Arraignment date set for Bruce Dean Jensen.

An arraignment date has been set for Bruce Dean Jensen of Algona who was arrested on charges of Indecent Exposure earlier this month on an arrest warrant out of Humboldt County. A Judge set an arraignment date of February 11th at 9-A-M where Jensen is expected to enter a plea.

Accidents in Kossuth County.

The Kossuth County Sheriff’s Department reported a couple of accidents the day after the blizzard in the county. The first accident took place at 130th Avenue and 280th; Deputy Jeff Gilmore identifies the driver as 21 year old Phillip Lovstad of rural Burt driving a 2000 Ford Ranger pick up truck that suffered two-thousand dollars worth of damage. The road was slick but the driver was not hurt. The 2nd accident was at rural Lakota on 185th Avenue, Deputy Mike Sankey identifies the driver as 26 year old Bryan Blome in a 1998 Chevy S-10, the weather apparently was to blame, and Blome was taken by Lakota ambulance to the hospital at Blue Earth for treatment.

Layoffs planned for Winnebago Industries plants.

Winnebago Industries in Forest City will be laying off some 200 to 225 workers. The company confirmed the layoffs yesterday in a conference call with industry analysts discussing the retirement of Chief Executive Officer Bruce Hertzke. Company officials say the recreation vehicle industry continues to see a downturn. The last round of layoffs was three years ago. The company employs 32-hundred workers at Forest City, Charles City and Hampton.

News from Iowa Lakes Community College.

In news from Iowa Lakes Community College: spring credit hours are in the increase at the school, school spokeswoman Jane Campbell says the numbers are pointing upward while the numbers of students remain nearly stable.
Campbell says the most significant increase is in the dual enrollment category where high school students study college level coursework, dual enrollments are up seven point five percent. She says online courses are also reflecting strong numbers, and hybrid courses have increased in popularity.

News from the WCL School District.

The Woden Crystal Lake School Board has approved a proposal to close the Elementary

School in Woden and send Pre-Schoolers and First Graders to Crystal Lake and 2nd

through 5th graders to Titonka. That portion of a whole grade sharing agreement met

approval at a meeting held last night, the Titonka School Board will vote on the matter during

a meeting scheduled for tonight.

Charitable effort at Bode.

525 Dollars was raised and presented in Bode
last night during a make up basketball game
for TRV in the Coaches versus Cancer fight.
Girls Coach Dan Bennet says the charity
drive was a good effort.

Grant applications due soon.

The Kossuth County County Foundation has a
deadline for grant applications this year of
February 15th according to chairman Kirk
Hayes. Hayes says grants are awarded in
eight categories. Hayes says grants will be
announced in April. He says applications are
available on line or at several locations.
For more information contact 295-3732.

City Council Budget Workshop Day Two is today.

This afternoon will be the second of two days of budget workshops for the six members of the Algona City Council. A four p-m meeting time at City Hall. The agenda for today includes: The Crisis Center, The Kossuth County Economic Development Corporation, Recreation, Aqautic Center, Concessions, Police, The Law Enforcement Center,Animal Control, plus the City and Rural Fire Departments. The budget for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 is worth over seven-point-two million dollars and is due for formal approval on March 3rd.

News from the HEC in Algona.

In news from the Algona based Hydrogen Engine Center: The President of The Hydrogen Engine Center in the Country of Canada has passed away. H-E-C Founder Ted Hollinger says Professor Tapan Bose a Physicist died suddenly, Holinger says the Company is saddened by the loss of Professor Bose and vows to continue his work. The HEC Canada is located at Three Rivers Quebec.

Accident

There was a one vehicle accident a quarter mile west of 140th Avenue involving a 38 year old man from Corwith. Micheal Allen Glawe was driving a 1993 Buick Park Avenue that suffered some 25 hundred dollars in estimated damage,a fence was also hit and damaged belonging to John Scuffham. Glawe was taken to Kossuth Regional Health Center
for treament.

The Supervisors meet tomorrow.

A weekly meeting for the Kossuth County Board of Supervisors at the Courthouse tomorrow. County Auditor Joann Bormann says the Supervisors have ten items on their agenda to work through. The Supervisors have recieved a letter of resignation from Weed Commissioner Ken Mulligan of Bancroft and will have to deal with the situation. A formal date for this years Budget hearing wil be set. More work on the budget will conclude the meeting.

Algona native named to Minnesota Court of Appeals.

A man who is a native of Algona was appointed to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
Matthew Johnson is the 40th person named to the Court and graduated from Algona High School in 1981 and is an alumnus of Saint Olaf College in Northfield Minnesota. Johnson in the past served on the Board of Directors of Iowa State Bank and Mid-Iowa Bancshares in Algona.

Miss Shamrock contestants sought in Emmetsburg.

In Emmetsburg plans are in the works for the annual Saint Patrick`s day festivities there. A spokesperson at Saint Patrick`s day headquarters says entrants for the Miss Shamrock Pageant are being sought and are due on February 15th. Juniors and Seniors in High School are eligible. Entry packets are available by calling Saint Patrick`s Day headquarters in Emmetsburg at 712-852-4326 or by logging on to emmetsburgirishgifts.com...

A warm, windy then back to colder weather.

The weatherman promises a warm windy day and then back to colder temperatures for the
next several days.

The Chase near Thor.

A 37 year old Fort Dodge man was arrested after a chase that started just south of Thor in Humboldt County yesterday afternoon. Trooper Kevin Mills says William Charles Ervin Curtis was driving a 1984 Chevrolet Pick Up
and was clocked going 76 in a 55 zone on Humboldt County road P-66, a chase took place on gravel roads to an area southwest of Goldfield, Trooper Mills says Curtis went into a ditch at a "Y" intersection, the driver put the vehicle into four wheel drive and got out by repeatedly going into drive and reverse, a short time later after going into a field Curtis then fled on foot through timber, across the Boone River, to
a junk yard where he was tracked down hiding under a piece of tin. Trooper Mills says Curtis was wanted on two arrest warrants out of Webster County. He was jailed in Humboldt County and faces numerous charges related to the chase in Humboldt and Wright Counties.

A raffle at Seaton for Mister Stillman!

In news from the Seaton School/Bishop Garrigan community. Their is a quilt raffle underway to help defray medical expenses for teacher Chuck Stillman. A flannel quilt in the school colors of black and gold will be raffled off, chances are a dollar a ticket or a dozen tickets for ten dollars. A drawing will be held for the quilt shortly after the middle of the month of February.
Raffle chances are being sold at Seaton School at 808 East Lucas Street in Algona.

An appointment for the General Manager of A-M-U by Governor Culver.

Iowa Governor Chet Culver has named Algona Municipal Utilities General Manager John Bilstein to a state panel that is charged with promoting renewable energy sources.
Bilstein was named to the "Iowa Power Board". Governor Culver says the board will manage 100 million dollars in funds, he says Bilstein has the experience and expertise to help make energy decisions that will affect Iowans and the environment. Bilstien says he is humbled by the appointment and looks forward to the experience.

Cold enough for you?

Clinton Iowa turned out to have the lowest low temperature in the state of Iowa overnight today as the mercury sunk to 24 degrees below zero. KLGA had a low of 16 below, downtown Algona bottomed out at -13,
the Algona airport reached -15 for the low.
Bode recored the lowest low in our region with a reading of 20 degrees below.

Trial ends at Kossuth County Courthouse.

A trial has concluded in Kossuth County Court with a guilty verdict. The case was the State of Iowa versus
Jonathan Hanig on a charge of O-W-I Second Offense. The two day trial concluded Wednesday.
The prosecution which was represented by Kossuth County Attorney Todd Holmes and Assistant County Attorney Jessica Reynolds called one witness while the Defense represented by Attorney Eldon Winkel called three witnesses. Hanig was originally pulled over and charged in Bancroft proper, no breath test was administered during the arrest. The case was heard by District Judge Don E.Courtney. a 12 person jury rendered the guilty verdict Wednesday afternoon at the Kossuth County Courthouse.
Hanig is free on bond and awaits a sentencing date.
He could received a prison term of two years as a result of the conviction.

Information

The area is under a Wind Chill Advisory.

The Following Schools are under two hour delays:

Algona
Bishop Garrigan
Seaton School
Exceptional Opportunities
East Fork Alternative School
CWL
North Kossuth
Saint Johns of Bancroft
Sentral
North Iowa
Emmetsburg Public and Catholic
Armstrong Ringsted
Esterville Lincoln Central

Algona Head Start is one hour late with no breakfast.

Iowa Lakes Community College: a 10-am start for all offices and campuses.

No morning weightlifting at Algona High School and the two hour late start means a 1st period start for students.

Loving hands nursery at Algona will be closed this morning.

Emmetsburg Head Start is running two hours late today.

Accident in Lone Rock proper.

There was a vehicle versus parked vehicle accident in the Lone Rock area. Kossuth County Sheriff`s Deputy Micheal Sankey identifies the driver as 31 year old Jeffry V.Isebrand of Whittemore who was driving a 1997 Dodge Ram pick up truck. The legally parked vehicle was owned by Andrew Elbert a 2000 Chrysler Concorde. Minor damage was reported, no citation was issued.

Accident in rural Titonka.

A 17 year old Titonka resident was involved in a one vehicle accident five miles northwest of Titonka near 200th Avenue. Kossuth County Sheriff`s Deputy Charles Robinson says the driver is identified as Jamie Rae Kardoes who was driving a 1998 Chevy Blazer that suffered some 23-hundred dollars worth of damage. Deputy Robinson says Kardoes apparently lost control of the vehicle and entered the ditch and rolled once. Kardoes was taken by family to the hospital in Fairmont for treatment of possible injuries.

Accident near Lakota.

A truck driver from Atalissa Iowa was involved in an accident near Lakota on
Iowa Highway 9. Kossuth County Sheriff`s Deputy Charles Robinson identifies the driver as 47 year old Marvin Laverne Scharff Junior who was hauling for Atalissa trucking and was pulling a trailer with wind generator blades and allegedly hit a set of overhead rail road warning lights owned by the Union Pacific Railroad.

Kossuth County Board of Supervisors meet.

The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors held their weekly meeting at the Kossuth County Courthouse. The Supervisors worked through an 18 item agenda. Among the highlights of the meeting for the Supervisors was a discussion with Kossuth County Sheriff Paul Gronbach, an update on the progress of the Kossuth County Fairboard as preparations for this summers 150th Kossuth County Fair continue, and a montly update from Scott Curtis the administrator of Kossuth Regional Health Center.

The Court Beat.

A Swea City man faces charges of Habitual Offender and Driving While Revoked in Kossuth County Court. Court Documents indicate Tagie Allen Hersleff was stopped while driving a Chevy Impala when he was stopped at 10:51 P.M. back on January 11th. Hersleff was taken to the Kossuth County Jail. Hersleff posted bond and awaits a court date.

Multiple assault charges against Algona residents in Kossuth County Court.

On the Kossuth County Court beat: three Algona residents face aiding and abetting charges, mischief and serious assault charges in connection with an assault case that was allegedly comitted last October. Court documents identify the people as 40 year old Timothy Willard Poulson who faces aiding and abetting charges for allegedly blocking a vehicle with another vehicle to prevent escape, 35 year old Beayonka Kathryn Poulson who faces aiding and abetting charges for allegedly blocking a vehicle with another vehicle to prevent escape, and 21 year old Kylan Neal Poulson faces charges of mischief and serious assault for allegedly grabbing and pushing a person causing bruises and striking and breaking the window of that persons car.

Jury trial underway in Kossuth County Court.

A trial involving a rural Algona man has begun in Kossuth County Court at the Kossuth County Courthouse. The trial is the State of Iowa versus Jonathon Hanig on charges of Operating While Intoxicated Second Offense. Attorney Eldon Winkel represents the defense and Kossuth County Attorney Todd Holmes and Assistant County Attorney Jessica Reynolds represent the Prosecution. District Court Judge Don E.Courtney is hearing the trial. A 12 person jury with no requirement of gender balance or numbers was seated for the trial out of a pool of 20 people.
The Defense and the Prosecution both had four strikes in the jury selection process.
Kossuth County Assistant County Attorney Jessica Reynolds says a trial of this nature is not all that common in this region, and should take the better part of a couple days to reach conclusion.
Among those scheduled to testify in the trial is Kossuth County Sheriff`s Deputy Roger Fisher.

Bingo party Saturday night in Whittemore for the Kossuth County Sheriff`s Reserves.

An annual event for the Kossuth County Sheriff`s Reserves in Whittemore this upcoming Saturday night.
Kossuth County Public Information officer Roger Fisher says the event will be held at the Saint Micheals Parrish Hall in Whittemore Saturday night and the public is invited, Deputy Fisher says because of generous donations a number of items will be utilized as prizes for the bingo players that participate.
Proceeds will be used to further the cause of the Kossuth County Sheriff`s Reserves who operate in support of Kossuth County Sheriff Paul Gronbach and his deputies.

How much snow did we get?

The Algona area recieved five inches of snow in the latest go round.
The most that fell was in the Sioux City area which recieved nine inches of snow.

Algona City Council meets at the snow flies outside City Hall in Algona.

The Algona City Council met in regular session as the snow flew outside of Algona City Hall.
Among the highlights of the meeting was some remarks by Nick Scholer representing the Camp Algona P-O-W Museum talking about how the museum has benefited by receiving funds from the Hotel/Motel tax. Scholer talked about the possibility of a movie being shot about the Algona Nativity Scene and the German Prisoner of War Camp that was situated on the western outskirts of Algona during the Second World War. Scholer also talked about the Museum and its latest display and an activities that is used for school children when they take field trips to the museum. Other happenings at the Council meeting: a contract was approved with the engineering firm of Kuehl and Payer for engineering services in creating a bike and walking trail for the Algona area. Algona resident Marc Singer spoke to Council of his concern about parking near the intersection of Jones and McGregor Streets, Council referred Singer`s concerns to a couple of committee`s for study and a recommendation back to Council for action.

The mercury bottoms out.

The thermometer at KLGA this morning hit -17 for the overnight low temperature.
Still a ways away from the all time low of -29 for this date in Algona`s history set back in the year 1936.

School Announcements.

Two Hour Late Starts today. 1/22/08...

Algona
Bishop Garrigan
Seaton School
Exceptional Opportunities
The East Fork Alternative School at the Algona ILCC campus
The Algona Rabiner Treatment Center
CWL
North Kossuth
Saint John`s of Bancroft
Sentral
West Bend Mallard
TRV and GCB
Emmetsburg Public and Catholic
ILCC all classes on all campuses starting at 10-am today...
Algona head start is one hour late with no Breakfast....

Cold enough for you?

Most Schools in the listening area this morning are on a two hour delay.
We are also under a wind chill advisory till late this morning.
Roads range from mostly covered with snow to normal winter time driving conditions.
The Snow ordinance in Algona is in effect through today.

Accident in Algona.

The Algona Police Department reported a two vehicle accident at Main and Commercial Streets back on Friday. The accident was minor with only 900 dollars worth of estimated damage between the vehicles involved.

Winner from the Whittemore Chili Cook off.

The Whittemore Betterment Committee held its eighth Chili Cookoff event at Saint Micheals Parrish Hall.

The Golden Ladle Winner was the team of Dick Fickbohm and Harry Bormann. The Judge`s Choice winners were:
1st Place: the team of Dave Fickbohm of Harry Bormann,
2nd Place: Gene Thompson, and a third place tie between the teams of Ron and Ellen Meyer and Tom Eischen, Al Frideres and Ed Schmidt, The People`s Choice winners were: Ryan and Cody Henderson, 2nd place went to the Jerry Larsen crew, and a third place tie between the Red Hat Ladies and the Dan Muller crew.

The Best of Show winner was a repeat winner from last year in the team of Ryan and Cody Henderson.

Fisher to run for County Sheriff.

A Swea City man says he wants to run for Kossuth County Sheriff. Roger Fisher says he has taken out nomination papers at the Kossuth County Courthouse. Fisher says he will run as a Republican, Deputy Fisher is a husband and a father of three, he is a native of Kossuth County and has worked for the Kossuth County Sheriff`s Department for 21 years. His opposition on the Democratic side is Steve Kohlhaas. Incumbent Sheriff Paul Gronbach has decided not to run again.

YMCA Capital Campaign reaches halfway point.

The Algona Family Y-M-C-A has reached the half way mark of a 4 million dollar drive to build an indoor swimming pool and expand the present facility. Executive Director Greg Bradley says the campaign is called “Make a Splash! Let`s Pool Together. Some two million of a four million dollar target has been raised. The Algona Family YMCA has three thousand plus members. Bradley says additional fundraising efforts will be taking place.

Blizzard Bake off to be held in Algona next month!

The Algona Area Chamber of Commerce will be holding another Blizzard Bake Off next month at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Algona. Chamber Director Vickie Mallory says the date of the bake off will be Sunday February 24th. She says applications are available from the chamber office or on line at www.algona.org.
Mallory says tickets will be priced at five dollars and will be sold at:
The Chamber office
Wiltgens Jewelers and Gift World
Diamonds
Any Chamber Ambassador
Any member of the Chamber Board of Directors

The Phone contact number is 295-7201.

Whittemore City Council to have special noon time Council meeting Thursday.

Whittemore will have a special city council tomorrow at noon at city hall in Whittemore. Council will meet with some representatives in regard to a proposed water treatment plant project.

News from the Iowa Lakes Esterville campus.

On the campus of Iowa Lakes Community College at Esterville they are holding their 34th annual jazz band contest. On day one Southern Cal High School was the class 1-a winner, the band is under the direction of Tom Plummer. 3-a and 4-a bands will be featured today and 2-a bands tomorrow.

Non Union County workers salary raises budget by Kossuth County Supervisors.

The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors in the midst of their budget process voted to budget a three point six percent uncrease in salary for non union workers of Kossuth County. The vote came at the regular weekly meeting yesterday. Another budget hearing is scheduled for today.

Burt City Council to meet in special session.

A special session meeting of the Burt City Council Wednesday night at Burt City Hall at 6:30. A spokesperson says Burt is looking for a full time maintenance person and four people will be interviewed. The salary has not been set. Burt has been without a maintenance person for a couple of months now.

Declining enrollment percentages.

The majority of Iowa school districts reported declining enrollment, according to the State Department of Education website three schools in the region had the highest percentage of declining enrollment change this school year: North Kossuth had a percentage change of -17%, Luverne had a decrease of -14%, and Sentral had a percentage decline of -11%.

Ice storm expenses for the Algona School District.

The difficulty of last months first snow, sleet and ice storm prompted the school district to bring in a crew from Reding`s Gravel and Excavating of Algona to help with the removal of ice from the parking lot of Algona High School. The tab was 260 dollars according to the monthly bill list provided to the media at the latest School Board meeting.

Algona School Board approves purchase of a used and a new school bus.

The Algona School Board approved purchasing two school buses for the district, the first is a pre owned 2005 All American Blue Bird with a passenger capacity of 72, the purchase is from School Bus Sales of Waterloo at a cost of 48-thousand-200-dollars. The second bus purchase is a 2007 Thomas M-V-P Diesel with a capacity of 78 passengers from Thomas Bus Sales of Des Moines.

News from Monday nights Algona School Board meeting.

Five Employees of the School District have applied for Voluntary Early retirement at the end of the present school year. The applicants include: Algona High School Principal Bill Fjetland, Bertha Godfrey and Bryant Elementary School Principal Blair Redenius, and teachers Suzanne Taylor, Amanda Redenius, and Karilyn Claude.
Applications and letters of intent were submitted to the Algona School Board for approval last night.

Honor for Algona city Recreation Director Peg Bell.

Algona Recreation Department Director Peg Bell has been honored by the Hershey`s Chocolate Company of Hershey Pennsylvania for her involvement with youth track meets in Algona each year. Algona Mayor Lynn Keuck says Bell was honored with the Hershey`s Outstanding Local Program of the Year for 2007.
Bell organizes the youth track meet in partnership with the Algona Family Y-M-C-A. She has been employed by the City of Algona for 28 years and will be honored at the January 21st Algona City Council meeting at City Hall.

Accident at the K-Mart parking lot.

The Algona Police Department reported an accident in the parking lot at K-Mart back on Saturday afternoon.
The people involved in a two vehicle accident were Lindsey Heiderscheidt and Joshua Fox, there was an estimated 16-hundred dollars worth of damage.

Court news from Kossuth County.

There will be a trial in Kossuth County Court that is scheduled for next Tuesday at the Kossuth County Courthouse. The trial will involve charges of Operating While Intoxicated Second Offense and puts the State of Iowa versus Jonathon Hanig. Magistrate Court will be held Wednesday and Friday and District Court will also be held on Friday as well.

Kossuth County Fairboard meets in monthly session Wednesday night.

The Kossuth County Fairboard will have a monthly meeting Wednesday evening at 7:30 P-M. The Fairboard is making preparations for this summers Kossuth County Fair which will be the 150th edition of the fair. The dates for this summer`s Kossuth County Fair will be Monday July 28th to Sunday August 3rd. The location of the Fair Board meeting will be The Iowa State University extension office along U-S Highway 18th next to the offices of the Kossuth County Food Pantry and the Kossuth County Care Team.

Bulldog quiz bowlers place third in Aplington road trip.

The Algona High School Quiz Bowl team also traveled to
Aplington Parkersburg to compete in a Quiz Bowl
Tournament this past weekend. Coach Twila Wichtendahl
says the team had a third place finish.

Knights of Columbus youth free throw champions crowned.

The Knights of Algona Free Throw Shooting Contest
Champions were crowned at the Friedmann Auditorium on
the campus of Bishop Garrigan High School. Organizer
Scott Curtis says the age division and gender champions
were: 10 year old girls: Gracie Behr, 10 year old boys:
Tyler Schnurr, 11 year old girls: Betty Straub, 11 year old
boys: Luke Terhark, 12 year old girls: Anna Zeller,
Nathan Krieps, 13 year old girls: Shelby Schindler, 13
year old boys: Samuel Lipps, 14 year old girls: Lana
Larson, 14 year old boys: Sam Curtis. Each of the winners
will go on to compete at district competition to be held at
Corrigan Hall at Emmetsburg on February 2nd.

Accident in Algona back on Saturday afternoon.

There was a two vehicle accident Saturday in Algona in the 400 block of South Thorington Street. Algona Police Officer Kendell Pals says the drivers were identified as Laurie Harms of Algona, and Ruth Sigsbee of Algona.
Officer Pals says one of the vehicles was backing out of a driveway and collided with the other vehicle. No one was hurt and an estimated two thousand dollars in damage
between the two vehicles.

Bishop Garrigan academic squads do well over the weekend.

In news from Bishop Garrigan High School the Golden Bear Quiz Bowl team finished second at a tournament at Aplington Parkersburg High School, the Bishop Garrigan Math team finished fourth among small schools at a tournament at Iowa Falls Alden High School.

Algona man arrested on an Indecent Exposure charge in Humbolt County.

An Algona man has been arrested by the Algona Police Department on a warrant out of Humboldt County on charges of Indecent Exposure. Court Documents identify the man as 50 year old Bruce Dean Jensen. According to police records and court documents the charge is the result of an alleged incident at a Humboldt convenience store on December 16th of 2007. Jensen posted a one thousand dollar bond and faces an initial court appearance on January 17th. The criminal complaint was filed with the Humboldt Police Department.

First baby of the year born in Palo Alto County.

Palo Alto County Hospital reports the first baby born of the new year. A spokeswoman for the hospital`s public relations department says Ian Thomas Roethler was born on January the 2nd, his mom is Angie and father is Justin and they are from West Bend. Ian weighed in at 8 pounds 15 ounces and was 21 inches long. The Grandparents are Kevin and Patti Roethler of Algona and Jerome and Cynthia Laubenthal of West Bend. Ian has a sister Jayda who is seven and Caden who is two.

Kossuth Connections group holds Treasure Sale next two weekends.

The Youth Group Kossuth Connections will hold a Treasure Sale the next two Saturdays at the old antique shop location on State Street downtown next to the Lava Lounge. Organizer Angie Asa Lovsted says she is overwhelmed with the amount of donations made for the sale and says there is something for everyone. Hours of 8-3 Saturday and 10-2 next Saturday.

Free throw contest Sunday held by the Knights of Columbus.

The Knights of Columbus host a free throw contest for Kids Sunday afternoon on the campus of Bishop Garrigan High School at the Friedmann Auditorium. Organizer Scott Curtis says the event is for boys and girls ages ten to fourteen. He says the first 96 that sign up will get a free indoor hoop and backboard that can be put up at home for indoor practice purposes. Sign ups will start at 3-PM.

Three other accidents on Thursday on a slippery weather morning.

Authorities reported three additional accidents in the listening area during a period of light to moderate snow that made roads slippery:

One on 5th Street in Whittemore proper.

A two vehicle accident a half mile east of Fenton.

A two vehicle accident at the intersection of Lucas and Garfield Streets in Algona.

No one was seriously hurt in either incident.

IPW wrestling card at the Vault Saturday night.

After being weathered out last month Impact Pro Wrestling will host
a card of wrestling at their training facility called the "IPW Vault" Saturday night
with a bell time of 7-PM. Promoter Troy Peterson says the two featured attractions will be
an 8 person tourney for the vacant IPW "Extreme Title", and a defense of the IPW title as
champion A-J Smooth a wrestler who is billed as hailing from Red Deere Alberta Canada will
defend against "Project Matthew" who is Matt Lappe who has ties to the Algona Area.
The vault is located at 602 South Phillips Street across the street from Subway South and next door to Patterson`s Used Furniture Store.

Girl Scout Cookie Sale underway.

Girl Scouts in the listening area are getting their annual cookie sale
underway. Local Girl Scout organizer Sue Haas says orders will be taken
through February 3rd and delivery will begin on March 8th. She says Cinna-Spins
is the newest cookie for sale along with Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Patties,
Shortbread, Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Sandwhich, Thanks-A-Lot and Lemonades.

Livermore woman taken to hospital after a one vehicle accident just south of Algona.

A Livermore woman had to be taken by ambulance to Kossuth Regional Health Center after a one vehicle accident nearly two miles south of Algona on U-S Highway 169. Kossuth County Sheriff`s Deputy Jeff Gilmore indentifies the driver as 27 year old Sheri Lyn Curtis who was going north in a 1999 GMC sport utility vehicle when control was lost and the vehicle entered the west ditch and rolled. Curtis was taken by Algona ambulance to K-R-H-C. The vehicle sustained an estimated nine thousand dollars in damage.

Two vehicle accident in Palo Alto County.

Two people were hurt in a two vehicle accident in rural Palo Alto County. Palo Alto County Sheriff`s Deputy Lynn Schultes identifies the drivers as Patricia Keeble of West Bend and Allen Lewis of Cylinder. The accident happened in the 550 block of 390th and the collision was nearly head on. For a while the Keeble vehicle a 2000 Chevy Impala blocked both lanes of traffic. Both subjects were taken to Palo Alto County Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Both vehicles were a total loss.

Court news from Kossuth County.

A former Algona reserve Police officer has pled guilty to serious misdemeanor charges of 4th degree theft and had
felony charges of misconduct in office dropped although he will serve jail time in Humboldt County. In a case prosecuted by Hancock County Attorney Karen Kaufman Salic, Christopher Robinson was alleged to have prepared 37 false reports of making tobacco compliance checks and also claiming 420 dollars in reimbursement funds for a confidential informant. Robinson entered a written agreement in Kossuth County Court this week.
As part of the plea agreement Robinson will serve 14 days in the Humboldt County Jail and pay restitution of some
22 hundred dollars to the Algona Police Department.

Early Out movie to be shown at Algona Public Library next Wednesday.

The next early out for the Schools in Algona is next week on Wednesday January the 16th. Algona Public Library Childrens Director Vickie Taylor says she plans to show an “Early Out Movie” for the young set that afternoon at 1-PM. Taylor says she will be showing the most recent version of the film: “That Darned Cat”.

West Bend School Board meets tonight.

The West Bend Mallard School Board meets in special session tonight at the West Bend building at 6:30 P.M.
The School Board Secretary says among the six items on the agenda the West Bend Board of Education will work through is a discussion and a decision on purchasing a new basketball scoreboard.

Honors for area High Schools.

Four high schools in the region were given bronze medal status by U.S.News and World Reports and School Evaluation Services. Corwith/Wesley/Luverne, Woden-Crystal Lake-Titonka, Sentral and West Bend Mallard.
The Schools are among 34 in Iowa to receive such an honor.

Snowmobile grooming class to be held tonight.

It looks like the weatherman will provide some more snow for snowmobilers overnight tonight and tomorrow, snowmobile enthusiast Jeremy Walker says there will be a class on the subject of snowmobile trail grooming tonight at Prime Time Restaurant at 6-PM. Walker says the snowmobiling season got underway and was going pretty good until the recent January thaw. Walker says the class is for those in our region over the age of 18 and is required to be able to operate a large snowmobile trail groomer that is used.

Board of Supervisor news.

The Kossuth County Board met in weekly session yesterday. Among a 14 item agenda were four budget proposals including the ag extension department, the County Library Association, Crisis Intervention Service and the Kossuth County Care Team. Two more budget sessions are planned by the Board of Supervisors tomorrow. The Supervisors also plan to participate in a meeting of the Kossuth Emergancy Planning Team at Pizza Ranch during the lunch hour tomorrow. Kossuth County Emergancy management and Homeland Security is planning a drill for first responders at Sentral School at rural Fenton on the 26th of January.

The County Compensation Board meets.

The Kossuth County Compensation Board met at the Courthouse, they are charged with setting a cap on the raises that elected officials in the county and their first deputies can receive, 13 people. Four of the seven board members attended the meeting, Stuart Simonson offered that the cealing be six percent across the board and the vote was four to nothing in favor. The Board of Supervisors will have the final say over raises at budget time. In terms of state rankings County Attorney Todd Holmes is the highest rated salaried elected official at 22nd in the state, the other offices are in the middle of the 99 county pack, Sheriff Paul Gronbach who has announced he will not run again in November is 51st of the 99 Iowa Counties, Kossuth County Auditor Joann Bormann who also has announced she will not be running again is 55th among Iowa Counties in the ranking of her salary level. The five member Board of Supervisors are the 48th highest salary in the state, the Supervisors receive 25,552 dollars a year. The nationwide average annual growth rate in 2008 will increase two-point-five percent.

Snowmobile grooming class at Prime Time tomorrow night.

While snowmobilers in the listening area pray for more snow there is a class on snowmobile grooming to held tomorrow night at Prime Time restaurant on the south end of Algona. Area snowmobling enthusiast Jeremy Walker says there is no registration necessary and the class is required for those who would like to learn how to operate a large snowmobile trail grooming machine.
Walker says the class will be at 6-PM and is for those over the age of 18. He says some pretty good trails were established before the arrival of a January thaw and he hopes for more snow from mother nature this winter before all is said and done. For more information call 515-341-1626.

Accident between Algona and Burt on U-S 169.

Three people were treated and released after a car/semi accident on U-S Highway 169 four and a half miles north of Algona. Kossuth County Sheriff`s Deputy Mike Sankey identifies the truck driver as 37 year old Scot Nairn of Webster City who was driving for the Dart Transit Company, the driver of a 2004 Buick Lasabre was 77 year old Howard Thompson of Bancroft. According to the accident report the Thompson vehicle was slowing down to make a turn into a farm lane and got rearended by the truck as both were going south, the LaSabre was push into a mailbox and post and into the ditch. Deputy Sankey says the occupants of the car including passenger Carol Thompson were spared serious injury by being seatbelted. Truck driver Nairn was cited for Failure to Maintain Control. 27-thousand dollars in estimated damage between the two vehicles.

1st baby of the year born at Krhc.

Kossuth Regional Health Center is pleased to announce the birth of its first baby of the

New Year. KRHC spokeswoman Joanne Roepke Bode says Dionmykel William

Bradshaw was born on Thursday, January 3, at 4:59 p.m. with Dr. Michael Lampe

delivering. His parents are Tara Smith and Dionte Bradshaw of Minneapolis. Smith was

temporarily living in Algona in the months leading up to the birth. Dionmykel was eight pounds

and 10 ounces and measured 20 inches long. Grandparents are Jacquelyn Cunningham of

Algona and Youlanda Bradshaw of Minneapolis. Dionmykel joins two siblings, eight-

year old Kiana Bradshaw and fifteen-year old Cody King.

Two river flood warnings in Iowa.

Two river flood warnings are in effect in Iowa.
There is a river flood warning for the Chariton River at Chariton in south central Iowa. The warning is in effect till further notice, the river is already above flood stage.
Another warning was issued for the English River in the Johnson and Washington County areas. The river is expected to crest a foot above flood stage. The warning for the English River is in effect till tomorrow night.

IPW hosts wrestling at the Vault this Saturday Night.

Algona-Impact Pro Wrestling will host a card of wrestling at its training facility
in Algona called the Impact Pro Wrestling Vault this Saturday night, Promoter Troy
Peterson says doors will open at 6:30 P.M. and bell time is 7:00 P.M. Peterson says there will be
two feature attractions during the evening: an eight man elimination tournament for the vacant
IPW "Extreme Title" and a defense of the IPW Title as champion A-J Smooth will defend against
"Project Matthew". Peterson says the IPW vault is located at 602 South Phillips Street in Algona.

Board Of Supervisor update.

This will be a busy week for the Kossuth County Board of Supervisors. Kossuth County Auditor Joann Bormann says
The Supervisors meet in weekly session tomorrow morning at 9-A.M. at the Courthouse. Bormann says the Supervisors will work through a 14 item agenda including four budget requests from Ag Extension, the County Library Association, Crisis Intervention Service, and the Kossuth County Care Team. Also tomorrow afternoon at 5-P.M. the County Compensation Board will meet.
The Supervisors have a budget meeting on Thursday at 8:30 A-M and also on Thursday they will participate in a lunch hour meeting of the Kossuth Emergancy Planning Team at Pizza Ranch in Algona. Additional budget meetings are planned for later that afternoon and also Friday. Last Friday the Supervisors attended graduation ceremonies held by the Rabiner Treatment Center.

Early Childhood Committee to meet tonight.

The Early Childhood Program Committee of the Algona School District will meet tonight at 6:30 at Central Administration headquarters in Algona. The group was charged with establishing and maintaining a child care program in Algona. A financial update on the “Bullpup Preschool” is on the agenda and also a subcommittee report on the childcare operation at the Algona Family YMCA. Also the committee is looking at grant possibilities for four year olds in the Pre School program from the state of Iowa.

Algona City Council meets today.

The Algona City Council meets this afternoon at City Hall.
(4:30 start time.) City Clerk Rexanne McEnroe says council will work through an agenda that is 13 items in length. There is an opportunity for the public to speak to Council at the beginning and toward the end of the meeting just before adjournment. This will be the first meeting of the new year for Council.

News from the Algona Police Department.

The Algona Police Department made an arrest last night at 7:51 P-M. Arrested was 19 year old Edward Joseph Dailey who was wanted on an arrest warrant out of
Kossuth County.

The Algona Police Department reported a two vehicle accident at Nebraska and Minnesota Streets yesterday morning at 8:59 A.M. No full names of the drivers involved released by the Police Department, there was some two thousand dollars worth of estimated damage.

Politics.

Another potential political candidate to through his hat in the political ring. The Kossuth County Auditor`s office reports that Roger Tjarks with a home address listed at Titonka has taken out nomination papers to run for the District 5 Kossuth County Board of Supervisors seat on the Republican ticket. The seat is presently held by incumbent Eugene Elsbecker of the Bancroft area.

Caucusing on the G.O.P. side.

Republican Candidate Mike Huckabee won in Kossuth, Humboldt, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Hancock and Winnebago Counties.

Huckabee won by a landslide in Kossuth County getting 51.9 percent of the vote in a straw poll using real numbers. Mitt Romney got 16.8 percent of the vote, Fred Thompson was 3rd with 12.4% of the vote, John Mc Cain got 12.2%, Ron Paul got 4 percent of the vote.

County Democratic Caucus Breakdown.

Taking a look of Democratic Caucus results for the Counties in the listening area:

Senator Barack Obama won in Kossuth County getting 47 delegates to the County Convention, Senator John Edwards was second with 40 and Senator Hillary Clinton was 3rd with 36.

Senator Hillary Clinton won in Palo Alto County picking up 62 County Covention Delegates, Senator Barack Obama picked up 52 and Senator John Edwards got 40.

Senators Hillary Clinton and John Edwards finished in a tie in Emmet County getting 17 delegates to the County Convention apiece, Seantor Barack Obama got 16.

Senator John Edwards won in Pocahontas County picking up 18 County Convention Delegates, Senator Hillary Clinton picked up 16 and Senator Barack Obama 9.

Senator Hillary Clinton won in Hancock County getting 22 delegates to the County Convention, Senator Barack Obama picked up 20 and Senator John Edwards picked up 19.

Senator John Edwards won in Humboldt County picking up 17 delegates to the County Convention, Senator Hillary Clinton picked up 15 and Senator Barack Obama picked up 13.

Senator Hillary Clinton won in Winnebago County picking up 35 County Convention Delegates, Senator Barack Obama picked up 31 and Senator John Edwards picked up
29 delegates.

Kossuth Counties Auditor will not run again.

Amber Garman of Algona who works in the Kossuth County Auditors office took out nomination papers to run for County Auditor this fall. Incumbent County Auditor Joann Bormann says she will not run again.

Poltical News.

From the Kossuth County Auditor`s office:

Richard Miller of Algona has taken out nomination papers with the
intention of running as a Democrat for the second district Kossuth County Board of
Supervisor seat presently held by Democrat Jack Plathe of Algona.
Miller resides in rural Algona, this is not his first attempt to run
for public office.

Changes in the WCLT school district.

The Titonka School Board during the course of the Holiday break held a public hearing on a Friday night concerning a proposed change to a whole grade sharing agreement with the Woden Crystal Lake school district.
The Woden Crystal Lake School Board decided to close the elementary school in Woden because of a budget deficit. School Superintendent Ron Sadler says under the changed proposal all grades will be shared from Pre Kindergarten to 12th grade, all elementary students will attend school at the Titonka location. Presently high school students go to Crystal Lake, the middle schoolers go to Titonka and each town has an elementary school.
No money will change hands under the proposed revised whole grade sharing agreement.

Taking out papers at the Courthouse.

Today was the first day that political candidates in Kossuth County can take out papers to run for office.
Kossuth County Auditor Joann Bormann says Deputy Steve Kollasch of Whittemore has taken out nomination papers to run for Kossuth County Sheriff, incumbent Sheriff Paul Gronbach says he will not run for reelection.
Kollasch is running on the Democratic ticket. Amber Garman of Algona has taken out papers to run for
Kossuth County Auditor as a Democrat. And District Two Kossuth County Supervisor Jack Plathe of Algona has also taken out papers to run for reelection. The Primary Election is June 3rd, the general election will be November 4th.

Underage drinking party broken up at rural Wesley.

The Kossuth County Sheriff`s Department responded to a party with underage drinkers in the Wesley area New Years Eve during the 11-PM hour. Kossuth County Sheriff Paul Gronbach says the party was at the Mike and Dawn Reimers residence at rural Wesley at 1907 240th Avenue. Sheriff Gronbach says several people ran out into blizzard conditions and remained out in the cold for two hours! He says several rescue personnel were called to the scene to help with searching efforts for safety reasons. Sheriff Gronbach says six officers from the Kossuth County Sheriff`s office, The Wesley Fire Department, Britt Ambulance, Wesley First Responders, Algona Ambulance and three snowmobilers, there were some 40 respondents.
Sheriff Gronbach says there was a head count of 60 to 80 underage drinkers at this party. He says no charges will be filed and anticipates a lengthy investigation process.

Which candidates are nearby?

Taking a look at the candidates 11th hour schedule, we find Republican Fred Thompson being as near away as Mason City today. Republican Mit Romney will be as close as Clear Lake this afternoon. Democrat Bill Richardson will be in Mason City this afternoon. Republican Mike Huckabee will be at Fort Dodge and Mason City.

Caucus notes.

One day to go until Caucus night for Iowa and the listening area.
Presidential Candidates Senators John Edwards and Joe Biden at this point
appear to have been the final candidates to have visited the area.
Edwards spoke New Years Eve Day afternoon at the VFW Hall in Algona,
Biden arrived late in the evening Sunday night delayed by fog and spoke at
Sister Sarah`s in Algona. Also in recent days President Bill Clinton campaigned
for his wife Hillary and Barack Obama made a Sunday afternoon appearance at
Algona High School. Republicans in Kossuth County will caucus at the Auditorium
area of O-B Laing Middle School and Democrats will caucus at 22 precincts at 12 locations
in Kossuth County.

Board of Supervisors meet today.

The five member Kossuth County Board of Supervisors will have
their first meeting of the new year today at the Kossuth County Courthouse.
Board Chairman Jack Plathe says the budget process is foremost on the minds of the
Supervisors with the new year underway. He says the County is also considering creating an
Internet Technician type of position to help service the computers utilized at the Courthouse.
Plathe says the budget process will continue until March.

Natural tree pick up today and tomorrow.

The City of Algona will be picking up natural Christmas Trees today and tomorrow according to Public Works Director Chad Schaeffer. Schaeffer says place trees by the curb, no wiring, lights, plastic bags or tinsel, he says individuals can also drop off their natural tree at the brush pile at Veterans Park here in Algona.