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Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience Thursday of a house that was listed for rent on a Facebook page that was not for rent on Hale Drive Thursday of an individual who was trespassed from Walmart who stole from the store The Minnesota Timberwolves (33-29) are home in Northwest Division play versus the Utah Jazz (15-45) on Sunday which includes the Tampa Bay Lightning versus the Florida Panthers Top 25 teams will take the court across two games on Monday’s college basketball schedule The college basketball schedule on Monday should provide some fireworks Our computer model has provided picks against the… Ranked teams are on Monday’s college basketball schedule for two games including the Kansas Jayhawks squaring off against… for second-degree driving while intoxicated allowing open bottle and furnishing alcohol to an underage person after receiving a report of a suspicious car that had been driving around Candy Lane in Hayward A person was also reported getting out of the car turned himself in on a local warrant at 4:44 a.m Wednesday of a school bus stop arm violation that occurred the day before at 3:18 p.m near the intersection of South Seventh Avenue and West Clark Street Police arrested Kristin Marie Anderson on local warrants at 8:37 p.m Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of Benya Kraus as its next president and CEO who has served the foundation with distinction for nearly two decades A nationally recognized rural leader and social entrepreneur Kraus brings a deep personal commitment to southern Minnesota and a career defined by advancing rural vitality across the country As part of a sixth-generation family native to Waseca County she embodies what it means to choose to live and work in rural Minnesota as a powerful intentional commitment to community and opportunity “Benya represents not just the future of SMIF but the future of rural philanthropy across Minnesota and beyond,” said Shawn Vogt Sween “She brings an extraordinary combination of vision operational excellence and a deep personal tie to our region We could not be more excited for this next chapter.” Benya most recently served as network advancement director at Resource Rural supporting a national portfolio of rural development organizations in securing nearly $300 million in federal and state grants over the last year She previously co-founded and scaled Lead For America a nationwide nonprofit investing in emerging rural leaders and led strategic partnerships that secured over $60 million for broadband expansion early childhood initiatives and small-town revitalization projects She holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business with concentrations in finance and entrepreneurship “SMIF has built deep roots by investing in entrepreneurs and strengthening the communities that define this region to learn and to help plant the seeds for an even stronger future — one rooted in belonging innovation and possibility for all who choose this beautiful region as their home.” Kraus and Penny will embark on a listening and relationship-building tour across SMIF’s 20-county region This series of community conversations and storytelling sessions will spotlight the energy innovation and leadership thriving across southern Minnesota The tour will celebrate how rural philanthropy through SMIF and the broader Minnesota Initiative Foundation network is helping to shape the future of Greater Minnesota “Southern Minnesota’s future is bright because of leaders like Benya,” said Penny “The next generation of leadership is going to define the success of this region I am excited to turn this important role over to Benya who carries the same deep commitment to strengthening our rural places.” SMIF’s president and CEO search was conducted by Ballinger | Leafblad an executive search firm dedicated to serving the civic sector partnering with foundations and nonprofits to identify and recruit exceptional leaders A memorial service will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday at Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Services in Albert Lea with a visitation one hour prior He was the youngest of four children born to John and Eileen (Duffy) Bergen He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1960 He served in the United States Navy from 1961-1964 He then attended Mankato State College and graduated with a business degree in 1972 he and Nancy were blessed with four grandchildren whom he loved dearly He truly cherished the time he spent with each of them Pat worked at K-Mart as an assistant manager in Mason City he went to work for the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier in Albert Lea He stayed with them until his retirement in 2004 after 30+ years of service He enjoyed meeting all of the people on his route Many referred to him as he whistling mailman as he often could be heard whistling while he delivered mail he enjoyed getting together with his neighbors and friends You could often find a group sitting in the garage or in the driveway where all were welcome Marguerite Donovan (Bergen) and Rita Bergen; brother Tom Donovan and Glen Fuller; mother and father-in-law Don and Dorothy Vandersnick; and granddaughter He will be missed by those who survive him Sara Colby (Jeff Stevens) and grandchildren Brandon and Aly of Albert Lea Jill Dickrell (Chris) and grandchildren Ashlyn and Taylor of Otsego Also surviving are niece Mary Quinlivan (Mike); brother and sister-in-law Terry and Peggy Vandersnick; sister-in-law Ann Fuller; many nieces and nephews; and grand-dogs Mia and Louie The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at St Croix Hospice for the amazing care they provided Editor’s note: This is the fifth in an ongoing series about youth mental health. The series will culminate with a Screen-Free Week for the whole community May 4-10. It may be overwhelming to figure out where to start if you’ve never sought treatment for a mental health illness before but there are several organizations looking to help schools or other organizations that have formed to offer services here is information about some of the resources available for youth in the area: Freeborn County’s Mental Health Center offers five therapists and more than half who see children over the age of 6 a licensed independent clinical social worker with the county Lowe said if someone wants individual therapy for a child ages 6 to 18 they should call the Freeborn County Mental Health Center at 507-377-5400 She said currently the waiting list is about a month out the therapist connects one-on-one with the child without the parent in the room How frequently they meet depends on the person if the therapist identifies a need for a weekly session The county also offers case management to any child who has a diagnosis The diagnosis would need to have been made within the last six months or if they do not have one or their diagnosis is older than six months She said the purpose of case management is to help families in Freeborn County connect with services and assess whether those services are being helpful They also help families navigate the system and find out what services may be helpful for their youth It is often used as a stepping stone to get people lined up with services though there are some families that have case management for a much longer time though if the individual has insurance through the government The Mental Health Center also offers family therapy and family counseling with two therapists and one counselor for residents of Freeborn County who have a child in their home and who would like to work on relationships between family members Lowe said this is also a free service to residents of the county She also provides parent child interaction therapy for children 18 months to kindergarten which is a therapeutic intervention to teach parents how to interact with their children to have a better relationship Usually it results in the children listening better at the end they also provide parent management training for parents of children 7 to 14 which teaches parents how to better manage their parenting so their children will listen better This is also free for Freeborn County residents she said the county offers a parenting group at 1:30 p.m Wednesdays at the Department of Human Services building at 203 W where there is a different topic discussed each week Lowe said if a child or youth is clearly hurting and they are going to hurt themselves or they are going to hurt someone else caregivers should take their child into the emergency room or call 911 if the parent does not feel safe enough transporting the child on their own She also emphasized parents of children with mental health concerns to seek support for themselves as they work with their children Providing services to Freeborn County youth since 2015 Horizon Homes has the South Central Mobile Crisis Team compassionate support to individuals experiencing mental health or emotional challenges,” said Abby Malterer and Tina Olson mental health professionals with the organization Services also include crisis assessment and intervention crisis prevention planning and continued follow-up care They said they serve both youth and adults facing many concerns delusions or issues related to substance use which is made up of mental health practitioners is available 24/7 and provides services not only in Freeborn County The women said on average the team stays with the individual for an average of an hour to an hour and a half They also set up follow-up visits to continue to work on interventions case management and connect with resources for partial hospitalization programming if needed People should go to the emergency room or call law enforcement for immediate safety concerns including thoughts of wanting to harm themselves or others with an immediate plan and intent they are encouraged to call their line or mobile crisis team at 877-399-3040 and they can help people connect with resources While their crisis residential program Horizon Homes offers in Mankato is for 18 and older their mobile team is able to help with referrals for youth to children’s crisis residential facilities if that level of care is needed More about the mobile crisis team can be found at https://www.horizonhomes.org/south-central-mobile-crisis-team/ also provides services for youth in Freeborn County family and group psychotherapy for all ages and a variety of diagnoses It also offers Children’s Therapeutic Supports and Services It can be reached at 507-437-6389 during business hours A communications representative with Mayo Clinic Health System referred people to the Albert Lea location website: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/locations/albert-lea/services-and-treatments/psychiatry-and-psychology The website states it has specialists who provide assessment and care to adults Care includes counseling and treatment of mental conditions such as mood disorders said the high school has three school counselors and four school social workers and the school’s full staff is trained in identifying signs of struggle and trauma in student behaviors and is able to make referrals to the school social work team there are two social workers and a counselor The staff is also trained in identifying signs of struggle and trauma and can make referrals as needed He said throughout the year during their advisory period students and their advisory teachers circle up to talk about different social and emotional topics staff teams meet and a social worker or counselor is present where they can discuss any students who may be struggling mentally or who need a check-in They also have a student support team that meets once a week the MTSS coordinator and due process lead who discuss any students who have been referred They then come up with a plan to address with the students a lunch group with the counselor or a lunch circle with a social worker Stellar Wellness Counseling in Skyline Plaza offers professional counseling services in Albert Lea and Owatonna dedicated to promoting mental well-being and providing support for individuals and families stress management and more for youth and teens When discussing needs for mental health services for youth she hopes to arrange a support group of some form that is targeted toward youth and that would last six to eight sessions While she acknowledged that there are options for therapy and services in the community to address youth mental health as some places have a longer wait times of more than three months Albert Lea High School senior Connor Pirsig will be continuing his high school career this fall as a member of the Mason City Toros who are a member of the North American 3 Hockey League The Toros play their home games at the Mason City Arena that is attached to the Southbridge Mall The Thursdays on Fountain summer concert series returns to Fountain Lake Park beginning May 29 and will continue through Aug Held every Thursday evening from 5:30 to 7 p.m. this free community event invites everyone to enjoy live music in the lakeside setting of downtown Albert Lea Thursdays on Fountain celebrates the spirit of community while supporting local and regional musicians Each week features a different artist or band bringing fresh sounds and lively entertainment to residents and visitors alike The North Broadway parking lot will also continue to host food trucks at select shows offering even more reasons to come downtown and make an evening of it “Thursdays on Fountain is more than just a concert series; it’s a gathering space for our community a celebration of local culture and an opportunity to showcase all that Albert Lea has to offer,” said event organizers “By continuing to bring in new bands and performances we help strengthen Albert Lea’s vibrant arts scene and create lasting memories for people of all ages.” Businesses and organizations are invited to be part of this community tradition through sponsorship opportunities. Sponsoring Thursdays on Fountain is a great way to support the arts, engage with the community and showcase your brand, according to a press release. For sponsorship details, contact holly@explorealbertlea.com One hundred days of great federal reforms by President Trump The great silent majority needs to speak up after four years of Biden failures The great effort under the 1798 law to deport the 20 million illegals in the U.S The building of a tight border wall is well-needed Slash federal government spending by 2 trillion and balance the federal budget this year Slash waste and federal fraud to help save Social Security and Medicare Back Minnesotan Pete Hegseth’s defense reforms Have Congress work to slash excessive spending and regulations promptly President Trump’s gold card is a great idea; Congress needs to support it Congress needs to pass an updated guest worker plan Each guest worker would have a private sponsor A 5% fee on non-citizen earnings to cover administrative costs Minnesota needs to cut bloated spending and waste and fraud (remember Feeding Our Future) We need to find why Iowa and South Dakota tax and spend less Nevaeh Wacholz is this week’s Standout Student Gentz — He is passionate about what he does and he cares about his students as people and leaders Favorite book/author: “Live” by Sadie Robertson volunteer work and accomplishments: Volleyball middle school girls small group leader at my church Attend Bethel University to become a nurse and one day coach a high school basketball team What advice would you give to younger students in Albert Lea Be involved in as much as you can and say “yes” more You never get to be in high school again so make the most out of it and find the little joys in each day (ABC 6 News) — After months of planning construction has officially begun on the brand new oat mill processing plant in Albert Lea The mood among business owners has remained positive on 14th Street where the plant is located Many said the long-term pros of the project outweigh the short-term cons are now warning businesses and those nearby to be on the lookout for the orange cones “Whenever there’s large equipment moving dirt just exercise caution in those areas for the next several months,” said Megan Boeck nearby residents remain excited on what’s to come when the facility is completed “I’m happy that new jobs are going to be created and I wish them all the best and it’s right in my backyard,” said Linda Lares Lares lives adjacent to the new facility and says at first she was nervous it was going to take up a lot of space but is surprised at how it is turning out so far “It sounded like it was going to be this huge plant so I was a little surprised in comparison to its neighbor across the street,” Lares said She said other neighbors near her also seem to be reacting positively “I think it’s a benefit to everyone And that’s a good thing for all of us,” said Lares the city says they expect any disruption to businesses in that area progresses the impact to other area businesses along 14th Street or in that area is short term,” Boeck said And with the new facility expecting to bring 12-15 new jobs when it’s all said and done along with two million bushels of oats per year the city said they are excited to see the project progress “The small grains or oats do require less pesticides which helps our overall water conservation efforts any other environmental efforts that we attempt here in the city,” said Boeck Other businesses on 14th Street said they don’t expect much change either during the first phase of construction which is expected to be completed on May 16 Any person with disabilities who needs help accessing the FCC Public file should email news@kaaltv.com or call (507) 288-7555 Albert Lean Ruth Olson never thought she would feel trapped inside her own home that’s exactly how she says she felt — unable to leave her house even to attend medical appointments important for her health Not able to walk because of nerve damage that she believes was the result of chemotherapy for cancer Olson was hospitalized for a time before living at St John’s Lutheran Community and then returning to her home in time for New Year’s Day “I did everything I could and I was not improving,” she said of her challenges and with the help of her family got a wheelchair and has been able to maneuver around her house came with getting in and out of the house as she was no longer able to climb up or down the handful of steps outside her home Thanks to a group of people all working to better seniors in the community Olson about two weeks ago was gifted a ramp that will allow her to get in and out of her house — albeit still with a little help “I don’t feel so trapped inside,” she said still mowing the lawn and attending activities in the community But one day last fall she was mowing the lawn and all of the sudden she could not breathe She said when she was taken to the hospital She said doctors told her that the only treatment that was recommended was chemotherapy and a social worker told her about some resources that could be available to help her with a ramp she was not able to find any help for her cause who helps lead the Age-Friendly Freeborn County initiative stopped by her home to deliver some Girl Scout cookies she had ordered from Eaton’s granddaughter Olson told her the story of what had taken place in recent months and told her she had no way to get out of the house to go to the doctor The wheels started turning for Eaton about all of the different organizations that she has worked with through the Age-Friendly initiative She described the situation to Bart Berven with Albert Lea Fire Rescue who is heading up the city’s new Help Connect program which is trying to fill in gaps to help seniors stay in their homes “All along there’d be times where someone needs help but it fell through the cracks,” Berven said He started contacting other organizations until the idea came up to reach out to the Disabled American Veterans Bob Sharp said because Olson served a year in the Air Force were able to take on Olson’s plea for help they came up with the needed pieces for a platform and ramp representatives from both organizations surprised Olson at her house to install it Sharp said the groups have installed other ramps for other veterans in need in the community I’m really proud of all the members of our organizations,” he said but they still have time to get out and help their fellow veterans I’m proud of every one of them for spending the time and putting in the effort.”  Olson said she was grateful for all who played a part in the project and noted she is pleased that the ramp is temporary so others can utilize it after she is no longer able to but it really bothered me I couldn’t get out,” she said Eaton encouraged any other seniors in the community who might need assistance like Olson did to reach out to Senior Resources which can help them know which organizations may best assist them The organization can be reached at 507-377-7433 Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInALBERT LEA (KTTC) – C-SPAN visited Albert Lea High School on Wednesday 23 to celebrate and honor three of its students for their third prize-winning entry in C-SPAN’s annual student video documentary competition C-SPAN asked middle and high school students to address the theme - “Your Message to the President: What issue is most important to you or your community?” C-SPAN reportedly received more than 1,700 entries and nearly 3,500 students from 42 states and Washington C-SPAN and Spectrum representatives all joined the community in recognizing the three students at an assembly of classmates C-SPAN also recognized the students’ teacher who served as the students’ StudentCam adviser “Congratulations to all of the incredibly talented young students who won awards in this year’s competition!" C-SPAN Director of Education Relations Craig McAndrew said "Through in-depth research and interviews with an array of topical and technical experts you have crafted impactful short stories that capture issues of wide public interest and importance Your documentaries set a very high bar for future StudentCam filmmakers and you should be proud knowing your work will inspire your peers and foster thoughtful consideration from all audiences Spectrum even surprised the three students by doubling the prize money meaning all three were able to leave with $500 each Find stories like this and more, in our apps (ABC 6 News) – Multiple students from colleges across the state had their visas cancelled with little to no warning it’s become a bit of a pattern in Minnesota One of those students from Minnesota State Mankato is being held at the Freeborn County Jail people from the community came together on a chilly Thursday afternoon to voice their disapproval of the student’s detainment Related: Student visas for 5 international students at Mankato State terminated, president says said she felt compelled to show her support for college students who sometimes can’t advocate for themselves are very vulnerable and it’s hard to find people to defend them,” Hamborg said Thursday’s protest started with chants led by Albert Lea resident Angie Hanson speakers were invited to the megaphone to share personal stories explaining why the issue mattered to them Among the speakers was Joel Xavier who said he drove from his home in Verona to visit his friends in his hometown of Albert Lea he made sure to carve some time out to speak out “We don’t want to wait until everybody is gone The protest had its fair share of hecklers as people drove by and shouted at the gathering One person stopped his car in traffic and got out of his vehicle to express his feelings toward the protesters Albert Lea resident Del Schroader said he was mad the protest was happening and wished people did their research on the issue they’re going along with the narrative instead of doing their own homework,” Schroader said The cancellation of student visas is part of a broad effort from the Trump administration President Trump said he wants to move quickly in detaining immigrants in an effort to boost national security and we are throwing them the hell out of our country and we are moving very fast,” Trump said So far over 10 students from Minnesota colleges have run into complications with U.S Related: International student at Riverland Community College has visa revoked As for the student from Riverland Community College who had their visa revoked the college said they are checking the visas of their international students daily in order to stay on top of the issue (ABC 6 News) – Albert Lea parents are speaking out after recent threats of violence have uncovered a pattern of similar incidents over the past two years recent death threats against students have sparked a broader conversation in the community about a lack of communication from school leaders and lack consequences for students’ actions One such threat was made against Marissa and Drew Chellsen’s son “I’m gonna bring a gun to school tomorrow and I’m going to kill you,” Drew says was the threat another student made against his 3rd grade son on March 4 “Nobody’s ever said those things to me and I’m 34 years old He and Marissa say the incident happened at lunchtime They weren’t notified until the end of the school day — three hours later “Our initial response was a one minute phone call we can’t tolerate that,” said Marissa “What really angered us about the time lapse in between there is because we needed we would’ve liked that time to talk to our son ‘hey are you doing okay after this?’” said Drew The Chellsens had a meeting with Lakeview’s principal that day but say the only reason they were able to meet in person was because they were already at the school for conferences They weren’t assured during their meeting with the principal that their son’s safety would be taken seriously “Saying they’re gonna bring a gun to school and the dean was like but we think they’re just angry,” said Melissa The principal’s solution was to check the backpack of the student who made the threat and call home to ask if there were any weapons in the house Drew and Marissa didn’t feel that was enough almost the same exact thing happened to Lydia Sorenson’s child Sorenson said “My son was threatened by another another student that she was going to ‘hunt him down and kill him.'” She says she faced similar struggles of the school’s principal not being communicative beyond initially notifying her of the incident and did not respond to multiple follow-up calls and emails at a loss over the school’s lack of communication and discipline created an anonymous survey for other parents in the district to share their own experiences “Blasting someone on Facebook is not my MO but his blatant disregard to that very serious threat and his disregard to other emails sent left me no option but to get his attention some other way,” said Sorensen Meanwhile dozens of others shared stories of destruction of property and students and teachers fearing for their safety “I was hoping that the responses to that post would be ‘I can’t relate’ or ‘behaviors seem well-managed’ but unfortunately the comments and survey submissions received paint a very different picture,” said Sorensen In response to requests for an interview on the situation Lakeview’s principal declined to comment directing any questions on the matter to Interim Superintendent David Krenz all praised Krenz handling of the situation and quick reply to their messages “I feel very optimistic about the feedback I’ve had from the Superintendent and Board Members.  They are taking this very seriously and have already started investigating the current curriculum we are using to address behaviors.  I am so appreciative for their support but there also needs to be change on a state level,” said Sorensen he understands their concerns when something like this happens and the district is not ignoring these threats or other behavioral issues “We’ve gotta make sure that no matter what’s going on that the students’ safety is critical,” said Krenz Drew and Marissa want there to be more clear guidelines in the schools to handle disciplinary issues staff and administration all know exactly what will happen if a student threatens someone else They want to see the school have a detailed plan for how to react in these situations in the immediate seconds these situations are handled on a case-by-case basis but he’s working with principals in every school to improve communication and guidelines for discipline “We have to build that trust that the families know that we’re doing the things that we need to do,” said Krenz I can feel the anticipation of a new growing season At Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) we look forward to planting the seeds of lasting impact at Sprout we select a small town in our region to host Sprout This year we will be at the National Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Center in Henderson Sprout is an opportunity to grow connections deepen our roots and share in the harvest of last year we also invite our partners to speak and share information about the abundance of resources available through SMIF Emily Knudsen from Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm in Waseca “Attending Sprout events has been invaluable for building relationships with other small business owners and industry experts The connections I’ve made have provided insights support and resources that have directly helped Pleasant Grove Pizza Farm grow and thrive in southern Minnesota.” To learn more about Sprout year-round we look for people who want to nurture their communities SMIF’s Acres for Good program allows farm families to donate their land as a charitable gift giving back to the community and safeguarding the legacy of their land How do the donations work and what impact do they yield SMIF will retain the land and keep it in production by renting to current and/or local tenants you get to choose local causes you care about to receive the rental income While SMIF retains ownership of the land and pays local property taxes your gift also provides an immediate charitable deduction while bypassing all capital gains taxes and creating a stable source of income What does it mean to give farmland as a gift and you would get a charitable deduction on income tax and it would be released to SMIF upon your passing Or you can opt for a retained life estate where you keep the right to farm the land until you pass and then it automatically becomes a charitable gift If you are not ready to donate all of your tillable farmland you can also select a portion of your property to donate Farmers can choose how they want to allocate their gift of land through this program the benefit can go toward one of SMIF’s 33 community foundations which invest in their communities through grants and programs From Harmony and Byron to Ellendale and St SMIF has community foundations in every corner of its region farmers can allocate their gift toward SMIF’s general endowment or SMIF’s specific funds which support youth entrepreneurs and small towns in the region Another option is to set up a donor-advised fund to allocate resources to the donor’s specific interests such as a place of worship these are all ways to leave a legacy that will make a huge difference in the future of southern Minnesota — and doing it all without having your family farm sold To learn more about the Acres for Good program visit smifoundation.org/acresforgood or contact Alissa Oeltjenbruns vice president of philanthropy and community vitality at 507-214-7023 or alissao@smifoundation.org we can cultivate new connections and help our communities prosper I cannot wait to witness the harvest of the new season You can reach me at timp@smifoundation.org or 507-455-3215 Tim Penny is the president and CEO of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation He represented Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S House of Representatives from 1982 to 1994 Minnesota State Patrol reported a crash involving a jackknifed semi truck on I-35 north of Albert Lea The truck is located between Exit 12 and Exit 13 near I-90 it is unknown if any injuries occurred in the crash It has been a busy week on the Senate floor with lawmakers hearing six omnibus budget bills along with several single-issue proposals Many of these measures have now passed the Senate and are heading to conference committee to be reconciled with House versions As we approach the final stretch of session with less than three weeks remaining before the constitutionally required adjournment Minnesota faces a troubling fiscal outlook The state is now grappling with a $6 billion structural deficit driven by poor budgeting decisions made during the last biennium replaced by $10 billion in new tax increases all while the size of government has expanded by 40% a concerning trend has emerged in Minnesota’s health care system — one that adds pressure to our budget and raises important questions about priorities In the 2023 Health and Human Services budget MinnesotaCare was expanded to cover people who are here illegally Lawmakers projected that about 5,000 people would enroll at a cost of $220 million over four years This is nearly triple the original estimate and means costs are likely to exceed $600 million While the cost of providig free health care to undocumented immigrants continues to rise Walz has proposed cutting more than $1 billion from Minnesota’s nursing homes and disability services These critical programs support our most vulnerable citizens and the proposed cuts would have a devastating impact As Minnesota faces a $6 billion budget deficit the funds currently allocated to health care for undocumented immigrants could be redirected to reduce the deficit and safeguard essential services for residents It is disheartening to see these funds redirected to subsidize health care for individuals who are here illegally Agriculture budget provides cottage food win and I always value the bipartisan spirit that the Senate Agriculture Committee consistently brings to its work I am encouraged by the progress reflected in this year’s Agriculture Broadband and Rural Development budget and policy package A highlight of this legislation is the long-overdue reform of Minnesota’s cottage food laws These changes will benefit more than 10,000 small food businesses by allowing direct shipping raising the sales cap and lowering registration fees These updates will open the door for more local entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and reach new customers The bill also makes meaningful investments in Minnesota’s farming communities This includes key provisions that support livestock protection rural development and agricultural education These are critical areas that strengthen our agricultural future While I have concerns about some of the new fees included in the bill it still represents meaningful progress for Minnesota agriculture we can continue to refine and strengthen the final package Administrator’s Corner by Kim Larson student commitment is more than just attendance — it’s about showing up with purpose students walk through the doors eager to learn support one another and grow into responsible Halverson students demonstrate a strong dedication to their education collaborating on science projects or practicing math facts with a partner Kindergarteners through fifth-graders are quick to share what makes Halverson special “Playing on the monkey bars is my favorite and the teachers help us learn,” said one kindergartner “I like learning from the teachers and having a smart brain Teachers help you with questions that are very hard A second grader shared his excitement about reading and learning about Johnny Appleseed: “Teachers are awesome and friends are great!” A third grader agreed “All the teachers are kind and sweet.” According to a fourth grader “People are respectful and they follow the rules very well.” From a fifth-grade perspective: “I like Halverson because the teachers are nice and they teach good Teachers across grade levels highlight their students’ resilience our learners are experiencing so many things for the first time prioritize their friendship skills and take pride in their ROAR Core abilities Our school-wide ROAR Core ensures all students Miss Talamantes echoed that pride: “Each day I see students show up eager to try their best and face challenges with a positive attitude I am proud to watch our students take ownership of their learning and demonstrate respect Halverson students are setting a strong foundation for becoming thoughtful members of the community.” students are stepping into leadership roles that reflect the growth and skills they’ve developed over the years “It’s exciting to see our fifth graders take the lead in things like Safety Patrol Math Masters and Battle of the Books,” said fifth-grade teacher Mrs problem-solving and responsibility they’ve been building since kindergarten It’s a powerful way for them to shine and give back to our school community.” the Halverson community remains committed to fostering student growth and celebrating their achievements Halverson students are proving each day that they are ready to lead — both in the classroom and beyond Green Acres Milling founders and co-owners speak about the ecological and financial benefits of growing oats during a meeting with Senator Amy Klobuchar and Mayor Rich Murray on Thursday a staff member on Klobuchar's Ag Committee Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and Albert Lea Mayor Rich Murray on Thursday met with Green Acres Milling co-owners Anne Plagge to discuss the new oat processing center in Albert Lea Amy Klobuchar on Thursday visited Albert Lea and attended a meeting about the benefits of sustainable crop farming at Events at the Broadway This was part of Klobuchar’s 19 county rural economy tour in which she met with farmers small business owners and other Minnesotans to directly hear about challenges such as health care access household costs and the impact of proposed tariffs on the rural economy according to a news release on Klobuchar’s website The meeting was led by founders and co-owners of Green Acres Milling Green Acres Milling is an Iowa-based oat processing company which in November 2024 was approved by the Albert Lea City Council to build a new oat processing facility off of 14th Street in the Jobs Industrial Park The Plagges promote using a three-crop rotation system of corn oats have a near-zero nitrate footprint and are not as affected by droughts and excessively rainy autumns because they are harvested early in the year also have the potential to provide a carbon-free energy source The proposed tariffs would affect the supply chain of companies that manufacture oat products if we can move ourselves down the supply chain we can essentially export more dollars from our community from our state and more dollars that come in to acre farmers,” he said He also explained some of the barriers to entry in growing oats such as high upfront financing costs and the need for viable crop insurance coverage that fits the needs of small producers it can be difficult for farmers to add oats to their crop rotations because in the short term they can make more money growing exclusively corn and soybeans “The problem is there’s no market for food-grade oats that’s not controlled by big companies,” he said He added big companies want to get their supply in mass at minimal cost which is not always possible for small growers Landon said the benefits of planting oats outweighs the potential challenges “Having a third crop rotation … from a financial perspective And that’s not even including the benefits of having a mill locally,” added Matt Kruger director of strategy and development at Green Acres Milling Green Acres Milling will eventually employ 14 people who is a professor specializing in maternal health and early childhood also said it is important that dollars go back into the community the Plagges asked Klobuchar if she had any questions for them “What other states are turning to oats if we wanted to find friends that are doing what we’re doing?” Klobuchar asked Landon said many bordering states are getting into oat farming “This could be part of the solution that Minnesota is facing was also interested in learning where the Plagges currently processed and sold their oats and what the timetable was for the new Albert Lea processing facility Klobuchar coming down to Freeborn County and hearing about the good things that are happening in the city of Albert Lea and for our farms and our banks and our community in general,” Landon said following the meeting “I’m hoping the senator learned a little bit about agriculture and how our farmers are caretakers of the land and stewards of the environment.” we have presented articles about youth mental health and some of the growing concerns — not only across the state and nation We have hoped to illustrate the prevalence behind the issues being seen as well as some of the possible contributions While we have focused a lot on social media and cell phone use We hope that people use the information we presented and share it with others in their circles — whether it be friends or family While the stigma surrounding mental illness has decreased for younger generations we hope that the parents of the rising generation — and their parents — are also making progress in this area and seeking professional help for their loved ones if the need arises According to the American Psychiatric Association more than half of people with mental illness don’t receive help for their disorders People often avoid or delay seeking treatment because they are worried about being treated differently prejudice and discrimination against people with mental illness can be subtle or obvious The Psychiatric Association referenced studies on stigma that show that while the public may accept the medical or genetic nature of a mental health disorder and the need for treatment many people still have a negative view of those with mental illness that stigma comes from a lack of understanding or fear The association encourages people to talk openly about their mental health to encourage equality between physical and mental illness to show compassion for those with mental illness and to choose empowerment over shame To youth and others who are feeling anxious Whether alone or with a trusted friend or adult For people experiencing a mental health or emotional crisis that does not include an immediate safety concern call the South Central Mobile Crisis Team at 877-399-3040 reckoning with fraud and adding layers of protection against it were central to legislative wishlists for DFL and GOP lawmakers alike On the heels of dozens of arrests and convictions tied to the Feeding Our Future nutrition aid scandal Minnesota officials said the state needed to shore up defenses against future efforts to funnel government funds for unauthorized uses Feeding Our Future was the broader group that sponsored meal distribution sites for children in need during the COVID-19 pandemic Federal prosecutors say the organization and its partners siphoned more than $250 million falsely reported the number of meals they were serving and spent it on homes Dozens of people have been federally charged since 2022 including Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock Ahead of the legislative session this year Tim Walz presented a package of requests he said would give state agencies extra tools to weed out fraud or to prevent it as part of their power-sharing deal in the tied House of Representatives pushed for the creation of a new panel specifically geared at rooting out fraud ranging from using artificial intelligence to flag potentially problematic payments to instituting a DOGE-like entity in Minnesota to allowing more communication between agencies about potentially improper payments here are a handful that are moving at the Capitol Lawmakers in both chambers want to create a new Office of the Inspector General that could probe state spending and root out potential fraud The proposal was the first bill filed in the House and it’s the subject of ongoing Some state agencies have an office or position like this now but supporters have said it’s important to have an inspector general keeping track of all state spending and authorized to track state dollars that move through private entities “The current oversight structure leaves us too often reacting after fraud has occurred rather than preventing it,” said Sen noting her bill would provide tougher “teeth” to go after fraud independent entity focused not just on rooting out fraud but deterring it through system improvements early detection and professional accountability,” she said “Even in a year where we’re being asked to make tough budget decisions Gustafson and Republican Sen. Michael Kreun, of Blaine, have been workshopping the proposal and there are some details still being ironed out But it’s scheduled to come up for a vote in the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday that would send it to the Senate floor Early this year, Walz recommended a set of bills that would increase the number of investigators in the attorney general’s office that look into potential fraud in the state’s Medicaid program Medical Assistance and increase the penalty for those who knowingly apply for and abuse Medicaid funds The proposals were passed as part of House and Senate state and local government budget bills approved last week Another bill would send some new funding to the Department of Human Services to use artificial intelligence to go through Medicaid claims and flag potentially fraudulent claims That’s not been included in state budget proposals that have passed so far but could emerge in a House health and human services budget “I think the Legislature is committed to giving us the tools that we need to get that done We’re hearing them on this,” Walz said and this is just fair: Are there political issues that are people going to give up on thinking they’ve got a political topic to talk about or actually fix an issue?” The governor said he’s ready to sign those bills have raised concerns about sending more money to the attorney general’s office when other departments are facing cuts They also voiced concerns about how Ellison handled matters involving the Feeding Our Future scandal fraud and abuse with Minnesotans’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars I highly recommend that we be fiscally responsible,” Rep “I don’t want us to continue the unprecedented growth of government.” She acknowledged that it’s late to be bringing these bills but she’s hopeful they can make it through Robbins also said the efforts to guard the state against fraudsters could take several years “We’ve identified gaps in statute where the agencies say but it doesn’t say we must stop fraud,” Robbins said “So those are bills now I’ve introduced that will tighten statute The other side of that GOP-run committee deals with government oversight And at many hearings this year they’ve brought up agency heads to ask them about how they’re running their departments Or in the case of the attorney general’s office they brought him before the committee last week to ask about why he met with business owners later indicted in connection with the Feeding Our Future case The panel will get an update from the attorney general’s Medicaid fraud control unit on Monday DFL committee members have repeatedly called on the GOP chair to bring in more people to testify on how fraudsters target their marks — whether in state government or elsewhere — and find ways to build up their defenses said the committee should have worked up bills and passed them much earlier in session “If the work of this committee is actually serious and not political what are we learning to ensure that we are protecting public funds and taxpayer dollars so that we can continue to deliver the services that people rely on and need?” Greenman said Robbins said it’s tough to get investigators or state agencies tasked with anti-fraud roles to testify because they don’t want to tip off would-be fraudsters She said she hopes to hold hearings over the interim to continue delving into reports of potential misuse of state funds “This is a committee dedicated to rooting out fraud and it’s going to take time to find everything,” Robbins said MPR News senior reporter Clay Masters contributed to this report centered around the theme: “Adapt and Advance — A Workforce Built to Thrive.” This theme was woven throughout the event highlighting intentional strategies individuals can embrace to adapt along with best practices businesses can implement to build a resilient and it is more critical than ever before to elevate employee support in the workplace but to strengthen organizational health and workplace resiliency Surgeon General calls mental health the “defining public health crisis of our time.” This begs the question: How can employers lead in strengthening and equipping teams with the tools they need to thrive Below are a few strategies that employers can implement to build an adaptable and resilient workforce: including providing reasonable accommodations and workplace supports This also includes providing required coverage for mental health services and benefits • Encourage advocacy of your employees for themselves and for their peers • Build awareness about mental health issues and resources to build a more positive and welcoming workplace culture Tips on how to do this can be found here: https://www.dol.gov/general/mental-health-at-work • Know your resources — there is a wealth of resources available to assist employers in developing strategies to encourage positive mental health in the workplace Here is just one of those resources: https://www.ncsl.org/labor-and-employment/mental-health-in-the-workforce-toolkit We view employment as a key contributor to positive mental health — quality jobs are essential to overall well-being and a sense of security This definition can be somewhat subjective supports and leadership that encourage positive mental health career laddering and advancement opportunities should be a standard mental health intervention Research shows that employment improves the mental health and well-being of people including those with serious mental disorders more meaningful social relationships and a sense of community belonging Providing “good jobs,” to include positive working conditions growth opportunities and family sustaining wages also provides a catalyst for positive mental health in the workplace Learn more about job quality here: https://www.careerforcemn.com/jobquality let’s commit to supporting both our workforce and the mental well-being that sustains it Jinny Rietmann is the executive director of Workforce Development Inc A $4 billion higher education budget bill passed by the Minnesota House cuts funding for a program that supports student-parents The Student-Parent Support Initiative (SPSI) gives money to programs that help students with children succeed in higher education through one-on-one support emergency grants for unexpected medical bills Twenty-three percent of undergraduate students at Minnesota colleges and universities are parents and nearly half of them are single mothers according to a 2020 report from the Center on Equity in Higher Education a 29-year-old single mother of a 4-year-old daughter said in an interview she never considered herself college-material growing up she is graduating with a major in political science and psychology from the University of Minnesota and plans to go to law school after taking a gap year Villeda said she could not have achieved her goals without programs that support student parents which supports low-income moms attending college and gets funding from SPSI offered extraordinary mental health support as she navigated school “Student parents are people that are very determined in order to have their children have a really good life,” Villeda said executive director of North Star Prosperity said in an interview cutting this program would jeopardize the futures of student parents and their children and deprive the state of hardworking taxpayers “By dismantling the supports that enable these parents to earn their degree and contribute to our workforce legislators are going to be undermining the economic stability of our entire state,” Dean said which helps low and middle income students pay for higher education co-chair of the Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee said during the House floor debate on April 28 was equal to an entire year’s worth of state grants going out to students Rarick said cutting funding for SPSI was a bipartisan decision “It was something that just started two years ago and has barely gotten off the ground,” Rarick said would grant $2 million to SPSI in 2026 and 2027 and end the initiative in 2028 The Senate’s budget bill would spend $6 million on the initiative over the next two years The House committee has a zero budget target which means they had no additional money to spend on new programs while the Senate has a $100 million budget for higher education which they put mostly toward the state grant program a conference committee made up of members from the House and Senate will determine a final budget Kupec said in an interview he did not have a guess of what the conference committee would decide “We are in uncharted waters here with a completely tied house,” Kupec said proposed an amendment to the bill that would give $6 million to SPSI in the next two years The amendment failed on a 67-67 vote across party lines with Democrats in favor and Republicans opposed Only 8% of single mothers earn a degree within six years while 50% of women without children earn degrees according to the Center on Equity in Higher Education Single mothers who earn an associate’s degree are less likely to live in poverty save the state an average $21,857 in public assistance and pay about $82,059 in taxes over their lifetime Dean said student parents are often too busy to go to the Capitol to stand up for themselves “The groups that push back the least are the groups that they sort of go after,” Dean said Report for Minnesota is a project of the University of Minnesota’s Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication to support local news in all areas of the state Disability rights advocates rallied at the Minnesota Capitol on Saturday to protest cuts to programs and services Demonstrators said President Donald Trump has proposed actions that would jeopardize access to housing health care and education for people with disabilities “This is an attack on human rights,” said Rep “It is an attack that is coordinated to ensure that people with disabilities go away We’re staying in the community and we’re going to fight for the support we need to do that.” a nonprofit dedicated to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities The group worries budget cuts could impact or eliminate the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities the Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota “All of these institutions have been built up over decades to help people with disabilities live a more independent life,” said Maren Christenson Hofer “And what we’re seeing now is really this tidal wave of cuts to programs that is moving us in the wrong direction.” He is one of several lawmakers committed to bipartisanship around funding disability services and programs Several people with disabilities echoed concerns that Trump’s actions will roll back progress made since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 A specific concern is around the dismantling of the Administration on Community Living a federal agency that supports community living for older adults and people with disabilities people with disabilities had few options outside large Claudia Fuglie of Robbinsdale attended the rally with two friends “There’s a lot of times society does not respect us and all we’re trying to do is be a part of the society,” she said Sumukha Terakanambi serves on the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities He was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at a young age and requires assistance with most physical tasks “It is really tiring to constantly have this conversation about how important these programs are and how they promote the well-being independence and inclusion of people with disabilities,” Terakanambi said the disability community has already been harmed by cuts to investments like rare disease research and special education “These threats signal to us that some of our leaders in Washington believe that we are expendable “Instead of letting these emotions stop us we have decided to take a stand and come together and send a clear message to these federal lawmakers that people with disabilities do matter and we deserve to live a life I had some wonderful teachers who taught me life lessons that were not in text books one day when the class didn’t settle down during our rest period “The next person to talk will have to stand outside the door for 15 minutes.” I turned to the girl next to me and said “I wonder who it will be?” Then I heard “Beverly!” I never questioned Miss Bodeen’s directions again and I respected the directions of my future teachers I was surprised and wondered just what she meant but I never forgot her confidence in me and I know her comment has made a difference in my life Guentzel’s history classes were fascinating He made history come alive describing decisions made by real people not simply facts to be memorized for the next exam Our children’s lives are influenced by these people who share several hours each day with them I respect their determination to give the kids an education that will help them make the right decisions and guide their future lives I’ve had the opportunity to read about and to visit with students who had attended country schools just a few miles north of Albert Lea people now in their 80s and 90s who have fond memories and recognize the value of that education where they attended that one room school with their brothers and sisters Country school teachers deserve a spot at the top of the list with a high school diploma and a one-year teacher training course at a normal school tackling daily lesson plans for eight grades Some classes with only two students and others with 16- 17- and 18-year-old boys who missed classes during planting and harvest seasons yet kept returning to school until they had the credits for that eighth-grade diploma who often boarded in the nearby homes of their students arrived at school early enough to put wood in the stove so the little building was warm when the 25 or 30 kids arrived and they were ready to call each small class up to the front of the room for its particular lesson Occasionally the older students were called on to help their younger classmates One of my friends mentioned how he was a year younger than the others in his grade he was allowed to ignore the September birthday deadline Another recalled the value of listening to the lessons taught to the other grades while studying his own lessons and how the repetition helped the memorization process I’m sure things didn’t always go smoothly — kids being kids some bigger and even older than the teachers and sometimes disruptive A fun example is the story of an older student from District 22 who enjoyed showing off his bicycle skills by riding up and over the wooden playground teeter-totters with no hands on the handle bars I wonder how his teacher handled that situation “Do I send the children home when it looks like a snow storm is coming Some of them have to walk almost a mile or more Many of these schools were named for the farmers on whose land the school was built The schools all had water pumps in the yard and bells on the roof to call students in for classes Some of these students completed their text book learning when they graduated from eighth grade Others found transportation or housing so they could move on to Albert Lea to attend high school others found funding to allow them to go on to college Another former student remembered their first school bus that carried kids in to Albert Lea to attend high school It was originally a gravel truck with the box removed and a wooden frame and seating built on the bed In the 1930s some older schools were replaced by new ones built by the WPA the Roosevelt era Works Progress Administration and seventh and eighth graders began attending junior high in Albert Lea It’s been fun visiting with these former country school students and hearing the fond memories of their shared experiences Bev Jackson Cotter is a lifelong Albert Lea resident Area Learning Center teacher Andrew Gustafson says a few words Wednesday after being recognized as Albert Lea's 2025 Teacher of the Year Albert Lea's 2024 Teacher of the Year Wendy Greenfield and Albert Lea Education Association President Janece Jeffrey speak before the finalists were recognized in the ceremony on Wednesday Teacher Andrew Gustafson poses for a photo with his wife Albert Lea Area Learning Center math teacher Andrew Gustafson was named the District 241 Teacher of the Year on Wednesday in a reception in the Albert Lea High School Commons who has also taught at Albert Lea High School and Southwest Middle School said he didn’t expect to win the award because he knows so many amazing teachers in the district who have made connections with students and who have helped him grow as a teacher Gustafson has worked for the district for 15 years and is an eight-time Teacher of the Year nominee He said his favorite thing about being a teacher is interacting with his students and helping them push back the barriers in front of them School board Chairman Dave Klatt announced the award chairman of the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce recognized Gustafson with an award from the chamber Gustafson also received $1,000 from Wuerflein Chevrolet Klatt congratulated the six finalists for the Teacher of the Year Award and all those who serve in the classroom every day Other finalists were Wendy Bidne of the Area Learning Center Sammy Schell of Lakeview Elementary School Robin Viktora of Southwest Middle School and Anna Wescott of Halverson Elementary School More than 70 nominations were received this year Double said teachers do more than deliver lessons; they also help students cultivate curiosity resilience and critical listening skills essential in every profession “Education and business are deeply connected,” he said “Strong schools mean strong communities and strong communities build thriving businesses Students in our classrooms today are future leaders entrepreneurs and the workforce of tomorrow.” Interim Superintendent Dave Krenz said when he came to Albert Lea Area Schools in the middle of January out of retirement he never thought it was something he would do “The reason is it reminded me and helped me acknowledge why I started teaching almost 50 years ago in Byron He said while they were at the reception to honor “the best of the best,” all of the teachers and staff deserve the recognition “These six individuals exemplify the work of some 200-plus teachers and 500-plus employees that we have in the district,” Krenz said Albert Lea Education Association president talked about the changes that have taken place in teaching during the time they have been in the profession Despite all the changes that have taken place they said there are five universal truths that can guide teachers: collaboration is key to teachers’ success Teachers cannot be successful without their teams pushing their thinking forward challenging their assumptions and supporting them when difficulties arise This helps transform their teaching from good to great so teachers must be flexible and have a sense of humor and there’s always something new to learn whether it’s a new teacher or one who has been teaching for over 30 years celebrate learning and celebrate the struggles of learning.” few teachers want to be recognized and generally don’t want to stick out in a crowd Greenfield thanked the finalists for their dedication passion and unwavering belief in the potential of students “You represent all the good we aspire to be,” she said The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce executive director announced this week she is relocating with her husband to Branson went on vacation to Branson about a year ago and fell in love with it ultimately deciding to make the move there Sprague grew up in the Albert Lea community and returned here after some time away when she felt called home with a renewed passion to make a difference my heart was set on helping create positive change and leaving things better than I found them,” she said “Serving as the executive director of the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce has been an absolute honor and I am beyond thankful for the relationships experiences and opportunities this role has given me.” When looking back over her time in the position she said she has been appreciative of her board which has supported her direction and the different initiatives she has led she said her first year back in Albert Lea was one of the best years she had in a long time but it also gave her the opportunity to reach out to the chamber members and find out more of what they needed and wanted “It’s been an incredible journey—one filled with growth challenges and the joy of working alongside so many dedicated and inspiring people,” Sprague said She has also enjoyed her time on various boards in the community including with the Freeborn County Humane Society and with The Hatch which this last year included Mower and Waseca counties and helped bring about the Age-Friendly Freeborn County initiative The chamber board will work with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce on recruitment for a new executive director and is slated to prepare a position description at its next meeting Sprague said her last tentative last day will be June 17 and she said she is committed to supporting the organization through the transition to a new leader and with major upcoming events I think the chamber will continue to move forward to bigger and better things,” Sprague said She and her husband last year sold Eastside Laundry and they recently sold their other business on Ninth Street to the owners of Chuck & Andy’s Big Units who own other storage units off of Seventh Street The Spragues also plan to finish renovating the tiny house they purchased on South Newton near Hardee’s before they relocate and open it as an AirBNB they are looking for a person to take over their downtown business After a tornado warning led them to shelter on the lower level of City Hall for a time the Albert Lea City Council on Monday approved awarding the contract for the new bathrooms that will be built this summer near the splash pad downtown The structure will be built with a combination of city staff and contractors It will be 32 feet by 14 feet and will also include a mechanical room and storage room who abstained from the vote because of his employment through Arrow Building Center said the project had been a long time coming and that for many years people have wanted a public restroom downtown “This will be a welcome addition,” Baker said He and 3rd Ward Councilor Jason Howland credited the work of Assistant Public Works Director Ryan Hajek and others in his department for their hard work in getting the project put together under budget They considered three designs for the project — one a prefabricated modular design that would come fully assembled; a second design for prefabricated materials that the city could put together and a third option through Arrow Building Center that the city could build The restrooms were part of the almost $10 million referendum passed in April 2024 on a 3 to 1 vote Marion Ross Performing Arts Center and Aquatic Center • Approved the appointment of seven people to the Human Rights Commission The commission had stopped meeting during the pandemic but based on requests from several residents was revived Rigg said the city received applications from 14 well-qualified residents two years; Angie Hanson; two years; Irasema Hernandez The commission will focus on local issues and operate as nonpartisan • Awarded the contract to Flint Hills Resources of St Paul for bituminous material for the city for 2025 • Accepted a donation to the Recreation Department for $500 from Cargill for weekly programming for students ages 12 to 18 this summer • Heard a presentation from Human Resources Director Mike Zelenak about the city’s award as a 2025 Best Places to Work in Southeast Minnesota by Workforce Development Inc • Heard proclamations from Albert Lea Mayor Rich Murray declaring May as Motorcycle Awareness Month • Voted against a grant and assessment agreement with the owner of 201 E for remediating the abandoned car wash there Rigg said the proposal would have provided a $16,000 loan secured through assessments along with a $16,000 grant through the city’s corridor grant program He said the owner wanted to preserve the building for future storage or other future uses for the building He noted similar things had been done before and the project met the requirements for the grant Some of the councilors questioned the equity for the project and what would happen if the money was not repaid Rachel Christianson and Mayor Rich Murray voted against while Baker abstained because of his employment On a gentle spring morning Dan O’Leary peacefully left the planet After several years’ struggle with dementia he was ready to explore new frontiers number 5 of 11 children born to Mary Ellen Callahan O’Leary and Robert Benjamin O’Leary He was raised in an Irish Catholic family on the Lazy O farm outside of Albert Lea Minnesota with 5 brothers and 5 sisters: Patrick Always proud of being a non-conformist he set out after graduating in 1969 on hitchhiking adventures to Boston He traveled to visit his sister in Nicaragua and returned to live an alternative life-style in California From 1973-1977 he served as a sonar technician in the Submarine Service He loved telling tales of his time “In the water.” He earned certification as a hard-hat deep sea diver and served in both the Navy and Coast Guard reserves Returning home to Minnesota in 1978 he found employment managing Edgewater Park in Albert Lea where under the oak trees he met and fell in love with his future wife 1978 Dan and Peg set out in a Buick station wagon bound for California just ahead of the winter blizzards The destination was Humboldt County where Dan used his G.I bill to attend HSU and College of the Redwoods where he made life-long friends They returned to Minnesota to marry in August This epic celebration was also an O’Leary family re-union with siblings attending from all over the world Over the years the Lazy O West clan grew to include Tim This tie-dyed Grateful Dead family now includes second and third generations Dan and Peg settled in Manila on spit of land bordered by bay and ocean and welcomed two sons taking wheel-barrow loads of kids to the beach playing board games and acting as assistant Scout leader during the boys’ cub and boy scout years He also served on the Manila Community Service District board for many years He enjoyed making and sharing his home-made crackers which were a staple at many potlucks He loved spending time every weekend with fellow Ribiero Roosters playing scrabble and hanging out with the guys As Dan’s illness progressed Dan could be found walking miles around Manila He was always happy to wave to neighbors and loved his community Sheila Donnelly and Mary (Donald Oneglia) and many nephews and nieces and their families A memorial service and burial are scheduled for 2 p.m Reception to follow at the Geneva Bar and Grill A power-sharing agreement in the tied Minnesota House and a narrow Democratic edge in the Senate will be put to the test this week as the Legislature searches for a budget agreement in the homestretch of the session Final negotiations are starting to play out even as the respective House and Senate budget bills come up for floor votes this week and early next week The final plan is likely to approach $66 billion for the next two years smaller than the budget in place now but also accounting for a possible falloff in federal funding for some programs There are already signs that things could get choppy in the House split 67 to 67 between Democrats and Republicans debate over a public safety plan got sidetracked because of a GOP amendment that would have required more state participation in immigration enforcement It failed on a tie vote — all Republicans were in favor and all DFLers opposed — but Democrats said the move to force that vote violated a power-sharing promise about which items get consideration Some evoked a memory of the 2024 session when Democrats with full control passed a 1,400 page bill in the final hours over their objections “What the 94th session of the House learned from the 93rd session of the House is whoever is sitting up on that dais makes the rules,” said Rep Hudson’s remarks led to a fiery response from across the aisle “You guys are upset that you think we didn’t follow the rules and your takeaway is that the rules don’t apply to anybody?” Rep “Is that really how we want to live in this chamber — that there are no rules?” The biggest budgets are for health and social safety net programs and for public education but all of the bills have dozens of programs to work through That creates lots of potential pinch points Tim Walz has had to deal with a split Legislature but he’ll have to use some muscle memory here He addressed a joint session of the Legislature last week spending part of his time calling for compromise and part slamming President Donald Trump’s administration “We’ve been seeing that the governor is constantly talking about the federal policies that he believes are coming,” said Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson “The reality is we need to be focused on the state of Minnesota For the last two years Republicans have been cut out of the room.” “It’s pretty damn naive for a group of folks who spent four years yelling at Joe Biden even though he was doing things that were growing the economy,” Walz said the day after his State of the State speech They need to focus on what’s happening here and get this work done.” There are programs and funding items that Republicans view as bargaining chips Republicans want to roll back a lot of the things Democrats put in place That includes repealing laws that allow immigrants living in the state without documentation to access health care benefits in Minnesota Care Republicans also want to delay the launch of Minnesota’s paid family and medical leave program which is set to start in January There are also numerous requirements imposed on schools Republicans would like to do away with One deals with unemployment benefits for temporary or seasonal workers such as lunchroom staff or school bus drivers Democrats don’t think those should be bargained away but nothing is locked in just yet and I will push my caucus to use the power we have to ensure we are not cutting workers out,” said Rep there’s not much room for DFLers in the Senate either Voters in Senate District 6 will decide who fills the seat that was held by former Sen Justin Eichorn who faces solicitation of a minor charges in federal court The district includes Crow Wing County and the Brainerd Lakes area and favors Republicans a longtime political organizer and business owner The Democrat is Denise Slipy who is an environmental health and safety expert and first responder Democrats will keep the majority after the election but it will determine whether there is one or two vote cushion for them as the session moves into its final three weeks (ABC 6 News) — At Monday’s meeting the Albert Lea City Council voted to proceed with the removal of the former Broadway Theater building along with removal or repair of three other structures The council voted unanimously 6-0 in favor of the removal of the following buildings: but Councilor Rachel Christensen was absent The city will hire contractors to demolish the buildings and assess the costs to the property owner spans almost 9,000 square feet at the corner of Broadway Avenue and College Street The building has passed through several owners over the decades who have changed the exterior and interior for various businesses Past owners have removed the theater features on both the first and second levels since the movie theater moved to the Northbridge Mall in the 1990s City staff first started working with the current property owners in 2021 after inspectors noticed loose sandstone panels on the exterior of the south wall the city barricaded the sidewalk along College Street to prevent pedestrians from being hit by falling debris above Then in 2022 the city hired an engineering firm called SEH to help plan for the demolition of the adjacent building which shared a wall with the former theater The city also wanted to document the condition of the theater building before removing the adjacent building That evaluation revealed structural problems in the theater building and the city paid for a follow-up evaluation in 2023 Staff shared the evaluations with the owners and met with them twice in attempts to identify solutions before placarding the building as hazardous in December 2023 The $727,000 in repairs include roof strengthening; reconstruction or repairs of all four walls; replacement or repair of front wall panels; and sealing of roof joints to prevent moisture intrusion Part of the deterioration appears to have started with a roof replacement in the 1950s that allowed structural issues to remain and further develop Albert Lea High School students participated in the annual promenade Saturday afternoon in the high school gym while friends and family looked on The theme of this year’s prom was “The Great Gatsby,” and the dance was slated to take place at The Barn of Chapeau Shores (ABC 6 News) – An investigation is underway by the Albert Lea Police Department after a man appeared to have fallen from a building early Monday morning officers responded to a report of a man found at the base of a building at 800 Fourth Avenue South Deputy chief Darren Hanson confirmed later that the fall appeared to have been an intentional act by the man The 54-year-old man appeared to have fallen from an upper-story window and there is no ongoing threat to public safety Any potential witnesses are asked to contact ALPD at 507-377-5200 The identity of the victim is being withheld until the next of kin are notifed including in central Albert Lea where this photo was taken the storm that moved through Monday evening mostly spared the area the National Weather Service stated a tornado was reported near Bricelyn though any reports of damage have not yet been confirmed Reports of hail have come in from residents in Albert Lea The storm brought tornado warnings to most of the area school districts and others canceled activities in the late afternoon in anticipation of the storm The Albert Lea Salvation Army remained open as a shelter to those in need Though there were many unknowns going into the evening the National Weather Service stated the storm had the potential of producing strong tornadoes Residents in large part heeded the call for preparation (ABC 6 News) – Community members plan to rally outside the Freeborn County Courthouse on Thursday amid a crackdown on foreign students by ICE officials Organizers say they are protesting efforts by U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain and revoke the Visas of foreign students at U.S RELATED: International student at Riverland Community College has visa revoked This comes as one student from the University of Minnesota Mankato is currently being held in the Freeborn County Jail said “the idea that now if you’re an international student in this country you can’t speak your mind […] it’s just really disappointing and it really just kind of hits you.” The Albert Lea boys’ tennis team was back at home Tuesday against Red Wing and it felt great to have the guys compete and get on the scoreboard he came back to win the second set after being down 1-6 Freshman Abe Isaacson also made a huge comeback but then rallying in the second and going into a tiebreaker “It was remarkable to see both Kuol and Abe fight back after being down,” the coach said But the big match of the day was at three doubles with Parker Monson and Axel Erickson winning their match They played with confidence and determination “We’ve been working so hard for the last two years and it’s so exciting to see our hard work paying off,” she said A man was arrested Sunday night after a report of gunshots fired on Clayton Avenue in southern Albert Lea Police were dispatched to 2416 Clayton Ave they were advised a male was seen fleeing the area on foot officers quickly established a perimeter and apprehended the suspect Investigation revealed that an altercation had occurred at the residence involving Dale striking a vehicle as it was leaving the residence No injuries from the gunfire were reported but the incident involved a young child who was present during the altercation Officers recovered a handgun at the scene and collected additional evidence including shell casings and witness statements Dale was arrested and transported to the Freeborn County jail where he remains in custody pending formal charges related to domestic assault and reckless discharge of a firearm The Albert Lea Police Department thanked the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance and commended the swift actions of all responding officers in ensuring the safety of the neighborhood An Albert Lea man on Monday was sentenced to six years and three months in prison for selling methamphetamine to a confidential informant in June 2024 pleaded guilty in February to one count of second-degree meth sales as part of a plea agreement He initially faced one count of first-degree meth sales Court documents state Tope sold 31.6 grams of meth to the informant at his home at 205 Giles Place Tope was also sentenced to a concurrent four years and nine months in a separate case in which he was convicted of third-degree meth possession after an Albert Lea police officer pulled him over for driving with a revoked license in January He fled and attempted to run into his home but ultimately surrendered before he went into the house He was found with a glass pipe and three small baggies of meth totaling about 10 grams and officers found a fourth baggie with just shy of 1 gram of meth in his car He had also been charged with fleeing a police officer and driving after revocation The community is invited to come together for a family-friendly celebration of Cinco de Mayo on May 2 next to the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center in downtown Albert Lea This year’s celebration will feature Grupo 515 that will bring live music and dancing to the heart of the city This event is made possible through the support of Albert Lea Select Foods and Cargill Their continued partnership plays a vital role in creating inclusive and culturally rich events for the community It also thanked Tienda Mexicana Talamantes for the donation of the pinatas and candy Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5 While often mistaken for Mexico’s Independence Day the date is widely celebrated in the United States as a tribute to Mexican culture and heritage (ABC 6 News) – The Minnesota Department of Human Services is investigating American Baptist Homes after reports of a staff member assaulting a vulnerable adult The Minnesota Department of Health’s report, linked here lists two addresses involved in the investigation — American Baptist Homes at 1309 Garfield Avenue and the associated Crest Services at 617 10th St. According to the MDH report the staff person (SP) was driving the vulnerable adult (VA) and a resident of the facility in a facility van after shopping The SP asked the VA repeatedly if they wanted to go anywhere else in the community but the VA just said they wanted to go home and the VA allegedly slapped the SP in the back of the head the SP then threatened physical violence on the VA When they got out of the van at the facility the SP allegedly shoved the VA to the ground multiple times The investigative report says police escorted the SP from the facility The DHS confirmed that the SP was responsible for maltreatment of the VA and they are no longer employed by American Baptist Homes in Albert Lea The SP was not disqualified from providing direct care services as a result of the maltreatment determination in this report the SP was notified by the Office of Inspector General that any further substantiated act of maltreatment whether or not the act meets the criteria for “serious,” will automatically meet the criteria for “recurring” and will result in the disqualification of the SP the facility was not cited for any violations to her bedroom at the queen's request explains her plan to find a true princess for her son to marry Also pictured is Albert Bierman as the understudy Jester Albert Lea High School students on Friday will open the year’s spring play “The Princess and the Pea,” a take on the classic fairy tale in which a girl must prove she is a true princess to the kingdom’s king and queen to win the hand of the prince She most recently directed the school’s fall musical this play is made specifically for children “It’s really geared towards the kids and their enjoyment of the story,” she said “I figured that since we had such a PG-13 fall musical that we needed something to bring the kids in to finally come and see.” In addition to having content suited for children the play also has a smaller run time of around one hour Schoppers said she hopes this is a fun event for the community at large to be a part of “It’s been a lot of fun for these high schoolers to prepare for these elementary kids to come in and see It’s a different mentality than … any show we’ve done at the high school because this is geared towards kids.” The last time the school did a show for such a young age group was when they performed “A Year with Frog and Toad” in 2022 This year Schoppers took special interest in making sure the play transports people to a different time One way she did this is by choosing costumes specific to the Renaissance era and having the students learn more about the time period and how it would influence their characters “We got a homework assignment on one of the first rehearsals which usually would not be a cause for joy but it’s the first time a director … has really encouraged us to get into character,” said Isaac Lowe a secondary character who works for an evil witch there has been a lot to learn as the play has numerous set changes two fight scenes and even some special effects “You see my character come to life through a transformation with a bunch of graphics and cool lights,” said Adele Hellekson Hellekson has been doing theater since she was a third-grader and this will be the 15th show she has been a part of stepped up this year as the assistant director for the show Scales is a board member on the education committee for Matchbox Children’s Theatre in Austin She approached Schoppers and offered to help with the school’s theater program in the fall Scales said her favorite part of the show has been getting to know the students through the characters they play which was especially helpful as she did not know the students ahead of time “They bring a lot of themselves to the table,” she said “The Princess and the Pea” will have performances at 6 p.m Friday and Saturday at the Albert Lea High School auditorium There will also be a matinee performance at 1 p.m $6 for students and $5 for senior citizens and children in seventh grade and younger cash and passes will not be accepted so guests must use electronic payment only It should also be noted that the play contains scenes with flashing lights so those with light sensitivity should use discretion Jester: Paige Anstine-Orosco (Albert Bierman as understudy Jester during matinee) (ABC 6 News) — Grocery shopping options in Albert Lea may be expanding with ALDI preparing to set up shop in town The store’s potential site can be seen below: The Albert Lea City Council approved dividing the 10-acre property into smaller lots on Wednesday the store would go in at the corner of East Main Street and Blake Avenue ALDI is listed as the developer on the site plans and city councilmembers expressed excitement for the potential development And I didn’t shed a tear at winter’s passing my elders told me of someone who had said “Hello” with his last dying breath when the first day of the astronomical spring hits winter is as likely to say “Hello” as it is to say “Goodbye.” I open the door and a lion walks in There were years when we had a foot of snow one day Then things grow as nothing had grown before Winter practices a noble tradition called the Minnesota Goodbye which is the default setting for many Minnesotans An imminent departure lingers for an extended period as the process involves checking the time Sometimes spring is like me when I can’t find my butt with a map The problem is that we don’t have enough days in a year to keep all the seasons happy Rather than go outside and see what my tongue will stick to in order to gauge the season waiting for that glorious day when the person giving the weather report has a spring in his voice He’ll promise to monitor the twitches of winter as they slow to a stop I bounce around in the car like dice in a cup Spring’s potholes turn each city into Dodge City Spring had hit with a thud that stirred road crews into moving the bumps in the road into the dips and potholes they duct tape the remaining potholes shut but not before they chase all the spelunkers from those underground caves The only potholes that endure are those with historical significance The “Caution: Bridge may not be icy” signs go up The odor of a skunk is an anticipated scent of spring and a whiff of winter’s weakening Migrating birds bring their own snow shovels and they aren’t interested in Meals on Wheels flying oil slicks cackling like rusty gates Every male robin finds something to sing about: “Cheerily cheer up!” If a bird that’s about to have a breakfast of worms begins its day with a song The yard quickly reaches its limit of the yellow flowers I offer fine dining opportunities for mosquitoes as I try to straddle a mud puddle with the wheelbarrow on my way to gather piles of short sticks old hats and bits of shriveled carrots from the snowmen‘s graveyard Our spring isn’t like the weather in normal places I’ll be too busy hiding my cold-weather clothing in places where I’d never look but at least I won’t need to mow around a snowman The snowman in front of the Lutheran Church melted Pastor Parson said the man of snow had gone to a colder place Al Batt’s columns appear in the Tribune every Wednesday (KTTC) – Those in the Albert Lea community are invited to come celebrate Cinco de Mayo on Friday May 2 at the North Broadway parking lot next to the Marion Ross Theatre in downtown Albert Lea a “high-energy band,” performing live music at the event The schedule for the event will play out like this: to 8 p.m.: Food trucks will be available throughout the event The trucks will be offering authentic Mexican cuisine and beverages to 6 p.m.: The craft market and kids activities are scheduled during this time Those at the event can shop local handcrafted goods take part in family activities and can even try their luck at a round of the pinata to 8 p.m.: This is when Grupo 515 is scheduled to perform The event itself is scheduled to run from noon to 8 p.m (KTTC) – The Albert Lea School Board held a special meeting Tuesday to narrow the field of 14 applicants in their search for a superintendent The board unanimously agreed on five semi-finalists One of them has already committed to a new position Superintendent of Kenyon-Wanamingo Public Schools Interviews with the semi-finalists are scheduled for Wednesday March 26 in the Brookside Education Center The Minnesota Department of Transportation shows difficult traveling at 2 a.m Update (3:15): All state highways have reopened to traffic according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation Travel is still not advised on Interstate 90 west of Alden and between Alden and Minnesota Lake on Minnesota Highway 109 Highways passing through Albert Lea remain partially covered or completely covered in snow Tim Walz on Wednesday authorized the Minnesota National Guard to assist the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office in emergency response during the ongoing blizzard Walz declared a peacetime emergency and said the National Guard will assist in providing the personnel facilities and resources necessary to respond to the severe weather and rescue stranded motorists “Minnesota is no stranger to winter weather but conditions can quickly become unpredictable and dangerous,” Walz said in the news release “As we work to alleviate the dangerous road conditions the National Guard is stepping up to provide life-saving support.” Albert Lea and the surrounding area remain in a blizzard warning through 3 p.m with an additional 2 inches of snow possible The National Weather Service stated as of Wednesday morning Snowfall totals of 10.2 inches were reported in Ellendale and 7 inches in Clarks Grove Snow is expected to taper off this morning The Weather Service stated winds are gusting as high as 50 mph and whiteout conditions will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening Travel should be restricted to emergencies only they should take a winter survival kit with them Visit 511mn.org for the latest road conditions The Minnesota Department of Transportation has closed Interstate 90 west of Albert Lea at Interstate 35 as blowing snow is creating whiteout conditions The area remains under a blizzard warning with significant travel impacts underway through Wednesday morning The Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office posted on its Facebook page the Freeborn County Highway Department will be running plows on county roads generally only from 5 a.m and the county is advising no travel during the storm especially during the evening night or early morning hours when plows will not be on the county roads drifted over and likely impassible especially during those hours County roads that run parallel to Interstate 90 westbound will also not likely be passible Freeborn County advises motorists to seek shelter at area hotels or storm shelters as there will be no plows on county routes until 5 a.m Shelter is available at The National Guard Armory in Albert Lea for those needing a place to stay For road conditions on state highways, go to 511mn.org Count 1: Drugs – possession of methamphetamine – fifth-degree felony Commit to Commissioner of Corrections – adult MN Correctional Facility-St Count 1: Traffic – driving after revocation Count 1: Traffic – DWI – gross misdemeanor – operate motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol Count 2: Traffic – DWI – gross misdemeanor – operate motor vehicle – alcohol concentration .08 within two hours 28 days to be served on electronic home monitoring Count 1: Drivers license – driving without a valid license for vehicle class or type Commit to Commissioner of Corrections – adult MN Correctional Facility-Shakopee for 13 months Count 1: Domestic assault by strangulation – felony Count 1: Drugs – fifth-degree felony possession of schedule one four or paraphernalia – not cannabis – felony Count 2: Traffic – driving after suspension Count 4: Registration – operate unregistered vehicle Count 2: Assault – fifth-degree misdemeanor Count 1: Malicious punishment of a child – gross misdemeanor Count 2: Traffic – DWI – gross misdemeanor – test refusal Count 1: Traffic – driver must carry proof of insurance when operating a motor vehicle Count 2: Traffic – driving after revocation use or transfer movable property – no consent Count 1: Traffic – driving after suspension Count 1: Traffic – DWI – gross misdemeanor – operate motor vehicle – alcohol concentration .08 within two hours additional 60 days to be served in jail or on electronic home monitoring Count 2: Traffic – DWI – gross misdemeanor – operate motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol Count 3: Drivers license – driving without a valid license for vehicle class or type Count 4: Traffic – driving after revocation Count 5: Traffic – uninsured vehicle – driver violation Count 1: Traffic – DWI – misdemeanor – operate motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol The Tribune publishes all convictions where the financial obligation to the court is $180 or greater Patty Greibrok of rural Glenville has impacted thousands of Albert Lea’s children in the quest to grow a love of reading the Albert Lea Public Library children’s librarian is slated to retire at the end of May with an open house slated for 11 a.m when Greibrok can meet with families and others who want to wish her well in retirement “It has never been a ‘job.’ It’s so fulfilling Greibrok said she first started with the library after being a preschool teacher in Glenville she was only working about nine hours a week in that role she wanted to find something that would allow her to contribute more financially to her family She saw an ad for a part-time children’s clerk in the library and decided to apply without even telling her husband She was interviewed and offered the job and then started the following Monday and went on to work part time for a time in both roles She estimated for a year or two she worked full time in the summer at the library and part time during the school year when the children’s library moved to its current location in city hall and the space was renovated then Children’s Librarian Staci Waltman accepted a new position with the Albert Lea school district and Library Director Peggy Havener offered Greibrok the role She joked she would offer to give it a test run The children’s library has expanded the number and availability of storytimes added Music and Movement and started in 2010 with a Book Pals program That program started with four children in third through fifth grades Participating children meet for three five-week sessions during the year and during each session would read a book provided by the Friends of the Library and even enjoy a pizza party and watch a movie version of that same book The program grew so much that in 2013 they ultimately split into two groups one for third and fourth grades and a second for fifth through seventh grades In 2017 it had grown to have 30 children in each group Another staff member now also organizes another program for tween and teen groups and she has also started a group for the younger siblings of the Book Pals participants The library’s summer reading program has expanded with the addition of Science Blast which allows children to try different science experiments with the help of other older children who volunteer the Friends of the Library also sponsors bigger events in the summer Those events usually have at least 90 children who participate She has also been proud of the passive programming that has been added with things like scavenger hunts other activities such as decorating an egg to put on a tree and guessing how many of an object are in a jar “I think our biggest goal here is when children enter this room they know it’s theirs … We want kids to know this is their place and to enjoy reading Pick whatever you enjoy to read — just spark that joy find what you like and then it usually goes from there.” noting that storytime is not just for children but also for the parents and caregivers ask questions and get their children involved in a story Parents also get to interact with other parents and caregivers in attendance with their own children when the children are making a craft and enjoying a snack She said Albert Lea has “phenomenal” adults who are hands-on with their children and who sit with them as Greibrok has led the story time events instead of being on their phones She hopes that the children through the years have learned that reading isn’t a punishment “I don’t want kids to feel it’s a chore to read,” she said “I want them to find joy in it and just know it’s fun.” She said her favorite thing about her role for all these years has been meeting the children and their families She also has enjoyed dressing up in silly costumes to go along with different summer reading themes and events said she has brought her children to storytime since they were little “It’s such an ongoing community she creates with the kids and makes them feel so welcomed,” Grimmius said She said it is going to be a great loss when Greibrok retires humble person who she compared to a female version of Mr Greibrok is known for remembering the names of the children who attend storytime and she would welcome them back by name to the library when they returned Grimmius said Greibrok also presented in a way that allowed the children to understand at different levels She said when her family moved to Albert Lea from Texas in 2019 one of the big things that sold them on choosing Albert Lea was the children’s library “It was where I saw there was a vibrant younger community.” She described Greibrok as a consistent part of her children’s childhood whether that has been with storytime or summer reading “It just seems like she has a wealth of knowledge,” Aurich said noting many also ask her about parenting or preschool after story time is completed she hopes to spend more time visiting grandchildren in Ohio and California and working on some projects at her home Library employee Trisha Whelan is slated to become the next children’s librarian