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Man charged with sexually abusing a child

A man has been arrested and accused of sexually abusing an 11-year-old child. Eldon Eugene Rose Lanstrum, 29, of Lohrville, was arrested by Webster County sheriff’s deputies and charged with two counts of second degree sexual abuse and two counts of lascivious acts with a child. According to criminal complaints filed against Lanstrum, the abuse occurred Sept. 28, 2025, at a residence in Harcourt. He was arrested on Monday and made his initial appearance in Webster County Magistrate Court Tuesday morning. Magistrate Sarah J. Livingston set a preliminary hearing for Aug. 28. She ...

Workshop on helping grieving children is today

POCAHONTAS — A program on children’s grief and bereavement will be offered today by the Pocahontas Area School District and Pocahontas Community Hospital. The event is from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Pocahontas Rialto Theatre. Information on helping support children who are grieving a loss will be presented. New York Life’s Grief Sensitive School Initiative and Every Step featuring Amanda the Panda will provide the information. The presentation is targeted to school faculty and staff and representatives of any other organization.

Lane reduction set for Fifth Avenue South bridge

The bridge in the 3300 block of Fifth Avenue South near Fort Dodge Memorial Park Cemetery will be reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction beginning Monday, according to an announcement from the Fort Dodge City Engineer’s Office. Large vehicles will have to detour onto First Avenue South via 32nd and 42nd streets. There will be traffic restrictions on the bridge through November. The bridge will be receiving numerous updates including a new deck, a five-foot wide sidewalk on its south side and curb, joint and storm water inlet repairs. Jasper Construction Services, of ...

Streets near damaged building to be closed

A pair of Fort Dodge streets next to a building that previously lost some bricks from its outer wall will be closed Monday. First Avenue South between 15th and 16th streets will be closed. Also, 16th Street between Central Avenue and First Avenue South will be closed. Those streets are next to the building at 1520 First Ave. S., from which some bricks tumbled down on Nov. 22, 2025, nearly hitting a vehicle on First Avenue South. Jensen Builders Ltd., of Fort Dodge, has been hired by the city to inspect the structure and remove any loose bricks. The city has charged the ...

Head Start announces meal program

YOUR Inc. Head Start announces its sponsorship of the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Meals are provided without regard to race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), age or disability. Child care participants who are members of FIP or SNAP households or who are Head Start participants are automatically eligible to receive free meals. Adult care participants who are members of SNAP households who are SSI or medicaid participants are automatically eligible to receive free meal benefits. Meals are available at no separate charge to enrolled ...

Shred event scheduled for Saturday

First State Bank and Town & Country Insurance will hold a Community Shred Event from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at 3031 Fifth Ave. S. Bring and shred financial statements, receipts, invoices, and other personal document. Documents will be shredded onsite by The Shredder. Limit: 5 tall kitchen bags or copy paper boxes per person. Consult your tax preparer for information on document retention and types of documents that should be shredded vs kept.