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.

    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.