Jason Parrott

Des Moines County is being asked to borrow $450,000 on behalf of the county’s E-911 Board.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Tom Broeker says the agency still owes money to a local bank for some computer equipment purchased years ago.

Broeker says a recent state audit revealed that Des Moines County’s E-911 Board should not be carrying any debt.  He says that means the agency cannot renew the loan, which must take place within the next few months.

Burlington continues to wait for information in regards to the future of Cascade Bridge, which has been closed to vehicular traffic for several years.

The city was ready to start building a new roughly $4-million bridge months ago.  The project was delayed, though, to allow for a new study to be done to determine if the roughly 120-year-old bridge could be repaired or if replacement is required.

The recommendation for the new study came from the State Historic Preservation Office and was supported by several local preservation groups.

The Keokuk Board of Adjustment has signed off on a couple of small changes to the design plans for several garages that will be built behind the former Eagles building.

The property is being re-developed for commercial and residential use.  There will be four high-end, upper-story apartments, which require the construction of the garages.

Time is of the essence when it comes to a multi-million dollar project at the Keokuk Municipal Airport.

The city council has awarded the contract for resurfacing the airport’s 5500 ft. runway to Shipley Contracting out of Burlington.

The company’s bid of just under $3.8 million came in roughly $1-million below original estimates.  The city received three bids but did not consider one of them.

Fort Madison residents should expect some good news and some bad news from the city when they go to their mailboxes this summer.

The city council has approved the first reading of an ordinance that would decrease the water basic charge by just over $1.00/month.  The average residential household will see a decrease of 4%.

Aldermen described that as the “good news” during its most recent meeting.

The savings are linked to favorable bids for the construction of the new water plant and several transmission mains.

It’s unclear whether Lee County’s support for a proposed sports complex in Fort Madison will lead to any state funding.  The project calls for the construction of three football/soccer fields and three softball/baseball diamonds.

The Vision Iowa Board says the county must provide at least $25,000 if the board is to act on Fort Madison’s request for more than $870,000.

The county has created a special community development fund to try to raise the money.  $1,500 has already been pledged at this point.

Keokuk could have a buyer for three pieces of prime, Main Street real estate.

The city shut down the Keokuk Saddle Club in 2004 to allow for the construction of the Hampton Inn along Main Street.

That project resulted in four additional, unsold lots.  They have sat vacant since the hotel was completed, except for a large For Sale sign.

Mayor Tom Marion says the organization, Goodwill Industries, has approached the city through a local realtor about purchasing three of the lots.

District Court Judge Cynthia Danielson has scheduled Adam Pitman’s murder trial for Tuesday, July 10 at the south Lee County Courthouse in Keokuk.

The trial, which is expected to last about two weeks, was originally scheduled for later this month.

Pitman is accused of killing his mother, Rosa Pitman, 46, of Keokuk on August 30, 2011.  Officers found her body in her home after Adam Pitman allegedly confessed to the crime during a traffic stop in Fort Madison.