Author: Hayden Douglas

UPDATE (10 a.m.) — Henry County Auditor Robin Detrick has confirmed that the discrepancy in the New London School Board election results was due to a data entry error at the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office.

According to Detrick, communication with the Secretary of State’s Office Wednesday morning clarified that the state office had incorrectly entered the New London School Board results on the Iowa election website. The mistake has since been corrected, and the official online results now reflect the accurate numbers as originally submitted by Henry County.

Henry County’s official totals for the Director At-Large race are as follows:

• Kyle Helmerson – 367 votes (41.10%) ✅

• Jessica Boyer – 321 votes (35.96%) ✅

• Josh Housman – 205 votes (22.96%)

Based on these results, Helmerson and Boyer have been elected to the New London School Board.

Detrick emphasized that the county’s results were accurate from the beginning and that the issue stemmed from the state’s data entry process, not local reporting.

KILJ News will continue to monitor and report any additional updates related to Tuesday’s election results.

A large field fire broke out Tuesday afternoon, November 4th, east of Mount Pleasant, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and drawing response from multiple fire departments. 

The blaze was reported behind the property at 2273 Highway 34, just before Hinkle Auto Sales, as motorists traveling toward Mount Pleasant noticed heavy smoke and flames spreading rapidly through an open field. 

The Mount Pleasant Fire Department was first on scene with a brush truck and water truck, facing a fire line stretching roughly 300 to 600 yards through dry grass and stubble. Firefighters worked quickly to establish control lines as gusty winds pushed flames across the field. 

Mount Pleasant crews were later assisted by the New London Fire Department, helping to contain the blaze before it could reach nearby properties. 

No injuries were reported, and no structures were damaged. The cause of the fire is said to be from a burn barrel. 

UPDATE:

As of 10 a.m., KILJ News has heard from Henry County Auditor Robin Detrick, who confirmed communication with the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office regarding the discrepancy. Detrick clarified that the Secretary of State’s Office entered the New London School Board results incorrectly on the Iowa election website.

The Iowa Secretary of State’s Office has since acknowledged the mistake and corrected the error online, confirming that the Henry County numbers were accurate as originally submitted.

KILJ will continue to monitor and report on any further updates related to Tuesday’s election results.

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As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, KILJ News is in contact with the Henry County Auditor’s Office and the Secretary of Iowa’s Office regarding the New London School Board Director-at-Large election results from yesterday.

The auditor’s office reported a potential discrepancy in the vote information being transmitted to the Iowa Secretary of State’s office. Officials in Henry County say they believe the correct results were submitted from their office. According to their records:

• Jessica Boyer received 321 votes from Henry County.

• Josh Housman received 205 votes from Henry County.

• Kyle Helmerson received 367 votes from Henry County.

Based on these totals, it appears that Jessica Boyer and Kyle Helmerson would be elected to the New London School Board.

To clarify the discrepancy, both KILJ and the Henry County Auditor’s Office have reached out to the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office for further information.

KILJ will continue to provide updates as the situation develops. The Henry County Auditor’s Office has reassured the public that they believe the correct information was submitted to the state.

New London Community School District Results according to Henry County Auditors office:

Director At-Large (Vote for 2)

• Kyle Helmerson – 367 (41.10%) ✅
• Jessica Boyer – 321 (22.96%) ✅
• Josh Housman – 205 (22.96%)