Unlock more of North Iowa’s biggest stories
25 current premium stories • $24 for 6 months • just $4 a month
News Headlines for November 14, 2026
Long-planned Des Moines soccer stadium development skids to a halt after city walks away
DES MOINES — A massive economic development project years in the making has hit the rocks in Iowa’s capital city, with Des Moines officials pulling the plug on negotiations for a proposed professional soccer stadium and surrounding entertainment district after concluding the city could no longer afford the deal.
The City of Des Moines announced Wednesday, August 26, 2026, that it has ended seven years of negotiations with the Krause Group over redevelopment of the former DICO industrial site southwest of downtown (the area in Des Moines is pictured at top).
Mason City police seek help locating missing 13-year-old
MASON CITY – The Mason City Police Department is asking for the public’s help locating Invictus Sovereign Walsh, a 13-year-old reported missing in Mason City.
Floyd County weighs higher burial assistance as funeral costs climb
CHARLES CITY — Floyd County officials are considering increasing the amount the county will pay toward burials and cremations for qualifying residents after learning that only one funeral home currently accepts the county’s existing rate.
The Floyd County Board of Supervisors discussed the issue during its August 25 meeting after Public Health Director Gail Arjes presented an update on the county’s General Assistance program.
Winnebago County pays $247K paving bill, approves $388K in claims as recycling cameras eyed
FOREST CITY, IOWA — Winnebago County supervisors approved more than $388,000 in claims, including a massive $247,178.59 construction payment, while officials reported the Rice Lake road project complete and began exploring cameras at rural recycling sites.
Bradley Jae “Brad” Adams, 67, of Joice, remembered as devoted family man who was always improving his home
JOICE — Bradley Jae “Brad” Adams, 67, of Joice, died peacefully Tuesday, August 25, 2026, surrounded by his family at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, August 30, at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third Street NE in Mason City.
Big Ten, SEC slam door on NFL players returning to college as eligibility chaos spreads nationwide
CHICAGO — The Big Ten and Southeastern Conference have drawn a firm line in the rapidly changing world of college athletics, adopting new rules designed to prevent players who have crossed into professional football from returning to college teams — a move that directly affects the Iowa Hawkeyes and could soon reach Iowa State and other major programs.
The Big Ten announced Tuesday that its schools unanimously adopted a conference eligibility rule prohibiting football players from competing at a Big Ten institution if they have signed a professional contract, appeared on a professional roster at any point or declared for the NFL Draft as an underclassman and failed to withdraw.
Passed-out Northern Iowa felon allegedly caught with meth and stolen gun, house raid follows hours later
A convicted felon allegedly found passed out in a vehicle at a Northern Iowa park was hauled to jail after deputies say they discovered methamphetamine and a stolen firearm, then investigators raided a remote residence just hours later and brought another felony gun charge.
UNI volleyball picked to win fifth straight MVC crown as four Panthers earn preseason honors
CEDAR FALLS — The UNI volleyball dynasty is expected to keep rolling in 2026, with Northern Iowa picked as the favorite to capture a fifth consecutive Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championship and four Panthers earning preseason all-conference honors.
UNI received nine of 11 first-place votes and 119 total points in the MVC preseason coaches poll released Monday, putting the Panthers atop the league’s preseason rankings for the fourth consecutive year.
North Iowa business standouts named finalists for 2026 Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala
MASON CITY – Some of North Iowa’s most ambitious business owners, rising entrepreneurs and innovative companies will take center stage when the NIACC Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center holds its 2026 Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala.
The sixth biennial gala will take place Thursday, September 24, 2026, at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City.
UNI Panthers roll out new booze zone inside UNI-Dome as Americans increasingly put down the bottle
CEDAR FALLS — The University of Northern Iowa is expanding its alcohol marketing inside the UNI-Dome with a newly branded booze station for Panther football fans—even as fewer Americans say they are drinking.
UNI Athletics announced August 25, 2026, that fans attending home football games this fall will be able to visit the new NÜTRL Zone on the north concourse of the UNI-Dome.
Mark L. Van Lent, 59, of Nora Springs, remembered as baseball standout, devoted family man of faith
NORA SPRINGS — Mark L. Van Lent, 59, of Nora Springs, a former Mason City and NIACC baseball standout, longtime technology professional and devoted husband, father and grandfather, died Monday, August 24, 2026, at his home while surrounded by family.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 29, at Faith Baptist Church, 1807 South Kentucky Avenue in Mason City, with Pastor Tim Moore officiating.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, August 28, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 North Pennsylvania Avenue in Mason City.
Mark will be laid to rest at Park Cemetery in Nora Springs following Saturday’s service.
Mason City lottery-ticket thief nabbed biking through closed park, doesn’t go quietly
MASON CITY — A convicted lottery-ticket thief was nabbed pedaling through a closed Mason City park in the middle of the night, and police say he didn’t go quietly.
Mason City police encountered 45-year-old Jeffery Allen Dahle Jr. during a bicycle stop at 3:14 a.m. on August 23, 2026, near 802 3rd Street NE, an address located inside East Park…
Forest City man who faced two child sex abuse charges sent to prison after plea deal
FOREST CITY — A Forest City man who originally faced two Class B felony sexual abuse charges is headed to state prison after reaching a plea agreement and receiving a 10-year sentence Tuesday.
James Allan Schaumberg, 60, was sentenced August 25, 2026, in Iowa District Court following his conviction for lascivious acts with a child — fondle or touch child, a Class C felony.
Hancock County supervisors advance Riverhawk pipeline work, road safety plan, property sales and $688,839 in claims
GARNER — Hancock County supervisors moved ahead with work tied to an Alliant Energy gas pipeline, sought state funding for road-worker safety equipment, prepared county property and farmland for sale or lease, installed a new courthouse maintenance director and approved nearly $689,000 in county claims during meetings held from August 4 through August 24.
Massive 724-acre data center proposal headed for Hancock County zoning hearing
GARNER — A proposal that could bring a sprawling data center development to Hancock County is moving into the public zoning process, with more than 724 acres of agricultural land targeted for possible conversion to industrial use.
The Hancock County Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing Wednesday, September 9, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Hancock County Public Safety Center, 875 State Street in Garner.
Mason City cops pull stubborn suspected drunk driver from SUV; meth, pot and jail contraband charges pile up
MASON CITY — A suspected drunk driver who allegedly refused police orders to get out of his Toyota RAV 4 was physically removed by Mason City officers and hauled to jail, where authorities say another suspected controlled substance was discovered tucked inside his wallet.
Lawrence Joseph “Larry” Ewen, 85, of Mason City, remembered for kindness, family and a love of cars
MASON CITY – Lawrence Joseph “Larry” Ewen, 85, of Mason City, passed away peacefully Monday, August 24, 2026, at Heritage Care Center in Mason City.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 5, at Epiphany Parish – Holy Family Catholic Church, 722 N. Adams Ave. in Mason City, with Rev. Paul Ameyaw as celebrant.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, September 4, at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St. NE in Mason City. A Scriptural Wake Service will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Rosie Esmeralda LaVallee, 82, of Mason City, remembered for a life of learning, faith and helping others
MASON CITY — Rosie Esmeralda LaVallee, 82, of Mason City, a multilingual educator and longtime translator who helped build MercyOne North Iowa’s interpretation program, died peacefully Monday, August 24, 2026, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, August 31, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. in Mason City, with Pastor Nick Daugherty officiating. Visitation will be held from noon until 2 p.m. at the funeral home immediately before the service.
Marcia A. Harris, 78, Mason City, remembered for family, antiques and life on the farm
MASON CITY — Marcia A. Harris, 78, of Mason City, died Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the Nora Springs Care Center.
No services are scheduled at this time. At the family’s request, cremation will take place, with a private family inurnment planned for a later date.
Worth County supervisors approve $856,000 in claims, drainage work and housing action
NORTHWOOD — Worth County supervisors approved more than $856,000 in county claims Monday while also taking action on drainage work, a regional housing program and a manure management plan.
What Does “California Sober” Mean, and Does It Actually Work?
The term “California sober” usually refers to people who have quit drinking alcohol and doing hard drugs. In most versions they continue using marijuana, sometimes with psychedelics added to the mix. Another interpretation reverses this, permitting alcohol but excluding cannabis and psychedelics. Finally, the term can also apply to people who cut down on alcohol consumption instead of quitting it entirely.
Florida truckers fail to avoid collision with each other on remote Iowa highway
Two Florida truckers were hurt Wednesday afternoon when their semi trucks collided on a remote stretch of Highway 63 in southeast Iowa, including one driver who had recently been stopped and cited for a traffic violation in Northern Iowa’s Worth County.
The crash happened after one of the semis stopped to make a left turn and the second truck struck it from behind.
JMetro Cleaning, LLC: Licensed & insured cleaning company in Allison, Iowa. Serving a 50-mile radius.
Call: 712-832-0275 or Send Email