To having a safe summer and a safe school year.

With Albert Lea Area Schools starting back this week and others in the area to follow, the Tribune wishes all students, teachers, school staff and parents good luck this school year. While it’s always somewhat sad to have summer start to wind down, we’re glad that this summer was generally a safe one for the area.

To Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson coming to Albert Lea.

Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson will meet Monday with officials from Freeborn County and Albert Lea regarding Mayo Clinic’s plans to consolidate services at its Albert Lea campus.

Freeborn County Attorney David Walker formally contacted Swanson’s office July 25, and her office sent a four-page letter to Mayo requesting information or data via 23 specific questions. Swanson’s office requested Mayo’s response by Aug. 30.

We’re glad to hear state government officials are paying attention to rural areas such as ours and realize the impact Mayo Clinic’s plans could have on Albert Lea and its surrounding areas.

To Lakeview Elementary School for creating a memorial garden in honor of Sophie Stultz.

On Monday, Lakeview students and staff, as well as other community members, honored Sophie Stultz with a memorial garden.

Sophie, 8 years old and a Lakeview Elementary School student, passed away July 2, 2016, after being hit by a car while riding her bicycle.

The community has shown an outpouring of support to the Stultz family since last July, and its heartwarming to see that support continue. The garden will be a lovely way for Sophie’s family, friends, classmates and everyone else who knew her to keep her memory alive.

To Freeborn County for opening up the county administrator position to current county employees.

The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved interviewing Brian Buhmann, Human Services director; Sue Miller, Public Works director; Tom Jensen, Court Services director; Ryan Rasmusson, Freeborn County assessor; and James Everhart, court security officer.

We were glad to see the county has opened up and encouraged the possibility of someone local  to be promoted and fill the role of county administrator. Current employees are good candidates; they are familiar with Freeborn County, they have already been working with our county’s best interests in mind, have proven records of professional success and are invested in the community.

To a small handful of businesses that failed compliance checks.

We were disappointed to hear that employees at four different Freeborn County businesses sold alcohol to underage decoys during alcohol compliance checks conducted by the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office last week. We must work harder at educating employees to not serve minors.