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Search warrant operation

October 15, 2026

ALBERT LEA, MN, Oct. 09, 2026 – The South Central Drug Investigation Unit (SCDIU), United States Postal Service (USPS), Albert Lea Police Department, SCDIU SWAT, Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office and Faribault County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant operation in the City of Albert Lea. This investigation started in August of 2026. It has involved interstate methamphetamine trafficking from the southwest United States to Albert Lea. USPS intercepted a suspicious parcel destined for the City of Albert Lea. Law enforcement determined the parcel contained presumptive methamphetamine. A representative sample of the presumptive methamphetamine was delivered to the parcel address in...

Council orders study for extending water and sewer services

October 13, 2026

At its Oct. 12 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council voted to order a feasibility study to help determine whether to extend water and sewer services in the County Road 20/Richway Drive and Plaza Street area in 2027. Extending services would bring failing septic systems into compliance, improve overall water pressure, and provide water access for development of industrial lots on Plaza Street. The study will evaluate the following: Extension of sewer and water along CR 20/Richway Drive from Elm Street to Pinewood Drive Completion of the watermain loop along County Highway 20 and Plaza Street Extension of sewer and...

Parking solutions needed for Home Solutions

October 13, 2026

To ensure enough room for emergency vehicles and snowplows, the Albert Lea City Council decided Oct. 12 to designate the north side of Janson Street as no parking. The change will take effect Oct. 30. Parking became an issue on this narrow street after a business on First Avenue expanded and its employees started parking on nearby streets. “We are excited to see Home Solutions has grown from 20-something employees to nearly 70 employees … We’re happy to have them in this community, and we’ll continue to work with them to try to find some parking solutions for Home Solutions,”...

Albert Lea Police Department provides update on high school vandalism investigation

October 07, 2026

The Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) has completed the preliminary investigation phase of the vandalism at Albert Lea High School on Sept. 20 during homecoming week. The initial phase of the investigation is complete, and approximately 45 individuals have been referred to the appropriate prosecuting authorities for consideration of criminal charges. The individuals referred include both juveniles and adults. The potential charges range from misdemeanor-level offenses to felony-level offenses, depending on each individual's actions and degree of involvement. Offenses referred for consideration include criminal damage to property, trespassing, and burglary. Each case has been evaluated individually based on the evidence...

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Bridge repair underway

September 11, 2026

As contracted by the City of Albert Lea, the Front Street bridge is undergoing repairs (map below). Workers are chipping away deteriorated concrete around the bridge pilings and will then apply a high-performance epoxy coating to help prevent wave and…

A greener ride to the next water sample: Albert Lea wastewater plant adds e-bikes

September 02, 2026

Lane Ohl, WWTP maintenance worker, tests out one of the e-bikes. At Albert Lea’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, getting around the 40-acre facility is looking a little different. Instead of firing up a four-wheeler or climbing into a pickup, wastewater staff…

Albert Lea garage fire at 509 Minnesota Ave.

August 31, 2026

Albert Lea Fire Rescue (ALFR) responded to 509 Minnesota Ave. on Aug. 31 at 4:56 a.m. for the report of a garage fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found a three-stall garage fully involved in fire along with a boat sitting in front…

Smoke testing of sewers: Detects stormwater inflow, helps prevent basement backups

August 28, 2026

The City of Albert Lea will conduct smoke testing of the sanitary sewer system in the West Richway Drive area from Aug. 31 through Sept. 4. The city has contracted CIT Sewer Solutions of McCallsburg, Iowa, to do the testing.…

Council supports grant application to help recruit new business

August 21, 2026

At its Aug. 24 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council voted to support a state grant to help bring a new business, JonnyPops, with more than 100 jobs to the community. JonnyPops, based in Elk River, Minnesota, is a food…

On the agenda: Design work for airport hangar, roundabout

August 07, 2026

At its Aug. 10 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council will vote on the following: Proceeding with design of a 6-unit hangar at the Albert Lea Municipal Airport. The design work is estimated to cost $62,000 with construction estimated at…

Library program: How to protect against identity theft and scams

August 07, 2026

The Albert Lea Public Library invites the public to Bring Your Own Lunch and Learn on Thursday, Aug. 13, with the program, “Identity Theft and Scams” presented by Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS).An attorney from SMRLS will cover how…

Council approves plan for statue downtown

Artist rendering showing where the statue will be placed in downtown Albert Lea. At its July 27 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council voted to accept the donation of an Eddie Cochran statue to be placed next year at the…

Recreational facility projects: Less than 1% over budget

The vast majority of Albert Lea’s recreational facility projects – approved by voters in 2024 – are complete, with remaining corrective items at the City Arena nearly done, city staff reported to the Albert Lea City Council at its July…

Council approves permit for Kwik Trip expansion

At its July 13 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council approved a conditional use permit for Kwik Trip at 906 W. Front St. to remodel and expand its convenience store. The project would include an expansion of almost 2,000 square…

Local fire captain sets records in Firefighter Challenge, set to compete in national and world competitions

Two members of Albert Lea Fire Rescue recently competed in the Firefighter Challenge Midwest Region Classic in Valparaiso, Ind. Captain Kurt Wallace (in photo at left) and Firefighter Kyo Htoo represented the department, with Wallace earning four medals and setting…

Spraying for mosquito control starts this week in Albert Lea

To protect public health and enhance outdoor enjoyment, the City of Albert Lea has contracted Mosquito Control of Iowa to begin weekly treatments. Weather permitting, spraying will begin at dusk on today, July 15. In case of rainy or windy…

Bridge repair underway

September 11, 2026

As contracted by the City of Albert Lea, the Front Street bridge is undergoing repairs (map below). Workers are chipping away deteriorated concrete around the bridge pilings and will then apply a high-performance epoxy coating to help prevent wave and…

A greener ride to the next water sample: Albert Lea wastewater plant adds e-bikes

September 02, 2026

Lane Ohl, WWTP maintenance worker, tests out one of the e-bikes. At Albert Lea’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, getting around the 40-acre facility is looking a little different. Instead of firing up a four-wheeler or climbing into a pickup, wastewater staff…

Albert Lea garage fire at 509 Minnesota Ave.

August 31, 2026

Albert Lea Fire Rescue (ALFR) responded to 509 Minnesota Ave. on Aug. 31 at 4:56 a.m. for the report of a garage fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found a three-stall garage fully involved in fire along with a boat sitting in front…

Smoke testing of sewers: Detects stormwater inflow, helps prevent basement backups

August 28, 2026

The City of Albert Lea will conduct smoke testing of the sanitary sewer system in the West Richway Drive area from Aug. 31 through Sept. 4. The city has contracted CIT Sewer Solutions of McCallsburg, Iowa, to do the testing.…

Council supports grant application to help recruit new business

August 21, 2026

At its Aug. 24 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council voted to support a state grant to help bring a new business, JonnyPops, with more than 100 jobs to the community. JonnyPops, based in Elk River, Minnesota, is a food…

On the agenda: Design work for airport hangar, roundabout

August 07, 2026

At its Aug. 10 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council will vote on the following: Proceeding with design of a 6-unit hangar at the Albert Lea Municipal Airport. The design work is estimated to cost $62,000 with construction estimated at…

Library program: How to protect against identity theft and scams

August 07, 2026

The Albert Lea Public Library invites the public to Bring Your Own Lunch and Learn on Thursday, Aug. 13, with the program, “Identity Theft and Scams” presented by Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS).An attorney from SMRLS will cover how…

Council approves plan for statue downtown

Artist rendering showing where the statue will be placed in downtown Albert Lea. At its July 27 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council voted to accept the donation of an Eddie Cochran statue to be placed next year at the…

Recreational facility projects: Less than 1% over budget

The vast majority of Albert Lea’s recreational facility projects – approved by voters in 2024 – are complete, with remaining corrective items at the City Arena nearly done, city staff reported to the Albert Lea City Council at its July…

Council approves permit for Kwik Trip expansion

At its July 13 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council approved a conditional use permit for Kwik Trip at 906 W. Front St. to remodel and expand its convenience store. The project would include an expansion of almost 2,000 square…

Local fire captain sets records in Firefighter Challenge, set to compete in national and world competitions

Two members of Albert Lea Fire Rescue recently competed in the Firefighter Challenge Midwest Region Classic in Valparaiso, Ind. Captain Kurt Wallace (in photo at left) and Firefighter Kyo Htoo represented the department, with Wallace earning four medals and setting…

Spraying for mosquito control starts this week in Albert Lea

To protect public health and enhance outdoor enjoyment, the City of Albert Lea has contracted Mosquito Control of Iowa to begin weekly treatments. Weather permitting, spraying will begin at dusk on today, July 15. In case of rainy or windy…

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