SWEA CITY—In smaller, rural Iowa school districts, school superintendents and school boards do what they can to keep the best employees. It includes funding help from the state of Iowa with supplemental state aid (SSA)  and this year, in addition, transportation equity.
“If we can’t provide raises to employees who deserve it, how are we going to keep them?” asked Travis Schueller, superintendent for the North Kossuth and North Union school districts.

ALGONA—Despite the COVID-19 shutdown of the Algona Public Library, there are still library activities available to the public.
 Wonder of Space Storytime
Fridays through May 15, Wonder of Space Storytime online starts at 10 a.m. and is on the library’s Facebook page. The Beanie Baby puppies will have a short story and other activities to expand a child’s universe. It is for children from birth through age 5.
 How many galaxies game

KOSSUTH COUNTY—Kossuth County officials are asking for donations of supplies to aid local first responders and health providers as the battle against COVID-19 continues.
Dave Penton, Kossuth County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) coordinator, said there is a need for disposable gloves, masks, carpentry face shields, gowns and Tyvek protective suits. Additionally, Kossuth County Public Health on Monday requested donations of thermometers.

KOSSUTH COUNTY—At least two Kossuth County communities have stopped curbside garbage pick-up because of concerns their workers might be exposed to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Kelly Fitzgerald, Burt city clerk, said other counties and cities, Forest City in particular, were told garbage is a concern with coronavirus.
 
Burt
“The (Burt City) council is concerned about worker’s safety. Workers are concerned,” she said.

LEDYARD—It is 99.9 percent guaranteed that the 30th annual Ledyard Easter egg hunt will not happen on Saturday, April 11 at 10 a.m. in Ledyard, according to coordinator Trudy Blome.
“The event has not been cancelled at this moment, but I want to say it is not going to happen,” said Blome, who has been associated with the Easter egg hunt for all 29 prior years. “How can it happen with everything else going on?”

ALGONA—As the state of Iowa continues to respond to health concerns about the coronavirus, or COVID-19, Kossuth Regional Health Center has responded by opening a respiratory care area and limited visitor and patient traffic inside the health care facility.

ALGONA—State and local economic development officials are providing services to Kossuth County small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and that includes the Kossuth/Palo Alto County Economic Development Corporation (K/PACEDC) and the Algona Area Chamber of Commerce.

ALGONA — The Algona Public Library will have a new location during the renovation of the current facility later this year.

ALGONA — Within two hours, volunteers moved 90 percent of Algona Emergency Medical Services (EMS), from its original building to the automotive shop at the Algona Community High School.  On Wednesday, March 18, KRHC officials notified members of EMS that the hospital would like to use their building for the COVID-19 situation. The EMS building, located on the north side of KRHC is owned by the City of Algona.

The need for quality news reporting and effective marketing is never greater than in times of crisis. I want you to know Algona Publishing Company embraces this critical and necessary role to  serve our coverage area, and we encourage everyone to do his or her part in helping our communities navigate these uncharted waters.

ALGONA — With concerns about the COVID-19 coronavirus in Kossuth County, the courthouse and its employees have changed the way they will conduct county business during the pandemic.
 
Treasurer’s Office

ALGONA — The Kossuth County treasurer’s office can accept property tax payments through April 16 with no penalty according to a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds on March 19, 2020
“The property taxes are still delinquent on April 1, but no penalty will be assessed until April 17,” said Nick Rahm, Kossuth County treasurer.
“That is what is going on right now. Of course it is subject to change.”

ALGONA — Many read or hear the worst of the coronavirus, but many have also talked about the outpouring of community members who have risen to the occasion to help their neighbors.
The Algona Area Chamber of Commerce is one of those entities that have reached out to community members for support. In this case, they are taking names for those who are interested in childcare, day care and babysitting services.

ALGONA — A three-stall extension at the Algona Municipal Airport moves the city of Algona closer to completion of a 10-hangar project that would house 10 airplanes.
Jim Kohlhaas, Algona Municipal Airport manager, said the expansion is good for the airport because more aircraft can fly here.
“It will keep the airport active and busy,” he said.
He said the extension also adds more room and larger doors for the planes.

ALGONA — Collaboration with Electric Power Research Center (EPRC) will determine if Algona Municipal Utilities (AMU) can integrate battery technology into its current system software for distributed solar or wind energy projects.