City of Albert Lea Receives $9,600 “Open Streets” Sponsorship

The City of Albert Lea is one of five recipients of an “Open Streets” sponsorship made available by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. This year they are sponsoring events in Albert Lea, Minneapolis, Richfield, Dilworth, and St. Cloud. There will also be events in Moorhead, Bemidji, and Rochester that are part of a separate Blue Cross funded initiative.

Open Streets events involve the temporary closing of streets to motor vehicle traffic to make them available to all non-motorized forms of transportation and activities that support active lifestyles and community connectedness.

As a Blue Zones Certified City, the community learned that social networks and support can positively influence health, while social isolation can have a negative impact on individual health. With this in mind, the mission of “Open Streets” is to invite people of all ages and abilities to walk, bike, socialize and play.

The event also encourages residents to get involved in the policies, funding and community design that will lead to Albert Lea being a place where the environment helps make the active choice an easy choice.

Albert Lea’s Open Streets event will be held June 2 and will coincide with the dedication of the Blue Zones Walkway. More information on the event will be forthcoming.

Last year on St. Patrick’s Day in Albert Lea 2 motorists were arrested for DWI.

“St. Patrick’s is an all-day drinking event for many, which means roads are at risk all day,” says Lieutenant J.D. Carlson. “To those who take the risk, they will pay the price. There is no excuse for driving impaired, there are plenty of options to avoid drinking and driving, we all just need to plan ahead.”

The holiday has been safer in recent, non-weekend years. During the last three years on St. Patrick’s Day, 2008–2010, there were seven deaths and only one was alcohol-related; 606 people were arrested for DWI.

Lt. Carlson says this drop could be attributed to the holiday falling on weekdays, but it also may be connected to the recent trend of fewer alcohol-related deaths and DWIs in Minnesota. In 2010, there were 131 alcohol-related deaths in Minnesota, the lowest on record. Still, these crashes account for one-third of the state’s total annual deaths.

DWI enforcement and education is a component of the state’s core traffic safety initiative, Toward Zero Deaths (TZD). A primary vision of the TZD program is to create a safe driving culture in Minnesota in which motorists support a goal of zero road fatalities by practicing and promoting safe and smart driving behavior. TZD focuses on the application of four strategic areas to reduce crashes — education, enforcement, engineering and emergency trauma response.

Anyone interested in serving on the committee should fill out an application and return it to the City Manager’s office by March 23rd. Members will be appointed by the Mayor at the March 26th City Council meeting. The first meeting is tentatively scheduled for March 29th. Members will be expected to attend four steering committee meetings in 2012 and are encouraged to attend the public meetings as well.

Applications are available at the City Manager’s Office or online at http://www.cityofalbertlea.org/city-council/advisory-board-applications.

For more information, please call the City Manager’s Office, 507-377-4330.

She is requesting permission to allow an 12 X 25 addition to be built on her house the zoning is currently zoned I-1 limited Industrial District, residential use is not allowed in this district.

Interested parties will be heard at this time.

Doug Johnson
Zoning & Building Adm.

The “Citizens Academy” is designed to give the citizens of Albert Lea a look into the workings of their local police department.
Officers with the Albert Lea Police Department will be holding training sessions on a variety of duties they perform to include; Bike Patrol, School Resource Officer program, Use of Force, Crime Scene Processing and Field Training Officer program.
Each participant will be entitled to a 4 hour ride-a-long with an officer.

Applicants must have the following qualifications:
Resident of the City of Albert Lea
Must be at least 18 years of age
Must pass a criminal background check

The class will be limited to 15 participants.
Applications can be obtained at the Freeborn County Law Enforcement Center, Albert Lea city hall, or by contacting Lt. Jeff Strom at 507-377-5254. Lt. Strom can also be reached by e-mail at jeff.strom@co.freeborn.mn.us

Applications will be accepted until Thursday, March 1st, 2012.

[ALBERT LEA], Minn. — An Albert Lea Police Officer identified a suspicious vehicle located near Collins Auto Repair on Main Street East at approximately 11:49PM. When the officer investigated further, the vehicle fled the area eastbound on Main St. E. traveling 89 MPH; south of Main St. E. throughout a residential area; off road and along the railroad tracks; – the vehicle was located unoccupied in a hayfield near 2016 SE Marshall. The vehicle was identified as being stolen from Brooklyn Center, MN. The suspected occupants were tracked to the Country Inn Suites and apprehended.
- Robert James Blake (27) – Brooklyn Center
- Rachel Rae Foster (23) – Albert Lea

Upon further investigation, information was identified leading to a search warrant application for 1427 Academy Ave, Albert Lea, MN. An undercover Albert Lea Police Officer was offered an amount of methamphetamine in exchange for $300.00. The officer identified himself and arrested both. Anticipated charges for both include:
- Anthony Lee Weber (29) – Glenville
- Janna Lynn Long (29) – Albert Lea
o 2nd Degree Drugs with Intent to Sell Meth
o 3rd Degree Possession of Meth
o 5th Degree Possession of Schedule III Drug (Vicodin).

The investigation was initiated by the Albert Lea Police Department in cooperation with the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota State Patrol.

On January 27, 2012 at 3:33 am, an Albert Lea Police officer discovered an apparent burglar at Northstar Powersports and Marine located at 2120 Consul Avenue.

Officers quickly observed that there appeared to be snowmobiles missing and that the rear door of the business was broken out.
Officers could hear a snowmobile running and attempted to locate the same due to the time of night and the suspected missing snowmobiles.
Officers located a snowmobile off Frank Hall Dr. and attempted to stop the same. The snowmobile and rider fled striking a mailbox and fleeing across Albert Lea Lake towards Helmer-Myre State Park and was lost.

It was determined that a 2008 Yamaha Nytro snowmobile had been stolen from Northstar Powersports along with cash and sunglasses.
Officers had located a second snowmobile on Northstar Powersports’ property. This snowmobile had been crashed into a fence.

At approximately 0636hrs, the stolen snowmobile was located in the 2000 blk of Neale St. Officers tracked a single set of foot prints in the snow to a residence on Morningside Rd.

The occupant of the residence was arrested on unrelated warrants.
Officers prepared a search warrant and located property from Northstar Powersports at the residence, along with a jacket matching the description of the suspected thief’s.

The case remains under investigation.

The MN DNR, Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office and Albert lea Fire Department assisted in the incident.

For more information, please contact Lt. J.D. Carlson, Albert Lea Police Department, 507-377-5665.

The DiMa Corporation is appealing an administrative decision made by Doug Johnson City of Albert Lea Building Official to not allow a portable sign that was bigger than 32 sq. ft. at the above location.

Interested parties will be heard at this time.

Doug Johnson
Zoning & Building Adm.

During Minnesota Decembers, 2008–2010, there were 89 traffic deaths and 24 were alcohol-related.

A similar enforcement effort last year in Freeborn County (City of Albert Lea) resulted in 16 DWI arrests.

In Freeborn County during 2008–2010, alcohol-related crashes accounted for 7 deaths and 8 serious injuries. During the same period, 562 were arrested for DWI.

There was an average of 170 alcohol-related traffic deaths annually during the last five years in Minnesota — accounting for one-third of all state’s total road deaths annually. Alcohol-related deaths have been declining in recent years — in 2010, there were 131 alcohol-related deaths, the fewest on record. Albert Lea Police Department’s Lieutenant J.D. Carlson says enhanced enforcement campaigns have helped to prevent these tragedies. Each year, more than 30,000 people are arrested for DWI; one in seven Minnesota drivers has a DWI on record.

The campaign is coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety. Around 400 Minnesota law enforcement agencies will participate in the effort to identify and arrest impaired drivers, and encourage motorists to make safe decisions.

Participating agencies in Freeborn County are: Minnesota State Patrol, Freeborn County Sherriff’s Office, and the Albert Lea Police Department.

“The holidays are a time for celebrating. They are not a time to throw common sense and safe driving choices out the window,” says Lt. Carlson. “Avoid the potentially deadly consequences of driving impaired, as well as the heavy costs and personal grief of a DWI — plan for a safe and sober ride.”

A DWI offense can result in loss of license for up to a year, thousands in costs and possible jail time. Stronger DWI sanctions are in effect for all repeat DWI offenders, as well as for motorists arrested for a first-time DWI with a 0.16 and above alcohol-concentration level. Under these sanctions, DWI offenders must use ignition interlock for at least a year or face at least one year without driving privileges. Interlock requires a driver to provide a breath sample under 0.02 for the vehicle to start. Safety officials say interlock ensures DWI offenders are driving legally and safely. Potential participants of program can learn more at www.minnesotaignitioninterlock.org.

Lt. Carlson reminds area motorists to plan ahead for a safe ride home before celebrating: designate a sober driver, take a cab or public transportation, spend the night at the location of the celebration. Lt. Carlson adds that families should let their loved ones know that they are willing and available to offer a safe ride at anytime if needed.

“Receiving a phone call at 3 a.m. from a family member is a lot better than receiving a knock on the door from a police officer/trooper/deputy,” says Lt. Carlson.

Lt. Carlson adds that motorists should report impaired driving — call 911 when witnessing impaired driving behavior. Witnesses must be prepared to provide location, license plate and observed dangerous behavior.

The DWI enforcement and education effort is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is a component of the state’s Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) traffic safety program. A primary vision of the TZD program is to create a safe driving culture in Minnesota in which motorists support a goal of zero road fatalities by practicing and promoting safe and smart driving behavior. TZD focuses on the application of four strategic areas to reduce crashes — education, enforcement, engineering and emergency trauma response.

Albert Lea police officers and Freeborn County sheriff’s deputies responded and observed numerous people running in the area. Further information was received of gunshots fired.

Officers stopped several vehicles attempting to leave the scene. One of these vehicles contained 5 males from Nebraska and Iowa. The subjects were all found to be under 21 and had been consuming alcohol. All 5 subjects were arrested and held for bail on illegal consumption. A search of the vehicle located a .45 caliber handgun.

Officers on scene located 3 shell casings near the initial scene.

A call was also received from a residence in the 1100blk of Bridge Avenue in regards to a bullet hole in the wall. This residence is located across from the fairgrounds entrance. A bullet hole was located in the side of the bedroom wall. A bullet was located in the bedroom. No injured parties were located.

The incident is still under investigation.