To Trail’s Travel Center.

Congratulations to Trail’s Travel Center, which received huge recognition when it was named one of the coolest rest stops in the world by the Travel Channel.

Trail’s continues to make improvements that not only benefit our area residents, but also all of the people who are passing through, attracting more attention to our fine city.

The travel center offers many amenities already, and we are excited to hear plans for additional work at the facility this summer.

To two men charged with child pornography in Wells this week.

We were sad to hear the news that two men from Wells are now facing charges tied to reported child pornography possession.

One, former USC educator John Degner, faces two counts of dissemination of child pornography and seven counts of possessing child pornography.

The other, Donald Beckman Jr., faces two counts of possessing child pornography, in addition to charges for methamphetamine possession and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

While at this point the men have only been charged and are still innocent until proven guilty, it raises awareness of the horrific crime of child pornography.

We hope the truth — whatever it may be — will prevail.

To the city’s first graduates of its Citizens Police Academy for Spanish speakers.

Congratulations to the graduates of the Albert Lea Police Department’s Citizens Academy for Spanish speakers. The Police Department has offered the citizens academy many times in the community before, but this is the first time it has been offered to Spanish speakers.

Citizens Academy offers comprehensive information on the department’s policies and procedures.

Kudos to the Police Department for reaching out to the Spanish-speaking community through this program.

To the NRHEG basketball teams

Congratulations to the NRHEG girls’ basketball team for its ride at the state tournament this year.

The NRHEG team competed in the consolation championship game on Friday, beating Rochester Lourdes 73-57 and earning fifth place at state.

Later in the night, the NRHEG boys’ team took on Jordan in the section final at Minnesota State University-Mankato.The Panthers had a great team performance and Oakley Baker hit what would turn out to be the game-winning free throws to send the Panthers to their first-ever state tournament appearance, 65-64.