Fort Madison, IA- Fire officials in Fort Madison say a fire at an abandoned building Saturday, December 31st, is the latest in a string of fires at abandoned homes. The Pen City Current reports that an abandoned home, located at 2193 Highway 61, caught fire at 2:45 AM Saturday. Fort Madison Fire Chief Joey Herren said that the building was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived, and no cause of the fire was available. The fire is the latest in a string of fires at abandoned buildings in Fort Madison over the last several months. City officials are asking residents to be aware of suspicious activity around abandoned buildings.
Fort Madison, IA- One person was hospitalized Wednesday, following a house fire in Fort Madison. According to a news release, Fort Madison Firefighters responded to 1733 Avenue L at about 9:30 PM Wednesday, November 16th, for what was believed to be a basement fire, with a person still inside the house. Fort Madison Police arrived on the scene first and pulled one person from a first-floor window. Fire crews arrived on the scene and located the fire in the room the person had been rescued from and extinguished it. The Pen City Current reports that the person that was rescued, who has yet to be identified, was taken to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, then transported to Iowa City. The fire remains under investigation by the Fort Madison Fire Department.
Keokuk, IA- A Keokuk man has pleaded guilty to Theft and Assault charges in connection with an April robbery. The Pen City Current reports that 38-year-old Casey Alexander Young of Keokuk plead guilty Tuesday, November 8th, to 1st Degree Theft and Assault While Participating in a Felony. The charges stem from an incident on April 26th, 2022 at Two Rivers Bank in Keokuk. During the incident, Young wore a mask and demanded money from the teller. Young was immediately sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Burlington, IA- Officials at Fun City in Burlington say that construction on the new Courts project could be finished by June. The Pen City Current reports that the $4.5 million construction project on the southeast side of Fun City, will include a state-of-the-art indoor court and recreation center. Great River Entertainment CEO Gary Hoyer said that the facilities will be available for local sports teams and clubs, as well as hosting tournaments. The new facility will feature three collegiate-size basketball courts, which can also be used as multiple volleyball courts. Hoyer said that if construction workers can enclose the new structure by January, they will be able to meet that June opening date.
Lee County, IA- The Lee County Ambulance Director has submitted his resignation. The Pen City Current reports that Lee County Ambulance Director Dennis Cosby resigned Monday, October 24th, effective immediately. Th Lee County Board of supervisors will hold a special meeting Tuesday to accept the resignation and consider the appointment of Jason Dinwiddie, the current director of operations and County Emergency Manager, as interim director. Dinwiddie said that the ambulance service will continue the same level of service in the interim. The county will conduct interviews for the opening after advertising the position for at least 10 days.