By Mark Moran

A nonprofit group that tracks oil and gas development has created an interactive map to show how close CO2 pipelines in Great Plains states come to environmentally and ecologically sensitive areas. The map includes Indigenous land that hasn't been included in similar previous projects.

Closing of final Ag Drainage Wells concludes more than a quarter-century of sustained work and effort to close 195 of these drainage structures. ADWs were drilled into fractured limestone and connected to farm field drainage tiles. They were constructed by private landowners and farmers in the early to mid-1900s to discharge tile drainage into underground aquifers.

The Algona Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution meeting was called to order on Nov. 12, 2024, by Regent Teri Miller. Following the opening ceremony, these reports were made.

Kiwanis Christmasland in Humboldt will open for the holiday season Friday, Nov. 29. This is the 42nd year of operation. This popular holiday attraction sponsored by the Humboldt/Dakota City Noon Kiwanis Club, has been visited by more than 115,000 people since its opening in 1982. Visitors from most of the 50 U.S. states and some foreign countries have seen the displays. Last year there was an estimated 2,500 visitors to Kiwanis Christmasland.

Every second grader in the state of Iowa recieved the book Just like Caitlyn, including these happy kids at North Union. The books were a gift from Dickson and Luann Jensen. Submitted photo.

Royce Murra, radio DJ, sat down to lunch with students at North Union Middle School in Swea City. He had been taping interviews for American Education Week that aired on KBEW-98 Country radio. Submitted photo.

Nineteen members of the North Union FFA, pictured above, attended the Ignite-Amplify-Transform conference in Ankeny earlier this month. They worked on communication skills, problem solving, being a better leader, being more present with their chapter and discussed what life would look like after school.

Pheasant hunting has been as much a part of the Thanksgiving holiday for generations of Iowans, as cranberries and stuffing. And with a weather forecast that will likely put birds in cover, this would be a good year to continue that tradition and get back to the fields.

The Algona Parks and Recreation Department has made special arrangements for Santa Claus to make phone calls to area children aged seven and under at their home or family cell phone number on Tuesday, Dec. 3, beginning at 6 p.m.

The Euchre results for Tuesday, Nov. 19 at Pep’s are:

First place - Joe and Kay Courtney with 59.

Second place - Eddie Rahe and Mary Alice Berte with 58.

Third place - Lyndon and Mary Fowler with 52.

Most loners - Eddie Rahe with four.

The door prize went to Kathy Foertsch.

Everyone is welcome to participate on Tuesday nights. For more information call 515-320-3719.

The Whittemore Fire Department and EMS Service held their annual Feather Party on Thursday evening, Nov. 21 at St. Michael’s Parish Center. Those attending enjoyed maidrites, hot dogs, chips and numerous bars, along with water or assorted pop before sitting down for 50 games of BINGO. Winners received a turkey, or in the case of a tie, one would receive a turkey and the other a package of bacon. During one game there were eight  individuals shouting BINGO at the same time.

The Andrew’s Post 428 held their yearly feather party for a packed crowd at the Wesley community center on Nov. 23, 2024

By Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist

The final reporting period of the year was unseasonably warm and wet with above average rainfall over the western and northern portions of the state; stations in the northwest corner registered positive departures of over an inch. Conditions were up to 10 degrees above average in southeastern Iowa with a statewide average temperature of 39.1 degrees, 4.8 degrees above normal.

Students from West Bend-Mallard school visited the public library and the leaves were falling. Avery Zaugg and Kacey Schmidt cut out leaves from brown paper and recycled book pages.

Sydney Bleuer, last photo, works on a ribbon tree project during Craft Night at the West Bend Public Library.  Craft Night is held the 3rd Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m., October through April.  Submitted photos.

Below:

From Bishop Garrigan High School Sheila Reding, daughter of Fred and Susanne Reding pictured with Greg Stewart and John Kesselring.

From Algona Middle School Kylie Kron, daughter of Josh Kron and Brenda Duckert pictured with Pete Waltz - teacher and Greg Stewart- Kiwanis.