(Editorial submitted anonymously to NorthIowaToday.com) We Are not NutJobs, We Are ‘Free Thinkers’!! I’m sick of being referred to as a Conspiracy Theory Nutjob! First of all, we don’t wear tin foil…
Category: Watercooler
Breaking news. News of interest. Bulletins. Editorials. The word on the street.
Cerro Gordo supervisors refuse to provide packet of info for public meetings
MASON CITY – The Cerro Gordo County Supervisors met on November 1st, 2011. Supervisors were asked if a “packet” of information could be provided to the public prior to meetings, regarding agenda…
Halloween Spooktacular Carnival event held
MASON CITY – On Saturday, October 29, the City of Mason City Recreation Department, the North Iowa Youth Center and 11 other teams held the first ever Halloween Spooktacular Carnival at Southbridge…
Where they stand: City Council candidates weigh in on Mason City’s population loss
NIT – The following question was asked of Mason City City Council candidates: “Mason City has been steadily losing population for years. Currently the official count is 28,079. Do you see Mason…
Charge of cruelty to animals against Mason City man dismissed again
MASON CITY – On Thursday, October 6th, Mason City police went to 2224 21st Street SW, Mason City for a report of cruelty to animals. Chad Mineart was transported and booked into…
“Occupy Mason City” group becoming more organized
MASON CITY – Occupy Mason City held its first organizational meeting this weekend to bring more cohesiveness to the group and inform the interested public how to become involved. Occupy Mason City’s…
Candidate “open house” to be held Monday, October 31st
MASON CITY – This Monday, October 31st, a city council candidate “open house” will be held in Mason City. For the past 20 plus years, a group of community minded people have…
Are the 9/11 Truth Loonies really that loonie?
(Op-ed by J. L. Bach) We all lived through the horror that was September 11, 2001. It was a tragic day that forever changed American history. The passage of time has healed…
Today’s photo: Chalk outline just plain weird
MASON CITY – The following photo was taken near the corner of 17th Street NE and North Delaware Avenue in Mason City on October 31st, 2011. Makes one wonder… did someone lay…
NIACC students to sponsor food drive
MASON CITY – North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) Student Senate and College Entrepreneurial Organization (CEO) clubs will sponsor a Thanksgiving Food Drive, November 7 to 11, with all items collected being…
Zoning Board of Adjustment to look at waste to gas plant permit
MASON CITY – The Mason City Zoning Board of Adjustment will be evaluating a conditional use permit that would allow the establishment and operation of a “waste transfer form/function” in the Z6-0…
Environmental Commission has concerns about waste to gas facility
Letter to the editor: October 31, 2011 FROM: Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission (ESAC) RE: Creative Energy Systems (CES) Request for Conditional Use Permit In 2006 the City Council passed an ordinance which…
Environmental Commission has concerns about waste to gas facility
Letter to the editor: October 31, 2011 FROM: Environmental Stewardship Advisory Commission (ESAC) RE: Creative Energy Systems (CES) Request for Conditional Use Permit In 2006 the City Council passed an ordinance which…
Endorsements not fair (by Peter Children)
(Op-ed by Peter Children) Well, it had to happen… those who think they are smarter, and somehow know more than you have rendered their decision as to just who you should vote…
Old Media strikes again
(Op-ed by Matt Marquardt) The Old Media has struck again and made their endorsements for our local elections. We are all very lucky that these Old Media people, that are so much…
Questions on proposed waste-to-gas plant
(Op-ed from JoAnn Hardy of Mason City) The main attraction of our city leaders to the proposed trash to energy plant appears to be the promise of 50 or so jobs. The…
MCPL’s “Food for Fines” food drive launches in November
MASON CITY – The Mason City Public Library wants to thank the community as we observe our first anniversary in our renovated building with a “Food for Fines” food drive benefitting the…
Senator Ragan: A healthy state means a healthy economy
From Senator Amanda Ragan – You may have heard about a new effort to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation within five years. Our state ranks #19 right now, according…
Your right to know: Criminal backgrounds of City Council candidates
MASON CITY – NorthIowaToday.com searched online criminal records available to the public for criminal records of all seven people looking to represent the people of Mason City in the upcoming City Council…
Contaminated grain should not be fed to wildlife
DES MOINES – In years with extremely dry weather farmers’ grain can be contaminated with aflatoxins. Aflatoxin is produced by a type of mold that, at certain levels, is harmful or fatal…
Ohl’s “Christmas is in the cans” is off to a fast start
MASON CITY – Christmas is in the cans has gotten off to a good start according to project coordinator Ozzie Ohl, founder of the OneManThinkTank, and Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank volunteer. To…
Plan “B” Boulevard (by Peter Children)
(Op-ed by Peter Children) “The Load giveth & the Lord taketh away.” I am referring to the Park Inn Hotel; while the hotel is generating tourists which will increase measurably as time…
Welfare recipients should be drug tested
(Submitted to NorthIowaToday.com by anonymous reader) Welfare recipients should be drug tested. This goes for people taking food stamps, welfare payments, unemployment, disability, any kind of handout from the government. If you…
Charles City company receives financial incentive from IED Board
DES MOINES – At its first official board meeting, the new Iowa Economic Development Authority Board members approved awards today that will create up to 593 jobs in Iowa and retain another…
Fort Dodge may get South Korean manufacturing plant while Mason City may get a trash sorting operation
NIT Opinion – Fort Dodge must have something Mason City doesn’t. A South Korean company is proposing a $324 million plant in Fort Dodge that would employ 180 people. The Iowa Economic…
Where they stand: City Council candidates weigh in on proposed waste to gas plant
In the first in a series of questions coming from NorthIowaToday.com to City Council candidates in Mason City, a question was asked about Mason City’s newest possible development, a waste to gas…
Op-ed: Siding Job (by Peter Children)
(Op-ed by Peter Children) Re: Front page feature in Sunday’s paper regarding the “at large” forum. In many ways the feature story offered every thing but the option to choose your own…
Op-ed: Community (by Peter Children)
(Op-ed by Peter Children) We fit that discripition; we live in a community with all the accoutrements that belong in such settings. Schools, hospital, college, various stores to fill our needs. But…
State officials increase revenue estimate for FY 2012
From Rep. Sharon Steckman – The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) held their meeting last week. They set their revenue projection for FY 2012 at $5.975 billion. This represents a 1.3% increase from…
Branstad presents educational reform plan
From Rep. Sharon Steckman – Governor Branstad’s concepts for education reform will be one of his key recommendations to the 2012 Iowa Legislature. There are still many questions to be answered concerning…
New operator chosen for library coffee shop
MASON CITY – The Mason City Public Library’s coffee shop will have a new operator. Cabin Coffee was chosen as the new operator, Library Director Mary Markwalter said. The coffee shop is…
Weaver made the Park Inn project possible (by Peter Children)
(Op-ed by Peter Children) Let’s gets things straight right from the start. Now that this shining light sits in our downtown all dressed up for the next one hundred years, with people…
Where should the line be drawn when questioning city council candidates?
(Op-ed by NorthIowaToday.com Publisher Matt Marquardt) A city council race is underway in Mason City. The election is November 8th (but you can cast an absentee ballot at the Cerro Gordo County…
Rep. Upmeyer: Governor’s education plan could take up to 10 years to implement
From State Representative Linda Upmeyer – It’s been an exciting week in Iowa for many reasons. One highlight was the World Food Prize that was awarded on Thursday. I have had the…
Curries lays off workers; council member Jeff Marsters included
MASON CITY – NorthIowaToday.com has been informed that Curries in Mason City has laid off an indeterminate number of workers today. Council member Jeff Marsters was let go as well. “I have…
“Genetic roulette” pays off for some (by Peter Children)
(Op-ed by Peter Children) Attention blogers: It is well known that there exists a adverse group in cyber space that are on the bus (this according to Mr. Parston) with Bookmeyer. That…
Tell Senate Democrats: Answer the question on Medicare and Medicaid cuts
From Laborers Local 340: It’s a simple question that should be easy for senators to answer: “Will you support cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. Yes? or No?” As negotiations continue on the…
Three Stars Plaza opens in Clear Lake after dedication ceremony (photos and video)
CLEAR LAKE – Clear Lake is immortalizing its place in rock’ n roll history in stainless steel, concrete and blue neon lights.
Slow Down (by Peter Children)
(Op-ed by Peter Children) I believe that 99% of those living here want what is best for the community, they want everyone to prosper whether they know the people who live across…
NIACC recognizes scholarship recipients and donors
MASON CITY – Students at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) who received scholarships this year had an opportunity to show their gratitude during the annual student Scholarship Recognition Luncheon held at…