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Regional designation paves way for Songbird Trail’s next phases

The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) recently designated the Songbird Trail as a regional trail, marking a major milestone for this project. The trail will eventually run along a former rail corridor for 50 miles from Albert Lea to near Waterville. The designation comes with grant opportunities to build the trail. Freeborn County, the City of Albert Lea, and Waseca County have formed a joint committee to support, plan and develop the Songbird Trail. Once completed over several years, the trail will connect the Blazing Star State Trail in Freeborn County to the Sakatah Singing Hills State...

Council to serve as additional economic development authority

At its June 22 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council voted to create an Economic Development Authority (EDA) to complement the existing Port Authority and Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). The EDA will help address economic development opportunities that fall between the traditional roles of the Port Authority, which focuses on industrial and infrastructure projects, and the HRA, which focuses on public housing. The new authority will provide greater flexibility to support redevelopment efforts, market-rate housing, and broader community economic growth. One area of focus will be workforce housing to help employers fill job openings. City leaders emphasized that creating the EDA...

Police officer in uniform stands with his right hand up in front of a woman giving the oath of office

Albert Lea welcomes new officer

The Albert Lea City Council recently welcomed Albert Lea Police Officer Joe Johnson, who was sworn in at the June 22 city council meeting (photo above). His experience includes several years with the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office. Johnson earned his associate degree in law enforcement from Riverland Community College in Austin and finished his skills training at Rochester Community and Technical College. For the full ceremony, watch the council meeting on YouTube.

Leave the trees for water quality, habitat

The Albert Lea Parks Department recently found a burr oak tree that was illegally cut down on public property along Blackmer Avenue. The unknown person who cut down the 14-inch-diameter tree left it lying in Dane Bay of Fountain Lake. The department removed the tree from the water and is working to replace it. The city reminds residents that trees in boulevards, including those in shoreland, are the property of the City of Albert Lea and only city staff may trim or remove them. Also, like other cities in Minnesota, Albert Lea has a shoreland ordinance that aims to protect water...

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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…

Arbor Day: Lions Club and Parks Department branch out to schools

Today is Arbor Day, a time to celebrate the power of trees in providing habitat, absorbing stormwater, shading structures and people, and beautifying communities. Volunteers from the Albert Lea Lions Club, in the photo above, spent time this week preparing…

City aims to make Earth Day every day

While the United States celebrates Earth Day this week, the City of Albert Lea aims to take steps every day to conserve resources and protect the environment: The city has installed solar projects at the wastewater treatment plant and arena…

Council approves street projects, pool repairs

At its April 13 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council accepted the low bids for several street projects this season, including: Repaving sections of several streets throughout the city Reconstructing St. Mary Avenue from William Street to Clark Street Reconstructing…

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…

Arbor Day: Lions Club and Parks Department branch out to schools

Today is Arbor Day, a time to celebrate the power of trees in providing habitat, absorbing stormwater, shading structures and people, and beautifying communities. Volunteers from the Albert Lea Lions Club, in the photo above, spent time this week preparing…

City aims to make Earth Day every day

While the United States celebrates Earth Day this week, the City of Albert Lea aims to take steps every day to conserve resources and protect the environment: The city has installed solar projects at the wastewater treatment plant and arena…

Council approves street projects, pool repairs

At its April 13 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council accepted the low bids for several street projects this season, including: Repaving sections of several streets throughout the city Reconstructing St. Mary Avenue from William Street to Clark Street Reconstructing…

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