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Water, sewer rate hikes on FD council agenda

Local News

Proposed increases in the water and sewer bills residents pay every month are on the agenda for the Fort Dodge City Council tonight. The proposed increases would have the average residential customer paying $47.04 a month for water and $30.28 a month for sanitary sewer services, effective Jan. 1, 2027. A rate increase proposed for Jan. 1, 2028, would push those figures to $48.72 for water and $31.29 for sewer. The City Council meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 819 First Ave. S., with a workshop on the strategic plan. That plan focuses on these elements: ...

Eagle Scout project brings new flag retirement box to Webster City

Local News

Tanner Baldwin, a member of Family Troop 17, sponsored by American Legion Post 191 of Webster City, has completed an Eagle Scout project that will benefit the community for many years and make the process of disposing of damaged flags much easier. Tanner installed a flag retirement drop box providing residents with a convenient and respectful way to turn in worn or damaged American flags for proper retirement. The flag retirement drop box is located in front of the American Legion at 726 2nd Street in Webster City. Flags can be dropped off at any time. The project reflects the ...

Meet the candidates

Local News

Today’s edition of The Messenger features information on the candidates from the area running for the state House of Representatives. In House District 8, Republican state Rep. Ann Meyer, of Fort Dodge and Democrat Kris Williams, of Fort Dodge are competing. Meyer is seeking her fifth term. Williams is making his first run of public office. House District 8 includes Fort Dodge and eastern Webster County. In House District 7 Republican state Rep. Wendy Larson, of Odebolt, faces Democrat Rachel Burns, also of Odebolt. Larson defeated Burns in a December 2025 special election to ...

Snell Settlement Services eases the process of home buying

Local Business

Closing the purchase of a home can be a confusing process loaded with a mind boggling array of documents. There is a Fort Dodge business dedicated to helping ease that procedure for buyers and sellers. That firm, Snell Settlement Services, has been in business since 2002 and now has a new ...

Sole of the community

Local Business

When Craig Jarrard opened his Fort Dodge shoe store in 1996, he had one employee and 3,000 square feet of space. Thirty years later, he has a staff of 18, a much larger store, and customers whose families have been shopping with him for three generations. Ask him what accounts for that ...

FDSH students looking for a few bad cars

Local News

The U.S. Marines might be looking for a few good men, but the Fort Dodge Senior High School automotive program is looking for a few bad cars. Students in the high school automotive classes are looking for vehicles from the community to help them build real-world skills while also supporting ...