Breaking News

No paper Monday due to the holiday

The Messenger will not be published on Monday in commemoration of the Martin Luther King Day holiday. The Messenger office will be open Monday during normal business hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check www.messengernews.net over the weekend for breaking news. The Messenger will resume publication on Tuesday.

Faith Lutheran to hold soup lunch on Sunday

HARCOURT — Faith Lutheran Church in Harcourt will hold a soup lunch and bake sale from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. The menu includes chicken noodle, chili and beef vegetable soups, relishes, beverage and dessert for a freewill donation.

‘It’s A Celebration’

HUMBOLDT — The Humboldt Community Chorus, directed by Terry Nelson, will present their annual variety show, “It’s A Celebration,” on Jan. 30 to Feb. 1 at the R. Wesley Carlson Auditorium at the Humboldt High School. Show times are 7 p.m. on Jan. 30, 2 p.m. on Jan. 31 2 p.m. on Feb. 1. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children under 18 and can be purchased at Humboldt Hy-Vee, V&S Variety in downtown Humboldt, from Chorus members, online at www.humboldtchorus.com or by calling 515-890-0987. Selections this year will include “Celebration,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” ...

Iowa hunters take about 100,000 deer

Iowa’s 2025-26 deer harvest through the late muzzleloader and archery seasons is currently just shy of 100,000, which is an increase of 1 percent over last year, according to the state Department of Natural Resources. The department reported that is 4 percent lower than the five-year average. Iowa’s deer harvest is available in real time by county at https://gooutdoorsiowa.com/RealTimeHarvestReport.aspx. Iowa’s final two deer seasons — the Population Management January Antlerless Season and the Excess Tag January Antlerless Season — close on Jan. 25.

Webb, Thompson promoted in FDPD

Two Fort Dodge police officers have been promoted as a result of the retirement of Lt. Matt Wilson after 29 years of service. Matt Webb was promoted from sergeant to lieutenant. He joined the Police Department in 2008. He was promoted to sergeant in 2023. He is a field training officer. In the past, he has served as a school resource officer and as a member of the Special Emergency Response Team. Allie Thompson was promoted from detective to sergeant. She began her law enforcement career in 2015 as a deputy sheriff in Cedar County. She joined the Fort Dodge Police Department in 2017 ...

Area students make BVU Dean’s List

These area students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall semester at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. Barnum • Sophia McCullough Callender • Kaitlyn Stewart Dayton • McKenna Scott Farnhamville • Sara Allen • Colton Brant • Justine Carlson Fort Dodge • Jessica Aspengren • Angela Dencklau • Madelyn Dutcher • Augustina Johnson • Wesley Simms • Heather Tilton • Abigail Valentine • Chloe Wertz Gowrie • Kimberly Ackerson • Caterina Dalley • Zachary Thompson Humboldt • Rachel Conlon • Audrey ...