During the sweltering heat of August, the Johnson family was laying out detailed plans for a Thanksgiving dinner for more than 2,000 local residents. Casey Johnson, co-owner of Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota, and his family have been clearing out the dealership’s showroom and feeding the ...

Being on stage and acting like someone you’re not is a difficult task, yet it can be very rewarding. For Fort Dodge Senior High senior Allison Utley that’s exactly why she likes to be on stage. “I think the best thing about theater, and art in general, is it gives people the ...

The Messenger will not publish a paper on Thursday in commemoration of the Thanksgiving Day holiday. Check www.messengernews.net throughout the day for breaking news updates. The Messenger will resume publication on Friday.

An August electrical fire at Amigos, 280 N. First St., left the building a total loss, but owner Mark Campbell said the popular restaurant and bar along the Des Moines River will be rebuilt. “We have taken out as much as possible from inside the building, and now are letting the SERT ...

Ellen Tasler, of Fort Dodge, was driving in the 1500 block of First Avenue South late Saturday morning when she heard a loud noise behind her. She had a very close call, passing by a building at 1520 First Ave. S. seconds before a large section of its facade fell into the roadway. On ...

Fort Dodge workers who were once represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees will keep the benefits of their union contract through the end of this year as a result of City Council action Monday. The council voted unanimously without discussion to do ...