MASON CITY — Judy Kaye Newman, 69, passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at her home in Mason City.
Following Judy’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no services will be held.
Author: Matt Marquardt
Jody Margaret Yezek, 82, of Plymouth, remembered for love of learning, family and life’s eccentric joys
PLYMOUTH — Jody Margaret (Ebeling) Yezek, 82, of Plymouth, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Manly Nursing and Rehab Center.
A visitation will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second Street SE in Mason City.
Owen James Kies, 21, of Spencer, remembered for hard work, welding skill and love of motorcycles
SPENCER — Owen James Kies, 21, passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2026, in Spencer.
A visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, September 19, at Geelan Funeral Home, 403 11th Street SE in Spencer. A memorial service will follow at 4 p.m. at the funeral home, with Andy Geelan officiating.
Dan Tryon, 65, Spirit Lake, remembered for business, sports, biking and bringing people together
SPIRIT LAKE — Dan Tryon, 65, is being remembered as a businessman, sports enthusiast, coach, organizer and devoted family man whose ventures and community involvement touched many people in the Iowa Great Lakes area and beyond.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, September 17, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church, 3501 Hill Avenue in Spirit Lake. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. and continue until the service. A come-and-go Celebration of Life gathering will follow at 3 p.m. at The Venue, 1605 Hill Avenue in Spirit Lake.
Helene Hulda Brant, 86, Clear Lake, remembered for family, faith, creativity and friendship
CLEAR LAKE — Helene Hulda Brant, 86, passed away Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City, surrounded by her family. She is being remembered for her deep love of family, steadfast faith, creative spirit and the many friendships she built throughout her life.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Avenue of the Saints Church of Christ, 1021 North 8th Street in Clear Lake, with Minister Dale Burleson officiating.
Marlin R. Sadler, 84, of Osage, remembered for a life centered on faith and family
OSAGE — Marlin R. Sadler, 84, of Osage, died peacefully at his home on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, leaving behind a large family and a life grounded in faith.
Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Monday, September 14, at South Osage Mennonite Church, 2197 340th Street, Osage.
Visitation will be held Sunday, September 13, at New Haven Mennonite Community Center, 3000 360th Street, Osage, from 2 to 4 p.m. and again from 6 to 8 p.m.
Interment will follow in the cemetery adjoining South Osage Mennonite Church. The family asks that flowers be omitted.
Mason City couple’s court battle rages as explicit-photo sharing cases drag into fall
MASON CITY — The courtroom battle surrounding a Mason City couple accused of showing and distributing explicit photographs without permission is still raging months later, with one defendant moving toward a possible plea and the other preparing for an October jury trial.
The legal turmoil adds another messy chapter to a relationship that appears to be on the rocks. Court records show both Christina Jo Dodge and Matthew Alan Dodge (pictured at top in jail phortos) have previously sought domestic-abuse protection from the other.
Mason City caregiver convicted in dependent-adult abuse case; co-defendant heads toward trial
MASON CITY — One of two Mason City women accused of financially exploiting a dependent adult has been convicted through a plea agreement, while her co-defendant remains charged with three felonies and is scheduled for an October trial.
Patricia Mary Hoadley, 92, of Clear Lake, remembered for compassion, family and an adventurous spirit
CLEAR LAKE — Patricia Mary Hoadley, 92, of Clear Lake, died peacefully surrounded by her family Monday, September 7, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 16, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Avenue North in Clear Lake, with Deacon Matt Berry officiating. Visitation will be held one hour before the service, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Inurnment will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City.
Illegal alien trucker kills innocent American woman driver with totally insane passing attempt
An illegal alien semi-truck driver with a Gavin Newsom California commercial license is accused of making a disastrous passing maneuver that sent his massive rig directly into an innocent American woman’s car, killing her in a head-on collision.
Manjit Singh of Fresno, California, was arrested and charged with aggravated vehicular homicide following the September 2, 2026, crash…
Trump proposes $5,000 windfall for American adults if Republicans retain Congress
DALLAS, TEXAS — President Donald Trump is proposing a potentially massive financial windfall for American adults, promising a $5,000 “Trump Dividend” if Republicans retain control of both chambers of Congress in November.
Trump unveiled the proposal Wednesday night during the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, presenting it as a way to return some of the federal government’s economic gains—including money collected through tariffs—to the American people.
“If the Republicans win the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, both of them … I will issue a dividend to every adult citizen in the United States of America for $5,000,” Trump said.
Bounce House Rental vs Traditional Party Entertainment: Which Offers More Fun?
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‘Taxi’ and ‘Who’s the Boss?’ star Tony Danza bringing music, dancing and stories to Mason City
MASON CITY — Actor and entertainer Tony Danza will bring a blend of classic American music, personal stories, comedy, tap dancing and ukulele playing to North Iowa this fall.
Danza and his four-piece band will present Tony Danza: Standards & Stories at 7 p.m. Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the North Iowa Community Auditorium on the NIACC campus.
Northern Iowa house raid turns up meth, weed and pills; woman nabbed
A woman suspect was hauled to jail after police raided a Northern Iowa residence Tuesday night and allegedly uncovered methamphetamine, marijuana, prescription drugs and drug paraphernalia.
Northern Iowa man accused of strangling woman while on probation for felony burglary case
A Northern Iowa man who avoided a lengthy prison term earlier this year is back behind bars after allegedly strangling and injuring a woman during a domestic disturbance.
Northern Iowa man nabbed on felony meth charge after 3:32 AM traffic stop
ROLFE — A Northern Iowa man facing a felony methamphetamine charge after an early-morning traffic stop has made his initial court appearance and is scheduled to return to court later this month.
The Pocahontas County Sheriff’s Office said deputies stopped a maroon Ford F-150 at approximately 3:32 AM on August 31 in the 700 block of Grant Street in Rolfe.
Cerro Gordo supervisors back Highway 122 improvements, approve $447,680 in claims
MASON CITY — Cerro Gordo County supervisors backed a pair of Mason City transportation funding efforts, approved nearly $448,000 in county claims and spent more than half an hour behind closed doors during their Tuesday, September 8 meeting.
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Dorothy Darlene Olson, 95, of Forest City, remembered with love by family
FOREST CITY — Dorothy Darlene Olson, 95, of Forest City, passed away peacefully Tuesday, September 8, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family at the Good Samaritan Center in Forest City.
A memorial service celebrating Dorothy’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 22, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, with Pastor Zech Anderson officiating.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., one hour prior to the service at the church.
Genesis named official luxury vehicle of Big Ten Conference
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CALIF. — Genesis is driving deeper into college sports after being named the official luxury vehicle of the Big Ten Conference, placing the automaker alongside Iowa Hawkeye athletics and some of the nation’s most-watched college competitions.
The agreement is Genesis Motor America’s first conference-wide partnership in college athletics. It begins with Big Ten football and will expand across men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, ice hockey and wrestling.
Todd R. McMurray, 60, Mason City, remembered for devotion to family, love of the outdoors
MASON CITY — Todd Raymond McMurray, 60, of Mason City, is remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed fishing, camping, grilling, old cars and time spent with the people he loved.
Per Todd’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to his family.
Todd died Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.
Northern Iowa rains offer relief as area farmers prepare for harvest
Much-needed rainfall reached parts of Northern Iowa during an unusually hot opening week of September as farmers across the state continued preparing for corn and soybean harvest.
The latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report shows farmers had 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 6, while corn and soybean development continued toward maturity.
“The first week of September was one of the hottest on record, setting up some muggy conditions for attendees at the Farm Progress Show,” Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said.
How to Plan Stress-Free Event Food Without Regretting the Menu Later
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William “Bill” Schug, 84, Spirit Lake, remembered as loved ones gather to celebrate his life
SPIRIT LAKE — William “Bill” Schug, 84, passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of memories for the family, friends and others who knew him.
A memorial service celebrating Bill’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 18, 2026, at Life360 in Founder’s Hall at the Okoboji Bible Conference, 7 U.S. Highway 71 in Arnolds Park.
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Iowa Hawkeye volleyball sweeps Cyclones in Ames, snaps 32-year drought
AMES — Iowa Hawkeye volleyball ended more than three decades of frustration in Ames Tuesday night, sweeping rival Iowa State in straight sets for its first victory at Hilton Coliseum since 1994.
The Hawkeyes knocked off the Cyclones 25-20, 25-21 and 25-23 in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series showdown, improving to 4-2 on the season.
The victory was Iowa’s first over Iowa State since 2021 and its first in Ames in 32 years.
Northside Oktoberfest celebrates 30 years with huge Iowa City fall festival
IOWA CITY — One of Iowa City’s biggest fall traditions is preparing to raise a glass to three decades of beer, food, music and neighborhood fun.
Four hurt after teen driver pulls into path of MidAmerican Energy truck in Northern Iowa
EAGLE GROVE — Four people were injured Tuesday morning when a vehicle driven by a Northern Iowa teenager failed to yield at a rural stop sign and was broadsided by a MidAmerican Energy truck.
The crash happened at approximately 10:30 AM on September 8, 2026, at the intersection of 265th Street and Hancock Avenue in Wright County, east of Eagle Grove.
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What Office Movers Handle, and What You Still Have to Do
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Winnebago County Sheriff Steve Hepperly to retire after 41-year law enforcement career
FOREST CITY — Winnebago County Sheriff Steve Hepperly will step away from law enforcement at the end of the year, closing a career that has stretched more than four decades across North Iowa.
Hepperly submitted his resignation and retirement notification to the Winnebago County Board of Supervisors during its weekly meeting Tuesday morning and said his final day as sheriff will be December 31, 2026.
He is recommending that supervisors appoint current Winnebago County Chief Deputy Sheriff Michael Droessler to take over the office following his retirement.
North Iowa housing projects score $2.26 million in tax credits for 133 new units
MASON CITY — Four housing developments in Mason City, Clear Lake and Ventura are in line for more than $2.25 million in state workforce housing tax credits, supporting 133 new residential units in Cerro Gordo County as part of a nearly $40 million statewide housing push announced Tuesday.
The Iowa Economic Development Authority announced $39.84 million in Workforce Housing Tax Credits on September 8 for 69 projects expected to produce 2,093 new residential units across 39 Iowa counties.
North Iowa grabbed a sizable piece of that investment.