America at 250: A journey through time, told through our communities

April 10, 2026

What began as an experiment in self-governance rooted in personal freedom and liberty has grown into the world’s most unique and important nation: the United States of America. Here, we can, within the boundaries of the law, do, say and think what we wish; we can worship as we choose; we have taxation with representation; the American Dream remains a real, living concept; and so much more. As President Ronald Reagan so aptly said in describing America’s exceptionalism, we remain, in the eyes of the rest of the world, that “shining city on a hill.” But here at home, the mood has ...

Wilson Brewer plats Newcastle, later renamed Webster City

April 10, 2026

When the founding fathers in the east coast were working on the Constitution for the United States, Webster City nor Iowa were in their vision. At that point exploration beyond the thirteen colonies were very limited. The area known as Webster City and Hamilton County at that time had ...

‘The Addams Family’ opens Friday night at Prem Sahai Auditorum

April 9, 2026

It is a little dark, a little scary, but the music and talent on the Webster City High School stage this weekend will be certain to brighten moods of all attending “The Addams Family” musical comedy. The first public performance is at 7 p.m. on Friday night at 1201 Lynx Ave., at the ...

City and county park crews completing spring cleanup in preparation for seasonal activities

April 9, 2026

The flags are out on the golf courses, and the water is flowing in the county park system, symbolizing that spring is truly here. Throughout the county, outdoor crews are working to get the parks ready, despite the roller coaster weather we’ve experienced so far this spring. Brian Lammers, Hamilton County Conservation director, said the county parks and Briggs Woods golf course are open for their seasonal visitors. The county park systems consider April 1 to November 1 their most active periods. Both Briggs Woods and Little Wall Lake have cabins available to rent year-round, and ...

The hunt is on

April 8, 2026

With mesh bags in hand, their heads mostly looking down, and a keen desire to find the motherload of morels, a secretive band of hunters is about to hit the woods in central Iowa. Will this be the year when the sometimes elusive morel mushrooms are abundant for those willing to trek into ...

Know your fungi

April 8, 2026

For those who love mushrooms, but are not up to long walks through tick-laden woods, there is still hope. Legally harvested wild mushrooms can be sold by certified vendors in Iowa. They can sometimes be found at early Farmers’ Markets, local stores, and sometimes online. But if you don’t know your fungi, purchasing mushrooms can be a concern. Potential vendors have been studying already to gain state certification as wild-harvested mushroom sellers. Chelsea Harbach, Ph.D., director of diagnostics at Iowa State University’s Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic, has been leading ...