Breaking News

Pudenz earns chiropractic degree

Alex Pudenz, of Callender, graduated with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport. Palmer College of Chiropractic is the first and largest college in the chiropractic profession, with campuses in Davenport and Port Orange, Florida.

No paper Thursday due to the holiday

The Messenger will not be published on Thursday in commemoration of New Year’s Day. The Messenger will resume publication on Friday. Check www.messengernews.net for breaking news.

Dolliver to host First Day Hike

LEHIGH — To continue an Iowa New Year’s Day tradition, Dolliver Memorial State Park in Webster County will be the site of a First Day Hike on Thursday. The one-mile hike will be guided by a park staff member. It will start at 9 a.m. at the center lodge. The hike will go along the south side of Boneyard Hollow and back along the Des Moines River. The hike will be on a four-foot wide mixed surface trail with some hills.

Part of Eighth Street to be closed

Eighth Street between Central Avenue and First Avenue South will be closed during daylight hours Monday through Friday, according to an announcement from the city engineering staff.

Students honored at Mercy College of Health Sciences

Several area students received academic honors for the fall 2025 quarter and semester terms at Mercy College of Health Sciences in Des Moines. The following students earned a grade point average of 3.75 and were named to the Presidents List: • Elsie Hubbell, Fort Dodge • Carly Janssen, Gilmore City The following students earned a grade point average between 3.5 and 3.749 and were named to the Deans List: • Addyson Beaulieu, Duncombe • Reece Kemna, Algona • Hailey Kron, Algona • Sydney Palm, Fort Dodge • Alaysha Ross, Fort Dodge

Operation Ornament starts today

Operation Ornament, a program of Swingin’ Fore Soldiers, will take people for a ride on the Polar Express during an event today, Saturday and Sunday at the Laramar Ballroom, 710 First Ave. N. The event hours are noon to 7 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. There will be an adults only cocktail time from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Families will have the opportunity to see more than 40 different Christmas trees with a “Polar Express” theme. Santa Claus will be present and there will be an opportunity to make some arts and crafts projects. Hot ...