10 Years ago: Dec. 17, 2008

NEWS: Niki Smith, of Rockwell City, shared her recipes for candy cane cookies, chocolate covered cherries, and bing bars.

SPORTS: Rockwell City-Lytton beat Prairie Valley, 65-53, in girls basketball.

25 Years ago: Dec. 17, 1993

NEWS: The father of two Messenger newspaper carriers, who was helping his sons on their route, helped a woman escape her burning home when her Christmas tree caught fire.

SPORTS: Fort Dodge beat West Des Moines Valley, 50-13, in wrestling.

50 Years ago: Dec. 17, 1968

NEWS: Capt. Merlyn E. Natto, 44, formerly of Fort Dodge, assumed command of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey ship Oceanographer, one of the nation’s most advanced oceanographic ships.

SPORTS: Iowa Central beat Iowa Western, 90-87, in men’s basketball.