Author: Hayden Douglas

The Iowa DNR Air Quality Bureau is encouraging Iowans to take part in the review of new draft air quality permits now available for public comment. These permits play an important role in protecting the air we breathe, and the DNR relies on community input to help guide the final decisions. Staff carefully evaluate each application, but public feedback is also considered before any permit is approved. 

One of the permits currently open for comment is a Title V Operating Permit for HyCast Foundry, LLC in Fairfield, located at 905 West Depot Avenue. Title V permits are required for facilities with the potential to emit higher levels of air pollutants, and every five years these permits undergo a federal review to ensure strong monitoring and compliance remain in place. HyCast Foundry is seeking approval to continue operating its existing Gray and Ductile Iron Foundries facility. 

Iowans are invited to review the draft permit and share their comments in writing with the assigned permit writer. The comment period for this permit closes December 20. 

More information and access to the draft permit can be found on the DNR’s Title V draft webpage or through the Iowa EASY Air Public Inquiry Portal. Find permit details at www.iowadnr.gov/titlev-draft or through the Iowa EASY Air Public Inquiry Portal and then click on the Public Notice tab.  

Riverside, Iowa — Elite Casino Resorts, LLC announced Wednesday that the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has officially approved the company’s acquisition of Catfish Bend Casino and FunCity Resort in Burlington. The deal is expected to close on January 27, 2026, marking a major development in Southeast Iowa’s tourism and entertainment landscape.

With the approval in place, Elite Casino Resorts also confirmed plans to rebrand Catfish Bend Casino next year as Great River Casino Resort, a name chosen to reflect Burlington’s deep Mississippi River heritage and long-standing reputation as a regional destination for recreation and community gatherings.

“A Meaningful Day” for Elite Casino Resorts

“This is a meaningful day for our family and our more than 1,200 Iowa unitholders,” said Dan Kehl, Chief Executive Officer of Elite Casino Resorts. “We are deeply grateful to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission for their support and approval. Returning to Burlington feels like coming home, and the Great River Casino Resort name reflects the pride we have in this community and its strong river heritage.”

Elite emphasized that all current staff at Catfish Bend Casino and FunCity Resort will be invited to stay on board. Employees will gain expanded access to training and professional development opportunities across Elite’s multi-property network, which includes facilities in Riverside and Davenport.

Boost for Regional Tourism

The acquisition expands Elite Casino Resorts’ presence in Eastern Iowa, creating a strengthened corridor of entertainment destinations along the region. The company noted that the move will allow for enhanced entertainment programming, broader tourism partnerships, and coordinated guest experiences across its properties.

Elite also reaffirmed its commitment to work alongside Burlington-area organizations, events, and long-standing partners.

“We appreciate the leadership and care that have guided this property,” Kehl said. “We look forward to collaborating with local stakeholders as we transition to the Great River Casino Resort and continue supporting the communities that make this region special.”

The rebranding and transition process is expected to unfold throughout 2026 following the official closing of the acquisition.

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) has opened applications for its 2026 scholarship program, offering significant financial support to graduating high school seniors pursuing agriculture and rural-impact careers. Applications must be submitted online by Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Students or their parent/guardian must be current Iowa Farm Bureau members, and applicants must apply in the county where their membership is held. Membership information is available at the Iowa Farm Bureau website.

To qualify, students must be graduating seniors with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA and must be accepted into an accredited technical school, community college, or university. Applicants must intend to major or minor in an agriculture-related field or one that benefits rural Iowa. The program also emphasizes leadership, community involvement, and commitment to agriculture, with participation in school activities such as 4-H, FFA, Honor Society, or Student Council strongly encouraged.

A complete application includes current high school transcripts and two reference letters—one academic and one personal.

Available Scholarships

IFBF State Scholarships:
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation will award 27 renewable scholarships, with three recipients selected from each of the organization’s nine districts. Each scholarship is valued at $2,500 per year, renewable for up to four years, totaling $10,000 per recipient. Scholarships are applied toward tuition only, and recipients must continue to meet program requirements to renew annually.

County Farm Bureau Scholarships:
Many of Iowa’s 100 county Farm Bureaus offer additional local scholarships. Eligibility and award amounts vary by county, and students are encouraged to contact their local Farm Bureau office for details.

Selection Process

A single online application automatically enters students for all applicable Iowa Farm Bureau scholarships. County Farm Bureaus will review applications and select both their local scholarship recipients and one application to advance for IFBF state-level consideration by March 13. From those nominees, 27 district finalists will be chosen for the renewable State Scholarships. Memorial Scholarship recipients will also be selected from the same applicant pool.

All award announcements will be made by April 24, with renewal and disbursement information provided to recipients.

Students can access the application Here.

The Henry County Historic Preservation Commission met Wednesday, November 19, at the Henry County Heritage Trust Museum, with Commissioners Joel Garretson, Caroline Lehman, Jeff McPheron, Judy Rawson, and Pat White in attendance. The agenda and October minutes were approved, with a minor amendment added to the previous month’s minutes.

The Commission reported progress on four new brown historic marker signs, which are currently in the process of being installed. The signs will mark the Winfield C.B. & Q. Railroad Depot, the Henry County Institute of Science in Trenton, the Tri-T Country Club at Oakland Mills, and the abandoned town of Finis.

Commissioners have also reviewed and submitted comments on a draft of the upcoming History of Railroads book being developed by BNSF historical consultants. In addition, the group received a recent photo from Lynn Conrad showing updates to the Oakland Mills K-Line Flagstop building, including a new roof and other improvements.

Work continues on organizing the county’s historic guidebook. Commissioners reviewed a proposed layout and will begin searching for additional photographs of historic sites throughout the county to enhance the publication.

Several commissioners’ terms will expire at the end of the year, prompting an active search for new members. Those interested in serving on the Henry County Historic Preservation Commission are encouraged to contact the Henry County Auditor’s Office for details.

The Commission’s next meeting is scheduled for January 21, 2026.

The Henry County Engineer’s Office has announced that Iowa Bridge and Culvert of Washington, Iowa, has been awarded the bridge replacement project on 235th Street/Business 34, just west of Mt. Pleasant.

Construction activity will begin Monday, December 1, 2025, at 8:00 a.m., with the contractor starting dirt work off the roadway. During this initial phase, the road will remain open to traffic.

However, beginning December 8th, the contractor plans to close the bridge to start the removal process. The project is expected to continue through next November.

Information on the detour routes to be announced soon.

Anyone with questions may contact the Henry County Engineer’s Office at 319-385-0762.

Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks is calling on House leadership to take up legislation that would ban Members of Congress — and their spouses — from buying or selling individual stocks while in office. 

Miller-Meeks, who represents Iowa’s First District, is a cosponsor of the bipartisan Restore Trust in Congress Act. The measure would prohibit lawmakers and their immediate families from owning or trading individual stocks, instead steering them toward options like blind trusts, index funds, or diversified mutual funds. 

In a letter sent to the House Committee on Administration, Miller-Meeks urged Chairman Bryan Steil and Ranking Member Joe Morelle to advance a comprehensive reform package. She says the public deserves confidence that lawmakers are acting in the nation’s best interest — not their own financial gain. 

“Iowans expect, and deserve, a Congress that works for them, not for personal profit,” Miller-Meeks said. “Members of Congress should not be trading individual stocks while writing laws and receiving nonpublic briefings. It’s time to end this practice, restore trust, and make sure the decisions we make are driven solely by the people we serve.” 

She also emphasized that bipartisan proposals are already on the table and believes the Committee can unify them into a single, enforceable reform. According to Miller-Meeks, Americans overwhelmingly support a stock-trading ban, and passing one would be a significant step toward rebuilding public trust. 

Miller-Meeks noted that neither she nor her husband own any individual stocks. 

Motor Fuels 

• As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.76 across Iowa according to AAA.  

• Prices remained unchanged from last week’s price and are up 3 cents from a year ago.  

• The national average on Wednesday was $3.09, up 1 cent from last week’s price. 

• Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 7 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.69.  

• One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.29 in Iowa.  

• The current Iowa diesel price is 9 cents lower than the national average of $3.78. 

• The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $1.80 for U87-E10, $2.08 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.72 for ULSD#2, $2.97 for ULSD#1, and $1.93 per gallon for E-70 prices. 

Heating Fuels 

• Natural gas prices were up 5 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $4.55 MMbtu. 

• Propane prices averaged $1.52 per gallon in Iowa. 

• Home heating oil prices had a statewide average of $3.33 per gallon. 

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov. 

The Holy Trinity Catholic Schools Educational Foundation has announced the creation of a new endowed scholarship aimed at supporting future educators. The Holy Trinity Catholic Schools Educational Field Scholarship will be awarded annually to a graduating Holy Trinity senior who plans to pursue a degree in education. 

The $100,000 endowed scholarship was gifted by an anonymous benefactor. Recipients will be selected based on financial need, academic ability, and promise for success in the education field. Award amounts will vary depending on the interest earned and the number of recipients chosen each year. The Foundation anticipates that this year’s award will be approximately $4,500. 

Thomas Gendron, Director of Development for the Holy Trinity Catholic Schools Educational Foundation, said the new scholarship fills an important need. 

Foundation leaders say the new scholarship aligns perfectly with their mission. Providing financial support to Holy Trinity students remains the cornerstone of the Foundation’s work and a major focus of its fundraising efforts. 

Individuals interested in establishing a scholarship, planning a future gift, or learning more about planned giving may contact Thomas Gendron at (319) 470-3194 or tom.gendron@holytrinityschools.org