Evidence shows Pompeii was a wealthy city

By Jim Sloter

Walking toward nearby Pompeii ruins by 8:30, our first stop was to cash a Traveler’s Check for Italian lira. We did a little shopping on the way but only bought a guide book to the Pompeii ruins so we could take our time – we wanted to absorb and learn about what happened there without being rushed..

Thomas Edison’s half-sister lives in Algona

By Gene Miller

150 Years Ago

At a boarding house in Des Moines recently a man without hands and only a stub of an arm, was eating with a fork strapped to the stub. When asked, “Who do you vote for, sir?” he promptly replied: “It is not necessary to ask how a man will vote at this election when you know he has lost both arms in defense of his country. Soldiers will all vote for Grant.” 

To the Editor

To the Editor

The Iowa Legislature and Republican Governors have been starving our public schools financially for some time. When you see that the 2022 Iowa Legislature added $186 per pupil or 2.5% to Supplement State Aid for public schools, that may seem like a lot, but during the years from 2005-2011 under Democrat Governors, schools averaged 3.5 %.  During the latest Terry Branstad-Kim Reynolds era, schools have received anywhere from 0% to the current 2.5 %.  

Get a job

By Shane Goodman

Get a job. Those three words are often used in a condescending way, but they are maybe more important today than they have ever been.

Our nation’s unemployment rate in June was at 3.6 percent. In Iowa, it was 2.6 percent. Those are very low numbers, which means the pool of people to hire from is low, too.

What do you think?

By Rev. Chris Burtnett

Pastor, First
Congregational United
Church of Christ

Throughout the county people are preparing for the upcoming fair. Before you go, enjoy these photos from the Kossuth County Fairgrounds from 1913. The original racetrack went right up to the Floral Hall.Photos courtesy of the Kossuth County Historical Society.

Of dancing, skating and sassy offspring

By Molly MacDonald

Aqueducts and water buffalo dot scenery

By Jim Sloter

Leaving Itri and heading south toward Napoli, we passed rolling hills with their vineyards, fruit orchards, and olive groves and flat farmland with wheat fields and rice paddies that were irrigated by water delivered in troughs from aqueducts. 

Athletes, be sure and get your physicals

By Gene Miller

150 Years Ago

The storm on Saturday night was not as destructive to crops as was at first feared. Small grains unless quite ripe will straighten up again. On account of the quick growth of corn its liability to break off was increased, still the crop will be very fair if no other ill befalls it. 

125 Years Ago

Pool provides activity, exercise and more 

By Teresa Wolter

Aquatic Center

Opinions. Everyone has them, or so the saying goes.

By Shane Goodman

I bought a newspaper in Guthrie County earlier this month, and I have been flooded with positive comments and support from local residents. A specific question has come up a few times, and it deals with opinions. 

Do not be anxious

By Rev. Thomas Cowell

Pastor, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Burt

Partnership Pastor,

Trinity Lutheran Church

Paying a ticket at post office in Naples

By Jim Sloter