Albert Lea Fire Rescue (ALFR) responded to 509 Minnesota Ave. on Aug. 31 at 4:56 a.m. for the report of a garage fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found a three-stall garage fully involved in fire along with a boat sitting in front of the garage near the alley on fire. Fire crews worked to extinguish the fire…

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…

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.…

At its Aug. 10 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council will vote on the following: How to learn more and provide inputTo learn more and provide input, residents may: Watch the Aug. 10 meeting online

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…

Artist rendering showing where the statue will be placed in downtown Albert Lea. 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 north of…

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 27 meeting. To sustain these facilities for current and future generations, the city implemented long-term…

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 feet on the back side of the store to improve fueling operations, food preparation, service…

: Albert Lea Fire Captain Kurt Wallace, at left, and Firefighter Kyo Htoo recently competed in the Firefighter Challenge Midwest Region Classic. Wallace earned four medals and set three records during the competition.

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 weather, Thursdays will be the back-up days for the remainder of the summer. The company…