To the limited dredging permit approved by the Shell Rock River Watershed District board of
managers.

It has been a long time coming, but the final permit needed for the Fountain Lake dredging project has finally been approved.

Congratulations to the Shell Rock River Watershed District staff and the board of managers, who have dedicated many hours to this project, and thanks to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, that issued the permit.

Now, as we move forward, we hope the bidding process runs smoothly. We look forward to seeing a dredge in the lake.

To Albert Lea High School senior Rachel Rehnelt.

Congratulations to Tigers senior guard Rachel Rehnelt, who scored her 1,000th point earlier this month in a game against Rochester Century.

The accomplishment is one that only seven other girls’ basketball players at Albert Lea High School have achieved.

We wish Rehnelt the best of luck the remainder of this season and beyond.

To reported gunshots fired on Fourth Street near Albert Lea’s Landmark Apartments.

The community was put on alert Wednesday night when shots were reported fired near the Landmark Apartment building on East Fourth Street in Albert Lea.

Albert Lea police stated they found evidence that showed shots were fired, though no victims had been found as of that night. The case
is under investigation.

Whether it’s negligent discharge of a firearm or something more significant, any kind of gun violence in our community is intolerable. We hope police will be able to find some kind of resolution in this case.

To the businesses and individuals who donated toys and gifts for area youth in need this holiday season.

Thank you to all of the people and businesses who went out of their way to donate toys and other items for area youth this month.

The Albert Lea Salvation Army set up its toy distribution center Thursday at the Fairlane Building at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds. Parents were able to pick up presents for their children, and families received boxes of food for the holiday. This couldn’t have been possible without all the generous donations.