ALGONA — A man with no recent connections to Algona was found with self-inflicted wounds in the Riverview Cemetery on Monday, Jan. 7.
“We were able to conclude quickly that it was not a suspicious death,” Algona Police Chief Kendall Pals said. “He had no connection to Algona. It was a man from New Mexico. It was not homicide related.”

Musical entertainment during the recent Christmas party at the Algona Manor care center.

Burt blanket makers are from left, Diane Lavrenz, Dorothy Jahnke, Jeanette Graham, Erma Parsons, Carol Carlson and Burnadene Opheim.

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus greeted guests at the Bancroft Fire Department breakfast during Holidazzle in Bancroft. The firemen host breakfast every year at the Main Street Pub & Grill, Bancroft.

Connor Lundquist, 4, chose the Christmas tree with the cell phone as his favorite tree. The trees were decorated by area businesses during the Dec. 20 celebration at Buffalo Creek Activity Center.

July 5
Painting Algona Beautiful:
One of the alleyways behind State Street is being painted more beautifully.
Weeks ago, Mindy Lichter began the outline work for the ambitious mural project and has been hard at work ever since.
Review the year's happenings in the Jan. 3 Kossuth County Advance.

The Kossuth County Compensation Board feels salaries for the county's elected officials are not yet where they need to be, but three members think they are at least they are moving in the right direction.
"The progress that we've made is that the board of supervisors gets it now," said Scott Buchanan. He represents County Auditor Amber Garman on the compensation board.
Read more in the Jan. 3 Kossuth County Advance.

A Kossuth County deputy sheriff has used a book to help set standards for North Kossuth School sixth grade students.
"The book ('Way of the Warrior Kid') puts a set of standards in these kids' minds," said Deputy Sheriff Jake Radmaker. "This is what's right. This is what's wrong."
Read more in the Jan. 3 Kossuth County Advance.

The Algona Fire Department recently received a volunteer fire assistance grant from the Iowa DNR to update 15 pagers used to respond to fires and emergencies in the area.
Get the details in the Jan. 3 Kossuth County Advance.

In October, an Associated Press news article had a headline that read, "Iowa hospitals say Medicaid will cost them millions. . .. 
Kossuth Regional Health Center Administrator Scott Curtis said, "Everything is harder to do in health care."
Get the full story in the Jan. 3 Kossuth County Advance.

Anyone who knows me knows that I love good coffee: hot coffee, cold coffee, black coffee, lattes, espresso, French pressed, toddy – if it's coffee, I'm a fan. Well, almost.
Read the complete pastor's column in the Jan. 3 Kossuth County Advance.

A new technology for cleansing nutrients from water leaving Iowa's tile-drained fields began with two Iowa State University researchers brainstorming after a professional meeting. Their back-of-the- napkin discussion in 2010 led to the development of saturate riparian buffers, a new conservation practice rapidly gaining interest in Iowa and far beyone.
Get all the details in the Jan. 3 Kossuth County Advance.

Singing barbershop harmonies isn't the only thing the Cornbelt Chorus accomplishes come curtain call.
The chorus, under the direction of Luke Miller, raised $2,684 through a "pass the hat" donation collection for the Brushy Creek Honor Flight. They collected the contributions during their holiday concert at the Ed and Betty Wilcox Performing Arts Center Sunday afternoon, Dec. 16.
Read the full story in the Jan. 3 Kossuth County Advance.

The Algona Airport Commission discussed plans to remove an existing and out-of-date airport hangar during a meeting Tuesday, Dec. 11. The airport's engineering consultant, Michael Bearden, said demolition or sale of the building will have bids on Jan. 3, a recommendation on Jan. 8 and be brought to the council on Jan. 21.
Read the full story in the Dec. 27 Kossuth County Advance.

Families who have gone through the Strengthening Families program continue to see the benefits in their homes.
Jennifer Johnson has been through the program with two of her children and said she has noticed there is better communication.
See the full story in the Dec. 20 Kossuth County Advance.