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Supervisors cancel TextMyGov contract

The Webster County Board of Supervisors voted to cancel the county’s contract with TextMyGov, a service that uses smart texting technology to help connect residents with their local governments. The decision to cancel the contract was due to the service not being used much by residents and the board felt it wasn’t a good use of county funds to continue, Chairwoman Niki Conrad said. According to the invoice sent to the county from TextMyGov, continuing the contract would cost the county $11,000 from November 2023 through October 2024. This contract cancellation only affects the ...

School board OKs early retirement offering

The new early retirement incentive offering for eligible Fort Dodge Community School staff members was approved Monday night at the School Board meeting. There are 71 staff members eligible to apply for early retirement this year, including 33 certified staff. Eligible staff will have until Dec. 8 to apply for early retirement.

Lane closure set for Kenyon Road Bridge

The left lanes on both the eastbound and westbound sides of the Kenyon Road Bridge will be closed beginning Wednesday, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. This closure is due to preliminary work for the demolition and replacement of the westbound side of the bridge. Both westbound lanes will be closed Oct. 30 and will remain closed until September 2024.

Council candidate Davis endorsed by unions

Fort Dodge City Council candidate Scott Davis received the endorsement of organized labor Friday. He was endorsed by the Western Iowa Labor Federation and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1155. Davis is the executive vice president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1155, which represents workers at the Elanco and Nestle Purina PetCare plants, plus 14 other facilities in Iowa and Minnesota. The endorsements were announced Friday afternoon in front of the Fort Dodge Municipal Building, 819 First Ave. S., by Jen Pellant, president of the Western Iowa Labor ...

FDFD respond to small fire in former school building

A small fire was reported Monday evening in the former Fair Oaks Middle School, 416 S. 10th St. The building was also previously the temporary home of Duncombe Elementary School. The Fort Dodge Fire Department was dispatched to the building at about 6:30 p.m. for reports of smoke coming from the roof area. When firefighters arrived, they entered through a broken-out window, located the source of the fire and extinguished it. According to Fire Department Capt. Steve Teske, it appeared to be a small fire set by a squatter for warmth. The Fort Dodge Police Department also responded ...

St. Mary’s Catholic Church chicken dinner Oct. 29

HUMBOLDT — St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Humboldt, is holding a chicken dinner on Oct. 29. Drive up and carryout is 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and limited in hall seating is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The menu is broasted chicken, home grown corn, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, roll and pie. Tickets are $12.50 for adults. Children’s meals for ages 4 to 8 are chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, applesauce and a bar for $5. Children ages 3 and under are free. No tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets may be purchased at the St. Mary’s church office or Humboldt Engraving and Gifts, downtown Humboldt, ...