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Floyd County supervisors halt conservation ordinance, set new speed limit and advance bridge projects at July 14 meeting

CHARLES CITY — The Floyd County Board of Supervisors put the brakes on a proposed conservation ordinance, established a new speed limit on Rotary Park Road and moved forward with several bridge and road projects during its Tuesday, July 14, 2026 meeting.

Supervisors Gloria Carr, Boyd Campbell and Frank Rottinghaus were all present for the 9 a.m. meeting at the Floyd County Courthouse.

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Mason City council considers adding top employees to manage downtown mall, arena

MASON CITY — Mason City officials are preparing to add two more full-time employees to help operate the city-managed facilities inside downtown’s Southbridge Mall, including its costly multipurpose arena.

The Mason City City Council will consider hiring a new Southbridge operations manager and creating an arena and ice-maintenance position during its regular meeting Tuesday, July 21, 2026.

Together, the two employees would receive approximately $128,710 in annual base wages. The total cost to taxpayers would be higher after insurance, IPERS retirement contributions, payroll taxes and other employment costs are included.

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Mason City school district continues filling staff positions ahead of July 20 meeting

MASON CITY — The Mason City Community School District continues to reshape and fill its workforce for the approaching school year, with another round of hires, transfers and new assignments scheduled for consideration on Monday, July 20, 2026.

The personnel changes follow a lengthy report approved by the Board of Education during its June 15 meeting, when the board hired 10 certified employees and approved numerous support-staff transfers, resignations and extracurricular assignments.

The board’s July 20 personnel report includes one new certified teacher, two special-education paraprofessionals and several employee transfers or reassignments for the 2026-27 school year.

Andrea Rodemeyer is listed for hire as a fourth-grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary at a salary of $52,005. Rodemeyer, a Buena Vista University graduate, would replace Kelly Lien following Lien’s voluntary transfer.

The proposed non-certified hires are:

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Iowa farm income plunges 53% as rising costs, weak grain prices squeeze farmers across North Iowa

MASON CITY — Iowa’s farm economy is under mounting pressure after net farm income plunged 53% in just two years, and the squeeze could continue as high production costs, weak crop prices and trade uncertainty hammer producers across the state — including the heavily agricultural economy surrounding Mason City.

A sweeping new agricultural outlook released in July 2026 by Iowa State University’s Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and the Iowa Bankers Association paints a troubling picture for Iowa farmers after the highly profitable years that followed the COVID-19 pandemic.

Perhaps the most concerning conclusion of the report is that Iowa’s agricultural downturn may take time to work through.

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