UP – To the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad.

Thanks for rebuilding the crossing on Broadway Avenue. Boy, did this one ever need it! The axles on automobiles all over Albert Lea thank the DM&E for fixing it. When it comes to railroad crossings, we know the street is actually crossing the railroad — not the other way around — because, after all, the rails were there first. The railroad owns the land underneath, so the railroad repairs them at its own pace and gets reimbursed by the government that manages the roadway. That said, we are prepared to give more thumbs up if the DM&E should find the time to fix other street crossings in this city. They sure could use it.

DOWN – To the recent rash of car break-ins in Albert Lea.

It seems there have been more car break-ins than normal lately in our fair city. It’s too bad that some people see taking from others as a viable means to get by. Times are tough, sure, but don’t stoop to crime. Know what is right and wrong, and do what is right. Whoever is breaking into cars and stealing property should be ashamed of themselves. We always wonder: What would their grandparents think?

UP – To Albert Lea student-athlete Lindsey Horejsi.

Wow! This eight-grader who swims on the varsity squad for the Tigers has hit the local sports scene with a splash. She has broken many individual and team records in girls’ swimming this month. She is serious competitor, and from watching the video at AlbertLeaTribune.com, it shows. She might have just turned 14, but the community already looks forward to her prep swimming career.

UP – To the incredible battle between Iowa and Iowa State last week.

With the Cy-Hawk Series appearing on Fox Sports Net last Saturday, people nationwide got a taste of one of the biggest intrastate football rivalries in the county. And the two teams delivered a doozy. After leading only once during the entire contest, the Iowa State Cyclones managed to tie the Iowa Hawkeyes near the end of the game and force overtime. It took three overtime periods, but the Cyclones found a way to win. Fans, writers, coaches and players on both sides spoke highly of each other’s teams, which is good all around for the rivalry and for Iowa.