KOSSUTH COUNTY—Thanksgiving weekend starts in a week and a half, and millions of Americans will hit the roads, eager to spend time with family and friends. It is one of the busiest travel times of the year, and unfortunately, that may mean more crashes.

The Algona Police Department, Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol and several other law enforcement agencies will be out in force for a Special Traffic Enforcement Project, or STEP.

ALGONA—The Algona Senior Center announced last week that activities there are on hold for about another week.

“For precautionary reasons, we have decided to temporarily halt all activities except for room rental and meetings until the first of December,” a notice stated. 

Meals on Wheels will resume on a delivery-only basis starting Monday, Nov. 22, until Dec. 1. At that time, Meals on Wheels will resume as normal. 

ALGONA—Kossuth County Public Health will host a pediatric COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Monday, November 22 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Community Health of Kossuth Regional Health Center. The walk-in clinic is intended for children ages 5 to 11 years old. 

KOSSUTH COUNTY—Seventy-six Kossuth County residents have died as a result of COVID-19, and while the local infection rate has declined, it has risen in surrounding counties.

That’s according to data posted Monday, Nov. 15, at the state of Iowa’s coronavirus website.

ALGONA—It’s not all COVID-19 related, but the number of patients seen and admitted at Kossuth Regional Health Center (KRHC) escalated in recent months, and the result has been more revenue for the hospital here. 

Moving Veteran’s Forward held a chili cookoff, soup supper and auction at the VFW Thursday evening, Nov. 11 to raise funds to help veterans who need furniture. Marilyn Evans, Randy Erpelding, Makayla Erpelding and Roger Evans enjoy a visit during the auction for Moving Veteran’s Forward. Amy Frankl-Brandt photos

ALGONA—Veterans of the armed forces were honored at a ceremony on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at the Wilcox Performing Arts Center. The ceremony included patriotic music and songs by the seventh and eighth grade band and choir. Veterans from each branch of the military stood as their song was played. Boy Scout Troop 71 presented a flag folding demonstration explaining what each fold of the flag meant.

LIVERMORE—On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2021, Twin Rivers Elementary had a “meet and greet” event to honor our local heroes.    The local Veterans brought in some memorabilia and made themselves available for questions and stories. The students and staff had the opportunity to learn more about the real experiences that take place when protecting our freedoms.   This event made Veterans Day more personal for those that participated.

By Amy Frankl-Brandt

Assistant Editor

By Kim Wegener

Features Writer

ALGONA—After serving for six years as senior pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona, Pastor Tom Schlund will deliver his farewell sermon on Sunday, Nov. 21 during the 9 a.m. service at Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona. 

Schlund has accepted a call as an admissions officer at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. He is excited about the new opportunity but leaves Trinity with mixed emotions. 

By Kim Wegener

Features Writer

LAKOTA—Patriotism was overflowing in the community of Lakota on Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11. More than 500 veterans and/or widows of veterans participated in the Hunting with Heroes drive through meal event. They were welcomed to Main Street with the sight of numerous race cars, fire trucks and law enforcement vehicles sporting flags and smiling volunteers thanking them for their military service. 

BANCROFT—City council members approved the sale of a lot, agreed to a solid waste collection contract and heard concerns about staffing of the ambulance service their regular monthly meeting at Bancroft City Hall Monday, Nov. 8.

The council renewed a contract with Dump It, from Algona, to collect solid waste for the next three years. The contract price increase was about 3 percent, said Chrysti Neumann, city director.

BANCROFT—The Bancroft Chamber of Commerce, businesses, organizations and volunteers have a variety of events planned for the holiday season starting with Party at the Pub, Wednesday, Nov. 24 with local music from Midland Vibe from 6 to 9 p.m. and Morgan Kuecker starting at 9:30 p.m.

By Sam Reitz 

AHS Journalism

ALGONA—Algona High School’s Model United Nations (U.N.) group had a great opportunity to show their talents at the Iowa Youth Symposium in Des Moines. For two days, students got the chance to model what the United Nations is like with students from all around the state.