America’s SBDC Iowa (SBDC) recently announced that Erika Jensen, owner of The Chocolate Season in Algona, is the winner of the SBDC’s statewide Business of the Month award.
Jensen was presented an award on Monday, Nov. 21, at the Chocolate Season.
She said she was surprised. “It is flattering for other businesses and associations in the community to recognize what we’re doing,” she said.

ALGONA — Local radio station KLGA sponsored Back the Blue on Tuesday, Nov. 15. Area law enforcement, fire and EMS were invited to an open house at the Algona Police Department garage. 
The event began at 4 p.m., and less than 10 minutes later, the crowd had spilled out onto the street because of the number of people wanting to show their appreciation to law enforcement and first responders. More than 700 people in total attended the event.

ALGONA — Puma flies down the field at 35 mph. And when she puts the bite on you she is still soaring at 35 mph.
The first time that happened to 185-pound Nick Priester, the 3-year-old, 45-pound Dutch Shepherd knocked him to the ground and made an impression he will never forget.
“I just sat there like a ragdoll and was wondering what just happened,” Priester said. “Are you serious? A little dog just did that.”

Durwood and Donna Mae (Hansen) Walker were married on Nov. 25, 1956, at the Irvington Presbyterian Church. Their family, including Kevin and Cindy Walker of Algona and Kirt and Cindy Walker of New Albany, Ohio, are encouraging family and friends to help them celebrate by showering them with cards. Cards and well wishes will reach them at 709 North Putnam Street, Algona, IA 50511. 

Dan and Georgia (Billmeyer) Bengs were married on Nov. 19, 1966 at Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines by Dr. James Lenhart. They will be celebrating with their family at a private party in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Nov. 19. Their children, including Brian (Jennifer) Bengs of Aberdeen, S.D., and Tim (Jenny) Bengs of Spirit Lake, along with four grandchildren, are encouraging family and friends to shower them with cards.

Todd and Mary Kay (Reding) Wegener were married on Nov. 9, 1991 at St. Michael’s Church in Whittemore. Their family, including their children Lee Wegener, Mallary Wegener and Cole Wegener, will be celebrating with them at a private party in December. The couple is currently residing in Fenton.

Steele Harris Hubbard
Matt and Tina (Peterson) Hubbard of Algona are the proud parents of a baby boy, Steele Harris, born Thursday, Sept. 8, at Kossuth Regional Health Center. He weighed 9 pounds, 15 ounces and was 22 inches long at birth. 
Maternal grandparents are Joni Peterson of Algona and Allen and Shelly Peterson of Titonka. Paternal grandparents are Harris and Betty Harms of Burt. 
Great grandparents are Adeline Pope of Knoxville and Harry Hubbard of Elkader. 

Magdalene A. (Harringa) Penning was born on Nov. 16, 1926 and will be celebrating her 90th birthday this year. Her family is encouraging family and friends to shower her in cards to help her celebrate. Cards and well wishes will reach her at 318 West Keith Street, Algona, IA 50511.

ALGONA — Students and staff at the Algona Middle School spent Friday morning, Nov. 11 honoring local veterans and saying “thank you” with a special Veteran’s Day program for the community. 
Veterans and their family members, along with AMS students, packed the gymnasium Friday morning for the program, which was led by the students, band and choir. 
Evan Deal, AMS Student Council president, gave the welcome and presided over the event. 

LAKOTA — Now in its fifth year, the success of Lakota’s Hunting with Heroes can be seen in its alumni — Marines from the Wounded Warrior Battalion in Camp LeJeune, N.C., who have spent a weekend in north central Iowa hunting pheasant — and then return to help the next group of Marines.

ALGONA – Voters in Kossuth County were eager to get out and cast their ballots on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8. 
At the Knights of Columbus Columbia Hall in Algona, the polling place for Algona Wards 1-4, Cresco 1, Cresco 2, Irvington Township sections 1-6 and Plum Creek Township sections 25-36, voters were lined up and ready more than 30 minutes before the polls opened for the day. 

ALGONA – The 2016 general election is over and in Kossuth County, it could be the largest turnout ever. 
Kossuth County Auditor Amber Garman said preliminary projections show that it could be the largest turnout for an election in Kossuth County because of the presidential election.
“We haven’t had any glitches,” she said. “This big of election for it to go as smoothly as it has, is a blessing.”

 
ALGONA – Last week’s closing of the Iowa National Guard Armory here was not a surprise for some. It did hurt that a little piece of history was lost.
“To us old soldiers, it’s our unit,” said Dean Benschoter, who commanded the Battery B, Field Artillery unit from 1973-1976. “It is nostalgic. It is like knocking your school down.”
Algona Mayor Lynn Kueck saw the writing on the wall about a year ago.
 

ALGONA – It was a night of fun and dancing and an evening to raise money to continue growing the Kossuth Regional Health Center Foundation’s Endowment Fund.
“Swing Under the Wing” was the 14th annual Legacy Ball and it raised more than $74,760. All the funds will go toward the endowment fund. The endowment fund is a fund where KRHC only uses the income that is earned from it each year to assist in new equipment and technology or to help fund remodeling or addition projects.

ALGONA – An eighth-grader reportedly escaped from a man who had grabbed him today.
According to Algona Police Chief Kendall Pals, this is a possible connection to last week’s incident when four Bryant Elementary School students were offered $100 to climb into the car.