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Building what’s next: Housing, quality of place and the power of partnership

Local Columns

As we move through the summer season, one thing remains clear: communities that win are the ones that are prepared. And in today’s economic environment, preparation starts with housing. One of the biggest barriers to the workforce is housing availability. Across the country, we are facing what many are calling the “missing middle” housing crisis. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, there is a shortage of 7.3 million affordable and available rental homes for the lowest-income renters. It impacts our workforce. The teachers, nurses, first responders, and ...

Supports Feenstra for governor

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: I am writing in support of Randy Feenstra for governor of Iowa. Please vote for him in the June 2 GOP Primary. This is a consequential election, and It is vitally important that we nominate someone who has the background, experience and record of results that will help propel our state forward while Iowa will face tough challenges over the next few years. I've known Randy for many years, during both his time in the Iowa Senate and in Congress. I know he wants to do what is best for Iowa. When I would visit Randy in Washington, D.C. on behalf of Iowa Central with our ...

Fertilizer costs jolt farm economy

Local Columns

Q: What can be done to lower fertilizer costs? A: As a farmer-lawmaker, I’m proud to serve as an outspoken advocate for family farmers. When there’s a natural disaster or headwinds in the farm economy, I raise the volume for rural America at the policymaking tables. At my annual 99 county meetings, I’m hearing from family farmers across Iowa about financial hardship with high input costs and low commodity prices. The cost of fuel and fertilizer is hammering thin operating margins. Farmers aren’t able to dictate the selling price for their commodities. Many sure find it ...

Collaboration led to a new life for Exposition Park

Editorial

Exposition Park in Fort Dodge has been a lot of different things over its many years of existence. Its newest version, to be unveiled Thursday, is an innovative one that shows how a rather plain patch of ground can become something attractive. And as is often the case in Fort Dodge and Webster County recently, it is a product of collaboration. In this case, that collaboration involved a couple of different city agencies and the Public Art Commission. But first a recap. The roughly three acres of ground along North Seventh Street near 14th Avenue North was a county fairgrounds a ...

Beacon of Hope remains steadfast in its mission

Local Columns

What is a real homeless shelter? Well, for that, we should go back to the first one in America. The Gospel Mission movement was rooted in Christian evangelism, providing food and shelter to “rescue” individuals, particularly those struggling with alcoholism. In 1872, Jerry McAuley founded the first North American rescue mission after a transformative personal experience. The Helping Hand for Men was located at 316 Water St. in New York City. Today, it still exists as The Bowery Mission. McAuley’s impactful ministry led to the establishment of hundreds of rescue missions across ...

Take the time to remember

Editorial

Monday is Memorial Day. For many people, it is a time to welcome the summer season by taking advantage of a three-day holiday weekend to spend time relaxing with friends and family. It is important, however, not to forget what this day is truly about. Beginning soon after the Civil War, a day in May was set aside as a time to decorate with flowers the graves of the war dead. The original stimulus for this day came from the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union Army Civil War veterans. For many years it was called Decoration Day. Honoring those who gave their lives in ...