LAS VEGAS – Four Cyclones were crowned champions at the 2025 Cliff Keen Invitational as Iowa State ran away with its second team title at the event in the last three seasons.
Author: NIT Publisher
NorthIowaToday.com Publisher
Welcome to NIT, North Iowa's only true watchdog media. NIT was founded on October 1, 2010.
OBIT: Brian I. Trevett
Brian I. Trevett, 71, of Rockford, Iowa, passed away on December 2, 2025 at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
OBIT: Paula Fitchhorn
Heaven has a whole lot of glitter now. Paula “Poe” Fitchhorn passed, with husband of 33 years, Larry “Fitch” Fitchhorn, by her side on Saturday, December 6th. The visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, December 14, 2025 at Foster Funeral & Cremation Center.
OBIT: Mary Akins
Mary Akins, 68, of Stratford formerly of Eagle Grove died Sunday, December 7, 2025 at Rotary Senior Living.
College Basketball: UNI Panthers fall to Wichita State in overtime, 74-69
CEDAR FALLS – The UNI men’s basketball team battled back from a 12-point second half deficit, but would come up short at home for the first time this season in a 74-69 overtime loss to the Wichita State Shockers on Saturday night inside the McLeod Center.
Women’s College Basketball: No. 12 Iowa 79, Rutgers 36
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – No. 12 Iowa (9-0) routed Rutgers (7-3) on Saturday night in Piscataway, 79-36, before the Hawkeyes travel to Ames next week to face the top-10 Iowa State Cyclones.
OBIT: Diane Melrose
Diane Pearl (Christensen) Melrose, age 88, of Charles City, was called home to her Lord on November 29, 2025. A memorial service for Diane Melrose will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 15, 2025, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Charles City.
OBIT: Filomeno S. Castillo, Sr.
Filomeno S. Castillo, Sr., age 100, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on November 28, 2025, in Mason City, Iowa.
Iowa authorities convict man of child sex abuse
This perpetrator of egregiousness domiciled in an Iowa home that contained a child and repeatedly victimized the youth until they finally turned him in, and now justice has been rendered.
Northern Iowa seat in Iowa House to be filled in Tuesday election
Voting opened on Saturday for a vacant seat in the Iowa House of Representatives, and two Northern Iowa women of opposing political parties are looking to fill the role, with election day set for Tuesday.
President Donald J. Trump awarded world peace prize by soccer organization
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, was presented with the inaugural “FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World” by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ at the iconic John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC.
College Basketball: #10 Iowa State Cyclones demolish #1 Purdue, 81-58
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – No. 10 Iowa State (9-0) handed top-ranked Purdue (8-1) its first home, non-conference loss since 2019 as it blasted the Boilermakers by 23 points, winning 81-58.
OBIT: Doug Ellingson
Douglas D. Ellingson, 75, of Alden, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at the Alden United Methodist Church.
OBIT: Elizabeth Tabor
Elizabeth Ann Tabor, 72, of Forest City, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 5, 2025, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center. Per her wishes, cremation has taken place and no services will be held at this time.
OBIT: Harold Pursley
Harold John Pursley, 82, of Webster City, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Van Diest Medical Center.
OBIT: Brad Twait
Brad Twait, age 56, of Fairmont, MN, passed away on December 6, 2025, at his mother’s home in Lone Rock where he had been living the last three weeks. He was surrounded by his loving family when he entered into the arms of his Heavenly Father. Celebration of Life for Brad will be 11:00 am Wednesday December 10th at St. John’s Lutheran Church north of Cylinder.
Iowa mother sentenced to 25 years in prison for meth-fueled crash that killed son
An Iowa woman was sentenced to up to 25 years in prison Friday after admitting to driving while under the influence of methamphetamine and killing her 10-year-old son.
“I regret using the methamphetamine,” she told a judge at sentencing. “I apologize to the family, the court, and the community.”
Panther volleyball falls to No. 11 Creighton in NCAA Tournament
UNI ends 2025 season with a 26-6 record and a 27th NCAA Tournament appearance.
North Iowa business owner wins lottery prize, plans to reward employees
CLIVE – This New Hampton business owner won a nice lottery prize and plans to use the money he won for good causes.
– Bonuses for his employees
– Support for a friend in need
– Donations to charity
OBIT: Michelle Ranie O’Rourke
Michelle R. O’Rourke, age 41 of Lake Mills, passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City, Iowa. Per her wishes, cremation will take place and no formal services will be held.
Task force nabs alleged “transitioning” child predator in Mason City
MASON CITY – An allegedly “transitioning” suspect of unknown origins weaseled his way into a Mason City home filled with adults and children, and as he allegedly honed his skills in victimizing the vulnerable during his stay, a task force from far out West traveled here to introduce him to justice for the most heinous of crimes and mercifully rid him from our community.
OBIT: Michael Lyons
Michael Leslie Lyons was born on January 12, 1939, to Roger and Eleene (Boomhower) Lyons in Mason City, Iowa. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1957.
College Football: Iowa State Cyclones hire Jimmy Rogers as new head football coach
AMES – Jimmy Rogers, who guided Washington State to a bowl game in his first season on the Palouse after leading South Dakota State to the 2023 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) national championship, has been selected as the 34th head football coach in Iowa State history, Cyclone Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard announced today.
College Football: Matt Campbell leaves Iowa State to take head coaching job at Penn State
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – Matt Campbell is no longer the Iowa State head football coach after a whirlwind recruitment and is now the head coach at Penn State.
OBIT: Marie A. Geiken
Marie A. Geiken, born on November 14, 1944, in Eldora, Iowa, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2025, in Grundy Center, Iowa.
OBIT: Lois Strenge
Lois May Strenge was born in Emmetsburg, Iowa on September 21, 1936, to Gilbert and Mildred (Neilson) Austin. She passed away at the age of 89 years, surrounded by her family on December 5, 2025, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
OBIT: Marion Stamp
Marion Stamp, 89, of Webster City died Friday, December 5, 2025 at Crestview Nursing and Rehabilitation. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 11, 2025 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with visitation one hour prior to the service. Foster Funeral and Cremation Center is entrusted with the services.
OBIT: Kenneth Lyon
Kenneth Lyon, age 92 of Mallard, passed away on Friday, December 5, 2025 at the Lakeside Lutheran Home in Emmetsburg. Funeral Service will be 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 11, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Mallard.
$1.3 million Iowa River restoration project begins at Steamboat Rock
STEAMBOAT ROCK – The sounds of heavy construction equipment have become common in town over the past few months as work continues on a new nature lodge at Pine Ridge Park, the Iowa DNR said this week. Construction will now shift to the Iowa River, where crews will begin work on the $1.3 million Iowa River Restoration, Water Recreation, and Safety Project.
Cuban military sergeant living in Mason City sent to prison for fraud
SIOUX CITY – A former sergeant in the Cuban military, who lived in Mason City and obtained fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loans while working in an Algona meatpacking plant, was sentenced on December 3, 2025, to four years in federal prison.
OBIT: Patricia Ann Klinge
Patricia Ann Klinge, 93, of Clear Lake, passed away on December 4, 2025, at Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake.
OBIT: Dr. Bob Johannesen
Dr. Robert G. Johannesen, 74, of Mason City, passed away peacefully on November 30, 2025, at his home, surrounded by the love and comfort of his family. A Celebration of Life to honor Bob will be held 11:00 am Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at First United Methodist Church.
OBIT: DeLoris L Lindley
DeLoris Lorraine Lindley passed away peacefully at home on November 30, 2025, with her family by her side. A memorial visitation will take place on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Rock Creek Lutheran Church in Osage.
ICE raids in Minneapolis snare “vicious criminals” allowed to roam by Democrats
MINNEAPOLIS – In just days, Homeland Security says, ICE has arrested vicious criminals who were allowed to roam Minneapolis streets thanks to sanctuary policies from Democrats, ridding the streets of pedophiles, domestic abusers, and gang members.
OBIT: Dorothy Ellen (Enfield) Bergan
Dorothy Ellen (Enfield) Bergan, age 97, formerly of LeRoy, MN, passed away peacefully on December 2nd, 2025, in her home in Seymour, IA.
UNI volleyball stuns Utah in NCAA Tournament reverse sweep
Panthers rally from down two sets to advance to round of 32 in NCAA Tournament.
The Panthers will face off against the winner of No. 11 and third-seeded Creighton and Northern Colorado on Friday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
OBIT: Albert J. Hegenbarth Jr.
Albert J. Hegenbarth Jr., 93, of Mason City, passed away on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at Epiphany Parish St.-Joseph Catholic Church.
Waterloo mother who dealt weed with help of son gets 5 years in prison
CEDAR RAPIDS – A Waterloo mother involved in a drug conspiracy connected to her California son was sentenced on December 2, 2025, to five years in federal prison.
OBIT: Dennis “Denny” Lyle Shearman
Dennis “Denny” Lyle Shearman age 70 of Charles City, IA, died Monday, December 1, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, December 19, 2025, at Hugeback – Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton.
OBIT: Mary “Sue” Susan Staudt
Mary Susan “Sue” Staudt, 80, of Charles City, IA passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Independence Village in Ames, IA, under the care of St. Croix Hospice. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, December 13, at Fullerton-Hage Funeral Home.