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News Headlines for October 11, 2026
Local suspect with bad driving history nabbed by Mason City police on second-offense OWI charge
MASON CITY — Mason City police took a potentially dangerous driver with a dubious record off local roads Saturday night, nabbing a suspect with fresh accusations of drunk driving, reckless driving and speeding at least 21 mph over the limit.
The latest traffic stop involving Cesar Ivan Trasvina, 27, was at 9:31 p.m. October 10, 2026, near 18 Seventh Street SE in Mason City. By 10:15 p.m., Trasvina was booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail, according to the sheriff’s jail report. Police listed a swath of charges, including second-offense operating while intoxicated, reckless driving, excessive speed, interference with official acts, failure to provide proof of financial liability, driving with a denied, suspended, canceled or revoked license, and improper use of auxiliary driving lights.
Convicted sex offender with violent past nabbed again in Mason City
MASON CITY — A convicted sex offender with a history of felony domestic abuse convictions, prison sentences and trouble obeying Iowa’s sex offender registration laws has landed back behind bars in Mason City, adding another chapter to a criminal record stretching back more than a decade.
Gregory Lloyd Lobato, 37, has already received prison sentences for felony domestic abuse convictions and a previous sex offender registration violation. Court records document criminal proceedings in multiple Iowa counties.
Now, just weeks after registering a Mason City address, Lobato is accused of breaking the law again.
Iowa women’s soccer falls to No. 13 Washington in heartbreaking 2-1 Big Ten road battle
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON — Iowa women’s soccer battled No. 13 Washington on Thursday night, October 8, 2026, but a second-half goal gave the Huskies a 2-1 Big Ten victory at Husky Soccer Stadium.
The Hawkeyes rallied from an early deficit when Sara Batchadji converted a free kick in the first half. Washington’s Avery Nguyen scored the decisive goal in the 68th minute. Iowa fell to 6-4-4 overall and 1-3-3 in conference play, while Washington improved to 10-1-2 and 5-1-1 in the Big Ten.
Iowa baseball slugs past Kansas 15-10 in 16-inning Field of Dreams showdown
DYERSVILLE — The Iowa Hawkeyes brought plenty of offensive fireworks to the Field of Dreams on Saturday, October 10, 2026, overcoming an early deficit to beat Kansas 15-10 in a scheduled 16-inning fall baseball exhibition.
Myles Davis led Iowa with a grand slam, a triple and six RBIs as the Hawkeyes closed their fall exhibition schedule with 10 hits, 14 walks and three home runs.
UNI volleyball survives Southern Illinois scare, extends conference winning streak to 66
CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS — Northern Iowa volleyball dropped its first set in Missouri Valley Conference play this season but recovered to defeat Southern Illinois 3-1 on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Davies Gym.
The Panthers won 25-17, 23-25, 25-13 and 25-15 to improve to 6-0 in MVC play. UNI finished with a .305 hitting percentage, 61 kills, nine blocks and five service aces, according to the university’s preliminary statistics.
UNI football shocks No. 4 North Dakota 24-17 in Homecoming thriller
CEDAR FALLS — The Northern Iowa Panthers pulled off another stunning college football upset Saturday, October 10, 2026, using a blocked-punt touchdown, a relentless defense and a barrage of North Dakota turnovers to topple the fourth-ranked Fighting Hawks, 24-17, before a Homecoming crowd inside the UNI-Dome.
No. 6 Iowa field hockey suffers heartbreaking 2-1 loss to unbeaten No. 1 Northwestern
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS — Sixth-ranked Iowa field hockey went toe-to-toe with the nation’s No. 1 team Friday afternoon, October 9, 2026, but unbeaten Northwestern delivered the decisive blow in the third quarter and held on for a 2-1 Big Ten victory at Lakeside Field.
The defeat dropped Iowa to 11-2 overall and 3-2 in Big Ten play. Northwestern improved to 13-0 overall and 4-0 in conference competition.
Two elderly Forest City residents seriously injured in motorcycle crash, one airlifted to hospital
Two elderly Forest City residents were seriously injured Saturday morning, October 10, 2026, when their motorcycle went out of control on a northeast Iowa highway, crossed the centerline and entered a ditch, prompting a response that included an air ambulance.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 9:59 a.m. on Highway 51 near Lange Drive in Allamakee County.
Northern Iowa man collared after wild 125-mph chase through three counties, accused of ramming patrol car and assaulting officer
A 59-year-old Northern Iowa man faces felony and misdemeanor charges after authorities say he led officers on a three-county chase at speeds reaching 125 mph, rammed a patrol vehicle and allegedly assaulted a peace officer with a deadly weapon.
Northern Iowa hog operation’s manure plan raises concerns near Meservey as county flags erosion, waterways and sharp drop in waste
MASON CITY — A Northern Iowa hog operation’s plans for spreading manure on farmland near Meservey are drawing scrutiny from Cerro Gordo County environmental health officials, who have identified concerns involving nearby waterways, soil erosion classifications and a substantial change in the amount of manure reported by the operation.
The concerns involve Madison Industries LLC, a hog confinement operation located at 2145 Finch Avenue near Hampton in Franklin County, approximately three miles south of the Cerro Gordo County line.
A report prepared by Cerro Gordo County Public Health is scheduled to go before the Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors on Monday, October 12, 2026, as part of the county’s review of an updated manure management plan.
Semi crashes into car stopped behind northern Iowa school bus carrying 19 children
A 71-year-old northern Iowa woman was injured Friday afternoon when a semi-truck slammed into her vehicle as she waited behind a school bus carrying 19 children on Highway 52.
Millions in federal funding flow to Iowa businesses as Northern Iowa manufacturers, hospitals cash in on USDA program
DES MOINES — The federal government is pumping nearly $13 million into Iowa businesses, manufacturers, hospitals and community projects, including several major investments in Northern Iowa, as part of a new round of economic development assistance announced Friday, October 9, 2026.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the funding through its Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program, with projects ranging from factory expansions and medical equipment purchases to new healthcare facilities and agricultural infrastructure.
Iowa Hawkeyes hammer Washington 41-24 as Moulton runs wild and Hecklinski throws three touchdowns
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON — The Iowa Hawkeyes unleashed a punishing rushing attack, an explosive passing game and a relentless defense Friday night, October 9, 2026, overwhelming Washington 41-24 at Husky Stadium. Kamari Moulton rushed for a career-high 208 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski threw three touchdown passes in his first career start as Iowa improved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in Big Ten play. Iowa stormed to a 27-0 lead, piled up 465 yards of offense and held Washington to minus-3 rushing yards while recording six sacks.
Iowa State football battered by No. 8 BYU as Cyclones fall 24-10 in Provo
PROVO, UTAH — Iowa State’s offense sputtered, its defense spent much of the night under siege, and No. 8 BYU delivered the big plays Friday night, October 9, 2026, handing the Cyclones a 24-10 defeat before 64,632 fans at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
The Cougars remained unbeaten at 5-0 overall and 3-0 in Big 12 Conference play, while Iowa State fell to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the league. BYU rolled up 506 yards of total offense compared to just 200 for Iowa State. The Cyclones managed only 49 yards in the first half, their lowest first-half total since at least 2012.
Northern Iowa man jailed for animal abuse, faces bill north of $3,000
KOSSUTH COUNTY — A 28-year-old northern Iowa man convicted of animal abuse is serving a sentence at the Cerro Gordo County Jail in Mason City, with more than $3,100 in court costs, fines and surcharges assessed in the case.
Trump tells Minnesota to ‘fight back’ against Somali immigrants after Mall of America plot foiled
MINNEAPOLIS — President Donald Trump issued a blistering statement Thursday, October 8, 2026, accusing Somali immigrants of fueling disorder in Minnesota and demanding action from state and city leaders, one day after federal authorities announced they had foiled an alleged ISIS-inspired mass shooting at the Mall of America.
Roger Darrell Schmudlach, 90, leaves a legacy of hard work, three holes-in-one and a lifetime of service to Fredericksburg
FREDERICKSBURG — Roger Darrell Schmudlach, 90, of Fredericksburg, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2026, following a short illness, leaving behind a remarkable life marked by hard work, devotion to his three sons, community service and a love of golf that produced an extraordinary three holes-in-one.
Visitation was held Thursday, October 8, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in Fredericksburg. A celebration of life was held Friday, October 9, at 1:00 p.m. at Peace United Church of Christ in Fredericksburg, with burial scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery.
Panthers sweep Drake, remain unbeaten in MVC play
Northern Iowa defeated Drake in three sets Thursday night, improving to 5-0 in Missouri Valley Conference play.
FBI foils alleged ISIS mass shooting plot at Mall of America targeting up to 60 people
An 18-year-old Minnesota man is accused of plotting an ISIS-inspired mass shooting at Mall of America on October 24. FBI agents arrested him before any attack.
Northern Iowa drought retreats as Iowa ends third straight water year with rainfall surplus
Northern Iowa drought conditions improve sharply after Iowa’s fourth-wettest September, as the state ends its third straight water year with a precipitation surplus. A remarkably wet September has wiped out nearly all of Iowa’s remaining drought conditions, delivering a dramatic turnaround for Northern Iowa and helping the state close its third consecutive water year with more precipitation than normal.
Mason City child predator gets 22 years in federal prison after gun shop burglary exposes exploitation crimes
CEDAR RAPIDS — A Mason City man whose involvement in a local gun shop burglary led federal investigators to uncover the sexual exploitation of children has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison.
Parker Jon Thompson, 20, of Mason City, received the sentence on October 2, 2026, after pleading guilty April 2 to sexual exploitation of children, possession of child pornography, and possession of a stolen firearm.
Val Ensley, 67, of Forest City leaves memories of creativity, friendship and a generous heart
FOREST CITY — Valorie Jean “Val” Ensley, 67, of Forest City, formerly of Storm Lake and Sioux Rapids, died Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at Good Samaritan Society in Forest City, surrounded by family and friends. She leaves behind memories of colorful handmade gifts, close friendships and a caring nature that earned her the nickname “Mother Hen.”
A celebration of Val’s life will be announced at a later date.
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