🌱 Mason City Starts Demolition + Two Accidents Caused Hospitalization

Good morning, Rochester-Mason City! I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town. In today's briefing, we have these stories and more...

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Partly sunny and beautiful. High: 70 Low: 53.
• Thursday: A shower and thunderstorm. High: 73 Low: 46.

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Here are the top three stories today in Rochester-Mason City:

1. Mason City takes the first step in demolishing the historic Kirk Apartments building. On Monday, construction crews began setting up barriers, laying down sand, and removing street lights in preparation for demolition. Deputy City Administrator Brent Hinson believes demolition will only take two to three days. (KIMT 3)
2. A two-vehicle crash injured a woman and her 10-year-old child. The state crash report states that a pickup traveling west and a southbound car collided at the intersection of two roads. The woman and the child experienced non-life-threatening injuries, and the car driver was not injured. (KROC-AM)
3. Two people were injured and sent to St. Mary's Hospital after a vehicle-moped crash early Tuesday morning. The moped driver and their passenger were taken to the hospital and experienced a severe injury. Rochester Police state Marijuana use was a factor in the crash, as both drivers admitted to Marijuana use. (KROC-AM)

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Today and tomorrow in Rochester-Mason City:

Wednesday, May 17

• MHS Orchestra Concert At Mayo Senior High (7:00 PM)
• Rise and Shine Relay At Mason City Arena (8:00 AM)

Thursday, May 18

• WE Forum At Little Thistle Brewing Company (4:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• An Iowa family is looking for their missing family member and her dog. The family of Kathleen Ann Baker said she and her dog, Shea, left her home in Des Moines Monday morning in a dark Toyota RAV4 and ran out of gas along I-35, south of the Clear Lake/Mason City area, around noon. (ABC 6 News KAAL TV)
• Celebrate craft beer this week during Minnesota's Craft Beer Week. The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild has a map for visitors to find a brewery nearby to celebrate. (106.9 KROC)
• After a weekend of rain, Minnesota will see mostly sunny skies and warm weather during the week. But Thursday will bring isolated showers, some lingering into early Friday morning. (KTTC)

That's it for today! I'll see you back in your inbox soon with your next update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.