Fort Dodge Messenger

11/15/2025

The hunting season is often a perfect opportunity for friends to reunite and share old stories while making new memories.

The Webster County Chapter of Pheasants Forever takes the idea of fellowship and philanthropy one step further every November with a special event that has become a staple of the organization in recent years.

The sixth annual “First Responders Hunt” will be this weekend on a number of different properties around the region. Chicago firefighters and police officers visit the area for a weekend of hunting and camaraderie in an outing that was first organized by Fort Dodge’s Jim Kersten and his former college roommate, Doug Aller of Chicago.

The hunting season is often a perfect opportunity for friends to reunite and share old stories while making new memories. The Webster County Chapter of Pheasants Forever takes the idea of fellowship and philanthropy one step further every November with a special event that has become a staple of the...

11/15/2025

Janece Valentine, of Fort Dodge, was recently given the Iowa Association For Justice Meritorious Achievement Award for her exemplary work as chair of the State Judicial Nominating Commission.

Valentine, the lead attorney at Valentine Law Office, P.C., received her recognition at the Downtown Hilton in Des Moines.

“This year, IAJ proudly honors Janece Valentine for her extraordinary leadership, professionalism and principled defense of Iowa’s judicial selection process during her service as chair of the State Judicial Nominating Commission,” Iowa Association for Justice stated in a press release. “Janece’s tenure came at a pivotal moment. Following the 2019 law change that removed the senior justice as chair and shifted the commission’s balance, she stepped into a role defined by transition and uncertainty and maintained the system’s steadiness, integrity and professionalism.”

Janece Valentine, of Fort Dodge, was recently given the Iowa Association For Justice Meritorious Achievement Award for her exemplary work as chair of the State Judicial Nominating Commission. Valentine, the lead attorney at Valentine Law Office, P.C., received her recognition at the Downtown Hilton....

11/15/2025

The Blanden Memorial Art Museum presents “Walking In Traffic,” a solo exhibition by textile artist Debra Smith, which is on view through Jan. 24, 2026.

“Walking In Traffic” is described as a meditation on movement, hesitation, trust, chaos and flow. The series was inspired by a moment in Cairo, Egypt, where a young man Smith met the night before reappeared just as she and her mother stood stranded before six relentless lanes of traffic. When she asked how to cross, he simply said “You just have to go. They will stop for you.” Then he guided them forward.

That same trust stepping into uncertainty with faith is echoed in Smith’s artistic practice.

The Blanden Memorial Art Museum presents “Walking In Traffic,” a solo exhibition by textile artist Debra Smith, which is on view through Jan. 24, 2026. “Walking In Traffic” is described as a meditation on movement, hesitation, trust, chaos and flow. The series was inspired by a moment in Cai...

11/15/2025

Santa Claus will be making his list and checking it twice early this year as he’s scheduled to attend Santa Camp on Nov. 22 at The Cardiff Center at Fort Frenzy in Fort Dodge.

The inaugural holiday event will give children and families a chance to decorate cookies, make hot cocoa, and have professional photos taken with Jolly Ol’ St. Nick.

Santa Claus will be making his list and checking it twice early this year as he’s scheduled to attend Santa Camp on Nov. 22 at The Cardiff Center at Fort Frenzy in Fort Dodge. The inaugural holiday event will give children and families a chance to decorate cookies, make hot cocoa, and have profess...

11/15/2025

UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge invites the community to celebrate a milestone in the hospital’s surgery renovation and expansion with a beam signing and raising celebration from 4 to 5 p.m. Monday at UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center.

UnityPoint Health — Fort Dodge invites the community to celebrate a milestone in the hospital’s surgery renovation and expansion with a beam signing and raising celebration from 4 to 5 p.m. Monday at UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center. This special event marks an important ste...

11/15/2025

Journalist Tom Brokaw coined the term Greatest Generation to describe the everyday bravery of men and women who came of age during World War II. Shaped by the Great Depression, they put their lives on hold to save the world from the tyranny of N**i Germany and Imperial Japan.

Most of those who did the hard work of war — at the front and at home — were quiet, modest folks who, if they talked about their service at all, would only say they’d done their part. Nothing more.

John Chambers of Webster City was such a man.

Chambers would have blushed at the idea of being a hero, yet there’s no other word to describe his career in naval aviation. Like most service men and women, he was inspired by the courage and comradery of his mates.

In the end, they did it for their country and each other.

Editor’s note: The author gratefully acknowledges assistance for this article from Darlene Dingman, who suggested the topic, and the Chambers family, who generously shared stories and photos of their father’s life. Journalist Tom Brokaw coined the term Greatest Generation to describe the everyda...

11/15/2025

For Anna Lursen, it was about finding the right fit.

Lursen, a senior multi-sport standout at St. Edmond, committed to the University of South Dakota track and field program. She will compete in the middle distance events for the Coyotes, members of the Summit League.

“Truly, it was an easy decision,” Lursen said. “USD just felt right from the moment I visited. The team, coaches and environment were what I was looking for in a college.

For Anna Lursen, it was about finding the right fit. Lursen, a senior multi-sport standout at St. Edmond, committed to the University of South Dakota track and field program. She will compete in the middle distance events for the Coyotes, members of the Summit League. “Truly, it was an easy decisi...

11/15/2025

LJ Maehl kicked off her senior season with another all-conference award, as the Fort Dodge senior was named to the first team for volleyball.

Maehl was one of six Dodgers honored by the Iowa Alliance Conference’s North division.

Along with Maehl, senior Maeleena Meyer and junior Ellie Doster were both named to the second team for the IAC.

LJ Maehl kicked off her senior season with another all-conference award, as the Fort Dodge senior was named to the first team for volleyball. Maehl was one of six Dodgers honored by the Iowa Alliance Conference’s North division. Along with Maehl, senior Maeleena Meyer and junior Ellie Doster were ...

11/15/2025

McKenna Hilton has been named the ICCAC Div. II women’s soccer player of the year, the league announced.

Hilton was one of two Iowa Central players named to the all-region first-team, as Sydney Hagen joined her. The Tritons finished this past season 11-6 overall and 7-2 in the ICCAC, good for third place.

“We are happy to see McKenna receive this award,” ICCC head coach Jordan Sibenaller said. “She has led our team in every way over the past two seasons. We are very lucky to have had her at Iowa Central for two years.

“She is a great soccer player, but I’m sure she will be even more successful in whatever she does next.”

McKenna Hilton has been named the ICCAC Div. II women’s soccer player of the year, the league announced. Hilton was one of two Iowa Central players named to the all-region first-team, as Sydney Hagen joined her. The Tritons finished this past season 11-6 overall and 7-2 in the ICCAC, good for thir...

11/15/2025

Less than 24 hours after a record-setting night on the hardwood, Audi Crooks was back to doing what she truly does best: caring for the community.

On Wednesday night, the Bishop Garrigan graduate scored an Iowa State-record 43 points in just 20 minutes for No. 16 Iowa State in a 97-50 win over Valparaiso.

Crooks, the daughter of Fort Dodge Senior High graduate and the late Jimmie Crooks and former Bishop Garrigan star Michelle (Vitzthum) Cook, set the record on a free throw in the fourth quarter. She played for less than 20 minutes

By Thursday morning, though, Crooks had made the trip 60 miles north to Fort Dodge for a day of giving back. Crooks spoke to Fellowship of Christian Athletes students and donated food to pantries throughout the Fort Dodge Community School District, along with the help of Kemna Auto.

Crooks even donated a pair of sneakers to a lucky student.

Less than 24 hours after a record-setting night on the hardwood, Audi Crooks was back to doing what she truly does best: caring for the community. On Wednesday night, the Bishop Garrigan graduate scored an Iowa State-record 43 points in just 20 minutes for No. 16 Iowa State in a 97-50 win over Valpa...

11/15/2025

After completing a perfect run through the North Central Conference, the Humboldt volleyball team was recently rewarded with four first team all-league selections.

Senior Mia Schluter and sophomore Addie Waldorf were both unanimous choices, with senior Claire Dieleman and sophomore Adelynn Goodell joined them.

Algona freshman Katie Limbaugh was also a unanimous selection, as teammate Macy Knapp and Webster City’s Morgan Hackbarth each made the first-team.

Alivia Goodell, Kendall Works and Jazzie Dodd were second team choices along with Algona’s Taylor VanOtterloo, Webster City’s Tristyn Wright and St. Edmond’s Eden Horn.

After completing a perfect run through the North Central Conference, the Humboldt volleyball team was recently rewarded with four first team all-league selections. Senior Mia Schluter and sophomore Addie Waldorf were both unanimous choices, with senior Claire Dieleman and sophomore Adelynn Goodell j...

11/14/2025

Thank you for the card, and dropping by Cooper Elementary Staff. We appreciate you too!