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Ward 3 City Councilor Howland to step down

January 08, 2026

Albert Lea City Councilor Jason Howland plans to announce his resignation from the Ward 3 seat at the Jan. 12 council meeting. Howland, who was first elected in 2016, is moving to Wabasha, Minn. He also serves as the council representative on the Parks and Recreation Board, Convention and Visitors Bureau Board and Shell Rock River Watershed District Advisory Committee. “After living in Albert Lea for nearly 30 years, this was a very difficult decision to say goodbye to a community I’ve called home for so long. But my wife and I are also excited about starting a new chapter...

Albert Lea Family YMCA and Blue Zones launch indoor walking moai to promote health, connection and longevity

January 07, 2026

This winter, Blue Zones Albert Lea invites residents to experience a proven practice that makes healthy movement simple, social and sustainable. The Albert Lea Family YMCA and Blue Zones Albert Lea are partnering to offer a free indoor walking moai, which is a small, committed walking group designed to build lifelong habits through movement and connection. Walking moais originated in Blue Zones regions of the world, such as Okinawa, Japan, where people live longer, healthier lives. Rather than focusing on intense workouts, moais emphasize consistent, low-stress movement combined with strong social bonds. The indoor walking moai will take place at...

Albert Lea police respond to report of shooting

January 05, 2026

On Jan. 3, 2026, at approximately 10:54 p.m., the Albert Lea Police Department responded to a report of a shooting in the area of the 100 block of South Second Avenue. Officers learned that two individuals inside a vehicle were shot at by an unknown suspect. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident. At this time, no arrests have been made. The incident remains under investigation. There is no known threat to public safety. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the investigating detective: Detective Megan Wilson at mwilson@ci.albertlea.mn.us or 507-377-4497. # The...

Attic Fire

December 24, 2025

Albert Lea Fire Rescue responded to 17826 760th Ave on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 8:08 p.m. for the report of an attic fire. Fire crews responded and found a 2-story home with smoke coming from the eaves. Access was made to the attic space and the fire was extinguished. Crews remained on scene for 2 hours removing burned insulation. The cause of the fire was a wood-burning fireplace. The fireplace was installed in 1975 and over the years of use it dried out and caused the wood structural members around it to ignite. No injuries were reported. Damage to the property...

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a police officer stands with a person in a dog costume dressed as McGruff the crime dog

Safety Day a fun and free way to connect with community resources

September 10, 2025

The Albert Lea Recreation Department will host Safety Day, a free family event, from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, at Morin Park, 222 St. Mary Ave. Participants can take the firefighter challenge course, meet McGruff the Crime Dog,…

City stops taking cannabis registrations

August 29, 2025

With the local limit of two already filled, the Albert Lea City Council voted Aug. 25 to deny a registration from Benjamin Kapple of New Mexico, doing business as Mountain Sight Vision, for a cannabis retail shop. The motion included…

Council approves changes to city charter

August 29, 2025

At its Aug. 25 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council approved three changes to the city charter as recommended by the Charter Commission. The changes take effect 90 days from the council action. No special election needed to fill vacancy…

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…

Sewer repair closes section of Bridge Avenue until sept. 3

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 be closed until Sept. 3. Please…

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…

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…

A gray and white dog with pointy ears sits outdoors, mouth open and tongue out, against a blurred background of green and yellow.

National Dog Day: Celebrate with a walk

August 21, 2025

In honor of National Dog Day on Aug. 26, Albert Lea presents a handy map of pet waste disposal stations. While providing pooches the joy of walking, running and exploring, please be sure to clean up after them for the…

City seeks comments on environmental assessment worksheet for building demolition

August 18, 2025

The City of Albert Lea is proposing the demolition of the former Broadway Theater building at 338 Broadway Ave. South after engineers assessed its condition as structurally deficient, unsafe, and uninhabitable. The city recently acquired the vacant building to facilitate…

Look for detour of Southeast Marshall

August 15, 2025

Work is scheduled to begin the week of Aug. 18 on Southeast Marshall Street. The project includes replacing the culvert between Blake Avenue and Interstate 35. Traffic will detour to East Main Street while this work is taking place. In…

Council approves 2 cannabis registrations

August 12, 2025

At its Aug. 11 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council approved two of three cannabis retailer registrations on its agenda: Christopher Gracia of New Mexico, doing business as Matchbox Farms, plans to open a retail business at 2316 Hendrickson Road.…

Check out the cutest art show in town

August 12, 2025

Community members have created beautiful 3x3-inch canvases for the Albert Lea Public Library’s Tiny Art Show. Check out the exhibit now through Sunday, Aug. 17, in the Fiction and Children's Libraries at 211 E. Clark St.

a police officer stands with a person in a dog costume dressed as McGruff the crime dog

Safety Day a fun and free way to connect with community resources

September 10, 2025

The Albert Lea Recreation Department will host Safety Day, a free family event, from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, at Morin Park, 222 St. Mary Ave. Participants can take the firefighter challenge course, meet McGruff the Crime Dog,…

City stops taking cannabis registrations

August 29, 2025

With the local limit of two already filled, the Albert Lea City Council voted Aug. 25 to deny a registration from Benjamin Kapple of New Mexico, doing business as Mountain Sight Vision, for a cannabis retail shop. The motion included…

Council approves changes to city charter

August 29, 2025

At its Aug. 25 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council approved three changes to the city charter as recommended by the Charter Commission. The changes take effect 90 days from the council action. No special election needed to fill vacancy…

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…

Sewer repair closes section of Bridge Avenue until sept. 3

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 be closed until Sept. 3. Please…

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…

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…

A gray and white dog with pointy ears sits outdoors, mouth open and tongue out, against a blurred background of green and yellow.

National Dog Day: Celebrate with a walk

August 21, 2025

In honor of National Dog Day on Aug. 26, Albert Lea presents a handy map of pet waste disposal stations. While providing pooches the joy of walking, running and exploring, please be sure to clean up after them for the…

City seeks comments on environmental assessment worksheet for building demolition

August 18, 2025

The City of Albert Lea is proposing the demolition of the former Broadway Theater building at 338 Broadway Ave. South after engineers assessed its condition as structurally deficient, unsafe, and uninhabitable. The city recently acquired the vacant building to facilitate…

Look for detour of Southeast Marshall

August 15, 2025

Work is scheduled to begin the week of Aug. 18 on Southeast Marshall Street. The project includes replacing the culvert between Blake Avenue and Interstate 35. Traffic will detour to East Main Street while this work is taking place. In…

Council approves 2 cannabis registrations

August 12, 2025

At its Aug. 11 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council approved two of three cannabis retailer registrations on its agenda: Christopher Gracia of New Mexico, doing business as Matchbox Farms, plans to open a retail business at 2316 Hendrickson Road.…

Check out the cutest art show in town

August 12, 2025

Community members have created beautiful 3x3-inch canvases for the Albert Lea Public Library’s Tiny Art Show. Check out the exhibit now through Sunday, Aug. 17, in the Fiction and Children's Libraries at 211 E. Clark St.

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