So what happens when two PTSD victims converge in a lonely cabin during a Colorado blizzard?
That’s the setup for “Halfway to Someday,” a psychologically engaging novel by Osage, Iowa, author Layla Dorine.
 
See all of Michael Tideman's book review in the Feb. 25 Advance.

The door is open for rural Kossuth County residents who are concerned about the snow removal process. 
At a recent board meeting, the supervisors followed up on a request to Doug Miller, the county engineer, to determine whether the county’s practice of removing snow primarily in the hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. fits with what other counties are doing and whether there is an advantage to residents to move the times.
 
See the full editorial in the Feb. 25 Advance.

Several months ago, I had the opportunity to teach my son about the concept of mercy. My family and I had come down with COVID-19 and that meant that we had to stay in our house together. And I’ll be honest with you, after the first seven days, it got kind of rough. Now please understand me, I love my wife and kids. But it’s tough to be trapped in the house for two weeks, with no break, and no escape.

this is a press release and statement from the Office of U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley:
 

Grassley Statement on Impeachment Trial

... Of course this doesn’t mean we should behave like fools and put God to the test, needlessly placing ourselves in direct harm. So taking some precautions against danger is a prudent idea. But if caution prevents us for a prolonged time from receiving the things of the Lord, such as gathering together at church and receiving the sacrament of the altar, then that caution isn’t prudent. There is something more necessary than earthly life: Jesus is the one thing necessary!  ...

... While some might scoff and say, “Well, that’s never going to happen,” they ought to consider the impact California has on this country. 
All by itself, California has the sixth-largest economy in the world. 

... Around the time of our opening, we began to notice research for historical novels about the existence of German POWs in the U.S. during WWII. We have consistently received inquiries by authors who wanted to know more about the prisoner of war story. This interest led to the writing of historical novels that are based upon the existence of prisoners of war in the U.S. during WWII, or using Camp Algona as a base for their story.

Here are excerpts from letters to the editor in the Feb. 11 print edition of the Advance, where you can read them in their entirety.
... Now is the time for our communities to make every effort to put the last year of hardship behind us and move forward together.  The best chance to do this will come from vaccination.  ...

... Putting Algonans in a position to own the power that’s generated is a way to ensure they get access to power, and that it comes at the best possible price. ...
 
Read the full Editorial in the Feb. 11 print edition of the Advance.

... Things had been so much easier before, but now they had the third little girl. The mom walked down the hallways of the church carrying a dozen items and two little ones. The mom stated that she had just changed the child, and now the little one made a squeaking noise that necessitated another bathroom trip.

... We are spoiled. Just because we can order something immediately, get what we want or need from a store or pharmacy without concern or have our questions answered almost immediately by information on the internet, doesn’t mean it’s that way with everything.

Given the state of private insurance reimbursement, tamped down Medicare reimbursement and delays in payments through the state’s Medicaid managed care program, local ambulance and responder services are left operating the on edge with little money for anything beyond basic staffing and limited equipment, gear and vehicle upgrades. What does it say about our values that this vital service is relegated to beef burger dinners and pancake breakfasts to raise money for necessities?
 

... As a moving gift, I presented myself with a snowblower. I imagine that’s a rite of passage for those over age 50 – that one dumps the shovel for a machine. I was well overdue by those standards but way too cheap to employ modern equipment. ...
What happened with Brad's snowblower? See On the Side in the Jan. 28 Advance.

... I only bring this up because if you believe in karma, it came back to haunt me last week. I was walking Seamus in the snow when I hit a patch of ice and my feet went skyward. ...
So, what happened with Molly? See the Jan. 28 Advance to find out.

The good news is – vaccine clinics are happening in Kossuth County. We are so glad to be able to distribute the vaccine to more people, including all people age 65 and older. 
The not-so-good news is – vaccine supply is still scarce. Getting vaccine to all the people who want it will be a long process. We are moving forward, but for those who are eagerly awaiting the vaccine it may feel like the pace is slower than molasses.