Albert Lea Area Schools are thinking outside the box to give students more opportunities for learning experiences in different fields. Currently, Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief classes are being offered at elementary schools through September 2024, with the goal of providing social interactions and to inspire creativity in math, science, music and physical education. … Read more
A new bill introduced by Iowa House Republicans last week could drastically cut the types of food that people in the state can buy using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or SNAP, a federal food assistance program for low to no income families. The new bill would not allow Iowans on SNAP to buy several … Read more
NORTHWOOD, Iowa – A Mason City teen linked to the breakin of a Worth County home is now in police custody. Jesup John Allan Ward, 18 was arrested Wednesday in connection to the robbery of a home on South Broadway Street in Manly on January 2 where a 9 mm handgun and a 45 caliber … Read more
AUSTIN, Minn. – The Austin teen charged in the 2021 beating death of a Mower County man has learned his fate. Francisco Javier Lagunes Silva, 19, was sentenced Thursday to three years and five months in prison for the death of 75-year-old William Hall. Investigators say Lagunes Silva, is one of three people, including a … Read more
A Freeborn County District Court judge on Thursday ordered a psychological evaluation of an Albert Lea man accused in two separate stabbing incidents in the last year. Lawyers for CK Kyle Kasio, 27, said in court that Kasio might have a mental illness or cognitive impairment. Kasio was arrested in May for stabbing three men … Read more
The woman charged with selling drugs to two people that died from an overdose made her initial appearance in Mower County District Court Thursday. Yashica Shenay Thomas pleaded not guilty to the the death of a woman she sold fentanyl to on May 21 and May 22 the day she died. Thomas also pleaded not … Read more
Early morning commuters woke up to snow covered roads in parts of southern Minnesota after up to 9 inches of the white stuff fell overnight. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Blue Earth, Waseca, Faribault, and Freeborn counties, in effect until Thursday afternoon. -0-
An Austin man charged with sexually assaulting a child recieved back to back sentences in Mower County District Court. Colin Charles Belden was sentenced Friday to four years in prison, after a teenage girl told authorities the 24-year-old had been sexually assaulting her since she was 5 years old until January of 2020. Belden was … Read more
AUSTIN – Mower County Sheriff Steve Sandvik has been cleared to return to work following an investigation into allegations of misconduct, according to Mower County Administrators. The investigation involved a November 2022 complaint alleging that Sandvik showed up to the job drunk. Sandvik described the situation as a personal medical issue and said that he … Read more
ALBERT LEA, Minn. – Fire caused significant damage at Vortex Cold Storage on Tuesday afternoon. Albert Lea Fire Rescue and Police said a small area of the roof insulation ignited due to a contractor heating the roof to repair leaks. Firefighters, with the help of the roof repair company on site, quickly extinguished the blaze. … Read more