Founded in 2010
News & Entertainment for Mason City, Clear Lake & the Entire North Iowa Region
MASON CITY – Opening Proposals between Mason City Community School District (MCCSD) and Paraprofessional Employees/Teamsters Local Union No. 238 will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. at the
WACO, Texas – No. 9 Baylor hit shots at a very high clip Monday night as the Bears (22-4, 9-4 Big 12) ran away from Iowa State (18-8, 8-5 Big 12), 79-64
by Jody Spear – CLEAR LAKE – The Third Annual “The Jack” Helgren Memorial 2012 Iowa LeMans Championship snowmobile races took place Saturday at Clear Lake. Friday night was the start of
By Scott Collins, Los Angeles Times – LOS ANGELES — It was a big night for Adele, and it was a big night for the Grammys. Sunday’s awards show on CBS was the
By Peter Hall,, The Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.) – ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A judge ruled Jerry Sandusky can see his grandchildren and friends while he is on house arrest awaiting trial on child
By Eileen Ambrose, The Baltimore Sun – Until recently, retirement planning focused mostly on helping workers accumulate savings. Now, the Treasury Department is tackling another aspect: making sure retirees don’t run out of
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa and Carver-Hawkeye Arena have been selected by the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee to serve as one of 16 first-and-second round hosts for
By Laura King, Los Angeles Times – KABUL, Afghanistan — Six months ago, in a moving ceremony held during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, President Hamid Karzai went on Afghanistan television to
By Denise-Marie Balona, The Orlando Sentinel – ORLANDO, Fla. — The driver of a bus on which Florida A&M drum major Robert Champion was killed in November stood guard while he was being
By Lornet Turnbull, The Seattle Times – OLYMPIA, Wash. — Surrounded by applauding gay couples and with media from around the country looking on, Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire on Monday signed landmark legislation
By Sam Stanton, McClatchy Newspapers – SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In a macabre series of discoveries, authorities unearthed 300 human bone fragments Sunday in an abandoned well near Linden, Calif., marking the fourth consecutive
The Alternate Side Parking Ordinance and Emergency Snow Route will be placed in effect beginning at 7:00 p.m., Monday, February 13, 2012, and will remain in effect until further notice. During this
By David Lauter, Tribune Washington Bureau – WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama for the first time has opened a sizable lead over his most likely Republican opponents, thanks to growing support among independent
Andy Goldberg – SAN FRANCISCO — The majority of Facebook users may be women, and they use the site, on average, more than men. But the leadership of the world’s top social
AMES, Iowa – Feb. 13, 2012 – The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is reminding the public about the Chicago to Omaha Regional Passenger Rail System Planning Study’s online, self-directed, open house
Rod Boshart, CR Gazette – DES MOINES — Iowa lawmakers face a tax-policy trifecta when they return to the Statehouse this week. On Tuesday, Republicans who control the House plan to debate
Andrew Dyrdal, Albert Lea Tribune, Minn. – Two Lake Mills, Iowa, wrestlers advanced to the state tournament on Saturday by placing second in its district tournament in Jewell. Senior Calvin Beal and sophomore
by Matt Marquardt – The snake oil salesmen hit Mason City hard over the last few months, making promises of trash sorting jobs. These A Teamers depicted a Shangri-La where human trash
by Matt Marquardt – MASON CITY – The city council has set a date for a public hearing on the fiscal year 2013 budget and capitol improvement plan. At least week’s city
In his usual Monday column John Skipper offers the option of resentment to consider when reflecting on the failed C.E.S. proposal that recently flunked the sniff test. He does not mention Max
AMES, Iowa – Feb. 13, 2012 – Drivers in Iowa will get another chance to perfect their winter driving skills today. According to the National Weather Service, widespread snow accumulation of one
By Kevin G. Hallm, McClatchy Newspapers – WASHINGTON — Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping arrives in the United States on Monday for a high-profile visit where he’ll be honored as if he were
MINNEAPOLIS— A federal jury found a 31-year-old Minneapolis man guilty of committing aggravated sexual abuse against a child. Following a two-day trial, the jury convicted Joseph Valerian Parshall on two counts of
TRENTON, NJ—A Jackson, N.J., school bus driver was arrested by federal agents early this morning for using his home computer to distribute child pornography, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced. Frank J.
MINNEAPOLIS—A federal indictment unsealed this afternoon charges a 49-year-old Minneapolis man with a series of bank robberies occurring in Minnesota between March 9, 2011, and January 3, 2012. Mark Edward Wetsch was
United States Attorney Deborah R. Gilg announced that on February 10, 2012, Melissa Nicole Hammond, 27, of North Platte, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for distribution of five grams or
ALBUQUERQUE—On February 9, 2012, FBI agents arrested MacArthur Cooke, 36, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Pinedale, N.M., on a federal criminal complaint charging him with murder. Cooke
By Teresa Watanabe and Stephen Ceasar, Los Angeles Times – LOS ANGELES — Until the photos surfaced, it didn’t appear that anything was seriously amiss at Miramonte Elementary School. The school was on
By David G. Savage, Tribune Washington Bureau – WASHINGTON — White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew said Sunday that President Barack Obama had found the “right balance” in mandating birth control coverage
By Laura King, Los Angeles Times – KABUL, Afghanistan — In Afghanistan, to be a judge is to be a target. Afghan officials on Sunday reported the assassination of a provincial jurist from
The Gazette Editorial Board, CR Gazette – The latest chapter in the China-Iowa story unfolds Wednesday. China’s Vice President Xi Jinping, expected to be China’s top leader by 2013, will visit our
By Adriana Leon and Chris Kraul, Los Angeles Times – LIMA, Peru — At first, Lima taxi driver Mario Segura was disgusted by the thought of buying a Chinese-made car. He had doubts
By Jacqueline Charles and Stewart Stogel, McClatchy Newspapers – UNITED NATIONS — When a 15-member delegation of the U.N. Security Council arrives in Haiti Monday for an on-the-ground look at the situation two
By Christine Pirovolakis – ATHENS, Greece — Greece’s Parliament passed an austerity and debt-relief bill on Monday as rioters in Athens looted shops and set buildings on fire. The austerity bill was
By Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune – CHICAGO — The Grammys cast aside their celebratory vibe Sunday to pay tribute to singer Whitney Houston, whose death over the weekend hung heavy over the 54th
K.J. Pilcher, CR Gazette – IHSAA STATE DUALS TOURNAMENT At Wells Fargo Arena (Des Moines) Wednesday, Feb. 15 CLASS 1A (Brackets) Quarterfinals 9 a.m. – #1 Clarion-Goldfield (17-1) vs. #8 West Branch