Month: March 2026

A public hearing on a proposed tax levy and possible school closure is set for tonight in Mount Pleasant.

The Mount Pleasant Community School District Board of Education will meet at 6 p.m. in the high school media center. A public hearing on the potential closure of Salem Elementary School is scheduled to begin at 6:10.

The hearing follows a recent board vote to begin addressing an expected budget shortfall of about 1.74 million dollars for the 2026–27 school year.

District officials say the financial challenges are tied to declining enrollment, limited increases in state funding, and the end of federal COVID relief money.

School leaders stress no final decision has been made, and Monday’s hearing is intended to gather public input.

Community members who wish to speak will be limited to three minutes each.

More information, including the full agenda and public hearing policy, is available on the district’s website.

Fort Madison Fire & Rescue responded to a late-night fire at the Farm and Home Store on Avenue O.
Crews were dispatched at 11:32 p.m. Friday after a call to LeeComm reported an alarm at the store. When firefighters arrived, they found smoke throughout the building.
Investigators say the fire started in an interior area where live poultry was being housed. Crews quickly extinguished the small fire using portable extinguishers and confirmed it had not spread beyond that immediate area.
The incident happened after normal business hours, and no customers or employees were injured.
However, smoke traveled throughout much of the store, forcing a temporary closure as cleanup and damage assessments continue. A restoration company is now working with store management on recovery efforts.
Preliminary findings indicate the fire was accidental and linked to an electrical setup used for heat lamps in the poultry area.
Some baby chicks in that area died due to smoke and heat exposure, while others were safely removed.
Fire officials say early alarm activation and a quick response helped contain the fire and prevent more serious damage. Fort Madison Fire and Rescue will continue working with store management and will verify all safety systems before the store reopens.

Keokuk Police made two arrests following a reported assault Thursday morning.

Officers were called to the 500 block of South 5th Street around 8:26 a.m. on March 19th.

Police say 61-year-old David Lewis Wells of Keokuk was arrested and charged with domestic abuse assault impeding airflow and domestic abuse assault involving the display or use of a weapon, both aggravated misdemeanors. He was also charged with violation of a no contact order, a simple misdemeanor.

Also arrested was 50-year-old Kimberly Sue Harmon of Keokuk, who faces a charge of violation of a no contact order.

Both individuals were taken into custody and held in jail.

As Severe Weather Awareness Week continues, officials are reminding residents that lightning is one of the most dangerous—and often underestimated—weather hazards.

Lightning can strike miles away from a thunderstorm, meaning you don’t have to be directly under dark clouds to be at risk. In fact, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck.

Safety experts emphasize a simple but critical rule: When thunder roars, go indoors.

The safest place to take shelter is inside a sturdy building or a hard-topped vehicle. Open areas, tall trees, and bodies of water are especially dangerous during a storm and should be avoided immediately.

If you are caught outside with no shelter available, get as low to the ground as possible, avoid metal objects, and do not lie flat.

Even indoors, precautions are important. Avoid using corded phones, electrical appliances, and plumbing, as lightning can travel through wiring and pipes.

Officials also warn that the danger doesn’t end when the rain stops. You should wait at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder before going back outside.

With severe weather season underway, staying aware and prepared can make all the difference.

KILJ is your local National Weather Service station, keeping you informed during all major weather events.