Author: Kadie Johannson

A new season of youth theater is coming to southeast Iowa, with Fairfield Youth Performing Arts announcing its 2026 lineup. On the heels of their inaugural 2025 season where they explored what was “possible,” 2026 promises to “inspire” these young performers to reach new heights and transform their communities in Southeast Iowa through theatre and art.

The organization, founded by Tommy Brower, will present a campy parody, Xanadu Jr. this summer. The award winning musical based on the 1980s cult-classic starring Olivia Newton-John, is scheduled for performances July 30th and 31st, and August 1st and 2nd. Auditions will be announced soon. To sign up for updates, fill out this form.

Later in the year, the group will shift to a more dramatic production with The Outsiders, set for December. The play is based on the classic novel by S. E. Hinton and will challenge young men in the area to get more involved with the performing arts.

As part of the lead-up to auditions, Fairfield Youth Performing Arts is also hosting a special event tied to Xanadu Jr. A pre-show “Glow” karaoke and pizza party is planned for Saturday, May 9th from 4 to 9 p.m. at 200 South Main Street in Fairfield, Iowa. The event includes a screening of the original Xanadu film, followed by pizza and Broadway-style karaoke. RSVP for the event is encouraged, but not required.

Organizers say the pre-show “glow” is open to current participants and those interested in getting involved. Everyone is encouraged to bring a friend and experience the program firsthand.

Click below to hear the full conversation with Tommy Brower about FYPA and their upcoming season.

Listeners and community members are invited to become a “Legacy Architect” with Fairfield Youth Performing Arts—joining a dedicated circle of supporters helping secure the organization’s future through investments in youth advocacy, facility growth, expanded programming, and long-term sustainability.

Henry County Supervisors addressed staffing changes and a growing backlog of public records requests during their meeting Monday, April 13 at 10 a.m.

The board unanimously approved two motions related to the County Attorney’s Office, both passing on a 3-to-0 vote.

As part of those actions, Assistant County Attorney Steven Giebelhausen announced his resignation, effective April 30th, under an employment separation agreement. Giebelhausen, who has served in the role for six years, will receive three months of regular salary through July 31st, along with benefits and a payout for unused vacation time, totaling just over $26,400.

Supervisors also approved hiring a part-time, temporary outside attorney to help manage public information requests. The position will pay $45 per hour, for up to 34 hours per week, and will not include benefits.

The move comes as the county attorney’s office faces staffing shortages and a significant backlog of work in relation to outstanding Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. County Attorney Wilson says the office is currently dealing with four to six outstanding Freedom of Information requests, some of which have been granted extensions through the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB). She noted that one request alone involves between 7,000 and 8,000 pages of documents that still need to be reviewed and redacted.

Wilson plans to hire attorney Ed Harvey to handle the FOIA-related workload. Attorney Giebelhausen noted that any outside attorney would be required to withdraw from active state cases to comply with Iowa law, and Attorney Wilson assured the supervisors that the process is currently underway.

Supervisors emphasized the need to balance ongoing county business with meeting public records requirements. Although not listed on the agenda, Board Chair Chad White allowed for public comment and the meeting adjourned.

A second public hearing is scheduled later this month for the proposed Henry County budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will hold the hearing on April 27th at 6:00 p.m. at the Henry County Courthouse 3rd floor courtroom.

The hearing, originally scheduled for April 23, will review the proposed fiscal year budget covering July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 for Henry County. County officials say any resident or taxpayer may attend the meeting, ask questions, present objections, or speak in favor of any part of the proposed budget.

According to the budget summary, total proposed revenues and other sources are approximately $22.7 million, while total expenditures and other uses are projected at about $24.7 million.

Officials note that the higher expenditure total does not necessarily represent a structural deficit. A significant portion of the difference is tied to secondary roads funding streams and capital construction projects that are planned and accounted for across fiscal year boundaries. County leaders say these timing differences—particularly in major infrastructure projects—often result in expenditures appearing higher in a single fiscal year, but are expected to balance out over time as funding sources and reimbursements are received.

Major spending areas include public safety and legal services, roads and transportation, administration, and capital projects. Public safety and legal services account for more than $6.4 million, while road and transportation spending is projected at more than $7.2 million.

Officials note the budget reflects rising costs and efforts to maintain county services, with proposed property tax revenues making up a significant portion of funding. When viewing the budget across funding cycles, the intention is to remain as balanced as possible for ongoing financial planning.

The notice also states that if a valid protest petition is filed, the State Appeal Board could hold an additional hearing. Budget documents and supporting details are available through the county auditor’s office, at henrycounty.iowa.gov, or here.

Small Business Week is coming up, and local leaders in Mount Pleasant are preparing to recognize the impact of small businesses on the community.

Since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation designating National Small Business Week, highlighting the vital role entrepreneurs play in the American economy. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and those businesses create roughly two out of every three new jobs each year.

Locally, the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance has announced that Small Business Week will be celebrated May 4th through the 8th in Mount Pleasant.

As part of the celebration, four businesses have been named finalists for the 2026 Small Business of the Year award. They include Jane Anne Boutique, Northeast Animal Hospital, Mount Pleasant Tire & Service, and The Shop – DeWitt Built.

The winner will be announced during the Small Business Breakfast on May 8th.

Chamber officials say the week is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of local businesses and the role they play in keeping the community strong. Congratulations to the 2026 nominees!

The Fairfield Arts & Convention Center announces that Executive Director Lindsay Bauer will step down from her role effective May 1, 2026.
Bauer, who began her tenure in July 2020, has accepted a new professional opportunity and will be relocating to Kansas City. During her time at the Center, she guided the organization through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and led its recovery into a period of renewed growth and community connection.

Under her leadership, the Center expanded its programming and impact, including the launch of the Cinema Fairfield program in 2022 and the creation of the Sally Rinehart Johnston Arts in Education Program, which has provided meaningful arts experiences for area students.

During the pandemic and early years of recovery, Bauer also introduced a free outdoor summer concert series featuring Iowa artists, offering a space for community gathering at a time when it was most needed. The series was thoughtfully retired in 2025 as other local summer programming returned, reflecting the Center’s commitment to complementing and supporting the broader arts ecosystem.

In recent years, the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center has seen significant growth in attendance and engagement, welcoming audiences from across the region and strengthening its role as a hub for arts, culture, and community life in Southeast Iowa.

“This work has always been about loving well, spreading joy, and building a powerful community of curious and kind adventurers here in Southeast Iowa,” said Bauer. “I am so grateful to have been part of that alongside this community.”

“While we are sorry to see Lindsay leave, we are deeply grateful for her leadership and the transformative impact she has had on the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center,” said Board President Rachel Hillier. “She leaves the organization on strong and steady ground, with a capable team and a clear path forward. The Board looks forward to building on this momentum as we begin the search for our next Executive Director, and we wish Lindsay every success in her next chapter.”

The Center’s leadership team will continue to guide day-to-day operations, ensuring continuity of programming and services. The Board of Directors has initiated a search process for the organization’s next Executive Director. Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume and cover letter to executivesearch@fairfieldacc.com.

Abbie Liechty has announced plans to run again for Henry County Attorney in the November 2026 general election, following her loss in the recent special election to Becky Wilson.

Liechty, who campaigned on her desire to return to her hometown and serve her community with her law degree, says she remains committed to serving Henry County and has valued her time working as Assistant Henry County Attorney.

Liechty also noted she is seeking more clarity from incoming County Attorney Wilson regarding staffing plans for the office once the election is certified and Wilson is sworn in on April 7. When asked if she would remain in her current role, Liechty said she would be willing to continue as Assistant County Attorney if Wilson chooses to retain her.

Regardless of staffing decisions, Liechty indicated she plans to stay engaged with the community, continue building support, and focus on the issues she highlighted during her initial campaign.

The race for Henry County Attorney will appear on the November 2026 ballot, setting up a rematch between Liechty and Wilson.

While the special election did not produce her desired outcome, Liechty expressed gratitude to her family, friends, supporters, and the residents of Henry County, and says she looks forward to earning additional support ahead of the general election.