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Hamilton County Food for Neighbors Challenge begins Thursday

Enhance Hamilton County Foundation is inviting the community to come together once again to support local food access through the Hamilton County Food for Neighbors Challenge, running Thursday through Oct. 31. The annual effort, formerly known as the Food Pantry Challenge, has been expanded this year to reflect a broader understanding of food access across Hamilton County. In addition to supporting local food pantries, the challenge now also includes prepared-meal programs that help meet food needs in different ways. The first $20,000 donated during the challenge will be matched ...

Confusion continues

Webster County voters thought they had settled the question of how to fund emergency medical services when more than 83 percent of voters approved a levy of up to 75 cents last year. But then the state changed the calculation. This summer, Webster County officials learned the Iowa Department ...

From our files: September 2011

Day of kindness to honor Henderson

It’s not marked as such on any calendar someone could buy at a store, but in Fort Dodge, Friday will be a special day. It is Pay It Forward Friday, a day dedicated to random acts of kindness to honor the memory of a beloved local pastor. The Rev. Al Henderson, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran ...

Shooting victims ID’d by police

By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net The Fort Dodge Police Department has identified the man who was killed and those who were injured in a Saturday morning shooting. Derrick L. Stewart, 27, of Fort Dodge, died, according to police. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken by ambulance to UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center, where he died. Jayvion A. Wilson, 21, of Fort Dodge, was injured. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds. He also was taken by ambulance to Trinity Regional Medical Center. According to police, he is in stable condition. Laquwon A. ...

Guided by faith

Belief in something or someone is a choice, and for Jenson Litwiller it’s an easy one. It’s a belief that runs deep and one that has guided him through his life. “My belief in God is the foundation of everything I have at this point in my career,” Litwiller said. “My motivation, character and gifts all come from Him. God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of trouble,” he said, quoting Psalms 46:1. Litwiller’s story is one of perseverance and love. “I was orphaned as an infant and taken in by an orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,” Litwiller ...