News

Man pleads guilty in meth case

MANSON — A Manson man has pleaded guilty in federal court to helping to deal more than five pounds of methamphetamine, prosecutors said. Tanner T. Rokes, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa. Federal prosecutors said that he admitted to helping to distribute methamphetamine from 2021 to July 2025. Law enforcement officers made multiple controlled purchases of the drug from him. On July 15, 2025, officers stopped Rokes for a driving violation. ...

First-degree murder charge filed against Rockwell City man

ROCKWELL CITY — A Rockwell City man is facing a murder charge following an April 12 collision in rural Calhoun County. Jaxyn Stone Blum, 21, was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder in the death of Kyle Rath, 19, and with the attempted murder of Roger King, 21, according to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office. According to Calhoun County Sheriff Pat Riley, on April 12 at approximately 9:02 p.m. at the intersection of 290th Street and Harris Avenue, a pickup truck driven by Blum struck a utility terrain vehicle occupied by Rath and King. Rath died at the scene. King was ...

Democrat issues debate challenge in House race

Democrat Kris Williams has challenged Republican state Rep. Ann Meyer to a series of three debates before the Nov. 3 general election. “I’m not a politician,” Williams said in a written statement. “I don’t have a script. I’ll show up anywhere in this county and answer any question anybody asks me.” “All I’m asking is that she do the same,” he added. “That’s not a big ask. That’s the job.” Meyer replied by saying she stands by her record of serving her House district for the past eight years and added that she looks forward to debating Williams in an ...

From our files: July 2011

Hazard plan is subject of Thursday meeting

A hazard mitigation plan meeting will be held by Webster County Emergency Management Thursday evening. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. on the East Campus of Iowa Central Community College, 2031 Quail Ave. The meeting is part of the process for updating the hazard mitigation plan. The hazard mitigation plan focuses on natural hazard events such as storms, extreme temperatures, flooding and wildfires. It is intended to develop strategies to reduce the impact of future disasters.

Construction epicenter

Construction equipment is a common sight on Third Avenue Northwest lately. That’s because a section of the busy street is being rebuilt right next to the spot where new apartment buildings are being constructed. Anyone driving through the area is forced to take a detour on Amvets Drive ...