To 407Designz of Alden and Tiger City Sports of Albert Lea.

Hats off to 407Designz and Tiger City Sports, who came together in the aftermath of the shooting of Waseca Officer Arik Matson to offer T-shirts for community members and others interested in supporting the family.

The T-shirts, which say “Praying for Arik,” have been sold all over the country and have raised about $16,000 to support Matson’s recovery.

Thank you to those who made the effort possible, including Jimmy Jay Productions of Hartley, Iowa, who did the silk screening for the shirts.

It is great to see the various efforts that have been organized — and continue to be organized — to help the Matsons. We hope the money can be a source of relief for the family in the months to come as they continue to focus on Arik Matson’s recovery.

To the sale of the Shell Rock River Watershed District’s dredge.

We were pleased to hear the news that the Shell Rock River Watershed District sold its 2010 IMS 7012 HP 51-foot Versi dredge at the beginning of February. The dredge was the final piece remaining of all of the dredging equipment the district purchased in 2012.

Though the district found it was ultimately cheaper for dredging companies to use their own dredges — instead of the district’s — to do the work, Watershed District Administrator Andy Henschel said at the time he thinks the purchase was beneficial in helping the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recognize the district was serious about the Fountain Lake dredging project and moving forward with it. 

We’re glad to see the district recoup a good portion of the cost of the dredge and put that back into the dredging project.

To the people who participated in the Freeborn County DFL and Republican party caucuses this week.

Thanks to all of the people in Freeborn County who set aside time out of their schedules on Tuesday to participate in the party caucuses.

The caucuses give people time to talk about issues important to the party and hear from candidates vying for office. It is also a good time to meet people in the community and is the first in a series of meetings where people may endorse candidates, select delegates and set party platforms.

Now, the process turns to the presidential primary when Minnesota will become one of several states taking part in Super Tuesday. We encourage people to practice their ability to vote and to turn out Tuesday at the appropriate polling place.

Voting times and locations are printed on Page A8 in today’s edition. We are interested in seeing the outcome.