ALGONA— For anyone who has missed attending community plays in Algona, the newly formed community theatre group, All Call Theatre, has been working hard to bring the first community children’s theatre play in more than 10 years. 

Duck, goose and dove hunters now required to register with HIP

Resident hunting, fishing and other licenses for 2022 are available. The menu of license options includes the popular Outdoor Combo annual resident hunting/fishing/habitat combo license for $55; the Angler’s Special three-year fishing license for $62; and the Hunter’s Special three-year hunting license with habitat included for $101.

The recent blast of arctic air is growing ice on lakes and ponds over much of Iowa. Anglers are ready to get out for the popular early ice fishing season.

“Many of us can’t wait to get out on the ice each winter,” said Joe Larscheid, chief of fisheries for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “Ice fishing is a fun, inexpensive activity for anglers of all ages to get outdoors and avoid cabin fever.”

ALGONA—On Jan. 4 the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced new guidelines for those who test positive for COVID-19 as well as those who are exposed to the virus. 

The CDC has shortened the isolation guidelines for those who have tested positive to: 5 days, if asymptomatic followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others. 

By Madi Adams

AHS Journalism

ALGONA-—Going to college is something some people choose to do. You can go for many different majors. Whether you go to a four year or a two year college, all have lots of classes and activities offered. Sometimes athletes go and play sports in college. Playing sports in high school and playing college sports are different, but they still are very fun.

Hunting seasons will begin closing in early January. Pheasant, archery turkey and deer seasons, and late muzzleloader deer season close on Jan. 10. Goose seasons start closing in the north zone on Jan. 8, followed by the central zone on Jan. 15, and the south zone on Jan. 22.

DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Fish Iowa! and First Catch Center are offering a free ice fishing basics webinar on Jan. 12, from 6 - 7 p.m., via Zoom, for those who have little to no ice fishing experience and would like to try it.

“If you have not tried ice fishing, or if you are just getting started, this webinar is for you,” said Barb Gigar, Fish Iowa! coordinator with the Iowa DNR.

KOSSUTH COUNTY—The Kossuth Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) has announced that Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI) is sponsoring a conservation scholarship program in 2022. The scholarships will be presented to Iowa high school seniors to be used for their first year of college education while pursuing programs of study in any field of agriculture or conservation.  

DES MOINES—Tom Nugent of Algona was among educators presented a 2020-21 Better Boardsmanship Award during the The Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) annual convention in Des Moines. 

Nugent is a member of the Algona Community School District Board of Directors. He is also a former school superintendent.

SWEA CITY—The trial of a Swea City man accused of manslaughter in the death of another Swea City man has been delayed again.

Robert Dwaine Laverty, 51, is accused of voluntary manslaughter, a Class C felony, following an incident on April 3, 2021, Howard Street and Third Avenue East in Swea City, after which 41-year-old Casey Tobin died. 

MASON CITY—North Iowa Area Council of Governments, which serves Kossuth County and others, announced it has two programs that can be aimed at downtown development. 

Downtown housing grant. 

 Kossuth Regional Health Center announces with a heavy heart Dr. Amy Schantzen will be resigning from her position as Family Medicine Physician at KRHC effective March 31, 2022.

Amy Schantzen, D.O. began seeing patients in the clinic in October of 2017.

Sheriff's Report

Notice to Readers:

The information included on this page has been obtained from public records — either court files, police and sheriff logs or accident reports. The Kossuth County Advance staff reminds readers that all charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Monday, December 27

6:54 a.m.: Traffic stop, Titonka.

8:10 a.m.: Unlock, Algona.

By Brad Hicks, Publisher

WHITTEMORE—Whether he likes it or not, Matt Koppen’s friends are chipping in to help.

“He’s the kind of guy who would do anything for anybody,” said Ryan Nelson, one of Koppen’s friends. “He’s going to be mad at us for doing this benefit, but he deserves it. He’s going to have a long way back.”

SIOUX CITY—Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) is hosting an upcoming virtual orientation for families in northwest Iowa to learn more about foster care and adoption. 

Hundreds of Iowa children are currently in need of a foster family, but there are not enough foster homes in western Iowa available for them.