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City News

City website: Same address, new features

June 24, 2025

The City of Albert Lea launched its new website today that is more accessible and offers more features. While the address - – remains the same, the site looks more vibrant and is easier to navigate. The revamped site offers several new features: Accessibility tools such as bigger text and contrast controls for browsers with visual impairments A directory of parks, trails and fun spots Translation into other languages such as Spanish A staff directory News and spotlights to highlight city services and events Historical timelines for Albert Lea city government, Police Department and Fire Rescue Online submissions for...
City News

Council extending special housing permit

June 24, 2025

At its meeting Monday, the Albert Lea City Council voted to approve extending a permit for temporary worker housing in an industrial building. Habben Properties first applied for the interim use permit in 2023 to convert part of an industrial building at 1212 Sykes St. into a dormitory for new employees at Select Foods. The council approved the permit in 2023 and agreed to extend it for two more years. While zoning laws prohibit residential uses in industrial districts, state law allows for interim use permits if meeting certain conditions. After holding a public hearing June 3, the Albert Lea...
City News

Join the Jamboree July 3-6!

June 20, 2025

Albert Lea will kick off its Independence Day celebration on Wednesday, July 3, with the annual parade from the fairgrounds to Central Park at 6 p.m. Thursdays on Fountain will present Melissa Schulz Music at 7:30 p.m. at Fountain Lake Park. July Fourth is packed with a car show downtown from 1 - 4 p.m. and the Bayside Ski Club show in Edgewater Bay at 1 p.m. The 112 on Broadway will hold a street dance at 7:30 p.m. while the Community Band will start its annual concert at 8 p.m. at Fountain Lake Park. Fireworks will light up the...
City News

City extending Eberhart Street

June 18, 2025

As part of preparing the Blazing Star Landing for development, the City of Albert Lea has contracted Jensen Excavating and Trucking to extend Eberhart Street by 370 feet. The $802,000 project includes underground water and sewer services along with a stormwater retention pond. The intersection of Garfield Avenue and Eberhart Street will be closed during the utility work. Follow the City of Albert Lea on Facebook for updates.

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Albert Lea Police Department badge with gold border, featuring a shield, a green triangle with water waves, and the words
Police Department

Update: Award offered in Albert Lea Park vandalism case

April 17, 2025

The Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) continues its investigation into the recent act of vandalism at Fountain Lake Park, 100 Fountain St. In a significant development, an anonymous donor has committed to a $1,000 reward for information leading to the…
A police officer in uniform poses for a professional portrait against a plain gray background.
Police Department

ALPD lieutenant recognized for exceptional service as SWAT commander

April 15, 2025

Albert Lea Police Lt. Darin Palmer received the Meritorious Award for exceptional service as a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commander from the Special Operations Training Association of the Upper Midwest on April 14. As part of his duties with…
Albert Lea Police Department badge with gold border, featuring a shield, a green triangle with water waves, and the words
Police Department

Albert Lea Police Department seeks community assistance in park vandalism investigation

April 12, 2025

The Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying witnesses and/or suspects involved in significant vandalism at Fountain Lake Park, 100 Fountain St. On April 3, 2025, at approximately 7 a.m., officers responded to a report…
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Police Department

ALPD releases more information on death investigation

April 08, 2025

On April 7, 2025, at approximately 6:16 a.m., officers from the Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) responded to a report of an individual found at the base of a building at 800 Fourth Ave. South. Upon arrival, officers located a…
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Police Department

Albert Lea Police Department investigating apparent fall from building

April 07, 2025

At approximately 6:16 a.m. today, April 7, officers from the Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) responded to a report of an individual found at the base of a building at 800 Fourth Avenue South. Upon arrival, officers located a 54-year-old…
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Fire Department, Police Department

Public safety director to retire, Albert Lea proposes changes to police and fire departments

March 24, 2025

After 28 years of dedicated service to Albert Lea, Public Safety Director J.D. Carlson has announced his intention to retire, effective June 27, 2025. He started as a patrol officer in 1997 and moved up to lieutenant and deputy director…
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Police Department

Albert Lea crime rate lowest since 2018

February 28, 2025

The Albert Lea Police Department reports that the local crime rate dropped in 2024 to the lowest level since 2018, based on a statewide crime reporting system that went into effect in 2017. The 2024 rate continues a decreasing trend…
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Police Department

Albert Lea police arrest Austin resident for solicitation of a minor

November 05, 2024

The Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) announces the arrest of Gerardo Noe Guerrero, a 31-year-old resident of Austin, Minn., for solicitation of a minor and communication of sexually explicit material to children. This arrest was made on Nov. 5, 2024,…
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Police Department

41 Albert Lea businesses pass compliance checks for tobacco and alcohol

November 04, 2024

On Nov. 1 the Albert Lea Police Department conducted its most recent wave of tobacco and alcohol compliance checks throughout the city. Officers supervised decoys under age 21 who attempted to purchase tobacco and alcohol products in 46 establishments, resulting…
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Police Department

Traffic crash in Albert Lea

May 19, 2024

On May 19, 2024 at approximately 1:12 p.m., the Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) was dispatched to a vehicle versus motorcycle crash near the intersection of Bridge Avenue and Westron Street. Officers arrived on scene and located the motorcycle driver…
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Police Department

Too many distracted drivers send a dangerous message

March 28, 2024

Extra enforcement on Minnesota roads April 1 – 30 Distracted driving takes away hopes, dreams and lives across Minnesota, and can leave people with serious injuries that tragically affect their day-to-day living. With distracted driving still claiming lives and causing…
Albert Lea Logo
Police Department

Albert Lea crime rate continues to decline

March 19, 2024

The Albert Lea Police Department reports that the local crime rate continues to decline with a decrease of 2 percent from 2022 to 2023, based on a statewide crime reporting system. The overall rate decreased despite the reports of more…
Albert Lea Police Department badge with gold border, featuring a shield, a green triangle with water waves, and the words
Police Department

Update: Award offered in Albert Lea Park vandalism case

April 17, 2025

The Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) continues its investigation into the recent act of vandalism at Fountain Lake Park, 100 Fountain St. In a significant development, an anonymous donor has committed to a $1,000 reward for information leading to the…
A police officer in uniform poses for a professional portrait against a plain gray background.
Police Department

ALPD lieutenant recognized for exceptional service as SWAT commander

April 15, 2025

Albert Lea Police Lt. Darin Palmer received the Meritorious Award for exceptional service as a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commander from the Special Operations Training Association of the Upper Midwest on April 14. As part of his duties with…
Albert Lea Police Department badge with gold border, featuring a shield, a green triangle with water waves, and the words
Police Department

Albert Lea Police Department seeks community assistance in park vandalism investigation

April 12, 2025

The Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying witnesses and/or suspects involved in significant vandalism at Fountain Lake Park, 100 Fountain St. On April 3, 2025, at approximately 7 a.m., officers responded to a report…
Albert Lea Logo
Police Department

ALPD releases more information on death investigation

April 08, 2025

On April 7, 2025, at approximately 6:16 a.m., officers from the Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) responded to a report of an individual found at the base of a building at 800 Fourth Ave. South. Upon arrival, officers located a…
Albert Lea Logo
Police Department

Albert Lea Police Department investigating apparent fall from building

April 07, 2025

At approximately 6:16 a.m. today, April 7, officers from the Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) responded to a report of an individual found at the base of a building at 800 Fourth Avenue South. Upon arrival, officers located a 54-year-old…
Albert Lea Logo
Fire Department, Police Department

Public safety director to retire, Albert Lea proposes changes to police and fire departments

March 24, 2025

After 28 years of dedicated service to Albert Lea, Public Safety Director J.D. Carlson has announced his intention to retire, effective June 27, 2025. He started as a patrol officer in 1997 and moved up to lieutenant and deputy director…
Albert Lea Logo
Police Department

Albert Lea crime rate lowest since 2018

February 28, 2025

The Albert Lea Police Department reports that the local crime rate dropped in 2024 to the lowest level since 2018, based on a statewide crime reporting system that went into effect in 2017. The 2024 rate continues a decreasing trend…
Albert Lea Logo
Police Department

Albert Lea police arrest Austin resident for solicitation of a minor

November 05, 2024

The Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) announces the arrest of Gerardo Noe Guerrero, a 31-year-old resident of Austin, Minn., for solicitation of a minor and communication of sexually explicit material to children. This arrest was made on Nov. 5, 2024,…
Albert Lea Logo
Police Department

41 Albert Lea businesses pass compliance checks for tobacco and alcohol

November 04, 2024

On Nov. 1 the Albert Lea Police Department conducted its most recent wave of tobacco and alcohol compliance checks throughout the city. Officers supervised decoys under age 21 who attempted to purchase tobacco and alcohol products in 46 establishments, resulting…
Albert Lea Logo
Police Department

Traffic crash in Albert Lea

May 19, 2024

On May 19, 2024 at approximately 1:12 p.m., the Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) was dispatched to a vehicle versus motorcycle crash near the intersection of Bridge Avenue and Westron Street. Officers arrived on scene and located the motorcycle driver…
Albert Lea Logo
Police Department

Too many distracted drivers send a dangerous message

March 28, 2024

Extra enforcement on Minnesota roads April 1 – 30 Distracted driving takes away hopes, dreams and lives across Minnesota, and can leave people with serious injuries that tragically affect their day-to-day living. With distracted driving still claiming lives and causing…
Albert Lea Logo
Police Department

Albert Lea crime rate continues to decline

March 19, 2024

The Albert Lea Police Department reports that the local crime rate continues to decline with a decrease of 2 percent from 2022 to 2023, based on a statewide crime reporting system. The overall rate decreased despite the reports of more…