To a group of Albert Lea FFA members restoring a 1958 International Harvester 350-High-Utility tractor.

It is quite impressive to hear about the group of Albert Lea FFA members who found, traveled to pick up and who have since been working to restore a 1958 International Harvester tractor.

The youth plan to have the tractor ready to raffle off at the Freeborn County Fair.

Not only are these youth are showing major skills but also maturity, and we wish them the best of luck in their efforts.

To the appointment of former Shell Rock River Watershed District Director of Field Operations  Andy Henschel as the district’s new administrator.

Congratulations to Shell Rock River Watershed District’s former Director of Field Operations Andy Henschel, who on Tuesday was voted as the Watershed District’s new administrator.

Henschel was evaluated on a scoring system for the job, along with one other outside applicant. He, over the years, has been a wealth of knowledge for the organization, and we think he will serve the district and the community well.

To changes in the city’s hiring process.

We commend the city of Albert Lea for revamping its job application process to eliminate any form of explicit or implicit bias.

Under the new process, portions of city job applications that list an applicant’s name and address — and the applicant’s salary history — will no longer be available for the hiring manager if an application moves forward.

The hope is that the new hiring practices will help managers review strictly qualifications for positions, as opposed to other factors that could reveal implicit biases.

We look forward to hearing how the implemented changes work for the city.

To the Albert Lea City Council’s support of the proposal by software startup company Mortarr to develop the Freeborn National Bank and Jacobson Apartments buildings.

The Albert Lea City Council this week voiced support for a proposal by Albert Lea-based software startup company Mortarr, which plans to renovate the Freeborn National Bank and Jacobson Apartments building and ultimately bring about three dozen jobs to the community in the next 15 months.

The company has submitted an application to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development to develop the building.

To recent thefts and break-ins.

Several break-ins have been reported in recent weeks, including one at the Albert Lea Assembly of God Church. Of all places to break into, we are saddened to hear that places like churches are falling victim.

There have also been windows broken out at a few homes and businesses.

We hope authorities are able to track down who is doing these break-ins so further crimes are able to be prevented.