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Founded on Oct. 1, 2010

News & Entertainment for Mason City, Clear Lake & the Entire North Iowa Region
News Archives

Author: Matt Marquardt

White House claims massive Chinese election operation compromised data on 220 million U.S. voters

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and the White House are accusing China of carrying out what the administration describes as one of the largest compromises of American election data in history, claiming Beijing acquired information tied to approximately 220 million U.S. voters while intelligence officials failed to fully expose the operation.

Trump laid out the explosive allegations during a nationally delivered address from the White House on Thursday, July 16, 2026, as his administration released a large collection of newly declassified intelligence and election-security documents.

Mason City council considers adding top employees to manage downtown mall, arena

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

MASON CITY — Mason City officials are preparing to add two more full-time employees to help operate the city-managed facilities inside downtown’s Southbridge Mall, including its costly multipurpose arena.

The Mason City City Council will consider hiring a new Southbridge operations manager and creating an arena and ice-maintenance position during its regular meeting Tuesday, July 21, 2026.

Together, the two employees would receive approximately $128,710 in annual base wages. The total cost to taxpayers would be higher after insurance, IPERS retirement contributions, payroll taxes and other employment costs are included.

Mason City school district continues filling staff positions ahead of July 20 meeting

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

MASON CITY — The Mason City Community School District continues to reshape and fill its workforce for the approaching school year, with another round of hires, transfers and new assignments scheduled for consideration on Monday, July 20, 2026.

The personnel changes follow a lengthy report approved by the Board of Education during its June 15 meeting, when the board hired 10 certified employees and approved numerous support-staff transfers, resignations and extracurricular assignments.

The board’s July 20 personnel report includes one new certified teacher, two special-education paraprofessionals and several employee transfers or reassignments for the 2026-27 school year.

Andrea Rodemeyer is listed for hire as a fourth-grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary at a salary of $52,005. Rodemeyer, a Buena Vista University graduate, would replace Kelly Lien following Lien’s voluntary transfer.

The proposed non-certified hires are:

Iowa farm income plunges 53% as rising costs, weak grain prices squeeze farmers across North Iowa

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

MASON CITY — Iowa’s farm economy is under mounting pressure after net farm income plunged 53% in just two years, and the squeeze could continue as high production costs, weak crop prices and trade uncertainty hammer producers across the state — including the heavily agricultural economy surrounding Mason City.

A sweeping new agricultural outlook released in July 2026 by Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and the Iowa Bankers Association paints a troubling picture for Iowa farmers after the highly profitable years that followed the COVID-19 pandemic.

Perhaps the most concerning conclusion of the report is that Iowa’s agricultural downturn may take time to work through.

Rockford’s Terry “Butch” Christensen dies at 81; Vietnam veteran valued faith, family and hard work

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

ROCKFORD, IOWA — Terry Joseph “Butch” Christensen, 81, of Rockford, died Friday, July 17, 2026, leaving a legacy shaped by military service, Catholic faith, generosity and devotion to his family.

A celebration of Terry’s life will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, August 8, at Divine Mercy Catholic Parish-St. Michael’s Fellowship Hall in Whittemore.

Two American warriors killed defending U.S. forces from Iranian attack in Jordan; another missing

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

WASHINGTON — Two American service members have been killed in action and another remains missing after U.S. forces came under Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack in Jordan, adding another painful chapter to America’s ongoing military confrontation with Iran.

U.S. Central Command announced that the two service members were killed July 17, 2026, as American and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missiles and drones.

Garner centenarian and WWII “Rosie the Riveter” Dorothy Short dies at 100

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

GARNER — Dorothy E. Short, a Garner centenarian who helped build B-17 bombers during World War II before returning to North Iowa to raise a large family and build a life centered on faith, hard work and service, died Friday, July 17, 2026, at Concord Care Center in Garner. She was 100.

A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. Fourth Street in Garner. Chaplain Jani Dahlin of St. Croix Hospice officiated.

Police charge Northern Iowa teens in armed robbery attempt and shooting at McDonald’s

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

What was supposedly a routine property sale in a Northern Iowa McDonald’s parking lot allegedly turned into an armed robbery attempt and gunfire, leaving two teenagers facing major felony charges and police hunting for additional suspects.

Investigators are also examining the actions of additional people believed to have been involved. More arrest warrants and charges could follow as police continue untangling the planned meeting and violent confrontation.

Wayne Allan Hanson remembered as lifelong farmer, craftsman and devoted family man

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

CARPENTER — Wayne Allan Hanson spent more than nine decades rooted in the Iowa countryside, living a life defined by hard work, family and faith. A lifelong farmer with a talent for woodworking and a love of restoring tractors, Hanson died Thursday, July 16, 2026. He was 91.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 21, at Deer Creek Lutheran Church near Carpenter. Visitation took place Monday evening at Hoff Celebrations – Sites Memorial Chapel in Northwood and continued one hour before the funeral service. Burial followed at Deer Creek Lutheran Cemetery.

Kamala Harris leads Vance and Rubio in early 2028 presidential poll

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

WASHINGTON — Former Vice President Kamala Harris, soundly rejected by voters in the 2024 presidential election, nevertheless holds an early advantage over two leading Republicans in hypothetical matchups for the White House in 2028, according to a new national poll.

The Zogby Analytics survey released in July 2026 found Harris leading Vice President JD Vance by five percentage points, 48 percent to 43 percent.

Surf Ballroom to unveil life-size statues of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and Big Bopper at historic celebration

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

CLEAR LAKE — Three rock-and-roll pioneers whose final performance together unfolded at the Surf Ballroom will be permanently honored outside the legendary Clear Lake venue during a history-making celebration on Friday, August 7, 2026.

The Surf Ballroom will unveil three life-size bronze statues honoring Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson as part of an all-day event featuring legendary entertainer Pat Boone, musicians connected to the three stars, a commemorative album release, a classic-car cruise and an old-fashioned sock hop.

Hanlontown farm lover and longtime hospitality worker Betty Peralta dies at 72

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

HANLONTOWN — Betty Jane Peralta, 72, of Hanlontown, whose life was filled with family, farm animals, gardening and years of service in the hospitality industry, died Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

A Celebration of Life visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Avenue North in Clear Lake.

Mason City suspect once accused of dropping rocks on cars jumps from window in vain attempt to flee cops

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

MASON CITY — An alleged Mason City troublemaker whose run-ins with police stretch back to at least 2014 tried to bolt from officers again Sunday, jumping out a window before police tackled him and hauled him to jail.

In September 2014, NIT reported that a 14-year-old Movick was one of three juveniles charged after large rocks were thrown from an old railroad bridge onto passing vehicles.

Iowa Falls educator and adventurer Virginia “Ginny” Ricke, 85, dies

Posted on by Matt Marquardt

IOWA FALLS — Virginia “Ginny” Ricke, an educator, civil rights advocate, real estate professional and enthusiastic traveler whose life carried her from an Iowa farm to classrooms and adventures around the country, died peacefully Wednesday, July 15, 2026, in Iowa Falls. She was 85.

No public funeral or memorial service information was included in the published arrangements.