Local News

Van Diest Medical Center serves as cornerstone of rural healthcare

As 2026 begins, Van Diest Medical Center (VDMC) is taking time to share an annual overview of the services it provides, the resources that sustain those services, and the stewardship that ensures care remains strong and accessible for the communities. From emergency care and specialty services to preventive, rehabilitative, and behavioral health support, VDMC continues to serve as a cornerstone of rural healthcare for Hamilton County and surrounding areas. At its core, Van Diest Medical Center is about people – caregivers supporting patients when they need it most. It is the ...

Jazzing up the Webster City Middle School

School board approves shared communications position, trap shooting as official FFA activity

The Webster City Board of Education approved sharing a communications position with the city of Webster City and also approved forming a trap shooting team as an official FFA activity during its meeting on Monday night. Both issues were addressed during Superintendent Matt Berninghaus’ report and voted on later in the meeting. The trap shooting team would be associated with the Boone Valley Isaak Walton League. This would be self-funded through the FFA. It was assured that this would not impact school insurance rates and no transportation will be needed to participate with the ...

Daily Freeman Journal receives additional awards in advertising, features, design and web page

At the Iowa Newspaper Association Convention last Thursday, additional awards were presented that were not mentioned in the Monday edition of the newspaper. Jane Curtis and Bob Oliver were recognized for other work presented during the evening. Curtis was recognized for a simple but clean editorial page, earning second place. The feature pages submitted also drew positive comments, noting the use of a clean layout and strong writing, again coming in second due to a stronger layout of the newspaper in the first-place publication. The newspaper website was also acknowledged, ...

New Middle School Vocal Small Ensemble introduces jazz singing into Night of Jazz

Hamilton County supervisors meet at 9 a.m. today

Hamilton County supervisors meet today at 9 a.m. in the basement meeting room at the Hamilton County Courthouse. The courthouse is located at 2300 Superior St. During the meeting, the supervisors will review the Hamilton County Hometown Pride project, the clerk of court report and the final quarterly report for 2025. In addition, they will grant approval for resurfacing the area (ID 40-CO40-12), consider approving a Superior Street lease and revising a landscaping plan for Blairsburg. They will also be setting a public hearing date on a 2026 multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan.