As contracted by the City of Albert Lea, the Front Street bridge is undergoing repairs (map below). Workers are chipping away deteriorated concrete around the bridge pilings and will then apply a high-performance epoxy coating to help prevent wave and ice damage. Look for traffic changes over the next 2-3 weeks. Follow the City of…

At its Sept. 14 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council will consider a resolution  to send a joint letter with Freeborn County and City of Hayward calling on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to pave the remaining half-mile gravel section of the Blazing Star State Trail. The trail reached a major milestone in…

Lane Ohl, WWTP maintenance worker, tests out one of the e-bikes. At Albert Lea’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, getting around the 40-acre facility is looking a little different. Instead of firing up a four-wheeler or climbing into a pickup, wastewater staff can now hop on an electric bike, thanks to a state grant. The City of…

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…