Finally, it looks like spring may be here. I say that cautiously because we all know what kind of snow March can bring to southern Minnesota. I guess we better enjoy it while we can.
A couple of short notes.

Triton Science Teacher Allison Horejsi said she was “shocked” back in November when she learned she had been selected as Triton Public School’s Teacher of the Year.
Although she didn’t have to submit her name to the state Teacher of the Year process she decided she did want to go through the process for the experience but she did not expect it to go any farther than the local level.

The first free throw bounced off the rim. The second did the same, falling into the welcome hands of Panthers' Macoy Schwierjohnann. He turned, sprinting down the court. The Panthers were down by one. There were seven seconds left - no timeouts. Schwierjohnann passed the half court line, crossed over left and drove through the lane. Fans held their breath as he leapt for the basket, but the ball was knocked out, sailing out of bounds.

Blooming Prairie had its title hopes dashed by Goodhue 38-33 in sub-section semi-final girls basketball on Tuesday, March 3. 
The game at Rochester featured some frantic defense by both teams, as the Wildcats took their second win of the season over the locals.

 
It was kind of interesting on Saturday morning watching a group of young people on ice, with brooms and pushing a ball toward a net. In a way it was like ice hockey, but not really. It was called broomball.

Driving along on Minnesota roadways has basically become like swerving around an obstacle course. 
If there’s not an idiotic driver you’re trying to avoid from bad driving behaviors, there’s always a pothole or two or three to dodge. 
Our roads are nasty, disgusting and downright frightful. 

Education issues have moved to the head of the class in the Minnesota Legislature in the past several weeks.
Last week Rep. Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, introduced two bills, one that would reduce the number of state-mandated tests for Minnesota students and one that would address teacher shortages in a number of disciplines.

Owatonna High School Teacher Wendy Stephani has been chosen as one of the 30 semifinalists for this year’s Minnesota Teacher of the Year. 
A selection panel of 24 community leaders chose the semifinalists at the end of February from an initial field of 123 candidates from across the state. The candidates include teachers from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade from both private and public schools. 

March has been known as FoodShare Month in Minnesota for years. It’s a time when individuals, churches, organizations and businesses can all come together and agree on one goal – restocking food shelves throughout the state. For once, there seems to be something everyone can agree on.
It also brings into public consciousness the entire issue of hunger in our state and region.