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Students learn something they didn't know in history

West Bend-Mallard Eighth grade students developved unique story lines on individuals in an effort to learn more about America's history.
The students competed in National History Day, a competition that takes place around the country. Participants put together a research project about a person, event or idea that meets the theme. Projects fall into exhibit, documentary, performance, paper or website categories.
Read the whole story in the March 5 Kossuth County Advance.

Slight increase in West Bend property tax levy

The city of West Bend held a public hearing on its proposed 2020-21 maximum tax dollar levy on Feb. 24. The maximum tax levy rate was increased from $11.03833 per $1,000 valuation to $11.10490 per $1,000.
"There is a lot of difference in the levy rate, but the overall dollar amount is a 5.18 percent increase over last year," said Lisa Sewell, city clerk for the city of West Bend.
Get all the details in the March 5 Kossuth County Advance.

2 Properties sold in Whittemore

The ag land tax levy remains the same while Whittemore's overall tax levy rate on regular property comes in at $14.50948 per $1,000 for the fiscal year 2020-21 budget.
The revenues are estimated to be $2.7 million, while expenditures are estimated at $2.8 million. The Whittemore City Council approved the budget at its monthly meeting March 2.
Read about  more city council actions in the March 5 Kossuth County Advance.

WB-M discusses sharing proposal

A public hearing for the fiscal year 2021 budget of West Bend-Mallard School District is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, at 5 p.m. in the West Bend Administration Board room.
Supervisor Amanda Schmidt said the budget is comparable to last year's.
Get all the details in the March 5 Kossuth County Advance.

KRHC recognized as Top 100 Critical Access Hospital

Kossuth Regional Health Center has been named a 2020 Top 100 Critical Access Hospital by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. This annual award honors rural hospitals and is determined by the results of iVantage Health Analytics Strength Index.
Read more in the March 5 Kossuth County Advance.

Life to the fullest

While visiting Arizona recently, I read an article in The Arizona Republic newspaper with the intriguing title, "Live life, die dead."
It was written by Karina Bland, a regular columnist for the paper. It was spurred by graffiti saying this very thing, sprayed on the alley-side of a brick fence in her back yard with two-foot-tall letters.
Read the rest of the pastor's column in the March 5 Kossuth County Advance.

McMahon retires after 39 years teaching

As the 2019-20 school year enters its second half, Lynn McMahon is one of seven Algona Community School District teachers retiring at the end of this school year.
McMahon always knew she wanted to be a teacher. As a young girl, she even loved playing "teacher" with her friends.
Read more in the March 5 Advance.

City tax changes small

When the Algona City Council takes one final look before adoption of the 2020-21 city budget, it will review a plan with more than $1.3 million allocated for the Algona Public Library renovation project and almost $1 million dedicated to the start of a major Main Street renovation project.
"Otherwise, the upcoming budget is similar to past budgets, other than capital projects," said Curt Wiseman, Algona city administrator.
Get the facts in the Feb. 27 Advance.

Algona CSD earns solid report card

Algona Community School District received a positive report on the Iowa School Performance Profile.
The performance profile is a school report card used to show how schools are performing on measures required by the state.
Get all the details in the Feb. 27 Advance.

Fenton woman keeps kids, 4-H moving forward

Judi Bruhn joined the Fenton Forwards in the fourth grade. She has been the leader of the group since 1991. In November, Bruhn received the 4-H Hall of Fame award during the annual 4-H banquet at Trinity Life Center in Algona.
"Fenton Forwards wouldn't be the same without her," said Meredith Tigges, a member of the club. "She has positively impacted many women and girls. I am forever grateful to be one of Judi's 4-H girls."

ACSF scholarship recipients grateful

Algona High School graduates feel the George and Lilliace Sefrit Scholarship has been a godsend for them.
"It is absolutely worth getting the scholarship," said Adam Schonert, who graduated in 2018 and is now a student at Iowa State University. "Since I have it, I can't even imagine going to college without the scholarship.

Algona third graders aid Australia's wildlife

Jennifer Christensen sits on the carpet with the students in her third grade classroom at Lucia Wallace Elementary. During these morning sessions, they talk about the day's schedule, ask questions and share concerns. It was on that carpet that the students decided they would like to do something to help the animals which suffered in Australia's recent fires.

Algona's police department tries to do more with less

During a recent Algona Rotary Club luncheon, Algona Police Chief Kendall Pals said the police department has a unique situration but always looks for what the police department can do better and utilize officers to their best ability.
"We are diversified. That is the way we want it," he said. "We are trying to do more with less."
Read the complete story in the Feb. 27 Advance.

Ruling, timeline in Kossuth lawsuit

A district court judge could hear oral arguments in mid-to-late April on a lawsuit filed by opponents of a wind energy project against the Kossuth County Board of Supervisors and Kossuth Wind Energy LLC.
Feb. 20, Judge Nancy Whittenburg approved a court schedule that gives time for briefs and responses to be filed by the plaintiff, Kossuth County Citizens for Rural Property Rights LLC, and the defendants, the Kossuth County Board of Supervisors and Kossuth Wind Energy LLC.

Pastor's son aims for olympics

Earlier this month, the Rev. Steve Nofel joined a group of citizens at First Presbyterian Church in Lone Rock to tell the story of his son Matt, who is working to make the U.S. Olympic team as an archer. Nofel is pastor of the Presbyterian churches in Algona and Irvingtion.

Cozy Grove sugar shack 70-year history

This spring marks the 70th anniversary of making maple syrup at the Cozy Grove sugar shack at Smith Wildlife Area located 2 miles south of Algona on the east side of U.S. Highway 169.
The public is invited to enjoy Kossuth County's hidden gem and experience maple syrup making firsthand. Since maple syruping is weather-dependent, the exact date and time of the spring shack event will be posted in local media outlets.

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