Don Heupel

Ag and Motorsports Museum

As 2021 comes to a close and a new year begins, a review of the past year is in order. It is also an opportune time to finalize plans for 2022. The last year was a successful year for the Kossuth County Agricultural and Motorsports Museum, and hopefully 2022 will be even better.

By Jim Sloter

The first week in September gave us a taste of fall as we awoke to moisture collected inside and outside on our uninsulated VW camper. Skies were clear and the sun was out, so before long, we were dried out and enjoying pleasant traveling weather. 

Each day had its interesting things to see, but sometimes not all that different – yet we were never bored. 

By Adam Mossoff

George Mason University

In January, the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled that Google infringed Sonos’ patented innovations in wireless speaker technology. This may sound like an obscure legal ruling. But it confirms a problem that threatens America’s innovation economy.

The problem? Intellectual property theft.

Out of the Past 

By Gene Miller

150 Years Ago

If people always spoke as honestly as they think, how different life would be. The real truth would create more family quarrels, part more friends and disperse more organizations and congregations, than Satan would know how to take charge of all at once.

125 Years Ago

By Shane Goodman

When Mrs. Marguerite Kalar would show up at school, we knew we were in for an entertaining and educational class period…if we listened carefully enough.

By the Rev. Chris Burtnett, First Congregational United Church of Christ

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity slipped by us again this year. It was January 18 through the 25. During this week, Christians are reminded of Jesus’s prayer for his disciples and everyone’s well-being. Christians also remember Jesus’s devotion and come together to pray for their unity. You can find that prayer in chapter 17 of the gospel according to John. Give it a read.

By Molly MacDonald

By Brad Hicks

Full disclosure requires me to state for the record I am an ex-officio member of the Algona Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Some might say that makes me biased toward the organization. If I am, so what?

By Jim Sloter

As we continued southward on small roads enjoying the varied topography in west central France, we somehow learned about an unusual community and made a point to check it out. Richelieu, a 17th century model city covering about three square miles is located where an old community was razed and a utopian city built in its place. It is the only community in Europe laid out in a grid pattern inside a rectangular wall enclosure. 

By Shane Goodman

“Ban that book. I don’t agree with it. No, not that book. I agree with that one. Keep it. Just get rid of the ones I don’t like.”

Sound familiar? That is exactly what is going on right now in school districts across America and right here in central Iowa.

By Gene Miller

150 Years Ago

How many people remember Minnie Fred Flong?

She was the face of Ridiculous Days for a good many years.

By Sen. Dennis Guth

Feb. 4, 2022

Feb. 4, 2022 - Sen. Charles Grassley Weekly Q&A

Q: What are your concerns regarding foreign ownership of U.S. food companies and farmland?