News

The Messenger seeks freelancers

If you want to make an impact in your community, and have a front row seat for all of its activities and developments, The Messenger has an opportunity for you. The Messenger is seeking freelance writers and photographers who will be responsible for a variety of news and feature stories. Their work will be published online and in print. These are remote work opportunities with flexible schedules. If you are interested please send a resume and a few samples of your work to Editor Bill Shea at bshea@messengernews.net.

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Fire destroys house in Fort Dodge

A fire immediately described by firefighters as suspicious destroyed an abandoned house in Fort Dodge Friday evening. The fire at 454 First Ave. N.W. was reported at about 6:30 p.m. No one was injured.

FD man gets nine years on federal drug charge

A Fort Dodge man will spend nine years in federal prison for trafficking large amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa. Matthew Groat, 42, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leonard T. Strand on Wednesday. He had pleaded guilty to federal drug charges in January. Federal prosecutors said that Groat and others distributed more than 2,200 grams of methamphetamine and at least 10 grams of cocaine in the Fort Dodge area between August and November 2025. He also admitted that on two occasions in ...

New role for Exposition Park celebrated

The sounds of people splashing around in the pool and generally having a good time could be heard every summer for years at Exposition Park in Fort Dodge. The pool is long gone, having been replaced by the Rosedale Rapids Aquatic Center on the east side of the city. Now the park near ...

Cyclist hit by car