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Honoring the heart of health care: Our nurses

Local Columns

As we celebrate National Nurses Week, I want to take a moment to recognize our incredible nurses who are dedicated to delivering exceptional care to our patients, each other and the communities we serve. I’ve been a nurse for 33 years and am honored to serve as the chief nursing officer for UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge. I’m so proud of the more than 450 nurses who provide care in our clinics, hospital and home care services every day across our community. Our nurses show up when fear and uncertainty are present, advocate for patients in need and offer comfort even when healing ...

How Iowa’s Corn Belt came to feed and fuel the world

Local Columns

Iowa farmers have kept our top notch status in the Corn Belt for generations. Our state’s rise to top corn crop producer can be traced back 100 years – thanks in large part to the scientific curiosity of an Iowan from Adair County named Henry A. Wallace. A century ago, he founded the iconic seed company Pioneer Hi-Bred Corn Co. that today serves farmers in more than 90 countries. In 2019, Pioneer became the flagship seed brand owned by Corteva Agriscience. Later this year, Corteva will spin off its seed business under the name Vylor. I’m rooting to bring its seed headquarters ...

Nurses dedicated to caring for all

Editorial

There is perhaps no profession that is so intertwined with an individual’s life as nursing is. Nurses are there to help bring new life into the world. They administer the vaccines, and help people get through all the various illnesses and injuries of a lifetime. And at the very end, nurses care for people in their last days. Nurses provide care in the form of medicine and therapy. But they also provide it in the form of reassuring words and a comforting presence. In light of what they do for all of us, it is highly appropriate that we spend a little time honoring them. National ...

Appreciates work done by Beacon of Hope

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: I have been a steadfast supporter of the Beacon of Hope since its inception under the leadership of Steven Roe. My commitment to this cause has continued throughout the organization’s journey, including its ongoing efforts under the guidance of Brian Bidleman. The dedication and perseverance demonstrated by the Beacon of Hope inspire confidence and deserve continued recognition from our community. Jesus Christ tells us “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me.” The Beacon has done this since its ...

Sign up for fun at Frontier Days

Editorial

Mention Frontier Days and perhaps the first thing that comes to mind for many people is the massive parade that moves through downtown Fort Dodge. It’s a signature part of a traditional three-day event which celebrates the frontier heritage of the community and truly launches the summer season. In addition to the parade, Frontier Days features music, food, games and live entertainment at the Fort Museum and Frontier Village. The 2026 version of Frontier Days is a little more than a month away. It will be held June 5-7. The theme for this year, which is the 51st version of Frontier ...

Use of wind power must be encouraged

Editorial

Spend any time outdoors in Iowa and one thing becomes immediately apparent - the wind is always blowing. We Iowans are accustomed to the corn stalks rustling in the summer breeze. And we complain when the wind chill factor makes a cold January day feel even colder. But wind is a fact of life here. That constant steady wind provides Iowans with a basically endless supply of low cost electricity. Wind turbines can be seen throughout southern Webster County and much of the state. Those turbines generate 63 percent of the state’s electricity, according to the most recent figures ...