Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

To area athletes named to All-Conference teams.

Congratulations to the 20 Albert Lea athletes who were named to the Big Nine All-Conference teams last week and the 16 United South Central and NRHEG athletes who were named to the Gopher Conference’s All-Conference teams this week.

These winter sports athletes have worked hard, put in many hours of practice and deserve the recognition.

Congratulations to them and also to their coaches, who encouraged and taught them along the way.

 

To hurting businesses.

In a time where many businesses have had to close their doors or downsize their operations, business owners are challenged at this time with reduced revenue.

One way these business owners could get some relief is to have an extension on the deadlines for their property taxes or to have the penalties waived if they have to turn them in late.

The issue is being considered on the county level, and we encourage people to contact their representatives on the state level for action there.

District 27A Rep. Peggy Bennett can be reached by email at rep.peggy.bennett@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-8216.

District 27 Sen. Dan Sparks can be reached by email at sen.dan.sparks@senate.mn or by phone at 651-296-9248.

Gov. Tim Walz’s office can be reached at 651-201-3400, and a message can be sent to his staff online at https://mn.gov/governor/contact/.

We hope people come together on every level to offer this relief to area businesses.

 

To the #BeTheLight movement around the state and nation.

School districts across the state and nation are lighting up their sports complexes once a week out of a united effort to support their seniors.

The movement originated in Texas and has since moved into a number of states, including Minnesota.

We appreciate the area school districts that are jumping on board with this effort and to all those who are making an effort to support local seniors. It has surely been a difficult time for these students, as they face a senior year unlike any who have gone before them without all of the usual festivities.

Hang in there, students.