International travel has changed dramatically over the past decade. Smartphones have become essential tools for navigating new cities, booking transportation, staying in touch with family, and accessing work-related services on the go….
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NorthIowaToday.com Publisher
Welcome to NIT, North Iowa's only true watchdog media. NIT was founded on October 1, 2010.
OBIT: Elaine Ann (Hughes) Freerksen
Elaine Ann Freerksen, 85, of Riceville, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 25, 2025, at the Riceville Family Care and Therapy Center.
OBIT: John Steven Wood
John Steven Wood, 62, of Iowa Falls, Iowa, passed away Thursday, December 25, 2025, at Osage Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. A time of visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, Monday, December 29th, 2025, at Linn’s Funeral Home.
OBIT: Kathleen Swon
Kathleen Swon, 97, of Webster City died Thursday, December 25, 2025, at Windsor Manor. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Asbury United Methodist Church with visitation one hour prior to the service.
OBIT: LaVonne VanDeWalle
LaVonne Tomena VanDeWalle, was born 101 years ago on the family farm outside of Wallingford, Iowa to Bert and Tena (Nelson) Twito, on December 18, 1924. She passed away at Good Samaritan Society in Estherville, Iowa on December 25, 2025.
OBIT: Marvin H. Holmberg
Marvin H. Holmberg, 93, of Boone, passed away Thursday, December 25, 2025, at Westhaven Community in Boone.
OBIT: Willis R. Handt
Willis Ray Handt, 93, of Mason City, Iowa, passed from this earthly life to his heavenly home on Thursday, December 18, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 419 N Delaware.
OBIT: Jane C. Milnes
Jane was living in Ames, Iowa, where she shared a home with her daughter and son-in -law, Barb and Bill Holt. She died peacefully at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Christmas Day, December 25. She was 98 years old.
Ice fishing not advised across much of Iowa
CLEAR LAKE – Iowa’s stretch of unseasonably warm temperatures has deteriorated the quality of ice across much of the state south of Iowa Hwy. 3, to the point where any remaining ice is considered unsafe and ice fishing is discouraged.
Mason City couple nabbed after explicit photos shown off
MASON CITY – This Mason City couple seems to be on the rocks, and both found out that prancing about town and allegedly showing off dicy digitals is a real no-no, as police zeroed in and arrested them both.
Justice Department claims up to a million new Epstein files discovered
NEW YORK – The US Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the FBI have informed the Department of Justice that they have uncovered over a million more documents potentially related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, the agency announced today.
OBIT: Perry Blaser
Perry Anne Blaser, 88, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Christmas Eve 2025 at Evans Senior Living in Cresco, Iowa.
Illinois children and driver hurt in Northern Iowa auto rollover
GRUNDY COUNTY, IOWA – Two young children and a driver from Illinois were hurt in violent a Northern Iowa auto rollover accident.
Students in Iowa find math most-challenging subject, data reveals
Mathematics is the subject students in Iowa are struggling with the most, according to a new study, followed by programming and Spanish.
What subject does your student struggle with the most?
Ventura firefighter hurt after struck by driver at crash scene
VENTURA – A crash scene response in Ventura turned into a crime investigation after a driver traveled through and struck an assisting firefighter, sending the public servant to the hospital.
Women’s JUCO Basketball: NIACC’s Reggi Spotts earns ICCAC Division II basketball player of the week
MASON CITY – For the second time this season and third time in her career, NIACC sophomore guard Reggi Spotts has been selected as the ICCAC Division II women’s basketball player of the week.
OBIT: Beverly Ann Hayden
Beverly Ann Hayden (née Bergheim), 96, of rural Emmetsburg, Iowa, passed away peacefully on December 24, 2025, surrounded by her family.
Floyd County Courthouse: Supervisor meeting minutes for December 23, 2025
CHARLES CITY – The following are the expenses paid by Floyd county and Board of Supervisor meeting minutes for the period ending on December 23, 2025:
OBIT: Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Beach
Elizabeth “Betty” Ann Beach age 97 of New Hampton died Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at the Shell Rock Care Center.
OBIT: Phyllis M Olson
Phyllis Olson, 86 of Algona, passed away Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at the Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona. Funeral Service will be 10:30 AM Friday, January 2, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Algona.
OBIT: Steven Robert Pleggenkuhle
Steven Robert Pleggenkuhle age 68 of Sumner died Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at Mayo Clinic – St. Marys Campus in Rochester.
Winnebago County Courthouse: Supervisor meeting minutes and expense report for December 23, 2025
FOREST CITY – The following are the expenses paid by Winnebago county and Board of Supervisor meeting minutes for the period ending on December 23 2025:
Abandoned pressure cooker in Fort Dodge leads to quarantined area near downtown
FORT DODGE – In an effort to keep folks safe, police in Fort Dodge cleared an area near the downtown area after an abandoned pressure cooker raised eyebrows.
College Football: Iowa State defensice coordinator Jon Heacock announces retirement
AMES – After more than 40 seasons spent at the collegiate level, former Iowa State defensive coordinator Jon Heacock has announced his retirement from coaching.
OBIT: Lois Oordt
May 22, 1935 – December 23, 2025 Lois Oordt was 90 years old when she entered eternal rest on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 9th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City….
4 Tropical Vacations You Should Consider This Winter
Planning a warm-weather getaway is one of the most appealing ways to break up the colder months. Winter can bring shorter days and lower temperatures, making a sunny destination feel especially inviting….
What Is United We Dance?
Rave culture represents high energy, bright lights, and a strong sense of connection among fans. At the center of this lively world is “United We Dance,” an event focused on bringing people…
KEY4D: Unlock Bigger Wins Every Day
Are you looking for a simple way to feel more confident about daily results and choices that matter to you? Many people want steady progress, calm thinking, and better outcomes without stress,…
College Football: Jesse Bobbit named Iowa State Defensive Coordinator
AMES – Iowa State head coach Jimmy Rogers has announced that Jesse Bobbit, a former player for him at South Dakota State, has been named the Cyclones’ defensive coordinator.
OBIT: LaVonne R. Kaasa
LaVonne R. Kaasa, 82, of Mason City, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at the Heritage Care Center in Mason City. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 29, 2025, at Bethel United Methodist Church.
OBIT: Dawn Francis
Dawn Irene Francis, 61, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00am, Friday, December 26, 2025 at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel.
OBIT: Victoria “Vicky” A Eggerich
Vicky Eggerich, 64, of Humboldt, passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at home in Humboldt.
OBIT: Brent W. Beals
Brent W. Beals passed away peacefully on December 22, 2025, at the age of 77, at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.
OBIT: William A. “Bill” Gumm
William A. “Bill” Gumm, 81, of Westgate, Iowa, died Monday evening, December 22, 2025, at Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospital in West Union, Iowa.
OBIT: Shirley Mae (Myli) Alden
Shirley Mae Alden (Myli), age 90, of Chester, Iowa, went home to the Lord on December 22, 2025, at Regional Health Services of Howard County, in Cresco, Iowa.
OBIT: Michael Schoonover
Michael Schoonover, 75, of Sumner, died Monday evening, December 22, 2025, at his home, surrounded by loved ones.
OBIT: Kenneth Daniel Latwesen
Kenneth D. Latwesen, 63, of Fredericksburg, passed away Monday, December 22, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City.
OBIT: Shirley Rodas Fosse
Shirley Rodas Fosse, age 98, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Hospital North in Tampa, Florida. We look forward to seeing her in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!
Waterloo police investigating after person found dead in a house
WATERLOO – A male human was found dead in a Waterloo house, and police are investigating the incident while asking the public for clues.
College Wrestling: No. 3 Iowa State Cyclones top Lehigh, drop to Ohio State at Collegiate Wrestling Duals
NASHVILLE – No. 3 Iowa State closed the fall semester with a split Sunday at the Collegiate Wrestling Duals, falling to No. 2 Ohio State, 21-13, before topping No. 20 Lehigh, 26-11.