- Protected: Forest City man ejected from rolling vehicle, then helicoptered to Mercy Hospital
- Protected: Meth-toting woman arrested for stealing from a car at Diamond Jo Casino parking lot
- Protected: Iowa Falls woman caught in Clarksville with meth, charged with felony
News Headlines for February 5, 2026
MercyOne North Iowa in Mason City to shed 34 employees
MASON CITY – Scores of employees are being told to hit the trail at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City.
Waterloo meth dealer gets two decades in the slammer
CEDAR RAPIDS – A Waterloo woman meth trafficker was sentenced February 4, 2026, to 20 years in federal prison.
College Basketball: Iowa 84, Washington 74
SEATTLE, EASHINGTON – Iowa (17-5, 7-4 B1G) outlasted Washington (12-11, 4-8 B1G) Thursday night in Seattle’s Alaska Airlines Arena, 84-74, in the Hawkeyes’ fifth-straight conference win.
OBIT: James Donald Prince
James Donald Price, age 73, of Mason City, Iowa passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
OBIT: Bernadene Lucille Bellender
Bernadene Lucille Bellender, 90, of Henderson, NV and formerly of Mason City, IA, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026. A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. with a one-hour prior visitation at Fullerton Funeral Home.
Northern Iowa farmer Christian Schlaefer claims strong performance in caucuses for 4th Congressional District
LAKOTA, IOWA – Initial caucus polling results from multiple counties in Iowa’s Fourth District show that Christian Schlaefer’s grassroots congressional campaign is resonating strongly with voters, despite entering the race as a true outsider and first-time candidate.
Kristi Noem, Border Patrol and Texas leaders say Southern border more secure than ever
“Thanks to Joe Biden’s dangerous open border policies, millions of illegal aliens flooded the United States –– but under President Trump, America now has the most secure border in U.S. history,” according to Homeland Security.
Iowa cops searching for suspect who fired on officer
A white man dressed in black who allegedly opened fire on responding police as he prowled this suburban Iowa neighborhood is on the loose, hunted by authorities.
Mason City woman awaits possible life sentence after dealing meth
At the plea hearing, Benson admitted that from August 2024 through October 2024, she and others conspired to distribute at least 150 grams of pure methamphetamine. In October 2024, law enforcement stopped a vehicle Benson was driving and found over ½ pound of pure methamphetamine in Benson’s purse, and two firearms in the vehicle.
Rockwell drivers collide, leading to citation
ROCKWELL – Two Rockwell drivers collided north of town, and one driver got an airbag deployed along with a ticket.
Iowa State Cyclone football signs a dozen high school athletes
AMES – The Iowa State football program and head coach Jimmy Rogers have announced the signing of 12 high school student-athletes during the February signing period, including Brady Harr of Hampton.
OBIT: Sharon Vivian Hamm
Sharon Vivian Hamm, 75, of Mason City, lowa, passed away on Saturday, January 31, 2026. A visitation will be held Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 2-4 pm at Fullerton Funeral Home.
OBIT: Carrie Kirschbaum
Carrie Dale Kirschbaum, 88, of Mason City, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 2, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City, surrounded by the love of her family. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Faith United Church of Rockwell.
Mason City’s Perkins restaurant demolished for incoming tire store (photos and video)
MASON CITY – The steadfast Perkins restaurant in Mason City, long closed but never forgotten, has been demolished so that a tire store can be built in its place.
Man caught with gun at Cedar Falls High School
CEDAR FALLS – A young man with a gun and illegal narcotics made the mistake of taking his goods onto school property in Cedar Falls, and now faces serious charges.
OBIT: Anthony D. Babcock
Anthony Duane Babcock, lifelong adventurer, professional ruck-packer, Irish-music enthusiast, Scotch appreciator, and proud U.S. Marine, reported for his final formation on January 29, 2026—exactly 45 years after he first arrived and immediately began doing things his own way. Services are pending. Burial will be held in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery.
Elderly Northern Iowa man tragically found deceased in rural ditch
KOSSUTH COUNTY – Family of an elderly Northern Iowa man were concerned when he could not be reached, and after police were notified and a search conducted, he was sadly found deceased in a ditch.
OBIT: Marvin E Bollinger
Marvin E. Bollinger was born on the family farm near Fenton on March 15, 1934 to Allan and Clarinda (Hengel) Bollinger. He passed away in rural Fenton on January 29, 2026 at the age of 91.
OBIT: Kent Joel Shultz
Kent Joel Shultz, 61, of Osage, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, January 29, 2026. A visitation is planned for 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage, Iowa.
OBIT: Steven “Steve” Head
Steven “Steve” Head, 58, of Charles City, passed away Thursday, January 29, 2026. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home.
OBIT: Gary Lowell Smith
Gary Lowell Smith, 92, of Manly, passed away on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City.
OBIT: Jeannette Kay Snyder
Jeannette Snyder, 66, of Bristow, passed away Friday, January 30, 2026, at her home. Woodley Funeral Home of Dumont is caring for Jeannette and her family.
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