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News Headlines for September 22, 2026

Retired commercial photographer Ray Colby has donated a selection of his wildlife photographs, printed on canvas, for an online auction benefiting the MacNider museum
Top Stories

Nature photographer turns striking wildlife images into gift for Mason City’s MacNider museum

MASON CITY — A Minneapolis photographer who spent years turning his lens toward some of nature’s smallest creatures and biggest birds is now turning that work into a gift for Mason City’s Charles H. MacNider Art Museum.

Retired commercial photographer Ray Colby has donated a selection of his wildlife photographs, printed on canvas, for an online auction benefiting the MacNider museum.

The auction is already underway and will remain open until 6 p.m. Monday, September 29.

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North Iowa remembrance and obituary
Obits

Riceville native Michael Gaffey journeyed from one-room school to the stars

RICEVILLE — Michael J. Gaffey, 80, a Riceville native who became an internationally recognized planetary scientist, NASA mission participant and one of the world’s leading authorities on asteroids, died Sunday, September 20, 2026.

A private family service will be held. The public is invited to join Michael’s family at Goosey’s at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 24. His final resting place will be Calvary Cemetery in Elma.

Michael’s life carried him an extraordinary distance — from a one-room Iowa schoolhouse to work that helped scientists better understand objects moving through the solar system.

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Obits

Lyle Paine, 75, remembered by family from Iowa to London and Texas

MASON CITY — Lyle John Paine, 75, of Mason City, died Sunday, September 20, 2026, leaving behind his wife, siblings, stepdaughters, grandchildren and a wide circle of relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 26, at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third Street NE in Mason City. Visitation will be held at the chapel for one hour before the service, beginning at 10 a.m.

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Crime

Chicago felon gets 13 years for “massive” stolen Treasury check racket targeting Iowa banks

A Chicago felon who supplied recruits with stolen Treasury checks, fake identification and victims’ personal information to raid Eastern Iowa financial institutions has been sentenced to 13 years and four months in federal prison.

Tyrone Terrell Harris (pictured at top), 34, was sentenced September 9 after admitting his role in a scheme involving nearly $1.44 million in stolen or altered government checks. Federal prosecutors said Harris and his co-conspirators successfully pocketed $462,696.56 in taxpayer money.

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Top Stories

Iowa harvest bogs down as relentless rain leaves farmers waiting for fields to dry

DES MOINES — Iowa farmers had fewer than two days suitable for fieldwork last week as soaking rains slowed harvest, left more than a quarter of the state’s topsoil with surplus moisture and dumped nearly six inches on Fayette during one extended storm system.

Just 4 percent of Iowa corn and 2 percent of soybeans had been harvested through September 20, according to the USDA’s weekly Crop Progress and Condition Report released September 21. Both crops trailed last year’s harvest pace.

Farmers had only 1.7 days suitable for fieldwork during September 14–20, compared with 4.9 days during the same week last year.

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Top Stories

Waverly school scare lands male student in hot water with police

WAVERLY — A disturbing social media post circulated to Waverly-Shell Rock students Sunday evening prompted an investigation involving two law enforcement agencies and school officials, with police identifying a male juvenile as its author and announcing extra patrols for the week.

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Crime

Iowa child predator fled state and abandoned pets—now hammered with 27-year federal prison term

A twisted Iowa child predator who fled the state and abandoned his innocent pets while trying to escape the law has been dealt a brutal blow to his future: more than 27 years in federal prison with no possibility of parole.

An Iowa jury previously convicted this specimen of eight offenses connected to the sexual abuse of his then-girlfriend’s young daughter. The child was between 9 and 10 years old during the abuse. With investigators on his trail, he fled Iowa and left his pets trapped behind inside his home. Law enforcement officers later rescued the abandoned animals.

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Sports

Iowa Hawkeye volleyball steamrolls Central Arkansas, captures tournament title with fourth straight win

CORALVILLE — Iowa Hawkeye volleyball left little doubt Sunday afternoon, overwhelming Central Arkansas in straight sets to capture the Kwik Star Klassic championship and extend its winning streak to four matches.

The Hawkeyes rolled 25-12, 25-15, 25-14 at Xtream Arena on September 20, improving to 10-3 and matching their start from last season. The sweep was Iowa’s fifth of the year, while the four-match winning streak is its longest this season.

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Obits

Janice D. Campbell, 79, of Hampton, remembered as devoted mother and grandmother whose family spanned generations

HAMPTON — Janice D. Campbell, 79, of Hampton, died peacefully September 18, 2026, at Franklin Country View. She is remembered for her dedication to caring for her family and the love she shared with generations of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, September 23, at Woodley Funeral Home, 306 Central Avenue East in Hampton. Funeral services will begin at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 24, at the funeral home. A private burial ceremony will take place at Dumont Cemetery.

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Obits

Judy P. Fessler, 74, of Swaledale, remembered for her creativity, open home and love of family

SWALEDALE — Judy P. Fessler, 74, of Swaledale, died Saturday, September 19, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City. She is remembered for the family and friends she welcomed into her home, the things she made for those she loved, and the adventures she shared with her husband, Dick.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, September 24, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Avenue North in Clear Lake. The funeral service will begin there at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Clear Lake Cemetery.

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Sports

Iowa women’s basketball newcomer Dani Carnegie wins gold with Team USA in 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup

IOWA CITY — Dani Carnegie has yet to take the court for the Iowa Hawkeyes, but the talented guard is already bringing some international gold to Iowa City.

Carnegie helped the United States capture the women’s championship Saturday at the 2026 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup in Wuhan, China. Team USA defeated Canada, 15-10, in the gold-medal game to complete an unbeaten run through the tournament.

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Crime

Northern Iowa predator gets 25 years in prison for sexually exploiting minor

A Northern Iowa predator who admitted sexually exploiting a minor has been handed a 25-year prison sentence, with at least half of that time locked behind bars before he can become eligible for release.

Adam Lawrence Joseph (pictured at top), 39, of Fort Dodge, pleaded guilty in Boone County District Court to sexual exploitation of a minor, a Class B felony.

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Top Stories

Mason City firefighters invite families inside for hands-on Fire Prevention Open House

MASON CITY — Local children and families will have an opportunity to meet the people behind the helmets, explore fire safety and enjoy an afternoon inside the Mason City Fire Department during its 2026 Fire Prevention Open House.

The family-friendly event will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, October 11, at the Mason City Fire Department, 350 Fifth Street SW.

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Sports

UNI Panther volleyball overwhelms Wichita State with aces, blocks in four-set victory

CEDAR FALLS — UNI Panther volleyball unleashed a relentless service attack and a season-best blocking performance Saturday, September 19, knocking off Wichita State in four sets to complete a perfect home-opening weekend.

Northern Iowa defeated the Shockers 25-16, 26-28, 25-22 and 25-14, improving to 6-5 as the Panthers closed the non-conference portion of their schedule.

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Obits

Lois Zobel, 89, found happiness on the acreage, along trout streams and on the open road

IONIA — Lois Irene Zobel, 89, of Ionia, died Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Hillcrest Homes in Sumner, closing a life filled with family, hard work, country living and countless adventures with her husband of nearly 70 years.

In keeping with Lois’ wishes, she will be cremated and no formal services will be held at this time. Her family plans to gather privately at a later date.

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