To the theft of Christmas light bulbs at the Freeborn County Historical Museum. 

We were saddened to hear that someone took dozens of Christmas light bulbs in the outdoor decorations set up by volunteers at the historical museum. It takes several hours for the volunteers to get all of the decorations up — all for the benefit of people in the community. At the end of last week, 48 bulbs were missing. We ask that anyone who sees suspicious activity out that way to report it to the police. We also would like to thank the person who called the museum and offered to pay for more bulbs. That was a very thoughtful gesture.

 

To residents and downtown business owners planning the Holiday Bazaar on Broadway. 

If you haven’t had the chance to get into the holiday spirit yet, stop downtown in Albert Lea from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday for all sorts of fun holiday-related activities. There will be horse-drawn trolley rides with Gerry Buse singing favorite holiday songs, Santa Claus, the Community Brass Band and Albert Lea High School Caroliers, along with refreshments and store specials.

Also happening that night is a special Christmas gallery show at the Albert Lea Art Center, along with Dylan Kaercher’s “Lights, Camera, Christmas” at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center.

Get out and support the downtown businesses while also having some fun.

 

To the approval of a K-9 program with the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office.

It is good news to hear that the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office will soon be adding a new member to its force: a 60 to 90-pound German shepherd.

Funding for the K-9 is coming from a combination of donations, forfeiture funds, budgeted items and a possible grant.

Having the K-9 will be helpful for law enforcement in narcotics investigations on the interstates but should also be helpful in missing persons cases and in helping law enforcement track criminals.

There have been a couple of instances already this year that K-9s from other areas have been called in to assist locally, and it will be nice, too, when the dog has been trained and will be ready for patrol.