To energy efficiency upgrades at Riverland Community College.

Riverland Community College is the first college in the state to take part in an energy savings program through the Minnesota Department of Commerce for energy efficiency upgrades at the college’s three campuses.

The $1.54 million project, which included installing LED lighting in the buildings and parking lots, retrofitting controls and lighting, and recommissioning heating, ventilation and cooling systems, is expected to reduce energy use by 27 percent and result in about $137,000 in yearly savings.

We commend the college administration for working to get this project done at one time. The project will be paid for over 15 years in energy, operation and maintenance savings.

To a bill introduced by Rep. Peggy Bennett this week.

Thank you to District 27A Rep. Peggy Bennett, who presented a bill this week that would create tax incentives to medical facilities looking to locate to medically underserved areas in rural parts of the state.

The bill would abate property taxes for 15 years for qualifying medical centers in counties with areas deemed medically underserved. It also would abate the sales tax for construction materials and the statewide property tax for 15 years for those entities. This could include facilities such as medical or urgent care clinics, birthing centers, hospitals or outpatient surgical centers.

Regardless of your opinion on Mayo Clinic Health System plans to move most inpatient services to Austin, I think we all can agree that having increased access to health services is in our best interest.

We look forward to seeing how this bill moves forward in the Legislature.

To Albert Lea High School graduate Lindsey (Horejsi) Kozelsky.

Albert Lea High School graduate Lindsey Kozelsky is at it again.

Kozelsky, who swims for the University of Minnesota team, is headed back to the NCAA championships, competing in both breaststroke events.

She holds the No. 2 seed in the 100 breaststroke, after swimming a school record time of 57.91 at the Big Ten meet. In the 200 breast, Kozelsky has the 10th fastest seed time with a 2:07.37.

Kozelsky is one of seven student-athletes with the Gophers who will compete individually at the championship, along with five relay teams.

The championship is slated to take place Wednesday through Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.

Kozelsky continues to make her hometown proud. We wish her nothing but the best!