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Otho to receive USDA funds for water work

OTHO — The City of Otho is one of seven Iowa communities that will receive funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Earlier this week, the USDA announced that Iowa will receive $31.2 million in rural development funding. The City of Otho will receive $33,000 to help with technical assistance to plan water system improvements, including the evaluation of water infrastructure, source alternatives, emergency connections and water meters. The project will also deliver a report including recommendations, alternatives and costs for improvements. For Wright and Hancock counties, ...

City of Fort Dodge audit report released

Cornwell, Frideres, Maher & Associates, P.L.C., released an audit report this week on the City of Fort Dodge. The city’s revenues totaled $81,955,523 for the year ended June 30, 2025, a 7.3% increase from the prior year. Expenses for the city’s operations for t he year ended June 30, 2025, totaled $101,942,877. The increase in revenue is primarily due to an increase in charges for services. The increase in expenses is primarily due to increased expenditures for capital projects and broadband utility. Cornwell, Frideres, Maher & Associates, P.L.C., reported four findings related ...

Open house planned regarding Hamilton County trail project

JEWELL — There will be a public open house meeting from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 28 at the Jewell Golf Course regarding the trail extension from Jewell to Little Wall Lake Park. This will be a come-and-go meeting where the public is welcome to come and learn more about the trail project. Staff from Hamilton County Conservation and project partner Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation will be on hand to go over maps and answer questions about the project. Hamilton County Conservation has already secured the property needed for trail construction through a state recreational trail grant and ...

Heartland Museum to hold annual book sale June 20-27

CLARION — Heartland Museum is holding its annual used book sale June 20-27. Books have been donated and proceeds will be used for Heartland’s 4-H schoolhouse roof repair. Books are being accepted from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Heartland Museum, 119 Ninth St. S.W., Clarion, Monday through Friday up until sale dates. The gift shop also will be open on the sale days. Book prices are $1 for hard cover, 50 cents for soft cover, and 25 cents for kids books and romance books. Sale hours are 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday and Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday ...

BVU announces Spring Dean’s List

STORM LAKE — More than 520 students were named to the Spring 2026 Dean’s List at Buena Vista University. The Dean’s List recognizes full-time students achieving a 3.5 grade-point average or higher for the semester. Local students who made the list, by town, are: Barnum: Sophia McCullough. Dayton: McKenna Scott. Farnhamville: Sara Allen, Colton Brant, and Justine Carlson. Fort Dodge: Jessica Aspengren, Madelyn Dutcher, Kylie Reed, Wesley Simms, Heather Tilton, and Abigail Valentine. Gowrie: Caterina Dalley. Humboldt: Rachel Conlon, Noelle Hamand, and Cindi Orona.

UDMO Launches Fundraiser June 15-19

Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc. invites the community to take part in a simple but powerful fundraiser: the One Dollar Difference, built around one shared goal: raising $1 for every person helped through UDMO programs and services last year. Executive Director Julie Edwards shares, “UDMO served 16,228 individuals and families across 12 counties and more than 6,000 square miles in Northwest and North Central Iowa last year. Each year, thousands of neighbors receive support through programs that address food insecurity, housing stability, early childhood education, utility ...