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Impaired is impaired: ALPD reminds drivers to stay sober or get pulled over

August 26, 2025

The Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) reminds drivers that impaired is impaired, whether from alcohol, cannabis products, hemp-derived THC edibles, prescription medications or sleep aids. Anyone under the influence who is considering driving should put their keys down and get a sober ride. With 142 alcohol-related driving deaths in Minnesota and nearly 27,000 DWI (driving while under the influence) arrests in 2024, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety is coordinating a statewide extra DWI enforcement campaign now through Labor Day, with the ALPD participating. “No one should have to mourn a loved one lost to an impaired driver,” said Albert...
City News

Sewer repair closes section of Bridge Avenue

August 25, 2025

Bridge Avenue will be closed from Ruble Avenue to Marshall Street while the Albert Lea Utilities Department repairs a sewer line. The repair is scheduled to start the morning of Aug. 26 and will take at least 4 days due to cure times for the street concrete. Please slow down, give crews space to work, and be on the lookout for detours. Follow the City Albert Lea on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
City News

Council to vote on borrowing for street projects, site cleanup

August 22, 2025

The  Albert Lea City Council will consider borrowing $2 million via bonding to finance several projects at its meeting Monday. The projects include $875,000 for cleaning up contaminated soil at the Blazing Star Land for development and $435,000 for extending Eberhart Street into the Blazing Star Landing. The rest is for various street projects started in 2025 and paving the city-owned parking lot on William Street behind the Freeborn Bank Building, now Events at the Broadway, at 201 S. Broadway Ave. For details and other agenda items, visit the city website, watch the meeting on ALTV or attend in person...
City News

On the agenda: Changes to city charter

August 22, 2025

At its meeting Monday, the Albert Lea City Council consider three changes to the city charter as recommended by the Charter Commission (photo above). The first change addresses filling vacancies on the council: If a councilor resigns, the council would appoint a replacement until voters choose a new councilor in the next general election instead of holding a special election. This change would prevent the cost of a special election and allow for filling the vacancy sooner. The second change addresses a process: Only the mayor, with the city clerk attesting, would need to sign resolutions and ordinances instead of...