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Man gets probation in attempted burglary, arson case

A man who had been charged with trying to break into a Fort Dodge school last month and then setting a small fire at his home has been sentenced to probation, according to court records. Richard L. Beebe, 18, of 118 10th St. N.W., pleaded guilty to third degree attempted burglary and third degree arson. Court documents show he was sentenced to two years in prison and an $855 fine, both of which were suspended. He was ordered to serve two years of probation. He was initially charged with third degree attempted burglary, first degree arson and third degree criminal mischief. Fort Dodge ...

Convicted meth dealer sent to federal prison

A Pocahontas man has been sent to federal prison for about 22 years for dealing at least three pounds of methamphetamine in Webster County. Jordan Mefferd, 47, was sentenced on Tuesday, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa. Federal prosecutors said he pleaded guilty on June 15 to these charges: • Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine • Four counts of distributing methamphetamine • Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine • Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person From July 2024 to September 2025 Mefferd ...

FD gets sports district listing again

Fort Dodge became a fixture on the Iowa sports scene with the state cross country meet and the girls softball tournament. But the community has also successfully hosted a growing number of other tournaments and sports camps. State officials recently recognized that by once again ...

Gowrie FD receives award

The Gowrie Fire Department is one of several area volunteer fire departments that received donations from Iowa Select Farms and the Deb & Jeff Hansen Foundation. The other fire departments are in Bradgate, Clarion, Dows, Early, Goldfield, Havelock, Lake City, Rockwell City, Rolfe and Sac City. Each department received $3,000 to help purchase tools, equipment and supplies, according to an announcement from the foundation. The foundation donated $222,000 to 65 rural fire departments. The fire department in Iowa Falls, which is the home of Iowa Select Farms and the foundation, ...

Senate candidate Turek visits Fort Dodge

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek described himself as a "common sense prairie populist who is working for Iowans" during a visit to Fort Dodge Wednesday morning. He said making health care more affordable and campaign finance reform will be his top priorities if he is elected. Health care, he said is a "human right." He said he will work for passage of a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United case, which cleared the way for unlimited political spending by corporations and labor unions. Turek decried the war against Iran ...

Taking center stage with Lauren Patterson

Being on stage and in an arena have become a common occurrence for Lauren Patterson. Patterson has enjoyed her time on the musical stage, behind a microphone as well as showing her horses in the arena. Recently Patterson, a senior at Fort Dodge Senior High School. earned All-State choir ...