News

Search launched for next leader for Calhoun County Economic Development Corporation

Local Business August 8, 2026

ROCKWELL CITY — The Calhoun County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors has announced that Executive Director Theresa Hildreth intends to retire at the start of 2027. With that announcement, the board has launched the search process for the organization’s next executive director. During the past three years, CCEDC has experienced significant organizational advancement through strategic planning, enhanced countywide collaboration, expanded marketing initiatives, tourism development, workforce and leadership programming, business retention efforts, and the continued ...

Evergreen Internet announces fiber optic construction project for North and South Twin Lakes

Local Business August 8, 2026

GOWRIE — With letters mailed to local residents, Evergreen Internet announced that construction will begin late this summer on a new fiber optic communications network serving North and South Twin Lakes. The project will bring future-ready broadband infrastructure to the area, with service ...

Southeast Valley students visit Ecuador

Local News August 8, 2026

GOWRIE — Leah Applebee kept the tradition of bringing Southeast Valley High School students on a once-in-a-lifetime journey alive this summer. Applebee, a Spanish teacher at the school, brought Oliver Riehl, Halle Crampton, Dax Maschino, Elizabeth Thompson and Taylor Willardson to Ecuador, ...

New U-Haul outlet opens in Fort Dodge

Business Briefs August 8, 2026

U-Haul Co. of Iowa Inc. announced that Leroy’s Auto Sales & Service signed on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer to serve the Fort Dodge community. Leroy’s Auto Sales & Service at 3021 Fifth Ave. S. will offer U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, and moving supplies. U-Haul has teamed with independent dealers to offer rental equipment to do-it-yourself movers since 1945. During these challenging times for small businesses, more than 23,000 dealers across the U.S. and Canada are generating supplemental income through their U-Haul affiliation.

UnityPoint Clinic Norma Schmoker Imaging Center earns ACR accreditations

Local Business August 8, 2026

UnityPoint Clinic Norma Schmoker Imaging Center has been awarded three-year terms of accreditation in mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy and breast ultrasound following a recent review by the American College of Radiology. The ACR accreditation recognizes the Imaging Center’s ...

Lahn offers his plans for Iowa

Local News August 8, 2026

Zach Lahn, the Republican nominee for governor, recently sat for an exclusive interview with Messenger Editor Bill Shea, during which he talked about his proposal to address water quality issues and the surging rate of cancer cases in Iowa. Lahn also talked about redirecting the Iowa ...