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Editorial

Area retains a presence on state boards, commissions

As anyone with a passing knowledge of civics knows, Iowa has three branches of government, each with a different role. To put it in the simplest terms, the legislature writes the laws, the governor ensures that the laws are carried out and the courts decide if the laws are legal and constitutional. The executive branch, led by the governor as the chief executive of the state, includes lots of boards and commissions that provide both insight and oversight. These panels do everything from guiding the care of state parks to determining who should be licensed to practice dentistry. The ...

Bushman has long record of service to FD

For 45 years, there has been one steady figure of great influence providing guidance to the staff of The Messenger. In a business which sees its share of turnover, Larry Bushman has been central to this newspaper, its staff and ultimately its readers. Working at the newspaper has hardly been the only thing Bushman has done for his community. His track record of involvement is long and includes everything from serving on the board of the local hospital to being a member of the Fort Dodge Noon Rotary Club. His service has not gone unnoticed. On Thursday evening, the Greater Fort ...

Bushman has long record of service to Fort Dodge

For 45 years, there has been one steady figure of great influence providing guidance to the staff of The Messenger. In a business which sees its share of turnover, Larry Bushman has been central to this newspaper, its staff and ultimately its readers. Working at the newspaper has hardly been the only thing Bushman has done for his community. His track record of involvement is long and includes everything from serving on the board of the local hospital to being a member of the Fort Dodge Noon Rotary Club. His service has not gone unnoticed. On Thursday evening, the Greater Fort Dodge ...

River’s Edge Discovery Center promises a wealth of information

Travel all the way to the western end of Central Avenue and look toward the Des Moines River and you’ll see the beginnings of a major construction project. The area looks a bit like a muddy mess right now, but out of that muck will rise a much-anticipated nature center. Owned by Webster County Conservation, it will be called The River’s Edge Discovery Center. Inside will be a wealth of exhibits about what is perhaps Iowa’s most precious natural resource: its water. The theme of the center is summed up by this statement: “Immerse yourself in the living story of Iowa’s water - ...

Webster County Fair earns statewide recognition

As anyone who lives around Fort Dodge knows, the annual Webster County Fair is something special. A group that specializes in county fairs has now recognized that, and has honored the local fair. The Webster County Fair was recently named a 2022 Blue Ribbon Fair by the Association of Iowa Fairs. That award recognizes the event for its service to the community and area youth, and for the high caliber of volunteers who put on the fair every year. Only six fairs get this honor each year. The association was exactly right when it noted the excellent work done by the volunteers. Quite ...

Heart of Iowa Housing Trust Fund makes impact

The Heart of Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund continues to make an impact in local communities. The Trust Fund is reaching people in more communities who need financial help to fix up and ultimately stay in their homes. It initially served Hamilton and Webster counties. It recently grew to also include Calhoun, Humboldt, Pocahontas and Wright counties. The Heart of Iowa Regional Housing Trust Fund was organized in late 2018 thanks to $217,108 from the state, plus matching funds from local governments and banks. It started putting that money to work at the beginning of 2019. Since ...