 

To drunken driving.

Law enforcement officers across the state are taking part in a stepped-up DWI enforcement effort through Sept. 7.

In the last five years, there were 479 drunken driving-related traffic deaths in Minnesota, and more than 25,000 drivers are arrested each year for driving while intoxicated.

These are pretty sobering statistics, and Freeborn County is not immune from this problem, as we have seen drunken driving deaths here as well.

What can we do to prevent another statistic?

Among several things we can do, always remember to plan for a safe ride, buckle up and report to police if you have witnessed any impaired driving behavior.

Freeborn County and the state can do better.

 

To Albert Lea native Marion Ross.

It’s always exciting when “Happy Days” actress Marion Ross, an Albert Lea native, comes back to visit her hometown. She not only visits, but also takes part in community events and often offers to showcase her talents.

Thanks, Marion, for remembering your hometown.