Al Edenloff

Alexandria

News and Opinion Page Editor at Echo Press

Al Edenloff is news and opinion page editor for the Echo Press in Alexandria, MN. He was born in Alexandria and lived most of his childhood in Parkers Prairie.

Articles

It's Al's Turn: How biased is the newspaper?

1 week ago | echopress.com | Al Edenloff

Through the 41 years I’ve worked at the Echo Press, one complaint pops up every now and then about how “biased” the newspaper is. The funny thing is that the accusations came from both sides of the political aisle. We’ve been called “too conservative” and “too liberal.” In a way, I kind of like that split. It shows, to me anyway, that the newspaper must be doing its job to get complaints from both major parties.
Flight simulator to take off in old Bellanca building at Alexandria Airport

1 week ago | ourcommunitynow.com | Al Edenloff

ALEXANDRIA — An airport item that was tabled at the Alexandria City Council’s last meeting has cleared the runway. The council voted to approve a lease with Dennis Conn who plans to purchase a state-of-the-art flight simulator at the old Bellanca building at 2504 Aga Drive at the Alexandria Airport . It will occupy 4,500 square feet of the former office area. Conn plans to start a business, On His Wings Flight Academy, offering simulated aviation training.
Drivers of special vehicles may have to get a permit in Alexandria

1 week ago | echopress.com | Al Edenloff

ALEXANDRIA — Right now, the city of Alexandria doesn’t have anything in its ordinances that require drivers of certain types of special vehicles to get a permit, except for motorized golf carts. That could change soon. At Tuesday night’s meeting, the council gave preliminary approval to amend the city code. It would require drivers of special vehicles – all-terrain vehicles, utility task vehicles, mini-trucks or motorized golf carts – to have a permit issued by the city.
Transitional Center for alternative learning to move into Bremer Bank's former building

1 week ago | echopress.com | Al Edenloff

ALEXANDRIA — When Bremer Bank moved into The Rune development, it raised the question, “What will be going into Bremer Bank’s space at 720 Broadway?”A partial answer – Alexandria School District’s Transition Center, which will be using the lower portion of the building as a secondary school for alternative learning. At its meeting Tuesday, the Alexandria City Council issued a condition use permit to the district to allow an alternative learning program in a general business zone.
Flight simulator to take off in old Bellanca building at Alexandria Airport

1 week ago | echopress.com | Al Edenloff

ALEXANDRIA — An airport item that was tabled at the Alexandria City Council’s last meeting has cleared the runway. The council voted to approve a lease with Dennis Conn who plans to purchase a state-of-the-art flight simulator at the old Bellanca building at 2504 Aga Drive at the Alexandria Airport . It will occupy 4,500 square feet of the former office area. Conn plans to start a business, On His Wings Flight Academy, offering simulated aviation training.
Alexandria rest area earns national recognition

1 week ago | echopress.com | Al Edenloff

ALEXANDRIA — The Lake Latoka Rest Area off Interstate 94 west of Alexandria now has bragging rights as being one of the best rest areas in the nation. It ranks 62nd best in the United States, according to a new survey that revealed the best public restrooms across America. American River Wellness , which conducted the survey, described the Lake Latoka Rest Area this way: “Tucked beside a little lake, this stop is pure Minnesota.
Discovery Middle School students in Alexandria learn lessons from trout

3 weeks ago | echopress.com | Al Edenloff

ALEXANDRIA — Trout isn't something that you'd normally expect in a classroom. But the "Trout in the Classroom" program at Discovery Middle School provided an engaging, hands-on learning experience for students this year. "From the day the trout eggs arrived to the moment we released our fingerlings into the local stream, students developed a deeper appreciation for aquatic ecosystems, environmental stewardship, and the science of life cycles," said Travis Hochhalter, DMS teacher.
6 more defibrillator cabinets coming to Alexandria

3 weeks ago | echopress.com | Al Edenloff

ALEXANDRIA — An effort to put more automated external defibrillator cabinets in Alexandria’s downtown area was approved at the Alexandria City Council meeting Monday night. The city agreed to use city funds to pay for the annual maintenance of six AED units in the downtown area for $3,600 per year. An AED is a portable device that can be used to treat a person whose heart has suddenly stopped working. This condition is called sudden cardiac arrest.
Naming rights approved for Alexandria Splash Pad

3 weeks ago | echopress.com | Al Edenloff

ALEXANDRIA — A naming rights agreement between Aagard and the city’s soon-to-built Alexandria Splash Pad in Fillmore Park was approved. The Alexandria City Council took the action at its Monday, May 12 meeting. It will be called “Aagard Splash Pad” or another name that is mutually agreed on before it opens. Aagard will provide the city with $100,000 in exchange for naming rights for the next 15 years. Under the agreement, the city will receive the $100,000 by June 1.
Alexandria utility boxes to serve as artwork

3 weeks ago | echopress.com | Al Edenloff

ALEXANDRIA — Utility electric boxes in the city will be getting a new look soon — artwork. At its Monday meeting, the Alexandria City Council approved a policy with the Arts Initiative of Douglas County to wrap the light green utility boxes adjacent to city streets with art. This does not include county roads or state highways. The council's action came with a condition that the ALP Utility Board will approve the policy later this month.