🌱 How your August donation in Mason City can feed twice as many
Mason City, Iowa Patch AM: a 4 min readMorning Mason City! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How your August donation in Mason City can feed twice as many
- What Mason City’s new city engineer will earn—and why it matters
- How Mason City’s riverwalk just earned top honors in Iowa
Also on today's calendar: Live Music in the Commons: Neal Simmons and 3 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the cookie go to the Doctor ? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Sunny and pleasant, with a high of 79 and low of 58 degrees.
- Friday: Humid; a stray p.m. t-storm, temps: high: 82, low: 54.
- Saturday: Partly sunny and less humid, with a high of 80 and low of 63 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Area Food Bank Calls for Assistance (kiow.com) — Mason City’s Hawkeye Harvest Food Bank is urgently asking for help as more North Iowa families struggle with food insecurity, serving over 25,000 people last year. Throughout August, every donation made online, mailed to P.O. Box 1565 in Mason City, or dropped off at 122 South Adams Avenue from 8:30–11 a.m. will be matched dollar for dollar up to $20,000. 
2. City of Mason City hires new city engineer (kgloam.com) — Mason City has hired experienced engineer Krysten Foster as its new city engineer, with a starting salary just over $144,000 and a Step 9 placement based on her qualifications. City officials say her extensive public and private sector background will benefit local infrastructure projects, and she’s set to begin work on August 24 after nearly a year-long search.
3. Iowa League of Cities recognizes Mason City riverfront project (radioonthego.com) — Mason City’s River City Riverwalk and Waterfront District has earned the city a 2026 All-Star Community Award from the Iowa League of Cities, recognizing innovative urban renewal and quality-of-life improvements. The project, opened in June 2025 along Willow Creek, added accessible trails, native landscaping, public art, and educational features that link downtown housing, entertainment, parks, and future hotel and convention facilities.
4. Throwback Nation Adds Three Connoisseur Affiliates (radio-online.com) — Mason City listeners now have a new nighttime radio option as KYTC-FM becomes an affiliate of the nationally syndicated Throwback Nation with Tony Lorino, airing weeknights. The show’s expansion through Connoisseur Media adds Mason City alongside stations in Minnesota and Texas, giving local classic hits fans another way to tune into the program’s growing national presence.
📸 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 ★
-
Live Music in the Commons: Neal Simmons →
Mason City Public Library, 225 2nd St SE, Mason City
11:00 am
Friday August 14
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
Marketing Matters: Scroll-Stopping Content: Social Media Doâs & Dontâs
Mason City Chamber of Commerce 3rd Floor of the North Iowa Regional Commerce Center 9 N. Federal Ave., Mason City, IA 50401
9:00 am -
Golf Croquet
Mason City Chamber of Commerce Central Gardens of North Iowa
10:00 am -
Moonlight Bike Ride 2026 →
Mason City Chamber of Commerce Prairie Rock Trails Bike Park 1500 Elm Dr, Mason City, IA
8:00 pm -
One Vision Dunk Tank at Bash at the Lake
Mason City Chamber of Commerce Clear Lake City Park Clear Lake, IA 50428
11:00 am -
Live Music in the Commons: Neal Simmons →
Mason City Public Library, 225 2nd St SE, Mason City
11:00 am
Tuesday August 11
Thursday August 13
Friday August 14
Saturday August 15
Friday September 4
📣 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
-
MCHS Volleyball Camp
Mason City Comm School District Mason City High School Main Gym
8:00 am -
Golf Croquet
Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Central Gardens of North Iowa
10:00 am -
Hydro Heroes
Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Clear Lake Public Library 200 N 4th St
10:30 am -
Ag/Industry Tour 2026: SkyView Market →
Mason City Chamber of Commerce 1175 Balsam Ave, Nora Springs, IA 50458
2:00 pm -
LINC Bags Tournament
Mason City Chamber of Commerce Georgia Hanford Park 2215 S Jersey Ave Mason City, IA 50401
5:30 pm -
Jazz Night at Reserve 173°
Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Reserve 173 Bar & Grill, 306 1st Ave. N.
6:00 pm
Thursday August 6
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
- Mason City lands prestigious honor shared by just three Iowa communities
MASON CITY — Mason City has been named a 2026 All-Star Community for transforming an overgrown and underused stretch of Willow Creek into a downtown… (Nextdoor Taft) - Iowa crops hold strong after brutal heat and wildly uneven rainfall
DES MOINES — Iowa’s corn and soybean crops remained in strong condition as farmers endured extreme heat, record-setting humidity and rainfall totals… (Nextdoor Taft)
- Hy-Vee Supermarket posted a job opening for Dairy Clerk in Mason City. Apply here.
- Spar, Inc. posted a job opening for Remodel Merchandiser in Mason City. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Mason City here.
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: Because he felt CRUMMY ! (Thank you Michelle S. 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.