bshea@messengernews.net
Thomas Steck, a Fort Dodge Police Department detective, was hired as the newest Webster County deputy sheriff Tuesday.
Steck, who has been a Fort Dodge officer for 12 years, will begin working for the county on May 12.
He fills one of two vacancies that originated with the retirements of former Sheriff Jim Stubbs and former Chief Deputy Rod Strait. Luke Fleener, then a sergeant, was elected to replace Stubbs, and he selected Derek Christie as his chief deputy. The advancement of Fleener and Christie left two vacancies. Steck will fill one. Deputy Sheriff Cody Harris, a former Fort Dodge police officer, was hired earlier this year to fill the other.
bshea@messengernews.net
An experienced investigator may soon be added to the staff of the Webster County Attorney’s Office.
The investigator would assist the Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, the Dayton Police Department and the Gowrie Police Department.
County Attorney Darren Driscoll said the individual would assist ”anyone who comes into a major crime situation and needs an experienced investigator.”
He told the county Board of Supervisors Tuesday that the new position has been discussed for about two years. Fort Dodge Police Chief Roger Porter and, recently, new Sheriff Luke Fleener have been part of those discussions, he said.
-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
The family of the late Rev. Al Henderson react to hearing the jury’s verdict on Tuesday morning, convicting defendant Josh Pendleton of murdering the pastor in October 2019. Pictured are Kristen Willingham, Henderson’s youngest daughter; Kristine Henderson, Henderson’s wife; and Kelly Henderson, his son. -Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Kristine Henderson, wife of the late Rev. Al Henderson, embraces Mel Pendleton, father of murder defendant Josh Pendleton, moments after the jury’s guilty verdict was read on Tuesday morning. -Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Kristen Willingham, daughter of the late Rev. Al Henderson, wears a bracelet with one of Henderson’s favorite sayings, “Carry On,” as the jury reaches its verdict, convicting her father’s killer for first-degree murder and first-degree robbery on Tuesday morning.
cthompson@messengernews.net
A leadership summit will soon be held in Fort Dodge that organizers hope will be a first step in creating real change when it comes to racial and cultural understanding.
The summit, called A Week in Dodge, will consist of a series of conversations and training centered around the issues of race, culture, diversity, racism, leadership and real change. It will feature nationally recognized speakers such as Eddie Moore Jr. and John G. Igwebuike.
The sessions will be held May 3 through May 6.
Charles Clayton, executive director of Athletics for Education and Success, is one of the speakers and helped organize the summit. He said even though more race-related incidents have come to light in recent times throughout the country, this educational opportunity has been in the works for the past few years.
kwingert@messengernews.net
DAVENPORT The first-degree murder trial of a Fort Dodge man accused of attacking and killing a local pastor will continue today at the Scott County Courthouse.
Joshua Pendleton, 37, is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree robbery in the death of the Rev. Al Henderson, who was killed outside St. Paul Lutheran Church on Oct. 2, 2019. Pendleton’s trial venue was moved to Scott County by order of the court.
The first week of the trial started on April 19 with jury selection. By the end of the day, a 12-member jury, plus three alternates, were selected, though jury selection had originally been expected to take at least two days.