Bancroft and Swea City representatives made pitches Feb. 11 to the Kossuth County Board of Supervisors as to why their respective communities shold be chosen as the northern hub of a countywide Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
Algona is assumed to be the southern hub for the system. The board of supervisors has not made a determination on how a countywide EMS would be implemented.
Get all the details in the Feb. 20 Kossuth County Advance.

It is a Kossuth County Supervisors decision whether to make Emergency Medical Services (EMS) an essential serivce, Todd Holmes, Kossuth County attorney explained.
"The question comes down to whether you feel it is important enough to make it an essential service," Holmes said. "Funding then would have to come."
Read all about it in the Feb. 20 Kossuth County Advance.

Two projects are moving forward in the city of Bancroft. The Bancroft City Council tasked Electric Superintendent Trent Iversen with providing cost estimates for either an underground or overhead electric project for a local landowner.
In addition, the council approved a professional engineering services agreement with Veenstra and Kimm of Mason City for a street improvement project.
Read more in the Feb. 20 Kossuth County Advance.

The American Dental Association recognizes February as National Children's Dental Health Month. This is a national health observance that brings the community together with dedicated dental professionals to promote the benefits of good oral health in children.
"Sustaining positive oral health practices play an integral role in the long-term health of our teeth, gums and even our overall well-being," said Dr. Matthew Merideth from Louscher Family Dentistry in Algona.

"Everyone can learn to some extent," said author Kim Weaver. "Like learning to play the piano, not all will be a Mozart, but everyone can learn some." It's how she described her philosophy when it came to creating her first book, "Death is Not Goodbye: Connect with Your Loved Ones Again."
Weaver, born and raised in Algona, is an evidential medium, spirit channeler, and now an author.
Read more in the Feb. 20 Kossuth County Advance.

"You are dust and to dust you shall return." We here those words every year at Ash Wednesday, but what does this mean?
There comes a time to clean out the family home. Tempting as it is to keep everything, there is not enough space to keep it all. We must clean out the old to make room for the new. Things will have to go into the burn pile.
Read the rest of the pastor's column in the Feb. 20 Kossuth County Advance.

The first question addressed to three area legislators sparked a testy conversation at a legislative forum at the Algona Public Library Feb. 8. Reps. Tedd Gassman and Terry Baxter and Sen. Dennis Guth fielded questions and offered input during the forum.

"My list of trusted coworkers is a lot shorter," a smiling Nancy Steburg said in reaction after she was surprised with one of the Iowa Newspaper Association's (INA) top awards.
Steburg, a 43-year employee of Algona Publishing Company and currently its general manager, was one of two recipients of the INA Distinguished Service Award, presented at then newspaper association's annual convention Feb. 7 in Des Moines.

See Section C of the Feb. 13 Kossuth County Advance to read about the stimulators used at the nursing program at Iowa Lakes Community College, a new approach to physical education at West Bend-Mallard shools, the use of therapy dogs in Algona schools, what the Kossuth County Cancer Support Foundation is all about and how telepharmacies are impacting Kossuth County.

Valentino Williams, 35, of Coralville, was sentenced to life in prison without parole in district court Feb. 7.
In December, Williams was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and first-degree robbery in Kossuth County District Court. The arrest came after Williams allegedly shot and killed Jessica Weishaar during an attempted bank robbery Dec. 4, 2019, in Lu Verne.
Get all the details in the Feb. 13 Kossuth County Advance.

During the chapel blessing Feb. 21 at Bishop Garrigan, those who attend will see the special touches of several graduates who played a role in its construction on the northwest side of the school.
The chapel blessing is at 1 p.m. There is also an open house with cookies and punch after the ceremony.
Read more in the Feb. 13 Advance.

All 30 of the young women participating on the Algona and Bishop Garrigan dance teams will tell you it takes athletic ability, coordination and stamina to participate in dance.
"Staying poised while your body is exhausted is more challenging than some might think," said Katie Miller. Along with Ashley Meyer, Miller coaches the Bishop Garrigan squad.
Read the complete story in the Feb. 13 Advance.

Four funding options are on the table for major street renovations in Algona.
Curt Wiseman, Algona city administrator, said any of the funding options would help because the city is starting to make a game plan for street improvements. "It doesn't provide an overall, comprehensive plan," he said.
Get the details in the Feb. 13 Advance.

After an executive session Feb. 13, the Kossuth Regional Health Center (KRHC) Board of Trustees is scheduled to recommend to MercyOne its chief executive officer selection.
There are three finalists. On May 1, Scott Curtis took over his current position after serving as CEO and administrator at KRHC. Dar Elbert has served as interim administrator since that time.
Read the complete story in the Feb. 13 Kossuth County Advance.

Two quicker and more efficient computers are paying immediate dividends for the Corwith Public Library.
"I think it will bring more patrons in," said Courtney Fish, director of the library. "The better the computers run, the more patrons want to use them."
Read the complete story in the Feb. 13 Kossuth County Advance.