Actively seeking acceptance
Inclement weather did not stymie the spectrum of smiles and statements of support that were on display during the 8th Annual Autism Acceptance Walk and Resource Fair held Saturday at the Fort Dodge Middle School. Due to sporadic thunderstorms, the planned walk was relocated to the middle school’s hallways, with over a hundred participants marching for autism acceptance and inclusion. Sponsored locally by Facing Autism, Inc., the Autism Walk occurs annually in April to coincide with National Autism Acceptance Month, formerly known as Autism Awareness Month. Initiated nationally ...
Fort Dodge woman battles ALS
Cheryl Fleming never expected to become ill with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. After all, it’s a fairly rare malady with only around 33,000 current cases in the United States. The 61-year-old former business owner, longtime Fort Dodge ...
Webster County man found guilty of murder
A jury found a Webster County man guilty of second-degree murder Friday. Rolman Humberto Recinos Gonzales, 39, was charged with first-degree murder in the 2025 Labor Day weekend death of 45-year-old Justo Cruz Calindo at the apartment the two shared in the 500 block of North 28th ...
Sherman touts life experiences in run for governor
Former state Rep. Brad Sherman says he was the first candidate to enter the race for the 2026 Republican nomination for Iowa governor. “I wasn’t looking for another career,” he said during a visit to Fort Dodge Friday. He said he and his wife, Carole, prayed about his possible run for governor. “We felt that God made it clear that it’s his will that I run for this office,” he said. Now in a four-way race for the Republican nomination to replace Gov. Kim Reynolds, he’s emphasizing his wide range of life experiences and his integrity. “I believe deeply in truth ...
Van hits Fort Dodge house
A van slammed into a Fort Dodge house Friday afternoon, shifting one side of the structure and causing significant damage. The driver was taken to UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center. Fire Department Capt. Steve Teske said it appeared that he had suffered some kind of ...