Feedback

"*" indicates required fields

News

The Latest

Keeping You Connected with the Latest News from Albert Lea

Smoke testing of sewers: Detects stormwater inflow, helps prevent basement backups

August 28, 2026

The City of Albert Lea will conduct smoke testing of the sanitary sewer system in the West Richway Drive area from Aug. 31 through Sept. 4. The city has contracted CIT Sewer Solutions of McCallsburg, Iowa, to do the testing. Residents in the impacted area will receive notice from city staff knocking on their doors or leaving door hangers. Smoke testing identifies areas where stormwater enters the sanitary sewer system, potentially overwhelming the sewer system during rain events and leading to sewer backups in basements. This testing allows the city to plan repairs to improve the system. During the testing,...

Council supports grant application to help recruit new business

August 21, 2026

At its Aug. 24 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council voted to support a state grant to help bring a new business, JonnyPops, with more than 100 jobs to the community. JonnyPops, based in Elk River, Minnesota, is a food company known for its premium frozen fruit and cream pops made with simple, recognizable ingredients. The company already does business in Albert Lea through Vortex Cold Storage, a company that grew out of JonnyPops’ need for additional refrigerated and frozen storage as its business expanded. JonnyPops is considering locations in Minnesota, Iowa and North Dakota for expansion of operations, including...

On the agenda: Design work for airport hangar, roundabout

August 07, 2026

At its Aug. 10 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council will vote on the following: Proceeding with design of a 6-unit hangar at the Albert Lea Municipal Airport. The design work is estimated to cost $62,000 with construction estimated at $1.3 million. The federal government will cover 90% of the cost with the State of Minnesota and City of Albert Lea each contributing 5% of the cost.The airport’s master plan and the Airport Advisory Board have identified this hangar as a priority because the airport has more demand to rent hangar space than it can provide. Proceeding with design of...

Library program: How to protect against identity theft and scams

August 07, 2026

The Albert Lea Public Library invites the public to Bring Your Own Lunch and Learn on Thursday, Aug. 13, with the program, “Identity Theft and Scams” presented by Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS).An attorney from SMRLS will cover how to recognize the different types of identity theft and scams, strategies for protection, and steps to take if the victim of a scam.The program will be held from noon - 1 p.m. Aug. 13 in the Council Chambers on the top floor of City Hall, 221 E. Clark St. There is no registration or fee required.

Sign Up For News

Stay informed by signing up for the free Week-Lea newsletter emailed to subscribers every Friday.

Company

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Name

Email(Required)

News archive

✕ Reset

Sort

Council approves plan for statue downtown

At its July 27 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council voted to accept the donation of an Eddie Cochran statue to be placed next year at the northwest corner of Marion Ross Street and North Broadway Avenue. This location is…

Recreational facility projects: Less than 1% over budget

The vast majority of Albert Lea’s recreational facility projects – approved by voters in 2024 – are complete, with remaining corrective items at the City Arena nearly done, city staff reported to the Albert Lea City Council at its July…

Council approves permit for Kwik Trip expansion

At its July 13 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council approved a conditional use permit for Kwik Trip at 906 W. Front St. to remodel and expand its convenience store. The project would include an expansion of almost 2,000 square…

Local fire captain sets records in Firefighter Challenge, set to compete in national and world competitions

Two members of Albert Lea Fire Rescue recently competed in the Firefighter Challenge Midwest Region Classic in Valparaiso, Ind. Captain Kurt Wallace (in photo at left) and Firefighter Kyo Htoo represented the department, with Wallace earning four medals and setting…

Spraying for mosquito control starts this week in Albert Lea

To protect public health and enhance outdoor enjoyment, the City of Albert Lea has contracted Mosquito Control of Iowa to begin weekly treatments. Weather permitting, spraying will begin at dusk on today, July 15. In case of rainy or windy…

Council to vote on permit for business expansion

At its meeting on Monday, the Albert Lea City Council will vote on whether to approve a conditional use permit for Kwik Trip at 906 W. Front St. to remodel and expand its convenience store. The project would include an…

Regional designation paves way for Songbird Trail’s next phases

The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) recently designated the Songbird Trail as a regional trail, marking a major milestone for this project. The trail will eventually run along a former rail corridor for 50 miles from Albert…

Council to serve as additional economic development authority

At its June 22 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council voted to create an Economic Development Authority (EDA) to complement the existing Port Authority and Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). The EDA will help address economic development opportunities that fall between…

Police officer in uniform stands with his right hand up in front of a woman giving the oath of office

Albert Lea welcomes new officer

The Albert Lea City Council recently welcomed Albert Lea Police Officer Joe Johnson, who was sworn in at the June 22 city council meeting (photo above). His experience includes several years with the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office. Johnson earned his…

Leave the trees for water quality, habitat

The Albert Lea Parks Department recently found a burr oak tree that was illegally cut down on public property along Blackmer Avenue. The unknown person who cut down the 14-inch-diameter tree left it lying in Dane Bay of Fountain Lake.…

Injury crash

On June 23, 2026, at approximately 9:18 p.m., officers from the Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) responded to the intersection of Broadway Avenue South and William Street for a reported vehicle-versus-bicycle crash. The preliminary investigation indicates that a pickup truck…

Vehicle pursuit

On June 21, 2026, at approximately 7:39 a.m., an Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) officer took a stolen vehicle report of a 2013 Toyota Tacoma that had been taken some time over the previous evening. On June 22, 2026, at…

Council approves plan for statue downtown

At its July 27 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council voted to accept the donation of an Eddie Cochran statue to be placed next year at the northwest corner of Marion Ross Street and North Broadway Avenue. This location is…

Recreational facility projects: Less than 1% over budget

The vast majority of Albert Lea’s recreational facility projects – approved by voters in 2024 – are complete, with remaining corrective items at the City Arena nearly done, city staff reported to the Albert Lea City Council at its July…

Council approves permit for Kwik Trip expansion

At its July 13 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council approved a conditional use permit for Kwik Trip at 906 W. Front St. to remodel and expand its convenience store. The project would include an expansion of almost 2,000 square…

Local fire captain sets records in Firefighter Challenge, set to compete in national and world competitions

Two members of Albert Lea Fire Rescue recently competed in the Firefighter Challenge Midwest Region Classic in Valparaiso, Ind. Captain Kurt Wallace (in photo at left) and Firefighter Kyo Htoo represented the department, with Wallace earning four medals and setting…

Spraying for mosquito control starts this week in Albert Lea

To protect public health and enhance outdoor enjoyment, the City of Albert Lea has contracted Mosquito Control of Iowa to begin weekly treatments. Weather permitting, spraying will begin at dusk on today, July 15. In case of rainy or windy…

Council to vote on permit for business expansion

At its meeting on Monday, the Albert Lea City Council will vote on whether to approve a conditional use permit for Kwik Trip at 906 W. Front St. to remodel and expand its convenience store. The project would include an…

Regional designation paves way for Songbird Trail’s next phases

The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) recently designated the Songbird Trail as a regional trail, marking a major milestone for this project. The trail will eventually run along a former rail corridor for 50 miles from Albert…

Council to serve as additional economic development authority

At its June 22 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council voted to create an Economic Development Authority (EDA) to complement the existing Port Authority and Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). The EDA will help address economic development opportunities that fall between…

Police officer in uniform stands with his right hand up in front of a woman giving the oath of office

Albert Lea welcomes new officer

The Albert Lea City Council recently welcomed Albert Lea Police Officer Joe Johnson, who was sworn in at the June 22 city council meeting (photo above). His experience includes several years with the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office. Johnson earned his…

Leave the trees for water quality, habitat

The Albert Lea Parks Department recently found a burr oak tree that was illegally cut down on public property along Blackmer Avenue. The unknown person who cut down the 14-inch-diameter tree left it lying in Dane Bay of Fountain Lake.…

Injury crash

On June 23, 2026, at approximately 9:18 p.m., officers from the Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) responded to the intersection of Broadway Avenue South and William Street for a reported vehicle-versus-bicycle crash. The preliminary investigation indicates that a pickup truck…

Vehicle pursuit

On June 21, 2026, at approximately 7:39 a.m., an Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) officer took a stolen vehicle report of a 2013 Toyota Tacoma that had been taken some time over the previous evening. On June 22, 2026, at…

Prev 12 3 4 5 Next