It has been quite a while since we have had this column devoted to the fans’ favorite – Cheers and Jeers.

So, since it has been a while, there has been quite a buildup of things that deserve a hearty Cheer or perhaps a gruff Jeer instead. So, without further ado let’s get to it.

First off, a great big Cheer to four outstanding high school students in the county. United South Central seniors Merideth Klingbeil and Collin Van Cleave, and Blue Earth Area’s Lauren Bleess and Vern Johnson are the Triple A (Academics, Arts and Athletics) award recipients for 2021. If you read the story about these four outstanding students, you know they are very active in their schools and their communities and deserve a big congratulations from all of us. They are fine examples of what many of our youth are doing.

As long as we are giving out Cheers to some of our students, another big Cheer goes to the Blue Earth Area Math League members who just recently earned their very first trip ever to the State Math Contest. Congratulations go to them along with best wishes for more success.

And, let’s also give out one more big Cheer to the BEA Business Professionals of America Club who had 26 members earn their own trip to the State Competition set for March 11-12.

A series of Cheers can be sent out to the Blue Earth Chamber of Commerce honorees. Business of the Year went to Edward Jones agents David Roper and Chase Brandt, Rising Star went to Cabin Coffee and the Community Service awardee was Dr. Bob Bogan. And while we are at it, another Cheer goes out to the Wells Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, Mike Schrader.

Time for a Jeer, and it goes to the fact that Faribault County leads the south-central Minnesota area in number of COVID-19 deaths per capita. Now, it is true we have had just about 50 deaths over the last two years due to the coronavirus, but our population total in the county is so low it increases that overall per capita rate. Still, not a distinction that we would like to have.

We have to give out a Cheer to the Minnesota Vikings for hiring a new coach and general manager and trying to shake things up a bit. After we have sent a Jeer or two their way the last couple of years, we thought we owed them a Cheer.

We are always hopeful each and every year that we can give the Vikes a great big Cheer at the end of the season.

This might be the year…says the eternal optimist.

A Cheer goes to the Elmore Legion Post for making a bold decision to move the Legion Post to the former Bogey Bar at the Minn-Iowa Golf Course. It seems like it could be a great thing for both the Legion and the golf course and we wish them well in their new adventure.

One Cheer that needs to be made is to the Friends of the Blue Earth Library for all they do for the library. Their newest project is a series of murals on the outside wall of the library, and they will be a terrific addition to the new plans for sprucing up the library.

A Jeer goes out to the fact that our law enforcement agencies and the Faribault County District Court are kept way too busy with domestic abuse cases, drug cases and other serious crimes. Unfortunately, there is way too much of that going on.

There are various reasons for this, but the fact that we seem to have more than our fair share in the county is deserving of a Jeer.

A Cheer goes out to the fact that Blue Earth is going to continue to have the services of a local veterinarian. And, we give a big welcome to Dr. Zach Adams, as he takes over the veterinarian clinic of Dr. Bob Bogan. And, we would be remiss if we didn’t send out a Cheer to all those who worked so hard, for quite some time, to make this happen – including the Blue Earth EDA and others. Congrats on a job well done.

We are adding a last minute Jeer to the sad news that Congressman Jim Hagedorn passed away last night after a three year battle with cancer. Whether you liked his politics or not, we can attest to his love for everything to do with Minnesota’s First Congressional District.

And you will have to excuse me for sending out this last Cheer. It goes to the awesome staff at the Faribault County Register and the fact they recently received eight pretty prestigious awards from the Minnesota Newspaper Association.

Yeah, I know, just a wee bit self-serving. But this great staff deserves a pat on the back now and then.

But then, don’t we all. Cheers to you.