Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

To the announcement that the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau will move into the same building as the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce and Albert Lea Economic Development Agency.

We were pleased to hear the announcement Thursday that the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau will soon join the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce and Albert Lea Economic Development Agency at 132 N. Broadway in downtown Albert Lea.

We and others have long supported increased collaboration between these entities, whether through working in a shared space or otherwise, and we think this will be a great fit.

It makes sense to have all of these entities under the same roof, as they often work together to promote Albert Lea and are important resources to both new and existing residents and businesses.

These entities have had increased collaboration over the last year, and we only hope this move can strengthen that further.

 

To vandalism reported this week at City Beach.

Vandals struck Albert Lea’s City Beach this week, damaging picnic tables, writing graffiti on the walls in the men’s bathroom and stripping a tree of its bark. Police have stated damage to the tables was estimated at $800, while the tree itself was valued at $1,000 and will likely have to be removed.

Though this type of behavior often increases in the summer, we encourage parents to keep a watch over their children. Have a conversation about this type of behavior and about respecting others’ property. In the end, damage like that impacts all city residents as it occurred on city property.

 

To Albert Lea Anglers Caden Stevens, Will Utpadel, Ian Latham, Jaeger Larson, Thomas Lundell and Griffin Thompson.

Congratulations to these high school anglers, who participated in the High School Fishing World Finals and National Championship last week in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

Stevens and Utpadel finished in 31st place and were the first team out of the final round, missing qualifying by 3 ounces, while Lundell and Thompson finished in 62nd place overall. Latham and Larson finished in 154th place overall.

We congratulate them on their hard work and for making it to the tournament. We look forward to continuing to see these anglers grow in the coming years.

 

To the inflammatory condition related to COVID-19 that has been confirmed in 13
Minnesota children.

State officials said this week that 13 Minnesota children were found to have multi-system inflammatory syndrome between mid-May and mid-June. The syndrome, which has ties to COVID-19, has proven deadly in New York.

Officials said 11 of the 13 Minnesota children showed evidence of COVID-19, while the remaining two had been exposed to it.

State Epidemiologist Ruth Lynfield said the average age of the children who developed symptoms in Minnesota was 5, and most had no prior medical problems. All of the Minnesota children who had the syndrome have survived, though eight required intensive care.