🌱 How a 2,250‑acre solar farm could reshape land south of town

Hey there, Mason City! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How a 2,250‑acre solar farm could reshape land south of town
• Why a Mason City nurse keeps her license after multiple arrests
• Clear Lake and Mason City communities remember Robert “Bob” “Pat” Myers

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Mason City? Post it to Mason City photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Freezing fog in the morning, with a high of 39 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Wednesday: Breezy in the afternoon, temps: high: 35, low: 29.
• Thursday: Very windy; cloudy, with a high of 36 and low of 1 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Public hearings this week on proposed 2500 acre solar farm in Cerro Gordo County (kgloam.com) — State regulators are holding three days of public hearings in downtown Mason City this week on a proposed 500‑megawatt solar farm in Cerro Gordo County. Residents can weigh in at the Historic Park Inn Hotel as Ranger Power seeks state approval for a 2,250‑acre project south of Mason City and Clear Lake, despite the county’s zoning ban on large-scale solar.
   

• Nurse accused of being impaired on duty retains full licensing privileges (kcrg.com) — A Mason City nurse charged with working while allegedly impaired and with multiple driving-related offenses will keep her full Iowa nursing license under a recent state board settlement. The agreement issues only a warning and requires enrollment in a health program, even as court records show additional 2025 arrests and an upcoming January 2026 probation hearing.
   

• Robert 'Bob' 'Pat' Myers (kiow.com) — Family and friends are mourning Robert “Bob” “Pat” Myers, 67, who died Friday at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City after battling esophageal cancer. A memorial service with military honors is set for Friday, December 19, at Clear Lake United Methodist Church, celebrating his service in law enforcement, the Marine Corps, trucking, and his deep love for family and community.
   

📸 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 ★

Thursday December 18

• Date Night!
  Pottery on the Plaza, 14 S Federal Ave, Mason City
  5:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Wednesday December 17

• NIACC Performing Arts & Leadership Series: Dean Z – The Ultimate Elvis
  NIACC Auditorium , 500 College Dr , Mason City
  7:00 pm

📣 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

Tuesday December 16

• Book Chat: Best of 2025
  Clear Lake Public Library , 200 N 4th St , Clear Lake
  12:00 pm
• Chamber Business After Hours: Holiday Edition
  Clear Lake Arts Center , 17 S 4th St , Clear Lake
  4:30 pm

Wednesday December 17

• Clear Lake Noon Lions' Toys for Tots Collection
  Clear Lake VFW , 219 Main Ave. , Clear Lake
  1:00 pm
• BINGO Night at Reserve 173°
  Reserve 173 Bar & Grill , 306 1st Ave N , Clear Lake
  6:00 pm
• Books on Tap: Best of 2025
  Lake Time Brewery , 801 Main Ave , Clear Lake
  6:00 pm
• NIACC Performing Arts & Leadership Series: Dean Z – The Ultimate Elvis
  NIACC Auditorium , 500 College Dr , Portland
  7:00 pm
• Dean Z - The Ultimate ELVIS
  NIACC - North Iowa Area Community College , 500 College Dr , Mason City
  7:00 pm

Thursday December 18

• Trivia Thursday
  Lake Time Brewery
  7:00 pm

Friday December 19

• Steve O - Stephen Gilchrist Glover
  Surf Ballroom & Museum , 460 N Shore Dr , Clear Lake
  6:00 pm
• Steve-O: The Crash and Burn! Tour
  Surf Ballroom , 460 North Shore Drive , Clear Lake
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Walmart posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Mason City. Apply here.
• Healthcare Services Group posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Mason City. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Mason City here.

🗞 Nearby News

Iowa Falls

• Iowa Falls Council to address grant agreements, swear in officials (radioonthego.com)
• NBC Boys Wrestling had a stout performance at the Ogden Duals on Saturday (radioonthego.com)

New Hampton

• Four-Year Anniversary of December 15, 2021 Derecho Tornadoes - KCHA NEWS - Charles City's News, Weather & Sports (kchanews.com)
• Hawkeyes Win 11 Titles at Jimmy Grant Invite (hawkeyesports.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: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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