The Garrigan Danz Squad “proudly” returned home as national champions in the Pom and Kick categories after competing in the Contest of Champions Nationals in Orlando on March 3 - 4. 
This year’s squad is comprised of 10 girls who have been dancing together as a team since the ISU dance camp last July. 
“To get to this level of competition it takes an enormous amount of practice, dedication and loyalty,” said Coach Colleen Conway-Schiltz in an email. 

ALGONA — Samp Construction continues to evolve. The general contractor has made its living doing residential remodeling, new construction and commercial work.
“We’re probably focusing more on sales, project management and the customer experience,” said Nate Samp, who owns the company with his father, Tim. “We are focusing on growing that.”

RAGBRAI will ride through surrounding communities before stopping in Algona on Monday, July 24. 
Thousands of cyclists will pass through and stop at West Bend, Whittemore and Wesley. 
On Monday, West Bend is the designated meeting town and Whittemore will be the last stop before cyclists reach Algona. 
On Tuesday morning, cyclists will roll out of Algona and into Wesley for their first stop before making their way to Clear Lake. 

Studer, Prothman
Daniel and Kathryn Studer and Patrick and Darlene Prothman are pleased to announcement the engagement and upcoming wedding of their children, Katie Anne Studer and James Allen Prothman. 
Their wedding will be held on Friday, April 21 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Bancroft.

Major challenges will be impacting Kossuth Emergency Services in the future. 
Funding is one of the most important of these issues.  Emergency services includes the fire department, law enforcement, emergency management and emergency medicine.

A small sea of green will be seen once again at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 17 at 4 p.m. in Algona. 
In 1983, Steve McCall, Mark McGuire and Ed Farrell coordinated the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade. 
“They were all proud of their Irish heritage and thought it would be a good thing to do,” said McCall’s daughter, Maureen McCall Krahenbuhl. 
“It is a celebration of being Irish or wanting to be Irish.”

BANCROFT — People from across the area flooded into the Bancroft Summit Center on Thursday, March 2 and Friday, March 3 to enjoy an evening of food, fun and dancing at the second Dancing with the Local Stars Event. 
The sight of a shimmering disco ball and chandeliers greeted attendees as they entered the hall. 
Bob Jennings emceed the event, introducing the judges for the night, Stacy Besch “Carrie Ann,” Jonathan Chambers “Bruno” and Tom Gruis “Len.” 

ALGONA — There were several tense months for Shanda Tweedy and her fiancé, Mark Mallory, as their twin children were being born just over a year ago.
Today, Austin and Drake, born Feb. 16, 2016, are growing and developing normally.

95th birthday
 
Harold Sundet was born on March 22, 1922 and will be celebrating his 95th birthday this year.
His family, including his daughter Sharon (Howard) Omdahl, his son Bruce (Marcia) Sundet, seven grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, are encouraging family and friends to shower him with cards to help him celebrate. 
Cards and well wishes will reach him at: Harold Sundet, Good Samaritan Center, 412 West Kennedy Street, Algona, IA 50511.

Omdahl, Tzimas

Ava Elaine Berg

Within a week, temperatures shifted from sunny 65 degrees to blustering snowy temperatures in the low twenties, culminating in an end-of-February snowstorm. 
The snowstorm swept into the area on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 23, producing the most snowfall on Friday and covering the area in almost 12 inches of snow. The storm affected the entire county and many regions within the Midwest. 

SWEA CITY— Constructed in 1958, Swea City’s first and only municipal pool is in need of major improvements and repairs. Since its construction, there have been no structural repairs to the pool. 
Over the past several years, the ‘Pool Plunge’ Committee has been endeavoring to raise funds for the project. “We have amped up the fundraising in the last two years,” said Pool Plunge Committee President, Jill Bollinger. 

ALGONA — Snow was a slight factor on Saturday, Feb. 25, as Bishop Garrigan High School hosted the District Speech contest for Northwest Iowa region. Fourteen schools traveled to Algona to present their speeches in front of the judges, aiming for a division one rating.  
It takes student’s weeks or even months to perfect their pieces.  

National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Week brought schools together on Feb. 18-25. 
Students from both Algona High School and Bishop Garrigan High School registered for agricultural classes at the Algona School are automatically enrolled in FFA. Approximately 85 students are enrolled in FFA at AHS, 13 of whom are Garrigan students.