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MASON CITY — Freedom isn’t free and we must all do everything we can to preserve the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of the United States of America.

That’s the message delivered by Father Joseph Mirowski of Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church to a crowd at Mason City’s Independence Day celebration at the high school stadium Friday night. more »

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MINNEAPOLIS — Placido Polanco hit a pair of extra-inning RBI singles, the second giving the Detroit Tigers the lead for good in an 11-9 victory over the Minnesota Twins in 16 innings Friday night.

Polanco drove in a run in the top of the 14th inning off R.A. Dickey, but Michael Cuddyer’s RBI single in the bottom half tied it at eight. more »

CLEAR LAKE — The Clear Lake baseball team exploded for 29 runs on 28 hits in a doubleheader sweep of Humboldt on Friday.

Clear Lake won the opener 10-2 by collecting 14 hits. The Lions won the nightcap 19-0 in four innings as they also banged out 14 hits. more »

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North Iowa communities have scheduled a number of special events and activities in connection with Independence Day celebrations.

Here is a city-by-city look at what’s planned: more »

MASON CITY

Lime Creek Nature Center, 3501 Lime Creek Road, open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Free. Features North Iowa’s natural resources; mounted and live animals, and wildlife-watching opportunities on over eight miles of multi-use trails through prairie, woodland, and wetland habitats. Middle School Adventures will be held 1-3 p.m. July 14 (GPS at Lime Creek), July 16 (fishing at Bluebill Wildlife Area); July 21 (canoeing Zirbel Slough), July 23 (biking the Shellrock River Greenbelt). Cost is $5 per session, $15 for the series. For information, visit www.co.cerro-gordo.ia.us, or call 641-423-5309. more »

Effective Thursday, July 2

 MASON CITY, Cinema West more »

Wilco, ``Wilco (The Album)'' (Nonesuch)

``Wilco will love ya, baby,'' the band sings on the rollicking opening track of its seventh studio release, ``Wilco (The Album).'' more »

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets are inviting an old friend to play at their new stadium.

But not just any old friend — Sir Paul McCartney. more »

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chima Simone couldn't think of a better place to spend the recession than the ``Big Brother'' house.

``I thought it'd be fun,'' said the 32-year-old freelance journalist, one of 13 contestants who will be locked away for the 11th season. ``I wasn't getting any responses to my query letters. I'm not traveling anywhere this summer. I thought `Big Brother' would be a great way to make a ton of money in a limited time without really having to work for it.'' more »