To Thursdays on Fountain.

Thursdays on Fountain wrapped up for the year Thursday after rain canceled the final concert.

We thank the organizers of this free event, which encourages people to come together for music, socialization and fun each Thursday evening during the summer.

The event gives people the chance to check out different performers — some even from the local area — and enjoy some time next to one of Albert Lea’s greatest gems: Fountain Lake.

We look forward to this event becoming a longtime Albert Lea tradition.

 

To this year’s Pathways to Success Society inductees.

Congratulations to the four people who were selected this year to join the Pathways to Success Society: Shelly Radue-Ibach, Col. Thomas Ehrhard, Dan Dorman and Sarah Gutknecht, deceased.

They were recognized at the Pathways to Success banquet Thursday evening at Wedgwood Cove.

The purpose is to inspire current Albert Lea High School students to realize and acknowledge their success begins with their education, honoring certain alumni, paying tribute to the education system and recognizing the importance of people to nurture a dynamic community.

Four former teachers were also recognized at the banquet for helping shape the lives of students at Albert Lea Area Schools over their years of teaching. They were Jerry Nelson, Peggy Bennett, Orville Gilmore and Cap Emmons.

The Pathways to Success Society was founded 11 years ago. The living members or their representatives tell their story to the senior class on the day after the banquet.

Congratulations to all who were recognized.

 

To the state’s first vaping death reported in the last week.

Minnesota health officials reported the state’s first vaping death this last week, as other serious lung illnesses are popping up around the country linked to vaping.

According to the state health department, the victim in Minnesota was more than 65 years old and had a history of lung disease. The lung injury was reportedly associated with vaping THC products, as has been the case with many of the other vaping illnesses around the country, according to the Associated Press.

The state has said there have been 17 people with confirmed or probable cases of vaping-related lung injury and another 15 cases are under investigation.

We hope this raises red flags to people of all ages who could be at risk for a similar outcome.