MASON CITY, Iowa - North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) is excited to announce a new introductory English as a Second Language (ESL) class launching this summer. This free course is designed for individuals at all English skill levels, from beginner to advanced, and will be delivered online to offer greater flexibility and access.

Vermillion, S.D. - More than 2,400 students at the University of South Dakota are being honored for their high achievement during the spring 2025 semester with the release of the Dean’s List. Moriah Knapp of Algona was among those honored.

Full-time, undergraduate students are named to the Dean’s List if they received a 3.5 GPA for courses they took in the spring 2025 semester, and they had no incomplete or failing grades.

AMES, Iowa - Nearly 4,600 graduates received degrees from Iowa State University this spring. Graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies were held May 15-17. Following are graduates from your area:

Local students receiving recognition, listed by their hometown, are as follows:

WAVERLY, IA - Samantha Frambach of Whittemore was named to the Wartburg College Winter/May Term Dean’s List.

The college recognized 501 students for Winter/May Term.

The list honors students who earned a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or above in at least five course credits during the terms. Four of the five course credits have to be graded with a traditional letter grade.

When it comes to vendors at the Kossuth County Farmers Market, I’ve always said the “more the merrier!” With that in mind, we are a very jolly bunch this summer. Our market has welcomed a variety of new vendors to our group - some who will be with us the full season and others who will join us on an occasional basis. 

Algona Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the first of its three Party in the Park celebrations Wednesday, June 4, on the lawn of the Carnegie Center for the Arts. Myriad activities, food and music entertained hundreds of people.

Two local students were among the top five finishers in the Algona Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution annual Good Citizen Essay Contest this spring.

Alaina Mae Venteicher of Algona, daughter of Rachel Ann Venteicher, placed second. Addison Grace Kruse of Ringsted, who attended North Union, was among the trio of other contenders. She is the daughter of Brenda Ann Kruse.

Richard and Lynn Miller will celebrate their 50th Anniversary on Saturday, June 14 with music, socializing, and dancing at the Wesley Community Center from 7-10 p.m. They request no gifts.

Both were graduates of Bishop Garrigan High School, Lynn Pfeffer in 1973 and Richard Miller in 1974. Following their marriage on June 14, 1975 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in St. Benedict. Iowa, they lived, farmed, and raised their family in Plum Creek Township.

Joe and Betty Heinen of Burt will be celebrating their 60th wedding aaniversary on Thursday, June 19th. Cards will reach them at 1208 300th St., Burt, IA 50522.

The NEW Cooperative Foundation recently presented the Kossuth County Cattlemen with a contribution totaling $2,000. The funds were used to purchase stall dividers for the 4-H youth and open bucket and bottle calf barn during the Kossuth County Fair.

A few wetter days helped push Iowa’s crops ahead in the past week, according to Monday’s Iowa Crops and Weather Report from the USDA and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

In the north central region of the state, in which Kossuth County is found, 96 percent of the soybean crop has emerged, more than any other region in the state. Also, 99 percent of the corn crop has emerged, again, more than any other part of the state.

DES MOINES – Drought conditions expanded across the state due to below-normal precipitation in May, according to the latest Water Summary Update. 

After a drier-than-normal April, May saw decreased rainfall across all regions of the state, resulting in an increase in drought and abnormally dry conditions. While early rain events initially helped maintain stable dry conditions, lower rainfall amounts later in the month resulted in deteriorating conditions across Iowa.

Local law enforcement and EMS are gearing up for RAGBRAI’s spin through Kossuth County next month.

While riders on the annual bicycle ride won’t be staying overnight, they will be passing through the northern portion of Kossuth County.

Algona Community Schools Superintendent Joe Carter has signed a contract to lead the approximately 1,460-student district for another three years.

The contract approved unanimously on Monday, June 9, by the Algona Community School District Board of Education includes a 3 percent raise for a salary of $200,528 annually with an option to renegotiate salary after a year. Officials say it also includes a stipend for continuing education and cell phone reimbursement.