To the 14 companies who attended a pre-bid meeting through the Shell Rock River Watershed District about the district’s upcoming dredging project.

We were pleased to hear 14 companies came out earlier this month to hear the details of the upcoming Fountain Lake dredging project.

Companies had the chance to tour the staging area, the district’s dredge, pumps, pipe location and the containment disposal facility.

We hope many of these companies will in turn submit a bid when the district opens the project for bids.

Dredging is slated to begin by June 15.

To Albert Lea couple Nancy and Al Stoa.

Congratulations to Albert Leans Nancy and Al Stoa, who have been married for more than 60 years.

The Stoas were featured in an article in the Tribune’s Valentine’s Day edition and are a great example of enduring love.

We appreciated the couple opening up their lives to the Tribune and sharing with us the ups and downs of their lives. We wish them nothing but the best in the future.

To a new batting cage in Geneva.

Congratulations to the community of Geneva, who came together to raise funds for a new batting cage at Geneva Community Center.

The cage will be used by NRHEG baseball and softball players who want to hone their skills before the spring season begins.

Funds were raised by the NRHEG baseball boosters, Quad Cities Baseball Association and the city of Geneva.

We hope it proves to be a big success.

To the group of residents raising money for holiday lights and decorations downtown.

Hats off to the group of residents working with Albert Lea Mayor Vern Rasmussen Jr. to raise $75,000 for new holiday lights and decorations downtown. It has been more than 20 years since a significant capital investment has been made for the decorations, and they are in need of a facelift.

Plans for the decorations include garland, wreaths and lights on light posts and intersections on Broadway, decorations at the splash pad and gazebo and year-round lighting for trees.

The group hopes to raise the money by the end of the year.

We hope the effort is a success, as it will make our downtown more inviting.