Welcome back students

THUMBS UP:

Schools throughout southwest Minnesota are starting the new school year this week. It’s amazing what teachers are doing to welcome students back into the classrooms — especially the preschoolers and kindergartners. Attending school for the first time can be scary for young children. The open house at Childhood Family Education and Little Cubs Preschool in Marshall was one good example. Marshall Police Officer Ben Rieke welcomed the students outside the school with free fidget spinners. A fire truck was at the open house as well.

Looking for good lake solutions

SIDEWAYS THUMB:

Organizers of the newly-formed Lake Shetek Lake Association went before the Murray County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday. Of course, their main motivation is to prevent the kind of flooding that occurred last July. They were seeking support for dams. Flooding is the problem. Let’s make sure we are coming up with the right solutions. Talking to the board was a step in the right direction.

Give us a break

THUMBS DOWN:

Mother Nature has not been kind to Tracy. Just a few months after the July flooding disaster, an unforgiving downpour hit Tracy just before the start of the Box Car Days parade. Children and adults left the parade route soaked and disappointed. Oh well, there is always next year.

Residents unite at block party

THUMBS UP:

Residents of the Broadmoor Valley Mobile Community vowed the fight for better conditions is not over during their block party on Saturday. The residents are hoping that the owners of the mobile home park will hear their pleas for needed improvements. There is no certainty the owners will come through. However, the community will benefit from getting together. One of the organizers said there was a good turnout for the event. That will go a long ways in sending a message to ownership.