To a visit from Viktor the Viking and other team members this week at Hawthorne Elementary School.

Viktor the Viking, along with Vikings players and cheerleaders (via video), stopped by Hawthorne Elementary School this week as part of an initiative to teach students about the importance of not bullying.

The visit incorporated fun into a serious topic, and from the sounds of it, the students were receptive to the message.

We appreciate this initiative and all others in the works to emphasize the importance of treating others with respect — this month and always.

 

 

To a proposal for portable bicycle stations in the community.

Hats off to Albert Lea businessman Bill Howe, who has plans to install two portable bicycle stations through a grant from Freeborn County’s Statewide Health Improvement Partnership.

The first location is expected to be south of the splash pad. The second will be by a bike rack station at Frank Hall Park. On each site, two lockers will be expected to hold two bicycles, while the other two will hold one each.

He said reservations would be available online.

Howe has previously installed the canoe and kayak rental at Frank Hall Park.

We thank Howe for looking at ways to improve the community, and we hope people will utilize this resource once it is up and running.

 

 

To an increase in the city’s overall image since 2015, according to results from the 2018 National Citizen Survey.

The results of the city’s 2018 National Citizen Survey are in, and while there are some ups and downs in the survey, we thought it was important to note that the city’s overall image increased since the last survey was conducted in 2015.

Positive views on public safety increased by 3 percent to 69 percent, and 61 percent stated the community has a positive quality of life — a 5 percent increase from 2015.

Areas where there needs to be improvement include feelings on mental health services and views on local health care.

Local health care views by Albert Lea residents dropped more than 20 percent in the last three years to only 32 percent stating positive feelings of local health care delivery.

We look forward to seeing how the city will use the survey results as it prioritizes its projects and priorities looking into the future.

 

 

To the first year of dredging on Fountain Lake.

Congratulations to the Shell Rock River Watershed
District and dredging and marine construction company J.F. Brennan for a successful first year of dredging on Fountain Lake.

Watershed District Administrator Andy Henschel said the company removed roughly 300,000 cubic yards of sediment this year and is now winterizing the equipment.

Plans are to remove 700,000 cubic yards of sediment next year.

Though this process is a long one, we are glad to finally be seeing progress after many years of anticipation.