Monroe County, IA

Most people will tell you there’s not much money to made working for the local extension office. An office worker at the Monroe County Agricultural Extension has proven them wrong, according to a report issued by Iowa Auditor Rob Sand. On top of her $13-per-hour paycheck, a part-time office assistant...

A year ago Army veteran and Homeland Security employee, Eric Thomas, reached out to his parents, Dave and Dr. Rebecca Thomas about a military friend in a life struggle with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome). A wounded combat veteran whose struggle with PTSD was eased by receiving a service dog,...

The Monroe County Supervisors will see their suit regarding blocking firearms from being brought into the Monroe County Courthouse in court on Friday, June 11 at 9:30 a.m. The hearing is open to the public and will be held at the Monroe County Courthouse. The case is looking at whether...

It’s been more than a year since we’ve published this column, but as vaccine rates increase and COVID-19 restrictions ease, community events are picking pack up. As such, the staff at the Ottumwa Courier felt it was time for 5 Things to return. Here’s a look at what’s going on this weekend.

Sarah Ann Hindman, age 84, formerly of Albia, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at the Hooper Care Center in Hooper, Nebraska. She moved to Fremont, Nebraska in 2016 to be closer to son, David, and his family. David, Pam, and granddaughters, Amy and Renee, were of great help to her.

Albia Community High School seniors and alumni received over $350,000 in local scholarship awards at Friday’s Senior Awards Ceremony, held in the newly air conditioned A Gym. That amount does not include a number of athletic scholarships given to ACHS students from colleges and universities. There were a number of...

Mickey Thomas Sinclair, age 78 of Albia,passed away on Friday, May 21, 2021, at the Monroe County Hospital in Albia surrounded by his loved ones. Mickey was born on June 19, 1942, to Malcom “Mike” and Lois Leota (Phipps) Sinclair in Moline, Ill. He grew up attending school and graduated from Albia High School. Mickey then went to Indian Hills Community College for two years before studying engineering at Iowa State University. On Aug, 25, 1963, he was united in marriage to Linda Christensen at the EUB Church in Albia. To this union, three children were born, Lynn, Cynthia, and Michael.

The Chariton City Council approved a bid to do the cap repair work at the Lucas-Monroe County Closed Landfill at their meeting Monday, May 3. The bid the council approved was from KLC Construction for $110,900. Two bids were received with the other bid being from CR Environmental Inc. for $152,550.

The Monroe County Board of Supervisors approved the reclassification of 730th Avenue in Pleasant Township from Level A to Level C after a public hearing during their May 18 meeting. There were no written or verbal objections to the proposed change during the hearing. The board then once again looked...

The Albia Police Department is investigating an armed robbery of the Albia BP and asking for the public's help in finding the suspect. According to a press release from the Albia Police Department, on Friday, May 14 at approximately 12:15 a.m. the Albia Police Department and Monroe County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of an armed robbery at the BP gas station located at 107 N. Main St. in Albia.

A volunteer’s volunteer, Ruth Belzer, is leaving Albia, moving back to Lawrence, Kan., to help care for her youngest sister who is undergoing kidney dialysis. It is the second time Belzer moved to the J-Hawk state. She and her late husband, Harold, moved to Lawrence to be closer to Harold’s son and two grandchildren.

The Monroe County Cattlemen grilled 500 burgers and 150 beef hot dogs Friday night, all given away, and raised $1,600 by free will donation for the CJ3 Foundation. Eric Thomas and his CJ3 Foundation will be the Cattlemen’s Governor’s Charity Steer Showman in August. From left Dave Thomas, Alyson Hayood, Mylea Haywood, Abby Peterson, Abby Findley, Ella Findley, Jerry Findley, Havoc, Eric Thomas, Curt Houk, Bryan Reed, Sarah Henderson, Kylie Peterson, Stephanie Haywood, Brandon Osterhaus, Sam Thomas, Dr Becky Thomas.

The Monroe County Hospital and Clinic Board of Trustees approved purchase of a new liquid oxygen storage tank during their April 28 meeting. On Feb 22, the hospital’s current liquid oxygen storage tank, which they have had since 1978, began spewing oxygen outside after the pressure release valve popped. After having the tank examined it was determined it would cost more to repair it than to purchase a new tank.

After a cancelled year because of COVID-19, Monroe County 4-Hers can participate in the Clothing Selection and Communication event at Trinity United Methodist Church. The event will be held Friday, July 16. Deadline to register is July 8, 4:30 p.m. Registration forms and scheduling information are available at the Monroe...

The Monroe County Board of Supervisors opened their April 27 meeting with a public hearing with Monroe County Public Health. Dana Cockrell from public health went over how the office had used a $55,0000 Community Development Block Grant received last year to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and also to requested approval for the final reimbursement for the grant.

The Monroe County Supervisors voted to approve the Albia School District mounting the district’s new radio tower on the county’s 911 tower during their April 21 meeting. The school district’s current tower is located at the bus barn, but needs replaced. The district technology coordinator Josh Munford told the board that the county and district’s radio frequencies should not interfere with each other, but if anything comes up, the school district will take care of it.

FREMONT, Iowa (KYOU) - Back in November, Mark Milligan shared with KYOU about his mission to find out what happened to his brother Harry. He went missing back on June 30th, 1984 after spending a weekend with friends. He was just 21 years old. Mark created a website and Facebook...

Matthew “Matt” Charles Watson, age 98 of Albia, IA, died peacefully in his home, surrounded by his family on Sunday, April 25, 2021. Matt was born on January 10, 1923, to Morris Lane and Mable Mary (Pollock) Watson on the family farm in Monroe County, IA. He grew up and attended school in Monroe County, graduating from the Albia High School with the Class of 1939. He later attended Iowa State University. On June 29, 1952, he was united in marriage to Donna Rae Thomas. To this union, 2 children, Michelle and Cameron were born. Matt and Donna shared nearly 66 years of marriage prior to her passing on June 27, 2018.