Keokuk Residents Should Expect Increased Industrial Noise and Avoid Flooded Streets

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, April 27th, 2026 at 10:03 am CDT

Keokuk residents are being advised to expect increased industrial noise and use caution on city streets as two separate situations are unfolding.

City officials report that Roquette America has begun mandated steam venting at its Keokuk plant. The testing runs from Sunday, April 26th through Wednesday, April 29th, as part of state and federal regulatory permitting requirements. Officials say the process may generate noise levels higher than normal during this period, but the activity is planned and required.

At the same time, heavy rainfall has overwhelmed portions of the city’s storm sewer system, leading to flash flooding in parts of downtown Keokuk.

The Keokuk Public Works Department says crews are actively monitoring conditions and responding where possible, but residents and motorists are urged to use caution and avoid flooded streets.

Officials remind drivers never to attempt to cross flooded roadways, as water depth and road conditions can change quickly.

Photo Courtesy of Keokuk Police Department Facebook Page

Mount Pleasant Water Shutdown Scheduled for April 28th

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, April 27th, 2026 at 9:52 am CDT

Residents in part of Mount Pleasant will need to plan ahead for a scheduled water shutdown Tuesday.

The Mount Pleasant Utilities Water Department says water service will be shut off Tuesday, April 28th, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. while crews complete necessary work. Customers in the affected area may experience a temporary loss of water service or reduced water pressure during that time.

The shutdown will impact North Broadway Street from West Pearl Street to West 2nd Street, as well as West State Street.

Utility officials apologize for the inconvenience and say water service will be restored as quickly as possible once the work is completed.

Sports, April 27th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, April 27th, 2026 at 6:36 am CDT

High School Track and Field

The 116th Drake Relays wrapped up competition for our local athletes over the weekend and southeast Iowa finished the multi-day event with seven podium finishes, including a pair of gold medals. Here’s how the weekend slate played out.

Washington’s Greyson Hartman added a bronze medal to his collection in the boys’ discus after unfurling a throw of 173 feet and 4 inches in his first throw of the finals. 

In the girls’ 4×100 meter relay, Mt. Pleasant led the charge for our local teams as Ellie Freeman, Kynlee White, Taylor Williamson, and Delaney Anderson grabbed 30th place with a time of 49.85 seconds. Washington took 51st and Danville finished in 92nd place. 

On the boys’ side, the team of Brigham Porter, London Franklin, Cale Westerbeck, and Gavin Strawhacker snatched 27th place with a time of 43.21 seconds for New London, while Columbus claimed 36th place. Mediapolis clocked 59th and Fairfield was back in 79th place.

Van Buren County’s Lincoln Bainbridge concluded his busy couple of days with an 8th place time of 53.27 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles. 

Lastly, Mt. Pleasant’s Avery Fedler paced her way to a mark of 4 minutes and 39 seconds in the 1500-meter run, which was good enough for 10th place. 

The Van Buren County girls’ meet scheduled for tonight has been canceled.

Mt. Pleasant and Central Lee will participate in the Keosippi Relays tomorrow, April 28th.

WACO, Winfield-Mt. Union, Van Buren County, and Columbus will compete in the Sigourney Co-Ed meet tomorrow.

New London will host the Chris Selby Co-Ed Invitational tomorrow with Danville, Mediapolis, Wapello, and West Burlington/Notre Dame making the trip.

High School Soccer

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team split their weekend triangular in Muscatine, falling to the hosts 3-1 and pulverizing Central DeWitt, 9-2. Dylan White finished the weekend with four goals and three assists, including a hat track against the Sabers. 

Mt. Pleasant will compete against Keokuk tonight with the girls’ team hitting the road at 5 pm, while the boys’ team will host the Chiefs at 4:30 pm. 

The Washington versus Fort Madison girls’ game has been canceled for tonight. The boys’ game is still set to play at 5 pm.

Fairfield’s matchup against Burlington has been canceled for tonight.

Central Lee will take on Albia at home tonight with the girls’ team leading off the night at 5 pm.

The Wapello boys’ team will compete at home against Sigourney-Keota tonight at 5 pm, while the girls’ team will travel to Monmouth-Roseville tomorrow, April 28th, at 5 pm.

The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team will host Macomb at 5 pm, while the boys’ team will take on Danville at 7 pm tomorrow.

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will face off against Hillcrest Academy tomorrow at 5 pm on the road.

The WACO boys’ team will hit the road to play Mediapolis tomorrow at 5 pm.

The Mediapolis girls’ team will play Burlington tomorrow at 4:30 pm on the road. 

High School Golf

The Southeast Conference meets scheduled for today have been postponed. 

Van Buren County will host Mediapolis today. 

Columbus’s meet against Highland today has been postponed.

The Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will participate in the West Liberty Invitational tomorrow, April 28th.

Wapello will host WACO tomorrow in a triangular.

The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team will compete in an invite tomorrow at Cedar Creek Golf Course in Ottumwa.

High School Boys’ Tennis

Mt. Pleasant will host Fort Madison tonight.

Fairfield’s meet with Burlington has been postponed to tomorrow, April 28th.

Southeastern Community College

The baseball team picked up a series victory over Northeast Community College this weekend after sweeping them in a doubleheader, 8-2 and 12-2, on Saturday but lost a 14-11 slugfest yesterday. Kam Francois clobbered a home run and gathered seven RBIs in the two wins. The Blackhawks will host Black Hawk College tomorrow. 

The softball team clobbered Marshalltown Community College in their weekend doubleheader, 17-0 and 6-2. Kiera Klum and Jeliane Stewart each hit a home run and collected four RBIs in game one, while Savannah Hauger swatted two home runs for three RBIs in game two. The Blackhawks will continue their home stand on Wednesday, April 29th, against Indian Hills Community College in a doubleheader. 

College Baseball and Softball

The Iowa baseball team swept Indiana with a pair of one-sided victories over the weekend, 9-2 and 7-4. The Hawkeyes will look to continue their five-game winning streak against Illinois State tomorrow, April 28th, at 6 pm at home.

The Iowa softball team fell to #3 Nebraska 13-0 over the weekend. The Hawkeyes will host Northern Illinois on Wednesday, April 29th, at 5 pm.

The Iowa State softball team lost the rubber match to Kansas, 4-2, over the weekend. The Cyclones will take on St. Thomas in a home doubleheader tomorrow.

This Day in Sports History

1938 – A yellow baseball was used for the first time in any baseball game between Columbia and Fordham Universities in New York City.

1956 – Undefeated world heavyweight boxing champion Rocky Marciano, retires from the ring.

1961 – The NFL officially recognizes the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Robert R. “Bob” Roth

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, April 27th, 2026 at 6:04 am CDT

Robert R. “Bob” Roth, 96, of Mt. Pleasant, died Friday, April 24, 2026 at his residence with his family at his side.
Bob was born on December 9, 1929 in Wayland, Iowa. He was the son of Ralph and Ermina (Troutman) Roth. Bob graduated from Wayland High School. He was called to the service of his country during the Korean War. Bob enlisted into the United States Navy and served 4 years. Upon his honorable discharge, Bob entered Barber College in Cedar Rapids and graduated following 2 years of study.
Also following his tour of duty, Bob was united in marriage to Evelyn M. Lampe. Evelyn passed away on December 2, 1972. On June 20, 1975 in the Chapel of the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant, Bob was united in marriage to Janet Marie Eyre Van Der Heyden. Last June, they marked their 50th Wedding Anniversary.
Bob began his barbering career in Cedar Rapids. He and his family moved to Mt. Pleasant where Bob opened his own barbershop in a shop located behind the former Henry County Bank. Bob joined forces with Ray King in the barbershop, later moving the barbershop to North Main Street and selling the business to Ray. Bob continued to have a chair in the barbershop until the mid-1960’s when he accepted a position as the Head Groundskeeper for the Mt. Pleasant Golf and Country Club. Bob remained in that position for more than 40 years.
Bob was a member of Mt. Pleasant Golf and Country Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2561 and St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. He served on the Mt. Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department. While his boys were growing up, Bob coached them in the Mt. Pleasant Little League. For many years, Bob was a member of the “Chain Gang” for the Mt. Pleasant High School Football Team home games.
Those thankful for sharing in Bob’s life include his wife, Jan, of Mt. Pleasant; 2 sons – Tim Roth of San Diego, CA and Steve Roth and his wife Tammy of Washington, IA; a step-son – Mark Van Der Heyden and his wife Janean of Maxwell, NE; 8 grandchildren – Jessica and Michael Van Der Heyden, Stephanie McConahay, Joe and Rob Roth, Mackenzie, Matt and Lindsay, and 8 great grandchildren – Leven, Laeken, Hayley, Conor, Wyatt, Rowan, Ava and Jack.
His parents, first wife Evelyn, daughter JoEllyn Marie Roth and stepson Scott Van Der Heyden precede Bob in death.
A memorial funeral service for Bob will be held at 1:30 PM on Wednesday, April 29 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main Street, Mt. Pleasant. Pastor Jeffrey A. McPheron of the Trenton and Wesley Chapel United Methodist Churches will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant with Military Honors at the graveside. Bob’s family will greet friends 1 hour prior to his memorial service on Wednesday.
Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Summer Sacks Lunch Program of the Fellowship Cup in Mt. Pleasant.
Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

Henry County Exploring Office Reorganization, New Meeting Space to Improve Access and Safety

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, April 27th, 2026 at 5:45 am CDT

Henry County leaders are in the early stages of exploring changes to county office space and meeting facilities, with a focus on improving public access, efficiency, and safety.

On April 16th, county officials toured multiple county buildings alongside representatives from All Makes, a design and planning firm helping evaluate how spaces could be reorganized and modernized before any construction or remodeling decisions are made.

One idea under consideration is the creation of a dedicated Board of Supervisors meeting room, equipped with audiovisual technology to allow meetings to be streamed to the public. The goal is to improve transparency and make meetings more accessible to residents who cannot attend in person.

Leaders are also discussing potential office relocations to improve workflow, safety, and ADA compliance. At the same time, infrastructure concerns have been identified—most notably that current IT server areas lack fire suppression systems, a risk that may need to be addressed in any future upgrades.

Another option being explored is converting the county assessor’s space into a larger meeting room, potentially doubling current seating capacity, though no final numbers have been determined.

Officials emphasize that all plans remain preliminary, with no cost estimates finalized and no formal decisions made. Further discussions are expected as the county continues to evaluate its needs and options.

April 27, 2026 – May 3, 2026

By Slaten Swords · Sunday, April 26th, 2026 at 11:19 pm CDT
04/27/26
Sandra Christner
04/27/26
Jerry Davis
04/27/26
Peggy & Gregg Crew *Anniversary
04/28/26
Jared Walker
04/28/26
Bernard Woerdeman
04/29/26
Dorothy Wenger of Wayland !00th Birthday!
04/30/26
Loretta Linz
04/30/26
Sherri McPheron
04/30/26
Bonnie Woodall Vogeler
05/01/26
Brent Rich
05/01/26
Jackson Bell
05/01/26
Mary Peterson
05/02/26
Emma Szewczyk
05/03/26
Jaymisen Rich

Salem School Closure on Agenda for MPCSD Special Session Board Meeting 4/27/26

By Lisa Grilliot · Saturday, April 25th, 2026 at 8:01 am CDT

The Mt. Pleasant Community School District Board of Education is holding a Special Session meeting on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 6pm in the high school media center, 2104 S. Grand Avenue.  Highlighting the agenda is a board discussion and motion on closing Salem Elementary School: Fall 2027. Items in the superintendent’s report include Kindergarten Roundup, Central Office remodel update, and potential H.S. baseball field fencing update. The full agenda is available HERE. This meeting is open to the public.