AUSTIN, Minn. – The AT&T Foundation awarded a $15,000 grant to Austin Public Schools to fund its “Austin Aspires” program Tuesday. The grant aims to support local youth and families in furthering their digital literacy, with a goal of closing what has become known as “the digital divide,” a great disparity in digital skills between … Read more
A Waseca man is facing felony charges in connection to a threatening disturbance at Kwik Trip in Waseca. Maurice Dunn, 42, was charged earlier this month in Waseca County District Court with two counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of threats of violence, stemming from an incident that took place … Read more
ALBERT LEA, Minn. – A man has been sentenced for a 2020 drive-by shooting. Anthony Nick Barela, 32 of Albert Lea, was arrested on August 6, 2020, and charged with drive-by shooting and second-degree assault. He was accused of firing at another vehicle and then speeding away. A search of Barela’s home turned up a … Read more
ALBERT LEA, Minn. — A chaotic end to a police chase was caught on camera Monday afternoon in Albert Lea. Investigators say an officer tried to stop a driver with warrants, but the driver took off onto I-35 with two flat tires, before eventually loosing control of the vehicle and crashing into the median. Investigators … Read more
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has announced that the Highway 105 project from Turtle Creek in Austin to the Iowa border was completed on October 20th. Officials with MnDOT District 6 in Rochester stated that the construction work should provide a smoother ride on the road, improve sidewalks for pedestrians, and they added that it … Read more
For over a week, Waseca County residents using Verizon or T-Mobile were unable to call county offices. The Waseca County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management Facebook page alerted residents on Oct. 13 that the mobile brands were unable to contact the Waseca County Sheriff’s Office, or any county offices. A representative from T-Mobile said in … Read more
The former assistant principal at Hilton’s Northwood Elementary School has been placed on administrative leave from her current job as principal at the Village Elementary School. In an email, the Hilton Central Superintendent does not say why Kelley O’Connel-Byrne was taken off the job, but it was revealed that she failed to report inappropriate behavior … Read more
NORTHWOOD, Iowa – An overloaded electrical circuit is being blamed for a Thursday night fire in worth County. Northwood Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company was called to the 4700 block of Jonquil Avenue just before midnight and crews found light smoke coming from a finished metal building, with flames shooting out from in a wall … Read more
ALBERT LEA, Minn. – The Albert Lea Noon Kiwanis Club, celebrating its 100th anniversary, has won $25,000 to help build an inclusive playground. Albert Lea was named one of the co-winners of the 2022 Legacy of Play contest sponsored by Kiwanis International and Landscape Structures Inc.. Plans for the new Albert Lea ADA-accessible playground includes … Read more
If you’re looking for a safe alternative to door to door trick or treating you can take the kiddos to Historic downtown Albert Lea for the Halloween Spooktacular. The Albert Lea Main Street program is hosting the event in which downtown businesses will hold trick or treating for area children next Thursday, Oct. 27 from … Read more