We’re tired of waiting on leaders to lead – Randy Evans
Aaron Salter Jr., 55, was on duty at the security job that supplemented his retirement…
editorial
Rosses love their Love Bugs – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Linda and Kevin Ross live on the Skunk River near Augusta on the Lee County…
Chewing on the idea of a crunchy Fort Madison
I just don’t get it. If someone would have asked me a month ago if…
Recent new has been hip-deep in irony
Irony has been so deep in recent days that we shouldn’t be surprised if people…
Bachin’ it for a week – Beside the Point
It’s been an interesting past several days. The wife went to Nawlins with the daughter…
This lawsuit needs some sunshine – Randy Evans
The legendary U.S. Supreme Court justice Louis Brandeis once observed, “Sunlight is said to be…
Farewell to Nohema Graber and More- Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Ginnie and I participated in the First Annual Walk for Nohema in Chautauqua Park in…
Life is the prize – Beside the Point
Life is the prize. Sometimes we ask ourselves, unfortunate as it may seem, why we…
Attempt to save a baby fox – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Lorrilee McCall-Miller heard something outside their door as she was getting ready for bed. It…
Coaches prayer time now in front of Supreme Ct.
I’m confused. Some of our political leaders seemed to be talking out of both sides of…
SIREPA is no “Mickey Mouse” organization – Beside the Point
I wanted to write this week about Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ spitting match with Disney…
Abby’s rhetoric was embarrassingly misguided – Randy Evans
A common refrain from Democrats during Donald Trump’s years in the presidency was that he…
AHFA is there for the kids – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Gracie’s mother prostituted her when she was 11. At 13 she stabbed a kid in…
Moments and memories of NYC 2022 – Beside the Point
The buds are out again on the sugar maple out my front window. It’s a…
Iowa is losing its way on public schools
This is one of those times when people who have little appetite for politics need…
Easter egg hunts should be held on Easter – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Easter-egg hunts at our house when I was a kid were conducted on Easter Sunday…
It’s time for legislation to protect sports officials
The assault was streamed live.It was a play at home plate in a youth baseball…
Urge passing of Erin’s Law – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Erin Merryn is an Illinois woman who was sexually abused as a child by two…
Private school bill has to come with accountability
The House of Representatives has a big chore coming up. Those legislators are facing some…
There’s more to being a leader than talking
Through history, some political leaders have been outstanding orators. Boy, could they talk. They knew how…
Vietnam Veteran’s Day – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
In restaurants or public places he sits in a corner with his back to the…
41 years is a long time… and not
They say it’s not good juju to talk about your competition, but I don’t give…
Can canna-buzz stop tinnitus? Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
I’ve suffered from tinnitus (ringing, buzzing in the ears) for over 20 years. I had…
Work to do to correct illegal breeding in Lee County – Beside the Point
Close to 300 animals were taken from a home in rural Lee County over the…
Lessons from a pots-and-pans salesman
Many years ago, I sat at the kitchen table of a pots-n-pans salesman from Pleasant…
Father, son debate the “undebatable” – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
“I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right…
My spring starts with college hoops championships
Bohannon didn’t call glass on that 23-footer, but that didn’t keep me from backwards somersaulting…
Des Moines school board teaches taxpayers an expensive lesson
Des Moines Superintendent Thomas Ahart has been a lightning rod during the past three years…
Reader Curt – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
I was asked to be a reader at the Mt. Pleasant Public Library—me, an ex-drunk…
Gas hikes may literally be the price we pay for invasion
A good portion of my morning was spent writing replies on Facebook to people who…
Empty Nest Tidbits – by Curt Swarm
With the Pandemic, we’ve been doing a lot of Zoom church attendance. Ginnie still showers…
Legislature needs to stand up for property owners – Letter to the Editor
What exactly is eminent domain and why should Iowan’s be concerned? Eminent domain refers to…
It takes the Villages of Van Buren County – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
During the flood of 1947, 17-year old Jack Dorothy was swimming in the flooded waters…
Former Monroe man to compete in Ninja Warrior contest – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Eric Robbins, in his late 40’s and 100 pounds over weight, sat in the doctor’s…
It’s not just the wage increases that should have our attention
Lee County is in a fish bowl when it comes to the Back the Blue…
Always a good day for MP’s Marvin Day
He started as a dishwasher-busboy at Pizza Hut and rose to be a regional manager. …
City rings out fallen firefighter Kern
A firefighter stood guard over a large silver bell and LeeComm called out a final…
Iowa school debate needs a civics lesson
A seat at the table. Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver provided that succinct explanation last…
Brothers forever – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
The call came while Ginnie and I were eating supper. It was from a lady…
Olympic Rings and Things – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
In honor of the Winter Olympics, I fashioned the Olympic Rings out of old wagon…
Local governments should carry different spirit to public input – Beside the Point
One of the rights and responsibilities of the general public is to challenge the philosophies,…
GOP proposals may backfire on state’s population
I stumbled across a statistical tidbit the other day that probably will surprise many people….
Mt. Pleasant’s Musician Master – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
On a table in front of Dr. Joel Brown’s picture window is a large Nativity…
Governor’s proposals more partyline politics
If nothing else was learned from Tuesday’s Condition of the State address, it’s this –…
Senate change won’t better inform Iowans
Typically, in the days leading up to the start of a new session of the…
MP, Ottumwa native has Miss America playthings – Empty Nest
Sharon Bortz of Mt. Pleasant, formerly Sharon Smith of Ottumwa, watched the Miss America pageant…
My wife and daughter are becoming Wing Nuts – Beside the Point
This holiday was a short one. It seems like it came and went very fast….
Iowa justice v. Minnesota justice
Minnesota and its government officials delivered an important lesson recently on how to provide justice…
Library director thanks 2021 volunteers
BY SARAH CLENDINENGFort Madison Public Library Director FORT MADISON – Providing library services to the…
First snowfall a nice symbol of a fresh year
Another Christmas has come and gone and the New Year greeted us with fresh hope…