Russell A. (Rusty) Weeks joins The News-Review

Hello Sigourney! My name is Russell Weeks and I am your new newspaper editor for the News-Review. I am very excited to join the team. I have worked at three other newspapers in the area and it is an honor to be here at the News-Review. There are several goals that I would like to share with you, our dedicated readers.

I want to tell your story.

I want to focus on local issues that affect your life every day.

I want to show the beauty and diversity in Keokuk County.

I will not produce tabloid stories, fake news, unsubstantiated claims, slander, or any other derogatory articles that would repudiate the reputation of the News-Review. 

Finally; I want to know about you. Feel free to contact the office with story ideas, birthdays, anniversaries, concerns and suggestions. I am here to help in any way that I can.

Children are the lifeblood of our future. I want to show the skills and talents of kids in the community. I am interested in speech, drama, fine arts, music, etc. Let the office know if your child has a concert, play, or art show and we will do our best to cover their events. 

We are also developing new articles and new contests, so keep your eyes peeled for new and exciting things.

I would like to give you a little background on my family and me. I was born and raised not too far away in Fairfield. I graduated from Fairfield High in 1999. I went to Indian Hills Community College and graduated with an Associates Degree in 2006. After that, I worked in several different fields before returning to college. I graduated from Buena Vista in 2015 with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in English. 

Recently I was a substitute teacher for the Ottumwa Community School District. I also worked in Oskaloosa at Campaign HQ. 

I am married. My beautiful wife’s name is Christine, and we have two handsome sons, Gaige and William. We married in 2012 and have lived mostly in Ottumwa. I go to Christ’s Church with Pastor Dan Smith. I am classically trained as a vocalist, I play the guitar, my favorite music is old country, and my all time favorite singer is Elvis Presley.

This past year has been hard on all of us. We have never been in this situation as a country. But the best is yet to come. It’s always darkest before the dawn and the greatest victory is from the hardest fight. We shall overcome and come out stronger than ever before. We must not give up. We must persevere. Together, we can face any storm, any trial, and any situation just as long as we never give up. I got your six. 

Blessings.