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Mason City house left with widespread smoke damage after fire
MASON CITY — A quick-thinking resident is credited with stopping a late-night house fire on Tuesday, though the blaze left a North President Avenue home with significant smoke damage.
ICE nabs illegal alien who disguised himself as a student and assaulted high school girls
This illegal alien from El Salvador, allowed to roam America freely by Joe Biden, allegedly disguised himself as a high school student and instantly began assaulting teen girls, and now Democrat Abigail Spanberger’s failure to cooperate with federal authorities means he could be set free once again.
OBIT: Ann Bagby
Ann (Chizek) Bagby, 74, of Clear Lake, Iowa, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake. According to her wishes her body has been cremated. A celebration of life visitation with family and friends will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2026 at the Clear Lake Public Library.
OBIT: Martin Leroy “Marty” Pedelty
Martin Leroy “Marty” Pedelty, 50, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 9, 2026, while doing what he loved, riding his bicycle. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 PM on April 17, 2026 at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel.
Haitian illegal alien nabbed after brutal hammer attack on woman at gas station
According to ICE, “On April 3, police in Florida responded to an emergency at a local gas station. Surveillance footage showed that Joachim smashed the victim’s car windshield, approached her, and repeatedly hit her in the head with a hammer—violently killing her in broad daylight.” The suspect was released by Joe Biden in 2022 to freely roam America, authorities say.
Mason City police identify man found deceased this week in a yard
MASON CITY — Authorities have identified a 50-year-old Mason City man found deceased in a yard early Thursday morning following further police investigation into the incident.
OBIT: Annabel Meyer
Annabel Meyer, 94, of Iowa Falls, passed away Monday, April 6, 2026 at Scenic Manor. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at the First United Methodist Church in Iowa Falls.
Republicans to hold major gathering in Clear Lake on Saturday morning
CLEAR LAKE — The Cerro Gordo County Republican Party is set to host a major political gathering this weekend, bringing a large slate of state and federal candidates to North Iowa for its “Patriots & Pancakes” fundraiser.
Sadistic Guatemalan alien with machete nabbed in Northern Iowa
This sadistic illegal alien put a machete to a person’s throat, victimized children, and somehow made his was to a wholesome Northern Iowa community to spread his misery, but thanks to Operation Take Back America he is destined for hot showers in a stone cold federal prison before he is shipped way, way south.
Iowa DNR seeks volunteers in bumble bee survey
CLEAR LAKE – Iowa’s volunteer community scientists have identified 13 species of bumble bees, including five of seven priority target species, as part of the Bumble Bee Atlas, a national survey collecting information on species present and their distribution in the state. To get involved, volunteers go through two to three online trainings led by Xerces Society with an optional in-person field day to get comfortable handling and photographing bumble bees.
Iowa’s drought conditions improve after rainfall over past week
DES MOINES – Recent rainfall improved drought conditions across the state, however, areas of northwest Iowa remain under a drought watch, according to the latest Water Summary Update.
Michigan man who ran off with Iowa teen, causing amber alert, faces serious charges
WATERLOO — A Michigan man is facing serious felony charges after a missing 12-year-old child from Waterloo was rescued following a multi-state Amber Alert on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
Mason City man found dead in troubled neighborhood
MASON CITY – A man was found dead today by his bicycle in a yard in this troubled Mason City neighborhood.
Northwood man wins $200K Iowa Lottery prize
NORTHWOOD — For most people, a milestone birthday usually involves a few candles and a slice of cake. But for Steven Saltou, his latest trip around the sun came with a life-changing surprise that didn’t fit inside a gift box: a $200,000 lottery windfall.
Vandalism spree reported in Ames as cars spray-painted with slurs
AMES — The Ames Police Department is investigating a disturbing string of hate-fueled vandalism after several vehicles were discovered defaced with swastikas and racial slurs over the past few weeks.
Iowa House resoundingly passes farm act
DES MOINES — The Iowa House of Representatives has delivered a resounding vote of confidence to the state’s agricultural sector, passing the Iowa Farm Act with a strong bipartisan majority of 81–8. The comprehensive legislative package, officially designated as House File 2748, now moves to the Iowa Senate for further consideration.
College Softball: Iowa State Cyclones beat Iowa Hawkeyes, 9-7
IOWA CITY – For the second-straight game, Reagan Bartholomew played the hero for the Cyclones (23-15, 4-8 Big 12), as the Waukee native blasted a go-ahead two-run shot in the top of the seventh to lift ISU over Iowa (21-17, 5-10 Big Ten) in game one of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series, 9-7.
OBIT: Sharlene J. Jaspersen
Sharlene J. Jaspersen, 86, of Clear Lake, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at Concord Care Center in Garner. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 13, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garner.
OBIT: Scott A Foos
Scott A. Foos, 56, of New Hampton, Iowa passed away on March 21, 2026, at his home in New Hampton. A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Abels Funeral and Cremation Service in Grundy Center.
College Basketball: Iowa Hawkeyes finish 15th in final AP poll rankings
IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa men’s basketball team finished 15th in the final Associated Press rankings for the 2025-26 season. It is the program’s highest year-end ranking since the 2020-21 season when it was eighth.
Gov. Reynolds signs bill to reform foster care training and increase foster homes in Iowa
DES MOINES — Governor Kim Reynolds signed state legislation and a joint proclamation with the federal Administration of Children and Families (ACF) which aim to strengthen Iowa’s foster care system.
Women’s JUCO Basketball: NIACC’s Spotts earns 1st-team all-American honors
MASON CITY – NIACC sophomore Reggi Spotts has earned NJCAA Division II first-team all-American honors.
Spotts, who prepped at Mason City High, is the first NIACC women’s basketball all-American since Autam Mendez earned first-team honors and Sierra Morrow earned second-team honors in the 2019-20 season. She is the 15th NIACC women’s basketball player to be selected as an all-American.