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Council vote: Rezone land to make way for business expansion?

At its meeting Monday, the Albert Lea City Council will vote on approving a plat change for 4 acres at 1822 Viking Avenue. The council will also vote on changing the zoning from residential to industrial. The property owners are requesting the changes for potential sale to Vortex Cold Storage in the Jobs Industrial Park. The business is interested in the land for possible expansion. Vortex owns the adjacent land to the south. The property to the west is zoned as industrial with the property to the east developed as a church and residential. The Planning Commission, after holding a...

Local sales tax ending, renewal up to Legislature

The Albert Lea City Council will vote Monday on ending the half-cent sales tax implemented in 2005 to fund watershed projects. The city expects the sales tax to reach its maximum amount of $30 million late this summer so is proposing to end the tax on Sept. 30. This schedule gives the State of Minnesota time to inform businesses that collect the tax to stop doing so on Sept. 30. The city and Shell Rock River Watershed District had hoped to renew the tax to fund continued lake improvement projects along with expanding the Albert Lea Public Library, building the...

Incumbent withdraws from Albert Lea City Council race

Reid Olson withdrew his candidacy today for reelection to the Ward 4 seat on the Albert Lea City Council. This changes means the city will not hold a primary on Aug. 11 for the Ward 4 seat. On the Nov. 2 ballot for Ward 4 will be Charles Alkula and Joey Neely. For more information about elections, visit www.cityofalbertlea.org/election-information/. #

Filings close for Albert Lea City Council: 3 face challengers, 2 unopposed

Albert Lea will hold a primary on Tuesday, Aug. 11 for the Ward 4 city council seat with three residents filing for the office: Charles Alkula, Joey Neely and incumbent Reid Olson. On the Nov. 3 general election ballot, Mayor Rich Murray will face challenger Tiffany Fearing and Ward 2 Councilor Larry Baker will face challenger John Caucutt. Incumbents Ted Herman filed for the Ward 3 seat and Brian Anderson for the Ward 6 seat, and both will run unopposed. Filings closed June 2 for city council elections. For more information, including how to register to vote, visit www.cityofalbertlea.org/election-information/. For...

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City of Albert Lea invites residents to serve as election judges for 2026 elections

The City of Albert Lea is accepting applications for election judges for the upcoming 2026 election cycle. Serving as an election judge offers residents a meaningful opportunity to give back to the local community, ensure fair and accurate voting, and…

Four young boys sit in a row on a green playground slide, with climbing equipment and trees visible in the background.

Summer fun to sizzle in Albert Lea

With school out for summer, the Albert Lea Recreation Department offers several recreational programs for kids and families to have fun, stay safe and try new activities. On Sunday, May 31, at 2 p.m., kids of all ages can try…

Council updates pet regulations, including new limit

At its May 26 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council introduced updates to its animal ordinance, including a new limit allowing up to 4 animals of any combination of dogs and cats per household. The measure passed on a 4-3…

Solar installation at City Hall begins May 26

Contractors will begin installing solar panels on City Hall on Tuesday, May 26. On Tuesday, crews will stage equipment and materials in the parking area in front of the old fire station doors on Fountain Street. On Thursday, May 28,…

Albert Lea house fire

Albert Lea Fire Rescue (ALFR) responded to 1700 Eberhart St on May 17 at 12:52 a.m. for the report of a house fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found a small fire in the kitchen on-top of the stove and nearby cupboards. The…

Filings open Tuesday for 5 of 7 Albert Lea City Council seats

Filings open Tuesday, May 19 for five of the seven seats on the Albert Lea City Council. The following seats are open: Mayor and Ward 2, 4 and 6 city council seats, now held by Rich Murray, Larry Baker, Reid…

Council seeking more info, feedback on pet regulations

After much discussion at its May meeting, the Albert Lea City Council decided to seek more information from the police department on pet complaints, along with more public feedback, before deciding on proposed changes to dog and cat regulations. The…

Screen-Free Week: Ways to celebrate

In honor of Screen-Free Week May 4-10, a time to take a break from entertainment screens for more connection and fun, the City of Albert Lea is holding the following events. To help families register for summer programs, the Albert…

Council puts focus on motorcycle awareness

At its April 27 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council proclaimed May as Motorcycle Awareness Month to highlight road safety. Mayor Rich Murray joined members of the Flatlanders chapter of American Bikers Aimed Toward Education (A.B.A.T.E.) in the photo above…

Ready, set, ride: Free bike rodeo for kids on May 7

To help young bicyclists learn how to ride safely, Albert Lea Recreation has teamed up with Blue Zones and the Freeborn County Trail Association to offer a free bike rodeo on Thursday, May 7. The event will take place from…

Albert Lea house fire

Albert Lea Fire Rescue (ALFR) responded to 522 College St. West on April 26 at 7:54 p.m. for the report of a house fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found fire in a bathroom on the second floor. Firefighters advanced hose lines and…

Albert Lea house fire

Albert Lea Fire Rescue (ALFR) responded to 730 Alcove St., on April 25, at 7:16 p.m. for the report of a house fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found fire showing on two sides of the house. Firefighters advanced hose lines and extinguished…

City of Albert Lea invites residents to serve as election judges for 2026 elections

The City of Albert Lea is accepting applications for election judges for the upcoming 2026 election cycle. Serving as an election judge offers residents a meaningful opportunity to give back to the local community, ensure fair and accurate voting, and…

Four young boys sit in a row on a green playground slide, with climbing equipment and trees visible in the background.

Summer fun to sizzle in Albert Lea

With school out for summer, the Albert Lea Recreation Department offers several recreational programs for kids and families to have fun, stay safe and try new activities. On Sunday, May 31, at 2 p.m., kids of all ages can try…

Council updates pet regulations, including new limit

At its May 26 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council introduced updates to its animal ordinance, including a new limit allowing up to 4 animals of any combination of dogs and cats per household. The measure passed on a 4-3…

Solar installation at City Hall begins May 26

Contractors will begin installing solar panels on City Hall on Tuesday, May 26. On Tuesday, crews will stage equipment and materials in the parking area in front of the old fire station doors on Fountain Street. On Thursday, May 28,…

Albert Lea house fire

Albert Lea Fire Rescue (ALFR) responded to 1700 Eberhart St on May 17 at 12:52 a.m. for the report of a house fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found a small fire in the kitchen on-top of the stove and nearby cupboards. The…

Filings open Tuesday for 5 of 7 Albert Lea City Council seats

Filings open Tuesday, May 19 for five of the seven seats on the Albert Lea City Council. The following seats are open: Mayor and Ward 2, 4 and 6 city council seats, now held by Rich Murray, Larry Baker, Reid…

Council seeking more info, feedback on pet regulations

After much discussion at its May meeting, the Albert Lea City Council decided to seek more information from the police department on pet complaints, along with more public feedback, before deciding on proposed changes to dog and cat regulations. The…

Screen-Free Week: Ways to celebrate

In honor of Screen-Free Week May 4-10, a time to take a break from entertainment screens for more connection and fun, the City of Albert Lea is holding the following events. To help families register for summer programs, the Albert…

Council puts focus on motorcycle awareness

At its April 27 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council proclaimed May as Motorcycle Awareness Month to highlight road safety. Mayor Rich Murray joined members of the Flatlanders chapter of American Bikers Aimed Toward Education (A.B.A.T.E.) in the photo above…

Ready, set, ride: Free bike rodeo for kids on May 7

To help young bicyclists learn how to ride safely, Albert Lea Recreation has teamed up with Blue Zones and the Freeborn County Trail Association to offer a free bike rodeo on Thursday, May 7. The event will take place from…

Albert Lea house fire

Albert Lea Fire Rescue (ALFR) responded to 522 College St. West on April 26 at 7:54 p.m. for the report of a house fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found fire in a bathroom on the second floor. Firefighters advanced hose lines and…

Albert Lea house fire

Albert Lea Fire Rescue (ALFR) responded to 730 Alcove St., on April 25, at 7:16 p.m. for the report of a house fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found fire showing on two sides of the house. Firefighters advanced hose lines and extinguished…

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