On Sept. 21, 2026, shortly after midnight, an Albert Lea Police Department officer was patrolling near Albert Lea High School when he observed a door to the building propped open. Additional officers responded and entered the school to search for anyone who may have been inside. No one was located during the search. Officers discovered…

The Albert Lea City Council, Hayward City Council and Freeborn County Board all voted the week of Sept. 14 to send a joint letter that urges the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to complete the remaining half-mile gravel section of the Blazing Star State Trail. Leaders emphasize that the trail has been 20-plus years…

On Sept. 15, 2026, at approximately 9:11 p.m., officers with the Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) were dispatched to the 1000 block of South Broadway Avenue following a report of a possible stabbing. Initial information indicated that a man had entered a nearby business to report that a stabbing may have occurred at a nearby…

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