News

Participation in FD school activities on the rise

A successful 2025-26 academic year on the activities side was the highlight of the Fort Dodge Community School District board meeting Monday. Senior High School Activities Director Brandon Ruffridge and Middle School Activities Director Will Gormally noted participation has been on the rise in 2025-26. “Participation was a big focus at the middle school,” Gormally said. “At this level, most student-athletes are experiencing a sport full-time for the first time. We’ve been continuing to increase communication with parents and families due to that.” “We are up to 34 ...

Council OKs $115 million budget for Fort Dodge

A roughly $115 million budget that includes a 14-cent increase in the property tax rate was approved unanimously by the Fort Dodge City Council Monday. All of the money generated by the additional 14 cents will go to support the Dodger Area Rapid Transit (DART) bus service, which has experienced increased costs and reduced federal support. Councilman Terry Moehnke said the response to DART’s budget problems started late and hasn’t been handled well. He said he will not support an increased tax levy for DART next year. Councilman Cameron Nelson agreed with Moehnke. “I do believe ...

Inspiring a community

WEBSTER CITY — The ribbon cutting for the Rock River Resort south of Webster City was more than a celebration of a new start for a beautiful property. It marked a journey Connie Ingraham didn’t know she was going to make. Today the Rock River Retreat has a dorm with 20 beds, a ...

Two score and five

OTHO — Not everyone attending the 23rd annual Otho Fireman’s Ball Saturday night at the Webster County Fairgrounds could tell you what they were doing in February of 1981. For Otho Fire-Rescue Fire Chief Marty Smith, the answer was that he joined the Otho Fire Department then and ...

Farmhouse destroyed by fire

From our files: April 2011