-
Mayor taking applications for Ward 3 City Council seat
Albert Lea Mayor Rich Murray is taking applications to fill the Ward 3 City Council seat recently vacated by Jason Howland. Under city ordinance, the mayor may appoint a resident to serve until holding a special election in conjunction with the general election on Nov. 3, 2026. Applicants must be at least age 18 and…
-
Ward 3 City Councilor Howland to step down
Albert Lea City Councilor Jason Howland plans to announce his resignation from the Ward 3 seat at the Jan. 12 council meeting. Howland, who was first elected in 2016, is moving to Wabasha, Minn. He also serves as the council representative on the Parks and Recreation Board, Convention and Visitors Bureau Board and Shell Rock…
-
Albert Lea Family YMCA and Blue Zones launch indoor walking moai to promote health, connection and longevity
This winter, Blue Zones Albert Lea invites residents to experience a proven practice that makes healthy movement simple, social and sustainable. The Albert Lea Family YMCA and Blue Zones Albert Lea are partnering to offer a free indoor walking moai, which is a small, committed walking group designed to build lifelong habits through movement and…
-
Albert Lea police respond to report of shooting
On Jan. 3, 2026, at approximately 10:54 p.m., the Albert Lea Police Department responded to a report of a shooting in the area of the 100 block of South Second Avenue. Officers learned that two individuals inside a vehicle were shot at by an unknown suspect. No injuries were reported as a result of the…
-
Attic Fire
Albert Lea Fire Rescue responded to 17826 760th Ave on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 8:08 p.m. for the report of an attic fire. Fire crews responded and found a 2-story home with smoke coming from the eaves. Access was made to the attic space and the fire was extinguished. Crews remained on scene for 2 hours…
-
Influence local decisions by joining a city board or commission
Local residents can directly influence city policies, planning, and programs by volunteering for an Albert Lea board or commission. The City of Albert Lea has several openings on boards that advise the city council on various decisions, helping shape outcomes that affect daily life, from parks and recreation to zoning issues and the airport. In…
-
Join the Planning Commission and shape how Albert Lea grows
Albert Lea needs 300 more units to meet local housing needs. Both the north and south industrial parks are nearly out of space for additional businesses. Several properties throughout the city are in poor condition and need either removal or rehabbing. These are some of the issues that the Planning Commission will advise the Albert…
-
Reduce, reuse, rejoice: Go green for the holidays
Freeborn County recycled more than 14,000 tons of material last year, an increase over the previous year. The City of Albert Lea and Freeborn County encourage residents to keep up the good work and recycle even more, especially during the holidays, when the average Minnesotan throws away 25% more stuff. Freeborn County generated 24,000 tons…
-
How to increase jobs? Expand industrial park
With both the south and north industrial parks in Albert Lea both nearly full, local leaders are taking steps to attract more businesses and the jobs that come with them. The south industrial park has few open properties for new or expanding businesses. The city originally zoned the area in the 1950s as a mix of…
-
Council: Phase in some license increases
At its Dec. 8 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council decided to phase in higher fees for on-sale liquor licenses. The decision came after hearing from business owners at a Nov. 24 public hearing. The fee increase will be the first in 21 years. Since then, the costs of overseeing the licenses, including annual compliance…
