News

FD school board OKs $6.4 million amendment

By KADIN LUHMANN The Fort Dodge Community School District Board unanimously approved a $6.4 million amendment to its construction agreement with Jensen Builders Ltd. for additional renovations at Fort Dodge Senior High Monday. Zach Thompson, ISG Architects of Des Moines project manager for the high school, said Jensen Builders Ltd., of Fort Dodge, is working under a budget just shy of $6 million. “We went through some pretty heavy value engineering from the starting of a storm shelter to having a walking track that brings it all the way down to where we're at now,” Thompson ...

News of record: Aug. 11, 2026

MAGISTRATE COURT WEBSTER COUNTY Monday Driving while barred — Bret L. Larsen, 64, 1317 Eighth Ave. S., failed to appear, arrest warrant issued; Matthew M. Gagen, 36, Bode, failed to appear, arrest warrant issued. First-degree harassment — Brady L. Johnson, 31, 201 S. 21st St., preliminary hearing set for Aug. 20, no contact order issued. Sex offender registration violation, second or subsequent offense — Jonathan Robert Micheal Hubbard, 26, Livermore, preliminary hearing set for Aug. 20. Assault causing serious injury — David J. Richman, 45, Bayard, preliminary ...

Council OKs recreation updates

By BILL SHEA bshea@messengernews.net Two new trail bridges and a fresh coat of paint for the fixtures at the Rosedale Rapids Aquatics Center were approved by the Fort Dodge City Council on Monday. The two bridges to be replaced are on the Fort Dodge Nature Trail, just south of Soldier Creek ...

City issues $4.3M in bonds for Corridor Plaza

When a developer announced plans to turn the stagnant Crossroads Mall into a new multiuse area of stores, restaurants, a hotel and outdoor gathering spaces, the Fort Dodge city government offered financial help. On Monday, the City Council moved to meet its obligation to Crossroads Plaza Development by approving a bond issue that will be paid off with property taxes generated at the old mall site. In 2020, when the Ankeny firm purchased the mall property, the City Council pledged $18.2 million to reimburse the company for property acquisition, demolition and infrastructure ...

Investing in Calhoun County

TWIN LAKES — More than 150 guests gathered in the Moore family cornfield near Twin Lakes on Friday for Leadership Calhoun presents Cuisine in the Corn, a sold-out evening celebrating local food, agriculture, leadership and the spirit of Calhoun County. The event was the community service ...

Three acts take the stage at the Fort Dodge Country Jam