Founded in 2010
News & Entertainment for Mason City, Clear Lake & the Entire North Iowa Region
Insidious is one of those words that fit in so many quarters. I guess a “catch-all” could be substituted in a lot of situations. It’s not a description most of us would
I am on my final glide path having covered that landscape called life, I now find my self surrounded with circumstances that are completely out of context to what once could be
The opening line in the recent Opinion piece I wrote for this publication stated; “Trump has emboldened those with marginalized mental capacities.” Almost immediately after it appeared I was verbally assaulted by
The internet and the airwaves are dominated by rhetoric surrounding anti- Semitism across the country. Placed an increase of 17% statistically. This is Sufficient cause for alarm especially in smaller communities were
The tragedy that racked this community less than 17 days ago still dominates the conversation that fills the air; it’s prevalent in restaurants and coffee shops. In bank lobbies and hospital waiting
When I was young I lived in another town, the climate was similar to this town, and the cityscape was different in some aspects but similar in others, the City Park was
You can tell you’re in North Iowa by the stench coming from Washington Avenue and the Globe’s editorial board. This is almost unprecedented; the Globe turning on one of their advertisers… rare.
What do we have here… between 25 & 27 thousand people living together? We have the amenities most towns this size have, we have pole buildings in the downtown area, too many
I was in Chicago buying merchandise for a gift shop I ran on Delaware Avenue, immediately South of the Red Llama bar. I sold Italian knit sweaters with the Red Llama labels
Fifty-Four years ago this year, it was 1961 and I and my partner Jim Chimibidis were putting the finishing touches on the new lounge we were opening on Delaware Avenue across the
by Peter Children of Mason City – Who said you can’t have fun in a small town? In the center ring of this three ring circus is George Barlas, owner and operator
Commentary: North End The North End of Mason City isn’t the end of the world, but you can see it from there. Today’s Globe-Gazette reported on another so called neighborhood meeting attended
Ignorance = immunity & impunity, or some think. I believe the above words apply to the Mason City Council along with the administrative staff. Sometimes when you have the key to City
The North End – what is it? It is many things; it’s home for many families, families who have lived there for a lifetime. To them it has the feel of a
Rayhon case continued… This could be a landmark case with a decision that could have far reaching effects. There have been reports that strangers were seen around the Hancock Courthouse who are
To the Editor: RAYHONS CASE If you close your eyes and let your mind drift, you can almost smell the smoke and hear the wood crackle from the fire as they burned
I have read what my esteemed friend Todd Blodgett has written in the Globe-Gazette concerning the hoards of immigrant children who are and have ben arriving at our borders. I think at
John Skipper is a fox and a wordsmith par excellence. He is seasoned better than an Iowa ham; he knows what he is doing. There is only one reason Branstad was appointed
Op-ed by Peter Children – Did I write that Mayor Bookmeyer’s wife should inject him with air? Yes I did say that. There has been more than one occasion since Bookmeyer cast
Op-ed by Peter Children – Who amongst us could or would deny this man his just deserts? His own day in court is long overdue….and I might add, well deserved. It was
Op-ed: A story in the Globe-Gazette today reported that three incumbents on the Charles City School Board lost their bid for re-election. What does that say? It dispels the notion as an
Op-ed: It just dawned on me that Hickey, Tornquist, Solberg and of course the biggest perpetrator of all, Bookmeyer….are all suffering from extreme hallucinations brought on by a growing sense of reality
Op-ed: It’s never easy to speak ill of another, at least that is my personal feelings. There are however times when you have to bite the bullet and get on with it.
Op-ed: The terminology used by the warring factions in Egypt caused me to pause and contemplate my own surroundings. Unfortunately I see strong similarities between Cairo, Egypt and Mason City, Iowa. What
Op-ed: I would be interested in knowing just how many who read this site intend to vote in this coming fall election. Please be truthful and give your reason briefly as to
Op-ed: Today’s Monday and John has taken his cheap shot to start the week. This time it was against all who oppose the current seated council. First in his sights was Leonard
Op-ed: The headline in today’s Sunday edition of the Globe-Gazette centered on the Micro-Enterprise program at NIACC. This front page onslaught was due solely to what Matt Marquardt had written earlier in
Serving on commissions, boards and panels in the community in which you live can turn out to be quite costly if you are in business for yourself – especially if you are
Heidi Marquardt’s recent letter to the editor published in the Globe Gazette was intentional with forethought and malice aimed directly at her brother-in-law, NIT publisher Matt Marquardt. What Mrs. Marquardt left out
Today’s Monday, time for John Skipper’s weekly column. Today it centers on the Avenue of The Saints. That’s a good thing. The avenue is out there but up to now it represents
MASON CITY – A well-known author who has penned dozens of stories over the years for the Globe Gazette and NorthIowaToday.com has extended an invitation to Mayor Eric Bookmeyer to sit down
It’s Monday and time for the weekly column in the Globe-Gazette by the esteemed Mr. Skipper. As is his practice John starts the week with this homily for any number of reasons.
I think Bookmeyer has painted himself into a corner. It would be hard to trash Mrs. Easley for speaking her mind. To me I think she spoke truthfully, to others it will
Op-ed by Peter Children – I have been a “bundle buyer” with Mediacom since they first offered it to their customer base. This means, for those of you who are unfamiliar with
Well it’s Monday and time to decipher John’s column once more. Question; why hasn’t John ever considered running for a seat at that table? Maybe he feels he can add more fuel
Op-ed by Peter Children – Well, it happened for the first time a few days ago, I had a phone call from someone who reads N. I. T. First of all my
In today’s “Ask Us” column in the Globe Gazette a question was asked, recently there was an article in the Globe about a trial set for a lawsuit involving an auto company.
It’s Monday again; time to decipher John’s column. Today the focus is on the HR commissioners and what seems to be their inability to cooperate with each other. The new appointee Mark
Today’s Sunday paper heralded the news of a proposed new 600 seat auditorium and safe room located at MCHS. Super! You got my vote. My memory being what it is, razor sharp,
John Skipper doesn’t teach a writing class for nothing, this guy writes in code. Today’s Monday column fortifies that. Read it but read it carefully, take your time and dissect it as