News

Area voters head to polls today

The primary election on Tuesday features a high profile race for the Republican nomination for governor, but when it comes to the local races, Webster County voters won’t have a whole lot to do in the voting booth. There are no primary contests for local legislative or courthouse races. And most of the Webster County officials on the ballot are completely unopposed. County Attorney Darren Driscoll, a Democrat, has no primary opponent and no general election foe. He was appointed to serve as county attorney in February 2018 to replace Jennifer Benson. He won his first term in the ...

Genealogical Society to leave FD library

The Webster County Genealogical Society has been ordered to move out of its space in the Fort Dodge Public Library by Nov. 21. The Library Board of Trustees sent the society a letter last month ending its agreement for using space in the building. “It wasn’t a decision we took lightly,” Library Director Rita Schmidt said. Library leaders cited two primary reasons why the agreement with the society is being terminated. More space is needed in the building, and the society has not maintained regular public access to its collection, they said. When the library by the City Square ...

From our files: June 2011

Pocahontas man killed in Nebraska crash

A Pocahontas man was killed in a fiery 16-vehicle pileup in western Nebraska Saturday evening, according to the Nebraska State Patrol. Troopers identified him as Steven Wichman, 56. He was killed in a crash that happened at 5:10 p.m. Saturday on Interstate 80 near Brule, according to the State Patrol. Five other people were injured. A dust storm occurred in the area, causing the crash, the State Patrol reported. The wreck closed both the eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 80. It also prompted a massive response of law enforcement officers, fire departments and emergency ...

News of record: June 2, 2026

Magistrate Court WEBSTER COUNTY Monday Third-degree theft — Mycah L. Ersland, 26, 233 J St., preliminary hearing waived; Ann M. Peterson, 43, 132 Ave. B, preliminary hearing set for June 11. Domestic abuse assault, display or use of a weapon, first offense — Norma Gomez, 43, 318 S. 17th St., preliminary hearing waived, no contact order issued. Driving while barred — Bret L. Larsen, 64, 1317 Eighth Ave. S., preliminary hearing waived. Violation of probation — James D. Geopfert, 35, Fort Dodge, further proceedings to be scheduled. Dominion or control of a firearm or ...

Pomeroy man convicted of sexual abuse of a child

ROCKWELL CITY — A Pomeroy man was found guilty of sexual abuse of a child Friday in the Iowa District Court for Calhoun County. Jason Michael Peed, 39, was found guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child and two counts of sexual abuse in the second degree, arising from the sexual abuse of a child over a period of years, according to the Calhoun County Attorney’s Office. The case was tried to the court on March 24, after Peed waived his right to a jury trial. District Court Judge Kurt Stoebe found Peed guilty on all three counts. Continuous sexual abuse of a child is a ...