For the first time in 21 years, Algona has a new mayor.
Rick Murphy has been chosen to replace Mayor Lynn Kueck, who decided to step down at the end of the year.
Get more election results in the Nov. 7 Advance.

The three incumbents vying for Algona Community School District Board of Directors positions all retained their seats after Tuesday's election.
There were four seats carrying a four-year term and one seat for a two-year term. Tom Nugent, Brent Owen, Andrea Louscher Vinci, Eric Baker and Todd Louwagie were running for the four-year seats and Michael Schlievert, Bill Farnham and Rodney Davis for the two-year seat.
Get more election results in the Nov. 7 Advance.

Harley Kohlhass has retained another four-year term as Ward 4 Algona City Council member.
Unofficially, Kohlhaas finished with 189 votes or just over 52 percent of the vote, while challenger Becky Zittrisch had 172 votes or over 47 percent of the vote.
Get more election news in the Nov. 7 Advance.

Kmart employees were informed Tuesday afternoon the Algona store is closing.
Christy Montgomery, store manager, said details are few at this point, but the information she has is that the store will operate into February of next yeasr, and that a liquidation sale will be held.
Get more detiails in the Nov. 7 Advance.

The Algona City Council approved an amendment to the city's urban renewal plan, paving the way for future development on land the city owns east of town.
Algona Mayor Lynn Kueck said, "This is 55 acres of future growth for Algona to the east of Snap-on. Over the next 25-30 years, we're hoping that those 55 acres will be filled with new companies."
Read the complete story in the Nov. 7 Advance.

The Stinson Prairie Arts Council Kossuth County Artists Show is at Algona Publishing Thursday, Nov. 7, to Tuesday, Dec. 10.

The Kossuth Regional Health Center Foundation raised $78,125 for its endowment fund and honored Scott and Sara Curtis during its annual Legacy Ball Saturday at the Columbia Events Center in Algona.
The event, themed Bow ties and Pearls, featured an hour of cocktails and appetizers, a meal, a silent auction, a dance and comments from foundation director Nancy Grandgenett-Besch, physician assistant Mark Davis and honorary co-chairs Scott and Sara Curtis.

After sharing facilities with the Kossuth County C.A.R.E. Team for roughly 14 years, the Kossuth County Food Pantry moved to 1425 E. Commercial St. Food Pantry director Erby Shipler said the move made sense because the operation needed more room.
C.A.R.E Team director Linda Vaudt said the move will impact that organization's finances. She said the food pantry has paid $5,364 in rent and services so far this year for the (prior) shared 109 N. Lantry St. location.

In October, Algona had a couple of visitors from Wisconsin. They came to meet the family and friends of Sandra Bradley. Sandra was a longtime resident of Algona who passed away in January of 2015.
Sandra was a wonderful mother and grandmother, a member of St. Cecelia Catholic Church, worked at Pharmacist's Mutual, was an active member of the community and an avid cycling enthusiast.
Read the complete story in the Nov. 7 Advance.

The Kossuth County Republicans held a fundraiser at the Wesley Community Center Sunday, in part to honor veterans.
The event featured Republican speakers, including candidates attempting to unseat U.S. Rep. Steve King, a fellow Republican. Rep. King spoke at the event, as did those running for his seat – Randy Feenstra, Steven Reeder, Bret Richards and Jeremy Taylor.
Read the complete story in the Nov. 7 Kossuth County Advance.

A letter was sent to the Swea City Council asking the city to repair a portion of Seventh Street South.

So, somehow the year 2020 is nearly upon us. The prospect of a new year brings both apprehension and excitement, depending on what kind of year you've had. However, we all face one particular reality in the upcoming year, a reality that I dread.
In about 365 days, we will vote yet again for the president of the United States.
Read the complete column in the Nov. 7 Kossuth County Advance.

In what he called an effort to reach out to communities of all sizes in Iowa, Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg made a noon stop at the Algona VFW on Monday, Nov. 4.
"Rural Iowa, rural America is an important part of the future of this country, and that means it deserves to be an important part of my campaign, too," he said.
Read the complete story in the Nov. 7 Kossuth County Advance.

His experiences in two years in North Vietnam were enough to last Arden Haas a lifetime.
Haas, who now resides just outside of Lakota, said he never thought of himself as a Vietnam veteran. "The other guys were," he said.
Read the complete story in the Nov. 7 Kossuth County Advance.

One of the last surviving World War II veterans in Kossuth County is grateful he never had to face the enemy.
"Hell, I was only 19 years old," Bob Riedel said. "At least I didn't have to walk all over the world."
Read the complete story in the Nov. 7 Kossuth County Advance.