- Protected: Dougherty woman claims innocence after alleged drunk van voyage through farm field near Rockwell
- Protected: Minnesota man races into North Iowa, leading cops on high-speed chase
- Protected: Florida man who terrorized patrons at Charles City hotel by firing gun through walls skips out on court appearance, now wanted on warrant
News Headlines for August 13, 2026
Cops nab alleged squatters in vacant Mason City apartment; pair linked to Cedar Falls organized retail theft cases
MASON CITY — A broken window at a supposedly vacant Mason City apartment led police Thursday morning to two alleged squatters holed up inside, including a repeat theft defendant already tangled in criminal cases stretching from Mason City to Cedar Falls. Tristan Gerard Hillhouse and Emily Jo Kellogg were collared inside the apartment at 123 S. Monroe Avenue, with Hillhouse already wanted on a $2,000 cash warrant and facing pending accusations that include organized retail theft, a Mason City Menards theft, domestic abuse assault and other alleged criminal activity.
Urgent search underway for missing 91-year-old Northern Iowa man
LELAND — Authorities are asking the public to help locate a 91-year-old rural Leland man who disappeared along with his vehicle and may not have his cellular phone.
The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office issued the public appeal Wednesday, August 12, 2026, while searching for Ralph Westerberg.
Westerberg was last seen by family members Monday evening, August 10.
Iowa pours another $2 million in taxpayer-backed grants into ethanol and biodiesel pumps
DES MOINES — Iowa is directing more than $2 million in public cost-share money to private fuel retailers for 38 projects intended to increase sales of E15 ethanol and biodiesel.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced Thursday, August 7, 2026, that the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program Board approved the grants during its July 29 meeting.
The latest spending package includes:
24 E15 projects receiving $1,426,732.11
14 biodiesel projects receiving $604,212.84
Total public cost-share awards of $2,030,944.95
Cerro Gordo supervisors seek road-worker safety funding, approve $865,574 in claims
MASON CITY — Cerro Gordo County supervisors endorsed a state funding application for new road-work safety equipment, approved four employee pay changes and designated three publications as the county’s official newspapers during a brief meeting Monday, August 10, 2026.
Heavy rain soaks Northern Iowa as crops remain strong, but drought grips western counties
DES MOINES — Heavy rain delivered more than two inches of moisture to portions of Northern Iowa during the week ending Sunday, August 9, 2026, while statewide corn and soybean crops remained overwhelmingly rated in good-to-excellent condition.
Patricia Ann “Patti” Lauck, 73, of Algona, remembered for her generous heart, laughter and big hugs
ALGONA — Patricia Ann “Patti” Lauck, 73, of Algona, a loving mother and grandmother remembered for her humor, optimism and kindness, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
Graveside services are tentatively scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026. Additional service and burial details will be announced when arrangements are finalized.
Worth supervisors hire $60,000 maintenance coordinator, approve $732,895 in claims at August 10 meeting
NORTHWOOD — The Worth County Board of Supervisors approved a new facility maintenance coordinator, appointed a deputy treasurer, entered a five-year auditing agreement and authorized $732,894.88 in county claims during its meeting on Monday, August 10, 2026.
Alert passerby helps occupant escape early-morning Mason City house fire
MASON CITY — A watchful passerby discovered an early-morning house fire in Mason City, alerted the person inside and called 911 before firefighters arrived Monday, August 10, 2026.
Four injured, including 5-year-old, after SUV turns into path of truck hauling horse trailer
Four people, including a 5-year-old child, were injured early Friday when an SUV allegedly crossed into the path of a heavy-duty pickup pulling a horse trailer on a remote Iowa highway.
DeLoss Bruce Baker, 96, of Mason City, remembered for faithful service, craftsmanship and devotion to family
MASON CITY — DeLoss Bruce Baker, 96, of Mason City, a United States Navy veteran, skilled craftsman and devoted church servant, passed away peacefully Sunday, August 9, 2026, in Mason City.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Christ’s Church, 710 N. Kentucky Avenue in Mason City, with Pastor Curt Gallmeyer officiating.
Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at the church.
Jim Beaver, 95 of Spirit Lake, remembered as hardworking family man and legendary local fisherman
SPIRIT LAKE — James Richard “Jim” Beaver, 95, of Spirit Lake, a hardworking Iowa native, devoted family man and avid fisherman who became a familiar sight along the waters of Spirit Lake, died Saturday, August 8, 2026, at his home.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, August 14, at Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel, 401 N. Seventh St. in Estherville.
Iowa man dies in violent crash while allegedly fleeing deputies
A 34-year-old Iowa man was killed Saturday night after authorities say he sped away from deputies, blew through a stop sign and crashed off the roadway.
Gregory Paul Rayhons, 65, of Garner, remembered as devoted farmer, family man and servant of faith
GARNER — Gregory Paul Rayhons, 65, of Garner, a devoted husband, father and grandfather whose faith and love of farming guided his life, passed away Saturday, August 8, 2026, surrounded by his family.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 14, 2026, at St. Boniface Catholic Church, 660 Bush Avenue in Garner.
Burial will follow at St. Boniface Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit.
Northern Iowa stabbing suspect collared after bloody late-night fight
FORT DODGE — A late-night fight outside a Fort Dodge convenience store ended with an 18-year-old man suffering a serious arm wound and a Bayard man behind bars on a felony assault charge.
Massive Iowa wildlife area offers year-round escape just off Interstate 35
An easily accessible 2,300-acre wildlife area about an hour south of Des Moines offers year-round opportunities for hunting, hiking, birdwatching, fishing, mushroom hunting and exploring restored prairie.
Rose Marie “Rosie” Kruger, 90 of Northwood, remembered for her giving heart, beautiful gardens and devotion to family
NORTHWOOD — Rose Marie “Rosie” Kruger, 90, of Northwood, a devoted mother, longtime church choir member and gifted gardener whose kindness touched generations of family and friends, died Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society in St. Ansgar.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 8, at First Lutheran Church, 309 N. Ninth St. in Northwood, with Pastor Becky Sogge officiating. Visitation was held for one hour before the service at the church. Rosie was laid to rest at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City.
Mark Leonard Tieskotter, 77 of Lime Springs, remembered for hard work, community service and love of family
LIME SPRINGS — Mark Leonard Tieskotter, 77, of Lime Springs, a hardworking family man who spent years farming, working in manufacturing and serving his community, died Friday, August 7, 2026, at WinnMed Hospital in Decorah.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 12, at Notre Dame Parish, 223 Second Ave. E. in Cresco, with the Rev. Jon Seda celebrating the Mass.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 11, at Notre Dame Parish, with a Rosary beginning at 4 p.m. Visitation will continue for one hour before the Mass on Wednesday.
Northern Iowa lake and marsh offer fishing, hunting, paddling and glimpse of original prairie
ARMSTRONG — Two neighboring public areas along the Iowa-Minnesota border offer visitors a chance to fish, hunt, camp, paddle and explore a landscape resembling the prairie encountered by Iowa’s earliest settlers.
Lake Iowa and Lake Iowa Marsh are located north of Armstrong along Iowa Highway 15. Although the two public areas are nearly identical in shape and size, they are separate water systems with distinctly different habitats.
Motor home erupts in flames at Kossuth County Fair; dog rescued but cat dies
ALGONA — A motor home erupted in flames along the midway at the Kossuth County Fair on Friday, forcing authorities to evacuate the area as firefighters battled thick smoke and flames.
Northern Iowa truck driver escapes injury after dump truck collides with train in Charles City
CHARLES CITY — A Northern Iowa truck driver escaped injury Thursday afternoon after the construction truck he was driving collided with a moving Canadian Pacific train at a railroad crossing in Charles City.
Gov. Reynolds names Martin Noven to lead Iowa’s $47 billion IPERS retirement system
DES MOINES — Gov. Kim Reynolds has appointed veteran public pension executive Martin Noven as the next chief executive officer of the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System, placing him in charge of the retirement system relied upon by hundreds of thousands of Iowa public employees and retirees.
Noven’s appointment will take effect August 24, 2026.
Elaine Le Nore Honeck, 102, formerly of Mason City, remembered for remarkable work ethic, faith and devotion to family
MASON CITY — Elaine Le Nore Honeck, 102, a former Mason City resident whose long life was marked by hard work, faith, family and an enduring desire to stay active, died peacefully Thursday, August 6, 2026, at StoneBridge Senior Living in Chillicothe, Missouri.
Funeral services were held Saturday, August 8, at Lindley Funeral Home in Chillicothe.
Elaine’s final resting place will be Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, 1224 South Washington Avenue in Mason City.
SEARCH NIT NEWS…
Discover TopEssayWriting – best essay writing service with expert writers for all academic needs.
Contact TarotAtlas for accurate online tarot readings from trusted, top-rated experts.
Visit StateOfWriting for top-notch online custom writing services in the UK.
JMetro Cleaning, LLC: Licensed & insured cleaning company in Allison, Iowa. Serving a 50-mile radius.
Call: 712-832-0275 or Send Email