Albert Lea Tribune

07/23/2025

A 2-year-old girl was injured Wednesday morning after two vehicles collided on U.S. Highway 69 in Nunda Township.

A 2-year-old girl was injured Wednesday morning after two vehicles collided on U.S. Highway 69 in Nunda Township. Payton Ann Leibeg of Emmons was taken to Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea for injuries deemed not life-threatening, according to a Minnesota State Patrol crash report. She was a p...

07/23/2025

The local area is under a heat advisory from noon through 8 p.m. Wednesday as heat index values up to 101 are expected.

The local area is under a heat advisory from noon through 8 p.m. Wednesday as heat index values up to 101 are expected. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses, according to the National Weather Service. The weather agency advises people to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-...

07/23/2025

An Albert Lea man was sentenced Tuesday to five years and five months in prison after receiving a package with co***ne in February 2024.

An Albert Lea man was sentenced Tuesday to five years and five months in prison after receiving a package with co***ne in February 2024. Freeborn County District Court Judge Ross Leuning found Juan Manuel Mendez, 48, guilty of one count of first-degree drug possession, involving more than 50 grams o...

07/22/2025

“My observation is this is a place where people really care about each other and want to be there for each other and want this place to be a place where you can land and know that you’re cared for and you belong,” he said.

First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea decided last month to bring in the Rev. Ryan Stevenson-Cosgrove to join the church’s staff as lead pastor. This comes about six months after taking on Mary Fiel as program pastor. Both new pastors said they are excited about the successful ministries the church ...

07/22/2025

Out of a concern for the safety of students crossing U.S. Highway 69 to attend school, the Albert Lea School Board on Monday voted to provide temporary busing for up to two years for students who live within an identified neighborhood west of the highway and who would otherwise not be allowed transportation.

Out of a concern for the safety of students crossing U.S. Highway 69 to attend school, the Albert Lea School Board on Monday voted to provide temporary busing for up to two years for students who live within an identified neighborhood west of the highway and who would otherwise not be allowed transp...

07/22/2025

The Nation of Patriots Tour stopped in Albert Lea Monday in a ceremony in which the flag was passed from one flag bearer to the next as part of the tour.

The Nation of Patriots Tour stopped in Albert Lea Monday in a ceremony in which the flag was passed from one flag bearer to the next as part of the tour. Local flag bearer Larry Larson and members of the Glenville American Legion Riders are set to depart for the tour’s next stop in Mason […]

07/18/2025

The city of Albert Lea is set to register its first cannabis retailer.

The city of Albert Lea is set to register its first cannabis retailer. According to a press release, Jacob Schlichter of Albert Lea, owner of The Smoking Tree, received a cannabis microbusiness license from the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management on Thursday and completed his city registration s...

07/17/2025

From now through mid-August, the Albert Lea Art Center will display its newest gallery exhibit, a partnership between the organization and Calico Hutch Quilt Shop in Hayward.

From now through mid-August, the Albert Lea Art Center will display its newest gallery exhibit, a partnership between the organization and Calico Hutch Quilt Shop in Hayward. The exhibit consists of about 25 quilts of varying sizes, colors and patterns, said Carolyn Matson, who owns Calico Hutch wit...

07/17/2025

Three Albert Lea residents were injured Wednesday evening when two vehicles collided on U.S. Highway 65 in Shell Rock Township.

Three Albert Lea residents were injured Thursday evening when two vehicles collided on U.S. Highway 65 in Shell Rock Township. Pablo Pineda Ramires, 63; Alfonso Garica Pineda, 32; and Arturo Pineda Garcia, 31, were taken to Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea for injuries deemed not life-threate...

07/16/2025

After two weeks in his new role as superintendent of Albert Lea Area Schools, Steven Heil has hit the ground running.

After two weeks in his new role as superintendent of Albert Lea Area Schools, Steven Heil has hit the ground running. Even before his official start date of July 1, Heil made it a priority to have as smooth of a transition as possible into his new role. He could be seen in the district, […]

07/16/2025

Hey, all you Freeborn County Fair food fans!

07/16/2025

When it comes to home projects like adding a patio, paving a driveway or installing an irrigation system, many people want to consult a professional to make sure the project is the highest quality it can be. Homeowners and business owners in the area now have a new option for their landscaping needs.

When it comes to home projects like adding a patio, paving a driveway or installing an irrigation system, many people want to consult a professional to make sure the project is the highest quality it can be. Homeowners and business owners in the area now have a new option for their landscaping needs...