Kindergarten Bulldog Heroes for December are in top left photo: Kinley Davis, Landon Diers, Boe Kautz, Paxton Vaske and Ava Sewick.

Third grade Bulldog Heroes are in top right photo from left: Jason Ries, Greta Grindberg, Harlow Kern, Grayson Rea and Tommy Henry.

Third grade Bulldog Heroes are at right: Jayden Monson, Elaina Hubbard, Kendyl Karels, London Ehrig, Isaac Orban and Trace Hilsabeck.

Teresa DeLange is the fourth and last Algona Area Chamber of Commerce holiday drawing winner for 2022. DeLange registered at Algona Family YMCA and chose the $400 gift certificate prize offered by Bomgaars. There were 28 businesses participating with the drawing. Each business offered a prize valued for at least $400. There were more than 70 locations citywide to register. One winner was  drawn each week for four weeks leading up to Christmas.

LU VERNE—Students at the Lu Verne School entertained guests with holiday music to bring cheer, peace and goodwill to family and friends via Facebook Live on Tuesday, Dec. 20. Students were accompanied on piano by Carter Nath and directed by Todd Herbst-Ulmer. Submitted photos

ALGONA—The City of Algona was honored by the Asphalt Paving Association of Iowa with a Quality Design Award for its 2022 street improvements.

The award was given in the category of Municipal Paving for cities with populations of less than 10,000. This award is given to projects and programs that exemplify quality design, environmental stewardship, and achievements in the advancement of asphalt paving.  

Ava Henry

AHS Journalism

David Hamilton, a junior at Algona High School, achieved excellent chess player status. Hamilton recently received a rating of 2000. Research shows that if a chess player receives a rating of 2000-2200, they are considered an expert in the game of chess. Players rated above that are known as masters, while players below those ratings are known as class players.

LAKOTA—Valero Renewable’s Lakota plant will distribute $25,000 to local charities from funds raised through the Valero Texas Open (VTO) and Valero Benefit for Children (BFC).

This year the tournament and associated events, including the BFC, generated a record breaking $22 million in net proceeds for charitable organizations across the country, including those in the Lakota area. The tournament is ranked #1 once again on the PGA TOUR in charitable fundraising.

The City of Algona staff will transition to a new email system on January 1, 2023. Addresses will change from @ci.algona.ia.us to @algonaiowa.gov.

The email transition is one piece of the City’s broader digital makeover that began in the fall of 2022 with a website upgrade and URL change to www.algonaiowa.gov. The website went live in September with new features and an updated layout.

Severe winter weather is expected to take aim at much of the Midwest this winter so emergency management professionals are urging residents and business owners to be ready for everything from snow covered roads and power outages, to wind chills well below zero.

“Now is the time to get prepared,” said Andrea Spillars administrator of the Kansas City, Mo. office of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Monday, Jan. 2

9 a.m.: Presbyterian Church

6 p.m.: Bertha Godfrey Music Program

7 p.m.: Bishop Garrigan 5-12 Band Concert

8 p.m.: G/B BB AHS vs. Bishop Garrigan

Tuesday, Jan. 3

9 a.m.: Trinity Lutheran Church

10 a.m.: Grace Church

7 p.m.: City Council

8 p.m.: Wrestling

Wednesday, Jan. 4

9 a.m.: Faith Assembly of God

10:30 a.m.: Divine Mercy Catholic Church

With Iowa’s shotgun deer seasons in the rearview mirror, hunting deer returns to a more solidary experience with late muzzleloader season and the reopening of the archery season.

Around 25,000 hunters participate in the late muzzleloader season which accounts for about 10 percent of the overall deer harvest. The late muzzleloader and archery deer seasons close on Jan. 10, 2023.

DES MOINES--—The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting comments on the proposed new armed forces fishing licenses, through Jan. 24.

The 2022 Iowa Acts Senate File 581, passed and signed into law on June 17, 2022, broadens the qualifications for who may obtain a lifetime trout fishing license to include Iowa residents who qualify for the disabled veteran homestead credit under section 425.15. The lifetime trout fishing fee is $63.

To update this information, email news@algona.com or call 515-295-3535. Some changes to schedules may occur without notice.

____Libraries, Museums, recreation, EVENTS_____

Algona Nativity Scene: Small groups by appointment. Call 515-295-7241.

Algona POW Museum: Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m.

Come see the trains

Train Night at the Museum will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kossuth County Ag & Motorsports Museum in Algona on Friday, December 30. Benschoter Train Depot will be open with subdued lighting, emphasizing the lights of the train and displays. There will be no admission charge.

Lifeserve blood drives

Hudson Berte

Jacob and Sherri (Zeller) Berte of Bode announce the birth of their son, Hudson, on December 19, 2022, at the Kossuth Regional Health Center. He weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces and was 18.5 inches long.

Scarlett Rose Banwart

ALGONA—Kossuth Regional Health Center has recognized employees and providers celebrating milestone years of service this year.

CEO Dar Elbert and hospital nurse Pam Hanselman were recognized for 35 years of service at KRHC. Tina Boettcher, surgery; Tracy Prothman, hospital nursing; and Julie Bauer, patient access; were recognized for 25 years of service.

Brooke Winkelhorst, a hospital nurse, celebrated 20 years of service at KRHC.