Dallas Clark Speech at Dare Graduation event at AHS tonight.

Tonight will be the DARE program graduation event at Algona High School for Schools in
Kossuth County who have participated in the program. Organizer Deputy Roger Fisher of the Kossuth County Sheriffs Department says the special guest speaker for the event will be
Dallas Clark of Livermore, Tight End of the Indianapolis Colts.
7-PM at Algona High School.

AHS Students to sing anthem at Boys State.

A quartet of singers from Algona High School will sing the National Anthem before
a session of the Boys State Basketball Tournament. Instructor Linda Mertz says the students
include Lisa Nelson, Courtney Westling, Austin Ertelt and Pat Gearhardt. The appearance will be at 6:30 P-M on Wednesday March 5th at Wells Fargo Arena. Mertz says this is the quartet`s third appearance at a state venue during their high school years.

Accident at Phillips and Fair Streets in Algona.

An Algona man was cited for making an unsafe turn in the aftermath of a two vehicle accident at Phillips and Fair Streets Wednesday afternoon. Algona Police Officer Kieth Briggs identifies the drivers involved as 65 year old Wendell Phelps of Algona in a 2001 Ford pick up truck and 45 year old Anne Strayer of Algona driving a 2003 Dodge Van.
Niether driver was hurt, an estimated 25 hundred dollars damage to the Phelps vehicle and four-thousand dollars damage to the Strayer vehicle. The accident happened at 4:24 P-M in the afternoon time. The Algona Police Department made two arrests, 22 year old Anthony Sy Brewer of Burt was arrested on a charge of Public Intoxication Second Offense, and 30 year old Andrea Gail Kollman also known as Andrea Fuller was arrested on charges of Operating While Intoxicated and Driving While Suspended.

An ancient weather factoid for today.

Today was the snowiest day in February history in Algona`s recorded weather
history. The KLGA weather record book indicates a 15 and a half inch snowfall
on this day 115 years ago in 1893.

A normal school day in the area!

A normal day of school for students today in the KLGA area.
Authorities say with the exception of some patches of black ice roads are decent
for the commute.

The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors meet in Weekly session at the Courthouse.

The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors talked about a recent trip to the Franklin County Courthouse in Hampton to observe the persons there who do Global Information Systems and Internet Technician work.
Supervisors Chairman Jack Plathe says Kossuth County would like to find persons to fill the GIS and IT roles with Kossuth County by the start of the next Fiscal Year. There is/was a meeting of the so called Conference Board which takes care of the budget for Don Patton the Kossuth County Assesor. Also the date and time for a Public Hearing on the County Budget has been changed to Monday March 3rd at 10:30 A.M. at the Kossuth County Assembly Room.

Two vehicle accident south of Algona.

A two vehicle accident yesterday afternoon three and a half miles south of Algona on U-S Highway 169 at 175th Street, The driver and a Spencer teenager was taken to the hospital as a result. Kossuth County Sheriff`s Deputy Roger Fisher says the drivers are identified as 27 year old Bonnie Lapinskas of Spencer in a 2000 Mazda Van and 18 year old Nate Flick of rural Algona driving a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero. Deputy Fisher says the Flick vehicle had slowed going southbound to turn on 175th Street, the Lapinskas vehicle could not slow down in time to avoid a collision, both vehicles went into the east ditch. Both Lapinskas and 17 year old Constance Lowry of Spencer were taken to Kossuth Regional Health Center for treatment.

North Kossuth School Board meets in Bancroft.

The North Kossuth School Board took no action on a motion to close the Bancroft Elementary School Building and move students to the building at Swea City as they met this week. School Board Secretary Kay Hardt says the Board says a motion to move the idea forward failed for lack of a second to the motion. A motion to table the matter and bring it up next month passed five yes and one no. In other action the School Board approved the rescheduling of conferences to February 25th and 26th from four to eight PM those days, and the School Board also accepted a letter of resignation from NSK assistant baseball coach Matt Bauer. The next meeting for the N-K School Board will be on Saint Patricks Day March 17th at 6:30 at the school building at Swea City.

Details on a Domestic Abuse Assault case in Kossuth County Court.

Some details on an arrest of Algona man on Second Offense Domestic Abuse Charges in Kossuth County Court. 53 year old Ronald Donald Gronbach according to court documents is accused of allegedly throwing a purse at a female subject. The court documents indicate that an order of protection was issued by Judge Mark Laddusaw an order that has since been dismissed by Senior Judge James Andreason. Gronbach entered a not guilty plea to the charge.

The art work of Cliff Long on display at the Algona Public Library.

The Artwork of Cliff Long of Algona continues to be on display at the Gallery of the Algona Public Library in Algona during their normal business hours. The pieces on display include animal paintings and caricatures from a lifetime of artwork done by Long.

The Iowa Lakes Board of Trustees meet on the Esterville Campus.

The Board of Trustees of Iowa Lakes Community College held a public hearing on the 2009 Fiscal Year Budget for the college.
The planned published budget of $38.37 million was approved by the Trustees. Property valuations in the five-county area covered by the college have increased slightly. The increase will generate additional funds for the general and plant fund as well as the equipment replacement funds.
The Iowa Lakes Report featured the fast-growing Wind Energy and Turbine Technology program. Instructor Al Zeitz – who has been with the program since its inception – talked about the new building addition as well as remodeling of the facility used by the Wind Energy students. Zeitz also shared that students in the program are "in demand" when they graduate due to the excellent education the students receive at Iowa Lakes.
The next meeting of the Iowa Lakes Board of Trustees is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, in Estherville.

Hit and Run Accident south of Algona.

A hit and run accident was reported Tuesday at 6:43 P-M. four miles south of Algona on U-S 169. Kossuth County Sherriff`s Deputy Charles Robinson says three passengers in the vehicle driven by 17 year old Ashley Dreyer of Humboldt were hurt. Deputy Robinson says Dreyer was going northbound when an unknown vehicle going south crossed the centerline and struck her vehicle a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue, an accident report states that the occupant of the unknown vehicle turned around and looked at the Dreyer vehicle and then went back north without stopping to check on the people in it. Visibility at the time was reduced by blowing snow. The passengers in the Dreyer vehicle are identified as all from Fort Dodge: 16 year old Ashley Streit, 13 year old Corie Harvey, and Stephenie Biggins.
25-hundred dollars damage to the Dreyer vehicle.

Fairboard meeting rescheduled to next week.

The Kossuth County Fairboard decided to reschedule their monthly meeting Thursday February 28th in hopes the weather might be a little more humane. Fairboard members are in the midst of preparation and fundraising for this summers 150th Edition of the Kossuth County Fair. The Fair dates are July 27th to August 3rd. One of the fundraising efforts is a car raffle, another event is a banquet featuring prime rib on March 8th at the Burt Activity Complex. Tickets for the raffle drawing and the banquet are being sold by Fairboard members.

FFA week continues at AHS today.....

FFA week continues at Algona High School today with an Appreciation Pancake Feed and Labor Auction in the Ag room at the High School from 4:30 to 7:00 P-M. Algona FFA President Paige Walker says the event will be an afternoon and evening affair for a change. The Labor Auction will start at six P-M with four hours of labor being auctioned off with proceeds to benefit the Brandon Divis FFA Blue and Gold Scholarship Fund for local members. Colonel Tom Terwilliger will serve as the auctioneer. The Aggie Olympics will also be held this evening featuring bale moving and stacking, nail driving, and two new surprise events. Other events this week have included the scavenger hunt, pie and ice cream for the faculty, and a Toy Show.

Details on an accident near Whittemore.

A 33 year old Algona woman escaped injury in a one vehicle van accident near Whittemore.
Kossuth County Sheriff`s Deputy Mike Sankey identifies the driver as Christina Pottoff.
Deputy Sankey says Pottoff was driving a 1998 Chevy Van west bound on McGregor Road
when she ran into a hard wind blown snowdrift, control was apparently lost due to snow and extremely slick road conditions, the vehicle entered the north ditch and rolled onto its side. Deputy Sankey says
Potthoff was spared injury because she was wearing her seatbelt! Whittemore Fire and Ambulance was alerted to the scene and got Potthoff out of the vehicle. The accident happened at 5:13 A-M on Monday.

Announcements for Wednesday February 20th.

Two Hour late Starts:

Algona Schools
Bishop Garrigan High School
Exceptional Opportunities
Seaton Schools
East Fork Alternative School
Algona Rabiner Treatment Center
CWL
Emmetsburg Public and Catholic
North Kossuth
Saint John`s of Bancroft
North Iowa
Sentral
Trv
GCB
WBM
WCLT

Algona Head Start is one hour late with no breakfast....

Iowa Lakes Community College will have a 10-am start today...


CWL field trip cancelled...
N-K field trip cancelled...
Sentral field trip cancelled...
TRV field trip cancelled...
Britt West Hancock field trip cancelled...
AHS will start with 2nd period...
No AHS faculty meeting this morning...
Vocal Jazz practice at AHS at 9am today...
AHS pitchers and catchers workout at 8:30 AM..
Flute Choir and Percussion Ensemble at AHS practice at 9-am...
A Kossuth and Palo Alto economic development ag meeting for this morning has been cancelled...
Small world pre school of West Bend in operation today from 10-am to noon...
No K-prep at North Iowa Schools...
Early Childhood at North Iowa is on this morning...
No Early dismissal for Britt West Hancock today...
High School I-Teds at WBM have been postponed but students still need to report...

Kossuth County Fairboard meets in monthly session Wednesday night.

The Kossuth County Fair Board meets for their monthly meeting tomorrow night at
Iowa State University Extension Headquarters in Algona tomorrow night at 7:30 P-M.
The Fairboard is busy making preparations for this summers Kossuth County Fair which will be the 150th edition of the event.
There is also an effort to create a website for information about the County Fair and Fairboard members will have their picture taken for the website after the meeting.

West Bend man arrested.

A 19 year old West Bend has been arrested on charges of Second Degree Sexual Abuse.
Pocahontas County Sheriff Bob Lampe identifies the suspect as Brian Lomax who was arrested yesterday after an investigation by the Laurens Police Department. The charge is a Class "B" felony. Lomax was taken to the Pocahontas County Jail.

Accidents in Algona

The Algona Police Department investigated three traffic accidents in recent days.
Assistant Police Chief Curt Schipper says the first accident was a two vehicle one
at 1214 East Lucas, Darlene Thilges of Algona and Kristin Berte of Algona, 35 hundred dollars damage between the two vehicles, Thilges was cited for Unsafe Backing".
1 one vehicle accident involving a Algona City Dump Truck driven by Rick Schutter of Algona and a Garage owned by Richard Reynolds of Algona, 25-hundred dollars in estimated damage to the garage.
A two vehicle accident at Call and Moore Streets, a minor accident, involving Marion McGregor of Algona and Katheryn Miller of Algona. McGregor was cited for "Unsafe Backing".

Snowmobile Fire in Algona.

The Algona Fire Department responded to a snowmobile fire in an area behind HyVee at 4:22 PM Saturday afternoon, Algona Fire Chief Chuck Bell says the snowmobile that caught fire was an older unit that caused pretty good damage by the time firefighters arrived, the operator was not injured.
Fire crews used a pick up truck to get to the scene, there were 18 respondents, Chief Bell says this incident was just the second fire call of the year....

School Delays today

Two Hour late starts:
Algona School District
Bishop Garrigan High School
Seaton School
Exceptional Opportunities
East Fork Alternative School
The Algona Rabiner Treatment Center
Cwl
North Kossuth
Saint Johns of Bancroft
Sentral
West Bend Mallard
WCLT now closed after an earlier delay.
TRV
GCB

Iowa Lakes Community College will open offices and start classes at 10-am at all campuses...

Exceptional Opportunity busses are running one hour late.

A middle School field trip for the Algona School District is postponed.

Trinity Little Lambs pre school starts at 10-am today.

The North Kossuth School Board meeting tonight was postponed until Tuesday night.

Legislative Forum Saturday at Algona Public Library.

The Algona Chamber of Commerce has sponsored a Legislative Forum set to take place at the Algona Public Library Saturday the 16th. 10-AM is the start time. Chamber of Commerce Director Vickie Mallory says State Senate President Jack Kibbie of Emmetsburg has been invited to attend along with State Representatives Delores Mertz of Ottosen and Marcy Freevert of Emmetsburg.

The Court Beat

Some more details have been made known about the court case involving the woman from California who was arrested on charges of Identity Theft and Forgery. Court Documents identify the woman as 23 year old Tyish Annesia Hamilton of Antioch California who is being held at the Kossuth County Jail.
The local bank where the crimes allegedly occured was the Bank of America. The case was investigated by Algona Police Officer Josh Missman. Hamilton awaits a day in court on February 20th. The charges against her are Class D Felonies.

Good news story for Algona.

A good news story for the City of Algona.
Algona Mayor Lynn Kueck has put out word that Algona will be the site in which a 61 unit "Holiday Inn Express" will be constructed. The location will be on the north side of U-S Highway 18 near Farm Bureau and the Amercinn. Mayor Kueck says the effort to make the project a reality has been in the works for about a years time.
He says the investor group spearheading the effort is called Ameriplex Corporation.
Whittemore resident Brian Thul is one of the contact people. Mayor Kueck says word of the motel construction is great news for the City of Algona.The Holiday Inn Express is owned by an entity called the Intercontinental Hotels Group which has One-thousand-583 hotels in the U-S and 571 locations in the pipeline including Algona,
there are 178 Holiday Inn Express Facilities in Europe, The Middle East and Africa and nine hotels in the Asia Pacific region, plus another 92 in the pipeline.

Bancroft City Council meets.

The Bancroft City Council met in monthly session Monday night and worked through 17 agenda items. City Administrator Mike Brennan says Council approved some storage shed work that was proposed for Bancroft Memorial Park, also in the works is a proposal for a softball tournament for this upcoming Fourth of July, Brennan says three people were approved to serve as ambulance drivers for the Bancroft area.

More from the Court Beat.

A 42 year old Lone Rock woman faces four Serious Misdemeanor Counts of "Licensee Providing Alcohol to Underage People".
Court Documents identify the woman as Paula Janine Berhard. Fines related to the charges could top eight thousand dollars. The alleged violations took place at an establishment in Lone Rock on February fourth.Bernhard has a court date in Kossuth County Court on February 20th.

The Court Beat.

A woman from California faces two Class D
Felony charges of Identity Theft and Forgery
in Kossuth County Court. Court papers
identify the woman as 23 year old Tyish
Annesia Hamilton of Antioch California is
alleged to have on February the 8th used
someones elses identity to steal six
thousand dollars from a bank account and of
completing and executing in writing so that
it purports to be that of another who did
not authorize the act. The Court documents
indicate their intially was a bond, then the
bond was withdrawn as the suspect was seen
as a flight risk. Hamilton`s date in court
is February 20th.

Board of Supervisor news.

The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors held a weekly meeting at the Courthouse Tuesday.
Kossuth County Auditor Joann Bormann says
the Supervisors worked through a 14 item agenda. The Supervisors were expected to name a new Weed Commissioner for Kossuth County. Bormann says the County Budget is up for publishing in a couple of area news papers as required by law and if all goes well a Public Hearing on the Budget will be held February the 26th at 1-PM at the Assembly Room on the First floor of the Kossuth County Courthouse.

Algona School Board approves budget cuts.

The Algona School Board met Monday night in monthly session.
The Board approved over one million dollars in budget cuts for the next fiscal year
and another four people have applied for the districts early retirment program.
Nine people have applied for early retirment in the district in two months time.


Some other news and notes from the latest meeting of the Algona School Board:
School District Business Manager Carol Kenyon has submitted a letter of resignation after 40 years on the job.
School Board accepted a letter of agreement allowing Jason Bradley and Jim McMahon to serve as Varsity Boys Track co coaches for
the High School.
The Public hearing date on the proposed school budget for the next fiscal year was set for April 7th at 8pm.
The number of students signed up for the ongoing process of Kindergarten round up stands at 98 which is higher than last year at this time, 113 students enrolled last fall.
The Football team will be conducting a fundraiser on April 13th that will feature Tonic Sol Fa in concert.
School Board has accepted the proposed calender for the 2008-2009 School year,
the first day of school is August 20th and the last day of school is May 26th.
School Board approved a proposal to repeal the silo tax and replace it with a state penny as reccomended to do so by Superintendent Marty Fonley.

Legislative Forum planned for Saturday in Algona.

The First Legislative Forum of the session will take place this Saturday morning at the Algona Public Library. Vickie Mallory of the hosting Algona Chamber of Commerce says the forum is slated to begin at 10-AM. She says Senate President Jack Kibbie of Emmetsburg has been invited to attend along with State Representatives Marcy Freevert also of Emmetsburg and Delores Mertz of Ottosen.
The public is invited to attend and ask questions of their Legislators about the current session in progress. Mallory says a number of community movers and shakers are expected to attend and ask questions during the forum.

School Board plans to meet tonight!

The Algona School Board planned to meet in monthly session tonight at Central Administration Headquarters in Algona.
Meeting time is 7:30. Board Secretary Gail Carroll says the Board will work through 14 items on the agenda. Carroll says Superintendent Marty Fonley is expected to give details on a search process for a High School Principal, current High School Principal Bill Fjetland has accepted voluntary early retirement. Also due are reports on the Kindergarten Roundup and the Pre School Operation, Superintendent Fonley is also expected to issue some budget reduction reccomendations.

Snow Advisory today.

A SNOW ADVISORY HAS BEEN POSTED!!!!!'
FROM NOON MONDAY TO 6am Tuesday!!!
A FOUR TO SIX INCH SNOWFALL IS FORECAST DURING THAT TIME FRAME.

Double stabbing at Graettinger

Two men have been arrested by the Palo Alto County Sherriff`s Department after an alleged stabbing altercation at an establishment in Graettinger. Deputy Roger Reed says the victims are identified as 29 year old Travis Schany and 47 year old Monty Schany both of Graettinger who were taken to Palo Alto County Hospital and then transferred to Spencer Hospital. During an investigation Deputies found an abandoned van which led them to the location where two arrests took place. Arrested on charges of Willful Injury with a Weapon, the charges are a Class C Felony were: 42 year old Theodore Hampson and 25 year old Matthew Davis of Graettinger, the suspects were taken to the Palo Alto County Jail, an investigation into the case does continue.
The incident took place at a business called the "Side Street Saloon".

They got the snow, we didn`t.

Parts of Iowa got a lot of snow out of the latest go round from Mother Nature. as of late this morning Cedar Rapids had recieved 11.8 inches of snow, 11 inches each in Elmira and New Virginia, 10.5 inches at Oskaloosa and Pleasantville, 9 inches at Solon. Also as of late in the morning Fairfield had recieved the most translatable precipitation from the snow storm at .14 hundreths of an inch.

Tobbacco Compliance Class to offered soon by Algona Reserve Police Officers.

The Algona Police Reserves will be offering a class on Tobacco Law Compliance for area retail workers on Wednesday February 20th at 6-P-M at the City Council Chambers of Algona City Hall. Reserve Police Officer Zeb Besch says those who wish to sign up should do so on line at www.iowaabd.com or in person.
Besch says a compliance check is due of some forty retail outlets in mid April and the two hour class is being offered. Besch says an on line test will be taken at the conclusion of class prior to certification.

Magistrate Court held at the Kossuth County Courthouse.

Today/yesterday was Magistrate Court Day at the Kossuth County Courthouse. This was the first Wednesday in February and appearance day and a busy time at the Courthouse, Magistrate Court is heard by Judge Mark Laddusaw. Magistrate Court Hearings are conducted on the first and third Fridays of the month.

The Algona Police Beat.

The Algona Police Department reported a two vehicle accident in the parking lot of Hy Vee at 5:34 P-M back on Monday afternoon, the Boyken and Barret vehicles were involved,the accident was minor in nature.
A gas drive off of 20 dollars worth was reported at a local conveinence store at 4:33 P-M back on Monday afternoon.

News from Mason City.

A sports bar in the Mason City area has been

cited for violating a local fire code for the

second time in a three month span. The

business is called “The Other Place” and it

was hosting an event in which there were

allegedly 345 people in an establishment

designed to hold 225 people. Mason City Fire

Department Fire Marshall Mark Christiansen

says it was a matter of safety.

The place also was cited for an alleged

violation back in November.

News from the County Fair.

News from the 150th edition of the Kossuth County Fair and the Kossuth County Fairboard: A prime rib banquet has been scheduled to raise funds on March the 8th in Burt at the Burt Activity Complex. Organizers say tickets are being sold for 25 dollars apiece with a 5:30 P-M start time that day. The evenings festivities include door prizes, a live and silent auction and a raffle drawing for a 2008 vehicle. Nancy Kayser is your contact person for tickets at 515-368-2567.

Crime Beat in Martin County.

On the Court Beat from Martin County, two men from Martin County face charges in burglary and damage incidents. Court papers indicate 35 year old Derry Todd Dettmer of Welcome faces 15 burglary,theft and criminal damage to property charges along with aiding and abetting. 22 year old Tracy Lynn Jahnke faces four counts of aiding and abetting.

Other City of Algona news.

The City of Algona will be soliciting Bids for Janitorial Services for the Algona Welcome Center downtown. City Administrator Cole O'Donnell says the city will be looking at price, quality and dependability from bidders.
The City of Algona is looking for a Secretary and Receptionist, the position has been advertised and applications have been recieved, interviews will begin and soon and City officials hope to have the position filled soon.

Algona Airport Commission news.

In News from the City of Algona Airport Commission it appears that Jim Kohlhaas will enter into a lease back arrangement with the City of Algona to put a plane for rent at the Algona Municipal Airport. Kohlhaas will report back to the City on a monthly basis on the planes usage and profit or loss margins. The Airport Commission is expected to evaluate the situation with the rental plane at the end of a years time.

Algona City Council meets at City Hall.

The Algona City Council meets Monday afternoon at 4:30 at Algona City Hall.
Council has drawn up an ordinance increasing the amount of members of the Algona Park Commission and making them non elected appointees. The ordinance will go through the first of three required readings and votes and the public is invited to comment on the issue during the meeting. The Council also has the option of expediting the issue and waiving the second and third readings if they so desire. Council directed City Staffers to draw up the ordinance at a recent retreat.