Milan
The Washington County Board of Supervisors recognized 20 years of service for a county employee at their Tuesday meeting. Peggy Wood has been the Public Health Director of Finance and Operations for Washington County Public Health for 20 years. The Public Health Director of Finance and Operations is a senior...
Ahead of Veteran’s Day next week, the City of Brighton will hold an event to honor veterans this Saturday. The ceremony will take place at Freedom Rock Park, featuring Mid-Prairie High School senior Caedyn Huston as a guest speaker. Huston recently gave a presentation at the Kalona Historical Village...
FORT MADISON – Lee County residents got their first glimpse Wednesday night into negotiations between the county and the Minnesota company that plans to build a $15 billion steel facility in Green Bay Bottoms near Wever. Officials with Mesabi Metallics, which is a subsidiary of Essar Group of Mumbai,...
LEE COUNTY – The Republican voter block in Lee County is a motivated group. Lee County Republicans stormed through the general election Tuesday with only one Democrat getting a win. Former Fort Madison City Councilman Chris Greenwald (D-Fort Madison) defeated Tom Schulz (R-Fort Madison) for the District 2 Lee...
Wednesday, November 11, 2026, is the state and federal holiday of Veterans Day. Regular garbage and recycling collection normally collected on Wednesdays will be performed on Thursday, November 12; however, all yard waste and bulky item pickup for both sides of town will be done on Tuesday, November 10. Call Bridge City Sanitation at 641-682-1700 by 2:30 p.m. on Monday, November 9 to schedule a pickup.
An Iowa man criminally charged with running an unlicensed hospital in a rural area of Appanoose County is alleging in court that as “a living man” he is not under the jurisdiction of the state’s licensing boards. In August 2026, Centerville’s Old Cabin Retreat, which had allegedly been operating as a hospital or medical clinic […]
SIGOURNEY — The first Lake Belva Deer Fall Fest brought families and community members together on Saturday, Oct. 3, for an evening of fall festivities, family-friendly activities, and Halloween fun. Hosted by Keokuk County Extension and Outreach and Keokuk County Conservation, the event welcomed hundreds of attendees to Lake Belva Deer for an evening filled with trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, a Storybook Walk, and an outdoor showing of Hocus Pocus 2 with hot chocolate, apple cider, and popcorn. The inaugural event saw approximately over 400 trick-or-treaters, welcomed 100 participants to the Storybook Walk, and provided opportunities for attendees to paint more than 300 pumpkins. More than 100 people gathered to watch Hocus Pocus 2, making for a memorable fall evening at the lake. Organizers are grateful for the tremendous community support that helped make the first-year event a success. Local businesses, sponsors, volunteers, participating campers, and community members all played an important role in bringing the event to life. “Seeing so many families come out and enjoy an evening together at Lake Belva Deer was wonderful. We are incredibly thankful for the support from our sponsors, volunteers, and community. Their generosity and willingness to help made it possible to offer a
OSKALOOSA, Iowa – Oskaloosa High School students are getting ready to honor local military veterans at their annual Veterans Day assembly on Wednesday, November 11. The event starts at 1 p.m. in the Oskaloosa High School gym. All veterans are welcome, and no registration or special invitation is needed.
Unofficial results put Chuck Webb at 4,707 votes and Steve Wanders at 4,671 in the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors race. Voters were picking two candidates. So far, the live results sheet has returns from 23 out of 25 precincts. The Mahaska County results sheet gives unofficial numbers for county...
John Deere announced on Wednesday it will be shutting down its plants in Clarion and Ottumwa, leaving hundreds without work. Ottumwa Mayor Benjamin Foote's own daughter and her husband work at the latter. "I don't want to see them go," Foote told Local 5. "At the same time, I want...
A nearly 15-year effort to build a regional airport in south-central Iowa could come to an end this week as officials move to dissolve the project. The Oskaloosa City Council is scheduled to consider ending its participation in the South Central Regional Airport Agency on Monday, followed by a similar vote in Pella on Tuesday. According to local KCCI, the agency’s board is expected to meet Wednesday to consider discontinuing the project.
Ottumwa Community Schools’ Bulldog Battalion JROTC cadets recently put their training to the test during the Raider Competition at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. In addition to competing, the cadets had the opportunity to experience life on an active military installation. During their visit, they spent time alongside military personnel, shared meals with service members and stayed overnight in military barracks bunkers.
OSKALOOSA, Iowa – Starting November 4th, visitors to several Mahaska County parks may find some areas temporarily closed and see maintenance crews as Mahaska County Conservation begins a major woodland improvement project. The department has received approximately $150,000 through a Forestry Resiliency Grant administered by the Iowa Department of...
OSKALOOSA, Iowa – Downtown Oskaloosa is kicking off the holiday season on Saturday, November 21st, with the annual “Turn on the Lights!” celebration. The event will feature more than 300,000 colorful Christmas lights, family-friendly activities, and a visit from Santa Claus. The event is free and starts...
The South Central Regional Airport Agency Board joined both the Pella and Oskaloosa City Councils this week in ending pursuit of a regional airport in Mahaska County. The SCRAA voted on Wednesday after Oskaloosa did so on Monday and Pella on Tuesday to work toward the end of the project first approved in 2012 and supported both the Iowa Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration. The Mahaska County Board of Supervisors voted to withdraw from the agreement following an Iowa Supreme Court decision in their favor, which effectively placed the proposal on hold in 2024. The SCRAA has until 2039 to pay back $4.8 million in FAA grants used to purchase 378 acres of land, which it intends to do over the next two years along with the Oskaloosa and Pella City Councils. The funds generated by those sales may be used at both the Pella and Oskaloosa airport facilities, depending on the scope and the intended use.
Unofficial election results from Tuesday’s 2026 general election on November 3rd showed contrasting political landscapes across southeast Iowa, with Jefferson County trending Democratic in several key races while Keokuk and Van Buren counties favored Republican candidates. Jefferson County. Democrats carried most of the top-of-ticket races in Jefferson County. Josh...
LEE COUNTY – A meeting planned for Wednesday night to give Lee County residents their first look inside negotiations between county officials and Mesabi Metallics around a $15 billion proposed steel mill is shaping up to be a big event. Lee County Supervisors released information on the event Monday...
The Lee County Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting tonight to discuss a potential economic development project that could bring that major new steel plant to the region. The board will present the latest details surrounding ongoing negotiations with Mesabi Metallics. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Quality Inn & Suites in Fort Madison. An online stream and phone dial-in option will also be available for residents who wish to attend virtually. WGEM reports the meeting will include officials providing an overview of negotiations with the company, followed by a question-and-answer period for the supervisors. Community members will then have an opportunity to voice questions and give feedback during a dedicated public comment session.
Green lights will soon be seen across the area in support of veterans and their families. The Washington County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution to support Washington County veterans and their families at their Tuesday meeting. The board approved the county’s participation in Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide effort led by the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers.
The Lee County Leadership Committee is inviting area non-profit organizations to submit proposals for projects that will affect positive change in Lee County. The HawkEye reports that two project proposals will be selected for implementation by the Lee County Leadership Class of 2027. Proposals should be specific, concise, and attainable within a 12 to 16-week timeframe. Lee County Leadership is a collaborative effort program between the Fort Madison Area Chamber of Commerce, Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce, Lee County Economic Development Group and Southeastern Community College. This program is designed to train emerging leaders in community-based leadership skills, promote community engagement and increase capacity among community members for addressing common issues and problems. The current class is made up of 10 participants. Classes and events are held in various locations throughout the area through May of next year. Organizations wishing to submit a project for consideration may contact the Fort Madison Area Chamber of Commerce; the deadline is Monday.
