By Molly Montag, News Correspondent

The City of Algona on Monday, April 21, approved a budget expected to add nearly $1 million to the fund balance during the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Local economic development representatives came together for the second annual Business and Community Forum that provided updates on the topics of daycare, housing, organizational updates and collaborative efforts to keep the local economy growing strong.

The City Revolving Loan Fund and Algona Advantage Program help expand Bare Beauty Studio

Bare Beauty Studio is expanding its space and services with the help of a $20,000 City of Algona revolving loan and a $5,000 forgivable loan from the Algona Area Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC).

Abby Lampe and Emerson Waltz were recognized for their Science Fair achievements at a banner presentation at Algona High School on Thursday, April 17.

Allison Collins received the Algona Chamber Ambassador’s Congeniality Award at the Chamber coffee at Collins store, BumDiddly, on Friday, April 18. Ambassador President Bridget Galligan said, “Collins has made a remarkable impact on our community. Her store has quickly become a must-stop in Algona — a place where creativity, warmth and inclusivity come together in the most delightful way.

Author Mike Tidemann, an Adjunct English Instructor at Iowa Lakes Community College will have a chapter from his latest novel, Coteau, published as a standalone short story in Oakwood, a nationally recognized literary and arts journal produced by South Dakota State University since 1975. Tidemann’s story, Homecoming, appears in the April 2025 edition.

Tidemann also writes a monthly book review for the Kossuth County advance newspaper.

From BGHS- Dalton Klenz, son of Christine and Michael Klenz pictured with Ashley Meyer (teacher), Judy Klenz (grandmother), Dalton, Christine and Greg Stewart (Kiwanis).

From BGJH - Rylee Garman, daughter of Joshua and Amanda, pictured with Ashley Meyer (teacher), Amanda, Rylee, Joshua and Greg Stewart (Kiwanis).

Volunteers Bev, Randy, Julie, Jane, Linda, Michelle and Deanne showed up ready to work painting the interior of the  Lone Rock Historical Depot and Museum. All items in the museum needed to be removed and put back in place once the painting was done.

Evelyn Ruhnke gave a class on dried flower arranging at the Fenton Public Library. Ruhnke has been preserving flowers in beautiful settings to be framed for more than twenty years although she learned from her mother as a child.

Photos below:

Elliot Awe from Corwith inspects the egg he found.

Oaklee Sanchez from Corwith, takes a photo with the Easter Bunny.

Taysia Badker of Wesley shows the treasures she received at the Easter egg hunt in Corwith on April 19.

Joella Leider photos.

The Euchre results for Tuesday, April 15 at Pep’s are:

First place - Charlie Scobba and Bob Haag with 65.

Second place and Third place tie between Charlie Kollasch/Jennifer Reding and Wayne Patterson/George Bierstedt with 57.

Most loners - Charlie Scobba and Eddie Rahe with 4.

The door prize went to Dean Frideres and Jennifer Hackbarth.

By Josie Jennings, AHS Journalism

This year, the Night of Academic Excellence was held on March 25. The Academic Night of Excellence recognizes freshmen and sophomores with a 3.7 GPA and juniors and seniors with a 3.5 GPA.

By Emma Cecil, AHS Journalism

Superstars is an event that has been going on at AHS since 1985. Superstars this year was held on Wednesday, March 26. The theme this year was Against All Odds, an underdog theme.

Planters were rolling across much of the State before being slowed by precipitation. Iowa farmers averaged 5.5 suitable for fieldwork for the week ending April 20, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. In addition to planting corn, soybeans and oats, fieldwork included tiling, building waterways and spraying when winds allowed.