To a new scoreboard at Hayek Field.

The brand new scoreboard at Hayek Field was used for the first time last week during the Albert Lea High School baseball team’s game against Rochester Mayo. The new scoreboard may have been good luck, as the Tigers defeated the Spartans 6-5 in nine innings.

 

To a high number of motorist deaths where seat belts were not worn.

Of the 1,379 motorists who died in the last five years in Minnesota, only 51 percent of them were known to be wearing a seatbelt, according to a news release. In response to this disappointing (and dangerous) number, more than 300 law enforcement agencies across the state — including the Albert Lea Police Department and Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office — began a statewide seat belt enforcement campaign on Monday that will run through June 5.

 

To the growth and expansion of the Tree Town Festival.

In just a few years, the Tree Town Festival has quickly made its mark as the Midwest’s premiere country music destination festival. Thousands of fans from across the Midwest and the world now flock to Forest City each Memorial Day weekend for the four-day festival.

 

To Hawthorne Elementary School fourth-grader Lilyona Valdez.

Hawthorne Elementary School fourth-grader Lilyona Valdez was selected to be the principal of her school after she was entered in a drawing for students who raised over $50 for the Hawthorne Walk-a-Thon. Students walked around Fountain Lake to raise money for the school.