MASON CITY, Iowa – Mason City’s last bowling alley was engulfed in flames following a reported explosion that occurred at around 9:15-p.m., Sunday. Mystic Lanes, on the city’s east side just off Highway 122, was a total loss. There is no word on what caused the fire, and no reports of injuries. Fire departments from Clear Lake and Nora Springs responded with mutual aid to the Mason City Fire Department.

It was the second major fire in Mason City in a matter of weeks. The Kirk Apartments were destroyed by fire and displaced dozens earlier this month. Mason City previously had two bowling alleys before the Rose Bowl burned down in 2014. According to Mystic Lanes Facebook page, the bowling alley posted an update around 2 a.m. Saturday morning saying that they were closed for business and not re-opening until June 14th.

(Radio Iowa) – The population of the eastern Iowa community of Tiffin jumped 11 percent last year — making it Iowa’s fastest growing town. Tiffin is about a 15 minute drive from Iowa City. The latest estimates from the U-S Census Bureau indicate Tiffin’s population topped 58-hundred last July.

The population of the Des Moines suburb of Waukee grew 10 percent from mid-2021 to July of last year. Population growth in Des Moines was one-point-two percent. Sioux Falls, South Dakota was the only other Midwest metro that saw higher growth.

The U-S Census Bureau estimates Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Davenport, Council Bluffs and Sioux City have all lost population since the 2020 Census — while Iowa City and Ankeny saw population growth. In general, the U.S. Census found population decline in small towns in the Midwest and the overall population of the Midwest dropped one percent.

(Marion County, Iowa) – The body of a swimmer who went missing Saturday evening at Lake Red Rock was recovered late Sunday morning. The Marion County Sheriff’s office says the body of 21-year-old Irias Gbarjolo, of Johnston, was located using sonar, around 10:21 a.m. Sunday. His body was brought to shore, where he was pronounced dead.

Law enforcement received a 9-1-1 call at around 7:27 p.m. Saturday, informing them about a young man who went underwater at Lake Red Rock and didn’t resurface. Law enforcement from multiple agencies were involved in the search, which was suspended shortly after midnight on Sunday. The search resumed around 6 a.m. Sunday morning.

Gbarjolo’s was transported to the State Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy. In a news release, Marion County Sheriff Jason Sandholdt said “My heart goes out to the family of this young man. It is always sad when an individual with such a promising future is taken from us at such a young age. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.”

(Iowa City, Iowa) [Updated 5:54-p.m.]  – A crash Saturday night in eastern Iowa’s Johnson County, claimed the life of a 22-year-old woman. The Iowa State Patrol reports a 2008 Saturn Vue driven by 17-year-old Keasean Ford, and a 2012 GMC Acadia driven by 17-year-old Elijah Seals, both of Iowa City, were traveling westbound on Court Street in Iowa City, when they failed to stop at the intersection with S. 7th Avenue. A 2017 Chevy Malibu was struck in the intersection. The car was driven by Jennifer Russell, of Waterloo. Russell, who was wearing her seat belt, died at the University of Iowa Hospitals (UIHC) in Iowa City.

Both drivers, and a passenger in one of the vehicles, 17-year-old Michel Mbokolo, of Iowa City, were injured and transported by Johnson County Ambulance to the UIHC. The crash happened at around 10:54-p.m., Saturday. The Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Iowa City Police and Fire Departments, and Johnson County Ambulance.

(Creston, Iowa) – Police in Creston said Sunday, no injuries were reported Saturday, following an accident at an uncontrolled intersection. Authorities say a 2019 Mazda CX5 driven by 73-year-old Diane Lynn Lydon-Poore, of Creston, was traveling north on Maple Street at around 10:19-a.m. When she failed to yield to a 2007 Chevy Equinox that was traveling west on Page Street, and driven by 33-year-old Cornelio Rodriguez, of Lenox.

The Mazda struck the Chevy in the intersection, causing a total of $7,000 damage. Rodriguez was cited for having no valid driver’s license. No other citations were issued.