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Editorial

State must be more transparent on equalization orders

Chances are a lot of companies and individuals that own commercial property in Webster County are scrambling right now to get all their paperwork in order so they can meet an important deadline Tuesday. Yes, Halloween is the last day they can file an appeal if they want to challenge a scary surprise received from their state government that could potentially hit their finances pretty hard in the form of higher tax bills The state Department of Revenue last month issued an equalization order that would increase the assessed valuation of all commercial property in the county by 14 ...

It’s time to support Community Health Center

In Fort Dodge, those who do not have health insurance have an option for getting high quality medical care. It’s called the Community Health Center of Fort Dodge and it offers medical, dental and behavioral health care. While most insurance is accepted there, those who need a financial break will have their bills based on their ability to pay. It opened in 2006 and has been a key source of care for thousands of area residents since then. A chance for everyone to support the Community Health Center that helps so many of our neighbors is now underway. It will conclude Saturday with ...

Support Coats for Kids

It’s hard to imagine facing an Iowa winter without a warm coat. Sadly, some area kids could be confronted with just that prospect if their families are facing a challenging economic situation. Fortunately, however, through the combined efforts of Shimkat Motor Co. and the Community Health Center of Fort Dodge many of these young folks will have warm coats and other winter wear as the colder, wintry days arrive. This joint project — called Coats for Kids — accepts donations of new and gently used winter coats, along with hats, scarves, mittens and snow boots. All sizes are ...

Keep the buses rolling safely

Riding the big yellow bus is an essential part of the school day for thousands of local children. Those school buses do more than take kids to and from class. They are also the transportation to field trips, sports events and other activities. With so many buses on the road carrying students from preschool to seniors in high school, safety is of paramount importance. That’s why the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa State Patrol have stringent standards for school buses. But the rest of us on the road also have some responsibility for keeping the kids on those buses ...

Safe Haven Baby Box is product of vision, volunteer effort

Walk past the north side of the Fort Dodge firehouse and you may well spot a kind of hatch or doorway built into the side of the building. That little doorway may be the path to safety and a full happy life for a baby. Inside that doorway is a bassinet in which a desperate parent who feels that they cannot properly care for their baby can place the child. One minute after the door is closed again, an alarm will go off and the firefighters and paramedics will get the baby, beginning a process that will eventually result in that child being adopted by a new, loving family. This ...

Thursday is National Farmer’s Day

Thursday has been designated as National Farmer’s Day. It’s the contemporary event to honor the hard work of America’s farmers and to reflect on their important contribution to not only the success of our nation, but to helping feed the world far beyond America’s borders. The commemoration grew out of an event that began long ago called Old Farmer’s Day. That observance began at a time when many more Americans were directly working in agriculture. The selection of Oct. 12 for National Farmer’s Day is a reflection that by then the annual harvest is done or nearly done. With ...