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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 officer arriving to take the report, an off-duty Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) deputy contacted dispatch to report a careless driving complaint on a 2015 Honda Civic in the area of Interstates 90 and 35. It was determined that this vehicle was the stolen vehicle. ALPD officers and FCSO deputies were able to locate the vehicle and attempted to box...

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, following a process set by the National Council On Aging/National Institute of Senior Centers. In addition to improved access and compliance with the Minnesota Accessibility Code, the City of Albert Lea seeks to: Provide a Senior Center that continues to meet the programming needs of residents age 55 and older. Improve natural lighting, access to green spaces and access to...

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 Office of Cannabis Management on July 17 and submitted his city registration shortly afterwards. The registration is subject to council approval. Because of questions on enforcement, liability and responsibility, the Albert Lea City Council voted 3-4 to approve registration of the cannabis license holder, meaning the motion failed and the registration was not approved. The council will seek answers to...

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, at 4:45 p.m. Thursdays, starting July 24, to walk to Fountain Lake Park, 100 Fountain St., a distance of 1.7 miles. After enjoying the concert, which ends at 7 p.m., they will walk back to Eastgate Park. Adult participants will be eligible for prizes if taking a short survey before and after their experience. Walking groups were part of the...

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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…

Map and images showing parks, trails, and fun spots in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

City website: Same address, new features

The City of Albert Lea launched its new website today that is more accessible and offers more features. While the address - – remains the same, the site looks more vibrant and is easier to navigate. The revamped site…

ALBERT LEA GARAGE FIRE

For immediate releaseJune 20, 2025Contact for fire operations: Deputy 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 Garage Fire Albert Lea Fire Rescue responded to 1019…

Join the Jamboree July 3-6!

Albert Lea will kick off its Independence Day celebration on Wednesday, July 3, with the annual parade from the fairgrounds to Central Park at 6 p.m. Thursdays on Fountain will present Melissa Schulz Music at 7:30 p.m. at Fountain Lake…

City extending Eberhart Street

As part of preparing the Blazing Star Landing for development, the City of Albert Lea has contracted Jensen Excavating and Trucking to extend Eberhart Street by 370 feet. The $802,000 project includes underground water and sewer services along with a…

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…

Map and images showing parks, trails, and fun spots in Albert Lea, Minnesota.

City website: Same address, new features

The City of Albert Lea launched its new website today that is more accessible and offers more features. While the address - – remains the same, the site looks more vibrant and is easier to navigate. The revamped site…

ALBERT LEA GARAGE FIRE

For immediate releaseJune 20, 2025Contact for fire operations: Deputy 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 Garage Fire Albert Lea Fire Rescue responded to 1019…

Join the Jamboree July 3-6!

Albert Lea will kick off its Independence Day celebration on Wednesday, July 3, with the annual parade from the fairgrounds to Central Park at 6 p.m. Thursdays on Fountain will present Melissa Schulz Music at 7:30 p.m. at Fountain Lake…

City extending Eberhart Street

As part of preparing the Blazing Star Landing for development, the City of Albert Lea has contracted Jensen Excavating and Trucking to extend Eberhart Street by 370 feet. The $802,000 project includes underground water and sewer services along with a…

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