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More charges filed against mother in abuse case

Additional charges have been filed against a Fort Dodge mother related to the alleged abuse of her baby, according to court records. Rebekah Prewitt, 23, of 315 Haskell St., was arrested by Fort Dodge police earlier this month and charged with 15 counts of child endangerment, bodily injury. The Webster County Attorney’s Office recently filed additional revised charges against her. According to court records, she now stands accused of: • 18 counts of aiding and abetting child endangerment, torture or cruelty, bodily injury • 18 counts of aiding and abetting assault causing ...

Man charged in break-in, beating

A Fort Dodge man faces multiple criminal charges after he reportedly forced his way into a home and beat up the woman who lives there. Fort Dodge police reported that Brian D. Vaughn Jr., 42, forced his way into a residence in the 300 block of South Eighth Street at about 5:14 a.m. Wednesday. Once inside, he punched a woman multiple times, officers wrote in criminal complaints. The woman suffered bruises to her head and face, plus pain in her arms and ribs. According to court records, Vaughn was arrested and charged with: • Second degree burglary • Willful injury causing ...

Ulrich, Hldreth named to military academy board

Two area men have been named to a panel that will recommend students from northwestern Iowa for admission to the U.S. military academies. They are: • Ryan Hildreth, of Manson, who is a pilot with the Iowa Air National Guard • Jesse Ulrich, of Fort Dodge, who is president of Iowa Central Community College They join six other people on the 2025 Military Academy Selection Board for the Fourth Congressional District. The members were selected by U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull. “This is a consequential and important task and I appreciate these Iowans for lending their time ...

Lane restriction announced for Fifth Avenue South

One westbound lane and the center turn lane of Fifth Avenue South between 23rd and 25th streets will be closed today, according to city officials. The closure is expected to remain in place until Sept. 29. Traffic signals at Fifth Avenue South and 25th Street will be set to flashing red. The closure is necessary to install a new 12-inch water main valve.

Police computer swap approved

The police departments in Fort Dodge and Gowrie will swap some computer gear in a deal that gives both agencies the equipment they need. Fort Dodge will give Gowrie one used laptop computer and two used devices called docks that computers are mounted on in patrol vehicles. Fort Dodge will receive one new computer dock for the kind of laptop the department uses. The City Council approved the trade unanimously without discussion Monday. In other business,the council purchased a Ford F150 pickup for the Public Works Department from Fort Dodge Ford Lincoln Toyota for $46,491.

Merrill Family Scholarships announced

The George and Doris Merrill Family Foundation 5M Scholarship Fund administered through the Fort Dodge Community Foundation has announced 33 scholarship awards to area students who are attending college during the 2025-2026 academic year. Students receiving new scholarship awards include: Elliot Carlson, Humboldt; Addison Daniel, Fort Dodge; Cash Deakman, Winona, Minnesota; Beau Klaver, Kamrar; Lacey Larson, Fort Dodge; Kara McGonegle, Fort Dodge; Levi Odor-Westrum, Duncombe; Cody Seiser, Webster City; Carter Woodruff, Fort Dodge. Students receiving renewal scholarship awards ...