DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Fish Iowa! and First Catch Center are offering a free ice fishing basics webinar on Jan. 12, from 6 - 7 p.m., via Zoom, for those who have little to no ice fishing experience and would like to try it.

“If you have not tried ice fishing, or if you are just getting started, this webinar is for you,” said Barb Gigar, Fish Iowa! coordinator with the Iowa DNR.

KOSSUTH COUNTY—The Kossuth Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) has announced that Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI) is sponsoring a conservation scholarship program in 2022. The scholarships will be presented to Iowa high school seniors to be used for their first year of college education while pursuing programs of study in any field of agriculture or conservation.  

DES MOINES—Tom Nugent of Algona was among educators presented a 2020-21 Better Boardsmanship Award during the The Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) annual convention in Des Moines. 

Nugent is a member of the Algona Community School District Board of Directors. He is also a former school superintendent.

SWEA CITY—The trial of a Swea City man accused of manslaughter in the death of another Swea City man has been delayed again.

Robert Dwaine Laverty, 51, is accused of voluntary manslaughter, a Class C felony, following an incident on April 3, 2021, Howard Street and Third Avenue East in Swea City, after which 41-year-old Casey Tobin died. 

MASON CITY—North Iowa Area Council of Governments, which serves Kossuth County and others, announced it has two programs that can be aimed at downtown development. 

Downtown housing grant. 

 Kossuth Regional Health Center announces with a heavy heart Dr. Amy Schantzen will be resigning from her position as Family Medicine Physician at KRHC effective March 31, 2022.

Amy Schantzen, D.O. began seeing patients in the clinic in October of 2017.

Sheriff's Report

Notice to Readers:

The information included on this page has been obtained from public records — either court files, police and sheriff logs or accident reports. The Kossuth County Advance staff reminds readers that all charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Monday, December 27

6:54 a.m.: Traffic stop, Titonka.

8:10 a.m.: Unlock, Algona.

By Brad Hicks, Publisher

WHITTEMORE—Whether he likes it or not, Matt Koppen’s friends are chipping in to help.

“He’s the kind of guy who would do anything for anybody,” said Ryan Nelson, one of Koppen’s friends. “He’s going to be mad at us for doing this benefit, but he deserves it. He’s going to have a long way back.”

SIOUX CITY—Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) is hosting an upcoming virtual orientation for families in northwest Iowa to learn more about foster care and adoption. 

Hundreds of Iowa children are currently in need of a foster family, but there are not enough foster homes in western Iowa available for them.

By Brad Hicks, Publisher

ALGONA—Kossuth County supervisors approved more uses of federal American Rescue funds, approved the contingent purchase of property, and debated federal COVID-19 mandates during their meeting Tuesday morning, Dec. 28.

ARPA spending

The board approved spending $771,024 of a $1,438,626 allocation on three items, which each were approved separately. 

LOST ISLAND LAKE—Emmet, Kossuth and Palo Alto county naturalists are planning a fun day of winter activities for an Outdoor Women’s Day Saturday, Jan. 15, at Lost Island Lake Nature Center.

LOST ISLAND LAKE—Emmet, Kossuth and Palo Alto county naturalists are planning a fun day of winter activities for an Outdoor Women’s Day Saturday, Jan. 15, at Lost Island Lake Nature Center.

ALGONA—Kossuth County Extension released its annual report this week.

The report describes some of the activities handled by the organization throughout the year, many of which dealt with changes impacting rural communities, such as the transition of farm ownership, mental health impacts due to COVID-19, and how people could help small businesses during the pandemic.

There were also reports on various training programs, 4-H and more.

Editor’s note: The Advance begins its annual Year in Review series this week. This is the first of three parts, featuring January-April 2021. Next week will feature May-August, and the following week will feature September-December. The annual Sports Year in Review will be published Jan. 6.

January 7

Kossuth Regional welcomes 

first 2021 baby

KOSSUTH COUNTY—Annette Valvick is the Kossuth County Sheriff’s Office December 1440 Citizen of the Month. 

Sheriff Roger Fisher said Valvick was nominated to recognize her 39 years of serving the residents and staff at Accura Nursing Home in Bancroft. She became a registered nurse and director of nursing at age 20 and mentored many certified nursing aides through the decades. Her management style was to lead by example and provide a positive and caring environment.