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Council advances water, sewer rate increases

The Fort Dodge City Council on Monday unanimously approved the second readings of increases in the monthly water and sanitary sewer bills. Currently, the average residential customer pays $45.41 per month for water. Under the proposal advanced by the council, on Jan. 1 that figure would rise to $47.04. Then on Jan. 1, 2028, it would rise to $48.72. The average residential customer now pays $29.30 per month for sanitary sewer service. On Jan. 1, that amount would rise to $30.28. Then on Jan. 1, 2028, it would rise to $31.29. The increase must be approved once more in order to ...

Iowa National Guard unveils Hall of Honor

JOHNSTON — As Iowans prepare to observe Veterans Day, the Iowa National Guard is sharing a new tribute to 22 soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their state and nation since Sept. 11, 2001. The Hall of Honor, located inside Joint Force Headquarters in Johnston, was formally dedicated Oct. 22 during a private ceremony attended by Gold Star families, Iowa National Guard leadership and distinguished guests. The permanent exhibit features a display case, banners, and 22 individual plaques displaying the photographs and names of Iowa National Guard ...

Honoring heroes with a hunt

Among the ranks of the Chicago Fire Department are plenty of people who like to hunt, but don’t have access to many good places to do so. Webster County is full of prime pheasant hunting areas. It is also home to lots of people who want to do something to show their appreciation for ...

School board gets update on FDSH goals

Senior High Principal Staci Laird gave the Fort Dodge Community School District Board of Education a comprehensive review of goals at the school, entitled “A Vision for You.” Those goals include 70 percent of students being proficient in literacy. They also include having all teachers assess on employability skills. Other areas include an individual/district career and academic plan. The first Iowa Central Career Day was held in October with three more to follow. Laird reported that 54 students have been taken on two college visits this year to Iowa State University in ...

Rentz served in Alaska, Pacific Northwest

It takes a lot of people serving in hundreds of different specialities to protect American shores. Wayne Rentz, a former mayor of Moorland, was one of them. He served in the United States Coast Guard. Restless after high school, he enlisted in the Coast Guard in January 1973 at age 19. ...

FD man acquitted in sex abuse case

A Webster County jury found a Fort Dodge man not guilty of third degree sexual abuse last week. According to court documents, Zachary Andrews, 32, was found not guilty in Webster County District Court of sexual abuse for an incident that occured in June 2026. “I’m disappointed in the verdict in this matter but appreciative of the dedication of the jury,” said Webster County Assistant County Attorney Bailey Cavanaugh. “The victim will continue to navigate the trauma suffered due to these events.” The case was investigated by the Fort Dodge Police Department and ...