Burt Beautiful 100 to Care met for the first time this year.  A check was handed to Jean Stumme for $1,600 by Victoria Koestler to create an exit sign on the east end of town saying, "Thank you for coming.  Have a nice day!" and to construct a 6'x10' stand alone picture frame on the south lawn of the Burt Activity Complex for memory photos with the Burt Activity Complex in the background.

ALGONA—With state tournament appearances by both the AHS Boys and Girls Wrestling teams, Iowa State Bank presented donations totaling $3,088 with the boys wrestling team receiving $2,096 and the girls team $992.

ALGONA—In celebration of their appearance in the 2024 Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union state basketball tournament, the Bishop Garrigan Girls Basketball Team received a donation of $3,608 from Iowa State Bank based on the number of apparel items sold in preparation for the tournament.

By Maggie Wartick

AHS Journalism

Algona Community School District had to say a hard goodbye to Theresa Kuecker, as she retired on April 5th. Mrs. Kuecker has been working at AHS for almost 26 years. Before starting at AHS, she stayed home with her four boys and babysat for Dawn Bjustrom while she went to school to work as a PE teacher and golf coach. Kuecker first started as the high school secretary in 1998.

ALGONA—The Algona High School Jazz Band participated in the Iowa Jazz Championships (IJC) on Tuesday, April 2 in the Scheman Auditorium at Iowa State University in Ames. This is AHS’s second consecutive appearance at the IJC and eleventh time in school history.

Algona High School musicians participated in the Iowa High School Music Association's State Solo/Small Ensemble festival on Saturday, March 23 at Clear Lake High School. The musicians presented many fine performances and received great evaluations from adjudicators. Out of 41 AHS instrumental performances, 20 Division I (superior) ratings, 18 Division II (excellent) ratings, 1 Division III (good) ratings, and 2 Comments Only ratings were awarded.

Photos below in order:

Bryant’s first grade Bulldog Heroes for March in front row from left are: Emmie Coppinger, Eyler Ginger, Erick Wright and Sterling Kaneer. (Missing Noah Humble.) In back row are second graders from left: Claire Radmaker, Elton Hubbard, Kennedy Johnson, Boston McPeak and Caden Coleman.

Fourth grade Bulldog heroes from left are: Blaine Rapstine, Jase Sorensen, Trake Zinnel and Carter Potts. Not pictured, Allie Gifford.

TITONKA—On April 7 at about 4:25 a.m., the Kossuth County Law Enforcement Center received a 911 call from 3407 210th Ave, Titonka, from a female caller reporting a fire at their acreage. The caller was awakened by the power going off to the house and noticed a glow of a fire at their workshop outbuilding, located west of the house. The caller advised dispatch that she wasn't sure of her husband's whereabouts, as he had been out in the workshop earlier due to not being able to sleep.

On March 27, 2024 at about 10 p.m., Kossuth County Deputy Sheriff's initiated a lawful traffic stop at 2nd Ave and 4th Street North in Swea City. A certified K-9 alerted on the vehicle, which indicated illegal narcotics within the vehicle.

After a search of the vehicle, deputies arrested:

Mary Andersen, age 42 of Swea City. She was arrested and charged with:

• Possession of a controlled substance, 3rd or subsequent class D Felony

In celebration of April as National Volunteer Month, the Northwest Iowa Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) reaffirms a commitment to serving local communities by providing essential volunteer services. This commitment is made possible through the renewal of an AmeriCorps grant, ensuring three more years of funding, and a continued partnership with Iowa Lakes Community College, the local sponsor of Northwest Iowa RSVP since 1977.

Conversation Partners matches local volunteers with individuals and families to learn and practice English skills. Can you help?

VOLUNTEER DETAILS

• No teaching experience or language skills required.

• Resources, support and training session available.

• Help an individual, family or group improve English skills.

• Learn about another culture and meet new people.

Newly released survey includes averages and ranges for popular farming tasks in Iowa

AMES—Farmers who depend on custom work or provide custom services can review rates charged by others across the state in the latest Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey.

The 2024 report was published in the March edition of Ag Decision Maker and includes 130 responses and 2,805 custom rates provided by Iowa farmers, custom operators and farm managers.

DES MOINES—The Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report for the week ending April 7 has been released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Crop report

A free opportunity for non-profit organizations to participate in the award-winning Des Moines Arts Festival®

ALGONA—Bishop Garrigan High School has announced the students who qualified for the third quarter honor roll for the 2023-24 school year. Those with an asterisk (*) earned a 4.0 grade point average.