To all of the award winners at the annual Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce banquet.

Congratulations to all of the award winners at Thursday’s annual Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce banquet. Albert Lea’s Hy-Vee was named Large Business of the Year, Vern Eide Chevrolet was named Medium Business of the Year and Culligan was named Small Business of the Year.

Brenda Reed was named Ambassador of the Year, and Stephanie Haedt was named Volunteer of the Year. Perry Vining received a Lifetime Member Award.

We enjoy attending the banquet each year and thank our business community for all you do to help strengthen our city and county.

Look to the Tribune in the coming weeks for features on each of the award-winning businesses.

To the resignation of Albert Lea Area Schools Deputy Superintendent Lori Volz.

School officials this week announced Volz has accepted a position with Mankato Area Public Schools.

Volz has been with the district since 2009 as finance director and became deputy superintendent in 2014.

Volz can be credited with getting many major projects completed and saving the district millions.

Thanks to Volz for her skills and dedication to the district.

To a mock presidential election at Albert Lea High School.

Albert Lea High School students this week got the chance to voice their opinions this week for president during a mock election at the school.

Part of social studies teacher Jim Haney’s AP government course, the election taught about what it feels like to vote and that the students can have an impact on the upcoming Nov. 8 election.

Republican presidential candidate won the mock election with 352 votes, followed next by Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton with 223 votes.

To the closure of roads due to high water.

It seems like it was just last week that East Main Street and other roads in town closed due to high rains in September, and now it happened again this week.

The westbound lanes of East Main Street remained closed as of press time. What needs to be done to make sure this is not an ongoing battle?