Monday, September 16

1:33 a.m. Traffic stop, Algona.

1:36 a.m. Request for canine, Algona.

8:00 a.m. Request for a deputy, Burt.

9:24 a.m. Report of alarm not working, Lakota.

10:28 a.m. Request for a deputy, Titonka.

11:55 a.m. Report of political sign stolen, Burt.

1:16 p.m. Request for a deputy, Lakota.

1:51 p.m. Request to speak to deputy, Lakota.

4:35 p.m. Request for an ambulance, Titonka.

The Algona Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution meeting was called to order on Sept. 10, 2024 by Regent Teri Miller. Following the opening ceremony, these reports were made.

The Euchre results for Tuesday, Sept. 17 at Pep’s are:

First place - Bill Farnham and Tom Fitz with 61.

Second place - Lyndon and Mary Fowler with 56.

Third place - Lamont Wagner and Charlie Kollasch with 53.

Most loners - Lyndon Fowler with four.

The door prizes went to Virginia Bode and Doreen Koepke.

By Molly Montag, News Correspondent

It was months in the making, but Kossuth County’s libraries officially received full funding for this fiscal year.

The money came as part of a budget amendment passed Tuesday, Sept. 17, by the Kossuth County Board of Supervisors. Libraries received the majority of the $285,517 amendment—accounting for $188,245 of the total. The amendment also allotted Kossuth County Emergency Management with its full funding for this year.

Great communities don’t just happen – they are the result of people who are willing to make a difference. Community Stories, an initiative of the City of Algona, features people from around the area who are making a positive impact through their work, volunteer efforts or other contributions to the community. Stories will be featured on the City of Algona’s website and Facebook page and shared with local media.

Algona Democrats reported more than 50 signs stolen from their yard some time during night on Saturday/Sunday. Those who put signs out again after the first theft found them stolen again the next night.

Theft or vandalism of political signs is a crime in all 50 states. Trespassing on private property is also a punishable offense in every state.

By Molly Montag, News Correspondent

A hiring incentive has been approved to help the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office fill three open deputy sheriff positions.

The incentive, which county supervisors passed unanimously Tuesday, Sept. 17, would pay up to 50% of the costs to buy two deputy sheriff candidates out of their current contract so they could leave to work for the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office. The department has been three deputies short since June.

There was a good turnout at the Algona Public Library Thursday evening to hear Laura Belin speak about access to information and Iowa politics. The event was jointly sponsored by the library and the local American Association of University Women (AAUW) chapter. Laura writes about Iowa campaigns and elections, state government, social and environmental issues in Bleeding Heartland, an independent website.

A large crowd joined local law enforcement and public safety personnel at the Kossuth County Fairgrounds on September 12 for Public Safety Night Out.

The event drew approximately 600 people and offered attendees an opportunity to see emergency vehicles and equipment, as well as demonstrations that showcased K-9 dogs, drones and the Jaws of Life. Kids games, face painting, a dunk tank and other activities were available throughout the evening.

The Iowa State Pedal Pull Association held their 34th annual State Pedal Pull Championship on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 at the Event Center in Burt.  It was sponsored by Kossuth County Farm Bureau and the Swea City Betterment Club. There were 324 girls and boys that participated from 180 sanctioned pedal pulls across Iowa. The first, second, third and fourth place winners are eligible to compete at the National Pedal Pull Sept. 28, 2024, at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D.

Twenty-Five members of the Active Seniors of Algona enjoyed a bus tour of various local Freedom Rock sites on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

The tour left Algona at 9 a.m. and proceeded to stops in Rolfe, Livermore, Britt, Armstrong and Whittemore. Members enjoyed a nice lunch at the Country Club while in Britt. Chuck Stetzel drove the bus for the tour and Dan Peterson and John Kern organized the trip.

Kossuth County Farm Bureau Board hosted a Rural Roads safety program for Algona High School freshman students, to educate about driving in a rural community with large farm equipment sharing the roads.

Students got the opportunity to sit a combine, sprayer and a semi-truck to identify blind spots and took note of maintaining safe distances between farm equipment and automobiles and watched a short video on how to prevent rural road accidents.

By Molly Montag, News Correspondent

Officials approved spending additional funds to expand a garage at the Algona wastewater treatment facility.

In 2021, Hank Kohler paddled over 1,900 miles from west central Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. The uniqueness of the journey, which he named One4Water, was that he left from the same starting point in 1979 when he canoed to Hudson Bay. Hank was in his twenties then and the trip was really just for the challenge and adventure. Forty-two years later the journey south was for much more.

By Allie Opheim

RN, KRHC Clinic Director

Fall is flu vaccine season for Community Health and Kossuth Regional Health Center.  This time of year we hear all kinds of excuses for not getting the flu vaccine.

I never get sick!

I've never needed the vaccine.

I don’t have time to come in.