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Editorial

Help Salvation Army by ringing bells

Like Christmas trees and turkey dinners, the red kettles and bell ringers of The Salvation Army are a traditional element of the holiday season. Just about everyone has seen the kettles and heard the jingling bells over the years. And hopefully, just about everyone has put some donations in those kettles to help those less fortunate. Now, The Salvation Army needs some help to keep that fine tradition going. It is in need of people willing to stand next to a kettle and ring the bells. In recent years, recruiting bell ringers has proven to be a tough chore. However, it is not ...

Flu shots provide potentially lifesaving protection

Just about everyone has called in sick at some point, saying they had the flu when they were sniffling, sneezing, maybe running a fever and generally feeling lousy. Those symptoms definitely add up to an illness, but the problem is not really the flu. Influenza, as it is properly known, is much, much worse. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, influenza is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract. Influenza and pneumonia are among the top 10 causes of death in the state. Fortunately, there is a way to prevent influenza. A yearly vaccine can protect a person ...

United Way Community Campaign deserves support

America is a land filled with compassionate people. This is a nation where charitable giving is a standard feature of community life. There are many good causes and no shortage of generous souls willing to contribute time and/or money to make the world a better place for those less fortunate than themselves. We all work hard for the dollars we set aside for charity. Making sure that the money we give is used properly is a priority. In our area, United Way of Greater Fort Dodge is an especially good choice for charitable giving because it guarantees accountable and efficient use of ...

Americans unite behind veterans

How fortuitous it is that while the attention of millions of Americans seems focused on controversy, we take time out to honor those about whom we are in complete agreement: veterans of military service. No matter how we view politics, we are united in revering the men and women who have served and do serve us in uniform. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Space Force are the solid wall behind which our freedoms rest. They serve us not as Democrats, Republicans, Independents or adherents to any particular political philosophy. They serve us simply as ...

New local group invests in future of Fort Dodge

An exciting new private group has committed itself to improving Fort Dodge by taking on big empty buildings. It’s called The Better Way Project. In the last two weeks it has announced its purchase of the Carver Building at 1003 Central Ave., a building at 817 Central Ave. and the former local home of Land O’Lakes at 2827 Eighth Ave. S. The leaders of The Better Way project are Scott and Katie Underberg, Todd McCubbin and Matt Johnson. All of them have experience in real estate investments and property management. The enormity of the task this group has taken on should not be ...

Hard work of governing must begin

The 2025 general election is over. Many folks will breath a sigh of relief at that thought. We congratulate the winners of Tuesday’s votes, and we challenge them to do two things. First, the easy challenge, for both the election winners and losers: remove your yard signs and any other promotional materials you may have put up. The election is over, so there is no need for them to be up any more. We challenge the winners of Tuesday’s voting to do something much more difficult than picking up the signs. We challenge them to govern in a mature, responsible way that will benefit ...