Obituaries
SPORTS
Kenna Gittings slides into second ahead of the throw in the bottom of the 2nd inning Wednesday against Wapello in Class 1A, Region 1 post-season softball action. The Crusaders won 4-2 to advance to Friday's semifinal against Seymour at Seymour.

HTC wins first-ever 20th game

WEST POINT — The three runs Holy Trinity scored in the bottom of the fifth inning of Wednesday’s Class 1A Region 1 quarterfinal against Wapello did more than give the Crusaders the lead. …
Central Lee senior Bo Herdrich starts a version of the Macarena after hitting a double down the left field line in the fifth inning of Tuesday's 3-0 win over Wilton in the semifinals of  the Class 2A, Substate 5, District 9 bracket a Chariton.

Hawks look sharp in 3-0 win over Wilton

CHARITON — It took three batters for Chase Johnson to send a message — this was going to be a game that belonged to Central Lee’s pitchers. Johnson and reliever Blake Davis combined …
MT. PLEASANT – The Fort Madison Lady Hounds got a Southeast Conference win on the road at Mt. Pleasant Thursday night. Brylie Lorence homered again for the Hounds in the 10-2 win over the …
DONNELLSON – Central Lee Head Coach Jason Hawk doesn’t like any loss, but if he had a “good loss” in his coaching tool box, Thursday’s 9-5 loss to Class 2A No. 2 …
LEE COUNTY NEWS
Lee County News

Crozier gets new contract at Central Lee

DONNELLSON – Central Lee Superintendent Dr. Andy Crozier was awarded a new 3-year contract by the Central Lee School Board in June. On Monday, that contract was amended to include longevity …

For the Record

For the Record - Monday, July 14, 2025

Fort Madison Police Report 07/11/25 - 1:42 AM - Fort Madison police arrested Corey James Hesford, 26, of Fort Madison in the 1000 block of Avenue F on a warrant for burglary in the third degree. He …

Opinion

Reel Early Fort Madison event

This past weekend, I got up at 3:00 a.m. On purpose! The Illinois Bass Federation rolled into town for their state qualifier, and by 4:00 a.m., I was at the marina—fishing ball cap on, safety …

Krebill's Grassroots worth a smile

Reactive journalism is about 90 percent of our business. We see and react by talking to people and creating a narrative around what we saw and what the players in the event had to say about it. …

A Fair to Remember in Lee County

Growing up in Donnellson, the Lee County Fair was the highlight of my summer and I still look forward to it. As Iowa’s oldest county fair, it holds that perfect mix of tradition, excitement, …
Education News
EDUCATION NEWS

Hounds earn close to 800 industry certifications

FORT MADISON - Fort Madison Junior/Senior High School is proud to announce that our students have attained a remarkable 796 industry-recognized credentials during the 2024/2025 school year. These …

Hawks to field bowling team in the fall

DONNELLSON – Central Lee High School will have their own keglers next winter. The district has been sharing that sport in a 28E agreement with Keokuk, but a survey of students this year …

Central Lee high school releases 4th quarter honor rolls

DONNELLSON - Central Lee High School released their second semester honor rolls this week. Pen City Current congratulates students and staff on these great accomplishments. Principal Scholar 12th …
LATEST NEWS
JOHNSTON – In early June, Mark Mueller, Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) Vice President and farmer from Waverly, Iowa, attended the U.S. Grain Council (USGC) Buyers and Sellers Conference …
DENVER Ryan Bowen’s career journey through the NBA coaching ranks reportedly has its next stop. The Denver Post reported that Bowen, a long-time assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets, is …
FORT MADISON – A move by the Iowa Dept of Corrections is creating some preliminary angst locally with employees engaged in offender health care. The state DOC announced on Tuesday that they are …
Terry Michael Jones, Sr., 76 of Keokuk, IA passed away March 30, 2024 at Southeast Iowa Regional Center in Ft. Madison, IA. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. …
FORT MADISON – PAW animal shelter is looking for homes to foster about 40 dogs from the shelter. The organization moved into their new facilities last fall, but some of the paint used in the …
Health News
State sees two more measles cases Wednesday
LEE COUNTY – Lee County health officials are keeping a watchful eye on the increase of measles diagnoses in the state. Two additional confirmed cases in Iowa occurred Wednesday, one in an …
The Meller Health Center is taking shape on the city's west side. The North Lee County Community Foundation provided another $150,000 on Tuesday, bringing private donation totals to $650,000.
North Lee group gives another $150K to Meller Health Center
LEE COUNTY – The North Lee County Community Foundation delivered another check to Lee County Supervisors on Tuesday. The $150,000 contribution brings their total contribution to $650,000 to …
Tweedy joins GRHS' Keokuk and HCHC teams
WEST BURLINGTON -  Philip Tweedy, MD, has joined the medical staff at Henry County Health Center-Keokuk Clinic.   Dr. Tweedy is Board Certified in Internal Medicine. He will see adult …
Business News
A worker from Thrasher Foundation Services talks with Eric and Lacey Ferrel and their children Easton and Ellie Monday afternoon. Thrasher was celebrating their 50th anniversary with free projects in eight different locations across the country and the Ferrels were selected from Fort Madison. The company spent about $20,000 waterproofing and moisture proofing the Ferrel's basement. They even mowed and trimmed the yard.
Ferrels benefit from Thrasher 50th anniversary
FORT MADISON – A 50th anniversary celebration for a local office of a foundation restoration franchise resulted in a gift for a Fort Madison family Monday. Eric and Lacey Ferrel, who live in …
Nicholas Pothitakis, standing, is joining his father Mark, seated, at the Family Dentistry franchise that the Pothitakis family started in 1992. Nick graduated from the University of Iowa Dental College this year and starts seeing patients Monday.
Pothitakis extends legacy of Family Dentistry
FORT MADISON – Fort Madison is extending its Pothitakis commitment to health and philanthropy, not to mention the legacy of the family’s dental practice. On Monday, Nicholas Pothitakis …
DENNING
Denning makes Advisors to Watch List
FORT MADISON – Joshua Denning a Private Wealth Advisor with Ameriprise Financial, Inc. in Fort Madison was recognized as one of the top “Advisors to Watch Over $1Bil” by AdvisorHub, …