To the upcoming new year.

In case you’ve had a rough 2018, or you simply want to start some fresh goals, the new year is right around the corner.

Use this as an opportunity to move forward with motivation to make 2019 your best year yet.

Pick a few goals you can work on, write them down and establish details of what you’re going to do to accomplish them — and then begin.

Remember, everyone will likely experience some setbacks along the way, but the key is to jump back on board as soon as you can.

And don’t forget that a positive attitude can go a long way.

 

 

To arson being ruled as the cause of an Albert Lea house fire earlier this month.

We were sad to hear the Albert Lea Fire Department state Thursday that arson was the cause of the fire that destroyed a home Dec. 8 at 601 E. Fifth St.

The fire burned through a portion of the first and second floors of the house and caused damage estimated at $100,000.

Anyone with any information about the fire is asked to call the Fire Department at 377-4340.

 

 

To property owners who have not complied with the city’s inspection program.

Starting in January, the city will begin charging residents who have water flowing from their foundation drains into the city’s sanitary sewer system or who have not allowed inspectors into their homes to check on the issue.

The city has been working on this issue for many years, and out of the 5,600 homes and businesses required to have the inspection, 52 have either not had an inspection or have not come into compliance after their inspection.

The ultimate goal is to reduce the inflow and filtration — clear water — entering the sewer.

If the problems can be corrected, it can reduce the frequency of sewer backups and having to pump out of the sanitary sewer to prevent backups — not to mention there will be less that has to be treated at the wastewater treatment plant.

We urge the 52 remaining property owners to take care of getting their properties checked and any issues corrected.

 

 

To multiple reports of chases in recent weeks on area roads.

It seems like every week lately there has been a report of a chase on one of the area interstates or county roads.

Not only are chases scary, but they can be dangerous, too, to the law enforcement officers who respond to them and to the public as a whole who might be on the road when the chase occurs.

We hope people will make better decisions instead of endangering themselves and others.