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First-degree murder charge filed against Rockwell City man

ROCKWELL CITY — A Rockwell City man is facing a murder charge following an April 12 collision in rural Calhoun County. Jaxyn Stone Blum, 21, was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder in the death of Kyle Rath, 19, and with the attempted murder of Roger King, 21, according to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office. According to Calhoun County Sheriff Pat Riley, on April 12 at approximately 9:02 p.m. at the intersection of 290th Street and Harris Avenue, a pickup truck driven by Blum struck a utility terrain vehicle occupied by Rath and King. Rath died at the scene. King was ...

Lake City man sent to federal prison for drug, gun crimes

LAKE CITY — A Lake City man will spend about 17 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to drug and gun charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa reported. Clayton Brown, 34, pleaded guilty on March 18 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand recently sentenced Brown to 210 months in prison. Prosecutors said Brown admitted to being part of a conspiracy that distributed about four pounds of methamphetamine over the course of eight months in 2025. They ...

Fort Dodge bridge to be closed Friday

The Bridge of Fallen Heroes on North Third Street will be closed beginning at 7 a.m. Friday for an annual inspection. Traffic will be detoured to First Street. The bridge is expected to reopen at about 1 p.m.

Construction epicenter

Construction equipment is a common sight on Third Avenue Northwest lately. That’s because a section of the busy street is being rebuilt right next to the spot where new apartment buildings are being constructed. Anyone driving through the area is forced to take a detour on Amvets Drive ...

Democrat issues debate challenge in House race

Democrat Kris Williams has challenged Republican state Rep. Ann Meyer to a series of three debates before the Nov. 3 general election. “I’m not a politician,” Williams said in a written statement. “I don’t have a script. I’ll show up anywhere in this county and answer any question anybody asks me.” “All I’m asking is that she do the same,” he added. “That’s not a big ask. That’s the job.” Meyer replied by saying she stands by her record of serving her House district for the past eight years and added that she looks forward to debating Williams in an ...

Diaper help is on the way

In Fort Dodge, there may be times when the parents of a baby may be faced with a painful decision about what they can afford: food or diapers. The new Swaddling Clothes ministry of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is intended to help parents in that situation. Beginning in August, the ...