-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
The driver of a vehicle involved in a multi-county high-speed pursuit on Sunday afternoon was transported to UnityPoint Health â Trinity Regional Medical Center by ambulance after the chase ended on Kenyon Road just west of U.S. Highway 169. The driver’s name and extent of injuries were not released by law enforcement on Sunday.
-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
The driver of a vehicle involved in a multi-county high-speed pursuit on Sunday afternoon was transported to UnityPoint Health â Trinity Regional Medical Center by ambulance after the chase ended on Kenyon Road just west of U.S. Highway 169. The driver s name and extent of injuries were not released by law enforcement on Sunday.
-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Fort Dodge Police Department Detective Larry Hedlund testifies during an evidence suppression hearing for the Justin Hurdel murder trial on Friday at the Webster County Courthouse.
-Messenger photo by Kelby Wingert
Fort Dodge Police Department Detective Larry Hedlund testifies during an evidence suppression hearing for the Justin Hurdel murder trial on Friday at the Webster County Courthouse.
Justin Hurdel, the man accused of shooting his estranged wife, Maggie Flint, to death in August 2020, suffered serious injuries to his face after he attempted to take his own life on the day of the alleged murder, new court documents show.
May 8, 2021
Following one of the most gut-wrenching trials to impact Webster County in recent memory, there was a remarkable display of forgiveness and humanity.
Not long after the jury submitted its verdict in the Scott County Courthouse in Davenport, Kristine Henderson and Mel Pendleton embraced. Her husband, the Rev. Al Henderson, had been killed by his son, Joshua Pendleton.
For that crime, the jury convicted Joshua Pendleton of first degree murder and first degree robbery. District Court Judge Gina Badding will sentence him on June 18.
Al Henderson was a beloved figure in the community. He was the senior pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church and the chaplain for the Fort Dodge police and fire departments, the Webster County Sheriff’s Office and Post 7 of the Iowa State Patrol. Those who knew him recall his trademark way of wrapping up a conversation by saying ”carry on.”
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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.