- Protected: Charles City man accused of sex abuse of special needs female under his care pleads not guilty, awaits trial
- Protected: Illinois man sent to jail for soliciting prostitution in Clear Lake
- Protected: Mason City man accused of arson and burglary after burning garage
News Headlines for July 22, 2026
Mason City woman Diane Bartusek, longtime Community Motors employee known for her strength, love of animals and cars, dies at 54
MASON CITY — Diane Mae Bartusek, a lifelong Mason City woman whose life was marked by a long career in the local automotive industry, a deep love for her family and animals, and remarkable strength during a years-long battle with cancer, died Monday, July 20, 2026. She was 54.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 24, 2026, at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. NE in Mason City.
Iowa DNR pieces together 17-mile wildlife corridor from Chariton to Lake Rathbun
LUCAS COUNTY — A rugged new addition to Iowa’s public wildlife lands has completed a remarkable 17-mile stretch of protected ground extending from Chariton to Lake Rathbun.
The newly acquired 356-acre Rathbun Wildlife Area sits in southeastern Lucas County and offers the kind of remote setting sought by hunters, hikers, birders and others hoping to get well off the beaten path.
Winnebago County supervisors approve nearly $400,000 motor grader purchase at July 14 meeting
FOREST CITY — The Winnebago County Board of Supervisors approved the purchase of a new motor grader, adopted fiscal year 2026 drainage levies and discussed concerns over reduced state funding for emergency medical services during its Tuesday, July 14, 2026, meeting.
Garner manufacturer named one of 10 national semifinalists in SBA’s $1 million Patriot Pitch competition
GARNER — A North Iowa manufacturing company that began more than three decades ago in a two-car garage is now among just 10 businesses nationwide advancing in a major U.S. Small Business Administration competition celebrating American entrepreneurship and manufacturing.
Northern Iowa drug dealer admits meth, cocaine conspiracy after fleeing state to dodge prosecution
A Fort Dodge man has admitted his role in a methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking conspiracy after federal prosecutors say he repeatedly sold drugs to people working with law enforcement, then fled Iowa in an attempt to avoid prosecution. Federal authorities say he fled Iowa in an effort to avoid prosecution after being indicted. His run ended about three months later when authorities arrested him in Jackson, Mississippi.
Gov. Reynolds taps veteran lawman Stephen Waymire to lead Iowa Lottery
DES MOINES — A veteran Iowa law enforcement officer who has spent the past several years overseeing investigations and security for the Iowa Lottery has been chosen to lead the organization.
Floyd County supervisors halt conservation ordinance, set new speed limit and advance bridge projects at July 14 meeting
CHARLES CITY — The Floyd County Board of Supervisors put the brakes on a proposed conservation ordinance, established a new speed limit on Rotary Park Road and moved forward with several bridge and road projects during its Tuesday, July 14, 2026 meeting.
Supervisors Gloria Carr, Boyd Campbell and Frank Rottinghaus were all present for the 9 a.m. meeting at the Floyd County Courthouse.
Gov. Reynolds appoints Fort Dodge attorney Ryan Kehm as judge serving 13 Northern Iowa counties
DES MOINES — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has appointed Fort Dodge attorney Ryan Kehm as a District Court judge in Judicial District 2B, placing a longtime private-practice lawyer on the bench serving Wright County and a broad section of north-central Iowa.
Young Iowa inmate perishes behind bars after lengthy criminal past
FORT DODGE — A 30-year-old Iowa inmate serving a lengthy prison sentence stemming from serious robbery and burglary crimes has died at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility. The convict had already been behind bars for nearly a decade.
Iowa woman killed, man airlifted after teen driver allegedly blows stop sign, slams into open-top Jeep
An Iowa woman was killed and another person was seriously injured after authorities say a 19-year-old driver failed to stop at a stop sign and slammed into an open-top Jeep at a rural intersection.
Iowa Supreme Court shields horse owner from lawsuit after woman is dragged, left permanently paralyzed
DES MOINES — A horrific accident involving a team of horses, a horse-drawn sickle mower and a falling steel bar left an Iowa woman permanently paralyzed from the waist down. But the Iowa Supreme Court has ruled the man operating the horses cannot be held liable under the circumstances, finding that Iowa law specifically protects people involved in certain domesticated-animal activities from lawsuits stemming from the unpredictable behavior of animals.
Two killed after motorcycle rider tries to pass in marked no-passing zone on Iowa road
Two Iowans were killed in a tragic motorcycle crash after the rider attempted to pass another vehicle in a clearly marked no-passing zone, according to the Iowa State Patrol.
New Hampton truck driver Richard Stolfus dies at 58, leaves legacy of friendship, family and love of the outdoors
NEW HAMPTON — Richard Allen Stolfus Jr., 58, of New Hampton, died Sunday, July 19, 2026, at UnityPoint St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Riverfront Park in Charles City, with the Rev. Mike Reicherts presiding.
Elma farmer and longtime Howard-Winn bus driver Daniel Gardner dies at 68
ELMA — Daniel Joseph Gardner, a lifelong Northeast Iowa farmer, longtime Howard-Winneshiek school bus driver, devoted family man and skilled craftsman, died Sunday, July 19, 2026, at his home in Elma, surrounded by family. He was 68.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 24, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 203 Seventh St. in Elma, with the Rev. Donald Hertges celebrating the Mass.
White House claims massive Chinese election operation compromised data on 220 million U.S. voters
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and the White House are accusing China of carrying out what the administration describes as one of the largest compromises of American election data in history, claiming Beijing acquired information tied to approximately 220 million U.S. voters while intelligence officials failed to fully expose the operation.
Trump laid out the explosive allegations during a nationally delivered address from the White House on Thursday, July 16, 2026, as his administration released a large collection of newly declassified intelligence and election-security documents.
Oklahoma man killed after walking onto remote Iowa interstate, struck by Minnesota semi driver
A 47-year-old Oklahoma man was killed early Friday morning after authorities say he walked onto Interstate 80 in rural Iowa and was struck by a semi.
Stacyville farmer and Army veteran Robert “Bob” Wagner dies at 84
STACYVILLE — Robert “Bob” Peter Wagner, a lifelong Mitchell County farmer, U.S. Army veteran and longtime member of the Stacyville community, died peacefully surrounded by his family on July 17, 2026. He was 84.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Visitation Catholic Church in Stacyville, with Father Paul Baldwin officiating.
Mason City council considers adding top employees to manage downtown mall, arena
MASON CITY — Mason City officials are preparing to add two more full-time employees to help operate the city-managed facilities inside downtown’s Southbridge Mall, including its costly multipurpose arena.
The Mason City City Council will consider hiring a new Southbridge operations manager and creating an arena and ice-maintenance position during its regular meeting Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
Together, the two employees would receive approximately $128,710 in annual base wages. The total cost to taxpayers would be higher after insurance, IPERS retirement contributions, payroll taxes and other employment costs are included.
Mason City school district continues filling staff positions ahead of July 20 meeting
MASON CITY — The Mason City Community School District continues to reshape and fill its workforce for the approaching school year, with another round of hires, transfers and new assignments scheduled for consideration on Monday, July 20, 2026.
The personnel changes follow a lengthy report approved by the Board of Education during its June 15 meeting, when the board hired 10 certified employees and approved numerous support-staff transfers, resignations and extracurricular assignments.
The board’s July 20 personnel report includes one new certified teacher, two special-education paraprofessionals and several employee transfers or reassignments for the 2026-27 school year.
Andrea Rodemeyer is listed for hire as a fourth-grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary at a salary of $52,005. Rodemeyer, a Buena Vista University graduate, would replace Kelly Lien following Lien’s voluntary transfer.
The proposed non-certified hires are:
Three-time deported illegal alien who twice ran from Northern Iowa officers sent to prison
A Guatemalan illegal alien who repeatedly returned to the United States and twice tried to escape Northern Iowa law enforcement officers has been sentenced to federal prison.
Iowa farm income plunges 53% as rising costs, weak grain prices squeeze farmers across North Iowa
MASON CITY — Iowa’s farm economy is under mounting pressure after net farm income plunged 53% in just two years, and the squeeze could continue as high production costs, weak crop prices and trade uncertainty hammer producers across the state — including the heavily agricultural economy surrounding Mason City.
A sweeping new agricultural outlook released in July 2026 by Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and the Iowa Bankers Association paints a troubling picture for Iowa farmers after the highly profitable years that followed the COVID-19 pandemic.
Perhaps the most concerning conclusion of the report is that Iowa’s agricultural downturn may take time to work through.
St. Ansgar woman with deep North Iowa roots, Gwenyth Hanson, dies at 81
ST. ANSGAR — Gwenyth Evelyn Hanson, a longtime St. Ansgar resident whose life was shaped by family, faith, education and deep roots across North Iowa, died Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the Nora Springs Care Center. She was 81.
Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 24, 2026, at First Lutheran Church, 212 N. Main St. in St. Ansgar.
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