Chad Drury

Mount Pleasant

Staff writer @OttumwaCourier, focus on local govt and features. Moderna-vaxxed. Dubbed a swiss-army knife of reporters. Alum of @ISU_GSJC. Rail fan.

Articles

Foote announces mayoral candidacy

5 days ago | yahoo.com | Chad Drury

OTTUMWA — Ben Foote stood under the marquee outside the Ottumwa Theater, using the hallowed landmark as a symbol of his candidacy for mayor. It was also a symbol for what he believes Ottumwa once was, and could be again. In front of about 20 people, Foote became the first known candidate to launch a run for Ottumwa mayor Thursday, looking to succeed Rick Johnson, who is not seeking re-election. Foote, 53, said the city, like the theater, lost its core identity and needs restoration.
Waterworks board approves hydro engineering agreement

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Chad Drury

OTTUMWA — The next phase of the rehabilitation of the Ottumwa Water and Hydro Dam will begin soon. The waterworks board approved an engineering agreement with Barr Engineering for just over $162,000 during Tuesday's meeting at the Ottumwa Water and Hydro facility. Coupled with the ongoing interior improvements to generating units two and three, the agreement covers much of the improvements that will take place in the water, though most of that work won't be visible.
Supervisors pass budget that features tax increases

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Chad Drury

OTTUMWA — The Wapello County Board of Supervisors adopted its fiscal year 2026 budget during a public hearing Tuesday evening at the courthouse. The budget will feature increases to both the general levy, which oversees the county's operations, as well as the rural services levy, which covers the increasing costs of insurance and certain wages.
OCCP features two plays for spring performance

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Chad Drury

OTTUMWA — Becky Ingle said the Ottumwa Community Children's Playhouse was trying "something new" for its spring performances this year. Sure, putting on two different plays has been challenging at times, but the smiles of letting every actor have a line have been worth it. OCCP will be putting on "Epic Quest of the Damsels In Distress" and "Storybook Court Full of Beans" Friday through Sunday at Bridge View Center.
Council approves sewer rate delay for multi-family units

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Chad Drury

OTTUMWA — A delay to sewer-rate increases will move forward for multi-family dwellings, but the Ottumwa City Council also bought itself time to take a look at the fee structure in its entirety. The council voted unanimously that rates for apartments, mobile homes and other similar units will begin Jan. 1 instead of July 1 during Tuesday's meeting at Bridge View Center.
Residents ask city for non-taxing revenue streams

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Chad Drury

OTTUMWA — Travis Decker had a simple question when it came to property taxes:"Does the state mandate that you charge property taxes?" he asked city staff. "Do you have a choice in that?"Decker was just one person who believed property taxes put a strain on residents' finances, as he spoke during Tuesday's public hearing regarding the City of Ottumwa's levy increase at Bridge View Center.
City commits to trails grant application for west end

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Chad Drury

OTTUMWA — The Ottumwa City Council approved an application by the Wapello County Trails Council to pursue grant funding for about half a mile of new trail on the city's west end. During a special meeting on Thursday at the Amtrak Depot, Kim Hellige of the trails council discussed the project, which would be a two-phase project, with the first phase installing almost 2,500 feet of concrete trail just off the railroad tracks on West Second Street to Harrow's Branch.
Adding employees discussed at city work session

4 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Chad Drury

OTTUMWA — When City of Ottumwa finance director Cole O'Donnell sent out a memo to other staff and city council members two weeks ago, the possibility of adding any employees to the payroll seemed remote. However, things have changed in a short amount of time. Steps were taken to reduce expenditures in other areas, and what was once a projected $1 million shortfall could be as low as the $400,000 range, O'Donnell said during a work session Tuesday at the Amtrak Depot.
County residents lament tax increases

4 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Chad Drury

OTTUMWA — Stacy Gray's story was heartbreaking, yet also common, when it came to how to weather a property tax increase in Wapello County. "I've lost my mom, dad and husband in the last three years, and now I'm going to be losing my home," Gray told the board of supervisors during Tuesday's public hearing on property taxes. "I lived in North Carolina 28 years, and I was shocked when I got back here to help two failing parents, and saw what the property tax was. "This is absurd.
City to delay implementation of some sewer rates hikes

1 month ago | newspressnow.com | Chad Drury

OTTUMWA — Tony Long couldn't make sense of an increased sewer rate, when Ottumwa is needing affordable housing to begin with. Long, who is a landlord overseeing an 18-unit apartment, requested the Ottumwa City Council delay implementation of sewer increases during Tuesday's meeting at the Bridge View Center, and the council obliged. Sort of. The council voted unanimously to approve an ordinance that will trigger a 6.5% increase for five years, and then 4.5% through 2034.