When Joe Carter applied for the position at the Algona Community School District, he saw Algona as a destination community.
"This was a community we could call home, that provided tremendous opportunities professionally, as well as for our children," Carter said. "We really thought the combination of a strong school district and a community with great opportunites was a place we envisioned seeing ourselves."

Before I became a pastor, I was a college administrator. Before serving in that role, I had spent around 20 years in school between kindergarten and the end of graduate school.
Now that I'm a pastor, all of our new programs and activities kick off in August and September. I tell you this to say that for as long as I can remember, I've always felt like August seemed like the beginning of a new year more than January did. So, happy new year!

The Kossuth County Emergency Management Service Advisory Board elected its officers during its meeting last Tuesday, Aug. 20.
Kossuth County Supervisor Kyle Stecker was elected chair, Swea City EMS Director Phil Albers is the vice chair and Kossuth County Emergency Management Coordinator David Penton is the secretary.
Read more in the Aug. 29 Kossuth County Advance.

The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors discussed how its agenda should be published last Tuesday, Aug. 20. Joining the supervisors were the Kossuth County Engineer Doug Miller and Kossuth County Attorney Todd Holmes.

The annual Bosie Bingo event brought families to the streets of Whittemore on Saturday, Aug. 17, for a chicken meal and fun.
The annual fundraiser for the Seely-Walsh Post #25 American Legion incluede a chicken and corn meal, ice cream social, kiddie train rides, children digging for quarters and the Bosie Bingo. More than 200 people were served and an estimated $4,000 raised.
Read more about it in the Aug. 29 Kossuth County Advance.

Angela Burdell is the new wildlife specialist for the Algona Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office.
She is employed by Conservation Districts of Iowa while working in partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and NRCS. Burdell is headquartered in Algona and will serve Kossuth, Humboldt, Palo Alto and Emmet counties.
Read more in the Aug. 29 Kossuth County Advance.

Many school districts are seeing children coming to school with various needs. The North Kossuth Community School District is implementing the Second Step curriculum to help equip all students with strategies that address their social and emotional needs.

Wesley resident Mandie Studer was at the Kossuth County Board of Supervisors meeting last Tuesday, Aug. 20, and she was seeking answers. Studer previously raised concerns with safety as well as the supervisors' oversight of the Kossuth Wind Project, which is proposed to be built southwest of Wesley.

The first Public Safety Night Out is Thursday, Sept. 12, near the intersection of Dodge and Nebraska streets.
It will be an interactive event that features officials from law enforcement, EMS, the fire department and emergency management. In addition, there is a free meal. First Lutheran Church members will serve the meal, while First Presbyterian Church members will provide free bottled water, and Grace Church members will provide free watermelon.

An expert dealing with school violence will spend Monday, Sept. 9, in Algona.
Chris Dorn from Macon, Ga., will provide four sessions during the day that involve students, teachers and the public. Dorn is an analyst with Safe Havens International, the world's largest nonprofit school safety center. He works with schools and government organizations or trade organizations – from training and speaking to planned development and consulting on emergency procedures.

A Whittemore boy found his calling in law enforcement while at the University of South Dakota. He followed that dream, and after almost 30 years, Kossuth County Sheriff Steve Kollasch will retire in 2020.
"I think after 30 years of public service it will simply be my time to step down," Kollasch said.
Read more about this everyday hero in the Aug. 29 Kossuth County Advance.

A gunshot was heard in downtown Algona early Saturday morning, Aug. 17, but an investigation ultimately concluded that no one was struck or injured by any gunfire, according to Algona Police Chief Kendall Pals.
Two men were arrested after an altercation in the More and State streets area of Algona around 1 a.m.
Get all the details in the Aug. 22 Advance.

Construction could start on the Algona Public Library renovation project in the next few months. On Wednesday, Aug. 14, the Enhance Iowa Board awarded a Community Attraction and Tourism grant to the library renovation project for $400,000.
The funds help reach the $3 million goal the library board set for the project.
Read the whole story in the Aug. 22 Advance.

While many don't want to believe it, domestic violence touches individuals and families in Kossuth County. There are those in this and surrounding counties who are trying to find ways to deal with the domestic violence issue.

The mural at the park near Exceptional Treasures is nearly done, and to honor the project, the Algona Area Chamber of Commerce had its weekly coffee there Friday, Aug. 16.
The project was initiated by the Leadership Algona class of 2018-19 and is the brainchild of city of Algona Economic Development Director Jacob Tjaden. A formal dedication is set for Saturday, Sept. 14, at 11 a.m.
Read more in the Aug. 22 Kossuth County Advance.