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Officers commended for recovering kidnapped child

Chief Darren Hanson, left, honors Sgt. Alex Kunkel for his role in the life-saving rescue of an abducted child. Alex was recognized at Monday's City Council meeting for his tactical judgment and commitment to duty. Officer Josh Knudtson, right, receives a formal commendation from Chief Darren Hanson. Josh was one of the primary officers who intercepted a suspect vehicle on Jan. 22, ensuring a missing child was safely reunited with her family. During the March 9 City Council meeting, Police Chief Darren Hanson presented formal commendations to Sgt. Alex Kunkel and Officer Josh Knudtson for their actions in rescuing a...

Council opts for minimum maintenance of City Hall instead of remodel options

The Albert Lea City Council approved minimum maintenance items for City Hall at its March 9 meeting. The unanimous vote came after two motions for reduced remodeling options failed. The council approved $166,750 for re-keying the building, along with sealing windows, repairing sidewalks, and replacing some cubicles that fail to meet OSHA regulations. City staff had proposed remodeling parts of the bottom and top floors to increase safety and security. For the full discussion, watch the meeting on YouTube. Note that Ward 3 Councilor Ted Herman participated via Zoom.

House Fire

Albert Lea Fire Rescue (ALFR) responded to 418 Maurice Ave. today, March 10, at 6:57 a.m. for the report of a house fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found fire showing on two sides of the house. Firefighters advanced and extinguished the fire. The residents were located at a neighbor’s and found to have suffered smoke inhalation from the fire. Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service treated two children and one adult at the scene, and transported them to Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea. Damages are estimated at $30,000. The Minnesota Fire Marshal's Office was contacted and coordinated with the department investigator. The...

Shed fire

February 24, 2026

Albert Lea Fire Rescue (ALFR) responded to 17617 760th Ave. on Monday, Feb. 23, at 10:42 p.m. for the report of a shed on fire. Fire crews arrived on scene and found an equipment and hay shed fully involved in fire. Crews worked to make a fire attack, but were forced out of the building when the roof began to collapse. Heavy equipment was brought in to remove the burning equipment and hay. The items were extinguished when removed from the shed, and crews were able to extinguish the rest of the fire in the building from exterior doorways. Work continued through...

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Vehicle pursuit

On July 30, 2025, at approximately 3:40 p.m., an Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) officer was dispatched to a residence to take a report of a 2015 Honda Civic stolen earlier in the morning from the home. Prior to that…

A group of four seniors, two men and two women, are gathered around a table indoors. In the foreground, a woman with short brown hair and a tie-dye shirt smiles at the camera, holding a tissue. To her right, a man in a red and white plaid shirt also smiles at the camera. In the background, another woman in a green shirt stands behind them, looking forward with a slight smile. Further back and out of focus, a fourth woman in a yellow and white checkered shirt is partially visible.

City seeking proposals for Senior Center

The City of Albert Lea is conducting a holistic evaluation of its Senior Center, including its location at Skyline Plaza, 1739 W. Main St., Albert Lea, MN. The city convened a team of several community partners to conduct the evaluation,…

A group of nine people are seated at a curved wooden table facing an audience in a meeting room. There are five men and one woman on the left side of the table, and two men and one woman on the right side. They are all looking towards the center, where there is a podium.

Update on cannabis registration

The first local registration for a cannabis retailer came before the Albert Lea City Council for approval at its July 28 meeting. Jacob Schlichter of Albert Lea, owner of The Smoking Tree, received a cannabis microbusiness license from the Minnesota…

Get active and social with Thursday walking group

Blue Zones Albert Lea invites residents of all ages to join a group that will walk from Eastgate Park to Fountain Lake Park for the free concert series, Thursdays on Fountain. Participants will meet at Eastgate Park, 1108 Eastgate Road,…

Albert Lea set to register first cannabis retailer

The City of Albert Lea is set to register its first cannabis retailer. Jacob Schlichter of Albert Lea, owner of The Smoking Tree, received a cannabis microbusiness license from the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management on July 17 and completed…

In Honor of Parks and Recreation Month

A big thank you to the members of the Parks and Recreation Board who volunteer their time every month to advise the City Council on park amenities, recreation programs and so much more. Mayor Rich Murray recently visited the board…

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…

An image shows an adult and a young child walking away from the camera, their legs and feet visible. The adult is on the right, wearing dark pants and white sneakers with blue accents. The child is on the left, wearing light-colored pants with patterns and pink shoes. The ground is a light-colored asphalt or paved surface, with sunlight creating shadows. Below them, a dark blue banner reads

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…

Vehicle pursuit

On July 30, 2025, at approximately 3:40 p.m., an Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) officer was dispatched to a residence to take a report of a 2015 Honda Civic stolen earlier in the morning from the home. Prior to that…

A group of four seniors, two men and two women, are gathered around a table indoors. In the foreground, a woman with short brown hair and a tie-dye shirt smiles at the camera, holding a tissue. To her right, a man in a red and white plaid shirt also smiles at the camera. In the background, another woman in a green shirt stands behind them, looking forward with a slight smile. Further back and out of focus, a fourth woman in a yellow and white checkered shirt is partially visible.

City seeking proposals for Senior Center

The City of Albert Lea is conducting a holistic evaluation of its Senior Center, including its location at Skyline Plaza, 1739 W. Main St., Albert Lea, MN. The city convened a team of several community partners to conduct the evaluation,…

A group of nine people are seated at a curved wooden table facing an audience in a meeting room. There are five men and one woman on the left side of the table, and two men and one woman on the right side. They are all looking towards the center, where there is a podium.

Update on cannabis registration

The first local registration for a cannabis retailer came before the Albert Lea City Council for approval at its July 28 meeting. Jacob Schlichter of Albert Lea, owner of The Smoking Tree, received a cannabis microbusiness license from the Minnesota…

Get active and social with Thursday walking group

Blue Zones Albert Lea invites residents of all ages to join a group that will walk from Eastgate Park to Fountain Lake Park for the free concert series, Thursdays on Fountain. Participants will meet at Eastgate Park, 1108 Eastgate Road,…

Albert Lea set to register first cannabis retailer

The City of Albert Lea is set to register its first cannabis retailer. Jacob Schlichter of Albert Lea, owner of The Smoking Tree, received a cannabis microbusiness license from the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management on July 17 and completed…

In Honor of Parks and Recreation Month

A big thank you to the members of the Parks and Recreation Board who volunteer their time every month to advise the City Council on park amenities, recreation programs and so much more. Mayor Rich Murray recently visited the board…

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…

An image shows an adult and a young child walking away from the camera, their legs and feet visible. The adult is on the right, wearing dark pants and white sneakers with blue accents. The child is on the left, wearing light-colored pants with patterns and pink shoes. The ground is a light-colored asphalt or paved surface, with sunlight creating shadows. Below them, a dark blue banner reads

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…

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