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Vandalism reported at Albert Lea High School

September 21, 2026

On Sept. 21, 2026, shortly after midnight, an Albert Lea Police Department officer was patrolling near Albert Lea High School when he observed a door to the building propped open. Additional officers responded and entered the school to search for anyone who may have been inside. No one was located during the search. Officers discovered extensive vandalism inside and outside the school. Furniture had been overturned, and toilet paper and baby oil were found throughout the building. The exterior had also been spray-painted, struck with paintballs, and egged. The case remains under investigation. No further information will be released at...

Freeborn County community to DNR: Finish the Blazing Star State Trail

September 17, 2026

The Albert Lea City Council, Hayward City Council and Freeborn County Board all voted the week of Sept. 14 to send a joint letter that urges the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to complete the remaining half-mile gravel section of the Blazing Star State Trail. Leaders emphasize that the trail has been 20-plus years in the making with 8.1 miles completed and only 0.5 mile to the finish line. The letter reads in part: “Our communities waited more than two decades for the DNR to build the bridge over Albert Lea Lake and connect the Albert Lea and Hayward...

Albert Lea man arrested following reported stabbing

September 16, 2026

On Sept. 15, 2026, at approximately 9:11 p.m., officers with the Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) were dispatched to the 1000 block of South Broadway Avenue following a report of a possible stabbing. Initial information indicated that a man had entered a nearby business to report that a stabbing may have occurred at a nearby residence. Upon arrival, officers encountered several individuals outside the residence. Officers identified the victim and the suspect. The suspect was later identified as Tommy Lee Walker, age 64, of Albert Lea. The victim sustained a non-life-threatening stab wound to the back and was transported by...

Council to vote on joint letter to urge completion of trail

September 11, 2026

At its Sept. 14 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council will consider a resolution to send a joint letter with Freeborn County and City of Hayward calling on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to pave the remaining half-mile gravel section of the Blazing Star State Trail. The trail reached a major milestone in 2025 when the DNR connected the segments between Myre-Big Island State Park and Hayward, including the bridge over Albert Lea Lake. However, the DNR pulled the last half-mile of gravel from last year’s project, leaving a major obstacle to attracting more trail users and visitors....

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A group of four smiling adults in yellow

Bike riders to Rock-n-Roll the Lakes in Albert Lea

July 16, 2025 For immediate release Media contact: Cathy Malakowsky, engagement and enrichment director, at 507-377-4316 or cmalakowsky@ci.albertlea.mn.us Bike riders to Rock-n-Roll the Lakes in Albert Lea The Albert Lea Area Cyclists and Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota are gearing up…

Blue Zones Albert Lea invites families to take a Sunday stroll

For immediate releaseJuly 11, 2025Media contact: Cathy Malakowsky, Blue Zones Albert Lea project lead, at 507-377-4316 or cmalakowsky@ci.albertlea.mn.us Blue Zones Albert Lea invites families to take a Sunday stroll Connecting people and reinforcing healthy habits are two goals of joining…

Albert Lea house fire

For immediate releaseJuly 1, 2025Contact for fire operations: Fire Chief Jeff Laskowske at 507-377-4311 or jlaskowske@ci.albertlea.mn.usContact for fire investigation during business hours: Albert Lea Fire Rescue at 507-377-4341 Albert Lea House Fire Albert Lea Fire Rescue responded to 940 Jefferson…

Proven leaders take helm of Albert Lea public safety

June 30, 2025For immediate release:Media contacts: Police Chief Darren Hanson at 507-377-5669 or DHanson@ci.albertlea.mn.us Fire Chief Jeff Laskowske at 507-377-4311 or jlaskowske@ci.albertlea.mn.us Proven leaders take helm of Albert Lea public safety With Albert Lea Public Safety Director JD Carlson retiring,…

Spraying for mosquito control starts this week in Albert Lea

For immediate release June 24, 2025Contact: Ryan Hajek, City of Albert Lea assistant public works director, at 507-377-4310 or rhajek@ci.albertlea.mn.us Spraying for mosquito control starts this week in Albert Lea For public health and enjoyment, weekly spraying for mosquito control…

Council extending special housing permit

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…

Map and images showing parks, trails, and fun spots in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

City website: Same address, new features

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…

ALBERT LEA GARAGE FIRE

For immediate releaseJune 20, 2025Contact for fire operations: Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Laskowske at 507-377-4311 or jlaskowske@ci.albertlea.mn.usContact for fire investigation during business hours: Albert Lea Fire Rescue at 507-377-4341 Albert Lea Garage Fire Albert Lea Fire Rescue responded to 1019…

Join the Jamboree July 3-6!

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…

City extending Eberhart Street

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…

A high-angle close-up shot shows a diverse group of hands, belonging to approximately ten individuals, stacked on top of one another in a gesture of unity or teamwork. The hands vary in skin tone, ranging from light to dark, emphasizing diversity.

Human Rights Commission back in action

After taking a pause since the pandemic, the Albert Lea Human Rights Commission is back in action. The city reactivated this volunteer board at the request of several residents. Mayor Rich Murray recently appointed these seven members after receiving applications…

Children play on a slip and slide with water spraying around them on a grassy lawn, with houses and trees visible in the background.

Recreation offers free park activities for grade-schoolers

The Albert Lea Recreation Department will bring fun to neighborhood parks this summer, starting Monday, June 2. Free activities will be available for children who have completed kindergarten through fifth grade from Monday – Thursday at several parks: Mondays and…

A group of four smiling adults in yellow

Bike riders to Rock-n-Roll the Lakes in Albert Lea

July 16, 2025 For immediate release Media contact: Cathy Malakowsky, engagement and enrichment director, at 507-377-4316 or cmalakowsky@ci.albertlea.mn.us Bike riders to Rock-n-Roll the Lakes in Albert Lea The Albert Lea Area Cyclists and Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota are gearing up…

Blue Zones Albert Lea invites families to take a Sunday stroll

For immediate releaseJuly 11, 2025Media contact: Cathy Malakowsky, Blue Zones Albert Lea project lead, at 507-377-4316 or cmalakowsky@ci.albertlea.mn.us Blue Zones Albert Lea invites families to take a Sunday stroll Connecting people and reinforcing healthy habits are two goals of joining…

Albert Lea house fire

For immediate releaseJuly 1, 2025Contact for fire operations: Fire Chief Jeff Laskowske at 507-377-4311 or jlaskowske@ci.albertlea.mn.usContact for fire investigation during business hours: Albert Lea Fire Rescue at 507-377-4341 Albert Lea House Fire Albert Lea Fire Rescue responded to 940 Jefferson…

Proven leaders take helm of Albert Lea public safety

June 30, 2025For immediate release:Media contacts: Police Chief Darren Hanson at 507-377-5669 or DHanson@ci.albertlea.mn.us Fire Chief Jeff Laskowske at 507-377-4311 or jlaskowske@ci.albertlea.mn.us Proven leaders take helm of Albert Lea public safety With Albert Lea Public Safety Director JD Carlson retiring,…

Spraying for mosquito control starts this week in Albert Lea

For immediate release June 24, 2025Contact: Ryan Hajek, City of Albert Lea assistant public works director, at 507-377-4310 or rhajek@ci.albertlea.mn.us Spraying for mosquito control starts this week in Albert Lea For public health and enjoyment, weekly spraying for mosquito control…

Council extending special housing permit

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…

Map and images showing parks, trails, and fun spots in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

City website: Same address, new features

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…

ALBERT LEA GARAGE FIRE

For immediate releaseJune 20, 2025Contact for fire operations: Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Laskowske at 507-377-4311 or jlaskowske@ci.albertlea.mn.usContact for fire investigation during business hours: Albert Lea Fire Rescue at 507-377-4341 Albert Lea Garage Fire Albert Lea Fire Rescue responded to 1019…

Join the Jamboree July 3-6!

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…

City extending Eberhart Street

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…

A high-angle close-up shot shows a diverse group of hands, belonging to approximately ten individuals, stacked on top of one another in a gesture of unity or teamwork. The hands vary in skin tone, ranging from light to dark, emphasizing diversity.

Human Rights Commission back in action

After taking a pause since the pandemic, the Albert Lea Human Rights Commission is back in action. The city reactivated this volunteer board at the request of several residents. Mayor Rich Murray recently appointed these seven members after receiving applications…

Children play on a slip and slide with water spraying around them on a grassy lawn, with houses and trees visible in the background.

Recreation offers free park activities for grade-schoolers

The Albert Lea Recreation Department will bring fun to neighborhood parks this summer, starting Monday, June 2. Free activities will be available for children who have completed kindergarten through fifth grade from Monday – Thursday at several parks: Mondays and…

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