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News Brief

Nominate someone for Hometown Pride

Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond for their community? Nominate them for The Messenger’s 2025 Hometown Pride publication. Email your nominations to bshea@messengernews.net. Please include the name, hometown and contact information for the nominee, as well as why you are nominating them. Nominees can be individuals as well as groups or organizations. The Messenger’s coverage area includes Calhoun, Hamilton, Humboldt, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Sac, Webster and Wright counties. Nominations can be anonymous.

Garden sale set for Thursday

The annual Fort Dodge Federated Garden Club Plant/Garden Sale will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday at the Lions Den, 731 Exposition Drive. There is no admission charge. The sale is open to the public. “Come and see the variety of vegetables, flowering plants and foliage plants,” said Nancy Phillips, spokeswoman for the Garden Club. “There will also be yard art, pots, garden tools, bird houses and bird feeders.”

Parent support groups dates announced

Family Foundations, Play and Learn Center and the Webster County Health Department are holding parent support groups in May and June. The Postpartum Play and Connect Support Group will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. May 7 and June 4 at the Play and Learn Center, 822 Central Ave., Suite 200. The Parent Support Group will meet from 9 to 10 a.m. May 19 and June 16 at the Play and Learn Center, 822 Central Ave., Suite 200, and May 14 and 28 and June 11 and 25 at the Matt Cosgrove River’s Edge Discovery Center, 20 N. First St.

Part of Kenyon Road Bridge to be closed

Months after the new westbound side of the Kenyon Road Bridge was completed, construction crews will be turning their attention to the eastbound lanes. Starting today, the eastbound side of the bridge will be closed, according to an announcement from the Fort Dodge engineering staff. Eastbound traffic will be switched to the new westbound bridges, which will be reduced to one lane of traffic going in each direction. The intersection of Eighth Street and Kenyon Road will be closed. These traffic patterns will be in place until November.

Lane restrictions coming in Fort Dodge

Traffic restrictions will be in place at the intersection of Fifth Avenue South and 32nd Street beginning today due to a water main project, according to the Fort Dodge engineering staff. One eastbound lane of Fifth Avenue South will be closed. The turning lane that allows northbound traffic on 32nd Street to turn left onto Fifth Avenue South will also be closed. Additional lane closures will be needed later as the project progresses.

Heartland Hope to install ramp for Fort Dodge resident

Heartland Hope and Homes, a local nonprofit organization, has announced its latest community initiative: partnering with UnityPoint Health -Fort Dodge to install an accessibility ramp for a Fort Dodge resident. This project underscores Heartland Hope and Home’s mission to foster community connections and improve the quality of life for individuals facing challenges. The ramp installation will begin after Easter. The effort will ensure that a local resident will gain the freedom to navigate their home and community with ease. “We believe that everyone deserves to live with ...