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2026 general election is here

After months of campaigning, the 2026 general election has arrived. In Webster County, voters can cast their ballots from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. today in the Webster County Courthouse. All polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. A list of polling places and a map showing their locations is on page AX of today’s edition of The Messenger. Voters in and around Webster County will be picking a U.S. senator, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, a governor, members of the state House of Representatives, and various other state and county officials. The ballot also ...

Sand, Muhlbauer rally local Dems

Rob Sand and Dave Muhlbauer were back in Fort Dodge Saturday, working to motivate Democratic volunteers in the final days before the general election. “We have a unique opportunity in front of us in Iowa,” said Sand, the state auditor who is his party’s nominee for governor. “We ...

No one injured in weekend fire

An especially smoky fire heavily damaged a garage in Fort Dodge Saturday night. No one was injured. The cause was determined to be accidental. The single-car garage is in the alley behind the houses on the north side of the 1700 block of Third Avenue South. The fire there was reported at 9:49 p.m. Fire Department Lt. Ben Waynar said a man was in the garage using a grinder, and sparks ignited some material. He said the man got out of the garage unharmed. Since there was little wind Saturday night, smoke from the fire stayed low to the ground and significantly reduced visibility on ...

Mark Davis — Navy, Army National Guard: Fort Dodge man served twice in Kuwait

Editor’s note: This story first appeared in the Nov. 6, 2025, edition of The Messenger. Mark Davis did something during his military career that is surely a rarity among veterans all across the country. The Fort Dodge man served in Kuwait in two different branches of the United States military in two different conflicts. As a Navy sailor, he served there as part of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in 1990-1991. As an Iowa Army National Guard soldier, he served there for 18 months in 2003 and 2004. "I am quite unique," Davis said. Altogether, he served his country for ...

Gala event will support Honor Flight

A night of dining and dancing is planned to help raise money to send veterans to Washington, D.C., aboard the Brushy Creek Area Honor Flight. The second annual Honor Flight Ball is planned for Nov. 14 at the Laramar Ballroom, 710 First Ave. N. “Our veterans gave so much for this ...

Meet the candidates for Webster County recorder

Today’s edition of The Messenger provides a brief introduction to the two candidates running for Webster County recorder. Democratic incumbent Courtney Bender Balkenede, who was appointed to complete an unexpired term, is seeking her first full term. She was the deputy recorder when the ...