- Protected: Plymouth man cited after two-vehicle accident Wednesday
- Protected: Iowa man sentenced to 50 years in prison for killing his cousin
- Protected: Possible drug dealers leave marijuana pipe next to car tire, leading to their arrest
News Headlines for October 2, 2026
Drug-and-booze party busted in rural Northern Iowa; drone hunts down fleeing revelers, 3 arrested
An alleged underage drug-and-alcohol party drawing roughly 50 people to a remote Northern Iowa property was busted by law enforcement after deputies secured a narcotics search warrant, with a drone deployed to hunt down partygoers who allegedly fled the scene.
Grassley says “deranged” Jack Smith ensnared Osage donor and scores of Iowans in subpoena dragnet
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley is sounding the alarm after whistleblower records showed former Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation obtained thousands of personal donor checks from Americans who gave money to President Donald Trump and Republican-aligned organizations — including 42 people from Iowa and at least one northern Iowa resident from Osage.
Grassley singled out the Osage donor after learning the person contributed just $10 to Trump.
According to Grassley, Smith’s team subpoenaed the personal check, placing information including the donor’s home address and banking information into the hands of federal investigators.
North Iowa entrepreneurs honored as 2026 Pappajohn Gala crowns top businesses, innovators and rising stars
MASON CITY — North Iowa’s business community took center stage September 24 as entrepreneurs, established companies, innovators and student business owners were honored during the 2026 Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City.
The annual event recognized standout businesses and entrepreneurs from across the region in several categories, while also presenting special awards for long-term impact and community leadership.
Iowa Hawkeye volleyball pushed to five sets before Maryland finishes the job
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Iowa Hawkeye volleyball battled through a wild five-set Big Ten match Thursday night but could not finish off Maryland, falling 20-25, 25-13, 22-25, 25-19, 10-15 inside Schanwald Pavilion.
The loss dropped Iowa to 12-5 overall and 1-2 in Big Ten play.
The match featured a staggering 48 ties and 21 lead changes, with Iowa repeatedly fighting its way back before Maryland finally pulled away in the fifth set.
Chicago solar company seeks permission to invade Cerro Gordo County drainage districts for massive 500 MW project
MASON CITY — A Chicago-based solar developer is asking Cerro Gordo County for permission to cross and use portions of several county drainage districts as it advances plans for a massive utility-scale solar project capable of generating up to 500 megawatts.
River City Energy, LLC, a Delaware-organized company with its principal office in Chicago, is seeking right-of-way easements involving Drainage Districts 19, 21, 45 and 71.
The application says underground electrical infrastructure tied to the project could cross drainage rights-of-way through excavation, directional boring or trenching.
Iowa Falls seeks permission to draw up to 50 million gallons a year from Iowa River for recreational waterfall
IOWA FALLS — The City of Iowa Falls is asking the state for permission to withdraw as much as 50 million gallons of water each year from the Iowa River to help maintain a recreational waterfall, a sizable increase from the city’s current annual allotment.
The proposed modification to Iowa Falls’ water-use permit would raise the city’s authorized annual withdrawal from 36 million gallons to 50 million gallons, an increase of 14 million gallons, or nearly 39 percent.
The request comes as water availability continues to draw attention across Iowa.
Lake Mills landfill operator hit with $30,000 in Iowa DNR penalties after repeated litter, cover violations
LAKE MILLS — A Northern Iowa landfill operator has been hit with $30,000 in state penalties after Iowa environmental regulators documented repeated problems with uncovered waste and windblown garbage, including litter reaching neighboring property and a cattle shed.
Central Disposal Systems, Inc., which operates a municipal solid waste landfill at 21265 430th Street near Lake Mills, entered into three separate administrative consent orders with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Each carries a $10,000 penalty and requires the company to comply with Iowa solid waste laws and daily cover requirements.
The penalties concern violations tied to May 20, 2025, February 18, 2026 and February 20, 2026.
Iowa State soccer fights back against Utah, earns first Big 12 point in 1-1 draw
AMES — Iowa State soccer finally broke into the Big 12 points column Thursday night, battling back from an early deficit and earning a 1-1 draw against Utah at the Cyclone Soccer Complex.
UNI volleyball sweeps Illinois State, stretches MVC regular-season winning streak to 55
NORMAL, ILL. — UNI volleyball survived an opening-set fight from Illinois State, then took command Thursday night to sweep the Redbirds and extend one of the most impressive conference winning streaks in Division I volleyball.
Northern Iowa defeated Illinois State 25-23, 25-18 and 25-20 at CEFCU Arena, improving to 9-5 overall and 3-0 in Missouri Valley Conference play.
Lyle Kenneth Murl Jr., 92, leaves a legacy of hard work, family and a life well lived in Mason City
Lyle Kenneth Murl Jr., 92, of Mason City, passed away Sunday, September 27, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center, surrounded by his children.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, October 2, at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St. NE in Mason City. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City.
Sheila R. Malek, 76, built a life around family, faith and caring for others
MASON CITY — Sheila R. Malek, 76, of Mason City, passed away Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at her home under the care of Mercy Hospice.
Visitation will be held Friday, October 2, from 5 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St. NE in Mason City. A Scriptural Wake service will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Jaqueline “Jackie” Ritter, 94, leaves a legacy of family, farm life and handmade blankets
Jacqueline “Jackie” Ritter, 94, of Charles City, passed away Sunday, September 27, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City with her family by her side.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 3, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Charles City, with Reverend Ray Atwood officiating. Visitation will begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until the start of the service. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Charles City.
Man found dead on ground in Northern Iowa state park; cause of death remains mystery
ESTHERVILLE — A 26-year-old man found dead on the ground inside a Northern Iowa state park has been identified, but authorities say the cause and manner of his death remain undetermined as they await additional medical testing.
The Emmet County Communications Center received a 911 call at approximately 8:54 a.m. on September 11 reporting an unresponsive man lying on the ground at Fort Defiance State Park near Estherville.
Pedestrian critically injured after being struck by train in Iowa
An early-morning train collision in Iowa left a pedestrian with critical injuries Wednesday after emergency crews rushed to a railroad crossing in Ames.
James “Jim” McCrea leaves a legacy of family, faith, community service and Hawkeye pride
MILFORD — James Roger “Jim” McCrea passed away on September 28, 2026, following a brief battle with cancer, surrounded peacefully by his family.
A visitation will be held Friday, October 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Turner Jenness Funeral Home, 1101 10th Street in Milford. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 3, beginning at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2300 27th Street in Spirit Lake, with lunch to follow. In Jim’s honor, those attending are encouraged to dress in golf-casual attire with a Hawkeye theme.
17-year-old Iowa pedestrian killed after SUV driven by 15-year-old strikes him in roadway
A tragic Sunday evening collision in central Iowa claimed the life of a 17-year-old pedestrian after authorities say he was struck by an SUV driven by a 15-year-old.
Mark Larsen, 73, leaves a legacy of farming, service and the precious gift of nine more years
RINGSTED — Mark Richard Larsen, 73, passed away September 26, 2026, at his rural Ringsted home, lovingly surrounded by his wife and children.
Visitation will be held Monday, October 5, from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the Ringsted Community Center/American Legion, 5 W. Maple St. in Ringsted. A service will follow there at 5:30 p.m.
Merlin Christensen, 86, leaves a legacy rooted in family, farming and Northern Iowa agriculture
OSAGE — Merlin Christensen, 86, passed away Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Mayo Clinic Health Services in Rochester, Minnesota, surrounded during his final days by his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Thursday, October 1, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 218 S. 12th St. in Osage. A memorial service will be held Friday, October 2, at 11:00 a.m. at the church. There will be no formal visitation Friday morning.
Special session called as Iowa races to reshape MEGA program for massive $15 billion steel project
DES MOINES — Iowa lawmakers are being called back to the State Capitol for a rare special session Friday as state leaders move quickly to alter a major economic development program for the enormous $15 billion steel complex planned for southeast Iowa.
Gov. Kim Reynolds will convene the Iowa General Assembly at 8:30 a.m. Friday, October 2, with what her office described as the “sole and singular purpose” of amending the state’s Major Economic Growth Attraction, or MEGA, program.
Winnebago County eyes new rules for data centers, solar and battery fields as officials raise water, road and electric-rate concerns
FOREST CITY — Winnebago County leaders are considering changes to county zoning rules aimed at some of the biggest and fastest-growing development issues facing rural Iowa, including data centers, large solar developments, battery fields and cryptocurrency operations.
Supervisor Terry Durby raised the issue during the September 22 meeting of the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors, discussing possible changes to the county’s zoning ordinance to specifically address solar, battery fields, crypto operations and data centers.
Fort Dodge gunfire leaves man dead, two wounded as accused killer allegedly shoots at cop
FORT DODGE — A barrage of gunfire outside a Fort Dodge bar left a 27-year-old man dead and two other men riddled with or struck by bullets, while the accused gunman allegedly opened fire on a police officer before making a run for it.
$1 million study blames booze, smoking and obesity for much of Iowa’s cancer excess
IOWA CITY — Booze may be helping fuel Iowa’s alarming cancer problem, along with smoking and obesity, as a major $1 million state investigation says researchers can now account for roughly 76% of Iowa’s excess cancer burden through behavioral and demographic factors.
Binge drinking, smoking and obesity emerged as key behavioral factors in the Cancer Drivers in Iowa project, a state-funded investigation undertaken by Iowa Health and Human Services and the University of Iowa College of Public Health as Iowa continues to suffer the second-highest rate of new cancer cases in the United States.
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