To Pratt Industries.

Georgia-based Pratt Industries recently purchased Minnesota Corrugated Box in Albert Lea for $70 million.

We are glad to see the company offer all MCB employees their same positions and increased benefits under the new ownership. The company is also considering adding 15 to 20 new employees for the second and third shifts, in addition to the 150 current employees.

We look forward to seeing this company grow in the future.

 

To high-speed chases.

We are baffled to hear the number of high-speed chases that occur in the area. Just this week, two people from Iowa led authorities on a chase that started in Britt, Iowa, and ended in Minnesota near Wells. It is hard to believe that people think they can get away from the police, and it jeopardizes not only their own lives but the lives of every other person on the road. This vehicle ultimately ended up colliding with two Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office squad cars and a utility pole. The chase reportedly ended when the pickup lost control and crashed at the intersection of 600th Avenue and 250th Street in Faribault County. We are glad there wasn’t more damage. This could have ended even worse.

 

To Eddie Cochran weekend.

Eddie Cochran weekend is one of the highlights of the summer in Albert Lea.

Though rain altered plans for the cruise-in social on Friday at Green Mill and Country Inn & Suites, we were glad to see the sun shining brightly Saturday morning. This event, which is in memory of Albert Lea singer Eddie Cochran, draws people from both inside and outside of the area.

He started playing the guitar when he was 12 years old and toured as a country music performer with the Cochran Brothers after his family moved to California.

He made the move to rock ’n’ rock with his hit “Sitting on the Balcony,” in 1957, selling more than 1 million copies. Other Cochran hits include “Summertime Blues,” “C’mon Everybody,” “Something Else” and “Jeannie, Jeannie, Jeannie.”

Cochran died on Easter Sunday 1960 when the cab taking him to Heathrow Airport crashed.