Lining the shelves of a store tucked in along North 12th Street near downtown Fort Dodge are more than just the occasional paint can Each item brings with it opportunities for individuals in the city and around Webster County and beyond Heartland Hope and Homes has been a beacon of hope providing affordable home repair materials and much-needed assistance to those in need Heartland Hope and Homes is currently working on an accessibility ramp for a local resident with installation planned to begin as soon as the weather improves The organization’s impact extends far beyond ramps striving to help where it is needed most by offering low-cost alternatives for home repairs and even providing pet supplies to local shelters “If we can’t help you directly we do our best to find the resources you need,” said Miller “The store plays such an important role Heartland Hope and Homes would not be what it is without the hard-working team behind the scenes longtime volunteer Bob Hamlow and employee Brittany Mullins greet visitors at the registers There is also a larger “staff” for the store Area businesses and private individuals often bring in items “The four of us all pitch in together to get stuff done,” Miller said “It is a wonderful group to be part of “We’re constantly getting donated items,” Miller added “It allows us to offer them back to community members who are in need.” Heartland Hope and Homes is teaming up with other local nonprofits to organize a fun and engaging community event This future initiative will bring people into the stores you’ll not only aid local nonprofits but also help strengthen the bonds that make Fort Dodge thrive,” Miller said “It all comes back to wanting to help Every contribution helps sustain the store’s mission and makes a meaningful difference for neighbors in need “It is great to be able to see someone happy when they leave here,” she added “They may have been incredibly frustrated prior to visiting us The Webster County Board of Supervisors is expected to discuss two detour agreements with the Iowa Department of .. The Stallings family of rural Webster County suffered a devastating loss on April 26 when a fire ignited in their .. LLC | https://www.messengernews.net | 713 Central Ave. Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Jayda Long makes a play for Iowa Central at Rogers Park during the Region XI-B Tournament The Iowa Central softball squad must now wait to find out its postseason fate The 14th-ranked Tritons were caught from behind in the Region XI-B championship round here on Sunday 12 Kirkwood rallied for a 15-9 victory at Rogers Park Head coach Bo Tjebben’s squad built a 9-3 lead wtih a seven-run third inning in the finale but the Eagles (48-15) plated the game’s final 12 runs to clinch the regional title Iowa Central (47-10) is now hoping to receive an at-large bid to the upcoming NJCAA Div Now we wait to see if we can get an at-large bid.” The Tritons were in the driver’s seat after a thrilling 3-2 walk-off victory over Kirkwood on Saturday as Sydney Wilson delivered a double to plate the winning run Trailing 2-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth Iowa Central scored single runs in the fifth sixth and seventh to complete the comeback Clean up hitter Carly Ryan started the bottom of the seventh on Saturday with a walk Tufvesson stole second and Kyra Kain walked Wilson came to the plate and drilled a double into the gap to score Tufvesson and give Iowa Central the dramatic victory “It’s been the mentality of this group of never giving up and showing their grit,” Tjebben said “Our energy in the dugout was so loud and it was a packed house Jayda Long picked up the victory for the Tritons It was her second of the season against Kirkwood building an immediate 9-0 advantage in the opener before hanging on to force a deciding contest with an 11-9 triumph Wilson and Long had two hits each for Iowa Central in game one with Wilson and Reagan Enright both driving in a pair Cailyn Hardy and Enright went deep in the second contest Kirkwood will now face Central Community College on Friday in Columbus Top-seeded and fourth-ranked DMACC (53-5) held off No 4 seed NIACC on Sunday in the Region XI-A final The Bears take on Dawson in the Northwest Plains B Tournament beginning on Friday in Boone The national tournament is May 19-24 in Oxford LAKE CITY — It was a fight to the finish in the boys team standings at the Ross Samuelson Co-Ed Relays in Lake .. LAKE CITY — The South Central Calhoun girls placed second at their home Ross Samuelson Co-Ed Relays here on .. Edmond boys track team came away with five runner-up finishes at the Jim Basye Coed Relays here .. May 1st filed a charge of Threat of Terrorism Paivarinta  was arrested on the charge after information was provided to Fort Dodge Police via an anonymous source The information was regarding disturbing statements being made by a user on Facebook specifically regarding to potentially purchase a firearm and use that firearm on law enforcement Further postings outlined the  users’ plan to carry out their actions with one such post publicly announcing that they were in search of a firearm members of law enforcement arranged an operation that both validate the identity of Paivarinta as the user in question as well as their intent to purchase a firearm The investigation is continuing by Fort Dodge Police Eagle Grove boys golf competes in home Top of Iowa tri meet Webster City Police investigate two motor vehicle accidents over the weekend Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application Private family services will be held at a later date Arrangements are with Historic Bruce Funeral Home of Fort Dodge.  This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Angered by what they view as unconstitutional and heavy-handed actions by President Donald Trump about 120 people gathered at one the busiest intersections in Fort Dodge Thursday evening to make their feelings known Holding signs bearing messages like “preserve due process” and “Iowa feed hungry children” protesters positioned themselves on all four sides of the intersection of First Avenue South and 29th Street at 5 p.m The noisy demonstration lasted about an hour Many drivers passing through the intersection sounded their vehicle horns in apparent support of the group “The point is to save our democracy,” said Claudia Koch one of the event organizers.”There are a lot of things going on that people are not happy about.” said the event protested violations of the Constitution violations of due process and unfair treatment of workers “I get very concerned with some of the legislation coming out of the administration,” she said “We have to keep fighting so those unfair and unconstitutional things don’t happen.” “We just have to stand up to them and resist,” she added Koch said the event was part of the national 50501 movement She said it is not named after the Fort Dodge ZIP code Similar protests were held in 20 communities in Iowa The protest had been planned for about two weeks Rouse said she was very pleased to see the public’s reaction Thursday evening “It has all been supportive or people just minding their business,” she said “I’ve seen nothing negative.” HUMBOLDT — A former Humboldt Community School District teacher has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of sexual .. passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday A gathering of family and friends will be from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Thursday Inurnment will take place at North Lawn Cemetery the daughter of Billy and Janet (Sorensen) Preston She grew up in Humboldt and attended Humboldt and Fort Dodge Schools before graduating from Fort Dodge Senior High in 1987 She continued her education at Iowa Central Community College where she earned her Associate of Applied Science Degrees in both Business and Accounting She met her husband Allan in the Spring of 1986 but her most notable employment would be Citizens Community Credit Union and Casey’s General Store where she worked for many years Her family was important to her and she found great joy in raising her children and spending time with her grandchildren Becky also found joy in hobbies such as cross-stitch and a day at the casino she immersed herself in a multitude of genres but her heart held a special place for the magical world of Harry Potter Becky's adventurous spirit shone through in her travels with her husband particularly when they ventured to the vibrant city of Minneapolis moments were dedicated to loving rituals like manicures and indulging in a little retail therapy—a true testament to their shared joy in each other's company Cruises to the Bahamas and a trip to Vegas with her sisters were other notable memories Becky relished her time spent playing BINGO which was a significant part of her leisure activities Among her favorite pastimes was watching her beloved shows particularly "The Voice," which she followed diligently Becky is survived by her husband of nearly 35 years: Allan Petersen; 3 children: Mandi (Alan) Preston and Beth (Joe) Hinners; 7 grandchildren; and 2 sisters: Brenda (Sheldon) Schnetter and Kelly (Junior) Boeckholt She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews She was preceded in death by her parents: Billy and Janet Preston; step-dad: Robert Gene Thorn; brother: Billy Gene Preston Jr.; and nephew: Branden Wayne Preston Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text The Pritchard Family Auto Stores Mason City Motor Speedway hosted an electrifying afternoon and evening of racing Sunday with the “May The Fourth Be With You” event featuring the K Sports Park Raceway kicked off its season Saturday night with the KS Engineering Iron Man USRA Stock Cars Series driven by Terminator Chassis highlighting action in the Summit USRA Weekly Racing Serie I-35 Speedway delivered high-octane racing Saturday night during Highway 36 Auto & Diesel Night featuring the Summit USRA Weekly Racing Series © Copyright 2025 United States Racing A Thor man pleaded guilty to animal neglect with serious injury for starving and mistreating 29 German shepherd .. Today marks the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon widely recognized as the end of the Vietnam War and for the families and friends of 16 Webster County men who died for their country “On the anniversary,” said Rich Lennon “it is fitting that we honor not only those that lost their lives during the Vietnam War but also to honor the families of those whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice in service to this great nation.” Families like that of Raymond and Joyce Olson who got that dreaded knock on their door on March 28 was killed two days earlier when he stepped on a land mine Dayle Olson was a 15-year-old sophomore at Fort Dodge Senior High School and stood quietly in the background as they delivered word of Roger’s death at the age of 20 “Today I look at the Vietnam War as a ‘different war.’ Now I look back at this war that seemed to create a division in America I don’t focus on those issues anymore I focus on what this war did to over 58,000 families who had that knock on the front door with a military person standing on the other side holding a large brown envelope As that envelope got handed to a family member ‘I am sorry for your loss,’ were quietly whispered “That image is cemented in my mind to this day were then and still today are faced with that division Some saw this loss as a hero who had sacrificed their life for this country Others saw it as part of ‘the unnecessary.’ I feel the same today as I did 50 years ago Every person who was a part of Vietnam is an American hero who deserves our respect and gratitude.” The names of the 16 Webster County men killed in the war are etched on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington and at the Terry Moehnke Veterans Memorial Park north of Fort Dodge The photos with this story are also on display at Fort Dodge’s Walter Porsch Post 1856 The men and women who served in the Vietnam War era were faced with adversity both on the battlefield and at home “It was an unpopular war that had no clear objective for many in the Heartland,” he said “I recall the turmoil on the college campuses and the somber scenes of caskets being unloaded off the transport planes Men and women of my generation were called on to serve and the draft was disrupting plans for many of them It was a war in a faraway place that most did not understand the significance of “Walking through Veterans Park provides an opportunity to reflect on the men and women who served and the impact of their service on their families and our community The 16 young men from Webster County had their lives cut short but there are hundreds more who returned and lived with their experiences with little support of their neighbors or our government It took several years for the public to recognize that the battle didn’t end with their return We can only hope that we learned to appreciate the efforts of others to preserve our freedoms.” academic dean — distance learning at Iowa Central Community College headed a project in which students interviewed the families and friends of 55 men who died in the Vietnam War They were from the nine counties that make up Iowa Central’s region — Buena Vista “Before They Were Soldiers,” and as its title states the stories of those 55 attempted to capture the essence of their lives before they began their military service as a way of honoring the families and friends who contributed their stories to the project and who were presented a copy of the book “One thing we noticed from interviewing family members of those who died in Vietnam was that each of the families has a void or hole in their heart from the loss of their brother,” Martin said we interviewed mothers and this was even more apparent in the information they gave us Most of our interviews led to a situation where tears flowed down their cheeks as they remembered where they were when they got the news it always came up … I remember clearly the day or night that we got the call or when the military car come driving up our lane or when mom collapsed when they told us the news.” Martin shared his personal experience of how such loss results in life forever changed my mother gets married in the fall of 1967 and her husband is sent to Vietnam in January ’68,” he said The trajectory of life is forever altered by a war that is on the other side of the globe but it does not change the fact that this happens with each and every one of the guys who died over there “It is also true about those who came back altered from the young man who left compared to the man they were when they returned these guys had a full family when they were called to go over there That changed how the kids had to live with that void of a dad and only had the memory of their dad instead of a father to play catch One can really over think this … ” Two of those who died are remembered at their respective high schools Terry Griffey has been honored annually at St Edmond High School since 1968 by recognizing a senior boy judged outstanding in athletics citizenship and leadership with the Terry Griffey Award when the F-4C Phantom fighter jet he was piloting burst into flames after a bombing run and disintegrated near Qui Nhon in South Vietnam a plaque was dedicated at Fort Dodge Senior High School in memory of 1st Lt when his helicopter crashed during rescue operations in Quang Nam Province He was awarded the Navy Cross and two Silver Stars for his heroism The Fort Dodge Veterans Council presented the plaque on behalf of Peters and it is displayed in a place of honor at the high school Peters’ sister Portia Peters Bauchens said: He lost his life piloting a helicopter back into battle so that no wounded would be left behind If you have been to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington you know that uniformed men are there to help you find the name on the wall Iowa?’ I surprised myself and burst into tears I want Lee remembered as the kid from Fort Dodge who loved his family loved his friends and to have fun … I hope the plaque at the high school will inspire kids to do their best when called upon National Vietnam War Veterans Day is observed on March 29 — the date in 1973 when the last U.S “To me when we (all combat forces) left Vietnam on 29 March is definitely more significant than when we left Vietnam in April of 1975,” Lennon said “April of 1975 was a political date for the end of the war.” who served as an Army artillery forward observer in Vietnam in 1967 agrees: “For me the Vietnam War ended with the Paris Peace Accord in 1973 and the withdrawal of the U.S assistance until the communist forces overran Saigon on April 30 the chaotic withdrawal of embassy staff and Vietnamese friendlies was controversial Also subject to controversy was the resettlement of orphans as well as families.” U.S Marines Charles McMahon and Darwin Lee Judge in a North Vietnamese rocket attack one day before the fall of Saigon Judge was a 19-year-old lance corporal from Marshalltown service members died in the war — 869 of them from Iowa the 27th Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight will transport 165 veterans to Washington to see the nation’s war monuments — two of them Korean War veterans and the rest Vietnam veterans each flight makes me so grateful for what our country is and was and will be In his remarks at Iowa Central to families who lost loved ones in the Vietnam War In a number of interviews that I assisted in completing and that part of your heart that just didn’t heal “Your loved one — your brother or best buddy — answered the call to duty endured hardships others can only try to comprehend They gave their lives in service to their country and their names are etched forever on a granite wall in our nation’s capital and American history “But their story doesn’t end there The Fort Dodge Community School District has named the April 2025 Students and Staff of the Month honorees The Webster County Board of Supervisors approved the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget Monday during a special public .. Prepare to hear the beautiful sounds of spring and go on a journey during the upcoming concert “The Beauty of the Earth” presented by the Fort Dodge Choral Society “This is our last concert of the year and it is focused on spring and all the transformations that come with spring,” said Greta Nelson The first piece the audience will hear is called “Nocturne,” which is a set of three poems about a flowering almond tree and the early spring that will help set the mood of the evening concert Another piece the audience will hear is called “The Music of Living” by Dan Forrest “The Music of Living is a declaration of creation and God being the giver of life,” said Nelson “It is a powerful and inspirational piece.” the Choral Society will perform “Sunrise Mass” by Ola Gjeilo This piece will take the audience on a journey from heaven “This musical journey evolves from transparent and spacey to something earthy and warm; from nebulous and pristine to ultimately solid groundness,” said Nelson “It really takes the audience on a spiritual journey.” Nelson added that the piece really ties into the idea of spring being a time of transformation and how humans transform throughout their lives The FD Choral Society will close the concert with “The Beauty of the Earth” by John Rutter “This is where everything gets wrapped up into a beautiful bow It recognizes how beautiful our Earth is night and day,” said Nelson She added that society members are very excited and look forward to sharing this music with Fort Dodge and the surrounding communities “For those who have never attended one of our concerts this one is a great introduction to how immerse and unique choral music can be and for those who are not quite sure what choral singing is all about,” Nelson said What: Fort Dodge Choral Society performance of “The Beauty of the Earth” Tickets: $12 for adults and $3 for students The third and final indoor concert for the 2025 season by the Karl L King Municipal Band will be held beginning at .. 2025Photo: SWKrullImaging / iStock / Getty Images IA) -- Over 70-thousand fish are dead following a fertilizer byproduct leak in Fort Dodge According to an Iowa Department of Natural Resources report CJ Bio America reported the leak in the South Branch of Lizard Creek on April 14th The DNR observed dead fish along around 15 miles of the creek The majority of the fish killed were minnows although several other species were affected as well Iowa DNR Report passed away peacefully at 6:43 PM from pancreatic cancer on Monday Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Thursday Interment will take place at Rose Hill Cemetery in Manson The family invites all who knew him to join in honoring his memory Allen spent his life as a cornerstone of his community Al was self-employed as a General Property Services Contractor working with various landlords and businesses across Fort Dodge His dedication to his work and the relationships he built within the community reflected his generous spirit and commitment to helping others Al found joy in the simple but meaningful moments: lending a hand to those in need which brought him hours of excitement and connection with those he cared about Al is preceded in death by his beloved parents Leland “Lee” Ferrand and Myrna Bruns; his foster parents Margaret and Merlin; five of his siblings who was the light of his life; his ex-wife Karen Frankl of Fort Dodge; and ten siblings: Larry Ferrand of Bremerton Linda Welch and husband Paul of Fort Dodge Barbara Hennings and husband Bill of Rinard June Lentzkow and husband Matt of Des Moines Juanita Buffington and husband Brett of Marshalltown and Dennis Ferrand and wife Hilary of Fort Dodge Al was also survived by many nieces and nephews and his love extended far beyond blood ties—he was a father figure and friend to many He was the kind of man who would give the shirt off his back to help someone in need His presence brought comfort and joy to everyone who knew him Allen Dean Ferrand’s kindness and love will live on in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him A Celebration of Life gathering will be held from 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM on Saturday the daughter of Lester and Shirley (Ostrander) Rosburg Edmond Catholic School with the class of 1978 Air Force and proudly served her country until her honorable discharge in 1988 Leslie worked as both a CNA and a housekeeper for many years and she appreciated all of the close relationships she built with them The way they supported her over the years truly meant the world to her Leslie was known for her unwavering passion for sports particularly her loyalty to the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Green Bay Packers She was often the one yelling at the TV as if she were right there on the field or court with them Her love for sports was matched only by her appreciation for music She often listened to bands like Shinedown Music was able to help her find the words she was sometimes unable to express on her own You could also find her spending time hustling people at the pool table or watching one of countless crime shows always full of energy and someone who was not afraid to speak her mind She was always ready to use her voice to speak up for herself and others Leslie was committed to helping those that she loved Her generous spirit was evident in the countless ways she extended a hand to those in need she would still find a way to help those who needed it accompanied by the loudest laugh in the room Leslie is survived by 3 children: Nathan Nickless of Dakota City She is also survived by 2 siblings: Chris Rosburg of Fort Dodge and Dave Rosburg of Fort Dodge She was preceded in death by her parents; and daughter: Jessica Nickless Our hearts can smile and find comfort at the thought of this joyful reunion taking place The Fort Dodge City Council moved Monday to lock down the details of its sale of The Pavilion at Corridor Plaza to the firm that actually started the project The council approved the contract for the $12.1 million deal with M and M LLC of Ankeny When M and M LLC struggled to get private financing the City Council stepped in because it deems the facility critical to the success of Corridor Plaza which proposed the project and first owned the building The city government borrowed the money to buy the building then negotiated a contract in which payments from M and M will retire the city’s debt “The buyer is making the city’s debt payments,” City Manager David Fierke said Monday “They’re really paying for the building.” He has said previously that even if the payments from M and M can’t cover the debt service such as sales tax revenue generated at Corridor Plaza He said it is very unlikely that the city’s property tax payers will have to pay off the debt The contract includes a payment schedule listing the specific amounts M and M must pay each month from now until June 1 Councilwoman Lydia Schuur was absent from the otherwise unanimous vote to approve the contract One citizen addressed the council about The Pavilion Ed Touney asked about some specific dollar am ounts in the contract and about how the city’s debt would be paid Fierke replied by explaining how the payments from M and M LLC would be used to pay off the debt He added that sales tax revenue and tax increment financing will be used if the payments from the firm aren’t enough To answer some of Touney’s questions Fierke and Mayor Matt Bemrich referred him to the contract which can be found on the city’s website at fortdodgeiowa.org select agendas and minutes on the home page then click on the agenda for Monday’s council meeting located on the west side of Corridor Plaza will include a five court basketball/ volleyball arena Anyone hoping to board a flight at Fort Dodge Regional Airport — or any other airport — on Wednesday better .. and greases shouldn’t be put down sinks or toilets in homes or businesses The Fort Dodge City Council decided Monday to move ahead with selling the sports pavilion in Corridor Plaza to its original developer for $12.1 million the council approved a resolution approving the disposition of the sprawling building on the west side of the property that was once Crossroads Mall Councilman Dave Flattery was absent from the otherwise unanimous vote which will include details of the payment plan needed to retire the debt the city incurred to buy the building will pay $10,000 up front in earnest money plus $490,000 in cash when the sale closes according to documents presented to the council Monday The remaining money will be paid to the city over the length of the contract which will come before the council on April 14 the city will provide $2 million for purchasing furnishings and fixtures for the site according to documents provided to the council but then struggled to get private financing for it Operating under the belief that the pavilion would be a key driver of people to Corridor Plaza the City Council stepped in and bought the building from Three and One LLC Lease payments from the company would be used to pay off the $9.5 million debt the city took on to buy the property According to the proposal submitted to the council on Monday by M and M LLC It will include a five-court basketball/volleyball arena The company said The Pavilion will be the site of basketball Memorial services will be held at 6 PM on Thursday 923 1st Avenue South with Pastor Nicholas Thackery officiating A gathering of family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service affectionately nicknamed “Nin” or “Ninny” by those who adored her the daughter of Jerry and Garnett (Jones) Walker and the Fort Dodge Health & Rehab Residence Council where she served as an advocate for the residents and head of the craft department She will be remembered for her positive spirit the precious moments shared with her will be cherished forever Linda is survived by numerous nieces and nephews She was preceded in death by her parents; 5 siblings: Beverly Tiernan and Jane Parks; Niece Cindy Tiernan and nephews: Brent Tiernan at UnityPoint – Trinity Regional Medical Center Graveside services will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday at the Otho Cemetery with Pastor Jerry Raether of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church officiating the daughter of Herman and Alice (Clutter) Jaeschke she was united in marriage to Eugene Fuller at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge Roma worked in food service for the Fort Dodge School District for 25 years she became a foster grandparent for 21 years Roma enjoyed spending time with her family and friends She was a devoted grandmother who cherished the time spent with her grandchildren where family gatherings were marked by her delicious baked goods especially her Christmas treats and famous popcorn balls during Halloween She was an avid reader and enjoyed knitting and crocheting Roma's compassionate nature extended beyond her immediate family She was known for her selfless acts of kindness often bringing food to shut-ins and extending a helping hand to those in need This generosity stemmed from her strong faith which was a guiding force throughout her life She was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Roma is survived by 4 children: Kathryn Lara and husband Manuel of Cedar Rapids and Rion Fuller and wife Janet of Eagle Grove Chelsie and Matthew; 22 great grandchildren; and 1 great great granddaughter She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Gene Fuller in 1977; and her sister: Verona Fuller A roughly $115 million budget that lowers the property tax rate but includes some reductions in services was approved unanimously by the Fort Dodge City Council on Monday The $115,381,690 spending plan is for the fiscal year that begins July 1 and ends June 30 It includes a property tax rate of $20.75 per $1,000 of taxable value That is down from the current rate of $20.95 per $1,000 of taxable value It also includes revenue from a two-phase water rate increase that added about $2.12 to the monthly bill of the average residential customer on Jan A similar increase will go into effect on Jan To cope with reduced general fund revenues that city officials say were prompted by a new state property tax law • Aquatics and program coordinator in the Recreation Department • Administrative assistant at the Blanden Memorial Art Museum • One building inspector in the Development Services Department • Community and economic development manager in the Development Services Department • One supervisor in the Public Areas Department The positions are vacant or will be by the time the fiscal year starts July 1 Hours at the Rosedale Rapids Aquatics Center will be reduced this summer by about five hours a week Hours at the Fort Dodge Public Library and the Blanden Memorial Art Museum may also be reduced There may also be a longer response time to complaints about nuisances such as tall weeds and junk Mayor Matt Bemrich thanked the city staff for what he called a “fantastic job” preparing the complex budget Noting that the property tax levy is going down Bemrich told the staff members in the council room “That’s a credit to you.” While the general fund supported by property taxes is always the most difficult to budget the various utilities operated by the city account for the biggest chunk of the spending plan storm sewer solid waste collection and the Fort Dodge Fiber broadband system those utilities account for about $34 million of the $115 million budget The apartment and townhome neighborhood on the east side of Fort Dodge called District 29 is poised to .. The Fort Dodge City Council on Monday moved forward with the process of setting up an internal loan for the .. by | Feb 26 The Iowa National Guard has set this Sunday at 2 p.m as the date for the formal ceremony marking the shutdown of the 133rd Test Squadron in Fort Dodge Iowa Guard spokesperson Jackie Schmilllen says they learned in May of last year that the squadron was going to be shut down as part of a national restructuring like our traditional service members with the Iowa National Guard They are authorized to have 118 and when the news came down about this divestment happening Schmilllen says many guard members moved to other units “Every full time person was offered a full time position within the Iowa Air National Guard We’re happy to say a bulk of them are staying here in Iowa and going to either the 132nd air wing in Des Moines or the 185th refueling wing in Sioux City,” Schmilllen says Schmilllen says the ceremony will celebrate the more than 75 years of the unit in Fort Dodge  “We can understand why this can be a somber moment for not only those that are currently serving with that unit but those that have and plan on coming back for the ceremony on Sunday,” she says “But we do want to remember the successes and the innovation of this unit when it was stood up over 75 years ago and what they’ve been able to contribute not only to the community but to the Iowa Air National Guard and the U.S There will still be 107 soldiers in Fort Dodge who are members of the 1st Battalion 194th Field Artillery very proudly honoring that community and a part of what they do if we’re ever needed,” she says The unit’s base is located across from the sports complex where the Girl’s State Softball Tournament is held Information on the unit’s website says it was founded on June 1st of 1948 as the 133rd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron It says they have been the Air National Guard’s only Test Squadron for the past 21 years performing operational and developmental testing of command-and-control equipment for the U.S RadioIowa is a division of LEARFIELD © Learfield News & Ag, LLC. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy  | Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information at UnityPoint Health – Trinity Regional Medical Center A celebration of life gathering will be held from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM on Saturday he was united in marriage to Rebecca Jo (Ackerson) at the VFW in Fort Dodge socializing at Chesterfield Lounge and visiting D & L Recycling Ivan is survived by his wife of 29 years: Rebecca Harrison of Fort Dodge; step-daughter: Alice Derrig (Maurice) of Fort Dodge; 5 grandchildren: Alexis Derrig Mikayla Bruns and Dylan Bruns; and 3 great grandchildren: Royalty He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; and 9 siblings: Bruce Harrison The top wrestling recruit in the state of Iowa made his selection on Sunday Fort Dodge junior Dreshaun Ross committed to Oklahoma State over Iowa Cowboys head coach David Taylor recently visited with Ross at the Ed Winger Invitational in Urbandale and secured a huge pickup for their 2026 class "I’m excited to announce that I will be furthering my academic and athletic career at the University of Oklahoma State," Ross said in an Instagram post "I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my family coaches and community that have helped and supported me throughout this journey 3 prospect in Flowrestling's class of 2026 rankings and projects at heavyweight in college He qualified for Team USA's U17 World Team last summer but an injury suffered at Fargo held him out of the tournament which required him to miss football season "It was definitely a difficult decision to make but I think it was the best one to make in the long run for my health for my college future and whatnot," Ross said after the Ed Winger Invitational He has since returned from injury and is undefeated in his junior year Ross is a two-time state champion going for a third this month He's considered one of the top wrestling talents in the country He also has quite the football career going rated as a three-star athlete by 247Sports only wrestling was included in his commitment post Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23 A memorial mass will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday 2501 6th Avenue North – Fort Dodge with Father Jacob Rouse and Deacon Dan Rouse officiating Services will be livestreamed via https://www.facebook.com/share/19TJeeaM8e/?mibextid=wwXIfr  A gathering of family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service Arrangements are with Historic Bruce Funeral Home of Fort Dodge After decades of courageously battling multiple health complications Jean’s strength and resilience remained an inspiration to all who knew her she will always be remembered for her kindness and the radiant smile and laughter she shared with everyone she met Jean was the daughter of Evan Jacob (“Jake”) Tevis and Coriene Regena Crapser Jean enlisted in the Air Force in October 1980 and completed training as an administrative specialist She was stationed at McChord AFB and later at Offutt AFB She flew as a passenger and crew support member on the President’s nicknamed the “Nightwatch” (National Airborne Operations Center) which allowed her to visit many different countries It was at Offutt AFB that she met her future husband After Bob and Jean finished their time in the Air Force Bob began a job in 1992 with McDonnell Douglas in Taif where Jean experienced life as a woman in a Muslim country Jean worked as an administrative assistant in medical clinics in Mason City before moving to Fort Dodge with her husband and children Jean volunteered at their schools and discovered her passion for teaching and helping students Jean brought love and joy into every room she entered Even with her degenerative rheumatoid arthritis Jean fought through her pain and disabilities to ensure everyone else was happy and enjoying themselves Whether through a long conversation on the phone or a friendly email exchange She is survived by her husband of 37 years Robert (“Bob”) Bruce Walston; her children James “Jim”Walston; Joseph (Jada) Walston of Fort Dodge and extended family members who will miss her dearly Patricia “Pat” Walston; her sister-in-law Cathy (Walston) Johnson; her stepmother-in-law Evan “Jake” Tevis; her infant brother Click to watch by | Apr 15 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a fish kill at the south branch of Lizard Creek near Fort Dodge Information from the DNR says they received a call from CJ Bio America in Fort Dodge that a fertilizer byproduct had emptied into a stormwater channel on the east side of the plant It was later discovered that the material breached a berm set up to contain it The DNR observed the product in the creek and reported that there were dead fish for several miles and people downstream are advised to stay out of the water surrounded by her family’s love at MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care in West Des Moines IA after a long battle with Dementia.  the daughter of Frederick and Ethel (Scherff) Reeck She graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High in 1962 and continued her education at Iowa Central Community College Ethelynn married Kenneth Ray Tuel in Fort Dodge beginning a marriage built on love and devotion that lasted over five decades Following Ken's return from Vietnam in 1969 and dedication to her family and loved ones She ran an in-home daycare and then worked in office administration in addition to taking on side jobs with her husband including painting and remodeling homes before they retired She was often helping or serving others.  Her faith was at the heart of everything she did Ethelynn was an active participant in the church's Women of St Paul group and devoted 40 years to teaching Sunday School her greatest joy and pride were her grandchildren Ethelynn's love for them knew no bounds and she made sure they always felt her affection Ethelynn had a unique ability to make others feel special whether through her thoughtful birthday and anniversary cards or always having a bowl of popcorn ready for visitors She will be remembered for her kindness and generosity Ethelynn is survived by her children: Chad Tuel of Mesa and Stella Bice; 3 siblings: Trudy Koppen of Fort Dodge OR; and 3 sisters-in-law: Patricia Bower of Fort Dodge She is also survived by her brother-in-law Timothy (Angie) Tuel of Glidden in 2024; her parents; grandparents; mother and father-in-law; her sister Kamma Jorgensen; brothers-in-law: Don Hanysh and Ronald Koppen; nieces: Marie Petersen and Lynn Perucca; and one nephew Ethelynn will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her The family extends their gratitude to MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care and St Croix Hospice for the loving care they provided during the final months of her life.  A celebration of life for Ethelynn will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday Visitation will be from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM on Friday Interment will take place at North Lawn Cemetery Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday She graduated from Community Christian School in 1988 and continued her education at Buena Vista University where she earned her BA Degree she worked as an accountant for Greenfield Trucking Jennifer found true joy spending time in the great outdoors Jennifer was an avid reader and was often lost in the pages of a good book she enjoyed gardening and attending car shows Jennifer discovered a passion for knitting and crocheting Jennifer is survived by her husband of 31 years: Brad Beahler of Fort Dodge; and her son: James Beahler of Fort Dodge She was preceded in death by her parents; and a brother: James W