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Low flying helicopter was on inspection trip

A helicopter seen flying very low over the eastern side of Fort Dodge late Friday morning wasn’t lost or in distress. A flight plan showed the Bell Jet Ranger chopper came into Fort Dodge for an inspection flight, according to Rhonda Chambers, the director of aviation at Fort Dodge Regional Airport. Chambers did not know what kind of inspection was being conducted. Helicopters are used on occasion to inspect power lines. The helicopter flew into Fort Dodge at about 11:15 a.m. and headed north along 32nd Street before flying to eastern Iowa.

Drilling project prepares for new water main

A drilling operation on Fifth Avenue South and 32nd Street Friday was in preparation for a water main project. A crew with a large truck-mounted drill bored holes at Fifth Avenue South and 32nd Street. City Manager David Fierke said the drilling was to collect geo-technical information in advance of the water main project. He said a new main will be extended from the water tower along South 32nd Street to Fifth Avenue South.

Parkinson’s Disease class offered

A free educational series called A Journey Through Parkinson’s Disease will begin today. It will consist of three one hour sessions held from 11 a.m. to noon today, April 19 and April 26 at the Schmoker Building on the Friendship Haven campus, 420 Kenyon Road. The signs of Parkinson’s disease, treatment and causes of the disease will be covered. To register, contact Kourtney Lenz at 515-573-6270 or kourtney.lenz@friendshiphaven.org.

FD boxing champ to have book-signing

John Roby, a Fort Dodge native and former boxing champion, will sign copies of his book tonight. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at Olde Boston’s Restaurant & Pub, 809 Central Ave. In 1993, Roby won the International Boxing Organization’s super featherweight title. The book, entitled “The Belt of Wisdom” was co-authored by Kathy Bruins.

Travel author Sara Broers to visit Fort Dodge today

An author whose Iowa travel guides describe some of the attractions in Fort Dodge will visit the city today. Sara Broers will be signing books beginning at 6 p.m. in the Fort Dodge Public Library by the City Square. Her latest book, “Perfect Day Iowa,” includes Tea Thyme, The Community Orchard, the Fort Museum and Frontier Village, Gaga and Hoo Korean restaurant, the grain silo mural, the Blanden Memorial Art Museum and Dolliver Memorial State Park. “Sara has visited our community several times during familiarization trips that Visit Fort Dodge has sponsored as well as on her ...

Playground gun incident investigated

A report of a student bringing a gun to the playground at Cooper Elementary School, 2420 14th Ave. N., was investigated by Fort Dodge police. The incident happened after school hours on Thursday, according to Lydia Schuur, communications director for the Fort Dodge Community School District. “Upon receiving this information, FDCSD promptly initiated communication with the Fort Dodge Police Department,” Schuur said in a written statement. ”We can confirm that law enforcement was already aware of the situation and was in contact with the student involved. The Fort Dodge Police ...