The Central Lee Community School District is holding a special meeting on Monday, April 21st at 7:00am. On the agenda, is approval of a tentative agreement with the Central Lee Education Association. The meeting is being held in the district office in Donnellson and is open to the public.
The City of Danville will meet in regular session on Monday, April 21st in Danville City Hall. Call to order is at 5pm and this meeting is open to the public.
Roger Ray McHone went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at Madrid Home with his family by his side.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Elkhart Christian Church (252 NW Washington Ave., Elkhart, IA 50073). A visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025, at Elkhart Christian Church. Burial with Military Honors will be at the Elkhart Cemetery.
Roger Ray McHone was born on February 7, 1949, in Des Moines, IA, to Harold and Belva (Conkel) McHone. He grew up in rural Elkhart, IA, and graduated in 1967 from North Polk in Alleman, IA. He attended Simpson College in Indianola, IA, and graduated in 1971. During the summers, he worked at Pepsi. In 1971, he joined the National Guard and served at Camp Dodge in Johnston, IA.
Roger fell in love with Diane Cory, and they were married on April 10, 1971. Together, they had two daughters, Lori and Lanette. In August of 1972, they moved to Fairfield, IA, where he joined the 34th Army Band. Roger began teaching history at Fairfield High School, where he also coached boys’ cross country, wrestling, and boys’ track. One of his greatest passions at Fairfield High School was leading the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
Roger loved running, including numerous marathons. He loved riding his bike and thoroughly enjoyed riding RAGBRAI. You could always find him in the yard working and pulling weeds! He even pulled weeds when it wasn’t his own property!
Roger’s passion for teaching, coaching, and leading FCA has had a significant impact on so many students’ lives. He retired from teaching and from the National Guard in 2009 after serving for 37 years. After retirement, he joined the Iowa Military Veteran Band and Tarnished Brass in Keosauqua, IA. He never knew a stranger, and he could talk to anyone. Those who knew this amazing, genuine, funny, and Godly man will never forget him! In 2022, Roger went to live at the Madrid Home in
Madrid, IA.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Diane McHone, daughters, Lori Schieltz of North Liberty, IA, and Lanette Miller (Mike Anderson) of Des Moines, IA; grandchildren, Madeline Schieltz and Quaid Miller; brother’s, Ronald (Irene) McHone of Ankeny, IA and Steve (Deb) McHone of Ramsey, MN, and many nieces and nephews.
In death, Roger rejoins his parents, his son-in-law, Jaden Miller, and his mother and father-in-law, Dale and Vera Cory.
The Greater Burlington Partnership is pleased to welcome Taylor Collins as the new Executive Director of Economic Development, effective May 1, 2025.
In this role, Taylor will lead strategic efforts to attract and retain businesses, support entrepreneurship, and promote job growth across the region. With a strong background in public policy and economic development, his leadership will be instrumental in shaping the future of Greater Burlington.
Taylor currently serves in the Iowa House of Representatives and brings with him a wealth of experience in both state government and rural economic policy.
We look forward to the energy and vision Taylor will bring as we continue to grow Greater Burlington’s economy and create new opportunities for businesses and workers alike.
Learn more at GreaterBurlington.com.
According to the National Drought Monitor this week, nearly 30% of Iowa is in moderate drought, which is an improvement from last week’s report. About 50% of the state is abnormally dry. However, Henry, Lee & Jefferson counties in Southeast Iowa remain untouched by drought. The drought monitor information shows that the month of March is Henry County is the 53rd wettest March ove the past 131 years, while Jan.-March has been the driest.
The Mt. Pleasant Community School District School Board will hold a Special Session Meeting just before the Regular Session Meeting on Monday, April 14th starting at 6:01pm. The Special Session meeting is a Fiscal Year 26 Certified Budget Public Hearing and public comments will be take. Immediately following the Special Session, the MP School Board will call to order for their regular meeting in the Mt. Pleasant High School Media Center, 2104 S. Grand Avenue. For a look at the agenda, please visit mtpcsd.org/board/meetings.
U.S. Senator Charles Grassley is holding a Town Hall meeting in Lee County on Tuesday, April 15th. The town hall is being held in the Council Chambers 811 Avenue E. in Ft. Madison from 11:45am – 12:45pm. This is Grassley’s 45th year of holding question and answer sessions in each of Iowa’s 99 counties and Iowans set the agenda. Senator Grassley’s goal is staying in touch with Iowans for better representation in Washington D.C.
