- Protected: Northern Iowa sex offender nabbed in attempt to romance teen at hotel
- Protected: Wanted Mason City man who fled traffic stop finally caught in Worth county in possession of meth
- Protected: Three campers on fire at Clear Lake campground cause nearly $75,000 damage
News Headlines for September 7, 2026
Smug, repeat felony OWI offender nabbed again in North Iowa after prison, probation violations and years of drunk driving
MASON CITY — After felony drunk-driving convictions in two North Iowa counties, a five-year prison sentence, repeated probation violations and years of court intervention aimed at keeping her from driving impaired, Amber Ann Ward is accused of getting behind the wheel and doing it again.
Ward, 41, was nabbed by the Iowa State Patrol on Sunday, September 6, and booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail at 1:01 p.m. Her latest booking photo shows her smiling proudly, but the criminal history behind that image is considerably more serious: Ward has previously been convicted of felony third-or-subsequent OWI offenses in both Floyd and Cerro Gordo counties, has been convicted of driving while barred, has repeatedly violated probation and has previously been sent to prison.
County flags manure plan for large Thornton livestock operation near waterfowl protection area
MASON CITY — Cerro Gordo County officials are raising concerns about a manure management plan update tied to a large livestock operation near Thornton, citing the site’s proximity to a protected waterfowl area.
The report before the Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors concerns Balsam Beef & Bacon, formerly known as Luscombe Enterprises. The operation is located at 7442 Balsam Ave. in Thornton in Section 31 of Union Township.
According to the report prepared by the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health, the confinement unit has capacity for 3,550 finishing hogs and 250 cattle.
The annual manure production is listed at 907,025 gallons of liquid manure, which is stored in below-building pits, along with 2,717 tons of solid manure from bedded cattle barns.
Mason City seeks state money for Highway 122-South Taft improvements, new trail connection
MASON CITY — Mason City is pursuing state transportation money for improvements at the busy intersection of Iowa Highway 122 and South Taft Avenue, with Cerro Gordo County officials throwing their support behind the effort.
The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors is being asked to support two city funding applications tied to improvements at the western Mason City gateway.
UNI Panther soccer falls short at Western Illinois, 2-1
MACOMB — Freshman Ella McGinnis scored the first goal of her collegiate career during the closing minutes Sunday, but Northern Iowa could not complete the comeback in a 2-1 loss to Western Illinois at John MacKenzie Alumni Field.
The Leathernecks controlled much of the offensive action, outshooting the Panthers 18-13 and holding a 10-4 advantage in shots on goal.
Donald “Don” Walker, 70, Nora Springs, remembered for hard work, helping neighbors and love of family
NORA SPRINGS — Donald “Don” Dean Walker, 70, of Nora Springs, died Friday, September 4, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City surrounded by his family.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, September 12, at the Rock Falls Community Center, 3 S. Nottingham St. in Rock Falls. Don will be laid to rest at Rock Grove Cemetery in rural Nora Springs.
College Football: Cyclones roll past Southeast Missouri 38-10 as Jimmy Rogers wins Iowa State debut
AMES — The Jimmy Rogers era at Iowa State began with a convincing victory Saturday as the Cyclones overwhelmed Southeast Missouri, 38-10, in the 2026 season opener at Jack Trice Stadium.
After a 30-minute lightning delay, Iowa State jumped ahead 14-0 in the first quarter, carried a 28-7 advantage into halftime and never allowed the Redhawks to seriously threaten again. A crowd of 51,802 watched Iowa State open its 135th season of football with a win and improve to 1-0.
Hartman reaches 1,000 kills, but UNI volleyball falls in five-set heartbreaker at South Dakota
VERMILLION — Cassidy Hartman delivered one of the biggest performances of her UNI career Saturday, smashing a career-high 31 kills and joining Northern Iowa’s 1,000-kill club, but the Panthers couldn’t finish off South Dakota in a five-set thriller.
The Coyotes survived two UNI match points and escaped with a 25-22, 21-25, 19-25, 25-21, 17-15 victory in the final match of the 2026 South Dakota Classic.
UNI football goes silent in second half, falls to Eastern Washington, 34-24
CHENEY, WASHINGTON — Northern Iowa built a halftime lead behind three rushing touchdowns from quarterback Jaxon Dailey, but Eastern Washington shut out the Panthers in the second half and claimed a 34-24 victory Saturday, September 5.
The loss dropped UNI to 0-1 and extended the program’s struggles in the Evergreen State.
Convicted felon with revoked probation nabbed after suspicious-person call in Mason City
MASON CITY — A convicted felon whose probation was revoked and suspended prison sentence ordered imposed last year is back behind bars after a suspicious-person call in Mason City.
Iowa motorcyclist critically hurt after apparently blowing stop sign and smashing into parked vehicles
An Iowa motorcyclist was critically injured after he apparently ran a stop sign, entered a mobile home park and slammed into two parked vehicles early Saturday morning.
Daniel A. Van Note, 74, Garner, remembered for his North Iowa roots and years at Winnebago Industries
GARNER — Daniel A. Van Note, 74, of Garner, passed away Saturday, August 29, 2026, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center.
In accordance with Dan’s wishes, cremation will take place. No visitation or funeral services are planned.
Two dead, one injured in head-on crash near Osage
OSAGE — Two drivers were killed and a passenger was airlifted to a hospital after two vehicles collided head-on Friday afternoon in Mitchell County.
The Iowa State Patrol said the crash happened at approximately 4:05 p.m. September 4 at Kirkwood Avenue and 440th Street near Osage.
Eugene “Gene” Scott Thorne, 64, Cresco, remembered for service to country and devotion to family
CRESCO — Eugene “Gene” Scott Thorne, 64, of Cresco, died peacefully September 2, 2026, at The Highlands in Decorah surrounded by loved ones.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, at First Congregational Church, 130 3rd Ave. E. in Cresco, with Pastor Tim Sir officiating.
Iowa Hawkeye volleyball can’t slow Alabama attack, falls in four sets
The Crimson Tide knocked off Iowa 25-22, 21-25, 25-20, 25-18 inside the Newell-Grissom Building, dropping the Hawkeyes to 3-2 on the season.
UNI Panther volleyball rolls past Utah Valley in straight-set sweep
VERMILLION, SD — Northern Iowa spread the damage across its lineup Friday afternoon, pounding out 46 kills and stuffing Utah Valley at the net as the Panthers rolled to a straight-set victory over the defending Western Athletic Conference champions.
UNI defeated the Wolverines 25-20, 25-21 and 25-17 in its second match of the 2026 South Dakota Classic at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center.
Iowa Hawkeye field hockey crushes Lehigh 9-0 as Cellucci earns 150th win
IOWA CITY — Fourth-ranked Iowa Hawkeye field hockey overwhelmed Lehigh from start to finish Friday, rolling to a 9-0 shutout in its home opener while head coach Lisa Cellucci celebrated the 150th victory of her career.
Iowa completely smothered Lehigh’s attack, outshooting the Mountain Hawks 45-0 while getting goals from six different Hawkeyes.
James LeRoy Boos, 93, New Hampton, remembered for farming, family and life along the Mississippi River
NEW HAMPTON — James LeRoy “Jim” Boos, 93, of New Hampton, passed away peacefully Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Whispering Willow Assisted Living in Fredericksburg.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home and Crematory in New Hampton. Burial will follow at New Hampton City Cemetery.
Friends may greet the family from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 8, at the funeral home. Visitation will continue for one hour before Wednesday’s service.
Mark “Jack” Zweibahmer, 71, Milford, remembered for devotion to family, warm smile and Hawkeye spirit
MILFORD — Mark “Jack” Zweibahmer, 71, of Milford, died peacefully at his home on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 8, at Downtown Church, 2105 N Avenue in Milford. Interment will follow at Milford Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, September 7, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford.
College Soccer: Hawkeyes battle Kansas State to 1-1 draw in Iowa City
IOWA CITY — The University of Iowa women’s soccer team battled Kansas State to a 1-1 draw Thursday night at the Iowa Soccer Complex, with the Hawkeyes overcoming an early deficit and applying heavy pressure throughout the second half.
The draw moved Iowa to 4-1-1 on the season, while Kansas State remained unbeaten at 4-0-2.
Alleged drunken golf cart mishap leaves Northern Iowa suspect sprawled beside trail and later arrested
A Northern Iowa man has been arrested on an OWI charge nearly two months after authorities were called to a trail where a man was found lying on the ground next to a golf cart.
Chemical fumes trigger emergency at overcrowded Iowa prison; 19 staff and inmates evaluated
NEWTON — Chemical fumes from a roofing project triggered an emergency response at an Iowa prison this week, sending staff and incarcerated individuals for medical evaluation before officials ultimately declared the facility safe.
The Iowa Department of Corrections said Thursday that the September 2 incident at the Newton Correctional Facility was traced to fumes from a chemical adhesive being used by a third-party contractor during routine roofing construction.
Cerro Gordo supervisors accept $302,034 Rockwell site work, approve nearly $398,000 in claims
MASON CITY — Cerro Gordo County supervisors formally accepted completed site work at the Rockwell Secondary Roads Maintenance Facility, set a September public hearing on a proposed rural road vacation and approved nearly $398,000 in county claims during their Monday, August 31 meeting.
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