MASON CITY – At the three North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) graduation ceremonies on Friday, May 1, nearly 850 graduates were recognized as earning approximately 1270 Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates during the 2025-2026 academic year. Several honors and awards were also presented. NIACC’S Class of 2026 represents 17 countries, 21 states, and 94 Iowa communities.
Author: Matt Marquardt
Northern Iowa couple arrested for harassment after false domestic report
A Northern Iowa couple is facing charges after authorities determined a report of a domestic dispute was fabricated.
Marble rock veteran and accomplished international salesman Ronald Schriever passes away at 78
MARBLE ROCK, IA – The Marble Rock community is remembering Ronald “Ronnie” E. Schriever, a dedicated family man and award-winning salesman who passed away on April 30, 2026, at the age of 78.
College Softball: Iowa State Cyclones down No. 22 UCF, 13-9
AMES – With its postseason on the line, Iowa State (32-2, 9-14 Big 12) earned its third ranked victory of the season in dramatic fashion, walking off No. 22 UCF in the bottom of the seventh to win, 13-9.
Iowa Supreme Court ruling means a new cancer center to be built at Charles City hospital
CHARLES CITY – A years-long legal battle over a multi-million dollar gift has come to an end following a decisive ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court. The court this week ruled in favor of Floyd County Medical Center (FCMC) regarding the estate of Herman Stille, bringing a high-profile dispute with the Mayo Clinic to a final close.
Iowa man arrested on felony grooming and enticement charges in Buchanan County
BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA – A 68-year-old Northern Iowa man is in custody following an investigation into the solicitation of a minor over social media.
Northern Iowa teen faces multiple felonies following investigation into sexual assault and drug crimes
An 18-year-old Northern Iowa man is in custody facing a string of felony charges after a month-long investigation into allegations of sexual assault and the distribution of illegal substances to minors.
Guatemalan illegal attacks child, then set free in sanctuary Illinois… but ICE agents deliver justice
Erik Giovanni-Quiroa (pictured at top), a criminal illegal alien from Guatemala, has a criminal history that includes a conviction in 2011 for aggravated battery with a firearm, for which he was sentenced to 16 years in prison, and a conviction in 2025 for aggravated sexual abuse of a 5-year-old child, for which he was sentenced to three years in prison. ICE lodged a detainer with the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), but Governor J.B. Pritzker and his fellow Illinois sanctuary politicians refused to cooperate with ICE and released this pedophile from jail into the community.
On April 22, 2026, ICE conducted a targeted vehicle stop and arrested him at large in the community. Giovanni-Quiroa again endangered the public by refusing to stop when given lawful commands and attempting to flee in his vehicle.
Charles City woman arrested on multiple charges following traffic stop
CHARLES CITY – A local woman is in custody after a Thursday evening traffic stop led to drug-related charges and multiple driving violations.
Clear Lake resident and extensive world traveler Darlene Kuhlers passes away at 92
CLEAR LAKE, IA – The North Iowa community is honoring the memory of Darlene Marcella Kuhlers, a devoted mother and longtime Clear Lake resident who passed away on April 30, 2026, at the age of 92.
Clear Lake veteran and dedicated auto body painter Roger Westover passes away at 87
CLEAR LAKE – The Clear Lake community is remembering Roger Dale Westover, a United States Air Force veteran and skilled tradesman who passed away on April 23, 2026, at the age of 87.
College Basketball: Hawkeyes’ historic NCAA run ends in Elite Eight loss to Illinois, 71-59
HOUSTON — Iowa’s deepest NCAA Tournament run in nearly four decades came to a painful end Saturday night as third-seeded Illinois pulled away late to defeat the ninth-seeded Hawkeyes, 71-59, in the South Regional championship game.
Three-vehicle crash on Northern Iowa highway leaves three injured, two vehicles totaled
FAYETTE COUNTY — Three people suffered minor injuries and a woman had to be mechanically freed from her vehicle following a three-vehicle collision Saturday morning on a Northern Iowa highway.
Deer collision throws 89-year-old Iowa motorcyclist from bike
WINTHROP — An elderly motorcyclist was hospitalized Tuesday afternoon after striking a deer on a rural Buchanan County roadway southeast of Winthrop.
Tractor and anhydrous tank overturn on remote Northern Iowa road, causing $100,000 in damage
WESTGATE — Emergency crews responded to a farm accident south of Westgate after a tractor hauling agricultural equipment and an anhydrous ammonia tank left the roadway and overturned.
Human remains found at Waterloo treatment plant identified as man missing since 2021
WATERLOO — Human remains discovered at a Waterloo wastewater treatment facility have been identified as those of a 52-year-old man who had been missing for nearly three years, authorities said.
Longtime Globe Gazette publisher Howard Query dies at 62 after life of service to Mason City
MASON CITY — Howard E. Query, a longtime North Iowa newspaper publisher, community leader and devoted family man, has died at age 62. Query died Tuesday, September 22, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center–North Iowa.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, September 27, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue in Mason City.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 28, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Rob Jadrnicek of Lifepoint Church in Wisconsin officiating. Inurnment will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Howard Query Memorial Fund in care of the family.