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United Way responds to help families devastated by a fire

Losing your home to fire is one of the worst tragedies any family can face. It is a true disaster in so many ways. It is the loss of much more than a home - it is the loss of comfort and security that a home represents. A fire emergency is a very difficult crisis to deal with for all families , but for lower income families with little or no disposable income, a fire emergency can be devastating. In the past year, over a dozen families with children in our area have lost everything due to devastating house fires. These incidents have not only taken their homes, but also their sense of ...

Trump’s ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ supports our troops

Among the many incredible provisions of President Donald Trump’s “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” is funding for the Department of Defense. In light of current events around the globe, there is no better time for delivering President Trump’s vision for U.S. military power. The funding included in President Trump’s reconciliation package is for an array of priorities to deter foreign aggression and keep the United States military leagues ahead of the competition. These priorities include growing and enhancing our naval power, building President Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense ...

Keep showing up, keep building

Summer in greater Fort Dodge is in full swing - and let me tell you, there’s something special about the energy that builds this time of year. From community festivals to trail rides, our region comes alive in a way that reflects the heart of who we are: connected, collaborative and constantly moving forward. At the Growth Alliance, our focus this year remains on one powerful word: elevate. And one of the best ways to elevate our community? Support what’s local. Whether you’re shopping at a small boutique downtown, grabbing a bite from a locally owned restaurant, enjoying a ...

As the river rose, people came together

Last week marked the one-year anniversary of the 2024 floods. As such, I’ve been thinking about that community effort and how proud it makes me feel. A year prior, heavy rains had brought the Des Moines River to a near-decade high. The National Weather Service alerted us to the possibility of disaster. But Webster County didn't wait. EMA, township authorities, volunteers, and others took action. The sandbag stations materialized in Fort Dodge, Lehigh, Otho. Neighbors, families, workers - even outsiders beyond our county - came. They packaged bags, doled out water, made donations of ...

Reflecting on the resilience of our communities one year after the devastating floods

One year ago, catastrophic floods devastated communities across western Iowa. From Rock Valley, Correctionville, and Hawarden to Spencer, Sioux City, and Cherokee, countless towns faced unthinkable destruction and first responders bravely jumped into action. Homes, businesses, hospitals, schools, farms, and other infrastructure were damaged — many beyond repair — leaving families unsure of the future and communities looking for solutions. Tragically, several people even lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families on this somber anniversary. For 2024, ...

Q&A: Senate legislates One Big Beautiful Bill

Q: How will the Senate version of the One Big Beautiful Bill impact Iowans? A: Based on my county meetings, emails and phone calls, Iowans are paying close attention to the One Big Beautiful Bill moving through Congress. After passing the House of Representatives, the committees of jurisdiction in the Senate are now hammering out policy details on agriculture, taxes, immigration, health care and more. The bill is advancing in the Senate under the expedited reconciliation process that doesn’t require a 60-vote threshold and can’t include non-budgetary matters in the bill. As a ...