- Protected: Mason City woman charged with felony after bringing weed to jail
- Protected: Mason City duo arrested after illegally scarfing down Red Bull and hot dog
- Protected: Suspicious activity at rural Northern Iowa farm leads to arrest of two suspects
News Headlines for January 9, 2026

Northern Iowa sex offender guilty again for violating state registry
MASON CITY – This vagabond Northern Iowa sex offender now roaming the unsuspecting community of Joice (when he’s not in a jail cell) is racking up serious criminal offenses even as judges slap his entitled wrists.

Northern Iowa man sent to prison for receiving illicit child photos
This Northern Iowa man who received hundreds of images of child pornography was sentenced to 97 months in prison on January 9, 2026, in federal court in Sioux City.

Iowa woman perishes on remote icy road in vehicle rollover
An Iowa woman who was a wife and mother to three sons perished in a violent vehicle rollover after her Ford Escape skidded on an icy road and then rolled multiple times.

Charles City woman driver blows through red light, smashes teen’s Ford
CHARLES CITY – An elderly Charles City woman driver blew right through a red light and smashed into a teen’s Ford, causing thousands in damages and one traffic ticket.

Former Iowa chief of police and city clerk arrested after audit showed thousands mis-spent
Two former town officials are in hot water after a state audit showed thousands of dollars were mis-spent, leading to serious charges.

OBIT: Ava Myers
Ava Grace Myers, an angel on Earth to all who knew her, completed her earthly journey and was welcomed into Heaven on January 2, 2026, at just 17 years old. A Celebration of Ava’s life will be 11 am Saturday, January 10th at LifeGate Fellowship Church in Humboldt.

Fort Dodge neighborhood inflicted with rogue gunshots
FORT DODGE – Citizens in a Fort Dodge neighborhood were startled by rogue gunshots Wednesday night, police say.

Fort Dodge drug dealer faces at least a decade in prison
A suspect involved in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine in Fort Dodge pled guilty on Tuesday in federal court in Sioux City, and now faces at least a decade in prison.

College Basketball: Iowa State Cyclones beat Baylor, 70-60
WACO, TEXAS – For the first time in program history, Iowa State (15-0, 2-0 Big 12) has won 15 straight games, as it powered past Baylor (10-4, 0-2 Big 12) to secure the best start in program history, winning 70-60.

College Basketball: UNI Panthers fall at home to Bradley Braves, 78-65
Belmont three-point shooting stifles Panthers in first MVC loss of the season. UNI visits Bradley on Saturday.

OBIT: Ronald J. Sorensen
Ronald Jon Sorensen passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2025 in Mason City, Iowa at the age of 85. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

OBIT: Donna J. Stoltenberg
Donna Stoltenberg, 93, of Northwood formerly of Mason City, passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church.

OBIT: Dr. Mark W. Mulkey
Dr. Mark W. Mulkey, 66, of Mason City, passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Grace Church.

OBIT: Donna P. Hutchens
Donna Pearl Hutchens, 91, of Okemos, Michigan, passed away on Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025, at Safe Haven Assisted Living in Okemos. Most of her career was spent at Roosevelt Elementary in Mason City where she taught second grade for multiple decades.

Women’s College Basktball: No. 11 Iowa State Cyclones beaten at Cincinnati, 71-63
CINCINNATI, OHIO – No. 10 Iowa State (14-2, 2-2 Big 12) suffered the road loss to Cincinnati (6-10, 1-3 Big 12) by a final score of 71-63 Wednesday night.

OBIT: Tom Hovland
Tom Hovland, 73, of Mason City passed away peacefully on Monday, January 5, 2026 at his home. A Funeral service will be held 10:30 am Saturday, January 10, 2026 at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Chicago transplant who dealt drugs in Mason City sent to federal prison
This violent Chicago transplant who came to live in Mason City and deal poison into the community will soon wake up in a federal prison to pay for his crimes.

Iowa Ag Secretary Naig to introduce first-ever Iowa Farm Act in 2026 Legislative session
Comprehensive package outlines priorities for Iowa agriculture during the 2026 legislative session.

College Wrestling: No. 3 Iowa State trounces Arizona State, 29-14
TEMPE, Arizona – No. 3 Iowa State won its Big 12 dual opener at Arizona State, 29-14, Tuesday night inside Desert Financial Arena. The Cyclones won seven of ten bouts, including five by bonus-point margin, as they improved to 8-1 in league openers under head coach Kevin Dresser.

OBIT: Vicki Ann Schulz
Vickie H. Schulz (aka Mimi), age 60, of St. Ansgar, IA, passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2026. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026, at V.F.W 3693 US-218 Osage.

Iowa paddlers are warned: Water is dangerously cold despite spring-like air temps
With a couple of above average temperatures forecast this week, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds all paddlers that water temperatures remain dangerously cool even though air temperatures feel more like spring.

Iowa bar fight leads to shooting death of two persons
An Iowa bar fight led to a suspect shooting one fighter in plain view of police, leading to officers unloading on the suspect, and both bullet recipients later perished.
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