Bill Shea

Freelance journalist, but my lance isn't free. Writing a shitty novel. Key West literary beach bum. Dionysian anti-fascist. 'The Rimbaud of Hazel Park.'

Articles

Ernst, Feenstra target foreign purchases of US farmland

1 month ago | farm-news.com | Bill Shea

The federal government would begin keeping a closer watch on purchases of American farmland by foreign entities under a measure introduced by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst and U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra. The measure targets purchases that exceed $5 million or 320 acres.
133rd Test Squadron concludes its service to the country

1 month ago | messengernews.net | Bill Shea

Mar 2, 2025 By BILL [email protected] blue flag that for decades was the symbol of the 133rd Test Squadron was slowly and solemnly rolled up Sunday afternoon as the unit formally ended its service to the country.
FD council to consider river work, utility deposit fees

Oct 28, 2024 | ourcommunitynow.com | Bill Shea

Share A Des Moines River project and an agreement that may help secure a federal grant for a new recreation center are on the agenda for tonight’s Fort Dodge City Council meeting. The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 819 First Ave. S., with a Beacon of Hope shelter update. The Beacon of Hope is a homeless shelter for men at 1021 First Ave. N. The council’s regular business meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building.
Climbing for air

Mar 30, 2024 | messengernews.net | Bill Shea

[email protected] — Imagine going to the top of a skyscraper using only the stairs. Now imagine doing that while wearing 50 pounds of extra stuff, including a big tank on your back. A team of volunteer firefighters from Otho is preparing to do just that to help raise money for the American Lung Association. The grueling event is called the Fight for Air Climb. The team will raise about $500 going up all those steps.
Manning the big guns

Feb 27, 2024 | farm-news.com | Bill Shea

When American troops in South Vietnam needed some heavy firepower to help them out, they relied on soldiers like Kenneth Sjogren. Sjogren and his fellow artillery men would rain down high explosives on the enemy any time they got a call for help. The Otho man spent a year in South Vietnam ramming shells and bags of gun powder into big cannons. “We never saw the target,” he said.
Detroit Lions playoff run means higher prices next year beyond tickets

Jan 20, 2024 | record-eagle.com | Bill Shea

DETROIT — The Detroit Lions are making what is, for this forlorn franchise, a historic playoff run by winning their first playoff game since January 1992 and will host another this Sunday at Ford Field in their grueling quest to finally reach the Super Bowl. But like many things in life, there is a cost. And in sports, fans bear much of the financial brunt. The Lions already signaled last month their new success means season ticket prices will rise significantly for the 2024-25 season.
Detroit Lions playoff run means higher prices next year beyond tickets

Jan 18, 2024 | bridgemi.com | Bill Shea

Season ticket prices aren’t the only costs likely to rise next season following the Detroit Lions’ playoff success A generation of mostly bad teams has meant the Lions had to charge less than other NFL teams to attract fans The ascent of this year’s team will impact prices on concessions and merchandise; call it a happiness tax The Detroit Lions are making what is, for this forlorn franchise, a historic playoff run by winning their first playoff game since January 1992 and will host another...
FD council considers franchise fee, more police officers

Jan 8, 2024 | messengernews.net | Bill Shea

By BILL [email protected] eight members to the 40-member Fort Dodge Police Department offers the best option for deterring crime in the community, Police Chief Dennis Quinn told the City Council Monday. “I can see a lot of huge gains by adding these officers,” he said.
‘I wore that with pride’

Dec 7, 2023 | farm-news.com | Bill Shea

Larry Wuebker spent his 20th birthday on a 23-hour flight across the Pacific Ocean from California to South Vietnam. When he arrived at Bien Hoa Air Base, he got off the plane and had to run to the safety of some bunkers because mortar rounds were landing on the base and exploding. It was a scary introduction to what would become 15 months in South Vietnam during 1968 and 1969. The Fort Dodge man spent that time working on a base with South Vietnamese troops.
Trump promises action on border

Nov 18, 2023 | messengernews.net | Bill Shea

Nov 18, 2023 By BILL [email protected] some 2,000 people cheering just about every sentence he spoke, former President Donald Trump declared in Fort Dodge Saturday that he would seal the southern border, drill for domestic oil and prevent World War III.