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To the winners of the 12 Gifts of Christmas sweepstakes.

Congratulations to the winners of the 12 Gifts of Christmas sweepstakes, which took place on the Tribune’s website.

The contest gave people the opportunity to win one of 12 prizes, totaling $1,800 in value.

The top prize, for $750 toward a new set of tires from Hanson Tire, was won by Kristi Hantelman.

Other prizes included two sets of vouchers for dinner and a show for two to Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, as well as two one-year print subscriptions, two six-month subscriptions, three one-year digital memberships and two Albert Lea-opoly board games.

While the contest is over, we encourage people to continue checking out the Tribune’s website for contests as this is only one of several sweepstakes that take place throughout the year. The newspaper also conducts monthly contests with prizes from local businesses.

To the Albert Lea cheerleading teams that will advance to nationals in July.

Hats off to the Division 3 and 4 Albert Lea cheerleading squads with Champion Force Athletics, who found out this week they made it to nationals in Cleveland in July.

The two teams have had successful seasons both this season and last, both of which were taken into consideration when officials determined who would advance to nationals.

Congratulations is also in order to coach Chaise Brackey, who is in her second season of coaching, and who is already seeing great success. Brackey said she used to be a cheerleader herself, and she also has daughters who are competing now.

We wish the girls the best in the coming months as they prepare for their tournament in July.

To higher reports of wild waterfowl deaths in the first half of December in southern Minnesota — likely caused by avian influenza.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is investigating after receiving 29 reports of wild waterfowl deaths from 20 counties in the southern half of Minnesota.

According to Minnesota Public Radio News, the dead waterfowl were Canada geese, as well as some tundra swans and trumpeter swans. Reports ranged from more than a handful to more than 50.

The number of reports has been significantly more than normal. For example, in 2023, there were five reports.

People are asked to report the location to the DNR if they see more than five dead waterfowl.