The Albert Lea school district is gearing up for back to school with some COVID plans in place. The school district shared information about plans for the school year Thursday, and is recommending, but not requiring, masks for staff and students not fully vaccinated during the upcoming school year. Masks will still be required on … Read more
An Albert Lea used car dealership owner pleaded guilty to tax evasion Thursday in Freeborn County District Court. Timothy Mann initially faced three charges, but as part of the plea agreement, two charges of tax fraud and false application for certificate of title will be dismissed. -0-
AUSTIN, Minn. – An Austin man accused of driving drunk when he struck a Mower County bicyclist in July 2019 is pleading not guilty. Robinson Victor Epina, 30 was arrested after he hit the woman riding her bike along 8th Place NW and 1st Drive NW. He is charged with criminal vehicular operation and fourth-degree … Read more
ALBERT LEA, Minn. – An Albert Lea man accused of child sex crimes in 2013 and 2021 now has two separate trials scheduled. Vincente Ramon Martinez, 41, was first arrested in Freeborn County in 2019 and charged with first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Investigators say the sexual abuse happened in 2013 and involved a … Read more
A building on the Steele County Fairgrounds is getting a facelift and a new name. Formerly known as the Fish and Game Building, it has been renamed the Great Outdoors Center. The building will house some new exhibits during the 2021 Steele County Free Fair August 17-22. -0-
(ABC 6 News) – Employees at the Hormel plant in Austin had a reason to go nuts Wednesday as the PLANTERS® brand officially joined Hormel Foods. Hormel purchased the PLANTERS® nut business from Kraft Heinz Co. for $3.35 billion earlier this year, marking the largest acquisition in the company’s history. As a way to celebrate … Read more
A 19-year-old unlicensed driver has admitted to purposely swerving on a country road in southern Minnesota, crashing and killing one of his four passengers. Dominik Nikko Boots-Ringoen pleaded guilty in Freeborn County District Court last week to criminal vehicular homicide in connection with the crash in August near Albert Lea that killed James J. Amarosa … Read more
Austin Police are investigating a domestic incident turned police standoff at a residence on West Oakland Avenue Wednesday morning. Officers responded to the residence in the 500 block of West Oakland Avenue and the possible victim was brought to safety. The streets near the area were closed, as a brief negotiation took place with the … Read more
The owner of The Interchange Wine & Coffee Bistro has filed a petition with the Minnesota Court of Appeals to remove the judge presiding over the two criminal cases against her. The action comes after Lisa Hanson’s request was denied last month to remove the Judge from her cases, which involve nine misdemeanor criminal charges, … Read more
Residents in the vicinity of 18th Avenue and 4th Street Northwest in Austin were without power for a short time Monday afternoon after a pickup struck a high voltage box near the intersection. Austin Police Captain Todd Clennon reported that 18-year old David Contreras of Austin apparently lost control of his pickup Monday morning and … Read more