Founded on Oct. 1, 2010
News & Entertainment for Mason City, Clear Lake & the Entire North Iowa Region
IOWA CITY — The University of Iowa received a clean state audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, with no findings involving taxpayer funds, internal controls or compliance issues.
Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand released the report on July 30, 2026.
WASHINGTON — A former reality television dancer from Latvia who allegedly overstayed his visa and accumulated a violent criminal history in California has been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, federal officials announced.
“This illegal alien from Latvia may have once had a career as a professional dancer on TV, but has turned into a career criminal with a rap sheet that includes aggravated assault with a gun, sexual battery, and drug possession,” a Homeland Security spokeswoman said.
CHARLES CITY — One of the largest economic development projects in recent Floyd County history took another step forward on July 20, 2026, as the Charles City Council advanced the incentive process for Cambrex Charles City’s massive manufacturing expansion.
The council approved Resolution No. 94-26, setting an Aug. 3 public hearing to consider a formal development agreement with Cambrex Charles City Inc. The agreement would provide tax increment financing incentives to support a project expected to bring approximately $150 million in capital investment and 143 new full-time jobs to the community.
CLEAR LAKE — A 41-year-old traveler accused of speeding through Clear Lake well above the posted limit was arrested by police and booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail on a series of criminal and traffic charges.
CLEAR LAKE — The Clear Lake City Council has approved a development agreement supporting a major expansion of Gabrielson Clinic that city leaders say will bring new medical services, millions of dollars in private investment and dozens of new jobs to the community.
The council approved the agreement at its July 20, 2026 meeting following the required public hearing and amendment to the city’s Consolidated Urban Renewal Area Plan.
ALGONA — Myrna Mary Teeter, 87, of Algona, died Friday, July 31, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society in Algona, leaving behind a life defined by devotion to family, service to others and a welcoming spirit.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, August 3, at Grace Church in Algona. Visitation will continue for one hour before the funeral service Tuesday.
Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 4, at Grace Church. The service will also be livestreamed through the church.
CLEAR LAKE — Roland “Ron” Gene Barlow, 82, of Clear Lake, passed away Friday, July 31, 2026. He is remembered as a devoted family man, loyal friend and outdoorsman who treasured time spent with those closest to him.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at Clear Lake Cemetery, N. 20th Street in Clear Lake.
Visitation will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at the Clear Lake VFW, 219 Main Avenue in Clear Lake.
IOWA FALLS — Lois C. Mumm, a devoted wife, mother and grandmother whose deep faith guided decades of service to her church and community, died Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Hansen Family Hospital. She was 92.
Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 3, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 313 Lee Lane in Iowa Falls.
Funeral services will follow at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church. Lois will be laid to rest at Union Cemetery.
DES MOINES — A legal memo released Friday, July 31, 2026, is thrusting the hot-button battle over transgender athletes back into the public spectacle, delivering Iowa lawmakers and schools a clear message: the state’s biological-sex rules for girls’ and women’s sports now stand on considerably stronger legal ground.
WAVERLY — A convicted Northern Iowa sex offender is being held on $100,000 bond after police accused him of committing a sex act against a child while knowing the act would be photographed, filmed or otherwise preserved.
FOREST CITY — Anna Harringa, a devoted nurse who spent decades caring for Northern Iowa patients and their families, passed away Thursday, July 30, 2026, at her Forest City home while under hospice care. She was 95.
A service celebrating Anna’s life will be held at 11:00 AM Monday, August 3, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, with Pastor Zech Anderson officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM and continue until the service at the church.
Burial will take place at Linden Lutheran Cemetery in rural Thompson.
DES MOINES — Federal fugitive hunters joined Iowa law enforcement officers for an aggressive four-day sweep that put 61 wanted suspects behind bars and cleared 97 felony arrest warrants.
The U.S. Marshals Service Southern Iowa Fugitive Task Force began planning and identifying targets for “Operation Heatwave” on June 29, 2026. Teams then fanned out across central Iowa from July 21 through July 24.
The operation focused on violent offenders and alleged gang members wanted in connection with crimes including homicide, robbery, sexual assault, aggravated assault, weapons violations and other serious felonies.
CLEAR LAKE — Authorities have identified the Northern Iowa man who died following a boating collision on Clear Lake Thursday morning.
CHARLES CITY — Charles City residents moved one step closer to being allowed to keep chickens in their backyards after the City Council approved the first reading of a proposed urban chicken ordinance Monday, July 20, 2026.
The council advanced Ordinance No. 1202, which would create a new chapter of the Charles City Code governing the keeping of chickens on qualifying residential properties.
The proposal would allow residents to keep as many as six hens on permitted properties. Roosters would remain prohibited.
Two out-of-state travelers were killed Wednesday morning after a semi left an Iowa interstate, tore through cable barriers and slammed into a bridge support column.
FOSTORIA — Ronarae Arlene Riemenschneider, 51, of Fostoria, passed away Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at Spencer Hospital, surrounded by her family and friends. She is remembered for her caring heart, creative talents and the deep love she shared with her family throughout her life.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. A time of remembrance will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family to honor Ronarae’s life.
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ALGONA — A routine afternoon flight over northern Iowa farmland turned into a terrifying fight for survival when a low-flying aircraft slammed into overhead power lines and crashed, leaving the pilot injured but alive.
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WEBSTER CITY — A Northern Iowa house fire sent one man to the hospital and forced firefighters to rescue several animals from the burning residence Thursday afternoon.
CLEAR LAKE, Iowa — A quiet summer morning on one of Iowa’s busiest lakes turned tragic Thursday after two boats collided, leaving one man dead and another person injured.
CORALVILLE — An Iowa inmate whose sentence began nearly 34 years ago died last week in a prison hospice unit, state corrections officials announced.
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NORTHWOOD — Douglas Vance Helgeland, 78, of Northwood, passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
A memorial visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, at Conner Colonial Chapel, 1008 First Avenue South in Northwood. A prayer service will follow at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
TERRIL — Gail E. Handy, 86, of Terril, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. He leaves behind a legacy built on hard work, devotion to his loved ones and a lifelong passion for the outdoors.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, at the Lakes Area Senior Center, 2101 Zenith Ave., Spirit Lake.
LATIMER — Beverly Irene Root, 75, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She leaves behind a lifetime of cherished memories built around her family, her faith and the friendships she nurtured throughout the years.
A celebration of Beverly’s life is being planned and will be announced at a later date.
ARNOLDS PARK — State officials are moving forward with a major shoreline restoration project designed to protect one of the Iowa Great Lakes’ most recognizable stretches of shoreline after devastating flood damage left parts of the area vulnerable to future erosion.
GREENE — Judy Lau, 84, of Greene, died Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at Waverly Health Center, leaving behind memories of her sharp wit, independent spirit and one-of-a-kind personality.
Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, August 6, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 324 E. Traer Street in Greene.
Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church. Judy will be laid to rest at Rose Hill Cemetery in Greene following the service.
MINNEAPOLIS — A convicted felon who took possession of a stolen FBI rifle and silencer during a violent civil disturbance in Minneapolis has been sentenced to 54 months in federal prison.
Raul Gutierrez Jr., 33, of Inver Grove Heights, was sentenced Monday, July 27, 2026, by U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim for being a felon in possession of firearms.
According to federal court documents, Gutierrez participated in a violent disturbance in Minneapolis on Jan. 14, 2026, when he and others broke into a vehicle belonging to the FBI.
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