(Op-ed submitted by Peter J. children) Nothing drives a decline in subscriptions like a economic downturn, especially when the subscription rates are $200.00 a year. I am talking about the local paper…
Category: Watercooler
Breaking news. News of interest. Bulletins. Editorials. The word on the street.
Green Tree Scooters grows in new direction
by Joe Buttweiler – MASON CITY — After a roaring first year when high gas prices drove huge interest in fuel-efficient transportation, business began to sputter at Green Tree Scooters. Gas prices…
City Council discusses moral obligations insurance
MASON CITY – The Mason City Council heard about a new form of insurance available to the city Tuesday night that would allow the city to pay claims that its insurance provider…
Council to vote on Bookmeyer’s appointment of Steve Palmer to Human Rights Commission
MASON CITY – The Mason City Human Rights Commission on Thursday, June 2, voted unanimously to consent to the mayor’s appointment of Steve Palmer to the commission. Palmer will face a vote…
Bookmeyer makes appointments to boards and commissions
MASON CITY – At Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, the Council approved the following appointments to boards and commissions from Mayor Eric Bookmeyer: Jennifer Raemaker to the Housing Authority Board; Raymond Mechem…
Solberg claims Mason City loses 3,000 in 2010 census
MASON CITY – In recent memo at City Hall, Don Nelson told Janet Solberg she had it all wrong. At a City Council meeting held May 24, when a task force presented…
Opinion: Broken Promises
Mary Madison lives on Mason City’s west side and is a member of a group of citizens called Concerned Citizens for Clean Air (CCCA). Mary and the CCCA are addressing Vi-Cor’s recent…
Obstacles stand in way of cleaning up city, by Peter Children
(Op-ed by Peter Children) I met last Monday morning with city officials in City Hall. Pat Otto the neighborhood coordinator along with her two associates that work along side of her; Jim…
Two North Iowa men arrested on counterfeiting charges
MASON CITY – Investigators from the Mason City Police Department arrested two suspects in connection to recent reports from Mason City businesses receiving counterfeit money. Bradley Gene Gouge (19) of Garner, IA…
United Sugars warehouse to be done in July
by Joe Buttweiler – MASON CITY – Construction of a new 83,000-square-foot warehouse at United Sugars Corp. is expected to be finished in July, helping the company save money on storage, transportation…
Two teens arrested at John Adams Wednesday
MASON CITY – Mason City police were called to John Adams Middle School, 29 Illinois S. Avenue Wednesday morning at 8:16 a.m. due to a disturbance at the school. Gary Van Hemert,…
Counterfeit money arrest made by MCPD
MASON CITY – On Thursday, May 12 at approximately 11:24 a.m., a subject ordered food from a local business and asked that it be delivered to a residence. The business delivered the…
Life’s Lessons by Peter Children
(Op-ed by Peter Children) I want to address everyone who spends time at this site, whether you simply read the blogs or actively jump into the discussions taking place at the time…
$2.1 million for new biodiesel refinery near Forest City
May 11, 2011(DES MOINES) – The Iowa Power Fund Board approved awards of over $2.1 million for projects to build a biodiesel refinery near Forest City, create jobs for the region, increase…
State Record White Bass Caught at Spirit Lake
SPIRIT LAKE – A new state record white bass was caught from a dock Saturday evening on Big Sprit Lake. Josh Zylstra, 23, of Laurens, landed the 18.7-inch, 4.16 pound fish while…
Forest City woman sentenced to federal prison for meth-distribution conspiracy
A Forest City, Iowa, woman has been sentenced to federal prison for her role in a Mason City area methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. Jessica Risius, age 32, of Forest City, Iowa, received her…
Auto accident in Frankiln county Monday injures two
Two people were injured in a Monday afternoon accident in Franklin county. The incident took place on northbound Interstate 35 in Franklin county at about 5 p.m. Monday. A vehicle driven by…
Mason City Bulls is newest minor league hockey team in Mason City
The North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) has announced that its Board of Governors has accepted the membership application for a team in Mason City, Iowa, to begin play for the 2011-12…
Fatal hit and run this Tuesday morning in Worth County
KENSETT – Around 8:00 a.m., person was struck by a burgundy GMC Chevy truck on Raven Avenue in Worth County 1 mile north of Kensett. Air Med was dispatched but later canceled,…
NIACC Recognized 675 Graduates at Commencement
During the North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) commencement ceremony on Friday, May 6, approximately 675 degrees, diplomas and certificates were awarded to graduates. Several honors and awards were also presented. NIACC’s…
Street sweeper tips over (photos)
MASON CITY – A street sweeper tipped over in Mason City, Iowa on May 6, 2011.
Serious auto accident this afternoon near Plymouth
PLYMOUTH, IOWA – Today at 2:50 PM, Worth County requested Mason City Ambulance, Plymouth EMT and Helicopter for one vehicle accident with 4 subjects in the vehicle. At least one person was…
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event held in Mason City
MASON CITY – Guest Speaker Josh Jasper, Dubuque, IA was invited to kick off the third annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, at Central Park in Mason City, Wednesday. The event…
Nora Springs bakery serves up small-town charm
NORA SPRINGS — Ruth Willier’s kitchen at home was overflowing with pies, bars, cakes and other baked goods. It was obvious she needed a bigger space. So when she found a good…
Branstad names Paul Trombino as Director of the Iowa Department of Transportation
DES MOINES – Gov. Terry E. Branstad today announced that Paul Trombino III, P.E. will serve as the Director of the Iowa Department of Transportation. “I am pleased to announce that Paul…
Bookmeyer “regrettably” makes new appointee to Human Rights Commission
MASON CITY – Today Mayor Eric Bookmeyer moved to fill a vacancy on the Human Rights Commission, this time nominating Stephen Palmer of Mason City. The commission did not approve one of…
Two Mason City men arrested for drug possession
MASON CITY – On 4/18/2011 officers from the Mason City police department executed a search warrant at 324 1st Street SW. Officers located more than 50 grams of marijuana inside the residence….
Nelson follows up with state authorities on possible Tornquist conflict of interest
MASON CITY – Don Nelson made good on his word of following up with state authorities over a possible conflict of interest involving City Council member Scott Tornquist. Nelson had a phone…
Dispute over littering leads to lesson learned for kids
Story by Jody Spear and Kelly Meyer – MASON CITY – This morning in Mason City, two children learned a life lesson on littering. A witness reported the following information to NorthIowaToday.com:…
Human Rights Commission, Bookmeyer duel over appointment
MASON CITY – The Human Rights Commission voted unanimously on Thursday April 7, 2011, not to consent to the appointment of Mr. Brian McNamara as recommended by Mayor Bookmeyer. This vote at…
Nelson wants Tornquist investigated
MASON CITY – City Council member Don Nelson is asking for an investigation of fellow Council member Scott Tornquist. The request stems from what Nelson calls a “possible conflict of interest” in…
Witnesses: Man jumps from girlfriend’s moving car
By Jody Spear and Kelly Meyer – MASON CITY – Witnesses tell NorthIowaToday.com that an intoxicated man, whose name they say is Yann Lem, tried jumping from his girlfriend’s moving car Saturday…
Fight leads to hospitalization of two Mason City men
MASON CITY – On April 3rd, 2011 at approximately 12:13 AM Mason City police officers were called to the 500 block of 8th St. SE in Mason City for a disorderly /…
School Board OK’s bid for John Adams Middle School renovation
MASON CITY – The Mason City School board met in a special session on Tuesday to discuss and vote on approving a bid for phase 3 renovation work on John Adams Middle…
Former Buddy Holly drummer Carl Bunch dies
LANCASTER, CA – The musician who kept the beat and suffered the worst from the brutal cold during of one of rock ‘n roll’s most infamous tours is dead. Carl Bunch, 71,…
Tanning salon an Oasis in the city
MASON CITY – When Cindy Graves decided she wanted to open a tanning salon, she looked at some existing salons in North Iowa with the idea of maybe buying one. But she…
‘The Dog’ cart offers lunch on the street
by Joe Buttweiler – MASON CITY – For many years David Lockwood had an urge to run a hot dog stand. But he just couldn’t swing it. “It doesn’t make the kind…
Wise Guys serving up sports and fun
by Joe Buttweiler – MASON CITY — Just in time for March Madness and St. Patrick’s Day, a new sports bar has opened in the former site of Pete’s Corner Tap, 631…
Three shoplifters arrested Sunday at Mills Fleet Farm
MASON CITY – On March 13, 2011 at approximately 2:00 p.m. employees of Mills Fleet Farm 3200 4th S.W. notified the police department that they had detained three women inside the store…
Alley Katz to liven up North Side with drinks, music and food
by Joe Buttweiler – MASON CITY – Alley Katz, a new bar and restaurant offering homemade pizzas, subs and a wide variety of beverages and entertainment, is expected to open April 1…