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Editorial

Help celebrate Hometown Pride

In every town there are special people who contribute to the success of the community through the giving things they do. These folks — whose selfless contributions make life better for others in their hometowns — sometimes go unacknowledged. That’s unfortunate because many of the people who work without much fanfare to enhance the lives of others truly are accomplishing exceptional results. Similarly, there are organizations that have that same type of impact. That’s one of the reasons that each year The Messenger publishes a magazine supplement called Hometown Pride. The goal ...

DOT must approve proposal from Skywest

A proposal from Skywest Charter offers an intriguing possibility for keeping commercial jet service at Fort Dodge Regional Airport. We feel the U.S. Department of Transportation should act on it without further delay. Some might ask, “What’s the big deal? There are jets that say Skywest on them at the airport every day.” It is true that there are such jets at the airport. They are operated by Skywest as United Express flights which take passengers to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, where they can transfer to United Airlines flights to places all over the nation and ...

Summer fun is here in the Fort Dodge area

The long days of summer are upon us, with seemingly endless hours of daylight to be enjoyed. In fact, at least on weekends, you might as well call them the long, lazy days of summer. Locally, there will be plenty of things to do on those on summer weekends. Consider this upcoming weekend. Lehigh River Days is back, led by an all new organizing committee determined to inject a fresh sense of excitement and vibrancy into the yearly festival. It will include some traditional staples of years past, such as the log rolling contest. That consists of people standing on a log in a four foot ...

Gateway to Discovery women set an example for all

Beating addiction is hard work, physically, mentally and emotionally. The women of Gateway to Discovery are doing the hard work of conquering addiction. And if that isn’t enough, they recently went out and did some hard work to make part of the Fort Dodge community cleaner and better looking. Gateway to Discovery is a faith-based residential recovery program for women. Last week, the women tackled some of the mess once found along the Des Moines River near the Pleasant Valley neighborhood and along Meriwhether Drive plus Oleson Park and Triton Drive on the city’s west ...

World Pork Expo is worth a look

It is time for the 2023 edition of the World Pork Expo. The Expo begins today and continues through Friday at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. The annual event brings together pork producers, exhibitors and visitors not just from across Iowa, but also from throughout the nation. More than 10,000 people are expected to attend. Visitors from 50 nations have come to the Expo in the past, giving it a truly international following. Educational and marketing programs, such as business seminars and the Pork Academy, will appeal to many of those who attend this important pork ...

Iowa’s water quality progress keeps accelerating

Editor's note: This is a guest editorial. It may be an understatement, but these past few years have provided some unique challenges. Yet, despite supply chain disruptions, inflation, and unpredictable weather, we continue to see record engagement in our state’s conservation activity. The increased level of awareness and resources, coupled with an expanding list of public and private partnerships, has led to the adoption of more conservation practices now than at any time in our state’s history. As we mark the 10-year anniversary of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, it’s ...