Autopsy Results Released in Unexplained Keokuk Sidewalk Death

A preliminary autopsy on the body of a woman found dead on a sidewalk in Keokuk in January showed no signs of foul play.

That’s according to Keokuk Police Chief Zeth Baum. 35-year-old Danielle Clark was found dead on a sidewalk in the 1300 block of South Seventh Street on January 31st. There were no signs of any external injuries.

Baum says additional details may be available once the full autopsy is received.

Police Respond to Fatal Self-Inflicted Gunshot in Keokuk

A Keokuk man is dead following what police say was a self-inflicted gunshot wound Friday afternoon that sparked a large police response.

The Keokuk Police Department responded around 3:27 p.m. to the area of Fourth and Fulton Streets for a report of a person with a gun.

Police Chief Zeth Baum says officers arrived within a minute and found a man with what appeared to be a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Multiple Keokuk officers and other area law enforcement agencies were on scene as authorities canvassed the area for witnesses who may have seen anything related to the incident.

Donnellson Man Faces Felony Child Sexual Abuse Charge

A Donnellson man is facing a felony charge after police say he sexually abused a child last summer.

Thirty-five-year-old Daryl Lee Manley of Donnellson was arrested Friday by the West Point-Donnellson Police Department and charged with second-degree sexual abuse, a Class B felony.

Authorities say Manley admitted to sexually abusing a victim at his home in August of 2025.

The complaint also states that Manley told investigators he threatened to kill himself if the victim told anyone.

Manley is being held at the Lee County Jail on a 30-thousand-dollar cash-only bond.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. March 9.

Under Iowa law, a person convicted of a Class B felony faces up to 50 years in prison.

Central Lee Superintendent Named As Finalist in Waukee Superintendent Search

The Central Lee Community School District could soon be searching for a new superintendent.

Central Lee Superintendent Dr. Andy Crozier (Crow-Zure) has been named one of three finalists for the superintendent position in the Waukee Community School District in Central Iowa. The other finalists include Mark Lane, superintendent of the Woodward Granger Community School District, and Dr. Michelle Morse, superintendent of the Bettendorf Community School District.

The Waukee district expects a final decision during the Waukee School Board meeting on March 12. The position would begin July 1.

Crozier says he was not actively looking for a new position but decided to consider the opportunity when the opening in Waukee became available.

If selected, Crozier says he would remain at Central Lee through the end of the current school year. If the district chooses another candidate, he says he is happy to remain in his current role.

Crozier has served as superintendent at Central Lee after previously working as an educator, activities director, and digital learning coordinator. He also currently serves on the Iowa High School Athletic Association Board of Control.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in Washington County

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in a multi-species backyard flock in Washington County. This case is Iowa’s fifth detection of H5N1 HPAI in 2026.

About H5N1 HPAI in Birds

H5N1 HPAI is a viral disease that affects both wild and domestic bird populations. H5N1 HPAI can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick, but is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys.

Heightened Biosecurity 

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is strongly encouraging Iowa poultry producers and backyard flock owners to continue bolstering their biosecurity practices and protocols to protect their flocks. The Department has numerous biosecurity resources to reference on its website.

Suspected Cases in Poultry 

If poultry producers or those with backyard birds suspect signs of H5N1 HPAI, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.

Clinical signs of H5N1 HPAI in birds may include:  

  • Sudden increase in bird deaths without any clinical signs
  • Lethargy and/or lack of energy and appetite
  • Decrease in egg production
  • Soft, thin-shelled and/or misshapen eggs
  • Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
  • Purple/blue discoloration of the wattles, comb, and legs
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Coughing, sneezing, and/or nasal discharge (runny nose)
  • Stumbling and/or falling down
  • Diarrhea

Food Safety 

It remains safe to enjoy eggs and poultry products. As a reminder, consumers should always properly handle and cook eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F.

Wild and Migratory Birds

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) asks those who find 20 or more sick or dead wild birds in a small area to report their findings to local DNR Wildlife Management staff.

Public Health 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to believe the threat to the general public remains low. Any questions related to public health should be directed to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

List of Confirmed Cases

As H5N1 HPAI detections are confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, those cases are added to tracking websites located on the USDA APHIS website.

Henry County Conservation Department Board Meeting – March 4th, 2026

The Henry County Conservation Board will hold their March Board meeting on Wednesday, March 4, 2025, at 4:30 pm in the conservation board meeting room at the office in Oakland Mills.

Items on the agenda will include: Playground Update, FY26/27 Budget Discussion, Director Report, and Naturalist Reports.

Please contact the conservation department if you have any questions, 319-986-5067.

Wayland City Council Agenda

MAYOR:  Travis Shelman

COUNCIL: Caylon DeVaul, Kathie Grimm, Jamie Roth, Chad Rohe, Mike Miller

CLERK: Beverly Conrad

TREAS: Terry Kaufman

ATTORNEY:  Lynch Dallas

March 4th, 2026

  1. Roll Call
  1. Consent Agenda

Note:  These are routine items and will be enacted by one motion without separate discussion unless a Council member requests an item be removed for separate consideration.

  1. Minutes of February 18, 2026
  2. Bills for Payment/CD Renewals
  3. Report
  4. Clerks Budgetary Report
  5. Utility Dept. Report
  6. Police Dept. Report
  7. Firefighter Dept. Report
  8. Building Permits – none

 

  1. Citizen Forum

The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public for items not listed on the agenda.  You are asked to state your name and address for the record and to limit your remarks in order that others may be given the opportunity to speak.  The Order of Business is at the discretion of the Chair.  No action will be taken.

 

  1. Unfinished Business
  1. Proposed Main Street Paving Project – Warner Engineering

 

  1. New Business
    1. Sewer Improvement Project Financing Information – Tim Oswald of Piper Sandler
    2. 2026-07 A Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Amendment to Its Gas Supply Agreement with PEFA, Inc. in Connection with the Reset of the Available Discount in PEFA, Inc.’s Gas Prepayment Project; Approving the Issuance of Bonds by PEFTA, Inc.; and Related Matters
    3. 2026-08 Resolution Proposing Sale of Real Property and Setting Public Hearing
    4. Dakota Avenue – Street Maintenance Options
    5. Set Specs for Bid Ad to Sell 1998 Ford F700 (sander truck) & Snowblade
    6. Training–Aaron Barnhart–Pipeline Safety Conference–April 28 & 29, 2026-Ankeny

 

  1. Adjournment

Louisa County Man Released On Bond After Charged With Grooming Minor

On February 18th, 2026, Dylan Earl Lumsden, age 49, was arrested without incident for Dissemination and Exhibition of Obscene Material to a Minor and Grooming. This arrest resulted after a 7-month long investigation by the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office. Lumsden was released on bond and is awaiting trial. The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.