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To no additional positive COVID-19 tests at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea after mass testing at the facility this week.

We were relieved to hear the news that mass testing at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea on Monday showed no other cases of COVID-19 at the skilled nursing site.

Results of the mass testing came after one resident tested positive for the virus the week prior.

COVID-19 has proven particularly troublesome to residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the state and nation. According to the Minnesota Department of Health on Thursday, 896 of Minnesota’s 1,115 deaths have been people who resided in long-term care or assisted living facilities.

We thank the staff at all of the area nursing homes, who are diligently trying to keep the virus out of their facilities and protect not only the residents but their co-workers, as well.

This is critical for these facilities.

To damage from the storm this week at LeSueur River Lutheran Church in New Richland.

It was sad to see the steeple at LeSueur River Lutheran Church was knocked off Tuesday night during severe weather in rural New Richland.

The steeple has served as a familiar part of the landscape for both members and nonmembers alike, helping people know where they are when out on the road in the area.

While it is unknown whether the damage was caused by straight-line winds or a tornado, we are happy the remainder of the church was not damaged and that there were no injuries from the incident.

We wish the church members the best in their cleanup and repairs.

To all those who filed for public office this campaign season.

It is not easy to put yourself out on the line, but that is exactly what several area residents did the last few weeks in filing for public office for the Albert Lea City Council, Freeborn County Board of Commissioners, and House and Senate seats.

It is critical for people to get involved in local government, whether it is running for office, attending or watching local board meetings or contacting their representatives to share their opinions on important issues.

We hope these individuals learn a lot during the campaign process and that residents will do their due diligence to make educated decisions before voting.

Minnesota’s primary election will be Aug. 11 with the general election Nov. 3.

To the return of mosquitoes for the season.

Sometime in the last week, it seems as if the pesky mosquitoes, all too common each summer, returned to the area.

The city stated in a press release Friday it has contracted with Mosquito Control of Iowa for mosquito control again this season. If anyone has any questions, they should contact them at 712-848-3295 or visit www.mosquitocontrolofiowa.com.

The company will be spraying Sunday night for mosquito control with Monday night as the alternate in case of rain. The regular spray day going forward will be Wednesday with Thursday as the rain day. The company will be spraying by ground at dusk.

We hope the mosquitoes won’t be too bad this summer and hope the spraying will keep them under control.