Fort Dodge Messenger

07/26/2024

Erin Gerlich discusses the early stages of her tenure as the new Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) executive director, potential changes to state softball and the tournament's 54-year partnership with Fort Dodge: https://www.messengernews.net/sports/2024/07/a-state-tournament-like-no-other/

07/26/2024

Powerful Pleasant Valley out-slugged top-seeded West Des Moines Valley to earn the Class 5A state softball championship in Fort Dodge (by Dana Becker; photos by Britt Kudla): https://www.messengernews.net/sports/2024/07/pleasant-valley-peaks/

07/26/2024

The Carlisle softball team had one more clutch rally - and win - in them, as the Wildcats came back to stun ADM and capture the Class 4A state softball championship in Fort Dodge (story by Dana Becker; photos by Britt Kudla): https://www.messengernews.net/sports/2024/07/carlisle-wins-4a-thriller/

07/26/2024

HUMBOLDT — If a local teacher requests your help so elementary students can learn about modern agriculture, engineering and ethanol, you say yes, especially when that teacher is your mother.

Just ask Cody Allen, a Humboldt-area farmer and entrepreneur.

HUMBOLDT — If a local teacher requests your help so elementary students can learn about modern agriculture, engineering and ethanol, you say yes, especially when that teacher is your mother. Just ask Cody Allen, a Humboldt-area farmer and entrepreneur. “It’s fun to see the kids get excited abo...

07/26/2024

Nearly 20,000 softball fans have had Fort Dodge abuzz this week as they’ve come to town for state tournament action, and area businesses say they’re enjoying the influx of visitors.

“We’re seeing an increase in visitors at all of our locations,” said Michael Payne, co-owner of Pancheros Mexican Grill, Mineral City Mill and Grill, Teriyaki Madness, Olde Boston’s Restaurant & Pub, and Sports Page Bar & Grill, all in Fort Dodge. “It’s really great to see people coming out and supporting their local teams. It’s a fun time of year.”

“It’s incredible,” said Mark Campbell, owner of Amigos. “We have some of the same teams come year after year with new faces. We look forward to Girls State every year.”

Visit Fort Dodge Executive Director Kerrie Kuiper estimates that the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s state softball tournament brings in an estimated $1 million to Fort Dodge each year through lodging, concessions, dining, attractions, retail, gas stations, and other businesses.

Nearly 20,000 softball fans have had Fort Dodge abuzz this week as they’ve come to town for state tournament action, and area businesses say they’re enjoying the influx of visitors. “We’re seeing an increase in visitors at all of our locations,” said Michael Payne, co-owner of Pancheros Me...

07/25/2024

An impressive growth in students seeking backgrounds in health occupation careers and studies has led the Fort Dodge Community School District to move forward on purchasing a cutting-edge anatomy visualization and virtual dissection tool.

An impressive growth in students seeking backgrounds in health occupation careers and studies has led the Fort Dodge Community School District to move forward on purchasing a cutting-edge anatomy visualization and virtual dissection tool. The district’s Board of Education voted Tuesday to buy an A...

07/25/2024

LAKE CITY — California is 1,700-plus miles away from Mark Schleisman’s farm, but that doesn’t mean this Lake City-area farmer isn’t paying close attention to Golden State decisions that impact Iowa’s pork industry.

LAKE CITY — California is 1,700-plus miles away from Mark Schleisman’s farm, but that doesn’t mean this Lake City-area farmer isn’t paying close attention to Golden State decisions that impact Iowa’s pork industry. “Consumers in California are concerned about the price of meat going up,....

07/25/2024

A pair of grants totalling more than $1.6 million will be used to rehabilitate owner-occupied housing for low-to-moderate income families in Fort Dodge’s Northwest River District as well as to renovate the historic Caldwell Building downtown.

A pair of grants totalling more than $1.6 million will be used to rehabilitate owner-occupied housing for low-to-moderate income families in Fort Dodge’s Northwest River District as well as to renovate the historic Caldwell Building downtown. City officials received word on Tuesday that two separa...

07/25/2024

The St. Edmond softball team ran into Martensdale-St. Marys for the second consecutive state tournament.

And for the second straight time, the Gaels could not get their prolific offense going.

The St. Edmond softball team ran into Martensdale-St. Marys for the second consecutive state tournament. And for the second straight time, the Gaels could not get their prolific offense going. The Blue Devils scored a run in the second and another in the third to post a 2-1 victory here Wednesday ni...

07/25/2024

Check out Thursday's Sports Section. St. Edmond Catholic School Bill Shirbroun Bill Myers

07/25/2024

Guessing from Dana Becker's updates (game before it got really long late) that the St. Edmond first pitch for a Class 1A state softball semifinal will be right before 8 p.m. Here is the live stream link:

2024 IGHSAU State Softball Tournament presented by Iowa Farm Bureau

07/24/2024

Rain delay ending soon at Rogers Park at the start of Wednesday's action at state softball, per Dana Becker. Keep an eye on our updates this afternoon, because this will affect St. Edmond's regularly-scheduled 7 p.m. start time for tonight's 1A semifinal.

07/24/2024

As the St. Edmond softball team walked into Rogers Park Tuesday, a sense of relief and calm swept over the players. The Gaels set up shop in their home dugout on their own field, moving into the Class 1A semifinals for first time since 2015 with a 4-2 victory over Collins-Maxwell. Next up for St. [....

07/24/2024

Complete game-by-game Day 2 state softball coverage from Harlan Rogers Sports Complex:

https://www.messengernews.net/sports/state-softball/

07/24/2024

WEBSTER CITY — About 100 people went on the “Brownie” Memorial Freedom Rock Run to honor the memory of Dan Brown, who lived in Webster City.

WEBSTER CITY — About 100 people went on the “Brownie” Memorial Freedom Rock Run to honor the memory of Dan Brown, who lived in Webster City. The July 14 event was presented by the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. Brown died in an accident on August 29, 2023, when a truck pulled out in f...

07/24/2024

The final game of the season is often viewed as the end of something. Fort Dodge head coach Andi Adams is hoping her team’s Class 4A state softball consolation victory on Tuesday at Dodger Field is just the beginning.

The final game of the season is often viewed as the end of something. Fort Dodge head coach Andi Adams is hoping her team’s Class 4A state softball consolation victory on Tuesday at Dodger Field is just the beginning. The fifth-seeded Dodgers prevailed in a seesaw affair with No. 8 seed Western Du...

07/24/2024

As the St. Edmond softball team walked into Rogers Park Tuesday, a sense of relief and calm swept over the players.

The Gaels set up shop in their home dugout on their own field, moving into the Class 1A semifinals for first time since 2015 with a 4-2 victory over Collins-Maxwell.

As the St. Edmond softball team walked into Rogers Park Tuesday, a sense of relief and calm swept over the players. The Gaels set up shop in their home dugout on their own field, moving into the Class 1A semifinals for first time since 2015 with a 4-2 victory over Collins-Maxwell. Next up for St. [....

07/24/2024

Stu Cochrane, the president of the Fort Dodge Community School District Board of Education, is stepping down after 28 years of service.

Stu Cochrane, the president of the Fort Dodge Community School District Board of Education, is stepping down after 28 years of service. Cochrane informed the board and the district’s administration Tuesday that he will resign effective Sept. 15. He said he is resigning for a variety of personal an...

07/24/2024

Over the course of nearly 45 years, Rick Springfield has performed in a lot of different venues all over the world. Springfield will be performing under the stars Friday night in For Dodge as the headliner for Shellabration.

Over the course of nearly 45 years, Rick Springfield has performed in a lot of different venues all over the world. The Grammy Award winning singer perhaps best known for “Jesse’s Girl” said he really likes outdoor concerts. “It’s a freer environment,” he said in a recent phone interview...

07/24/2024

Gaels reach 1A semifinals. Dodgers finish with a win. Bill Shirbroun Andi Royster Adams

07/23/2024

Our team's complete coverage from Day 1 of state softball at Harlan Rogers Sports Complex.

https://www.messengernews.net/sports/state-softball/

07/23/2024

The Fort Dodge City Council on Monday borrowed about $5.8 million to support the development of Corridor Plaza.

The debt will be paid off with property tax revenue generated by the retail and entertainment complex on the site of the former Crossroads Mall.

The Fort Dodge City Council on Monday borrowed about $5.8 million to support the development of Corridor Plaza. The debt will be paid off with property tax revenue generated by the retail and entertainment complex on the site of the former Crossroads Mall. A sports pavilion being created on the west...

07/23/2024

Nearly a dozen Fort Dodge area student artists came together to create a spacious and colorful mural inside Fort Frenzy Family Entertainment Center. The mural, titled “Colorfall,” was designed by Fort Dodge Senior High School student Saiya Noborikawa and features the artwork of more than 40 area student artists.

Nearly a dozen Fort Dodge area student artists came together to create a spacious and colorful mural inside Fort Frenzy Family Entertainment Center. The mural, titled “Colorfall,” was designed by Fort Dodge Senior High School student Saiya Noborikawa and features the artwork of more than 40 area...

07/23/2024

Bill Shirbroun was not shy about the expectations facing his St. Edmond softball program this year.

After qualifying for the state tournament last summer, the Gaels returned nearly their entire lineup and then added University of Iowa commit Mariah Myers.

Bill Shirbroun was not shy about the expectations facing his St. Edmond softball program this year. After qualifying for the state tournament last summer, the Gaels returned nearly their entire lineup and then added University of Iowa commit Mariah Myers. That put plenty of emphasis on making a run....