This photo of “The Old Cooler” was the first county jail. Photo is from Ben Reed’s book History of Kossuth County, Volume 1 which covers the history from 1854 until 1912. Volume 2 covers the history from 1912 to 1976.

Sexton no longer officially a town

150 Years Ago

SOME MORE BASE BALL ---- The Esthervillians have accepted the challenge of our club to play them in a return game, and the fun will come off next Saturday afternoon. Some old heads have been trying to imitate the motions of the regulars, but only succeeded in getting badly knocked to pieces.

125 Years Ago

I should be hitting the ground by now

Tree-hugger. When you read those hyphenated words, an image likely comes to mind immediately. Probably someone in sandals. Cut-off jean shorts. Greasy hair. Round glasses. Peace symbol imprinted on a tank top. Am I close?

Whether those descriptions fit you or not, you should hug a tree. We all should. If you haven’t, you are missing out.

Camp Algona POW Museum Expansion

By Don Hansen, POW Museum

To the Editor:

I want to invite everyone to a public forum to discuss protecting private property rights and the CO2 pipelines. The forum will be held on May 19 from 6-8 p.m. at the Kossuth County Ag and Motorsports Museum meeting room.

As Edmund Burke would say, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.”

DES MOINES—The Treasury Department’s latest estimates of greenhouse gas reductions show ethanol with carbon capture is not a realistic option for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) tax credits.

Iowa Biodiesel Board, Iowa Soybean Association praise increase of $500,000 more per year for backlog of biodiesel projects

ANKENY—The Iowa Biodiesel Board and the Iowa Soybean Association commended Governor Kim Reynolds and the state legislature for their decisive action in boosting funding for renewable fuels infrastructure. Reynolds signed legislation that marks another significant step forward in Iowa's commitment to expanding the use of renewable fuels like biodiesel.

By Sonya Sellmeyer, Consumer Advocacy Officer for the Iowa Insurance Division

Individual health insurance is insurance you purchase yourself – not through an employer or provided through a government health insurance program.  Individual health insurance policies come in two main forms –they are available either on or off the federal Health Insurance Marketplace.   

Storms of Life by Rev. Kent Madison of First Presbyterian Church in Lakota, IA

from July 22, 2021

We want to hear your stories.

This series will feature reader-submitted stories of no more than 100 words. Send to news@algona.com Do you have a favorite moment? A favorite book? A favorite librarian? A piece of information the library had that set important wheels in motion? A favorite nook? A favorite smell? An exhibit? A program? Do you love knitting with friends at the library?

150 Years Ago

We have heard it suggested that if the grasshoppers hatch out in any great numbers it will be well for farmers at the proper time to roll their fields with a heavy roller. The only objections to this course that has suggested itself to us is that it would be very irritating to the grasshoppers.

125 Years Ago

Of past airport adventures and such

Dear readers: I have just returned from my trip to Los Angeles, which I mentioned last week. I would write about it, but I’m suffering from jet lag and I’m afraid whatever I wrote would be hopelessly garbled. Therefore, I’m re-running a column from several years ago. If you remember reading it then, try to forget it, so it will be new to you.

“Let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.”

Whether you are a religious person or not, those words from 1 John 3:18 likely hit home. Saying we are going to do things right is easy. Actually doing them right requires planning and effort and accountability, and that’s not easy.

“There are people who talk and people who do. Be very cautious of the first group.”

By Jan Ricke, KCHS

Great people make for great museum history. Kossuth County is rich in history locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally.

Are We Tougher on People Than God Is?

By Rev. Russ Jacobsen, Pastor at First United Methodist Church

When God freely forgave humble pagans, Jonah complained to God: