Local News

FDSH faculty members honored for work to prevent violence

Two faculty members at Fort Dodge Senior High School have been honored for their efforts at preventing violence. Counselor Jolene Hays and art teacher Samantha Henriksen received the 2025-2026 Dan Marburger Mentors in Violence Prevention Advocacy Award. The awards, announced Thursday, were presented by the Patricia A. Tomson Center for Violence Prevention at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. The award recognizes individuals whose advocacy of the center’s Mentors in Violence Prevention Strategies program has had a positive impact in their communities and reflects the ...

Iowa Central Community College seeks Hall of Fame nominees

Iowa Central Community College announced that the annual Triton Hall of Fame induction ceremony and banquet will be held on Nov. 14. The college is now seeking nominations to honor individuals and teams who have made a lasting impact on the institution and the broader community. Nominations must be submitted by March 31. “Our annual Hall of Fame event is an important reminder of the role and impact Iowa Central has,” said Dr. Jesse Ulrich, president of Iowa Central Community College. The Triton Hall of Fame, established in 2010, recognizes the best of the best across several ...

Three vehicles involved in crash

Go and Do: March 6, 2026

Around the area OTHO — The Otho United Methodist Church will hold its annual pancake breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to noon SATURDAY in the church basement. Menu includes pancakes, eggs, sausage and drinks for a freewill donation. LEHIGH — The Lehigh Methodist Church will hold its Second Sunday Supper from 5 to7 p.m. on SUNDAY at the church basement. The menu includes hot turkey sandwiches (or open face turkey sandwiches) with mashed potatoes, desserts, and a drink for a freewill donation. Carryouts are available. In Fort Dodge FORT DODGE — Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry is ...

FD Middle School performs ‘The Wizard of Oz’

New effort gets students back on track for diplomas

Giving individuals across the Fort Dodge Community School District another chance to finish their educational experience is at the heart of the new Gateway Program. “Conversations about this began in the spring of 2025,” district Superintendent Josh Porter said. “Our dropout rates haven’t been where we want them to be. We knew we needed to create a different kind of support system — one that recognizes every student’s story is different and provides a pathway that fits their needs.” The program is designed for students ages 17–21 who have left the traditional high ...