Tuesday, February 26th is your last chance to eat at Applebee's in Albert Lea and have part of the proceeds benefit the United Way of Freeborn County. Ask your server, and 15% of your bill will go to the United Way. Donation percentage excludes tax and tip. A perfect way to enjoy a good meal while helping a good cause! Don't forget!

Nominations for Minnesota Teacher of the Year remain open through the end of day Thursday, Nov. 15. The 2013 Minnesota Teacher of the Year will be named on May 5, 2013. The Teacher of the Year also becomes Minnesota’s candidate for National Teacher of the Year.

Anyone may nominate a teacher. Self-nominations are also accepted. The state program has been highly successful nationally – Minnesota ranks second behind California with four National Teachers of the Year.

Eligible nominees must:

• Teach in a public or nonpublic Pre-K through 12th-grade school.

• Hold a baccalaureate degree and a Minnesota teaching license.

• Have completed three years of teaching by the nomination deadline, and

• Intend to teach during the 2013-14 school year.

New statistics show if you text while you're driving you're nearly 20 times more likely to get into an accident.

All across the country retail outlets for AT&T Wireless are pushing that message.

On Wednesday they kicked off their No Text On Board campaign.

They're goal is to get as many people as possible to take a no texting while driving pledge.

People can take the pledge in their store, through their website or by text.

The company has even released a downloadable app that makes it impossible to text while the phone is in a moving vehicle.

"We need to be stewards and insure that we promote that message of safety. Our customers make us what we are and because of our customers we want to make sure that we provide that message of safety,” AT&T Retail Manager Joe Chase says.

Everyone who takes the pledge will get a window sticker for your car.

They say every year more 100,000 accidents are caused by texting.