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New officer joins FD Police Department

Mitch Leyk is the newest member of the Fort Dodge Police Department. Leyk, who was introduced to the City Council Monday, is a native of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. He has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Hamline University, in St. Paul, Minnesota. While in college, he completed an internship with the New Mexico State Patrol. He also worked summers doing water patrol for a county sheriff’s office. He most recently worked as a corporate investigator for an insurance company. Leyk will begin training at the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy next month.

Firefighters combat grass blazes

Four grass fires ignited in different places across Webster County Friday afternoon and evening. The first was reported at 2:39 p.m. on Nelson Avenue, near a curve in the road north of its interchange with U.S. Highway 20. “It spread quite a bit and spread down into the timber,” Otho Fire Chief Marty Smith said. “We got it stopped eventually.” He said the fire burned a small portion of a hoop barn and a junk vehicle parked outside. Otho and Duncombe firefighters responded. At 4:56 p.m., a grass fire was reported near 1606 220th St. Barnum and Moorland firefighters ...

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.

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.

Part of First Avenue South to be closed

First Avenue South between 13th and 14th streets will be closed today, according to the Fort Dodge city engineer’s office. It will be closed for one day. But after the road reopens, there will be a lane reduction in place for about a week. This closure is necessary for some private sanitary sewer maintenance.

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.