Building for the future
FONDA — Although Staff Sergeant Bruce Pollema was en route to Fort Sill, Okla., for mobilization processing in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, he never arrived at his destination. On Aug. 27, the 30-year-old northwest Iowa native assigned to the Iowa Army National Guard’s 2168th Transportation Company was killed when the military tractor-trailer he was traveling in rolled over into a ditch near Camp Dodge in Johnston. As she had done countless times before for other fallen military personnel, Betty Nielsen of Fonda, and her team of volunteers, created a personalized Freedom Quilt to honor Pollema, who had served for two years in the U.S. Navy and in the Iowa National Guard for 10 years. For Bruce’s parents, Wilmar and Betty Pollema of Hull, the gift continues to comfort the family. ‘‘It’s beyond words,’’ said Betty Pollema, who attended the recent open house at Freedom Quilts’ new building on the Pocahontas County farm of Dennis and Betty Nielsen.
» Full StoryFloods send seed companies to ‘Plan B’
Delayed planting due to the excessive wet weather across Iowa has not only affected the production of number two yellow corn, but has also some effects on seed corn production as well.
» Full StoryPlanners pull plug on ethanol plant
OGDEN — Alternative Energy Sources Inc. will not continue with production of an ethanol plant scheduled for development in Boone County near Ogden due to a lack of funding.
» Full StoryEngineers: Iowa’s county roads in crisis
While a tough winter and spring flooding wreaked havoc on Iowa’s country roads and secondary roads budgets, there’s a much bigger challenge facing the state’s aging, rural infrastructure.
» Full StoryFilling the local employment gap
Since 1989, Manpower of Fort Dodge has worked to fill temporary gaps in staff for area businesses.
In recent times, the office, located at 822 Central Ave., has shifted its focus to permanent direct hires, said Branch Manager Dawn Larson.
Sandstrom celebrates form, function
Within a converted hog building on his grandparents’ farm, Tyler Sandstrom fashions tons of clay into many of the implements of comfortable living — plates, bowls, pitchers and pots.
“No two pieces are exactly alike,” he said.
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God Bless America
West Bend Fourth
Fort Dodge Fireworks 2008 2
Fort Dodge Fireworks 2008
FD Fireworks
Waukee at FDSH Softball
Eagle Grove at SE Softball