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Entries wanted for congressional art contest

High school students are invited to submit their artwork for the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. One winner from the Fourth Congressional District of northwest Iowa will have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. Three runners-up will have their work displayed in the Fort Dodge, Council Bluffs and Sioux City offices of U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull. Artwork will be judged on originality, concept, technique, creativity and representation of this part of Iowa. Submissions can be made by emailing a minimum of two pictures of the work to Emily Schwickerath at ...

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.

FD Choral Society scholarships available

Applications are now being accepted for $1,000 music scholarships for the 2025-2026 school year. Applicants must be college students majoring in vocal music, performance, or education with a sophomore, junior, or senior status by the beginning of the award year. Students presently attending an Iowa community college, college, or university are eligible to apply (awardees must attend an Iowa institution during the award year.) Students originally from the Fort Dodge area attending any college or university are eligible to apply. Students who have received two FDCS scholarships are not ...

Cash for Cougars set for March 10

The 2025 Cash for Cougars Phone-a-thon will take place on March 10. This event is sponsored by the Manson Northwest Webster Education Foundation. The students will meet at 5 p.m. at the MNW Elementary School for a light meal, and then make calls from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The senior class of 2025 will be calling for pledges to add to the scholarship fund. All pledge money received by the April 1 deadline will be awarded to the seniors who participated. This money will be awarded after the first semester completion of a post-secondary program — four-year school, two-year school, ...

FD City Council awards contracts

Two contracts for some routine maintenance work were awarded by the Fort Dodge City Council Monday. Weikert Contracting, of Cedar Falls, was hired to paint lane stripes and other markings on city streets at a cost of $105,479.80. It also awarded a contract for mowing at North Lawn Cemetery on North 15th Street and Fort Dodge Memorial Park Cemetery at Fifth Avenue South and 32nd Street. Larry Brown, Veteran for Mowing, of Fort Dodge, was hired to do the work for $80,000.

Fort Dodge Police Department warns of ankle monitor scam

Anyone who receives a phone call from someone asking for money for an ankle monitor program should hang up immediately, according to the Fort Dodge Police Department. The Police Department has received reports from residents who said they were contacted by callers posing as staff members from the department who asked for money to support the cost of an ankle monitor program. The Webster County Sheriff’s Office is starting an ankle monitor program, but no donations are being sought to pay for it. The Fort Dodge Police Department will never call an individual asking for money or ...