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Injury traffic crash
On Nov. 8, 2025, at approximately 2:46 p.m., Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) officers were dispatched to a report of a two-vehicle crash with multiple injuries near the intersection of County Road 46 and 775th Avenue. A 2012 Chevy Express G1500 van driven by 32-year-old Anna Christine Lindell of Albert Lea had been traveling westbound…
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Library to host program on planting for pollinators
The Albert Lea Public Library invites the public to Bring Your Own Lunch and Learn on Thursday, Nov. 13, with the program, “Pollinator Plantings” presented by Caitlin Olson, a coach with the Lawns to Legumes program of the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources. The City of Albert Lea recently changed its tall grass…
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Council to consider deal to develop vacant lot
The Albert Lea City Council will vote Monday on an agreement with a private developer to build workforce housing on a city-owned vacant lot at 610 E. Fourth St. The city acquired the property through tax forfeiture and removed a house on the lot due its hazardous condition in 2022. Earlier this year, the council…
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Council to vote on final street assessments
At its meeting Monday, the Albert Lea City Council will hold public hearings and then vote on setting assessments for several street projects completed in 2025: The council will also vote on: The Nov. 10 work session starts at 5:30 p.m. and the regular meeting at 7 p.m. Both are open to the public and…
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44 Albert Lea retailers pass alcohol, tobacco compliance checks
The Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) is recognizing 44 local retailers for successfully passing recent state-required compliance checks for alcohol and tobacco sales. Officers conducted compliance checks at 47 licensed establishments throughout the city to ensure retailers are following laws that prohibit sales of alcohol and tobacco products to individuals younger than 21 years old.…
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Supporting neighbors
More than 3,400 residents in Freeborn County rely on hunger assistant programs like SNAP, including senior citizens and working families. That’s more than 1 out of 10 local residents. SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. With the federal government shut down, SNAP is scheduled to be suspended on Nov. 1 until funding resumes. In…
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Firefighters Bonnerup and Htoo take oath of office
Fire Chief Jeff Laskowske introduced two full-time firefighters, Blair Bonnerup and Kyo Htoo, at the Oct. 27 City Council meeting for an official swearing-in ceremony. Bonnerup started with Albert Lea Fire Rescue in May 2024 after serving with the Hollandale Fire Department. Laskowske noted that even as a full-time member in Albert Lea, Bonnerup continues…
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City taking new approach to wastewater upgrades
With stricter pollution limits in place and changes in state grants, the City of Albert Lea has decided to take a phased approach to upgrading its wastewater treatment plant. Built in 1981, the plant needs to replace aging infrastructure while meeting a stricter limit on phosphorus, the nutrient that grows algae, in its state permit.…
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Open to the public!
The Albert Lea City Arena, closed to the public for several months due to construction, is back open with a bigger lobby, remodeled offices and revamped skate rental area. Ice in the Nystrom Rink is ready for use! Work continues on the Colstrup Rink. After moving back from the City Garage last week, the Recreation…
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Council accepts bid for theater demo
At its Oct. 13 meeting the Albert Lea City Council voted to accept the low bid of $374,000 for demolition of the former Broadway Theater at 338 S. Broadway Ave. Dulas Excavating of Wells will remove the hazardous building along with the foundation walls at adjacent properties, 324 and 332 S. Broadway Ave. The city…
