Douglas Walter Labs passed away Monday afternoon, May 13, 2024, at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, Minnesota.
Douglas was born in Waseca, Minnesota, on January 4, 1948, to Walter and Alice (Tollefson) Labs. He spent his childhood and school years in Waterville, Minnesota, graduating in 1967.
He was inducted into the U.S. Army on August 9, 1967, earning the rank of Specialist 4, and serving in Vietnam. Doug was awarded the National Defense Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was honorably discharged on July 31, 1969.

Friday night into Saturday morning was a spectacle of the skies, even those within the city limits and outside of direct light, as the aurora borealis or northern lights put on a show for all to see.
People as far south as the Bahamas and southern California were able to see them outside of light polluted areas. Even within the Twin Cities metropolitan area the aurora was visible to the naked eye.

Air quality is expected to reach the red AQI category in southern Minnesota, which is unhealthy for everyone
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has extended the air quality alert for southern Minnesota. The alert now remains in effect until 11 p.m. on Monday, May 13. The affected area includes the Twin Cities metro, Albert Lea, Marshall, Worthington, Rochester, Winona, Mankato, and the tribal nation of Prairie Island.

Ione Martha Eustice, 85, of Waterville, died on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at her home.
Ione was born on November 28, 1938, to Herbert and Martha (Knish) Dehn. Ione was united in marriage to Charles Stangler in 1956 and later divorced. They had three children Michael, Daniel, and Kelly. She married Paul Eustice in 1969 and they had many good years together. Ione worked as a cook for many years at Meyer’s Campground, Gilligan’s, and The Bear’s Den until her retirement. She enjoyed visiting with friends and family, reading, playing cards, and listening to music.

Joann “Joanie” Hattie Skluzacek, age 80, of Montgomery, passed away suddenly on Thursday, April 25, 2024. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior at Most Holy Redeemer Church in Montgomery with Fr. Tom Niehaus officiating. Burial will be held at a later date.

Joann “Joanie” Hattie Skluzacek, age 80, of Montgomery, passed away suddenly on Thursday, April 25, 2024. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Schoenbauer Funeral Home in Montgomery. Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior at Most Holy Redeemer Church in Montgomery with Fr. Tom Niehaus officiating. Burial will be held at a later date.

Submitted by: Sarah Stultz, Managing Editor, Albert Lea Tribune
A significant discussion is taking place at the state Legislature in reaction to the recent announcement that eight community newspapers will close at the end of the month.
Under a proposal in the Senate Education Policy Omnibus bill (SF 3567), school districts would no longer be required to publish their proceedings in newspapers and could instead move them to their own websites.

Taking public notices for schools out of newspapers would hurt public
A significant discussion is taking place at the state legislature in reaction to the recent announcement that eight community newspapers will close at the end of the month.
Under a proposal in the Senate Education Policy Omnibus bill (SF 3567), school districts would no longer be required to publish their proceedings in newspapers and could instead move them to their own websites.

Dr. Thomas (Tom) Fredrick Kiner, age 87, of Janesville, MN died on April 16, 2024, in Janesville, MN.  

First boy Junior Ambassador entered into program
Saturday evening was a gathering from around the state at the Montgomery American Legion for the 35th Annual Miss Czech Slovak Minnesota Pageant.
Festivities started with an authentic Czech meal, prepared by board member and Head Chef Josh Gare and his volunteer crew. Gare was recognized for his work in the organization, with special attention for the meals, by the Minneapolis Aquatennial Ambassadors with the Honorary Commodore’s Award.

Robert John Peach, age 77, of Waterville died on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis surrounded by his family.

Darrell Jeffrey Haslip, age 51, of San Francisco, CA, passed away unexpectedly in his home on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. 

WEM junior Gavin Brown and sophomore Talen Taylor have been honored by Gopher Conference Boys Basketball Coaches for the second consecutive year. Seniors Luke Michael and Redzel Priebe were honored for the first time.
After being named to the Honorable Mention All-Gopher Conference Team last year, Brown and Taylor were both named to the 3rd Team All-Conference squad.
Priebe was named to the Honorable Mention Team.
Michael received the Gopher Conference Sportsmanship Award.
They are among 15 senior and 12 underclassmen named to the All-Conference Teams.

It was an incredible weekend for three WEM youth wrestlers at the NYWA Girls State Championships.
Mariella Masso, Jacee Knish, and Anaelyse Skidmore combined to win nine straight matches and win three State Championships.
Masso, age 6, won the Pre-K & K 55-pound title. She wrestled only 48 seconds in three matches. She pinned Elise Jaeger of Albert Lea in 20 seconds, pinned Lilyanna Bugbee of Stewartville in 14 seconds, and in the championship she pinned Adrianna Jordan of Shakopee in 14 seconds.

Elysian native Rose Hollermann has been selected to her fourth straight United States Women’s Wheelchair Basketball National Team.
Her selection was made following the National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) selection camp, held March 27-31 at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

While it won’t be open for public use, a new recycling facility will be bringing benefits to Montgomery starting next month.
Cosmic Recycling has plans to open a facility that focuses on recycling solar panels and electronic waste, dubbed e-waste. The waste items will be shipped in from outside sources rather than collected from the community.
The facility will be located at 513 1st St. South in Montgomery in a facility owned by Hruby Rentals.