BANCROFT—City council members set a hearing on a tax levy and approved payroll changes during their meeting here Jan. 10.

TITONKA—City council members plan to name a new mayor for Titonka at their Feb. 10 regular meeting. Aaron Boyken resigned as mayor in December due to relocating for a new job. 

BURT—City council members decided Burt will work with the Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. engineering firm on its upcoming water project.

The decision came at the Jan. 11 regular council meeting. 

The city sought applications from firms to identify various improvements needed for the municipal water system to comply with Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requirements and deliver safe potable water to the residents and businesses of Burt.  

TITONKA—Damien Strecker moved to Iowa just over a year ago and became Titonka’s librarian. In addition to that, he is Titonka’s postal clerk and an adjunct history teacher at North Iowa Area Community College, teaching world regional geography and modern Latin American history. His fiancé, Rachel Kurtzleben, is originally from Titonka, and they live on her grandparent’s old farm in nearby Woden.

Potluck meals are a fun, low-cost way to celebrate with friends and family. They are also linked with the spread of foodborne illness. 

Follow these tips from Iowa State University Extension to keep food safe.

• If you or someone in your home has “stomach flu” or symptoms of a foodborne illness, don’t prepare food.

• Don’t mix salads, such as potato or a tossed lettuce salad, with your bare hands. Use utensils or wear gloves instead.

ALGONA—January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, and Josie Bjustrom, R.N. of Kossuth Regional Health Center Community Health wants you to know what you can do to prevent cervical cancer. 

“Each year, more than 11,000 women in the United States get cervical cancer. Staying healthy and aware of your risk for cervical cancer begins with early detection and prevention,” Bjustrom said.

Duane and Willetta Johannesen will mark their 50th wedding anniversary on Jan. 30. A card shower is planned in their honor. Cards will reach them if sent to 3507 80th Ave., Bancroft, IA 50517.

They were married on Jan. 30, 1972.

Area residents

awarded degrees

from Iowa State

AMES—Five area residents or those with area ties received degrees from Iowa State University in Ames in December 2021. Commencement ceremonies were held Dec. 17-18 at Hilton Coliseum.

Algona: Grace McGuire, bachelor of science, animal science; Nicholas Stein, bachelor of science, kinesiology and health; Joshua Thilges, bachelor of arts, criminal justice.

Midland Power Cooperative is offering sophomores and juniors the chance to attend a trip to Washington, D.C. MPC will sponsor one student to join other students from Iowa as they learn about electric cooperatives and history on all-expense paid trip, June 18-24. 

An online application can be found at midlandpower.coop/youthtour. Applications must be received by Friday, March 11.

The Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities (IAMU), through its Education and Research Fund, will offer two scholarship programs for graduating Iowa high school seniors and recent graduates–a scholarship program for students pursuing a post-secondary program with a utility focus and a general scholarship program for children or grandchildren of IAMU members.

ALGONA—During a budget workshop Monday at City Hall, the Algona City Council was presented preliminary information regarding property tax levies that are slated to increase due to the cost of the city’s street improvement projects, and potential use of local option sales tax dollars to reduce the impact.

ALGONA—Kossuth County supervisors Tuesday morning approved a construction permit application for a hog confinement, heard about a disputed billing in a drainage district project and went into closed session regarding real estate.

Monday, January 24: 

9 a.m.: Presbyterian Church 

7 p.m.: G/B BB vs. Hampton-Dumont-Cal

Tuesday, January 25: 

9 a.m.: Trinity Lutheran

10 a.m.: Grace Church 

7 p.m.: Wrestling Triangular

Wednesday, January 26: 

9 a.m.: Faith Assembly of God 

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

7 p.m.: G/B BB vs. Hampton-Dumont-Cal

Thursday, January 27: 

Thursday, Jan. 20

Beef teriyaki skillet, broccoli, apricots, cookie

11 a.m. – Exercise

12 p.m. - Kiwanis

2 p.m. - Senior day at Algona Public Library

Friday, Jan. 21

Baked cod with lemon cream sauce, roasted red potatoes, mixed vegetables, dessert

10 a.m. – Bingo

Monday, Jan. 24

Chicken Alfredo penne, cheesy garlic bread, lettuce salad, strawberries

10 a.m. – Bingo

Police Report

Monday, January 10

1:42 a.m. Ambulance.

9:27 a.m. Harassment.

10:25 a.m. Ambulance.

12:14 p.m. Scam call.

2:58 p.m. Aided.

Tuesday, January 11

9:46 a.m. Ambulance.

10:32 a.m. Ambulance.

10:52 a.m. Parked vehicle with person inside since 8:30 a.m. All OK.

2:12 p.m. Welfare check. All fine.

4:32 p.m. Helicopter at KRHC.