Latest news with #AlbertLea
CBS News
2 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Albert Lea City Council blocks Minnesota's first non-tribal cannabis dispensary
It's been a long road toward the legalization of cannabis in Minnesota. Now, that road might be getting a little longer. There have already been a lot of complications in the rollout of the Office of Cannabis Management. From botched lotteries and lawsuits to leadership changes, it's been a chaotic ride from the start. Marijuana was legalized in August of 2023, with sales expected to begin in 2025. Now eight months into the year, that deadline keeps getting pushed back. A new decision from the Albert Lea City Council could be a sign of more difficulties for the industry ahead. The first non-tribal dispensary was finally supposed to open up there this year. But during a council meeting this week, city leaders voted that down. The decision is halting a Minnesota legal cannabis market milestone, but it also could shake up things for other budding businesses. According to state law, business applicants must work with local government to ensure law compliance, but cities also can't prohibit the sale of cannabis. This could mean more lawsuits, a loss of funding and dragging out an already long rollout. The Smoking Tree in Albert Lea was on track to open the first retail, non-tribally owned dispensary off tribal land in a matter of weeks. WCCO spoke with the owner earlier this month after he passed a state inspection, a key hurdle to secure an official license to operate. Now, he faces another hurdle. In a meeting Monday night, after heavy debate, City Council members rejected the business license. Those who voted in favor of the business say they can't afford to fight it. Those opposing questioned the morality of the legal drug and government control. When pleading his case, the Smoking Tree's owner said he got into the business for a reason. "I had to bury over half a dozen of my friends due to a bad batch of heroin going around Austin. Southern Minnesota is my home. And I take it very personally, all these concerns that everyone brings up. And I want them all to be known," Jacob Schlichter said. "I hear you all and I will keep that in the forefront of my mind moving forward." According to Minnesota's Guide for Local Governments for adult cannabis use, local governments aren't required to seek out cannabis businesses, but they also can't reject them if the requirements for a cannabis store aren't already met.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Yahoo
Albert Lea man sentenced to 5 years in prison for meth sale
Jul. 7—An Albert Lea man was sentenced to five years in prison last week for selling a pound of methamphetamine to a South Central Drug Investigation Unit informant in July 2024. Aruan Enrique Campa, 39, pleaded guilty in May to an amended charge of third-degree drug possession for possessing 10 grams or more of a narcotic drug other than heroin or fentanyl as part of a plea agreement. He initially faced one charge of first-degree drug sale. According to court documents, the informant reportedly purchased the drugs at Campa's residence on the 200 block of Morningside Road. An agent reviewed the video of the transaction and positively identified Campa packing meth in multiple baggies while speaking with the informant. Campa was given credit for 345 days already served on the charge.
CBS News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Itasca Rock Garden's castle shows off the beauty of the area's multi-colored stones
The Itasca Rock Garden in Albert Lea is home to a Danish-inspired castle of sorts. "I drive by and see Marion Ross on the corner looking over Fountain Lake, makes me smile," said Stephanie Kibler of the Freeborn County History Center. The bronze statue of the former Happy Days actress sits comfortably in her hometown of Albert Lea. But had it been created in another lifetime, it may have been sculpted out of rock. One hundred years ago a Danish immigrant named John Christensen was trying to farm near the village of Itasca. But he kept hitting rocks with his plow. Instead of getting frustrated, he got creative. "Behind me you'll see the large castle, which he started. It was reminiscent of the castles he grew up with in Denmark," said Kibler. Christensen didn't stop with the castle. Over the years he and his wife also built stone sculptures, bridges, and grottos, like the heart-shaped grotto. "Look at the size of the rock this gentleman carried or moved. I don't have a clue how," said Kibler while pointing out a large rock. The Danish immigrant was in his sixties when he built much of the rock garden, including a home for Irg, the garden's resident gnome. Christensen died in 1939, but there's a sense that he never completely finished what he started. And had he lived longer, the rock garden likely would have expanded even further. But as it goes, the place became neglected and overgrown. And it wasn't until 2019 when the Kohler Foundation got involved, that the garden got a makeover. "We had a landscape company come out and I think she told me they took 15 dump truck loads out of here of weeds, tree growth," said Kibler. Flowers replaced the weeds, thanks to a dozen volunteers including gardener Sue Grunzke. "Over the years I'd go by and look and think, oh, it would be so nice if somebody would fix that all up," said Grunzke. Grunzke got her wish. Her family visited the garden when she was young. Now, she's back with a different purpose. "Each time coming out and seeing it come alive, it's incredible," said Grunzke. The rebirth means the return of visitors from across the state. Rolling stones of a different sort, eager to see how a farmer once built a kingdom out of field rocks. "I hope people come and see what a peaceful, beautiful environment it is. And recognize that the city of Albert Lea is also a very beautiful place," said Kibler. Itasca Rock Garden is named after a pioneer village that once stood on the property. It's free to visit and the garden is located northwest of Albert Lea near Itasca and Bluegrass Roads.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Yahoo
Man charged with fleeing police, leaving baby in car
Jul. 2—An Austin man is facing charges after he reportedly fled from police on foot during an attempted traffic stop and was found hiding in Goose Lake — all while leaving an infant in his car on Monday. Chad Lee Morgan, 51, faces charges of neglect or endangerment of a child, a gross misdemeanor; driving after cancellation inimical to public safety, a gross misdemeanor; and fleeing a peace officer by means other than a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor. Morgan appeared in Freeborn County District Court on the charges on Tuesday. Court documents state an officer was on directed patrol in the Tiger Hills neighborhood and observed a white Mercedes-Benz SUV with dark window tint and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle reportedly turned into the driveway at 1786 Tiger Ridge, after which Morgan exited the vehicle and ran toward the house. The officer gave an order to stop and told Morgan he was under arrest, but Morgan reportedly ran south toward a soybean field, toward Goose Lake and a wooded area. A Freeborn County Sheriff's Office lieutenant who responded to the scene found a 5-month-old child had been left in a car seat in the running vehicle with its doors locked and windows closed. It was reportedly 76 degrees at noon that day and 80 at 2 p.m. Court documents state Morgan was found two hours later after the Freeborn County Sheriff's Office deployed a drone and found Morgan swimming in the lake. An Albert Lea police officer boarded a boat brought by Albert Lea Fire Rescue and found Morgan reportedly hidden in lake foliage, where he was arrested and transported back to shore. During transport, Morgan reportedly asked about his daughter. Morgan was found to have a canceled driving status, and police found drug paraphernalia in the vehicle and on the ground near where he had thrown a plastic baggie. In court on Tuesday, District Court Judge Christy Hormann set Morgan's bail at $6,000 without conditions and $1,000 with conditions. He is next slated to appear in court July 10.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Update: Damage reported in southeastern Albert Lea
Jun. 26—(Update 5:30 p.m.): Residents in southeastern Albert Lea are cleaning up from the storm that moved through the area Thursday afternoon. Power outages were reported, along with downed trees and branches, and damaged lawn furniture. Numerous branches and trees were reported down on streets including Ethel Avenue, Milo Avenue, 17th Street, Gene Avenue, Clayton Avenue, Margaretha and Larson Avenue. A semitrailer was reported flipped on its side at Albert Lea Public Warehouse No. 2 in the Jobs Industrial Park on Myers Road. The National Weather Service has currently listed the downed trees and powerlines as being from thunderstorm wind damage, though it noted it could be possible tornado damage. The damage was estimated to have occurred at about 1:20 p.m. The Weather Service also logged a report of a tornado at 1:29 p.m. three miles west of Hayward in land that is considered part of Myre-Big Island State Park. (Update 2:20 p.m.): The tornado warning has expired in Freeborn County. (Tornado near Twin Lakes, Video courtesy Noah Nielsen) (Update 1:35 p.m.): A confirmed tornado was located by weather spotters between Hayward and Albert Lea, moving northeast at 25 mph. The National Weather Service advises flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter. People are advised to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a well-built building away from windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. The tornado is expected to be near Hollandale around 1:50 p.m. Other locations impacted by the tornado include Myre Big Island State Park. The tornado warning is until 2:15 p.m. (Update 1:25 p.m.): Tornado warning sirens are sounding after a reported tornado touchdown near Twin Lakes. (Original story): The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for several area counties until 8 p.m. The counties include Steele, Mower and Freeborn counties. A few strong to severe storms are possible in southern Minnesota this afternoon and evening. While strong wind gusts will be the primary threat, a tornado or two cannot be ruled out. At 1:20 p.m., scanner traffic indicated funnel clouds could be seen near milemarker 8 on Interstate 35. The area is also under a flood watch has heavy rainfall over the last several days has led to saturated soils with many low-lying areas and ditches filled with standing water. An additional one to three inches of rain is likely this afternoon and evening. Additional flooding is possible. The flood watch is in effect through late Thursday. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks, and flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas, according to the weather agency.
