Lifeserve Blood Center will host drives in Algona and Wesley next week. The Algona drives are Monday, Dec. 6, 12:30-5:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church. The Wesley drive is at the community center Thursday, Dec. 9, 2-6 p.m. Appointments are required at 800-287-4903 or lifeserve.info/schedule.

The Fenton Public Library has changed its hours. They are Monday and Thursday, 9-11 a.m. and 1-7 p.m.; Tuesday, 9-11 a.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The library is closed Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

ACCIDENT: Rear ended when avoiding hitting deer

BIRTH: Letti Marie Laubenthal

Jordan and Chelsea (Banwart) Laubenthal of West Bend announce the birth of their daughter, Letti Marie, on Nov. 4, 2021, at the Kossuth Regional Health Center. 

Letti weighed 8 pounds, 10 ounces and was 21.5 inches long. She is welcomed home by a sister, Sadie.

Maternal grandparents are Craig and Tina Banwart of Ottosen. Paternal grandparents are Keith and Connie Laubenthal of West Bend. 

Jacob Bollinger of Fenton was recently awarded a Niman Ranch Next Generation Foundation Scholarship. The scholarship and grant recipients were announced during Niman Ranch’s 23rd annual Hog Farmer Appreciation Dinner. 

WAVERLY—Joseph Goetz of Buffalo Center was one of 36 Wartburg College students recently inducted into the Phi Eta Sigma honor society.

Phi Eta Sigma is the oldest and largest freshman honor society. A student must achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 and be in the top 20 percent of their class by the end of the first year.

Fenton Public Library hosts its annual holiday open house Saturday, Dec. 11, 9-11 a.m., corresponding with Fenton’s Santa Day. The library will serve cinnamon rolls and coffee, and there will be door prizes for children and adults.

The 5th Annual Little Al Foundation Concert will be held this Sunday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m.  The concert will be held at the Lone Rock Presbyterian Church. Guest musicians this year will include Bill Hansen, Glen Henriksen, Ivy Kitzinger, Kent Madison and Gene Miller. The Fenton Sweet Corn Community Choir will perform three songs, including “Noel” and “Celebrate the Child,” and there will also be congregational carol singing.

WHITTEMORE—Whittemore will host “A Walk Along Broad Street” Friday, Dec. 3, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. to celebrate It’s A Wonderful Life in Whittemore.

WEST BEND—The West Bend-Mallard Community School Board of Directors met Tuesday, Nov. 16 to discuss options to meet the need for more space among other things.

The elementary Christmas program will be Dec. 9. Preschool will kick the program off at 6 p.m. followed by the elementary at 7 p.m. There will be art projects displayed for the public to view during the Christmas program as well. The middle school and high school music concert will be Dec. 6. 

ALGONA—The Kossuth County Temporary Redistricting Commission is reviewing options for aligning voting precincts to be used over the next 10 years after holding its second meeting Monday afternoon, Nov. 29, at the courthouse.

Stinson Prairie Arts Council is proud to present a special exhibition of photography that includes various subjects and printed mediums. “Kossuth County Photographers” will be on exhibit from Dec. 9  to Jan. 9 at Algona Publishing. A public opening reception is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served and all are welcome.

ALGONA—People are returning to public places to socialize, and starting in January the Algona Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors are planning to resume a practice that was dropped when the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Table tents promoting local events were prevalent at restaurants and other locations prior to the March 2020 shutdown and subsequent slow return toward pre-pandemic activities. 

AMES—Farm to school sales from Iowa food hubs were cut in half in 2021, following the loss of state and federal funding. 

In 2020, seven food hubs sold food to 57 schools, compared to 26 schools, colleges and early-care sites in 2021, according to summary report released by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

An incident early Thanksgiving Day has resulted in the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation taking over for the Algona Police Department. Here is a press release from the Algona Police Department, posted to its Facebook page: