MASON CITY – NorthIowaToday.com marks its third birthday today, October 1, 2013.
NorthIowaToday.com was launched on October 1, 2010 by Matthew E. Marquardt of Mason City, Iowa. Marquardt is a native of Mason City, a graduate of Mason City High School and the University of Iowa.
The inspiration for NorthIowaToday.com came from a Time magazine article (read it here) that questioned the future of local newspapers and praised micro-local news websites.
“As newspapers keep cutting back on staff and printing skimpier editions, journalists, entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens have responded by creating websites to cover the local news they feel is going under reported,” the article stated.
Marquardt’s vision for NorthIowaToday.com since its launch has been to bring the news of everyday North Iowans to the people in a concise, clear and fun online environment where everyone has a chance to contribute.
“Today, my news website NorthIowaToday.com turns 3. Seems like yesterday I was wondering whether to do this project or not,” Mr. Marquardt stated Tuesday.
“Even though the work is never-ending, it has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience and getting better everyday. I have been lucky to meet so many great people and learn so much along the way. Thanks to those who have helped make this possible.”
Mr. Marquardt said the future for NIT is limitless.
“I am, day by day, building this news organization one brick at a time. I am adding new pieces as opportunities arise. I am growing my team. I am honing my own skills. We are adding new advertisers and new paid subscribers weekly. I am thrilled with our progress. NIT will continue to deliver hard-hitting, common sense news that our readers crave.”
CONGRATULATION AND THANK YOU ON YOUR 3rd YEAR.
THIS PUBLICATION is an exciting addition in the little city of MASON CITY media choices. It is refreshingly honest, to the point, satiric in some ways yet factual with a depth that most newspapers don’t risk exposing. It is a perfect example of the true freedoms of freedom of speech! Too often editors hold back on the most interesting, yet “sticky” areas of crime and cushion opinions about political subjects. Many hometown newspapers ignore obvious issues in our community, in order to “soften” the “not so charming” realities that go on in every little city. North Iowa Today delivers the news with a sort of fun, sometimes humorously rude and often ridiculously in-depth manner.
NORTH IOWA TODAY IS AN ABSOLUTE INSPIRATION, as far as finally seeing, in print, the news we know is happening, but is so often hid under ” kinder, gentler” words. NIT does not hesitate to reveal the answers to questions no one wants to ask out loud. This is an additional avenue to keep up with the current affairs in North Iowa as well as exposure to the social diversity and opinions of community members. .
Each day I log on to the publication with an anticipation, I am satisfied and impressed with the content and the unique, entertaining and informative delivery. Although I frequently disagree with the political opinions, cringe at the harshness of releasing a mockery of some of the crimes perpetrated by young, first time offenders, and I ache at the exposure of addicts who appear to be criminal monsters-many of whom I know personally. I know some of them as struggling friends, or cheated children, soft-hearted, hard working, Christians, and brilliantly, funny alcoholics. I recognize untreated mentally impaired young adults, and a few elderly “legends” and I feel my heart tug. These “criminals” have a heart and emotions-they have parents or grandparents, a spouse or children who hurt when they hurt. Nevertheless, I appreciate the journalism, the informative, factual, although disturbing, disheartening, pubic records. I believe in the deeper, in depth info NIT provides. I understand and respect the curiousness of readers and respect their right to be informed. I also admire the “so human” style in which the news is relayed. I do get an odd thrill in the brave, crazy journalism Mr. Marquardt encourages as he accepts the “forbidden”… comments by “anonymous” and the raw, openness of the “Whiners Den” contributors.
I’ll begrudgingly admit, as a wayward,yet respectful, and sometimes criminally inclined, “live by the Golden Rule”, left leaning citizen, that I have immensely enjoyed your publication. Initially, I was disturbed at the harshness and pretty unfair exposure of some of the businesses owned by hard working life-long employers in Mason City. I was silly struck, interested, hungry, humored and intrigued by the in-depth crime reports. The first time I ran into your publication I was humored by the reference of the North End being the “Cultural..” and I went berserk with a somewhat, surprised, yet open mind about your oddly, almost irresponsible article about Hillary “sneaking” into Mason. At first I was irritated”ly”entertained, alarmed. However, it took me less than a few thoughts to realize how much I anticipated the next publication.
Thank you and may this be a great year for you and your creative contributors
Nancy Porter
Congrats Matt! Keep up the work on informing us, and allowing us, good, bad or otherwise to comment on things that effect us.
Congratulations Matt.
Awesome !! Love reading the “Happenings of Mason City ” when I don’t live their. I just laugh at alot of the comments and thank god its not happening in my town! I truly think you have the right attitude and ask the right questions that the other paper does not ask. Your not afraid to ask that people want to know questions !!
Congrats on turning 3 NIT!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations, Matt!
Your THREE year anniversary matches the IQ of the current City Council and County Supervisors. Time for change. You readers need to put the pressure to your neighbors to STAND UP and take control of our out of Control City and County governments!!! Get them to GO VOTE!!!
Congrats Matt from a loyal reader.
Congratulations Matt. I have always enjoyed reading this site and I am looking forward to many more years of NIT! Way to go.
Congratulations!
Good work Matt, your Web site is in my daily evening routine. (mornings on weekends,)
Congratulations Matt!
Congrats on three great years and many more to come. I look forward to reading NIT everyday. You offer more interesting stories than our local print paper. Thanks for all of the hard work you have put into NIT.
Congrats! It has grown, now let’s see if all the bitchers and complainers on here get out and vote and you TRULY have their support, or if the others who maybe the real majority are sick of the negativity!! Next month we will know??
Congratulations. Keep up the great work
Awesome Matt, congrats!
Congratulations Matt, I thoroughly enjoy your news site. The feedback your readers contribute is thought provoking.
To let people speak their mind on issues is healthy for society as a whole.
I am happy for your success, it benefits us all.
Congratulations Matt, Best of Luck to you.
Congratulations Matt, hope you take some time today and look back on what you have accomplished, and appreciate on how far you have come.
Congratulations, Matt and good luck to you!