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News Headlines for October 17, 2026
Rob Sand’s brother-in-law stepped into highway and was struck and killed, patrol says
CHARITON — Iowa Auditor Rob Sand’s brother-in-law stepped into a highway traffic lane Thursday night and was struck and killed by an SUV whose driver had moved over to pass his parked car, according to the Iowa State Patrol.
UNI volleyball rolls past Valparaiso for ninth straight win
CEDAR FALLS — Valparaiso had few answers for UNI’s attack Friday night as the Panthers swept the Beacons, stretched their winning streak to nine matches and added another milestone to their Missouri Valley Conference dominance.
Northern Iowa woman hospitalized after broadside crash near Rockwell
ROCKWELL — A Clear Lake woman was taken to the hospital Friday evening after her SUV went through a stop sign and was struck broadside by a pickup near Rockwell, according to the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office.
Minnesota illegal nabbed by ICE after hiding CSAM inside a crucifix
STILLWATER, MINNESOTA — A wooden crucifix hanging on a bedroom wall concealed a horrifying secret. Tucked behind a small bottle of holy water, investigators discovered a memory card containing child sexual abuse material involving a young girl whose family had trusted the man now convicted of exploiting her.
The disturbing discovery was only part of what authorities uncovered inside the Minnesota apartment of Alejandro Rojas Garcia, 65, a Mexican national federal officials say was living illegally in the United States.
On October 8, 2026, a federal jury convicted Garcia of attempted production of child pornography following a four-day trial involving allegations that two sisters younger than 13 had been sexually abused.
Federal officials also took direct aim at Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, sharply criticizing the state’s record on immigration-related crime.
Drunk man spits at cops, tries to bite officer during wild Northern Iowa street confrontation, gets 4-year prison sentence
A drunken street confrontation in Sac City ended with Christian Onei Vaca spitting at two officers, attempting to bite one and receiving consecutive prison terms totaling up to four years.
Cerro Gordo County to weigh agreement putting private wells and groundwater protection under local oversight
MASON CITY — Protecting Northern Iowa’s underground water supplies will be on the agenda Monday as Cerro Gordo County supervisors consider an agreement with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources spelling out responsibility for permitting, inspecting and enforcing standards for private water wells.
Supervisors are scheduled to consider the agreement Monday, October 19, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Conference Room. The proposed arrangement covers private water well construction, reconstruction and abandonment.
Shelley Kay Bruce, 63, filled her family’s life with laughter, love and home cooking
MASON CITY — Shelley Kay Bruce, 63, of Mason City, died October 15, 2026, at UnityPoint Allen Hospital in Waterloo, leaving a family who cherished her generous heart, unmistakable laugh and straightforward way of speaking.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. NE, Mason City. Visitation will take place at the funeral home that day from 11:00 a.m. until the service. She will be laid to rest at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Swaledale at a later date.
Ronald D. Dahle, 86, of Woden to be honored at St. John’s Lutheran Church
WODEN — Ronald D. Dahle, 86, of Woden, died Thursday, October 15, 2026, at Titonka Care Center.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 20, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Woden, with the Rev. John Heille officiating. Burial will follow at Bingham Township Cemetery.
Visitation will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Monday, October 19, at Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 310 Main St., Woden. Visitation will continue at the church for one hour before Tuesday’s service.
Texas man nabbed after alleged sex act in Mason City store
MASON CITY — A Texas man with an indecent exposure case already hanging over him was collared again Wednesday after police say he entered a Mason City business and began masturbating in front of a woman.
Jabrone Donte Whitner, 35, was arrested Oct. 14, 2026 — just 16 days after posting cash bond in his earlier case. Now, he faces a second serious misdemeanor indecent exposure charge in Cerro Gordo County.
MacNider’s Artoberfest brings Midwest brews, live music and auctions to Mason City Oct. 23
MASON CITY — Midwest brews, live music and more than 80 silent auction items will fill the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum when its annual Artoberfest fundraiser returns Friday, October 23.
Mason City sex offender at Beje Clark faces trial, fresh parole trouble
MASON CITY — A convicted child sex offender whose registered address is Mason City’s Beje Clark halfway house is facing trouble on two fronts: a criminal charge alleging he violated sex-offender registration requirements and a newly opened parole-violation case.
Northern Iowa housing, child care projects land grants in $385,000 state package
DES MOINES — A $20,000 grant will help Algona identify solutions to local child care needs, while Eldora will receive $50,000 to clear deteriorating houses and prepare sites for new homes under a state funding package aimed at strengthening rural Iowa communities.
The two awards total $70,000 and are part of $385,000 in Empower Rural Iowa grants announced October 13, 2026, by Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Fifteen communities will receive funding for housing, child care planning and community development.
For Northern Iowa, the awards target practical obstacles to growth: finding care for children and making room for housing that working families can afford.
Mason City man nabbed after alleged MercyOne helipad romp, staff assault
MASON CITY — He went to MercyOne for medical care and wound up in jail after an alleged detour to the hospital’s helicopter. Police say a highly intoxicated Mason City man walked out of the emergency department, crawled over a helipad gate and became combative with the workers trying to bring him back inside.
Northern Iowa teen killed in shooting; another teen nabbed on gun charges
Afternoon gunfire left a 16-year-old boy dead in Northern Iowa, and police detained another teenager hours later on felony weapons charges as detectives worked to piece together the deadly encounter.
Grinder sparks ignite attic fire in Mason City building
MASON CITY — Sparks from an angle grinder ignited an attic fire in a Mason City building Tuesday afternoon, forcing firefighters to break into the secured structure and pull down sections of ceiling to reach the flames.
Iowa man killed in overnight crash, found dead hours later in wrecked vehicle
WATERLOO — A deadly crash unfolded in the darkness of an early October morning, but it would be several hours before anyone discovered the wrecked car and its deceased driver along a Waterloo street.
Grassley says Jack Smith swept up 639,000 GOP supporters’ data — including MAGA hat buyers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — First came an Osage donor’s $10 check. Now Chuck Grassley says the federal paper trail reaches into hundreds of thousands of Republicans’ personal records — right down to people ordering a red MAGA hat.
The Iowa Republican and Senate Judiciary Committee chairman released new findings October 14 alleging former special counsel Jack Smith’s office and the Biden Justice Department obtained information covering at least 639,000 Republican donors, voters and supporters through subpoena returns.
Grassley is turning up the heat, arguing the collection went far beyond what Smith needed to investigate…
Mason City man collared on felony stalking charges, accused of defying protective order
MASON CITY — A stalking and harassment investigation out of Pocahontas County brought authorities to a Mason City man with a long history of mischievousness, who now faces six charges alleging he stalked someone in violation of a protective order and twice violated a no-contact order.
Suspect collared after 60-mph Mason City chase; stolen gun recovered
MASON CITY — A late-night traffic stop turned into a chase through Mason City’s north side Wednesday, with speeds topping 60 mph before deputies arrested a Kensett man and recovered a firearm reported stolen from Clear Lake, authorities said.
Southbound I-35 ramps near Clear Lake to close October 19 for repairs
CLEAR LAKE — Drivers using the busy Interstate 35 and U.S. 18 interchange south of Clear Lake will need to take a different route Monday, October 19, when southbound entrance and exit ramps close for pavement repairs.
Kathryn Elizabeth Gabelmann, 101, of Clear Lake leaves more than a century of memories
CLEAR LAKE — Kathryn Elizabeth Gabelmann, 101, of Clear Lake, died Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at Oakwood Care Center, just over a month after celebrating her 101st birthday.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 29, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Ave. N., Clear Lake.
A funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 30, at the chapel, with Lay Minister Al Berge officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Butler County.
Leo Meitner, 95, of Osage, leaves a legacy of dairy farming, military service and music
OSAGE — Leo Edward Meitner, 95, of Osage, died October 13, 2026, at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City, leaving a lifetime of work and service that reached from his family’s dairy farm to the military, his church and the dance floor. A farmer, businessman and musician, Leo helped sustain the community he called home for nearly a century.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Osage.
A Knights of Columbus rosary will begin at 3:30 p.m. Friday, October 16, at the church, followed by visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the Mass begins. Hoff Celebrations–Champion Chapel of Osage is assisting the family.
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