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Man charged in propane torch attack

News Brief

A Fort Dodge man has been charged with going into an apartment and menacing two people there with a lighted propane torch. Two people sustained very minor injuries and a backpack was burned, according to police. Shamar L. Foy, 37, 414 S. 16th St., was arrested by Fort Dodge police and charged with: • First degree burglary • Two counts of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon • Reckless use of fire/explosives/destructive devices The attack happened at about 12:30 a.m. May 23 in the 1400 block of Fifth Avenue South, according to criminal complaints filed against ...

Fatal shooting determined to be in self defense

Local News

The July 24 shooting that claimed the life of a Fort Dodge man was determined to be an act of self defense and no criminal charges will be filed, according to the Police Department. Police identified the deceased as Thomas H. Ahrens, 45, of Fort Dodge. He was shot July 24 in the 1300 block of Third Avenue North. The shooting was reported at 1:52 p.m. Police also identified the shooter as Josiah Byram, 31, of Fort Dodge. In a statement issued Wednesday, the Police Department reported that its investigation showed that Byram was “actively retreating from an attack made by Mr. ...

Fatal shooting ruled self defense

Local News

The July 24 fatal shooting that killed one man in Fort Dodge has been determined to be a case of self defense, according to the Fort Dodge Police Department. Police identified the dead man as Thomas H. Ahrens, 45, of Fort Dodge. According to police, Ahrens attacked a man in the 1300 block of Third Avenue North and the man fired one shot in self defense, striking and killing Ahrens.

News of Record: July 29, 2026

News of record

Magistrate Court WEBSTER COUNTY Monday Driving while barred — Brad A. Gully, 52, 315 S. 15th St., preliminary hearing waived. Tracy L. Castle, 38, 311 First Ave. S., preliminary hearing set for Aug. 14. Jake W. Anderson, 41, 24260 Nelson Ave., preliminary hearing set for Aug. 14. Domestic abuse assault, second offense — Chance R. Pint, 40, 618 N. 16th St., preliminary hearing set for Aug. 7, no contact order issued. First degree harassment — Chance R. Pint, 40, 618 N. 16th St., preliminary hearing set for Aug. 7. Driving while license suspended — Javier Perez, 41, ...

‘It’s taken a beating’

Local News

The one room in the Webster County Jail designed to keep people from hurting themselves has been torn open, cracked and beaten to the point that jail staff can no longer trust it. “It’s taken a beating,” said Jail Administrator Mark Gargano. “We’ve struggled to keep people in there safely.” The Webster County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved spending roughly $24,000 to replace the safety padding in the jail's padded cell, after Gargano showed nearly a dozen photographs of split walls, damaged doors, broken cameras and light fixtures, and padding ripped to pieces ...

FD council handles real estate deals

Local News

The Fort Dodge City Council on Monday bought a piece of property and sold another one. The council purchased a home at 1518 Fifth Ave. S. from Patrick House for $44,100. The property is next to a couple of lots already owned by the city. Several years ago, the council bought those properties and demolished the buildings on them to create a space that will be offered for redevelopment. The property bought Monday will be added to those lots once the house is demolished. The council sold a property at 1801 First Ave. S. to Gary and Annie Wilson for $3,500. They plan to use it as a ...