ITC Midwest Begins Pre-Construction Work on 52-Mile Transmission Line Through Wapello & Jefferson County

ITC Midwest is moving into the preliminary stage of a major high-voltage electric transmission line project that will run through eastern Wapello, Jefferson and Henry counties in southeast Iowa. The Coddington-Ottumwa project will upgrade approximately 52 miles of transmission line from the Ottumwa Generating Station near Ottumwa to a new...

State issues a warning to caregiver after nursing home resident dies

State licensing officials have issued a warning to an Iowa nurse for her role in the death of a nursing home resident. The board alleges that Elaine Allison, aka Elaine McCoy, of Beacon was working as a licensed practical nurse at the Oskaloosa Care Center on Sept. 6, 2025, when there was a serious medical […]

Lee County officials hear from residents on proposed steel mill project

FORT MADISON — Kelly Jameson has lived in the Green Bay Bottoms all her life. As a third generation resident, raising the fourth, she’s passionate about her community. And, she’s passionately against a proposed steel mill that is planned for the area. If Mesabi Metallics builds the largest steel mill in the United States just three miles from her house, she said, it defeats the whole reason she has stayed in her hometown. “This is currently a nice, rural community … when the reason we choose to live here is gone, why would we stay?” she asked at a public information meeting held in Fort Madison Wednesday evening. Lee County supervisors and officials from Mesabi Metallics held an informational meeting at the Quality Inn & Suites in Fort Madison, allowing area residents and business leaders to express their views on the potential for a steel mill. Roughly 200 people packed the hotel conference room, leaving standing room only. Jameson was one of about two dozen speakers Wednesday night, although her dissenting comments were in the minority. City administrators, economic development workers, supervisors and mayors of neighboring communities spoke in favor of the project and the opportunities it would bring. Local

Jeff Monken Previews Army-Air Force and Eyeing Commander-in-Chief's Trophy at West Point

Ottumwa’s Jefferson Street Bridge expected to reopen later this month

OTTUMWA, Iowa - Ottumwa city officials announced on Wednesday that work on the Jefferson Street Bridge is about complete. The bridge closed at the end of September for work on a damaged expansion joint. Contractors had been waiting for a new joint to be made. It arrived and was installed...

LULAC Ottumwa to host Day of the Dead event at the YMCA on Nov. 7

OTTUMWA, Iowa - The League of United Latin American Citizens, Ottumwa (LULAC) will be hosting a Day of the Dead celebration at the YMCA on Nov. 7. LULAC says it’ll be a day to participate in the Mexican tradition of honoring loved ones who have passed while keeping their memories alive.

COVID and Flu on the Rise in Washington County

Take steps to prevent the spread of illness this winter, as influenza and COVID cases are on the rise in the local area. According to Washington County Hospital and Clinics, this week COVID levels are substantial while influenza and strep case activity is rated moderate. People are reminded to wash...

Jefferson County Data Center Committee Finalized with Five Members

The Jefferson County Board of Supervisors finalized the membership of their data center study committee on Thursday, November 5th, appointing three new members to join Taylor Ross and Michael Campbell, who had previously been designated to serve. The board appointed Dan Sears, a member of the USDA; Dee Sandquist, a...

20 Years of Service Recognized by Washington County Supervisors

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...

Area Veterans to be Recognized at Freedom Rock Park in Brighton Saturday

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...

Groups work out creative incentive package for steel plant

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 GOP voter block motivated

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...

City of Ottumwa Announces Veterans Day Closures

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.

Iowan accused of running unlicensed hospital makes ‘sovereign citizen’ claim

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 […]

Lake Belva Deer Fall Fest draws hundreds for first-year event

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 High School Students Invite Area Veterans to November 11th Assembly

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.

Mahaska County Election Returns Posted for Local Races

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 plant closure leaves 400 people in Ottumwa without a job

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...

Iowa Airport Project Nears End After 14 Years

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.