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For nearly 50 years, Lori Branderhorst had a hand in everything parks and recreation related in Fort Dodge.Programming f...
06/24/2026

For nearly 50 years, Lori Branderhorst had a hand in everything parks and recreation related in Fort Dodge.

Programming for the pools? No problem. Aquatics were an early specialty for her. Lakeside Municipal Golf Course? Branderhorst understood the wants and needs of local golfers. Harlan and Hazel Rogers Sports Complex? She was adept at managing baseball and softball programs. In fact, her most notable achievement was securing the girls state softball tournament in Fort Dodge through 2045. She played the key role in sealing that deal with the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union last year.

For nearly 50 years, Lori Branderhorst had a hand in everything parks and recreation related in Fort Dodge. Programming for the pools? No problem. Aquatics were an early specialty for her. Lakeside Municipal Golf Course? Branderhorst understood the wants and needs of local golfers. Harlan and Hazel....

For a lot of kids summer means sleeping in, video games and just hanging out with friends.For siblings Brenden and Laila...
06/24/2026

For a lot of kids summer means sleeping in, video games and just hanging out with friends.

For siblings Brenden and Laila Valley, it’s about helping people who need extra hands.

One afternoon their mother, Kim Valley, was just scrolling on Facebook when she came across a post that intrigued her.

It was an organization created by Rodney Smith Jr., called Raising Men Lawncare Service and Raising Women Lawncare Service.

For a lot of kids summer means sleeping in, video games and just hanging out with friends. For siblings Brenden and Laila Valley, it’s about helping people who need extra hands. One afternoon their mother, Kim Valley, was just scrolling on Facebook when she came across a post that intrigued her. I...

MANSON — Sometime this afternoon, water from Fort Dodge will be flowing to homes and businesses in Manson.When the water...
06/24/2026

MANSON — Sometime this afternoon, water from Fort Dodge will be flowing to homes and businesses in Manson.

When the water begins flowing, it will be the end of a years long effort to provide the Calhoun County community with a reliable longterm source of water.

The Manson City Clerk’s office reported that the switch to Fort Dodge water will begin this afternoon.

MANSON — Sometime this afternoon, water from Fort Dodge will be flowing to homes and businesses in Manson. When the water begins flowing, it will be the end of a years long effort to provide the Calhoun County community with a reliable longterm source of water. The Manson City Clerk’s office rep...

As summer vacations and school breaks chip away at the local blood supply, LifeServe Blood Center is leaning on a monthl...
06/24/2026

As summer vacations and school breaks chip away at the local blood supply, LifeServe Blood Center is leaning on a monthlong celebration — Blood Donor Days — to keep donors rolling up their sleeves through the rest of June.

According to Tim Paluch, PR and marketing director of LifeServe Blood Center, the campaign has already made a difference, but the need is far from over.

“We have seen a nice increase in donors since Blood Donor Days started, which is very encouraging,” Paluch said. “But we started June in a tough spot with some blood shortages in Iowa, and we need donors the rest of June to really come out to make a difference.”

As summer vacations and school breaks chip away at the local blood supply, LifeServe Blood Center is leaning on a monthlong celebration — Blood Donor Days — to keep donors rolling up their sleeves through the rest of June. According to Tim Paluch, PR and marketing director of LifeServe Blood Cen...

With summer well underway, the Fort Dodge Community School District Dodge Board of Education met at noon Monday, with mo...
06/24/2026

With summer well underway, the Fort Dodge Community School District Dodge Board of Education met at noon Monday, with most members attending remotely.

Superintendent Josh Porter reported students in eighth grade will be allowed to participate in higher level sports. He noted individual coaches will be crucial during the transition period.

With summer well underway, the Fort Dodge Community School District Dodge Board of Education met at noon Monday, with most members attending remotely. Superintendent Josh Porter reported students in eighth grade will be allowed to participate in higher level sports. He noted individual coaches will....

The wheels are in motion for eighth graders to participate in Iowa high school athletics as soon as this fall.Two months...
06/24/2026

The wheels are in motion for eighth graders to participate in Iowa high school athletics as soon as this fall.

Two months ago, Iowa lawmakers passed House Bill 2591, giving the go-ahead to eighth-grade students to join high school programs a year early. Governor Kim Reynolds signed that bill into law earlier this month, and the Iowa State Board of Education passed a set of emergency rules last Thursday to pave the way for it to become a reality beginning August 1.

This is nothing new or particularly groundbreaking. Eighth graders have been allowed to compete in Iowa’s summer high school sports — baseball and softball — for decades. And over 20 states — including neighboring Minnesota and South Dakota — already allow this in some capacity year-round.

The onus now shifts to the individual school districts. This isn’t a “good” or a “bad” idea, per se — so much is left up to the circumstances of a program or an individual. It will also be the responsibility of activities directors and coaches to handle — and protect — the students and their situations accordingly on a case-by-case basis, rather than making blanket decisions that may put kids in harm’s way.

The wheels are in motion for eighth graders to participate in Iowa high school athletics as soon as this fall. Two months ago, Iowa lawmakers passed House Bill 2591, giving the go-ahead to eighth-grade students to join high school programs a year early. Governor Kim Reynolds signed that bill into la...

If you can’t find Francis Lee on the North Polk girls soccer sidelines, just listen.Lee isn’t bashful about cheering her...
06/24/2026

If you can’t find Francis Lee on the North Polk girls soccer sidelines, just listen.

Lee isn’t bashful about cheering her team on. In fact, she encourages it.

Lee, a 2014 Fort Dodge Senior High graduate, wears her emotion on her sleeve.

She’s unapologetic about it.

“I’m different than most coaches. I try to bring as much energy as possible,” Lee said. “I want all of us to be loud because we need to celebrate when we succeed."

If you can’t find Francis Lee on the North Polk girls soccer sidelines, just listen. Lee isn’t bashful about cheering her team on. In fact, she encourages it. Lee, a 2014 Fort Dodge Senior High graduate, wears her emotion on her sleeve. She’s unapologetic about it. “I’m different than most...

ROCKWELL CITY — Tractor enthusiasts from around the state and beyond converged on the area Monday when the first day of ...
06/23/2026

ROCKWELL CITY — Tractor enthusiasts from around the state and beyond converged on the area Monday when the first day of the 29th annual WHO Great Iowa Tractor Ride wound its way through Webster and Calhoun counties.

Under clear blue skies with temperatures in the mid-70s, tractors of all colors, makes and models — many with flags attached whipping in the breeze — traveled from the Webster County Fairgrounds to Moorland for a pit stop, before stopping for lunch outside the South Central Calhoun Middle School in Rockwell City.

ROCKWELL CITY — Tractor enthusiasts from around the state and beyond converged on the area Monday when the first day of the 29th annual WHO Great Iowa Tractor Ride wound its way through Webster and Calhoun counties. Under clear blue skies with temperatures in the mid-70s, tractors of all colors, m...

After 46 years of helping to provide fun things for Fort Dodge residents to do, Lori Branderhorst is getting ready to st...
06/23/2026

After 46 years of helping to provide fun things for Fort Dodge residents to do, Lori Branderhorst is getting ready to step down.

Branderhorst, the city’s recreation director, will retire on June 30.

She was honored during Monday’s City Council meeting at which Mayor Dave Flattery presented her with a retirement proclamation plaque.

After 46 years of helping to provide fun things for Fort Dodge residents to do, Lori Branderhorst is getting ready to step down. Branderhorst, the city’s recreation director, will retire on June 30. She was honored during Monday’s City Council meeting at which Mayor Dave Flattery presented her w...

Domino’s will apparently be moving one block east of its current Fort Dodge location.The Fort Dodge City Council on Mond...
06/23/2026

Domino’s will apparently be moving one block east of its current Fort Dodge location.

The Fort Dodge City Council on Monday approved a plan to sell some city-owned land at Fifth Avenue South and 16th Street to the pizzeria.

It also voted to sell some other city-owned land at Fifth Avenue South and 19th Street for the construction of a new small grocery store.

Domino’s will apparently be moving one block east of its current Fort Dodge location. The Fort Dodge City Council on Monday approved a plan to sell some city-owned land at Fifth Avenue South and 16th Street to the pizzeria. It also voted to sell some other city-owned land at Fifth Avenue South and...

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