To the Freeborn Eagles rugby teams.

Both the boys’ and girls’ rugby teams will play for the state championship Saturday in Eagen.

The boys’ team cruised its way into the title game by dominating teams in the regular season and capturing the No. 1 seed. The girls ended the regular season in a tie for second place and by virtue of a second tiebreaker earned the spot in the championship.

Both teams will play the Osseo Orioles at TCO Performance Center, the Minnesota Vikings’ training facility.

The girls are scheduled to start their game at 1:40 p.m., followed by the boys directly after at around 2:15 p.m.

We wish both teams well and will be rooting for them.

 

To the Legislature for passing a state budget.

Albert Lea and Freeborn County as a whole will benefit from components in the newly passed state budget. Local government aid for the city has been restored to 2002 levels, which will provide an additional $189,000 for the city in 2020. Allocations were also made to economic development programs, such as the Minnesota Investment Fund and the Minnesota Job Creation Fund.

Regionally the area will benefit from a $10 million dollar investment in rural broadband and childcare economic development grants to assist communities in increasing the supply of quality childcare providers, as well.

While we know there were compromises made and not everything got covered, we’re glad to see some local benefits.

 

To volunteers in the Albert Lea community and the residents who support them.

Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce staff and Ambassadors took time out of their day Friday to collect donations for this year’s Fourth of July fireworks display over Fountain Lake. They are just a few of the individuals who use their time and talents to make Albert Lea a more enjoyable place to live, play and work.

If you didn’t have a chance to donate Friday, donations for the fireworks display can be dropped off at the chamber office.

 

To still not having a resolution addressing funding for deteriorating roads and bridges throughout Freeborn County.

While the proposed gas tax was understandably unpopular, it is concerning to hear there is no immediate solution on where the funding will come from to address aging bridges and roads. Freeborn County Administrator Tom Jensen reports that 40% of Freeborn County roads have depreciated past their useful life.

The county does not have the funding needed in its budget to repair or replace this critical infrastructure on its own, so where is the money going to come from? Not only does this question need to be answered, but a proactive plan needs to put in place to ensure we can address future projects in a more timely manner.