NO LUCK ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY FOR TWO IMPAIRED DRIVERS

Friday, March 19th, 2010 at 9:36 am

ALBERT LEA/FREEBORN COUNTY, Minn. — Albert Lea Police Officers arrested two impaired drivers during a St. Patrick’s Day impaired driving enforcement effort. The effort also included seat belt enforcement — zero unbelted motorists were cited under the state’s primary seat belt law that requires drivers and all passengers to be belted.

“Alcohol-related crashes are an ongoing problem on Albert Lea roads, and more heightened DWI enforcement campaigns will continue year-long,” says Lieutenant J.D. Carlson. “Freeborn County drivers need to take responsibility and make a plan for a sober ride home before they start drinking. There were many that didn’t, and they’ll be paying out the ‘green’ for some time.”

Statewide on St. Patrick’s Day, 2006–2008, alcohol-related crashes accounted for seven of 14 traffic deaths and 12 serious injuries. During that same time period, 1,567 impaired drivers were arrested for DWI.

Extra DWI enforcement efforts will continue throughout 2010 in Freeborn County.

During 2006–2008 in Freeborn County, alcohol-related crashes killed 4 motorists and seriously injured 6. The economic impact of those crashes cost Freeborn County an estimated $4,943,000. During that same time period, 556 motorists were arrested for DWI in Freeborn County.

Each year, alcohol-related crashes account for up to 200 deaths and 3,000 serious injuries in Minnesota.

Designate O’Driver

Notice of Special Meetings

Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 5:03 pm

March 10, 2010

To Whom It May Concern:

The City Council of the City of Albert Lea has called two (2) Special Meeting to be held at 1:30 p.m., Friday, March 19, 2010 and 7:45 a.m., Saturday, March 20, 2010 to be held in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 221 East Clark, Albert Lea, MN 56007 for the purpose of interviewing candidates for the City Manager’s Position. (Councilor’s may be present into the evening on Friday, March 19, 2010 at the Albert Lea’s Value Inn (formerly known as the Ramada Inn for dinner with the candidates)

This notice is served as a requirement of Minnesota Statue 412.191, subd. 2. The Public is invited to attend these meetings.

If you have any questions regarding this meeting, please contact me at 507-377-4335. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Shirley Slater-Schulte
City Clerk

IMPAIRED DRIVERS: Plan for a Safe Ride St. Patrick’s Day or Your Luck May Run Out

Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 1:40 pm

IMPAIRED DRIVERS: Plan for a Safe Ride St. Patrick’s Day or Your Luck May Run Out

Law Enforcement wants St. Patrick’s Day celebrants to first plan for a sober ride home and buckle their seat belts to avoid what historically is a deadly period on the road. Officers will increase patrols in Albert Lea targeting impaired drivers who mistakenly hope that good luck will keep them from getting a DWI. The effort will also include seat belt enforcement.

Statewide on St. Patrick’s Day, 2006–2008, alcohol-related crashes accounted for seven of 14 traffic deaths and five of those deaths were unbelted. During that same time period, 1,567 drivers were arrested for DWI. Each year, alcohol-related crashes account for up to 200 deaths and 3,000 serious injuries in Minnesota.

“Before you start celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, designate a sober driver and have a plan for a safe ride,” says Lieutenant J.D. Carlson. “Drunk drivers are an ongoing problem on Freeborn County roads. Don’t rely on the luck o’ the Irish to get you home safely—a DWI will cost you a pot of gold.”

During 2006–2008 in Freeborn County alcohol-related crashes killed 4 motorists and seriously injured another 6. The economic impact of those crashes cost Freeborn County an estimated $4,943,000. During that same time period, 556 motorists were arrested for DWI in Freeborn County.

In 2009, Albert Lea Police Department officers arrested 1 impaired driver during a St. Patrick’s Day impaired driving enforcement effort. The vehicle driven was reportedly traveling 44 mph in a 30 mph zone on Main St E.

Designate O’Driver.

Extensive Damage to Business Structure Due to Weight of Snow

Monday, February 15th, 2010 at 12:39 pm

ALBERT LEA, Minn. — On 12FEB2010 at approx. 3:23pm, emergency response agencies were dispatched to structural damage occurring to Northstar  Powersports & Marine, 2120 Consul Street.  It was reported that the roof collapsed; suspected due to snow.  The reporting person indicated that several evacuated and all staff were accounted for.  It was later determined that all six staff and six customers escaped without injury.  A perimeter was established near the area of Prospect Avenue and Consul Street due to a gas leak.  Responding agencies included the Albert Lea Police Department, Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, Albert Lea Fire Department, and Albert Lea Medical Center.  Alliant Energy responded and secured both the gas and electric.

Mayors’ Press Conference

Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 1:49 pm

News Advisory
Coalition of Greater MN Cities
Contact: Glen Fladeboe
Fladeboe@earthlink.net
651-208-3262

AS THE STATE LEGISLATURE BEGINS DEBATE ON SOLVING THE BUDGET DEFICIT, MAYORS HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS HOW STRONG LOCAL COMMUNITIES ARE KEY TO STATE GROWTH

MAYORS WILL RELEASE SURVEY RESULTS SHOWING THE IMPACT OF LGA CUTS

Who: St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Albert Lea Mayor Mike Murtaugh, Former State Representative Dan Dorman, and other local officials and area mayors

What: News Conference

When: Wednesday, February 10 10:00 A.M.

Where: Albert Lea City Hall – Council Chambers

221 East Clark Street, Albert Lea

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