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Letters to the Editor

Thanksgiving meal is celebrated

To the editor: Thanksgiving day showed the true spirit of Fort Dodge coming together. WHO television made a surprise visit on Thanksgiving day to the dealership, picking up the story from an earlier Messenger article. It was gratifying to see the positive and compassionate side of Fort Dodge for all of central Iowa viewing during three separate news casts. Once again, well over 100 volunteers came to spend their Thanksgiving day to help others. Donations from Hy-Vee, Friendship Haven, Community Orchard, Becker Florists, Douglas Dreamers 4-H Club and UnityPoint hospital made the day ...

Twin Lakes landowners seek support

To the editor, You may have seen some recent articles or social media posts about a Twin Lakes land dispute, and you should know what is happening to us and the other 30 property owners who purchased their property at Twin Lakes in good faith. We have owned there for 21 years and many of the other owners have lived there much longer. For the past five years, the Calhoun County Board of Supervisors has been trying to gain control of our property at Twin Lakes. They have harassed us with all kinds of threats and ridiculous options. So far, the county has spent over $67,000 of our tax ...

Thanks MidAmerican for honoring veterans

To the editor: If you happened to drive through one of many cemeteries of Webster County recently you probably noticed a few more American flags waving over veterans’ graves. On Nov. 4 — 5 many employees from MidAmerican put up over 700 flags on the graves of veterans buried throughout the cemeteries of Webster County. The Webster County Veterans Affairs Commission would like to offer a grateful thank you to the many employees of MidAmerican Energy for their kindness in honoring those veterans that have passed on. Dan Lewandowski Director The Webster County Commission of ...

Seeks other options for jail

To the editor: Are there other options like using existing buildings for a jail? The Warden Plaza would be something I think should be considered. It would need renovation but there would be almost unlimited room for expansion, making room to house out of county inmates as well. Chuck Peterson Fort Dodge

Time to put an end to pharmacy benefit managers abuses

To the editor: Recent inflation rates have been some of the highest we have ever seen. And while inflation has also hit the healthcare industry hard, there is another factor at work keeping drug prices high: pharmacy benefit managers, commonly known as PBMs. PBMs don't actually make anything. They do nothing to discover or make new lifesaving drugs. They simply act as a middleman between your health insurance provider and pharmaceutical manufacturers. But they are powerful. Three big companies control 80% of the market and they essentially tell your doctor what drugs you can be ...

Families need help after fire

To the editor: The tragic fire at Westridge Townhomes early Sunday morning has displaced multiple families, all with children. These families have lost everything including their clothing, furniture and household items, and personal belongings; so many things that we take for granted in our everyday lives. United Way is assisting these families with housing plans, providing emergency shelter until safe and stable housing is secured, food assistance and ready to eat meals, and clothing and other items that will start to help the families feel whole again. The families are also in need of ...