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Buckle up for safety!
Because using a seatbelt is the best defense against injury or death in a vehicle crash, the Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) is cracking down on seatbelt and car seat violations through the end of September. In 2024, 106 people who died in traffic crashes were not wearing a seatbelt. Also, the law requires children…
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Reported threats of violence
On Sept. 22, 2025, at approximately 7:30 a.m., the Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) and Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office received information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding a potential threat of violence intercepted through social media monitoring. Upon receiving this information, ALPD school resource officers immediately notified, at approximately 7:45 a.m., District 241…
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Arena projects: Ice this fall in main rink, later in practice rink
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…
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New police sergeants take oath of office
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…
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‘Flavors without Borders’ to highlight cultures of Albert Lea
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…
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Safety Day a fun and free way to connect with community resources
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…
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City stops taking cannabis registrations
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 a halt to accepting local registrations. While the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management issues state…
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Council approves changes to city charter
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 The first change addresses filling vacancies on the council. If a councilor resigns, the council…
