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From fair week to full speed ahead

For five days, visitors experienced livestock shows, carnival rides, grandstand entertainment and children playing in the Kids Zone during the Webster County Fair. What many didn't see was what happened after the gates closed Sunday afternoon. Within hours of the final livestock trailers ...

Rec leader and businessman Calvert dies

Larry Calvert, a Fort Dodge insurance agency owner who had a leading role in guiding local parks and recreation programs for decades, died Wednesday at age 80. “In terms of parks and recreation, we are not where we are today without Larry,” said Lori Branderhorst, the city’s former ...

Centennial celebration for Bell’s Mill Park is Saturday

STRATFORD — It's been 100 years since the Bell’s Mill Park was given to Hamilton County as a county park. On Saturday, a date born in tradition for the Old Settler's Reunions, there will be a celebration of this gift from Sarah Jane Bell ("Aunt Jen"), the wife of Jasper Newton Bell, which ...

Go and Do: July 31, 2026

In Fort Dodge FORT DODGE — Fort Dodge Farmers Market is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. SATURDAY at 11 N. 25th St. FORT DODGE — The Fort Museum, 1 Museum Road, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. TODAY, and noon to 4 p.m. SATURDAY and SUNDAY. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for students and veterans ...

Rockwell City to celebrate 150 years

ROCKWELL CITY — Rockwell City will have a big birthday celebration this weekend. The Calhoun County community will mark 150 years since its founding and at the same time conduct its annual Sweet Corn Daze event. The result will be two concerts, a big parade, food, games, and almost as ...

Fatal shooting determined to be in self defense

The July 24 shooting that claimed the life of a Fort Dodge man was determined to be an act of self defense and no criminal charges will be filed, according to the Police Department. Police identified the deceased as Thomas H. Ahrens, 45, of Fort Dodge. He was shot July 24 in the 1300 block of Third Avenue North. The shooting was reported at 1:52 p.m. Police also identified the shooter as Josiah Byram, 31, of Fort Dodge. In a statement issued Wednesday, the Police Department reported that its investigation showed that Byram was “actively retreating from an attack made by Mr. ...