Local News

USDA to support project at Algona hospital

ALGONA — The radiology department of Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona will be updated with a boost from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program. That financial support is coming in an indirect way, however. USDA Rural Development Iowa Director Mike Sexton reported that the agency is making two $300,000 grants to two local entities which will in turn loan money to the hospital. Cornbelt Power Cooperative in Humboldt will receive one of the grants. That money will be used to replenish an existing revolving loan fund it administers. Once the ...

Go and Do: July 17, 2026

Around the area LAKE CITY — Village Square Theatre is presenting “The Misadventures of Romeo and Juliet,” a Summer Children’s Theatre production, at 7 p.m. TODAY and 2 p.m. SUNDAY at the South Central Calhoun High School Auditorium, 709 W. Main St., in Lake City. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at the door. During this performance, the audience will witness the final dress rehearsal for “Romeo and Juliet” where the director is trying to direct egos, stagehands, stage managers and lost actors moseying into the wrong ...

Heat wave greets 2026 Webster County Fair

As the heat index climbed to 95 degrees Wednesday afternoon, Webster County Fair Manager Heather Stewart wasn’t watching the thermometer, she was hauling fans into the goat barn, angling them toward the stalls as the first livestock arrived. The 2026 Webster County Fair opened amid high ...

Decades of service

After more than 13 years serving Webster County veterans and 20 years in uniform, Dan Lewandowski will retire on Friday. On Tuesday, Webster County Veterans Affairs Commission Chairman Rich Lennon presented Lewandowski, the county’s veterans affairs director, with a plaque to honor his service. “I’m truly humbled,” said Lewandowski. “When I started 13.5 years ago, this was a job I really, really wanted. Coming off active duty helping soldiers, I was then able to help veterans. I hope I made a difference in the lives of veterans and their families along the way.” Dana ...

Haul Out Hunger provides pork donations to local food pantries

This summer, the Deb and Jeff Hansen Foundation is distributing approximately 34,000 pounds of ground pork through the Haul Out Hunger program. Food pantries in communities across Iowa will receive pork donations to help address food insecurity and provide families with access to high-quality protein. Over the past few weeks, 2,340 pounds of ground pork were delivered to pantries in Webster County, including Holy Trinity Catholic Food Pantry, UDMO Webster County, The Lord’s Cupboard, Dayton Food Pantry, and Gowrie Community Pantry. “Many families facing food insecurity often rely ...

Grace Lutheran makes donations