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Update on vandalism investigation at Albert Lea High School

September 25, 2026

The Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD), in coordination with Albert Lea Area Schools (District 241 administration), continues to investigate the vandalism reported at Albert Lea High School on Sept. 21, 2026. The investigation began after an officer patrolling near the school shortly after midnight observed a door to the building propped open. Officers subsequently discovered extensive vandalism inside and outside the school. Preliminary damage estimates range between $10,000 and $25,000. Investigators, with assistance from School District 241 administration and staff, have interviewed more than 30 students. Based on information gathered through those interviews and the investigation to date, police and...

Library board: Start a new chapter of service

September 23, 2026

The Albert Lea Public Library is seeking a volunteer to fill an open seat on its 7-member Library Advisory Board. To ensure the entire county’s voice is heard, the library – the only public library in the county – is specifically seeking a volunteer who lives in Freeborn County but outside the city limits of Albert Lea. Applicants must be at least age 18 and able to attend a majority of meetings. The Library Advisory Board provides input and guidance on services and programs, helping to ensure the library continues to meet the needs of residents of Freeborn County. The...

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...

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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…

City council OK design work for Senior Center move

The Albert Lea City Council voted April 13 to approve a design proposal for a new Senior Center within the Jim and Dude’s building at 1705 S.E. Broadway Ave., the former HealthReach building. The design proposal from Wold Architects and…

Songbird Trail receives $2.6 million in grants toward bridge construction

Freeborn County and the City of Albert Lea report more continued success at securing grant money to build the Songbird Trail along 15 miles of a former rail line between Albert Lea and Hartland. “Development of the Songbird Trail has…

Beat the bin: Join the movement to out-recycle trash

Freeborn County officially recycled more than it trashed last year, diverting 22,280 tons of material away from landfills. While a major win for the environment, the community still sent 18,693 tons of garbage to landfills, a number that local officials…

Albert Lea receives grant to reduce chloride pollution

The City of Albert Lea has received a Chloride Reduction Grant $500,000 from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to help a local industry switch to a water-softening system that uses less salt. Chloride is a form of salt and thus…

Nation of Patriots Tour May 16 in Albert Lea

ANNOUNCED AT MARCH 23 CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Glenville American Legion Post 264 makes history this May as the first Minnesota post to launch the Nation of Patriots motorcycle tour. This 115-day journey carries a single American flag through all 50…

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…

City council OK design work for Senior Center move

The Albert Lea City Council voted April 13 to approve a design proposal for a new Senior Center within the Jim and Dude’s building at 1705 S.E. Broadway Ave., the former HealthReach building. The design proposal from Wold Architects and…

Songbird Trail receives $2.6 million in grants toward bridge construction

Freeborn County and the City of Albert Lea report more continued success at securing grant money to build the Songbird Trail along 15 miles of a former rail line between Albert Lea and Hartland. “Development of the Songbird Trail has…

Beat the bin: Join the movement to out-recycle trash

Freeborn County officially recycled more than it trashed last year, diverting 22,280 tons of material away from landfills. While a major win for the environment, the community still sent 18,693 tons of garbage to landfills, a number that local officials…

Albert Lea receives grant to reduce chloride pollution

The City of Albert Lea has received a Chloride Reduction Grant $500,000 from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to help a local industry switch to a water-softening system that uses less salt. Chloride is a form of salt and thus…

Nation of Patriots Tour May 16 in Albert Lea

ANNOUNCED AT MARCH 23 CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Glenville American Legion Post 264 makes history this May as the first Minnesota post to launch the Nation of Patriots motorcycle tour. This 115-day journey carries a single American flag through all 50…

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