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EMS business discussions begin

Emergency medical services (EMS) business agreement discussions and reviews are underway. The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors saw a first draft of the agreement at its April 7 board meeting. The goal is to have the agreement finished by the new fiscal year that starts July 1. 

Successful Scoop the Loop leads to a second

As many as 60 vehicles could be seen in a procession that made at least five rounds up and down State Street on Tuesday, April 7, in a Scoop the Loop event.
“I think the people of Algona were ready to go out and socialize,” said Mayor Rick Murphy, who along with his wife Julie, led the procession. “This was a way to do that. I received phone calls and text messages of people telling me how much fun it was. I’m looking forward to something similar to this happening in the future.”

Loan program changes, chamber funding aimed to keep firms afloat

Numerous small businesses are temporarily closed and others that are open are struggling across the nation, including Algona. The city of Algona has stepped in to help.
“We just know that businesses in Algona are challenged and that they are impacted by the coronavirus,” said Algona Mayor Rick Murphy. “This is a way that we felt, as a city, we would be able to reach out and to help.”

Chats provide public critical COVID-19 info

Community and county leaders conducted video chats last week on different aspects of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
The Kossuth County Board of Health and Kossuth County Emergency Management sponsored the videos that were videotaped at the county election building and broadcast at 7 p.m. on public access channels on AMU Dynamic TV Channel 918, AMU traditional cable Channel 4, Mediacom Channel 3, and on Facebook.

Community Health on the front line

A community preparedness exercise for community health was held just as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic essentially halted what had been happening in Kossuth County communities.

Easter Bunny goes door to door in Wesley

Not even COVID-19 can keep the Easter bunny from spreading joy in Wesley. See more in the April 9 Kossuth County Advance.

A quilt meant to be given during a pandemic

ALGONA—Since 2018, members of the TLC Quilters have been meaning to present an embroidered quilt to David Penton, Kossuth County emergency management coordinator.
On Thursday, March 19, Barb Bitterman, Ellen Gatton and Linda Peters felt it was the perfect day to deliver the quilt to him at the law enforcement center.

Algona woman distributes toys, games to fight C-19 imact

ALGONA—With the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic impacting activities in Kossuth County, Heather Casey makes sure families have toys and games to help occupy their time at home.
“In Algona, we have lost a lot of resources, such as the library, playgrounds, the nature center and other activities families used to do, because of the coronavirus,” Casey said. “When isolated, not everyone has internet access and mental health issues are possible with everybody.”

Anti-COVID mask-sewing effort goes viral

ALGONA - Helping high school students have the right outfits for prom is nothing like what Teresa Kellenberger is doing this spring. She is making masks for people who are on the frontlines of the battle against the COVID-19 coronavirus around the country.
“Oh my goodness. It is absolutely overwhelming,” Kellenberger said. “It’s beyond prom season at a bridal shop, which I’m used to. This takes it to a whole new level. It is a wonderful feeling to help.”

Three Algona churches unite for drive-in Easter service Sunday

ALGONA—Easter Sunday services will be a bit different this year in Algona. Instead of climbing into a car to head off to church, some people will climb into their car and drive to the parking lot at the former Kmart – to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ during an ecumenical drive-in worship service.

He is not here!

He is not here, He has risen! The resurrection of Jesus Christ. The greatest event in the history of mankind. Our God, the only True God, in Jesus Christ, though perfect and sinless himself, would take our rightful place on a cross, die for our sins, and then be raised from the dead. The celebration of Easter. The foundation of the Christian faith. This week, we Christians will celebrate this greatest event in the history of mankind.

Virtual doctor visits ahead at KRHC

ALGONA - Telehealth capabilities will increase at Kossuth Regional Health Center (KRHC).
“Because of what is going on this will be a fundamental change to access for health care,” said Dar Elbert, KRHC administrator. “I believe there will always be demand for telehealth services for our community in the future.”

Supervisors deal with virus protocols

ALGONA—A couple of items associated with the COVID-19 coronavirus were passed during the Kossuth County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, March 31.
Jack Plathe, board chairperson, also signed a letter to be presented to county employees. The letter addresses various protocols that the board of supervisors, elected officials and department heads have drafted to reduce the potential for transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

Kossuth County Community Foundation offers COVID-19 grants to nonprofits

KOSSUTH COUNTY—Nonprofits may now apply for grants from the Kossuth County COVID-19 Disaster Response Fund with the Kossuth County Community Foundation (KCCF), an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa (CFNEIA).

Deadline dates extended for appeal of property assessments

ALGONA—Iowa Assessors recently mailed assessment rolls to any property owner who had changes to their 2020 assessed valuations. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, an official state order gives property owners who disagree with property values additional time to petition their local board of review.

It should start looking like planting season

KOSSUTH COUNTY—April is here, and many farmers and producers will soon be ready to plant corn and soybeans.
“Right now, probably all of their planting plans are finished,” said Trae Hestness, regional manager for the Iowa Farm Bureau. “They are all geared up and ready to go. They are working on planters. They are working on cultivators. They are getting everything ready for that switch to turn on.”

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