🌱 What safeguards will Cerro Gordo demand before a 500 MW solar build?
Mason City, Iowa Patch AM: a 4 min readGreetings Mason City! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- What safeguards will Cerro Gordo demand before a 500 MW solar build?
- Which North Iowa entrepreneurs just took home top honors in Mason City?
- Former WWE star’s arrest in Mason City ends with quick jail release.
Also on today's calendar: KCMR FM’s 2026 Sharathon and 8 more events.
Today's riddle: What has a cap but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: Some sun, then clouds; breezy, with a high of 68 and low of 48 degrees.
- Sunday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 65, low: 38.
- Monday: Sunny much of the time, with a high of 66 and low of 45 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Chicago solar company seeks permission to invade Cerro Gordo County drainage districts for massive 500 MW project (northiowatoday.com) — Cerro Gordo County supervisors in Mason City will weigh a Chicago developer’s request on October 5 to run underground lines for a 500‑megawatt solar project through key rural drainage districts. Before granting any easements, county officials want engineering and legal experts to assess how construction could affect vital farm drainage systems and what protections landowners need. 
• North Iowa entrepreneurs honored as 2026 Pappajohn Gala crowns top businesses, innovators and rising stars (northiowatoday.com) — Mason City hosted the 2026 Pappajohn Entrepreneur Gala at NIACC, spotlighting local innovators like Matt Curtis of Wayne’s Ski & Cycle and student entrepreneur Kylie Johnson. The event honored standout businesses and leaders from across North Iowa, highlighting their economic impact, community service, and creative new ventures that shape opportunities for residents and the regional workforce.
• Ex-WWE Star Released From Jail After Posting Bond — Report (wrestlezone.com) — Former WWE wrestler Chad Wicks was arrested in Mason City on September 29 and booked into Cerro Gordo County Jail on several traffic-related charges before posting a roughly $1,500 cash bond and being released. The report outlines his brief WWE career, the nature of the alleged violations, and confirms he was listed for detox at the time of booking.
📸 Around Mason City
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Mason City
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
KCMR FM’s 2026 Sharathon →
4 3rd Street NW, Mason City
9:00 am
Thursday October 8
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
Marketing Matters: Tools of the Trade: Your Design & Marketing Toolkit!
3rd Floor of the North Iowa Regional Commerce Center, 9 N. Federal Ave., Mason City
9:00 am -
110th Annual Meeting →
The Music Man Square, 308 S. Pennsylvania Ave, Mason City
2:00 pm -
KCMR FM’s 2026 Sharathon →
4 3rd Street NW, Mason City
9:00 am -
KCMR Listener Appreciation Lunch →
4 3rd Street NW, Mason City
11:00 am -
Oktoberfest →
Downtown Mason City, W State St, Mason City
11:00 am -
Oktoberfest Returns to Downtown Mason City →
Downtown Mason City, W State St, Mason City
11:00 am -
Annual Fall Dinner →
Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 1311 2nd Street Southwest, Mason City
11:00 am -
Fall Dinner Fundraiser at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Christian Church →
Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 1311 2nd St SW, Mason City
11:00 am -
Haunted Historic Building Tour →
13 North Federal Avenue, Mason City
6:00 pm -
Haunted Historic Building Tour in Downtown Mason City →
Downtown Mason City, W State St, Mason City
6:00 pm
Tuesday October 6
Thursday October 8
Friday October 9
Saturday October 10
Saturday October 17
📣 Mason City Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
-
Farmers Market
Surf Ballroom Parking Lot, 460 North Shore Drive, Clear Lake
9:00 am
Saturday October 3
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Maurices posted a job opening for Retail Assistant Manager - Part-Time in Mason City. Apply here.
- CROSSMARK posted a job opening for IMMEDIATE HIRE -- Retail Merchandising in Mason City. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Mason City here.
🗞 Nearby News
Clear Lake
- When Pigs Fly Fundraiser Moves to Oct. 4, Tops $47,000 in Clear Lake (kiow.com)
- Clear Lake Harvest Festival 2026: Wine Tastings, Champagne 5K, Grape Stomp on Main Avenue (kiow.com)
- Photos: Plain Ol' Pumpkins pumpkin patch in Clear Lake (globegazette.com)
Forest City
- 119 scholarships awarded at Waldorf University's honors day (kimt.com)
Ok Mason City! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What has a cap but no head?" — A bottle (Thank you Glo M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.