News

Webster City FFA chapter honored with highest Chapter Award

Local News August 28, 2026

INDIANAPOLIS – The Webster City FFA chapter of Webster City, IA, has been recognized in 2026 National Chapter Award Program from the National FFA Organization. They were given a 3-star ranking. Truly a mark of their exceptionalism, less than 10% of chapters nationwide are given a ranking from the National FFA Organization. “The kids' application had to place in the top 10% of chapters in Iowa to advance to Nationals, then at Nationals all applications get 1, 2, or 3 stars with 3 being the highest. So 10% of chapters across the country are recognized as National Star chapters but ...

“Giving Back” is catching on

Iowa News August 28, 2026

By Robert E. Oliver In 2012, Mike and Pat Brandrup did something extraordinary. They looked at the farm bought by Mike’s grandparents in the thirties, the place they called home, and made a big decision. They gave part of it away. Not all of it, just what they called “the most unique, ...

Regulators investigate Black Hills Energy’s high number of pipeline safety violations

Iowa News August 28, 2026

Regulators investigate Black Hills Energy’s high number of pipeline safety violations The Iowa Utilities Commission is evaluating potential penalties and corrective action for Black Hills Energy following a hearing Thursday on an investigation into the gas company’s safety and management practices in Iowa. Routine inspections from IUC revealed Black Hills Energy had disproportionally more instances of probable violations than the other top gas providers in Iowa over the past several years. The IUC also flagged that Black Hills has significantly longer correction times for ...

Turning Back the Pages of Time

Local News August 28, 2026

1926/100 years ago O.J. Henderson to build two story building on Des Moines Street near Division Work on a new $17,000 two story brick building to be erected by O.J. Henderson will start Monday, according to an announcement made today. The new building will be erected on the west side of Des Moines Street, next to the oil station at the corner of Division St. The new building will be 22 to 60 feet. The Henderson and Jones law firm will occupy the ground floor of the building with the offices of the Lane Moore Lumber company being on the second floor. The law firm has been ...

Early voting in Hamilton County is underway

Local News August 27, 2026

The special election on September 8, will determine the next steps taken by the Webster City School Board. The ballot includes 3 questions: Each asks: Shall these public measures be adopted? The beginning of the questions lists the various ways the funds can be used, and then asks voters to authorize for a period of 3 years, a levy increase of .57 per $1,000 of the assessed valuation of the taxable property within the school district beginning in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2028. The second question asks if they would authorize for a period of 10 years to levy annually ...

Area Educators focus on funding and needs during education panel

Local News August 27, 2026

It was a clear focus on the funding and future of our schools in Hamilton County during the luncheon held at the Briggs Woods Conference center Thursday. The panelists: Matt Berninghaus, Superintendent of the Webster City Community Schools, Heather Holm, Superintendent of the South Hamilton Community Schools and Dr. Stacy Mentzer, representing Iowa Central Community College, explained their situations, looking at historical data. Enrollment is a key factor for all three institutions. The Webster City and South Hamilton schools are both funded by the same amount: $8,148/pupil, ...