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Join the Planning Commission and shape how Albert Lea grows

December 12, 2025

Albert Lea needs 300 more units to meet local housing needs. Both the north and south industrial parks are nearly out of space for additional businesses. Several properties throughout the city are in poor condition and need either removal or rehabbing. These are some of the issues that the Planning Commission will advise the Albert Lea City Council on how to resolve. This 7-member commission is seeking volunteers to fill 2 open seats. Serving on the Planning Commission is a great way to contribute to Albert Lea's growth and development. In addition to the issues listed above, the commission advises...

Reduce, reuse, rejoice: Go green for the holidays

December 12, 2025

Freeborn County recycled more than 14,000 tons of material last year, an increase over the previous year. The City of Albert Lea and Freeborn County encourage residents to keep up the good work and recycle even more, especially during the holidays, when the average Minnesotan throws away 25% more stuff. Freeborn County generated 24,000 tons of trash last year. By recycling and reusing more, residents can reduce the need for more landfill space and preserve land for farming, development and natural areas. "The holidays bring joy, but they also bring a lot of packaging, old electronics, and other items that...

How to increase jobs? Expand industrial park

December 12, 2025

With both the south and north industrial parks in Albert Lea both nearly full, local leaders are taking steps to attract more businesses and the jobs that come with them. The south industrial park has few open properties for new or expanding businesses. The city originally zoned the area in the 1950s as a mix of industrial and residential property, with the goal of creating a neighborhood where people could both live and work. But recent interest is more focused on industry than housing with the successful developments of Vortex Cold Storage, Design Ready Controls and Green Acres Milling. To meet future...

Council: Phase in some license increases

December 10, 2025

At its Dec. 8 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council decided to phase in higher fees for on-sale liquor licenses. The decision came after hearing from business owners at a Nov. 24 public hearing. The fee increase will be the first in 21 years. Since then, the costs of overseeing the licenses, including annual compliance checks by law enforcement, have all increased. The city is raising the $2,000 annual fee to $2,800. It will still be less than fees charged by other cities, which range from $3,000 to $9,000 a year.Albert Lea is also one of the few cities that...

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Council lowers tax levy

December 09, 2025

The Albert Lea City Council lowered its property tax levy for 2026 by more than $200,000, from $9.5 million proposed in September to $9.3 million. While still proposing a levy increase, it would be lower than first proposed, from 8.0%…

Council OKs plan for major projects

December 09, 2025

At its Dec. 8 meeting, the Albert Lea Council approved a Capital Improvement Plan that outlines major projects over the next 5 years. The council adopts a Capital Improvement Plan every year, which helps identify needs, allocate resources and set…

On the agenda: Expanding industrial park

December 05, 2025

To plan for expanding the Jobs Industrial Park, the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency (ALEDA) is requesting the Albert Lea City Council rezone 12 acres from residential to industrial. ALEDA owns the land at 11th Street and Viking Avenue, along…

Garage fire

December 03, 2025

Albert Lea Fire Rescue responded to 2046 Paradise Road West on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 3:18 a.m. for the report of an attached garage on fire. Fire crews responded and found a 3-stall attached garage with a pile of material burning…

Reducing pollution: Small actions add up to big impact

November 26, 2025

It takes only 1 teaspoon of salt to pollute 5 gallons of water – forever! Protect local lakes by using de-icer the smart way: Shovel and scrape before using salt. Use salt sparingly. A coffee cup of salt should be…

Welcome Officer Thorson

November 26, 2025

Albert Lea Police Officer Andrew Thorson took the oath of office at the Nov. 24 city council meeting. He began working for the Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) in July and recently finished field training. He holds a bachelor of…

City proposes lower levy

November 26, 2025

The City of Albert Lea has decreased expenses for 2026 and lowered its proposed tax levy by $153,000. While still proposing a levy increase, it would be lower than first proposed, from 8.00% to 6.25%, as presented at the Nov.…

Proposed park on Adams Avenue: Public favors a mixed use area or full trailhead

November 14, 2025

The Albert Lea community favors either a mixed use of business and greenspace or a full trailhead for a proposed park on Adams Avenue, according to input received from surveys and comments on the project. The City of Albert Lea…

Garage fire

November 12, 2025

Albert Lea Fire Rescue responded to 1525 Elm St. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 6:31 p.m. for the report of a garage on fire. Fire crews responded and found a 2-stall detached garage fully involved in fire. The fire was beginning to…

Hotel fire

November 11, 2025

Albert Lea Fire Rescue responded to 2301 East Main St. (Ramada Inn) on Monday, Nov. 10, at 11:30 a.m. for the report of a fire. Fire crews found smoke and fire coming from the first floor of the 3-story east wing…

Injury traffic crash

November 10, 2025

On Nov. 8, 2025, at approximately 2:46 p.m., Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) officers were dispatched to a report of a two-vehicle crash with multiple injuries near the intersection of County Road 46 and 775th Avenue. A 2012 Chevy Express…

Library to host program on planting for pollinators

November 07, 2025

The Albert Lea Public Library invites the public to Bring Your Own Lunch and Learn on Thursday, Nov. 13, with the program, “Pollinator Plantings” presented by Caitlin Olson, a coach with the Lawns to Legumes program of the Minnesota Board…

Council lowers tax levy

December 09, 2025

The Albert Lea City Council lowered its property tax levy for 2026 by more than $200,000, from $9.5 million proposed in September to $9.3 million. While still proposing a levy increase, it would be lower than first proposed, from 8.0%…

Council OKs plan for major projects

December 09, 2025

At its Dec. 8 meeting, the Albert Lea Council approved a Capital Improvement Plan that outlines major projects over the next 5 years. The council adopts a Capital Improvement Plan every year, which helps identify needs, allocate resources and set…

On the agenda: Expanding industrial park

December 05, 2025

To plan for expanding the Jobs Industrial Park, the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency (ALEDA) is requesting the Albert Lea City Council rezone 12 acres from residential to industrial. ALEDA owns the land at 11th Street and Viking Avenue, along…

Garage fire

December 03, 2025

Albert Lea Fire Rescue responded to 2046 Paradise Road West on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 3:18 a.m. for the report of an attached garage on fire. Fire crews responded and found a 3-stall attached garage with a pile of material burning…

Reducing pollution: Small actions add up to big impact

November 26, 2025

It takes only 1 teaspoon of salt to pollute 5 gallons of water – forever! Protect local lakes by using de-icer the smart way: Shovel and scrape before using salt. Use salt sparingly. A coffee cup of salt should be…

Welcome Officer Thorson

November 26, 2025

Albert Lea Police Officer Andrew Thorson took the oath of office at the Nov. 24 city council meeting. He began working for the Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) in July and recently finished field training. He holds a bachelor of…

City proposes lower levy

November 26, 2025

The City of Albert Lea has decreased expenses for 2026 and lowered its proposed tax levy by $153,000. While still proposing a levy increase, it would be lower than first proposed, from 8.00% to 6.25%, as presented at the Nov.…

Proposed park on Adams Avenue: Public favors a mixed use area or full trailhead

November 14, 2025

The Albert Lea community favors either a mixed use of business and greenspace or a full trailhead for a proposed park on Adams Avenue, according to input received from surveys and comments on the project. The City of Albert Lea…

Garage fire

November 12, 2025

Albert Lea Fire Rescue responded to 1525 Elm St. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 6:31 p.m. for the report of a garage on fire. Fire crews responded and found a 2-stall detached garage fully involved in fire. The fire was beginning to…

Hotel fire

November 11, 2025

Albert Lea Fire Rescue responded to 2301 East Main St. (Ramada Inn) on Monday, Nov. 10, at 11:30 a.m. for the report of a fire. Fire crews found smoke and fire coming from the first floor of the 3-story east wing…

Injury traffic crash

November 10, 2025

On Nov. 8, 2025, at approximately 2:46 p.m., Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) officers were dispatched to a report of a two-vehicle crash with multiple injuries near the intersection of County Road 46 and 775th Avenue. A 2012 Chevy Express…

Library to host program on planting for pollinators

November 07, 2025

The Albert Lea Public Library invites the public to Bring Your Own Lunch and Learn on Thursday, Nov. 13, with the program, “Pollinator Plantings” presented by Caitlin Olson, a coach with the Lawns to Legumes program of the Minnesota Board…

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