To a Freedom Rock in Lake Mills.

This week, a Freedom Rock was unveiled in Lake Mills. The rock is meant to honor veterans, and was painted by artist Ray “Bubba” Sorensen.

Some of the tributes painted on the rock pay homage to Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, a Winnebago County native, a veteran and now the longest-serving governor in the nation; and Lake Mills native Brigadier Gen. Joseph M. Colby, also known as Mr. Tank. The rock also includes a scene paying homage to Iwo Jima and the American flag is painted as if it’s draped over the top of the rock.

We commend the creative way of paying respect to veterans, and the community efforts that went in to the entire process of bringing the tribute to Lake Mills.

To the Albert Lea High School baseball team.

The Tigers baseball team knocked off the No. 2-ranked Northfield Raiders 10-9 at Hayek Field on Tuesday night.

Albert Lea’s Cody Ball hit a first-pitch double to left center that scored Blake Simon for the game-winning run. The Tigers rallied from down 9-8 in the bottom of the seventh inning.

It was Albert Lea’s second win in the Big Nine Conference this season, and we hope to see the team continue to succeed.

To Lt. Gov. Tina Smith visiting Albert Lea to promote the importance of preschool availability.

Lt. Gov. Tina Smith advocated for a state-funded voluntary pre-kindergarten program during a visit to Halverson Elementary School on Thursday.

Smith visited pre-K classrooms and gathered feedback from school officials on the benefits the program has had since it was introduced last August.

Smith said she hopes legislators will listen to the stories of people who benefit from the voluntary pre-K program and urged House of Representatives members to change an education proposal she said would basically do away with the program.

We hope that good education opportunities are available to everyone, and that an agreement can be reached in order to provide it across Minnesota.