Founded in 2010
News & Entertainment for Mason City, Clear Lake & the Entire North Iowa Region
CHICAGO, May 22 (UPI) — Linebacker Brian Urlacher, a five-time All-Pro selection, announced his retirement from the NFL Wednesday after 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears. Urlacher, who turns 36 Saturday, played
BEIRUT, Lebanon, May 22 (UPI) — The seizure of Syrian oil fields by jihadist rebels of the al-Nusra Front could accelerate the breakup of Syria amid a conflict-driven reshaping of the Middle
ATLANTA, May 22 (UPI) — Evan Gattis hit a grand slam home run to close a five-run fourth inning for Atlanta Wednesday in the Braves’ 8-3 interleague win over Minnesota. It was
MOORE, Okla., May 22 (UPI) — Cleanup crews fanned out Wednesday across Moore, Okla., devastated by a tornado that killed at least 24 people Monday. Initial Oklahoma Insurance Department estimates pegged damage
CHARDON, Ohio, May 22 (UPI) — The families of three students killed in an Ohio school shooting have sued United Way over its distribution of the Chardon Healing Fund. The lawsuit filed
ST. PAUL, Minn., May 22 (UPI) — One child was killed and one was missing after rain-soaked soil gave way in a St. Paul, Minn., park where children were hunting for fossils,
BAGHDAD, May 22 (UPI) — At least 12 people were killed Wednesday when gunmen opened fire inside a brothel in Baghdad, officials said. The victims included five men and seven women who
WASHINGTON, May 22 (UPI) — The Obama administration said Wednesday U.S. drones killed four Americans in airstrikes in Yemen and Pakistan. The disclosure came in a letter U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder
NEW YORK, May 22 (UPI) — U.S. stock indexes turned down Wednesday following comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. In a prepared statement to the Joint House and Senate Economic Committee,
“We would like to thank everybody who took the time from their busy lives to help search for Kathlynn. To see so much love in our community and the surrounding areas is
(DES MOINES) – The Branstad/Reynolds Administration today announced an innovative summer social media contest hosted by the Iowa Finance Authority, Iowa Association of Realtors, Iowa Home Ownership Education Project and the Iowa
MASON CITY – Norman Owein Erlacher, age 59, was last seen around 8:00 pm Monday night, wearing blue jeans and a sweatshirt, at his residence at the 600 block of South Van
MASON CITY – A public forum was held at the Mason City council meeting Tuesday night. All three speakers ripped the council and Mayor Eric Bookmeyer for allowing Robin Anderson to destroy
Webster County, IOWA — Investigators and search parties have gained additional information surrounding the abduction and subsequent search for Kathlynn Shepard. Most significantly, a search team of law enforcement and K9s located
MASON CITY – On April 14, 2013, 7:30 p.m. the sheriff’s office responded to an assault-taking place in Rockwell. Because of the investigation, warrants have been issued for the suspect in the
MASON CITY – Law enforcement was called to a Mason City convenience store Monday for an “uncooperative shoplifter.” According to law enforcement, Peggy Sue Oconnell, 54, of Rake, Iowa was arrested at
Webster County, IOWA — More than 120 officers and 200 first responders and volunteers searched throughout the day in Webster, Boone and Hamilton Counties, trying to locate 15 year old Kathlynn Shepard.
MASON CITY – Agents with the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation converged on a Mason City residence Wednesday morning. Unmarked law enforcement vehicles, 5 in total, were parked at the 1500 block
MASON CITY – The Mason City Council approved an economic package worth about $72,500 in forgivable loans for a call center on the city’s west side. The company, called WS Live, headquartered
COCOA BEACH, Fla., May 23 (UPI) — Three men could face federal wildlife abuse charges after a video showed a man jumping onto two manatees in a South Florida canal, officials say.
WASHINGTON, May 21 (UPI) — A member of Congress who led an investigation into the BP oil spill in 2010 expressed outrage that a judge threw out a charge against a former
CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 21 (UPI) — It took scores of investigators to track down a South Carolina man accused of masterminding the theft of more than $600,000 from Walmart stores, officials said.
WASHINGTON, May 21 (UPI) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the freedom to profess and practice one’s faith is the birthright of every human being, not just an American invention.
BALTIMORE, May 21 (UPI) — A burglar broke into the suburban Baltimore home of Ravens running back Ray Rice, Baltimore County police said. Surveillance video shows a man entering Rice’s Reisterstown house
MONTPELIER, Vt., May 21 (UPI) — Doctors may prescribe lethal doses of medication to terminally ill patients under provisions of a bill signed into law by Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin. When he
WAYNE, W.Va., May 21 (UPI) — The 20 students who allegedly broke into their West Virginia school as part of a senior prank will not be allowed to participate in graduation, officials
PORTLAND, Ore., May 21 (UPI) — Two brothers charge NBA Rookie of the Year Damian Lillard stood by while members of his entourage beat them up for taking Lillard’s picture. Jermaine Ulinwa
WASHINGTON, May 21 (UPI) — The depletion of groundwater from one of the largest aquifers in the United States since 2001 was faster than during the entire 20th century, the USGS finds.
by Jody Spear – MASON CITY – Around 8:45 AM Tuesday, the Mason City Fire Department was dispatched to the Cerro Gordo Court House, located at 220 N. Washington. All personnel was evacuated while
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla., May 21 (UPI) — A Florida woman accused of faking her sons’ deaths so she could receive aid from a Port Charlotte church will serve three years of probation
ROANOKE, Va., May 21 (UPI) — ITT Exelis has received a $48 million follow-on order from the U.S. Army for enhanced night vision goggles. The order, which is expected to be completed
NEW YORK, May 21 (UPI) — Former first daughter Caroline Kennedy served on a New York jury that acquitted a Harlem man of selling drugs to an undercover police officer. Nelson Chatman
WASHINGTON – A study by U.S. Pirg, the non-profit federation of state groups, finds total miles driven by Americans peaked in 2007 and will decline as baby boomers retire and millennials —
NORTHAMPTON, Pa., May 21 (UPI) — An American soldier whose remains were recovered seven decades after he died during World War II will be buried with family in Pennsylvania, officials say. U.S.
LOS ANGELES, May 21 (UPI) — U.S. Customs officials at Los Angeles International Airport said they confiscated a dead monkey, elephant meat and illegal handbags made of reptile skin. Airport officials said
NEW YORK, May 21 (UPI) — The judge hearing the lawsuit filed against the New York Police Department’s stop-and-frisk practices indicated she doesn’t think the policy is effective. However, effectiveness is not
ATLANTA, May 21 (UPI) — Teen rapper Chief Keef was arrested in DeKalb County, Ga., for disorderly conduct after he was allegedly caught smoking pot at a hotel, TMZ said. “Jus Got
KABUL, Afghanistan, May 21 (UPI) — An explosion in Herat province Tuesday killed seven police officers while at least 23 militants died in clashes in Helmand province, Afghan officials said. Provincial officials