Mason City

1 week ago | masstransitmag.com | Mason City |Robin McClelland

There's lots to do and see in Mason City, and for those without a private vehicle public transportation can get you where you want to go. The Mason City Transit Department is made up of Dylan Shulte, transit operations manager, and Nick Kauffman, transit supervisor, at City Hall. The pair are backed by three administrative assistants and 18 part-time transit drivers who run the five carefully planned routes throughout the city.

1 month ago | newspressnow.com | Mary Pieper |Mason City

For David Hepperly, sworn in as the new Cerro Gordo County Sheriff in January, law enforcement runs in the family. Two of his uncles were on the Mason City Police Department. One of them, Pete Wolske, started his career in the late 1940s and retired in the early 1970s. He was a motorcycle cop. "Growing up, Uncle Pete would stop by our house periodically during the year with his motorcycle," Hepperly said. "He was all over town, but we would get a free ride on that motorcycle.

1 month ago | newspressnow.com | Mary Pieper |Mason City

Public safety in North Iowa has evolved over the years, not just in terms of technology but also in the overall approach police, firefighters and other first responders use. Cerro Gordo County Sheriff David Hepperly, who has been in law enforcement for 42 years, has heard stories about what it was like 80 years ago. He had two uncles who were on the Mason City Police Department. One became an officer during the 1940s, while the other began his career in the 1950s.

1 month ago | newspressnow.com | Mary Pieper |Mason City

When Mayor Nelson Crabb moved to Clear Lake nearly 60 years ago to take an elementary school teaching job, the town looked quite different. Popular attractions such as Central Gardens and the Clear Lake Arts Center didn't exist, according to Crabb. Some businesses there half a century ago are gone. In many cases new establishments have taken their place. Over the past year, a number of new businesses have opened in the Surf District and downtown.

1 month ago | newspressnow.com | Robin McClelland |Mason City

In the 1970s, Mason City built new fire and police stations. Now, 50 years later, both buildings are undergoing renovations to provide efficiency and comfort to firefighters and police officers. In the mid-to-late 1970s, the new buildings included dormitory sleeping for firefighters, locker rooms for both departments, work spaces and offices for ranking officers. In 2025, safety, health and efficiency require a few upgrades.