ALBERT LEA, Minn. – Mayo Clinic Health System held a ceremonial wall-breaking Thursday to celebrate a $14.9 million enhancement and modernization project years in the making at its Albert Lea campus. Work is scheduled to begin in October and continue in phases over 18 to 24 months. All Mayo Clinic Health System departments will remain … Read more
State public safety officials now say there were at least 15 “swatting incidents” across Minnesota on Wednesday. “Swatting” involves making hoax calls to law enforcement agencies in an attempt to bring a large response to particular addresses. Schools across the state – including in Austin, were targeted. At a news conference on Thursday, state Public … Read more
ALBERT LEA, Minn. – Threatening his wife with an axe resulted in probation for a Freeborn County man. Soe Naing, of Albert Lea, was sentenced Wednesday to two years of supervised probation, after he pleaded guilty in June to one count of threats of violence. Law enforcement says the 47 year old got into an … Read more
ALBERT LEA, Minn. – Albert Lea High School was also targets during a nationwide swatting incident Wednesday. Law enforcement agencies across the country started receiving automated phone calls regarding a potential threat to schools and local law enforcement was aware of these events and was monitoring the situation. The Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office says it … Read more
To celebrate the launch of the $14.9 million Albert Lea campus enhancement and modernization project, the community is invited to attend a wall-breaking ceremony Thursday [Sept. 22] from 5 to 7 p.m.. The ceremony will be held under a tent outside the main lobby of the medical center in Albert Lea. A brief program will … Read more
LAKE MILLS, Iowa – The Larson Manufacturing plant in Lake Mills is closing. The company announced Tuesday it was shutting down its facilities in Lake Mills due to economic risks, an assessment of the industry, and the evolution of the organization to best align with its growth strategy, a company statement said. Larson’s parent company, … Read more
ALBERT LEA, Minn. – A wanted Albert Lea woman is facing multiple felony charges after being found in possession of a stolen handgun and methamphetamine. Veronica Garcia, 28, was arrested Thursday night after she was spotted by law enforcement as a passenger on a motorcycle. Garcia was found with around 34 grams of meth and … Read more
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A Dec. 19 sentencing date has been set for an Albert Lea man convicted on six counts of ambushing police officers. Devin Weiland was found guilty in connection to the November 2020 incident in which officers responded to the Shady Oaks apartment complex on 4th Avenue South and Weiland fired several rounds … Read more
A detached garage and its contents at a residence in southwest Austin are being considered a total loss after a fire Monday morning. The Austin Fire Department responded to the 1300 block of 24h St. SW and reported that the fire destroyed a classic pickup and a Chevy pickup, and an older vehicle parked near … Read more
An Austin man facing eight felony charges in Mower County District Court connected to a string of armed robberies in Austin has copped a plea in the case. 26-year old Adrick Deonte Mims pleaded guilty Wednesday to ciphoning gas from a retailer and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, with credit for 76 days … Read more