No injuries reported in Albert Lea garage fire, July 28, 2023
No injuries were reported in a fire at 110 Ermina Ave. N., Albert Lea, Thursday afternoon. Albert Lea Fire Rescue was dispatched at 3:24 p.m. July 27 to the home, where crews found the detached garage engulfed in flames. They confirmed no one was inside the garage and the resident was standing outside the home.
No injuries reported in Albert Lea house fire Sunday, July 10, 2023
No injuries were reported in a fire at 1219 Clark St. W., Albert Lea, Sunday afternoon. Albert Lea Fire Rescue was dispatched at 4:24 p.m. July 9 to the home, where crews found smoke coming from roof vents. They confirmed no one was inside the house.
Albert Lea man faces homicide charges in death of a child, July 7, 2023
On July 6, 2023, at 11:43 a.m., the Albert Lea Police Department and Fire Rescue were dispatched to 504 James Ave., Apartment 104, in support of a 2-year-old child reported as unresponsive. Follow-up communications indicated that the child had fallen down the apartment stairs. Upon arrival, responders determined that the child was breathing. The child was later identified as Ahziyas Bellemy Solo-Dampha, age 2.
No injuries reported in Albert Lea house fire, July 1, 2023
No injuries were reported in a fire at 507 Commercial St., Albert Lea, Friday evening. Albert Lea Fire Rescue was dispatched at 8:21 p.m. June 30 to the home, where crews found fire coming from both levels of the house. They confirmed no one was inside the house.
Join the Planning Commission and shape the community’s growth, June 9, 2023
Serving on the Planning Commission is a great way to contribute to Albert Lea’s growth and development.
Minor injury reported in Albert Lea house fire, June 5, 2023
A firefighter was treated for a minor injury at the scene of a house fire at 1316 S. Broadway Ave., Albert Lea, early today. Albert Lea Fire Rescue and Police Department were dispatched to the report of large fire in the area of South Broadway and Seventh Avenues at 12:18 a.m. Monday, June 5.
Join the Charter Commission and shape the future of Albert Lea’s government, April 27, 2023
If interested in shaping the future of the City of Albert Lea’s government, then consider joining the Charter Commission. The charter is like the city’s constitution. The 7-member commission is responsible for reviewing and recommending changes to the charter, which includes items like the powers and duties of elected officials, procedures for elections and appointments, and regulations for city departments.
Blazing Star Landing in Albert Lea: From vacant and contaminated to developed and award-winning, April 24, 2023
The City of Albert Lea recently won a Community Impact Award for the Front Street Apartments project at the Blazing Star Landing. The award highlights the success of the $1.26 million cleanup of 3.4 acres that cleared the way for a private developer to build a $5.9 million apartment complex.
Work to resume on new water tower in downtown Albert Lea, April 14, 2023
Work will soon resume on the new water tower at the corner of Fountain Street and Newton Avenue. Along with some construction noise and dust, the public can expect occasional closings of Newton Avenue from Clark to Fountain. The goal is to keep Newton Avenue open until the project is complete in mid-July, weather permitting.
Home Town Pride Clean-up Day scheduled for April 29, April 13, 2023
The City of Albert Lea is sponsoring its annual spring clean-up day on Saturday, April 29, 2023, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Albert Lea Police Department: Hands free is hands free, April 5, 2023
Extra enforcement of texting and driving law on Minnesota roads in April
Hands free means hands free – except for the steering wheel – when driving. Drivers in Albert Lea and Freeborn County will see increased enforcement of Minnesota’s “hands free” law in April. Distracted driving is as great of a concern as impaired driving and speeding, according to the Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD), which reminds drivers that holding your phone while driving is illegal.
City urges dog and cat licensing to protect pets and community, March 23, 2023
Licensing pets in Albert Lea is essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of both the pets and the community. If a pet gets lost, license tags can assist police officers in safely returning the pet to its owner. Licensing also requires proof of vaccinations. Vaccinations prevent diseases that are harmful to pets and people.
Albert Lea police report lowest crime rate in 5 years, March 20, 2023
The Albert Lea Police Department reports that local crime continues to decrease, and in 2022 dropped to the lowest rate in 5 years, based on a statewide crime reporting system.
Albert Lea 2040: City plans for growing in people, jobs, housing and amenities, March 10, 2023
The City of Albert Lea – already facing a shortage of workers and housing options – is ready to adopt a long-range plan to guide future growth and development. The Albert Lea City Council will vote on an update to the community’s Comprehensive Plan at its meeting March 13.
Study: Pedestrians need to ‘push the button’ when crossing Bridge Avenue at Hawthorne, March 9, 2023
“Push the button to alert drivers” – that’s the advice for pedestrians crossing Bridge Avenue at Hawthorne Street, where they can activate a flashing beacon to signal vehicles to stop while they cross. The Albert Lea Police Department is issuing that advice based on a pedestrian-crossing and vehicle speed study of Bridge Avenue between Hawthorne and Sheridan streets in late 2022.
Logo refresh for Albert Lea? Public invited to presentation, Feb. 15, 2023
The City of Albert Lea invites local residents to a presentation Thursday on refreshing its logo – adopted in 1977 – with a modern font, warmer colors and updated design. City Manager Ian Rigg will give the presentation at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, in the City Council chambers on the top floor of City Hall, 221 E. Clark St.
Albert Lea Fire Rescue respond to house fire, cause appears to be battery failure during charging, Jan. 24, 2023
Albert Lea Fire Rescue and Police Department were dispatched at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, to a house fire at 203 Giles Place. Upon arrival, fire crews found the occupants outside the home with smoke coming from the west side of the house. The occupants said they had returned home, after being away for about 4 hours, to find thick black smoke coming from the home. They were able to retrieve one dog, but two dogs and one cat remained in the home. They opened the doors to let out the remaining pets, but none came out.
No injuries reported in fire at cold-storage warehouse, Jan. 18, 2023
No injuries were reported in a roof fire at Vortex Cold Storage, 311 14th St. East, Albert Lea, on Tuesday afternoon. Albert Lea Fire Rescue and Police Department were dispatched at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 17 to the warehouse facility. Upon arrival, fire crews learned from Vortex personnel that a small area of the roof, which was under repair, was on fire.
Legacy of health: Blue Zones project lead retires, Nov. 29, 2022
Ellen Kehr has championed Blue Zones in Albert Lea since its 2009 pilot project. Under her leadership, Albert Lea was certified as the first Blue Zones community in the U.S., meaning the city and community partners work to make healthier choices easier for everyone, from physical activity along trails to nutritious foods at schools and worksites.
Exceptions to the rules: Board hears appeals from builders, homeowners, Nov. 16, 2022
Equity. Public health and safety. Neighborhood characteristics. The Albert Lea Board of Appeals weighs these factors and more when considering exceptions to zoning rules. These rules cover land use and development, usually related to the height, bulk and density of different building projects. To deviate from zoning rules, property owners need a variance, or permission, to do so.
Input invited for proposed trail from Albert Lea to Hartland, Oct. 27, 2022
Residents, businesses and officials are invited to learn more and provide feedback on a Trail Action Plan for a former rail corridor from Albert Lea to Hartland.
One arrested after vehicle pursuit in Albert Lea, Oct. 24, 2022
Jose Martinez, age 31, was arrested after leading Albert Lea Police and Freeborn County Sheriff’s Deputies on a vehicle pursuit this afternoon. Martinez, who has an active felony arrest warrant out of Mower County and no valid driver’s license, was spotted driving a 2006 Buick Lucerne on Southeast Broadway Avenue in Albert Lea at 12:19 p.m. today, Oct. 24. An Albert Lea police officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop when Martinez increased speed and fled in the vehicle. Martinez traveled east on Main Street and eventually turned northbound on Interstate 35 with two flat tires. Martinez crashed his vehicle into the median-barrier cables just south of State Highway 30. He was then taken into custody without incident.
Albert Lea Fire Rescue: Practice fire drill tonight, attend open house Saturday, Oct. 12, 2022
As part of Fire Prevention Week, Albert Lea Fire Rescue urges everyone to take part in Operation EDITH, which stands for Exit Drills In The Home. This annual fire drill will take place at 7 p.m. today, with civil defense sirens sounding. Take this time to practice your home escape plan in case of a fire.
Albert Lea Police investigating shooting, no injuries reported, Oct. 5, 2022
On Oct. 4 at approximately 9:34 p.m., Albert Lea Police responded to several 911 calls reporting a shooting at the parking lot at 201 N. Broadway Ave., known locally as the “North Lot.”
Albert Lea Police Department investigating fatality, Oct. 5, 2022
On Oct. 4 at approximately 11:30 p.m., Albert Lea Police responded to the Union Pacific railroad crossing near the intersection of Garfield Avenue and Ramsey Street after receiving a report from the train operations crew that an individual had been run over by the locomotive. The train was traveling southeast approaching this crossing when the crew observed a person laying across the railroad tracks. Immediate actions to stop the train before striking the person were unsuccessful.
Albert Lea proceeding with demo of 2 buildings on Broadway Avenue to protect public safety, Sept. 13, 2022
Demolition is underway this morning of the vacant and hazardous buildings at 324 and 332 Broadway Ave. after the Albert Lea City Council authorized emergency spending Monday night of up to $250,000 for their removal.
No inuries reported in Albert Lea house fire Thursday, Sept. 9, 2022
Albert Lea Fire Rescue extinguished a house fire at 1700 Eberhart St. Thursday morning, with no injuries reported.
City of Albert Lea proposing local regulations on THC products, Sept. 6, 2022
City to present law changes to school board, the public and other organizations for inputTo protect people under age 21 from the risks of THC, the psychoactive compound in hemp, the City of Albert Lea is considering adding to its tobacco law and sales regulations THC products legalized by the Minnesota Legislature earlier this year.
Who let the goats out? Aug. 25, 2022
The City of Albert Lea recently hired Goats on the Go, a southern Minnesota company that provides prescribed grazing to control vegetation. The city owns land on Eunice Drive atop a bluff over Albert Lea Lake. Buckthorn and other undesired plants had overtaken the property and was spreading to residential lots. Instead of mowing or applying herbicides, which can lead to erosion and runoff that hurt water quality, the city decided to try this natural technique.
One-of-a-kind recycling business thriving in Albert Lea, Aug. 11, 2022
Infinite Recycled Technologies has found Albert Lea to be an ideal place to locate its unique glass recycling business.
Work with a view: New water tower taking shape, Aug. 3, 2022
The water tower at the corner of Newton Avenue and Fountain Street is making a big impact on the community, changing its skyline for decades to come and awing residents as it takes shape. The new tower, replacing one built in 1938, will hold 1 million gallons of water and cost $7 million. At 179.5 feet tall – 18 stories – it will stand 44.5 feet higher than the original tower.
You’re Invited: 100th birthday bash for Edgewater Park, Aug. 1, 2022
With 18 picnic tables scattered over 20 acres, Edgewater Park opened to the public on Aug. 13 in 1922. Today the park offers much more than picnic tables across its 60 acres, including playgrounds, fishing piers and pavilions. Albert Lea will celebrate the park’s 100th anniversary this Aug. 12 – 13 with a party of the century, and everyone is invited!
City proceeding with demo of two hazardous buildings downtown
The Albert Lea City Council will vote July 11 on declaring an order for demolishing the buildings at 332 and 324 S. Broadway Ave. These vacant buildings were in disrepair when the City acquired them through tax forfeiture.
Filings for Albert Lea City Council close with full slate of candidates, June 1, 2022
Filings for the Albert Lea City Council closed May 31 with a full slate of candidates. Albert Lea will have a new mayor after incumbent Vern Rasmussen Jr. has decided to step down after serving as mayor since 2012 and as ward 1 councilor before that. Ward 1 will have a new councilor after incumbent Rich Murray filed for mayor. And Ward 6 will have a new city councilor after long-time incumbent Al “Minnow” Brooks has decided not to run again.
Filings open May 17 for 5 of 7 Albert Lea City Council seats, May 12, 2022
Filings open May 17 for five of the seven seats on the Albert Lea City Council.
Albert Lea Summer to Sizzle with Fun, May 4, 2022
What do Willy Wonka, a magician, best-selling authors and a Tex-Mex band all have in common? They’re all coming to Albert Lea in the next few months!
Keep property neat to protect health and safety of community, April 25, 2022
To protect our community’s health, safety and aesthetics, the Albert Lea Police Department enforces laws that regulate trash, junk vehicles and grass height.
Albert Lea City Council to vote on trail agreement, change in alcohol sales and property grants, April 22, 2022
The Albert Lea City Council will vote at its April 25 meeting on a joint powers agreement with Freeborn County to develop a former railroad bed into a pedestrian trail within city limits. Under the agreement the city would assume responsibility for operating, maintaining and repairing the trail while the county would retain ownership.
Downtown Albert Lea on the upswing with events, building fixes, April 12, 2022
Historic downtown Albert Lea is on the upswing with more than three dozen events held throughout the year and owners continuing to make building improvements.
Council decides to take proposals for skate park area, vacant lots March 28, 2022
City to keep beach, move skate park
At its March 28 meeting, the Albert Lea City Council voted 5-2 to advertise for proposals to develop a private marina, with new restrooms and perhaps a restaurant, in the skate park area of City Beach, 300 Johnson St. The City would move the skate park to a different area with the public beach remaining in place.
City proposing removal of two buildings on Broadway Avenue to protect public safety March 10, 2022
With vacant buildings at 324 and 332 Broadway Ave. already collapsing, the City of Albert Lea is proposing their demolition to prevent damage to the rest of the block and to protect public safety
No injuries reported in kitchen fire at Albert Lea home February 28, 2022
No injuries were reported in an Albert Lea home fire today that started in the kitchen area, according to the Albert Lea Fire Rescue Department. Albert Lea police and fire crews were dispatched to 618 Freeborn Ave. at 10:22 a.m. Feb. 28 after a neighbor reported the fire.
Due to growth, Albert Lea redistricting city council wards 1 and 2 February 25, 2022
Due to bringing in new areas and growing in population, the City of Albert Lea is redistricting its council wards for the first time since 1992. To assure equal representation for elected offices, City Clerk Daphney Maras is recommending that some voters shift from Ward 1 in northern Albert Lea to Ward 2 in the more central part of the city (see map at right).
Detective commended for investigation that took sex offender offline Friday, February 17, 2022
In September 2018, Albert Lea Police Detective Julie Lynne Kohl received a call from the Albany, Ore., Police Department inquiring about a registered sex offender residing in Albert Lea. After asking a few questions, Kohl got to work, starting a case that would take a little over 3 years and result in a sentence of life plus 10 years for a child pornographer, the longest sentence for any crime in Albert Lea’s recent history.
Jacobson building in downtown Albert Lea: Preserving history one piece at a time Wednesday, February 16, 2022
The front of the Jacobson Building in downtown Albert Lea is like a rare piece of art, with terra cotta pieces forming ornate designs of flowers, faces and other motifs. But this façade is cracking and breaking loose in places, with falling pieces posing a threat to pedestrians below.
Community encouraged to honor fallen firefighter Brett Boss at processional Saturday Wednesday, February 9, 2022
The community is encouraged to honor the late Lieutenant Brett Boss of Albert Lea Fire Rescue by viewing a processional Saturday of fire trucks and other vehicles. The processional will start around 4:15 p.m. Feb. 12 from his funeral at Crossroads Church and end at the Albert Lea Fire Station.
City seeking funding toward $60 million wastewater project Friday, January 21, 2022
The City of Albert Lea is working with local legislators to secure $30 million in state funding toward a major upgrade at the City’s wastewater treatment plant. This plant treats 3.5 million gallons of wastewater on average every day. This is where all the water from sinks, washers, tub, toilets and factory processing – 7,300 homes and businesses total – goes for cleanup. After treatment, the plant, which is located southeast of the City, discharges the water to the Shell Rock River.