CLEAR LAKE — Five people, including four minors, were injured Saturday evening after two personal watercraft collided on Clear Lake near the McIntosh boat ramp in Cerro Gordo County.
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Iowa farmer killed in tragic skid loader accident
An Iowa man was killed in a tragic farm accident last week after becoming trapped by a skid loader while working alone on his farm.
Rockwell police nab young driver going 70 in newly marked 45 mph zone
ROCKWELL — Police in this small Northern Iowa town are reminding drivers to slow down after a young motorist was nabbed traveling 70 mph in a 45 mph zone on Madison Street.
Rural Little Turkey woman Sharon Landa, 89, passes away as family prepares to honor her life
RURAL LITTLE TURKEY — Sharon Marvella Landa, 89, of rural Little Turkey, Iowa, passed away Monday, June 30, 2026.
A rosary will be held at 8:45 a.m. Monday, July 6, 2026, at Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, 3303 160th Street, Lawler.
Northern Iowa police sting targeting child predators nets 14 arrests since January
A long-running police operation targeting child exploitation has led to 14 arrests since January and more than 50 arrests since the effort began in 2024, authorities said.
How Mobile Apps Are Transforming Everyday Entertainment
Entertainment has become more accessible than ever thanks to the rapid growth of mobile technology. Whether someone wants to stream music, watch videos, play games, or use a lottery app to securely…
Iowa 3 closure between Clarion and Goldfield delayed until July 20 for bridge replacement
CLARION — A planned road closure on Iowa Highway 3 between Clarion and Goldfield has been delayed and is now expected to begin Monday, July 20, 2026, as crews prepare to replace the bridge over Eagle Creek.
The Iowa Department of Transportation said the closure is expected to remain in place until November 15, weather permitting.
MacNider Art Museum opens 50th Area Show celebrating regional artists
MASON CITY — The Charles H. MacNider Art Museum has opened Area Show: 50, bringing together selected works from artists across North Central Iowa and Southern Minnesota.
Alan Eberline, 73, of Bristow, passes away; farmer known as “Big Al” loved faith, family and the land
BRISTOW — Alan David Eberline, 73, of Bristow, passed away Friday, July 3, 2026, at Franklin General Hospital in Hampton.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at Crosspoint Church, 215 3rd Street NW, Waverly. Burial will take place at 2:00 PM Wednesday at Oak Hill Cemetery in Bristow.
Janice “Jan” Hannemann, 80, of Nashua, passes away; longtime teacher leaves legacy of family, faith and service
NASHUA — Janice “Jan” Anne Hannemann, 80, of Nashua, passed away July 3, 2026, at her home in Nashua.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Thursday, July 9, 2026, at St. John Lutheran Church in Nashua, with Pastor Todd Burrichter officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Nashua.
Ronald Pleggenkuhle, 79, of Hawkeye, passes away; celebration of life set for August
HAWKEYE — Ronald Ray Pleggenkuhle, 79, of Hawkeye, passed away peacefully Friday, July 3, 2026, at his family’s lake house.
A celebration of life will be held from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM Sunday, August 2, 2026, at the Hawkeye Community Hall. A short program will begin at 11:30 AM, with a meal to follow. All are welcome to attend.
Northern Iowa motorcyclist killed in Waterloo crash identified as Marcus Porter
WATERLOO — A Northern Iowa motorcyclist was killed this week in Waterloo when the bike crashed into a median.
Tragic Iowa rollover crash ejects woman and toddler from pickup pulling camper on I-80
A tragic Iowa rollover crash sent three people to the hospital, including a 23-month-old girl who was flown to University of Iowa Children’s Hospital after being ejected from a pickup on Interstate 80.
Jeff and Lori Otto of Otto’s Oasis honored as NIACC June entrepreneurs of the month
MASON CITY — A Charles City couple who turned a hometown opportunity into nearly two decades of business growth has been named the June 2026 Entrepreneur of the Month by the NIACC John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and North Iowa Area SBDC.
Jeff and Lori Otto, owners of Otto’s Oasis in Charles City, received the recognition for their work growing and adapting the longtime local business, which operates as a full-service florist, greenhouse, landscaping company and gift shop.
North Iowa Community Embraces Growing Trend of Safer Online Sports Betting and Digital Casino Entertainment
Online sports betting and digital casino platforms continue to attract attention across North Iowa and international markets in 2026. Mobile devices and live features are changing the ways users engage with sports…
Mason City senior housing project collapses after developer pulls out over $1 million funding gap
MASON CITY — A planned 45-unit senior housing development near the Northbridge area of Mason City is now not expected to move forward after the developer determined there was an approximately $1 million gap between available funding and the cost to complete the project.
According to a June 30, 2026, memorandum from Mason City Development Services Director Steven J. Van Steenhuyse to City Administrator Aaron Burnett, Horizon Development Group, Inc. informed city staff last week that it was withdrawing from the project.
Iowa dog breeder accused of deplorable conditions as 32 dogs are seized after court order
Dozens of dogs were seized from an Iowa dog breeder after federal and state inspectors gained court-ordered access to the facility and reported numerous alleged animal welfare violations.
The U.S. Department of Justice said 32 dogs were seized Tuesday, June 30, 2026, from a dog breeding facility operated by Wuanita Swedlund in Farmington, Iowa. The dogs were placed in a local animal shelter.
Northern Iowa meth dealer who tried to bust out of jail gets 25 years in federal prison
A desperate Iowa methamphetamine dealer who tried to escape from custody before sentencing has been handed a long federal prison term.
Two motorists killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 20 in Northern Iowa
Two motorists were killed Tuesday in a wrong-way crash on Highway 20 in Northern Iowa, according to the Iowa State Patrol.
According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, 139 people have died in Iowa traffic crashes so far in 2026 as of Thursday, July 2.
Pet owners warned after FDA reports rise in accidental Apoquel Chewable overdoses
Pet owners are being urged to safely store a commonly prescribed dog medication after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported an increase in accidental overdoses involving Apoquel Chewable, a flavored prescription medicine used to treat itching and allergic skin disease in dogs.
Reynolds creates Iowa Medicaid fraud task force led by Attorney General Brenna Bird
DES MOINES — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Executive Order 20 on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, creating a new Iowa Medicaid Fraud Elimination Task Force aimed at rooting out fraud, waste and abuse in the state’s Medicaid program.
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Averil Merritt, 90, of Mason City, remembered for preschool work, faith and service
MASON CITY — Averil H. Merritt, a Mason City woman remembered for her work with preschool children, her devotion to family and her quiet service to others, has died.
Merritt died Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at her home. She was 90.
A funeral service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, July 6, 2026, at First Covenant Church.
Clear Lake man James “Jim” Ollin Miller, 69, passes away with family by his side
CLEAR LAKE — James “Jim” Ollin Miller, 69, of Clear Lake, passed away Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Oakwood Care Center, with his children by his side.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 10, 2026, at Harvest Bible Chapel North Iowa, 2200 North 24th Street in Clear Lake, with Pastor Terry McCarl officiating. Burial will follow at Clear Lake Cemetery.
Clear Lake woman Mary Hill, 82, passes away after life of faith, family and kindness
CLEAR LAKE — Mary Esther Hill, 82, of Clear Lake, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Concord Care Center in Garner.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Avenue North in Clear Lake.
Osage man faces mandatory prison after guilty plea in child images case
A Northern Iowa man is facing federal prison after pleading guilty to receiving child pornography, months after authorities first arrested him on related state charges in Mitchell County.
Damon Wesley Powers, 44, of Osage, pleaded guilty in federal court in Cedar Rapids to one count of receipt of child pornography.
Northern Iowa meth dealer with seven prior felonies sent to federal prison for more than 15 years
A Northern Iowa meth dealer with seven prior felony convictions has been sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison for his role in a Fort Dodge-area meth conspiracy.
Mason City police nab three after search warrants tied to Kwik Star shooting investigation
MASON CITY — Three Mason City men were arrested Wednesday after police and multiple law enforcement agencies executed search warrants tied to ongoing shooting investigations, including the June gunfire incident outside the South Federal Avenue Kwik Star.
Livermore man Charles “Chuck” Streit, 72, passes away at home
LIVERMORE — Charles “Chuck” Streit, 72, of Livermore, passed away Sunday, June 28, 2026, at his home.
A memorial service was held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at Oak Hill Church in Humboldt. Visitation was held one hour before the service at the church. Inurnment will take place at a later date.
Northern Iowa crash near Osage leaves two injured, one with life-threatening injuries
OSAGE — A Northern Iowa crash near Osage sent two drivers to the hospital Sunday afternoon, including a Grafton man with life-threatening injuries, according to the Iowa State Patrol.
Iowa suspect nabbed after police say fake gun used in convenience store robbery
An Iowa man has been arrested after police say he used a replica firearm to rob a convenience store Saturday night.
Armed Northern Iowa felon sent to federal prison after cops find loaded guns, machine-gun switch
An armed Northern Iowa felon has been sentenced to federal prison after authorities say police found two loaded handguns tied to him during a Waterloo traffic stop, including one equipped with a device that allowed it to fire as a fully automatic weapon.
Northern Iowa suspect nabbed with meth for delivery after remote traffic stop
A Northern Iowa man was jailed after a Fayette County traffic stop allegedly turned up a distribution amount of methamphetamine and marijuana late Saturday night.
Supreme court hands Trump birthright citizenship setback, but Vance says ruling shows fight may be far from over
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court handed President Donald Trump a major setback Monday by upholding birthright citizenship, but Vice President JD Vance and other conservatives are already pointing to the close ruling as a sign the constitutional fight may only be temporarily delayed.
James “Jim” Turner, 86, of Rockwell, dies; services set at St. Peter Lutheran Church
ROCKWELL — James Donald “Jim” Turner, 86, of Rockwell, passed away Sunday, June 28, 2026, at University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM Monday, July 13, 2026, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Rockwell.
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Floyd supervisors approve major communications payments, road equipment and conservation transfer at June 30 meeting
CHARLES CITY — The Floyd County Board of Supervisors approved major communications project payments, road equipment purchases, zoning board compensation, drainage district expenses and a conservation fund transfer during its regular meeting on June 30, 2026.
Marie T. Borchardt, 88 of Mason City, passes away peacefully at home
MASON CITY — Marie T. Borchardt, 88, of Mason City, passed away peacefully Sunday, June 28, 2026, at her home.
A Funeral Mass was held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 3, 2026, at Epiphany Parish – St. Joseph Catholic Church, 302 5th Street SE in Mason City, with Father David Hemann officiating. Interment followed at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City.
New Hampton woman Sally Jane West, 65, passes away after life of caring for family and patients
NEW HAMPTON — Sally Jane West, 65, of New Hampton, passed away Sunday, June 28, 2026, at her home, surrounded by family.
A visitation was held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton. Funeral services followed at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with Matt Howlett officiating. Sally’s grandchildren served as honorary pallbearers.