The City of Albert Lea recently announce Dylan Hanson as its new recreation manager. He will oversee staff and work with partners who provide recreational programming and manage several facilities, including the City Arena, Aquatic Center, Senior Center and Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. Hanson brings a great deal of facility management experience and a…

At its meeting Monday, the Albert Lea City Council held a public hearing and then voted to approve financial assistance for D & S Holdings to expand Pro Manufacturing on 209th Street, a service road off East Main Street. The company offers manufacturing, coating and delivering of steel products. Citing an increase in jobs and…

The Albert Lea Utilities Department and Wastewater Treatment Plant recently received recognition for excellence in operations from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). With only 261 of 1,600 facilities throughout Minnesota receiving this recognition, the award puts Albert Lea among the best in the state as far as treating wastewater. “This award is a great…

On Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at approximately 9:47 p.m., Albert Lea Police Department officers and Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to multiple reports of gunfire in the 500 block of Eighth Street East. During the initial investigation, officers located a residence west of the reported incident location that had been struck by a bullet,…

The Albert Lea Public Library invites the public to Bring Your Own Lunch and Learn on Thursday, Nov. 12, with the program, “History of the Albert Lea Fire Rescue Department” presented by Firefighter Brandi Krenz. Krenz will share the story of the formation and development of the department, from a volunteer bucket brigade to the…

At its meeting Monday, the Albert Lea City Council will hold a public hearing and then vote on financial assistance for D & S Holdings to expand Pro Manufacturing on 209th Street, a service road off East Main Street. The company offers manufacturing, coating and delivering of steel products. To help increase jobs and the…

On Nov. 4, 2026, at approximately 4:53 p.m., the Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) responded to a crash involving a vehicle and a bicyclist at the intersection of Front Street and Madison Avenue. An 11-year-old male bicyclist traveling westbound on the south sidewalk of Front Street collided with a northbound vehicle making a right turn…

In the Nov. 3 general election, Albert Lea voters chose a new member for their city council: Joey Neely will represent Ward 4. Neely was elected with 721 votes (68.7%), compared to challenger Charles Alkula, who received 325 votes (30.9%). The current councilor, Reid Olson, opted to step down at the end of his current…

Captain Kurt Wallace of Albert Lea Fire Rescue recently returned from the Firefighter World Championship in Las Vegas with three medals, a new Minnesota state record, and a top-tier standing on the global stage. The elite competition brought together athletes representing more than 21 countries with 381 medals awarded across all divisions. “The grueling nature…

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: As part of the project,…