Obituaries
SPORTS

HTC win starts busy week for Crusaders

WEST POINT — The postseason might seem far off for the Holy Trinity softball team, given the regular-season schedule the Crusaders have to face this week. But Monday’s 7-5 win over …

Lady Hawks getting seasoned late

DONNELLSON – The Central Lee Lady Hawks are becoming pretty good at winning games late… of late. Not only are SEI Super Conference teams taking notice, but so did the IGHSAU. The Hawks …
DONNELLSON – If Bobby Reid landing on your football field in a spangled parachute isn’t enough to tell you it’s gonna be a good night, the Central Lee Hawks walk-off wins – …
DANVILLE — Holy Trinity’s softball team needed a response after suffering back-to-back losses. The Crusaders got that, and then some, in the 12-0 win over Danville on Thursday night. Holy …
LEE COUNTY NEWS
Lee County News

Supervisors decline request to vacate Argyle road

LEE COUNTY – What amounted to almost a mock trial in front of the Lee County Board Tuesday morning resulted in the county declining to vacate a roadway that hasn’t been maintained in …

For the Record

For the Record - Friday, June 20, 2025

Fort Madison Police Report 06/19/25 - 5:57 PM - Fort Madison police cited Alex Joe Martin, 30, of Cantril at 2nd Street and Avenue I on charges of possession of marijuana in the first degree and …

Opinion

An Iowan, an Idahoan, and an Ohioan Walk Into a Tourism Office…

No, it’s not the setup for a joke — it’s just another day at the Fort Madison Tourism Office. This week, I had the pleasure of meeting two very different groups who happened to stop …
EMPTY NEST - By Curt Swarm

Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

Where have all the flowers gone?  I'll take and tell you where a good chunk of the flowers have gone: two places, at the intersection of Highway 34 and the Henry-Des Moines County Line Road on …

Road trippin' with Barney Rubble

One of the greatest things in the world is a road trip. What makes it even better is heading out with your brother and sister-in-law in a rented van and you get to drive. You know it’s going to …
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 …

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 …

Holy Trinity Jr./Sr. High releases 4th quarter honor rolls

FORT MADISON - HolyTrinity Catholic Schools released their 4th quarter honor rolls this week. The Pen City Current congratulates the students and staff on these achievements. 4th Quarter Honor Roll …
LATEST NEWS
CARTHAGE - Two new faces are welcoming guests as they enter The Legacy Theater in Carthage. Larissa McShane of Nauvoo has been hired as the executive director of the theater.  Audrey Inman of …
WASHINGTON – Nominations are now being accepted for farmers and ranchers to serve on local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. These committees …
FORT MADISON - Junior Talley and his wife Alisa will bring tributes to Elvis Presley and a variety of country female artists including the late Patsy Cline when the Old Settlers Association opens …
DES MOINES – Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.6 percent in May, up from 3.5 percent in April, despite 3,900 Iowans joining the labor force. The labor force …
FORT MADISON – Mayor Matt Mohrfeld made one last effort to get the Fort Madison City Council to reject a state law that allows fireworks on July 3rd and 4th, and Dec. 31. Mohrfeld has been …
Health News
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 …
LCHD clinic set for Thursday in Keokuk
KEOKUK - Lee County Health Department will be holding a Children’s Immunization Clinic Thursday, June 12th, 2025, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2330 Plank Road in Keokuk from 1:00 pm …
Business News
Minnesota Company to move into FM facility
FORT MADISON – A Minnesota manufacturer has announced plans to move into the former Independent Can Co. building on the city’s northeast corner. According to Emily Benjamin, president and …
Green Acres launches pool house campaign
DONNELLSON -  The Green Acres Pool House fundraising committee is proud to officially relaunch and move forward with determination on the long-anticipated project to build a new, modern pool …
Burlington to provide daily flights to Chicago through Contour
 BURLINGTON – The Southeast Iowa Regional Airport in Burlington has secured a new operator for daily flights to Chicago. According to SEIRA Director Sara Sandburg, the airport board has …