ALGONA—Kossuth Regional Health Center has been named a Top 20 Critical Access Hospital by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA).

ALGONA—Police Chief Kendall Pals expressed a realistic approach to his decision to retire as Algona’s police chief on June 30.
“They just need somebody younger with more energy because my blueprint on how I want to do things is very energetic, and it’s hard when you are older to maintain that level, and I want them to maintain that level,” the 61-year-old said. He added, “And, I’d like to have some new experiences.”
 
Read the full story in the May 13 Advance.

ALGONA—Plans to renovate Central Park received a big boost Monday when the Wellmark Foundation announced it is providing a $100,000 grant to the city of Algona for the project.

ALGONA—The Algona Senior Center and the Stinson Prairie Arts Council teamed up to hold an exhibit of local artist at the Senior Center May 5, 6 and 7. Wednesday morning the Senior Center hosted a coffee and people were able to meet the artists and purchase pieces they had for sale. Thursday morning held an art class given by Anne Kohlhaas. Door prizes were also given that were donated by businesses and individuals. 
 
See the full report and photos in the May 13 Advance.

    KOSSUTH COUNTY—Kossuth County Public Health will soon deliver COVID-19 vaccines to communities throughout Kossuth County with the help of a mobile vaccine station.
On Tuesday, May 25, vaccine clinics will be available in:
• Bancroft from 8 to 9 a.m. in the parking lot behind the clinic 
• Lakota from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Fire Station
• Ledyard from 11 a.m. to noon on Main Street
• Swea City from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the City Park 

KOSSUTH COUNTY—No Kossuth County deaths from COVID-19 have been recorded in the past two weeks, according to information posted on the state’s coronavirus website. The death toll stands at 64, with 56 of those cases listed as the virus being the underlying cause of death. The other eight deaths list the virus as a contributing factor.

ALGONA—The Algona Community School Board approved the use of PPEL dollars in the amount of $50,000 up front and $20,000 a year for four years to purchase a new scoreboard for the athletic field. This was one of the items discussed at the Board of Education meeting on Monday, May 10. 

ALGONA—The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday, May 11, to proceed with creation of a potential ordinance that will address development of commercial solar power installations. 
The ordinance would deal with firms that specifically want to build solar collection and distribution systems and resell the power. The ordinance would not be intended to regulate installations on private property for private use.
 
For the full story, see the May 13 Advance.

DES MOINES—An open meetings complaint filed against the Kossuth County Board of Supervisors was dismissed by the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB), which determined no violation was committed.
 
For the full story, see the May 13 Advance.

LU VERNE—The Lu Verne (CWL) Elementary held its first concert of the year on Monday, April 26, starting at 6 p.m.  
The theme for this year’s concert was “Keep Calm and Play Music.”
 
See the full story in the May 13 Advance. 

ALGONA—Bishop Garrigan High School conferred diplomas to 42 graduates and announced approximately $300,000 in local scholarships, plus more in college scholarship awards, during commencement exercises Sunday, May 9, conducted before a near-capacity crowd Friedmann Auditorium.
 
See a report on graduation and all of the awards in the May 13 Advance.

ALGONA—The Kiwanis Club handed out bike helmets to third and fourth graders at Lucia Wallace and Seton schools last Friday, May 7 as they have done every year since 2002.
 
See the photos and report in the May 13 Advance.

ALGONA—Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate presented the Carrie Chapman Catt Award to Bishop Garrigan High School (BGHS) Senior Class on Wednesday, May 5. The award goes to any school that registers at least 90 percent of eligible students to vote.
 BGHS was one of 88 Iowa high schools that signed up across 54 counties, and one of 18 Iowa high schools to earn the Carrie Chapman Catt Award. A total of 3,834 students registered to vote through the initiative. 
 

An Algona Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors ribbon cutting was held Friday, May 7, at Taffe Wellness Center on Highway 169 near State Street.
 
 
See the photo and information in the May 13 Advance.

WEST DES MOINES—Kevin Banwart received the Iowa Society of CPAs (ISCPA) Outstanding CPA in Business and Industry Award during the May 7 annual meeting.
 
Read the story in the May 13 Advance.