News

County Supervisors accept bid for bridge replacement

During the Friday re-organizational meeting, the Hamilton County Supervisors approved the recommendation from County Engineer Ryan Weidemann to accept a bid for the two bridges slated for replacement in 2026. The quotes were to replace the bridges in southern Hamilton County. The first bridge is on Tollman Avenue, south of Randall. The other bridge is on R61, south of Ellsworth. These two bridges are being replaced with precast concrete box culverts. Weidemann presented the six bids. Bids were received from Jenco Construction, Inc., Midwest Contracting, LLC, Reilly Construction ...

City Council of Webster City holds first meeting of 2026 tonight

The City Council of Webster City holds its first regularly-scheduled meeting of 2026 tonight. Heading the short agenda are the election of a mayor and mayor pro tem, and appointment of officers and representatives to various commissions. Under Webster City’s council-manager form of government, city council members elect a mayor from among themselves, who then serves a two-year term. Since 2016, John Hawkins has served as mayor of Webster City. Zachary Chizek, a principal of the local law firm Groves & Chizek, has served as city attorney since 2015. In Webster City, the city ...

Joy!

Filling the big shoes

It’s a new year, and it’s a year with changes already. At the end of 2025, we saw the retirement of the Daily Freeman Journal publisher Terry Christensen, and the retirement of the Daily Freeman-Journal editor, Jane Curtis. We saw the hiring of our publisher Grant Gibbons. And then we have me. Officially, I’m stepping up with a new title as community editor. Unofficially, I’m filling the big shoes left by Jane Curtis. At least in some ways. I can't be Jane; I've watched her off and on my whole life. We are not the same, yet we have many similar experiences. Jane is my ...

City of Webster City to pick up Christmas trees on Monday

The Webster City Street Department will be picking up Christmas trees on Monday, weather permitting. Trees should be placed at the nearest street corner prior to 7 a.m. on Monday as only one trip will be made through the city. Please remove all stands and decorations and place these treses so they will not obstruct sight, distance and not blow into the street to create a traffic hazard. Bagged trees or trees with a stand will not be picked up.

Coffee and Create to be held Tuesdays through Fridays

Try your hand at one of the Coffee and Create sessions sponsored by Legacy Learning-Boone River Valley each week. The event is free, with a free-will offering encouraged to cover the cost of coffee and materials. A table of art supplies will be available for open-ended playful creativity, but will also open doors to new skills and new friends. This is a drop-in event, designed for adults and teens. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.