Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Training to be held Saturday

January 16, 2026

Volunteers who are willing to assist other taxpayers with their annual income taxes can be trained this Saturday at the Hamilton County Extension office. The Extension office is located at 311 Bank St. This training prepares individuals with the skills needed to serve as a volunteer for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Barb Wollan will lead the training. It will begin at 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. For more information, contact Barb Wollan at 515-832-9597.

Corn Hole Tournament this Saturday; annual fundraiser set for Jan. 31 at fairgrounds

January 16, 2026

The Hamilton County Fair board and Scenic City Baggers/Terry Smith, teamed up to host a cornhole tournament on Saturday. The cost to enter is $40 per team, with the first toss at 11 a.m. at the Hamilton County Show Arena within the fairgounds, located at 1200 Bluff St. Participants must sign in by 10:45 a.m. The annual fundraiser for the Hamilton County fair will be held on Jan. 31. This will be held in the Hamilton County Show Arena. The price for tickets are $200 for a table of six or $40 a ticket. Drinks are included. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Call the fair office at ...

Webster City barber Russ Chelesvig to surrender his shears

January 15, 2026

After more than two decades of cutting hair, Russ Chelesvig, owner of The Barber Shop, 1002 Second Street, has announced he’ll retire at the end of January. Barbering was a second career for Chelesvig, one he loved, excelled at and now leaves for an active retirement. He graduated ...

Play it again, Jay

January 15, 2026

The mid-1970s band program at the Webster City High School created a bond between band members that remains vibrant over 50 years later. It was a testament to three men; Tory Antimuro, who introduced fifth graders to musical instruments, and also directed and led the band program in the high school, Richard Goettsch, who ran the band program in the junior high school, and Jay Nugent who took over the band program at the high school when Antimuro retired in 1973. The students of these men still remember the strength of the programs, the excitement, enthusiasm and pride from their ...

Retail community adjusts hours to cope with weather woes during holiday season

January 14, 2026

In the bleak midwinter, there is optimism in the air. Stores in the Webster City community lost out on many weeks of prime shopping, but they are still planning for a good year. “Winter has been a hit and miss for local retailers,” said Robin Streigle of the Webster City Area of ...

Upper Des Moines Opportunity spends $476,563 to assist Hamilton County residents in 2025

January 14, 2026

During the monthly meeting of the Hamilton County Supervisors, Julie Edwards, Executive Director of Upper Des Moines Opportunity—UDMO—gave an update on the services provided to Hamilton County residents during 2025. Their mission, according to Edwards is “to address the effects of poverty on individuals and families and build stronger communities." Their programs range from food and housing to weatherization and childcare, just to name a few ways their assistance is used. UDMO serves 22 counties in Iowa. In addition to Hamilton county, they serve Lyon, Sioux, Osceola, ...