The Morwens and Noon Kiwanis clubs in Algona have annual project to distribute over 200 age-appropriate dictionaries to third-graders in six different schools.
One of the ways to get the kids to explore this book is to play a game I call, Stump the Adults. Each child is invited to seek out a word and then challenge the adults in the classroom to see if any of us can define it. Most often, we get it right.
Read the complete column in the Oct. 31 Kossuth County Advance.

Early and absentee voting totals in the Algona Community School Distrct and the city of Algona for next Tuesday's elections have already surpassed the total turnout in similar elections two years ago.
According to information from the Kossuth County Auditor's Office, 373 people have already voted in the city's mayoral and city council elections as of 9 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 29, one week from Election Day.
Read more in the Oct. 31 Kossuth County Advance.

The Kossuth County EMS board (KCEMS) met last Wednesday at the Kossuth County Law Enforcement Center to discuss how to approach the 10 towns that have independent EMS services about consolidating into a single, countywide EMS service.
After a series of meetings that began in August with the hope of finding ways to better fund ambulance services in the county, the KCEMS board turned toward a countywide EMS service rather than a system.

The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a letter to County Social Services (CSS) Tuesday, notifying the CSS board of the county's intent to withdraw from the 28E agreement.
The move comes afer the two parties reached a settlement, which came after multiple closed sessions at the board of supervisors to discuss legal strategy and an arbitration hearing between the parties.
Read the complete story in the Oct. 31 Kossuth County Advance.

The Algona High School Scarlet Regiment Marching Band performed at the Iowa High School Music Association State Marching Band Festival and was awarded a Division I rating for its performance at Dodger Stadium in Fort Dodge on Oct. 12.
This was the 41st time the band has had its performance awarded a Division I since it began attending the festival in 1977. This year marks the 34th consecutive Division I rating.
Read more about it in the Oct. 31 Advance.

A congested school board candidate field limited the number of questions posed during a recent campaign forum sponsored by the American Association of University Women at the Iowa Lakes Community College.
There are eight school board candidates running for postions on the Algona Community School District Board of Directors.
Read the complete story in the Oct. 31 Advance.

Krista Kramer had a drop-in visitor at the Feed Mill in downtown Algona last week – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds.
Kramer is employed at the Feed Mill through Exceptional Opportunities' supported employment program.
Read more in the Oct. 31 Advance.

ALGONA – Opening remarks were heard on Wednesday afternoon in the murder trial of Jeffrey Lynn Winters of Livermore.
Winters is charged with first-degree murder, which could carry life in prison.

ALGONA — Emotions ran deep for Gold Star family members and those who heard their stories at the Wilcox Performing Arts Center on Saturday.
“Kids are out there fighting for our freedom at this very moment,” said Dan Robinson, a Gold Star family member who lost his son, Heath, on Aug. 6, 2011. “The patriotic part of it is something our country has so much because of our veterans, because of those who serve and that is something we can’t take for granted.”

ALGONA — An era ended on Saturday.
Ernie’s Harley-Davidson officially closed its doors with a going out of business sale at the property on Highway 18 on Oct. 19.
“This is a bad deal,” said Jim Schumacher, who was browsing at different auction items. “I’m going to miss it I know that.”

ALGONA — When voters go to the polls on Nov. 5, they will be voting for both a city and school election for the first time.

ALGONA — A group of Algona High School students recently completed a volunteer water quality monitoring study of the east fork of the Des Moines River.

ALGONA — The Kossuth County Democrats hosted a meet and greet fundraiser for Democratic candidates on Tuesday, Oct. 8.
County Democratic Chair Steve King said he hopes we generate some excitement for candidates and politics for Democratic politics, particularly,” he said. “Hopefully we get some momentum going.”

ALGONA – The Algona Area Chamber of Commerce is holding its 27th annual Autumnfest Craft Show Saturday, Oct. 26. It consists of three locations; the Algona High School Commons and Gym, Bishop Garrigan High School Gym and the Knights of Columbus Hall.
This year there will be two new local crafters, Vaske Creations run by Stephen and Ashley Vaske and Desi’s Desserts run by Desiree Johnson. There will be shuttle buses to move customers between the three locations.

ALGONA – The Saturday morning of the Band Day parade was rainy and cold. Algona Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vicki Mallory expected to wake up to a rainy day. As the weather evolved the rain stopped before the parade started and the sun came out as it was going on.
“There was a lot of last minute stuff that couldn’t be done earlier in the day,” Mallory said.