ALGONA— The City of Algona is now accepting applications for the Community Development Block Housing Rehabilitation Grant program, according to a press release issued this week.  
Home owner-occupants could receive up to $24,999 for rehabilitation of roofing, windows, doors, gutters, siding/insulation, foundation and exterior stairways.
To qualify, the combined income of all members of an individual household must be less than the following income limits: 

ARMSTRONG—North Union High School held commencement for the Class of 2021 Sunday, May 16.
Class valedictorians were Jordyn Cummins, Ashton Merrill and Halle Rezac. Evan Bollinger was the salutatorian. 
 
See the full graduation story in the May 20 Advance.

ALGONA—Nolte, Cornman & Johnson P.C. last week released an audit report on Algona Community School District.
The press release said the district’s revenues totaled $21,685,626 for the year ended June 30, 2020, a 0.95 percent increase from the prior year. Expenses for district operations for the year ended June 30, 2020, totaled $22,245,837 a 3.18 percent increase from the prior year. 
 
See the full report in the May 20 Advance.

WEST BEND—West Bend-Mallard High School graduates collected academic honors, and the list of scholarships and awards was announced as commencement ended a week of events Sunday, May 16.
The class of 2021 valedictorians were Kara Fehr, Rachel Fehr, Tori Fogarty, Jared Schmidt and Kylee Thilges. Salutatorians were Jenna Montag and Leandra Schupbach.
 
See the full story on graduation in the May 20 Advance.

SWEA CITY—Big plans are in the making for Swea City’s quasquicentennial celebration Friday through Sunday, June 25-27.

BURT—City council members dealt with ordinances setting rates for water, sewer, electricity and garbage utilities, and then reviewed bids on the community center during their regular meeting.
The council is working on changing utility rates ordinances and the first reading of each of the four ordinances was approved at the meeting Tuesday, May 11. 

BANCROFT—Water and sewer rates will be rising in Bancroft.
The city council at its meeting last week to set the base rates at $20 for each utility per month and increase the use rate by 2.5 percent annually. 
 
Get the full story in the May 20 Advance.

TITONKA—Council members will be looking for a new city clerk after Karen Hamilton announced she plans to retire at the end of the year.
The information was made public at the council’s regular meeting Thursday, May 13.
 
See the full story in the May 20 Advance.

ALGONA—Marcia Baade stands in a darkened room. Through the large windows in front of her, she can see people reading, watching television or playing games. Hanging on either side of her are television screens, each showing a continuous video feed of a dozen or more different parts of the facility. At her fingertips is a control panel that allows her to open and close doors and monitor other activities.

WHITTEMORE—Matt and Hilary (McGuire) Kollasch, both Bishop Garrigan graduates, took different routes to this place. The husband and wife team are now five years into a venture that has changed the land that produces certified organic crops, and some of the feed for their cows, and subsequently created a growing demand for the beef products produced at Kollasch Family Farms.
 

ALGONA—The World War II home-front drama “Silent Night In Algona” is now in full pre-production mode. The film will be shot in late fall. 
“Silent Night in Algona” (Inspired by Actual Events) is a feature film that has been in development for several years by Collective Development Incorporated, which is based in Lansing, Mich., and the  Donald R. Tietz Charitable Foundation of Algona.

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.