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Arena projects: Ice this fall in main rink, later in practice rink

September 12, 2025

In disappointing news to the Albert Lea City Council on Sept. 8, the company overseeing upgrades at the City Arena – InBylt of Minneapolis – reported a delay in the new floor for the Colstrup Rink and refrigeration system for both the Nystrom and Colstrup Rinks. The new completion date for the refrigeration system and Colstrup Rink floor is now Jan. 6 instead of Nov. 14 as originally planned. The delay is due to additional drainage being installed at the City Arena, according to InBylt. The Recreation Department plans to have ice in the Nystrom Rink for hockey and figure...

3 police officers take the oath of office at a city council meeting

New police sergeants take oath of office

September 12, 2025

The Albert Lea Police Department recently promoted three officers, from left in the photo above, Nathan Idstein, Sy Vanthavong and David Miller, to the rank of sergeant. They took the oath of office and had a pinning ceremony at the Sept. 8 city council meeting, a fitting time with Patriot Day on Sept. 11. "These promotions are not just about rank—they're about readiness. Each of them is ready to lead, to support our officers, and to help move this department forward," said Deputy Police Chief Darin Palmer. See the ceremony in the video recording of the meeting on YouTube.

‘Flavors without Borders’ to highlight cultures of Albert Lea

September 11, 2025

To celebrate the many cultures of Albert Lea, the Human Rights Commission and Blue Zones invite local residents to “Flavors without Borders” on Wednesday, Sept. 17. The event will run from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. at the Albert Lea Farmers Market in the north lot on Broadway Avenue. “Our goal is to build community through the universal language of food. This is a fun way to highlight the different cultures of Albert Lea and recognize how they all add to the richness of our community,” said Cathy Malakowsky, Blue Zones Albert Lea project lead. Free samples – while supplies last...

a police officer stands with a person in a dog costume dressed as McGruff the crime dog

Safety Day a fun and free way to connect with community resources

September 10, 2025

The Albert Lea Recreation Department will host Safety Day, a free family event, from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, at Morin Park, 222 St. Mary Ave. Participants can take the firefighter challenge course, meet McGruff the Crime Dog, see inside an ambulance and much more. The event includes demonstrations and information from the Albert Lea Police Department, Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, Albert Lea Fire Rescue, Freeborn County Public Health and more. Safety Day offers fun, prizes and an opportunity for families to get know local support organizations. “This is our version of National Night Out. Because the national...

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City stops taking cannabis registrations

August 29, 2025

With the local limit of two already filled, the Albert Lea City Council voted Aug. 25 to deny a registration from Benjamin Kapple of New Mexico, doing business as Mountain Sight Vision, for a cannabis retail shop. The motion included…

Council approves changes to city charter

August 29, 2025

At its Aug. 25 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council approved three changes to the city charter as recommended by the Charter Commission. The changes take effect 90 days from the council action. No special election needed to fill vacancy…

Impaired is impaired: ALPD reminds drivers to stay sober or get pulled over

August 26, 2025

The Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) reminds drivers that impaired is impaired, whether from alcohol, cannabis products, hemp-derived THC edibles, prescription medications or sleep aids. Anyone under the influence who is considering driving should put their keys down and get…

Sewer repair closes section of Bridge Avenue until sept. 3

August 25, 2025

Bridge Avenue will be closed from Ruble Avenue to Marshall Street while the Albert Lea Utilities Department repairs a sewer line. The repair is scheduled to start the morning of Aug. 26 and will be closed until Sept. 3. Please…

Council to vote on borrowing for street projects, site cleanup

August 22, 2025

The Albert Lea City Council will consider borrowing $2 million via bonding to finance several projects at its meeting Monday. The projects include $875,000 for cleaning up contaminated soil at the Blazing Star Land for development and $435,000 for extending…

On the agenda: Changes to city charter

August 22, 2025

At its meeting Monday, the Albert Lea City Council consider three changes to the city charter as recommended by the Charter Commission (photo above). The first change addresses filling vacancies on the council: If a councilor resigns, the council would…

A gray and white dog with pointy ears sits outdoors, mouth open and tongue out, against a blurred background of green and yellow.

National Dog Day: Celebrate with a walk

August 21, 2025

In honor of National Dog Day on Aug. 26, Albert Lea presents a handy map of pet waste disposal stations. While providing pooches the joy of walking, running and exploring, please be sure to clean up after them for the…

City seeks comments on environmental assessment worksheet for building demolition

August 18, 2025

The City of Albert Lea is proposing the demolition of the former Broadway Theater building at 338 Broadway Ave. South after engineers assessed its condition as structurally deficient, unsafe, and uninhabitable. The city recently acquired the vacant building to facilitate…

Look for detour of Southeast Marshall

August 15, 2025

Work is scheduled to begin the week of Aug. 18 on Southeast Marshall Street. The project includes replacing the culvert between Blake Avenue and Interstate 35. Traffic will detour to East Main Street while this work is taking place. In…

Council approves 2 cannabis registrations

August 12, 2025

At its Aug. 11 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council approved two of three cannabis retailer registrations on its agenda: Christopher Gracia of New Mexico, doing business as Matchbox Farms, plans to open a retail business at 2316 Hendrickson Road.…

Check out the cutest art show in town

August 12, 2025

Community members have created beautiful 3x3-inch canvases for the Albert Lea Public Library’s Tiny Art Show. Check out the exhibit now through Sunday, Aug. 17, in the Fiction and Children's Libraries at 211 E. Clark St.

Library program: Real-world research behind fictional stories

August 12, 2025

The Albert Lea Public Library invites the public to Bring Your Own Lunch and Learn on Thursday, Aug. 14, with the program, “Research and Writing” presented by author Christopher Valen. Valen, a Minnesota native, is the award-winning author of 10…

City stops taking cannabis registrations

August 29, 2025

With the local limit of two already filled, the Albert Lea City Council voted Aug. 25 to deny a registration from Benjamin Kapple of New Mexico, doing business as Mountain Sight Vision, for a cannabis retail shop. The motion included…

Council approves changes to city charter

August 29, 2025

At its Aug. 25 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council approved three changes to the city charter as recommended by the Charter Commission. The changes take effect 90 days from the council action. No special election needed to fill vacancy…

Impaired is impaired: ALPD reminds drivers to stay sober or get pulled over

August 26, 2025

The Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) reminds drivers that impaired is impaired, whether from alcohol, cannabis products, hemp-derived THC edibles, prescription medications or sleep aids. Anyone under the influence who is considering driving should put their keys down and get…

Sewer repair closes section of Bridge Avenue until sept. 3

August 25, 2025

Bridge Avenue will be closed from Ruble Avenue to Marshall Street while the Albert Lea Utilities Department repairs a sewer line. The repair is scheduled to start the morning of Aug. 26 and will be closed until Sept. 3. Please…

Council to vote on borrowing for street projects, site cleanup

August 22, 2025

The Albert Lea City Council will consider borrowing $2 million via bonding to finance several projects at its meeting Monday. The projects include $875,000 for cleaning up contaminated soil at the Blazing Star Land for development and $435,000 for extending…

On the agenda: Changes to city charter

August 22, 2025

At its meeting Monday, the Albert Lea City Council consider three changes to the city charter as recommended by the Charter Commission (photo above). The first change addresses filling vacancies on the council: If a councilor resigns, the council would…

A gray and white dog with pointy ears sits outdoors, mouth open and tongue out, against a blurred background of green and yellow.

National Dog Day: Celebrate with a walk

August 21, 2025

In honor of National Dog Day on Aug. 26, Albert Lea presents a handy map of pet waste disposal stations. While providing pooches the joy of walking, running and exploring, please be sure to clean up after them for the…

City seeks comments on environmental assessment worksheet for building demolition

August 18, 2025

The City of Albert Lea is proposing the demolition of the former Broadway Theater building at 338 Broadway Ave. South after engineers assessed its condition as structurally deficient, unsafe, and uninhabitable. The city recently acquired the vacant building to facilitate…

Look for detour of Southeast Marshall

August 15, 2025

Work is scheduled to begin the week of Aug. 18 on Southeast Marshall Street. The project includes replacing the culvert between Blake Avenue and Interstate 35. Traffic will detour to East Main Street while this work is taking place. In…

Council approves 2 cannabis registrations

August 12, 2025

At its Aug. 11 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council approved two of three cannabis retailer registrations on its agenda: Christopher Gracia of New Mexico, doing business as Matchbox Farms, plans to open a retail business at 2316 Hendrickson Road.…

Check out the cutest art show in town

August 12, 2025

Community members have created beautiful 3x3-inch canvases for the Albert Lea Public Library’s Tiny Art Show. Check out the exhibit now through Sunday, Aug. 17, in the Fiction and Children's Libraries at 211 E. Clark St.

Library program: Real-world research behind fictional stories

August 12, 2025

The Albert Lea Public Library invites the public to Bring Your Own Lunch and Learn on Thursday, Aug. 14, with the program, “Research and Writing” presented by author Christopher Valen. Valen, a Minnesota native, is the award-winning author of 10…

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