The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic of 2020 may be the ultimate cancellation criminal, however, high school seniors will not miss their graduation day. Commencement ceremonies will happen for all high school seniors in Kossuth County, although there will be adjustments..
Joe Carter, superintendent of Algona High School (AHS), expressed his gratitude for being able to hold commencement for the seniors, in spite of of the circumstances.

With an estimated 10,000 attendees at the 36th Annual Freedom Rally of American Bikers Aimed Towards Education, (A.B.A.T.E.) July 2-4, in Algona, it is no question that many will be hungry.

With the Return-to-Learn plan closer to finalization, Algona Community School District Superintendent Joe Carter said, “We really feel we are heading in the direction to have all students in the building when school starts on Aug. 24. That is a message we want to really reinforce to our people.” The plan is due July 1 to the state of Iowa. The state issued more guidelines on June 15.

Golf carts, nuisances and noise issues were discussed at the June Burt City Council meeting.

A street dance kicks it off, and a fireworks display ends the annual Bancroft Fourth of July celebration, July 2-4.
Bancroft City Director Crysti Neuman said this year’s event is scaled back from past events. “Normally, we have kids inflatables and fun things like that,” she said. “Not this year.”
Get the details in the June 18 Kossuth County Advance.

The 24th annual Burt Summer Celebration will happen this year on Saturday, July 11, at the activity complex.
“We really are going in without any expectations,” said Kelly Fitzgerald, Burt city clerk and a member of the committee that planned the event. “We hope if people feel comfortable, they can come out and have a good time. We spend all year fundraising and planning this event, and many people look forward to it.”
Get all the details in the June 18 Kossuth County Advance.

A simple question from a friend about how to make moonshine sent north central Iowa cattle, hog, corn and soybean farmers, Brian and Sara Winkleman, Bancroft, on a path to owning a distillery. The Winklemans’ willingness to jump headfirst into new opportunities and later switch gears to fill a critical need during the coronavirus pandemic by manufacturing hand sanitizer earned them Iowa Farm Bureau’s Renew Rural Iowa (RRI) Entrepreneur Award.

Lines often form on the sidewalks of Dodge and Nebraska streets as customers line up for fresh-baked bars, raspberry jam, local honey, angel food cake or sugar snap peas. The good news is, that time doesn’t have to be unproductive. Many customers find it’s an excellent opportunity to connect with one another and even share recipe ideas.

Unique is one word to describe the 2020 prom for students in the Algona Community School District.
“We were thinking outside the box and decided, let’s take a different path,” said Margo Adams, who along with Jenni Adams coordinate the Algona High School prom. “We were visiting one day and were all bummed out that our kids did not have Superstars, graduation and prom.”
Get the details in the June 18 Advance.

Twelve and 20 are two important numbers to remember with migraines. Migraines impact up to 12 percent of the population and create about $20 billion worldwide in direct costs because of missed job opportunities because you can’t work, said Dr. Alan Hjelle, a family doctor at Kossuth Regional Health Center.

A special retirement gift awaited Ron Swalve in his last year as a Lucia Wallace third-grade teacher in the Algona Community School District. The Algona Community School Foundation presented the AHS Class of 1979 Award for Excellence in Teaching to Swalve.
“It was a big surprise,” Swalve said. “I credit any success I’ve had with my third-grade team that I work with, who are just outstanding. I’ve been part of a fantastic school district.”

Kossuth/Palo Alto County Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors, Career Intern Committee and staff want others to join them in giving hope to local youth, teens, and adults by collecting personal care items for people in need.
K/PACEDC is asking the public to help with its annual Project Hope.
Find out the details in the June 18 Kossuth County Advance.

Four Algona Aquatic Center lifeguards work together to provide CPR during a training exercise before the pool opens on June 15. Pictured are Jaxon Roberts, Dionna VanGorkom, Brandon Probasco and Maddy Kahler. 
Things will look different at the Algona Aquatic Center this year. Swimmers must have a reservation to lap swim or take swimming lessons.

STATEMENT FROM ALGONA SENIOR CENTER - FRIDAY, JUNE 12:

Local schools' graduation plans are coming into focus.
Bishop Garrigan's graduation is Sunday, June 21, 2-3 p.m. The ceremony will be held on the football field (Conway Field). Only parents and graduates will attend and they will wear masks.