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News Headlines for October 14, 2026
Northern Iowa cops find wanted man helping pull wrecked vehicle from ditch, two face charges
A group of people attempting to pull a damaged vehicle out of a Northern Iowa ditch wound up attracting the attention of sheriff’s deputies Monday night, and one of those involved soon found himself headed to jail instead of home.
Northern Iowa pheasant hunters eye another strong season as opening day approaches October 31
DES MOINES — After a banner year that sent tens of thousands of hunters into Iowa’s fields and put more than half a million roosters in the bag, the state’s pheasant population appears ready to deliver another promising hunting season — particularly across Northern Iowa.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources announced that conditions are favorable for the 2026 pheasant season, which opens statewide Saturday, October 31.
Rare 16-acre prairie survives in Northern Iowa, drawing pheasant hunters and wildlife enthusiasts
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Along the Franklin-Butler County line, a small public hunting area protects something increasingly difficult to find in Iowa: 16 acres of original native prairie that have never been plowed.
The roughly 40-acre West Fork Prairie wildlife area attracts pheasant hunters throughout the season, but its remarkable feature is a former pasture that escaped cultivation because the ground was too difficult to farm. Today, that untouched remnant offers a surviving glimpse of Iowa’s original prairie landscape.
Bank of America slapped with $1.21 billion in penalties after federal investigators uncover $5 billion in suspicious transactions
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bank of America has been hit with more than $1.21 billion in federal penalties after investigators uncovered sweeping failures in the banking giant’s anti-money laundering operations, including more than $5 billion in suspicious transactions that were not reported to authorities on time.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the enforcement actions Tuesday, October 13, 2026, accusing the nation’s second-largest bank of maintaining ineffective financial crime safeguards despite years of warnings and previous regulatory intervention.
Northern Iowa farmers race to catch up as corn and soybean harvest falls weeks behind normal pace
Iowa farmers are making up lost ground after weeks of heavy rainfall disrupted the fall harvest, but the latest agricultural figures reveal just how far behind the state’s two biggest crops remain as October moves toward its midpoint.
Only 14 percent of Iowa’s corn crop and 31 percent of its soybean crop had been harvested as of Sunday, October 11, according to the USDA’s latest Crop Progress and Condition Report, released Tuesday, October 13.
Cerro Gordo supervisors shift $2.6 million, review manure plan and approve $327,653 in claims
MASON CITY — Cerro Gordo County supervisors moved $2.6 million between county funds, approved a rural zoning change and authorized a drainage inspection in a seven-minute meeting Monday, October 12, 2026. The board also forwarded a manure management review involving a Northern Iowa hog operation to state regulators and approved $327,652.96 in itemized county claims.
Worth County supervisors advance $6 million borrowing plan for new administration building, approve $1.3 million in bills
NORTHWOOD — Worth County supervisors took another major step toward financing a new county administration building Monday, October 12, 2026, unanimously approving a resolution that advances plans to issue up to $6 million in general obligation bonds while also approving more than $1.3 million in county and drainage claims.
Roselia Hernandez-Urbina, 70, of Belmond, leaves a lifetime of love, faith and devotion to family
BELMOND — Roselia “Rosa” Hernandez-Urbina, 70, of Belmond, passed away Monday, October 12, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City, leaving behind a family strengthened by her generosity, unwavering Catholic faith and lifelong devotion to those she loved.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, October 16, at 11 a.m. at Epiphany Parish – St. Joseph Catholic Church, 300 5th Street SE, Mason City, with the Rev. Peter Binder officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City. Visitation and public viewing will take place Friday at the church from 9 to 11 a.m.
Iowa State women’s basketball legend Bill Fennelly announces retirement after 2026-27 season
AMES — One of the most remarkable coaching careers in Iowa college basketball history is coming to an end.
Bill Fennelly, the winningest coach in Iowa State athletics history, announced Monday, October 12, 2026, that he will retire following the 2026-27 women’s basketball season, bringing an extraordinary 39-year head coaching career to a close.
Harold A. Parker, 94, of Manly, built a life of hard work, service and devotion to family
MANLY — Harold A. Parker, 94, of Manly, passed away Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Deery Suites at Western Home Communities in Cedar Falls, leaving behind a legacy of service to Iowa’s farming communities, a deep commitment to family and a lifetime of friendships built along the way.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, October 17, at 10:30 a.m. at Bethel United Methodist Church, 503 S. East Street in Manly, with the Rev. Cory Allard officiating. A time of fellowship will follow at the church, with burial expected at approximately 3 p.m. at Highland Township Cemetery near Churdan.
Visitation will take place Friday, October 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bride Colonial Chapel, 110 E. Spring Street in Manly. Additional visitation will be held Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.
Northern Iowa rollover sends two to hospital after driver swerves for deer
MASON CITY — A deer in the roadway sent a car into a ditch and rolling Sunday night, leaving two Mason City residents needing hospital treatment.
Sharon Kay Petersen, 85, of Clear Lake, filled 66 years of marriage with love, laughter and family traditions
CLEAR LAKE — Sharon Kay (Miller) Petersen, 85, a longtime Clear Lake resident whose home was a gathering place for family, friends and unforgettable Sunday fried chicken dinners, passed away Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Westview Care Center in Indianola. Her life was marked by 66 years of marriage, devotion to her children and grandchildren, and the simple pleasures of sharing good food and conversation with those she loved.
Visitation will be held Sunday, October 18, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Overton Funeral Home, 501 W. Ashland Avenue in Indianola. A second visitation will take place Tuesday, October 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Avenue North in Clear Lake.
A celebration of Sharon’s life will be held Wednesday, October 21, at 10:30 a.m. at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel in Clear Lake, with a gathering beginning at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Clear Lake Municipal Cemetery.
Marcella Mae Zabel, 88, of Fredericksburg, built a lifetime of family memories on the farm she called home
FREDERICKSBURG — Marcella Mae Zabel, 88, of Fredericksburg, a devoted mother and grandmother whose life was filled with family traditions, hard work and the simple joys of country living, passed away Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Community Memorial Hospital in Sumner. From her years on the family farm to the countless hours she spent baking, quilting and teaching her grandchildren, Marcella leaves behind generations of cherished memories.
Funeral services will be held Friday, October 16, at 11 a.m. at Peace United Church of Christ in Fredericksburg, with the Rev. Scott Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Fredericksburg.
Visitation will take place Thursday, October 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Fredericksburg. Additional visitation will be held Friday at the church beginning one hour before the funeral service.
Robert “Bob” Dahl, 65, of Mason City, leaves a legacy of laughter, kindness and devotion to family
MASON CITY — Robert “Bob” Lawrence Dahl, 65, of Mason City, passed away Sunday, October 11, 2026, surrounded by his loving family at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center. A gifted mathematician, talented artist, devoted son and beloved brother, Bob will be remembered for his remarkable sense of humor, compassionate heart and ability to make even an ordinary conversation unforgettable.
A private family celebration of Bob’s life has already been held. Memorial contributions may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City, where Bob was baptized and confirmed.
Northern Iowa man convicted of possessing child pornography
A Northern Iowa man is now convicted of possessing child pornography after investigators found more than 10,000 images and 1,000 videos of child sexual abuse material on electronic devices seized from his home, federal prosecutors said.
Local suspect with bad driving history nabbed by Mason City police on second-offense OWI charge
MASON CITY — Mason City police took a potentially dangerous driver with a dubious record off local roads Saturday night, nabbing a suspect with fresh accusations of drunk driving, reckless driving and speeding at least 21 mph over the limit.
The latest traffic stop involving Cesar Ivan Trasvina, 27, was at 9:31 p.m. October 10, 2026, near 18 Seventh Street SE in Mason City. By 10:15 p.m., Trasvina was booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail, according to the sheriff’s jail report. Police listed a swath of charges, including second-offense operating while intoxicated, reckless driving, excessive speed, interference with official acts, failure to provide proof of financial liability, driving with a denied, suspended, canceled or revoked license, and improper use of auxiliary driving lights.
Four injured in three-vehicle collision involving semi at Iowa highway intersection, one airlifted
CLAYTON COUNTY — A 77-year-old driver, a 72-year-old woman and two Waverly residents were injured Saturday morning, October 10, 2026, when a Subaru, a pickup truck and a semitrailer collided at a northeast Iowa highway intersection, leaving wrecked vehicles blocking the roadway and sending one victim to a hospital by helicopter.
Fred Henry Elling, 85, leaves a lasting legacy on the Latimer family farm and in the community he loved
LATIMER — Fred Henry Elling, 85, of Latimer, Iowa, died Saturday, October 10, 2026, at his home, leaving behind a legacy of farming, family, faith and service to the Franklin County community where he spent nearly his entire life.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 14, at Immanuel United Church of Christ, 204 East Street in Latimer. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church and continue until the service. Burial will follow at Hampton Cemetery in Hampton.
Convicted sex offender with violent past nabbed again in Mason City
MASON CITY — A convicted sex offender with a history of felony domestic abuse convictions, prison sentences and trouble obeying Iowa’s sex offender registration laws has landed back behind bars in Mason City, adding another chapter to a criminal record stretching back more than a decade.
Gregory Lloyd Lobato, 37, has already received prison sentences for felony domestic abuse convictions and a previous sex offender registration violation. Court records document criminal proceedings in multiple Iowa counties.
Now, just weeks after registering a Mason City address, Lobato is accused of breaking the law again.
Iowa women’s soccer falls to No. 13 Washington in heartbreaking 2-1 Big Ten road battle
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON — Iowa women’s soccer battled No. 13 Washington on Thursday night, October 8, 2026, but a second-half goal gave the Huskies a 2-1 Big Ten victory at Husky Soccer Stadium.
The Hawkeyes rallied from an early deficit when Sara Batchadji converted a free kick in the first half. Washington’s Avery Nguyen scored the decisive goal in the 68th minute. Iowa fell to 6-4-4 overall and 1-3-3 in conference play, while Washington improved to 10-1-2 and 5-1-1 in the Big Ten.
Iowa baseball slugs past Kansas 15-10 in 16-inning Field of Dreams showdown
DYERSVILLE — The Iowa Hawkeyes brought plenty of offensive fireworks to the Field of Dreams on Saturday, October 10, 2026, overcoming an early deficit to beat Kansas 15-10 in a scheduled 16-inning fall baseball exhibition.
Myles Davis led Iowa with a grand slam, a triple and six RBIs as the Hawkeyes closed their fall exhibition schedule with 10 hits, 14 walks and three home runs.
UNI volleyball survives Southern Illinois scare, extends conference winning streak to 66
CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS — Northern Iowa volleyball dropped its first set in Missouri Valley Conference play this season but recovered to defeat Southern Illinois 3-1 on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Davies Gym.
The Panthers won 25-17, 23-25, 25-13 and 25-15 to improve to 6-0 in MVC play. UNI finished with a .305 hitting percentage, 61 kills, nine blocks and five service aces, according to the university’s preliminary statistics.
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