The National Weather Service has issued flash flooding alerts for southeast Iowa through Monday. Repeating rounds of storms with heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding. The prediction is 2-4 inches of rain. The storms also carry wind, hail, and lightning. All southeast Iowa is under the flood watch. Henry, Lee, Des Moines, Wapello, and Washington counties included. The NWS timeline shows a line of storms coming through between 6pm today through 6am Sunday. And again between 6pm on Sunday through noon on Monday.
Iowa – 100 Years of Pheasant Hunting
The Iowa DNR and Pheasants Forever are celebrating 100 years of pheasant hunting in the state of Iowa. Iowa DNR reports that the first season was held Oct. 20-22, 1925, when 13 counties in north central Iowa were opened to pheasant hunting. Hunters were allowed a three-rooster limit, for a half-day of hunting. An estimated 75,000 hunters participated.
Iowa’s 2024 estimated pheasant harvest was the second highest in nearly two decades, coming in at more than 460,000 roosters’ last fall. The 2023 harvest was 590,000 birds.
This is the best back-to-back pheasant harvest years since 2007 with only South Dakota harvesting more pheasants last year. More than 77,400 hunters tracked pheasants in Iowa last fall, down from 83,600 in 2023.
The statewide August roadside survey is conducted by Iowa DNR staff between Aug. 1-15, who drive 225, 30-mile routes on gravel roads at dawn on mornings with heavy dew. Hen pheasants will move their broods to the edge of the gravel road to dry off before they begin feeding, which makes it easier to count.
Iowa’s quail hunters harvested 27,500 birds or 2,700 fewer than last year. Iowa’s rabbit and squirrel harvest both increased over 2023; rabbits by 13 percent and squirrels by 32 percent.
Hunters can commemorate the 100th anniversary of pheasant hunting by purchasing a hard card featuring Iowa Pheasants Forever Print of the Year when they purchase their 2025 hunting and fishing licenses.
AAA Weekly Fuel Report
The latest fuel report from AAA and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship shows the average price of unleaded gas holding steady this week. Regular unleaded gas prices averaged $2.93 for the second straight week in Iowa, while the average price also held stable at $3.16 nationally. The average cost of retail diesel fuel rose by a penny in Iowa this week. Nationally, average diesel costs increased by three cents.
Crude oil prices dropped this week.
Jeffry Lynn Larson
Jeffry Lynn Larson January 3, 1953 – June 29, 2025
Jeffry Lynn Larson, 72, of North Richland Hills, Texas, passed away on June 29, 2025, at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Grapevine, Texas, surrounded by loved ones.
Born on January 3, 1953, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Jeff was the son of Dale and Bernadine (Bozarth) Larson. He graduated from Winfield-Mt. Union High School in 1971 and earned his degree from the University of Iowa in 1975. Jeff built a distinguished career in the insurance industry as a construction underwriter, earning respect for his integrity, expertise, and dedication.
On January 23, 1982, Jeff married the love of his life, Linda Felder, in Winfield, Iowa. Together they shared more than four decades of love, laughter, and adventure. Jeff and Linda had a passion for travel and made cherished memories exploring the country together. A devoted sports fan, Jeff found joy and connection in following his favorite teams and sharing the excitement with friends and family.
Jeff is survived by his brother Larry (Linda) Larson of Iowa City; his sister Cindy (Bill) Finke of Winfield; his nephews Jim (Laurie) Larson of Lakeville, Minnesota, Scot (Sheila) Larson of Flower Mound, Texas, Bill Northamer of Coralville, and Jabe (Dana) Finke of Winfield; nieces Lisa Bata of Marion, Peggy (Bryan) VanZante of Tiffin, Kiley (Josh) Schroeder of Hiawatha, Erika (Paul) Troyna of Colwell, Toni (Brad) Schwickerath of New Hampton, and Annie Felder of Cedar Rapids; and his brother-in-law Mike (Kate) Felder of Alta Vista. He is also lovingly remembered by many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Bernadine Larson; his beloved wife, Linda; his brother, Dick Larson; and his sister-in-law, Mary Larson.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 4th at 10:00am at Sheridan Cemetery on 170th Street, west of Mt. Union, Iowa, where family and friends will gather to honor and celebrate Jeff’s life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice in Jeff’s honor.
July 14, 2025 – July 20, 2025
07/14/25
Steve & Ann Mallams
07/15/25
Cindy Watson
07/15/25
Mitch & Kim Anderson
07/16/25
Rich McNamee
07/17/25
Jr. Williams - 90th
07/17/25
Parvaneh Hadjarian
07/17/25
Dean Campbell
07/17/25
Jeff Davis
07/17/25
Sue King
07/17/25
Ann Thomas
07/17/25
Andrew Davidson
07/18/25
Jeff Bensmiller
07/18/25
Angie Blint
07/19/25
Ashley Hobbs
07/19/25
Helen Snodgrass
07/19/25
Joseph & Bryn Miller *Anniversary
07/20/25
Ellaina McMullin
HC Engineers Office – Help for Bridge Funding Grant
The Henry County Engineer’s Office is asking for the public’s help to receive a grant for bridge funding. The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT), in partnership with over cities and counties, is applying to receive federal grant funding to replace an existing bridge in Henry County located on Iowa Avenue, North of Mt. Pleasant. The bridge will be replaced with a 176’ pretensioned, prestressed concrete beam bridge.
We need your help by completing a brief survey! Your answers will be used to support the grant application. This online survey will take less than five minutes to complete. hdr.jotform.com/team/public/2025-CHBP The survey link can also be found on the Henry County website.
ISU Extension & Outreach – Strip-Till Field Day Registration
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting a Strip-Till Field Day on July 30th at their research and demonstration farm near Crawfordsville. Multiple strip-till bars will be shown with field demonstrations on wheat residue, as well as static displays from supporting ag industry partners.
There are two times available on July 30th – the morning session is from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or the afternoon session from 2 to 4 p.m. Lunch is available. Registration is requested by July 23rd. Register online here.
Highway 78 South of Winfield Closure Until October
Iowa Highway 78 between U.S. 218 and Henry County Road X-23, two miles south of the Winfield area, is closed for construction. The Iowa Department of Transportation Office out of Fairfield has outlined two detour routes to follow and there is signage posted along Highway 218 both Northbound and Southbound.
When the roadway is closed, you will follow one of the following marked detour routes (see map).
- U.S. 218 – Iowa 78/130th Street to Henry County Road H-28/170th Street
- Henry County Road H-28/170th Street – U.S. 218 to Oasis Avenue
- Oasis Avenue – Henry County Road H-28/170th Street to Iowa 78/150th Street
Please drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, you should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.
The latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa)