Fort Dodge Messenger

07/18/2025

07/18/2025

The newly renovated animal barns at the Webster County Fairgrounds were buzzing with excitement Thursday as 4-H and FFA youth were busy prepping their sheep, goats, rabbits, and hogs for judging in the annual livestock competitions.

Joe Kauffman, 17, and a senior at Southeast Valley High School, started working with his sheep in April. On Thursday, he and his sister, Grace, took home high honors in the show ring.

“It’s just a lot of fun to get out there in the ring,” said Kauffman. “I enjoy it.”

The newly renovated animal barns at the Webster County Fairgrounds were buzzing with excitement Thursday as 4-H and FFA youth were busy prepping their sheep, goats, rabbits, and hogs for judging in the annual livestock competitions. Joe Kauffman, 17, and a senior at Southeast Valley High School, sta...

07/18/2025

FARNHAMVILLE — Heather Mack had heard many joyous stories about a young woman who loved to visit the Farnhamville City Park and City Library. The stories, told by her mother, Rebecca Slawson, the library’s director, were those of a teenager with a bright future and big dreams.

Those dreams, however, were snuffed out when the young girl, Michele ‘Luna’ Jackson, was murdered in September 2024 at the park and on the swingset that she visited daily.

The stories of Jackson’s joy on that swing have now been turned into a children’ s book thanks to Mack, an Eagle Grove resident.

“After her tragic passing, I was deeply affected, and a few days later felt compelled to just start writing,” said Brown. “I have always found a sort of peace in getting my thoughts down on paper and this was no exception. I sat down and quickly poured out the poem that would ultimately become the text of the book. ”

FARNHAMVILLE — Heather Brown had heard many joyous stories about a young woman who loved to visit the Farnhamville City Park and City Library. The stories, told by her mother, Rebecca Slawson, the library’s director, were those of a teenager with a bright future and big dreams. Those dreams, how...

07/18/2025

STANHOPE — A district court judge has agreed to delay the trial of the owner of the Stanhope Locker as the case goes into plea negotiations.

Wesley Zanker, 46, who owns the Stanhope Locker, was charged in January with ongoing criminal conduct and first-degree fraudulent practice, both felonies. His firm allegedly produced and mislabeled meat products that were sold to Whatcha Smokin’ BBQ and Brew in Luther.

Zanker pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The jury trial is now scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Aug. 26 at the Hamilton County Courthouse in Webster City.

STANHOPE — A district court judge has agreed to delay the trial of the owner of the Stanhope Locker as the case goes into plea negotiations. Wesley Zanker, 46, who owns the Stanhope Locker, was charged in January with ongoing criminal conduct and first-degree fraudulent practice, both felonies. Hi...

07/18/2025

A handful of demonstrators holds signs at the intersection of First Avenue South and 29th Street Thursday evening during what organizers called a “good trouble” rally protesting the policies of the administration of President Donald Trump.

Standing for ‘good trouble’ Local News Jul 18, 2025 Bill Shea Editor [email protected] -Messenger photo by Bill Shea A handful of demonstrators holds signs at the intersection of First Avenue South and 29th Street Thursday evening during what organizers called a “good trouble” rally pr...

07/18/2025

FARGO, N.D. — This one was special.

Fort Dodge senior-to-be Dreshaun Ross has tasted success at every level in wrestling. In fact, he has won a Fargo Nationals title before.

The championship on Wednesday meant something more.

FARGO, N.D. — This one was special. Fort Dodge senior-to-be Dreshaun Ross has tasted success at every level in wrestling. In fact, he has won a Fargo Nationals title before. The championship on Wednesday meant something more. “This one’s special to me because there was the top competition in t...

07/17/2025

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Iowa Central Community College a TRIO Student Support Services grant totaling $1.5 million over five years ($306,511 annually) to improve college retention and graduation rates among low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities.

This award marks the continuation of 24 years of TRIO SSS services on the campus. Since 2001, the program has served more than 4,200 students, helping them stay in school, earn degrees, and build meaningful careers.

Through individualized services including academic tutoring, financial aid, scholarship guidance, career exploration, personal and academic counseling, and mentoring, TRIO SSS empowers students to overcome barriers to success. These comprehensive supports make it significantly more likely that students will complete their degree or successfully transfer, with the lowest possible debt.

“This grant allows Iowa Central Community College to deepen our commitment to ensuring that all students — regardless of background — can thrive academically and personally,” said Kris Nerem-Lowery, TRIO project director. “Student Support Services helps level the playing field and equips our students with the tools and confidence to graduate and lead.”

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Iowa Central Community College a TRIO Student Support Services grant totaling $1.5 million over five years ($306,511 annually) to improve college retention and graduation rates among low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities. T...

07/17/2025

POCAHONTAS — An Iowa illustrator whose work includes a scene featuring the Pocahontas statue will do an artist talk and exhibition Saturday during the Pocahontas community’s 155th anniversary celebration.

The program by Bob Cunningham will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 16 Second Ave. N.W.

It will feature several of his recent illustrations. A highlight will be his story of Princess Pocahontas, which was published in Our Iowa magazine.

“The sentinel princess has been delighting tourists since she first graced northwest Iowa in 1954,” Cunningham said in a written statement.

POCAHONTAS — An Iowa illustrator whose work includes a scene featuring the Pocahontas statue will do an artist talk and exhibition Saturday during the Pocahontas community’s 155th anniversary celebration. The program by Bob Cunningham will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Churc...

07/17/2025

A Fort Dodge man and woman charged separately with helping to move Dennis Jones’ body after his son shot and killed him last year have both pleaded not guilty in Webster County District Court.

According to court documents, Aidan Pate, 23, and Makayla S. McNeeley, 29, pleaded not guilty last week. They were both charged in June with abuse of a co**se and accessory after the fact.

A Fort Dodge man and woman charged separately with helping to move Dennis Jones’ body after his son shot and killed him last year have both pleaded not guilty in Webster County District Court. According to court documents, Aidan Pate, 23, and Makayla S. McNeeley, 29, pleaded not guilty last week. ...

07/17/2025

A Webster County man charged with threatening to commit terrorism has waived his right to a speedy trial and will go before a jury at the end of September.

Daniel Paivarinta, 27, is charged with making threats of terrorism in which he stated that he planned to purchase a firearm and use it on members of local law enforcement.

Paivarinta was scheduled for a pre-trial conference on Monday with a jury trial to begin on July 22. However, his attorneys requested a continuance which the prosecutors did not resist.

Paivarinta is now scheduled for a pre-trial conference and jury trial at the end of September.

A Webster County man charged with threatening to commit terrorism has waived his right to a speedy trial and will go before a jury at the end of September. Daniel Paivarinta, 27, is charged with making threats of terrorism in which he stated that he planned to purchase a firearm and use it on member...

07/17/2025

Webster County hopes to test 30 percent of private wells throughout the county this fiscal year, thanks to a grant from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

Webster County hopes to test 30 percent of private wells throughout the county this fiscal year, thanks to a grant from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. According to Allison Roderick, environmental health officer, Webster County was given $45,454 in grant funding to provide private....

07/17/2025

The Webster County Fair royal court was named Wednesday. Pictured from left are Owen Compart, of Manson, and Lauren Eslick, of Gowrie, who were named runners-up. Aiden Anderson, of Gowrie, was chosen to be fair king and Blessing Cunigan, of Gowrie, was chosen to be fair queen.

Webster County Fair queen, king chosen Wednesday Local News Jul 17, 2025 Britt Kudla -Messenger photo by Britt Kudla The Webster County Fair royal court was named Wednesday. Pictured from left are Owen Compart, of Manson, and Lauren Eslick, of Gowrie, who were named runners-up. Aiden Anderson, of Go...