Community Corner

🌱 Why a judge threw out key evidence in the mayor’s OWI case

And on the Fort Dodge Patch calendar - Adult Mixed Media Art Exploration 4-week session

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Thursday December 18th Patch AM
Thursday December 18th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hello Fort Dodge! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why a judge threw out key evidence in the mayor’s OWI case
  • What led to charges in August’s Central Avenue building fire?
  • How did the Dodgers’ tough night in Mason City unfold?

Also on today's calendar: Saturday Crafternoon.

Find out what's happening in Fort Dodgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Fort Dodgefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Cloudy, windy and colder, with a high of 37 and low of 5 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Friday: Breezy in the afternoon, temps: high: 30, low: 27.
  • Saturday: Times of sun and clouds, with a high of 34 and low of 18 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Judge: Police had no reason to stop Bemrich (messengernews.net) — A judge has ruled that key evidence from Mayor Matt Bemrich’s September OWI arrest cannot be used at trial, finding police lacked reasonable suspicion for the traffic stop. With Fort Dodge’s mayor, a local attorney, and a former city officer all central to the case, the January trial will proceed without any evidence gathered after the stop.
   

2. Fort Dodge man charged with arson in August building fire (who13.com) — Fort Dodge officials have charged a local man in connection with an August fire that heavily damaged a three-story building on Central Avenue. Fire crews battled flames on the upper floors and roof, and the suspect is now free on pretrial release while awaiting arraignment. Residents may notice the ongoing legal process tied to this downtown incident.
   

3. Dodgers can't catch Riverhawks (messengernews.net) — Fort Dodge’s boys basketball team endured a rough road trip, falling 73-20 to Mason City after a decisive second-quarter run put the game out of reach. The Dodgers struggled with turnovers and outside shooting but quickly turn around with games at Marshalltown on Friday and Des Moines Lincoln on Monday before the holiday break.
   

4. Two Iowa soldiers killed in Syria (crestonnews.com) — Fort Dodge is home to one of several Iowa National Guard battalions connected to the 34th Infantry Division, whose members were recently attacked in Syria. Two Iowa soldiers were killed and three wounded in the ambush, prompting statewide mourning and flag-lowering orders as leaders urge Iowans to support the affected families and pray for the injured.
   

📸 Around Fort Dodge

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Fort Dodge

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Fort Dodge Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • The Buckle, Inc. posted a job opening for Freight Coordinator (Part Time) in Fort Dodge. Apply here.
  • Wendy's posted a job opening for Customer Service Manager in Fort Dodge. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Fort Dodge here.

Ok Fort Dodge! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Fort Dodge