Keokuk

‘Past the point of no return’? Iowa Dems feel hopes fading

By THOMAS BEAUMONTJune 1, 2021 GMT

KEOKUK, Iowa (AP) — Democrats lost last year's election for Iowa's 2nd Congressional District by the narrowest margin in a House race in almost 40 years.

Correction: Election 2020-Buttigieg-Religion story

August 26, 2019 GMT

KEOKUK, Iowa (AP) — In a story Aug. 24 about presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg and religion, The Associated Press reported erroneously that Buttigieg's father was a former Roman Catholic priest...

Saturday’s Iowa 3A Track Results

May 18, 2019 GMT

Girls & Boys State Track Meet 2019

Traffic stop ends in man’s arrest on drug charges

Staff WriterJune 16, 2017 GMT

A Keokuk man was arrested Saturday by the Lee County Narcotics Task Force on felony and misdemeanor drug charges.

Isaac Isaiah Seay, 34, of 1209 Blondeau St., was arrested in the 700 block of Ridge Street in Keokuk.

Keokuk revises fireworks ordinance to be in line with the new state law

Lauren Zechin Mississippi Valley PublishingJune 5, 2017 GMT

Keokuk’s fireworks ordinance was updated to reflect the new Iowa law Thursday at the regular city council meeting.

Starting this past Thursday, consumer-grade fireworks can be sold and discharged during specific dates – for approved permanent structures, June 1 through July 8 and from Dec.

Optimae discusses plan for site home in Keokuk

LAUREN Zechin Mississippi Valley PublishingJune 2, 2017 GMT

KEOKUK – About 45 people attended Tuesday night’s town hall meeting hosted by Optimae LifeServices at First Christian Church in Keokuk.

Optimae President Bill Dodds said the company reached out to the community after learning 185 Keokuk residents had signed a petition regarding a site home the company is starting at 916 Grand Ave.

Others would love to visit just like we did

Staff WriterJune 1, 2017 GMT

I would like to share with you and your readers my recent delightful experience while visiting your locality the weekend of Mother’s Day, May 14. I confess that, as a native Iowa from the northwestern county of Pocahontas, the only thing I knew about Fort Madison was that it had a penitentiary.

Several injured in accident at Keokuk intersection

Staff WriterMay 30, 2017 GMT

Several people were injured in a multi-vehicle crash at approximately 12:30 p.m. today at the intersection of the U.S. Highway 61 bypass and Carbide Lane, Keokuk.

At least one AirEvac helicopter, multiple Lee County Ambulances and Keokuk Police are on the scene.

Area nonprofit trains service dogs

MEGAN MCNEILL Mississippi Valley PublishingMay 30, 2017 GMT

KEOKUK – For many years, service dogs typically were trained to assist the sight impaired. These days, the demand is growing for dogs that are taught to help people with health problems ranging from anxiety to diabetes.

Lois (Heine) Schlipman-Greene

Staff WriterMay 30, 2017 GMT

Lois (Heine) Schlipman-Greene, age 80, passed away on Sept. 29, 2016 in Lakewood, Colo.

Lois was born in Keokuk, on March 12, 1936. She was the daughter of the late Robert Heine and Esther (Eck) Heine.

Candidates face off at forum

megan mcneill Mississippi Valley PublishingApril 27, 2017 GMT

KEOKUK – It was standing-room only Wednesday night in the Keokuk Public Library Round Room as Lee County attorney candidates Clinton Boddicker and Ross Braden squared off in a forum hosted by the American Association of University Women’s Keokuk chapter.

Senior Lofts halfway to the finish line

Megan McNeill Mississippi Valley PublishingApril 27, 2017 GMT

KEOKUK – Construction of a 45-unit independent living facility for area seniors has hit the halfway mark.

Pete Schwiegeraht, senior developer with Miller-Valentine Group, provided updates and answered questions regarding Keokuk Senior Lofts at Wednesday’s Coffee and Conversation at the Lake Cooper Foundation.

Keokuk officials revisit business registrations

lauren zechin Mississippi Valley PublishingApril 26, 2017 GMT

KEOKUK – The Keokuk City Council again discussed establishing a business registration ordinance at Thursday’s regular workshop.

Marty Fox, owner of Decker Manufacturing Company, objected to the yearly inspections the city would be able to conduct if the ordinance is passed as currently worded.

Keokuk teachers seek 2% base salary hike

MEGAN MCNEILL Mississippi Valley PublishingApril 24, 2017 GMT

KEOKUK – Initial contract proposals given Thursday by the Keokuk Education Association and the Keokuk School District both include salary increases.

When KEA and the district agreed on extended contracts last year, they planned to discuss salary schedules this year only if the allowable growth rate set by the Iowa Legislature was below 2 percent or above 4 percent.

Book with Keokuk connection tops Shambaugh Shortlist

Staff WriterApril 20, 2017 GMT

DES MOINES – A book about Iowans in the Civil War rose to the top of this year’s Shambaugh Shortlist to claim one of the state’s highest history awards Monday.

Gov. Terry Branstad presented the 2017 Benjamin Shambaugh Award to author Thomas Baker for “The Sacred Cause of Union: Iowa in the Civil War,” which focuses on Iowans and their service in battle and at home.

Braden is a united county man

Staff WriterApril 18, 2017 GMT

I’ve been reading some people’s opinions about “North Lee” v. “South Lee” regarding the appointment of Ross Braden as Lee County Attorney, and the now upcoming election.

Ross has deep roots in Keokuk, Fort Madison and West Point, with friends in the surrounding areas as well.

Setting the record straight on claims made in County Attorney race

Staff WriterApril 13, 2017 GMT

I wish to respond to the letter written by Kendra Abfalter, and I would ask that Mr. Boddicker’s supporters keep this campaign honest. Unfortunately, his supporters feel misleading the public is the way to get votes to go their way.

Plea deal reached in attempted murder case

JEFF HUNT jhunt@dailydem.comApril 12, 2017 GMT

The trial of a Fort Madison man charged with two counts of first degree attempted murder was over before it began Tuesday morning.

John Huss, 29, Fort Madison, was to begin Tuesday at the North Lee County Courthouse in Fort Madison.

Huss attempted murder case over

Jeff HuntApril 11, 2017 GMT

Even before the first degree attempted murder trial of John Huss, 29, Fort Madison, began Tuesday morning, it was over. After a delay in the trial selection, Judge Michael Schilling announced to the jury pool that attorneys on both sides of the case had reached a plea deal concerning the case and released the 50 possible jurors.

Clinton Boddicker is the obvious choice

Staff WriterApril 5, 2017 GMT

My name is Ron Wood and I worked in the 8th Judicial District for 35 years in many geographic locations. The last 25 years of my career I was located in Lee County and retired on September 30, 2016 from Juvenile Court Services.

Kickball tourney raises about $3,000 for KPlay Keokuk Playgrounds

W. walt casady CorrespondentApril 4, 2017 GMT

KEOKUK – Lee County Leadership fundraising team Doug Ewing, Shandra McWhorter, Maggie Guzman and Mark Bousselot Saturday raised an estimated $3,000 at the 2017 KPlay Kickball Tournament to benefit KPlay Keokuk Playgrounds for All and its Bentley’s Playground initiative for providing handicap accessible playground equipment in Keokuk.

FM high on most affordable places list

JEFF HUNT jhunt@dailydem.comApril 3, 2017 GMT

Coming on the heels of a study showing Lee County near the bottom of the most healthy places to live list (see March 31 issue of the Daily Democrat), another study shows the county’s two main cities rank high among the most affordable places to live.

Keokuk officials show a lack of trust in residents

Staff WriterMarch 30, 2017 GMT

Open letter to Keokuk city council

Dear council members,

There are many issues that need to be addressed in Keokuk, of which are all more important than backyard chickens.

Officials believe body is that of missing fisherman

Staff WriterMarch 29, 2017 GMT

Officials believe they have recovered the body of a fisherman whose boat capsized Jan. 3 on the Mississippi River.

The Keokuk Police Department responded Wednesday morning to a report of a possible body floating near the lock at Lock and Dam 19.

Supervisors pass final reading for minimum wage hike

JEFF HUNT jhunt@dailydem.comMarch 29, 2017 GMT

After Lee County Supervisors completed their regular Tuesday meeting, beginning in Fort Madison and ending in Keokuk, they approved the third reading of the minimum wage increase ordinance 4-1, with Supervisor Ron Fedler voting against.

Taylor updates residents on ‘a lot of bad bills’

MEGAN MCNEIll Mississippi Valley PublishingMarch 27, 2017 GMT

KEOKUK – State. Rep. Jerry Kearns, D-Keokuk, gave updates on what State. Sen. Rich Taylor, D-Mount Pleasant, described as “a lot of bad bills” during Friday’s Legislative Luncheon, hosted by the Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce.

Course aimed at preparing students for the workforce

MEGAN MCNEILL Mississippi Valley PublishingMarch 27, 2017 GMT

KEOKUK – A group of Keokuk High School teachers is developing a course intended to prepare students for the workforce.

Business teacher Cheri Kemp, science teacher Courtney Giesel, health occupations teacher Jessica Koehler and industrial technologies teacher Matt May presented to the Keokuk School Board during the March 13 regular meeting.

Keokuk first in Iowa to observe Earth Hour

megan mcneill Mississippi Valley PublishingMarch 21, 2017 GMT

KEOKUK – This is the first town in Iowa to observe an annual climate change awareness event, thanks to a Keokuk High School teacher and her students.

Science instructor Courtney Giesel organized a committee of freshmen who planned various activities to promote Earth Hour, which will be observed worldwide from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Robert Leslie Brilon

Staff WriterMarch 17, 2017 GMT

Robert “Bob” Leslie Brilon, 79, of Keokuk, died on March 15, 2017, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.

There will be no funeral service and a private burial will be held at a later date.

Five area residents nabbed by task force

Staff WriterMarch 13, 2017 GMT

Five area residents have been arrested by the Lee County Narcotics Task Force on felony and misdemeanor drug charges.

Two Keokuk residents were arrested Wednesday during a traffic stop.

Kenneth Michael Howell, 23, and Jesica Charleen Blaise, 28, have been charged in that case.

Midwest Academy gets default judgment

MEGAN MCNEILL Mississippi Valley PublishingMarch 10, 2017 GMT

KEOKUK – A default judgment was entered Monday against Midwest Academy because the former boarding school’s owners had not hired an attorney in time for a trial that was scheduled to begin Monday at the South Lee County Courthouse in Keokuk.

Keokuk residents surveyed for comprehensive plan

lauren zechin Mississippi Valley PublishingMarch 7, 2017 GMT

KEOKUK – Many Keokuk residents have responded to a citywide survey over the past several months. The data is used to update a comprehensive plan, which helps the city make decisions about future development.

New food truck begins serving FM, Keokuk, Burlington today

Chris Faulkner sports@dailydem.comMarch 1, 2017 GMT

When you’re an accomplished chef, the most likely place to find you is at a five-star restaurant in a large city, such as St. Louis.

But if you’re an accomplished chef who doesn’t like to be confined to a single spot, then you’re more than happy to start your own business...in a food truck.

Defunding PP will come with far greater costs

Staff WriterFebruary 22, 2017 GMT

There is a war going on across Iowa over access to women’s health care.

Republicans are forcing legislation in an attempt to shut down Planned Parenthood, because some of their locations provide abortion services.

Identity of murder victim still unknown

Megan McNeill Mississippi Valley PublishingFebruary 1, 2017 GMT

KEOKUK – A suspect is in custody for what officials are calling a suspicious death that was reported Monday morning in Keokuk.

Keokuk police officers responded at 9:46 a.m. to 222 Concert St., where they found a deceased person.

Crime Stoppers hold fund raisers in Fort Madison, Keokuk

JEFF HUNT jhunt@dailydem.comDecember 9, 2016 GMT

Lee County Crime Stoppers gathered Thursday evening at the Fort Madison Hy-Vee to take part in an all-you-can-eat chili fundraiser for the organization. At the same time, the organization was holding a fund raiser in Keokuk.

Existing courthouses can be repaired and upgraded

Staff WriterNovember 4, 2016 GMT

I am writing this letter as a citizen and resident of Lee County – not in my capacity as an elected official. Although I am a resident of Keokuk, my opinion of Measure A on the Nov. 8 ballot would be the same whether I lived in Fort Madison, any other city in the county or in the rural area.