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Open house will focus on future of Sacred Heart building

The Fort Dodge Historic Preservation Commission will hold an open house to discuss the future of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church building from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the Municipal Building, 819 First Ave. S. Learn more about the project, share your ideas, and enjoy some light refreshments. This event is being held as a part of the Historic Structures Report and rehabilitation plan currently being developed, which is funded by grants from Iowa Certified Local Government Program and the Ann Smeltzer Charitable Trust. For questions about the open house email: ...

No paper Thursday due to the holiday

The Messenger will not be published on Thursday in commemoration of the Thanksgiving Day holiday. Check www.messengernews.net throughout the day for breaking news updates. The Messenger will resume publication on Friday.

Club Roundup: Week of Nov. 25

Service clubs Fort Dodge Noon Rotary: Noon Monday, Shiny Top Brewing, 520 Central Ave. Daybreak Rotary Club: 7 a.m. Tuesday, board room, Triton Cafe, Iowa Central Community College. Fort Dodge Noon Kiwanis: Noon Tuesday, Pizza Ranch, 3311 Fifth Ave. S. Noon Lions: 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, The Lion’s Den, 731 Exposition Drive. Alcohol dependency Alano Club: 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, 1408 Fifth Ave. S. Al-Anon Family Group: Noon Sunday, 1408 Fifth Ave. S. Al-Anon Family Group: Noon Monday, First United Methodist Church, 127 N. 10th St. Al-Anon Family Group: 5 p.m. ...

FD preschool registration to begin Dec. 6

The Fort Dodge Community School District and the Early Childhood Center have released preschool registration details for the 2025-2026 school year. Preschool registration is in-person at the Fort Dodge Community School District’s Central Office, located at 109 N. 25th St. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration begins Dec. 6. Central Office will be open 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 6. The following information is required for registration to be complete: • Proof of guardianship. • Proof of address and student age. • Immunization ...

Area students make Kirkwood Dean’s List

Four area students were named to the Dean’s List at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids for the recent summer semester. They are Joanna Correa Dones, of Clarion; Lillian Etherington, of Algona; Sydney Johnson, of Fort Dodge; and Russell Potratz, of Fort Dodge. To qualify for the Dean’s List, they achieved a grade point average of 3.3 or higher while completing 12 or more credit hours.

Area students honored at Mercy College

Several area students earned academic honors at Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines during the summer semester. They are Olivia Foertsch, Algona, Dean’s List; Leslie Cooper, Clarion, President’s List; Kelsey Crosser, Emmetsburg, President’s List; Cheyenne Groat, Thor, President’s List; Kailey Geopfert, Webster City, Dean’s List; Drew Schwering, Webster City, President’s List.