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To more funding to clean up the former Farmland Foods site.

We were pleased to hear the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development this week announce another $130,000 to go toward the cleanup of contamination at the Blazing Star Landing — this time where a convenience store is slated to be built.

Though it has been a long process getting the site cleaned up, it is exciting to see that little by little it is actually happening.

The state previously awarded cleanup funds at the site of the first phase of the Unique Apartments, as well as a second phase that will be built in the near future.

The Blazing Star Landing was the site of a meat-packing facility for almost 100 years and for more than 20 years has sat untouched because of contamination and the costs associated with its cleanup.

It’s going to take time, but we look forward to seeing more projects unfold in the coming years and urge the state to continue to support more of these projects moving forward.

To the sale of the former Hobby Shop.

The Albert Lea City Council this week agreed to sell the former Hobby Shop downtown to the owners of Ignite Nutrition, who plan to renovate the building for their nutrition club.

The building, at 132 S. Broadway, has been in disrepair for several years and was acquired by the city in 2022 through tax forfeiture. The city previously spent about $170,000 in repairs on the property, including a new roof, structural repairs and environmental remediations.

We’re pleased to see the new owners commit to fixing the building up further and filling a vacancy on what is a busy block.

Ignite Nutrition has seen steady growth in its years of operation, and we wish them continued growth at the new location.

To the dangerously cold temperatures over the next few days.

Getting snow is one thing, but plummeting temperatures is another that makes being outside at this time of year more challenging in Minnesota.

According to the National Weather Service, dangerously cold wind chills are expected to reach as low as 25 and 35 degrees below zero today through Tuesday.

The wind chills are low enough that the weather agency issued a wind chill advisory and is issuing a caution for residents.

We encourage everyone to heed their advise and dress warmly if you have to be out over the next few days. Likewise, be prepared in your vehicle if you plan to be out on the road.

After all, the wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.

Don’t make the mistake of being unprepared in these kinds of conditions.