News Releases

Albert Lea Police Department seeks community assistance in park vandalism investigation, April 12, 2025
The Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying witnesses and/or suspects involved in significant vandalism at Fountain Lake Park, 100 Fountain St.

Arena construction: Recreation Office moving to City Garage, April 11, 2025
Until construction is complete at the City Arena, 701 Lake Chapeau Drive, the Recreation Office is moving to the City Garage. The office will be closed Monday, April 14, while staff relocate. After that, residents can register for programs, rent a pavilion, pick up keys for pavilion rentals, or take care of other recreation business at the City Garage, 414 Commercial St. Please use the main entrance on Madison Avenue.

Structure fire at Albert Lea house, April 2, 2025
Albert Lea Fire Rescue responded to 809 Clark St. W. Wednesday, April 2, at 7 a.m. for a reported house fire. Employees of Jim and Dude’s noticed smoke coming from the building and called 911. Fire crews arrived on scene and found smoke coming from the house on all three levels. One person was in the house at the time of the fire and that person was exiting upon Fire Rescue’s arrival.

Public safety director to retire, Albert Lea proposes changes to police and fire departments, March 24, 2025
After 28 years of dedicated service to Albert Lea, Public Safety Director J.D. Carlson has announced his intention to retire, effective June 27, 2025. He started as a patrol officer in 1997 and moved up to lieutenant and deputy director before taking the director position in 2018.

City proposes removal of 4 hazardous structures, including former downtown theater, March 21, 2025
The City of Albert Lea is proposing to remove four hazardous structures to protect public safety, including the downtown building that once housed the Broadway Theater. The other three structures are houses in residential areas. All four properties are vacant and owned by private parties.

Albert Lea crime rate lowest since 2018, Feb. 28, 2025
The Albert Lea Police Department reports that the local crime rate dropped in 2024 to the lowest level since 2018, based on a statewide crime reporting system that went into effect in 2017. The 2024 rate continues a decreasing trend over the last 4 years.

Albert Lea seeks applicants for Human Rights Commission, Feb. 10, 2025
The City of Albert Lea is seeking 7 members for its Human Right Commission after putting this volunteer board on pause since the pandemic in 2020. City leaders are reactivating the commission in response to residents expressing interest in serving.

Albert Lea Charter Commission seeks new member, Jan. 31, 2025
The City of Albert Lea seeks candidates for one open seat on its Charter Commission. This volunteer commission reviews the City Charter to ensure its compliance with all applicable state and federal laws. The commission also works to make sure the charter responds to the needs of Albert Lea residents. It meets annually in May with each of the 7 members serving a 4-year term.

Structure fire at Albert Lea home, Jan 3, 2025
Albert Lea Fire Rescue responded to 1814 Viking Ave. Thursday, Jan. 2, at 3 p.m. for a reported house fire. Fire crews arrived on scene and found the home fully involved in fire. It was unsure at the time of arrival if anyone was inside the home so firefighters made entry to search the home. A short time later they were able to confirm that all occupants were able to exit the home safely.

Albert Lea, Freeborn County encourage a greener Christmas, Dec. 4, 2024
The City of Albert Lea and Freeborn County encourage residents to embrace a more sustainable holiday season by reducing waste, reusing items and recycling holiday materials.

Albert Lea police arrest Austin resident for solicitation of a minor, Nov. 5, 2024
The Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) announces the arrest of Gerardo Noe Guerrero, a 31-year-old resident of Austin, Minn., for solicitation of a minor and communication of sexually explicit material to children. This arrest was made on Nov. 5, 2024, as part of an ongoing investigation by the ALPD.

41 Albert Lea businesses pass compliance checks for tobacco and alcohol, Nov. 4, 2024
On Nov. 1 the Albert Lea Police Department conducted its most recent wave of tobacco and alcohol compliance checks throughout the city. Officers supervised decoys under age 21 who attempted to purchase tobacco and alcohol products in 46 establishments, resulting in five violations. Employees of The 112 on Broadway, Cento Wood-Fire Pizzeria + Café, Eastside Liquor, Elbow Room and the Loyal Order of Moose conducted illegal sales.

Albert Lea holds elections Nov. 5, Oct. 31, 2024
Albert Lea voters head to the polls Nov. 5 to elect three city councilors, all running unopposed in their wards.

Apartment fire, Oct. 13, 2024
Albert Lea Fire Rescue was dispatched to a structure fire at 1904 Bridge Ave., Apartment 107, at 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12. Fire crews and law enforcement arrived on scene to find light smoke coming from the apartment.

Church roof replacement: Clark Street detour to start Monday, Sept. 6, 2024
Clark Street along Central Park in Albert Lea, from St. Mary to West Avenue, will be closed starting Monday, Sept. 9, for a roofing project at First Lutheran Church. Motorists and pedestrians will need to detour around this section of Clark Street until the project is done, expected in mid-October.

Brookside boat landing closed Sept. 3-5 for equipment removal, Aug. 28, 2024
With the habitat project completed for Fountain Lake, the Brookside boat landing, 623 Richway Drive, will be closed Tuesday through possibly Thursday, Sept. 3-5, for equipment removal.

Public dock prep: Bridge Avenue detour to start Monday, Aug. 22, 2024
Bridge Avenue from Katherine to Fountain Street in Albert Lea will be closed starting Monday, Aug. 26, as crews prepare the area for installation of a public dock.

Public hearing Tuesday on zoning for adult-focused businesses, Aug. 2, 2024
Planning Commission to review draft law on cannabis, off-sale liquor, tobacco and sexually-oriented entities

Structure fire at Albert Lea home, Aug. 1, 2024
Albert Lea Fire Rescue responded to 205 Giles Place Wednesday, July 31, at 8:15 p.m. for a reported basement fire.

Albert Lea wastewater spill contained, long-term repairs underway, June 24, 2024
The City of Albert Lea has contained a spill of wastewater from a break in the sewer main along South Shore Drive that carries wastewater from Albert Lea to its treatment plant. While the Public Works Department is evaluating long-term repair options, the city advises the public to:

Make a splash safely this summer: City of Albert Lea shares pool regulations and safety tips, June 13, 2024
With the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1 to 4 years old, the City of Albert Lea is urging residents to be aware of pool safety and local regulations.

2 incumbents, 1 newcomer file for Albert Lea City Council, June 5, 2024
Three candidates – two incumbents and one newcomer – have filed for the three seats up for election on the Albert Lea City Council. All three will run unopposed in their wards.

Spraying for mosquito control starts Wednesday in Albert Lea, June 4, 2024
Albert Lea will resume its weekly mosquito control program Wednesday, June 5, after dusk. This year marks the return of spraying following a dry year in 2023. The City of Albert Lea has contracted Mosquito Control of Iowa to handle the spraying service.

Draft zoning law would limit locations for new adult-focused businesses, May 20, 2024
May 22 open house: Learn more and provide input
The City of Albert Lea is proposing a zoning law that would limit the locations for new cannabis, off-sale liquor, tobacco and sexually-oriented businesses. The community is invited to learn more and provide input about the proposal at an open house Wednesday, May 22, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 221 E. Clark St. City representatives will be available to answer questions and take input, with a presentation at 5:15 p.m.

Traffic crash in Albert Lea, May 19, 2024
On May 19, 2024 at approximately 1:12 p.m., the Albert Lea Police Department (ALPD) was dispatched to a vehicle versus motorcycle crash near the intersection of Bridge Avenue and Westron Street. Officers arrived on scene and located the motorcycle driver lying in the roadway injured. Medical attention was provided and the driver was later transported to Mayo Clinic Health System-Albert Lea via ambulance.

Filings open May 21 for Albert Lea City Council seats, May 17, 2024
The City of Albert Lea is studying how to best regulate off-sale liquor, cannabis, tobacco and sexually-oriented businesses.

Albert Lea City Council puts pause on new off-sale liquor, cannabis, tobacco and sexually-oriented businesses, May 13, 2024
To ensure an equitable approach to regulating off-sale alcohol, cannabis, tobacco and sexually-oriented businesses, the Albert Lea City Council decided tonight to put a pause on applications for new, expanding or relocating these types of businesses. The moratorium will be 6 months or less.

Emerald ash borer confirmed in Albert Lea, May 10, 2024
The City of Albert Lea urges residents to have their ash trees assessed for emerald ash borer damage after the Minnesota Department of Agriculture confirmed this destructive insect in many areas of the community this spring.

Structure Fire in Albert Lea, May 7, 2024
Albert Lea Fire Rescue responded to 1201 Southview Lane today, May 7, at 9:30 a.m. for smoke coming from a bedroom window. Upon arrival fire crews found smoke coming from the back side of the home.

Unwanted medications? Take them to the box to protect people and the planet, April 23, 2024
The Albert Lea Police Department and Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office encourage residents to bring their unwanted medications to a collection program Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the parking lot of Wal-Mart, 1550 Blake Ave.

Doing good by doing well, April 2024
To Brandon Huston, wastewater treatment is about not just protecting the environment, but creating a better life for humankind.
(This article appeared in the April 2024 issue of TPO magazine, copyright COLE Publishing, www.tpomag.com.)

Dive into fun – and water safety – with Albert Lea’s Aquatic Center, April 3, 2024
The original Albert Lea city pool opened at 321 James Ave. on Memorial Day in 1977 with the official dedication ceremony later on June 12. At that ceremony, then-Mayor O.H. Hagen and former Mayor Niles Shoff cut a ribbon to open the pool with dozens of eager swimmers jumping in right afterward. The pool measured 50 by 52 feet with an additional 50-foot-square diving well. It held 450,000 gallons of water.

Voters to decide future of Albert Lea rec facilities, April 3, 2024
Albert Lea voters will decide April 9 whether to approve the city borrowing up to $9.8 million to improve the City Arena, Marion Ross Theater, Aquatic Center and Splash Pad. The city would pay off the bonds over 20 years. The cost to individual taxpayers would depend on their property values. For a home valued at $100,000, the additional cost would be $47.50 per year or less than $4 per month.

Spring cleaning? Think twice before you toss! April 2, 2024
The City of Albert Lea and Freeborn County recommend a few ways to lighten the load – and the environmental impact – while spring cleaning this season.

Restrooms for splashers, shoppers and more, April 1, 2024
The City of Albert Lea is asking voters on April 9 to approve up to $9.8 million in funding to improve rec facilities, including building restrooms near the Splash Pad at 107 Fountain St.

Marion Ross Performing Arts Center showcases talent, April 1, 2024
The Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, 147 N. Broadway Ave., is a historic building in downtown Albert Lea. The theater has a spacious lobby, fully-equipped lighting and sound system, and projector. It seats 255 people. With an auditorium and downstairs meeting space, the theater is an ideal facility for business meetings and seminars. An elevator offers accessibility for the interior.

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