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City, watershed district to partner on channel restoration

October 30, 2026

At its Oct. 26 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council approved a joint powers agreement with the Shell Rock River Watershed District to restore the channel between Fountain and Albert Lea lakes.The watershed district has secured more than $5.5 million in state funding for the project and aims to: Improve stream health Enhance wildlife habitat Support fish and other aquatic life Expand recreational access for fishing, canoeing and kayaking As part of the project, planned for 2027, the watershed district and city are evaluating replacement of the dam on Fountain Lake, which was installed in 1911.The agreement outlines each party’s...

Tuesday: Voters to decide 5 of 7 council seats

October 30, 2026

Albert Lea voters will decide on the following city council seats in the general election on Nov. 3: Mayor Rich Murray will face challenger Tiffany Fearing. Ward 2 Councilor Larry Baker will face challenger John Caucutt. With Ward 4 Councilor Reid Olson deciding to step down at the end of his term in December, voters will decide between Charles Alkula and Joey Neely. Incumbents Ted Herman and Brian Anderson are running unopposed for the Ward 3 and Ward 6 seats, respectively. What’s on your ballot? Where do you vote? How do you register? Visit the Secretary of State website.How can...

Assault at Albert Lea hotel

October 23, 2026

On Oct. 22, 2026, at approximately 11:15 p.m., Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) officers were dispatched to the Albert Lea Inn and Suites, 2301 East Main St., in regards to an active assault with a weapon. Initial reports indicated that a male subject was going after another male subject with a knife, who was reportedly stabbed. Upon arrival, officers confirmed the victim had suffered severe wounds consistent with an edged weapon. Officers quickly identified a possible room number the suspect was occupying, and during their investigation, the suspect was taken into custody without further incident. Both the victim and the...

3 men in uniform, the center person holding an award plaque

Albert Lea fire chief receives Fire Officer of the Year award

October 22, 2026

Albert Lea Chief Jeff Laskowske (center) accepts the Fire Officer of the Year award from Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association President Greg Peterson (left) and Vice President Justin Sherwood (right). Albert Lea Fire Chief Jeff Laskowske recently received the Fire Officer of the Year award, for cities with populations over 10,000, at the Minnesota State Fire Chiefs annual conference. In his acceptance speech, Laskowske expressed his gratitude for the men and women of Albert Lea Fire Rescue. He commended the team for their hard work, sleepless nights, continuous training, and unwavering commitment to the community. "Thank you for your trust,...

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Council to vote on agreement for channel restoration

October 23, 2026

The Albert Lea City Council will vote at its meeting Monday on a joint powers agreement with the Shell Rock River Watershed District for restoring the channel between Fountain and Albert Lea lakes.The watershed district has received $5.9 million in…

Police technician nominated for award

October 16, 2026

The Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) is proud to recognize Andy Nelson for being nominated for the 2026 Property and Evidence Technician of the Year by the Minnesota Association of Property and Evidence Technicians. The association recently honored Nelson’s dedication…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Savings from solar

October 02, 2026

Using a State of Minnesota grant to cover 70% of the costs, the City of Albert Lea is completing installation of rooftop solar panels on four of its facilities: Public Works building City Hall (photo above) Fire Station Main Wastewater…

On the menu for fall: Reduce food waste

October 02, 2026

As households settle into autumn routines, the City of Albert Lea and Freeborn County encourage residents to manage household waste by reducing, reusing and recycling before throwing items into the trash. Two places to start with reducing waste are food…

Albert Lea hotel closure followed by room fire

October 01, 2026

For the health and safety of occupants, the City of Albert Lea closed the Quality Inn and Suites at 2306 E. Main St. on Sept. 29. Fire Chief Jeff Laskowske, in cooperation with the City of Albert Lea Building Official…

Albert Lea house fire

October 01, 2026

Albert Lea Fire Rescue (ALFR) responded to 718 ½ Cedar Ave. on Oct. 1 at 12:11 a.m. for the report of heavy smoke coming from a room in the home. Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke coming from the basement apartment of…

Council OKs preliminary levy

September 30, 2026

At its Sept. 28 meeting Monday, the Albert Lea City Council voted 6-1 to approve its preliminary property tax levy for 2027. The maximum levy would be $9.96 million, a 7.87% increase over the 2026 tax levy. Councilor Keith VanBeek…

Former police officer facing charges

September 28, 2026

Former Albert Lea Police Officer Jacob Gibson has been charged in Waseca County District Court with one misdemeanor count of willfully violating the Government Data Practices Act or Rules, in violation of Minnesota Statute § 13.09(a). The criminal complaint was…

Council to vote on agreement for channel restoration

October 23, 2026

The Albert Lea City Council will vote at its meeting Monday on a joint powers agreement with the Shell Rock River Watershed District for restoring the channel between Fountain and Albert Lea lakes.The watershed district has received $5.9 million in…

Police technician nominated for award

October 16, 2026

The Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) is proud to recognize Andy Nelson for being nominated for the 2026 Property and Evidence Technician of the Year by the Minnesota Association of Property and Evidence Technicians. The association recently honored Nelson’s dedication…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Savings from solar

October 02, 2026

Using a State of Minnesota grant to cover 70% of the costs, the City of Albert Lea is completing installation of rooftop solar panels on four of its facilities: Public Works building City Hall (photo above) Fire Station Main Wastewater…

On the menu for fall: Reduce food waste

October 02, 2026

As households settle into autumn routines, the City of Albert Lea and Freeborn County encourage residents to manage household waste by reducing, reusing and recycling before throwing items into the trash. Two places to start with reducing waste are food…

Albert Lea hotel closure followed by room fire

October 01, 2026

For the health and safety of occupants, the City of Albert Lea closed the Quality Inn and Suites at 2306 E. Main St. on Sept. 29. Fire Chief Jeff Laskowske, in cooperation with the City of Albert Lea Building Official…

Albert Lea house fire

October 01, 2026

Albert Lea Fire Rescue (ALFR) responded to 718 ½ Cedar Ave. on Oct. 1 at 12:11 a.m. for the report of heavy smoke coming from a room in the home. Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke coming from the basement apartment of…

Council OKs preliminary levy

September 30, 2026

At its Sept. 28 meeting Monday, the Albert Lea City Council voted 6-1 to approve its preliminary property tax levy for 2027. The maximum levy would be $9.96 million, a 7.87% increase over the 2026 tax levy. Councilor Keith VanBeek…

Former police officer facing charges

September 28, 2026

Former Albert Lea Police Officer Jacob Gibson has been charged in Waseca County District Court with one misdemeanor count of willfully violating the Government Data Practices Act or Rules, in violation of Minnesota Statute § 13.09(a). The criminal complaint was…

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