Repeat after me: Let the public know
The purpose was pretty simple when the Iowa Legislature wrote the state’s public meetings law…
editorial
Leathernecks adjust to winter preseason football
Jared Elliott said it’s easy to get snow off the artificial turf at Western Illinois…
The value of popcorn – Beside the Point
I miss going to the movies. I wanna see the epic-reboot Top Gun: Maverick. I…
Mistaken Identity – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
I used to go on long runs on Sunday mornings. This was when we lived…
Mike Nelson: runner extraordinaire – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
A lot of runners, myself included, are happy if they place in their age group….
Fate lends Stormy a hand – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Thursday, December 31, New Year’s Eve Day: The Vintage Raven in Mt. Pleasant posted on…
New Year is good time to support local library
BY SARAH CLENDINENGFort Madison Public Library FORT MADISON – Thank you to everyone who supported…
FEAR: Flight, Fight or Fetal – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
What would you do if FEAR was eliminated from your life? If it weren’t for…
Merry Christmas Fort Madison – from You’re Friendly Neighborhood Reporter
We’re just seven days from ending what is undoubtedly the worst year generationally of our…
Hawkeyes staying the course to Music City
The cough, Kirk Ferentz said, wasn’t unusual.It was the end of the season, after all,…
“Superman in a Business Suit” – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
During a blizzard in the late 70’s a city worker in Mt. Pleasant was driving…
Whether it’s hardware, coffee, or news – competition is good – Beside the Point
With this week’s announcement that Farm & Home Supply is coming to the city’s west…
Retired nurse pens first novel – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
Every once-in-a-while a writer comes along who stands head and shoulders above the rest. This…
MLB changes tune on our summer soundtrack
Everyone was talking about the new prospect.It was a June night in 1977 when I…
Griswolds completing tour of national parks – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Lori and Roger Griswold were hiking along. They saw a man coming toward them over…
This tradition is really unlike any other – Beside the Point
Walking into New London High School Saturday morning, I forgot to put my mask on….
Murray may be fastest cop in U.S. – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
On a summer afternoon you might see a 49-year old man running through the streets…
Around the Bible in 90 days – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
It’s just 12 pages a day for 90 days. Anyone can read 12 pages a…
Failings with pie, et. al – Beside the Point
It’s late Saturday night and I’m stuck fighting that anxiety of the darkness… again. It’s…
Moving forward is better than alternative
I get it.If you’re the parent of a high school athlete, I understand if you’re…
He hates ‘mieces’ to pieces – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
I was welding away on the last sculpture for my art show in Fort Madison….
My walks are my time – Beside the Point
I ventured up to the Canine Corral dog park just south of the Rodeo arena…
Shingles Part II now playing at Empty Nest – by Curt Swarm
I had the shingles 10 years ago, plus the shingles’ vaccination. I should be good…
Swarm work to benefit FMAAA
Okay, folks, here’s your chance to get some genuine Curt Swarm junk, I mean art….
Chestnut Anniversary and Empty Nest Half Marathon
Jane and Mark McConeghey of Monroe, Iowa have always been innovative farmers, caring for their…
Miller’s touch felt in many bylines
The office looked like any editor’s office.Press releases and various correspondence piled on the desk.A…
Closed candidate interviews fail public interest
There’s a lot of chat right now about extra taxes being assessed on city residents,…
From West Point to West Burlington – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Noble, friendly, protector, dog rescuer, ready smile, popular, motivated, giving, outgoing, receptive to feedback, empathetic,…
It’s been a quiet summer at the ballpark
The breaking point, Kim Parker said, came when she was driving home on the day…
Big Ten football won’t be perfect, but could be stunning
Gary Barta noticed it when he saw others as he was walking through Iowa’s football…
Birthday ends in trip to Wall Street – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
On August 27, the night before Ginnie’s birthday, the moon and Mars lined up side-by-side,…
Teacher sheds locks for cancer patients – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
“Nurtured and pampered by parents who didn’t want to make the mistakes of the previous…
Unexpected gift yields good news – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Except when I was 13 and got a Winchester single shot, .22 rifle, this may…
Chaneys revive natural prairie by Skunk – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
Dog park, grooming, boarding, training, world class Yorkies, pigeons for dog training, wildlife habitat and…
Social media shows all sides of local pandemic response
Whew! The emotion of the COVID-19 pandemic certainly is playing out on social media. The…
COVID art didn’t jinx – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
Ironically, I may have brought this on myself. Being an artist, I see beauty in…
Small privileges come to light during pandemic – By Katie Scoville
College is a time to spread your wings and move out of your comfort zone….
Detasseling was summer right of passage – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
My only goal was to keep up with Ray in the row beside me and…
Gardening and drinking from the hose – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
I made an uncanny observation the other day while watering our garden. Hose water tastes…
MP alum bouncing around the world – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
He’s 6’9” tall. When Bobby Quayle (pronounced “Quail”) was in grade school in Mt. Pleasant,…
This summer isn’t flawless, but the lights are on
I was leaving Iowa City, heading south as the sun was setting, when I saw…
Garden undergoes a Chipmunk funk – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
I did not know that chipmunks, also known as “squinneys,” can destroy a garden. They’re…
Newspaper clipped by pandemic -Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
It’s worth a road trip to see. Located in Traer, Iowa, north of Tama, the…
Car points family in right direction – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
It was the spring of 1995 when my family and I decided to return to…
He shed turns into art studio – Empty Nest, by Curt Swarm
Leave it to an artist. Artists usually have many talents, not just one art form….
Memoir tells story of civil war brothers – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
He was eight years old when he came west in a covered wagon from Ohio…
Finches say it’s time to put in the garden – Empty Nest by Curt Swarm
I tilled a pick-up load of composted sheep manure into our garden. I know I…
Ambulance service debates leave us saying – “WHAAAT?!”
If you haven’t been paying attention to the recent scramble for the county to find…
Great… and now we get “Murder Hornets”
Could 2020 possibly get any worse? Murder Hornets?… Really?… Have you seen these things? They…
Taxpayers deserve better answer on contract extension
It’s no secret that an attractive salary and benefit package creates a pool of attractive…