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 expansion of almost 2,000 square feet on the back side of the store to improve…

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 Lea to near Waterville. The designation comes with grant opportunities to build the trail. Freeborn…

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 the traditional roles of the Port Authority, which focuses on industrial and infrastructure projects, and…

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 associate degree in law enforcement from Riverland Community College in Austin and finished his skills…

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. The department removed the tree from the water and is working to replace it. The city…

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 driven by a 17-year-old Albert Lea male was traveling northbound in the 200 block of…

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 approximately 7:33 p.m., ALPD officers were dispatched to the area of Front Street West and…

Albert Lea Fire Rescue responded to 410 Pillsbury Ave. at 2:40 a.m. June 20 for the report of a house fire.  Upon arrival, firefighters found fire showing on the back side of the house and throughout the second story. Firefighters extinguished the fire and remained on scene for about two hours extinguishing hot spots. No one was…

Albert Lea Fire Rescue responded to 730 Alcove St. on June 17 at 12:17 a.m. for the report of a house fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found fire showing on the north side of the home, coming out of a kitchen window. Firefighters extinguished the fire and remained on scene to cool any hot spots. No…

Dan Buettner, founder of Blue Zones, and Ellen Kehr, long-time project lead for Blue Zones Albert Lea, will serve as co- grand marshals for the July 3 parade in Albert Lea, announces the local Chamber of Commerce. With Albert Lea celebrating 10 years as the first certified Blue Zones community in the United States, the…