To the Freeborn County Humane Society.

Thanks to the Freeborn County Humane Society, who at the request of the city, is working to reduce the cat population in New Hills Condominiums.

The Humane Society has utilized the trap, neuter, return program to relocate more than 30 cats from the neighborhood. The cats are humanely trapped and then spayed or neutered and vaccinated.

Of the cats, five have been relocated by the property owner, who had been feeding the cats, and 16 kittens have been placed in foster homes. The adult cats are being placed on a farm.

We thank the Humane Society for coordinating this project and for reducing these cats in a humane way.

 

To the Kohler Foundation.

The Kohler Foundation announced this week on its Facebook page that it has officially acquired the Itasca Rock Garden and adjacent home northwest of Edgewater Park in Albert Lea.

The Wisconsin-based foundation plans to preserve the work in the rock garden, renovate the home on the property and then gift them back to the Freeborn County Historical Museum.

The garden, originally constructed by John L. Christensen, has been a popular destination for both locals and out-of-town people to explore and visit for photographs, whether it be senior photos, weddings or anything in between.

The foundation anticipates preservation efforts to be completed in 2021, according to a Facebook post.

“It is a partnership we look forward to, and we are excited to take on this project,” the foundation stated on its website.

 

To the new Albert Lea Housing and Redevelopment Authority executive director.

New Albert Lea HRA Executive Director Jeanne Leick has only been in her position since Sept. 23, but already it seems like she is headed in the right direction.

In an interview with the newspaper earlier this week, Leick said she is working with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to bring necessary items into compliance, is trying to make things more efficient for tenants and hopes to build relationships with community organizations to refer tenants for resources. She said she has also learned about a need for more housing.

Leick is also working to utilize the HRA software to its full capacity and has changed the processes and procedures for people as they come in. 

Leick came to Minnesota from Nebraska and most recently worked for the Hall County Housing Authority in Grand Island.

We look forward to seeing her work in Albert Lea and welcome her to the community.