News

City Council meeting includes public hearing on the Hazard Mitigation Plan, nuisance hearing

Local News July 20, 2026

The agenda for tonight's city council meeting sets the stage for a number of issues that have been considered in depth in recent months. The public hearing on the Hamilton County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, is probably the most important issue, with the document exceeding 550 pages at the center of the consideration. This outlines the plans for the entire county, and it is required for each county to maintain a Hazard Mitigation Plan to minimize effects of an emergency before it occurs. This plan needs to be updated, and if not, if there would be a disaster ...

Turning Back the Pages of Time

Local News July 20, 2026

1961/65 years ago County firemen backing new rural address proposal Plans for a rural addressing service, backed by the Hamilton County Fire association were disclosed today by Stuart Barkema, Jewell fire chief, who is president of the county association. Under the tentative program, every farm would be numbered according to a system which would not only benefit fire department workers in more rapid location of a blaze but would also be of help to law enforcement authorities, doctors, truckers, sales workers and other business or industrial representatives. Barkema pointed out ...

Webster City High School Class of 1981 holds 45th reunion

Local News July 20, 2026

The Webster City High School class of 1981 held their 45th reunion on June 27 at the Links in Webster City. Members who attended are front row, left to right: Michelle Hedeen Johansen, Evan Mossman, Cathy Berry Gustafson, Lynn Reinsch, Randy Nelson, Nancy Bloomquist Ile, Liz Kelley Peter, Julie Sylvester Olmstead and Doug Dockstader. In row two, left to right are Cindy Wing Mitchell, Laura Hubbard McDonald, Marcy Fletchall Harper, Tami Villier Peterson, Brenda Yates Spellmeyer, Rhonda Wagner Hollingshead, Angie Donahe Anderson, Joel Edge, Anne Karbula Nielsen and Paige Pohlman ...

Congregate meals for week of July 20 - 23

Local News July 20, 2026

Congregate meals are open to any senior adults over the age of 60 years. Reservations are needed by calling 515-832-6161 to reserve a meal to eat in with others, or to pick up and eat at home. The cost of an individual meal is between $7 to $10, but are also reduced to what an individual can afford. The meals are served out of the north side of the RSVP building, located at 749 Second St. The entrance is to the west. When picking up meals, please arrive between 11 and 11:30 a.m. Inside dining begins at noon. The Webster City Congregate meal menu for the week of July 13 are ...

Iowa agriculture experts release report on state ag economy amid downturn

Iowa News July 20, 2026

A new report suggests Iowa’s agricultural industry is in a multi-year downturn that might not let up for a few more years, and experts are advising farmers to look back to the practices that got them through tough financial times a decade ago to weather the current storm. The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development and the Iowa Bankers Association released the executive summary of the report Friday at the Iowa Farm Bureau Economic Summit in Ankeny, detailing Iowa’s current agriculture economy from different ...

The Garden Party continues with Day Okay Jazz Project

Iowa News July 20, 2026

The Day Okay Jazz project performance Saturday night was more than a night of music. It was a night to honor the work done by Richard Carlson for nearly 20 years at the park in the 700 block of Second St. by the Elks Building. “He’s done a fantastic job, and it's been his vision, and ...