News

News of Record: May 21, 2026

News of record May 21, 2026

Magistrate Court WEBSTER COUNTY Wednesday First degree harassment — Brandon L. Tiernan, 28, Fort Dodge, preliminary hearing set for June 9, no contact order issued. Driving while barred — Juan Lopez Velasco, 36, Ames, preliminary hearing waived. Tampering with witness — Labrandon J. Williams, 24, Fort Dodge, preliminary hearing set for May 29, no contact order issued. Reckless driving — Brandon A. Farrand, 36, 2240 Ninth Ave. S., trial set for July 15. Failure to obey traffic control device — Brandon A. Farrand, 36, 2240 Ninth Ave. S., trial set for July ...

Nominations for Hometown Pride wanted

News Brief May 21, 2026

The Messenger is seeking nominations for its annual publication called Hometown Pride. Do you know someone who has an interesting story to tell? Perhaps they have a long track record of civic and public service. Or maybe they have an interesting and unique hobby. Or perhaps they have had some fascinating experiences they’re willing to talk about. The Messenger would like to highlight them in the annual magazine. If you know someone worth featuring in this publication, please send some information about them and ways to contact them to bshea@messengernews.net.

A GUIDING LIGHT

Local News May 21, 2026

Quietly but confidently, the Duncombe Elementary School family collectively embraced the core tenets of the Leader in Me program four years ago. The Fort Dodge school committed itself to the program’s main message: improving the leadership habits and character traits of all students, ...

Supervisors approve speed limit change

Local News May 20, 2026

The Webster County Board of Supervisors approved updating speed limits on 390th Street and Union Avenue in southern Webster County Tuesday. According to Webster County Engineer Jamie Johll, the speed limits will be lowered to 45 and 35 miles per hour. “This coincides with the paving project that we’re currently doing,” said Johll of the 1.6 miles of paving being done near Hidden Acres Christian Center. “There’s a lot of turning traffic here,” he added. “This project should be done on Thursday so we’ll be getting signs up and striping done. This was a good time ...

Junk Days on Demand returns

Local News May 20, 2026

The city of Fort Dodge’s popular Junk Days on Demand program is back for the sixth year, and municipal crews are ready to help residents get rid of large, bulky items. “This program has been extremely successful,” said Public Works Director Brett Daniel. “We still have junk going into the landfills, but we’ve been able to help residents correctly dispose of many appliances and other items that might have been dumped incorrectly otherwise.” Daniel estimated that several hundred appliances have been picked up during the Junk Days on Demand program and have been successfully ...

News of Record: May 20, 2026

News of record May 20, 2026

Police Log FORT DODGE Monday A traffic hazard was reported in the 3100 block of 18th Avenue North. A hit and run accident was reported in the 1100 block of South 25th Street. A fight was reported in the 1500 block of Sixth Avenue South. A suspicious person was reported in the 1200 block of 13th Avenue North. A civil dispute was reported in the 700 block of First Avenue South. A theft was reported in the 3400 block of Fifth Avenue South. Juvenile problems were reported in the 900 block of South 18th Street. An animal complaint was reported in the 2500 block of Second ...