2026 Property Tax Credit Forms Available; Deadline for Completed Applications is June 1, 2026

The Henry County Treasurer’s Office is reminding residents that several property tax credit applications are now available.

According to a press release from Treasurer Kellie Sloan, the Iowa Property Tax Credit Claim Form, Iowa Special Assessment Credit Claim Form, and the Iowa Mobile or Manufactured Homeowner Application for Reduced Tax Rate are available at the Treasurer’s Office located in the Henry County Courthouse in Mount Pleasant.

The 2026 forms can also be downloaded from the Iowa Department of Revenue website.

Residents with a total household income of less than $26,895 may qualify.

The Property Tax Credit is available to homeowners who meet income guidelines and are 65 years of age or older as of December 31, 2025, or are totally disabled and between the ages of 18 and 64. Additional income provisions apply to some homeowners age 70 and older.

The Mobile Home Reduced Tax Rate is available to residents who meet income requirements and were at least 23 years old as of December 31, 2025.

Anyone who did not receive a form in the mail can download one by following the hyperlinks in this article or contact the Henry County Treasurer’s Office at 319-385-0763 or by email.

Completed applications must be returned to the Treasurer’s Office by June 1, 2026.

Henry County Road Closure Begins Monday 2/23/26: Lexington Avenue between 110th and 115th Street

The Henry County Road Department is alerting motorists to an upcoming road closure on Lexington Avenue.

According to the Henry County Engineer’s Office, a culvert replacement project will begin Monday, February 23rd at 8 a.m. The project is in the northern half of Henry County on Lexington Avenue between 110th Street and 115th Street between Olds and Winfield.

This portion of Lexington Avenue will be closed to through traffic for approximately eight to ten weeks, weather permitting.

Drivers are encouraged to plan alternate routes and use caution in the area during construction.

Anyone with questions can contact the Henry County Road Department at 319-385-0762.

A Red Flag Warning in Henry County until 8 p.m. Tuesday

A Red Flag Warning has been issued for Henry County.

The National Weather Service has placed Henry County under a Red Flag Warning for today, Tuesday, February 18, 2026 in effect until 8 p.m.

A Red Flag Warning means critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. Gusty winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation can combine to create rapid fire spread.

Residents are strongly urged not to burn during this time. Any outdoor burning could quickly get out of control.

Officials ask everyone to avoid open flames, properly dispose of cigarettes, and report any signs of fire immediately. Remember, during a warning, you should suspend all outdoor burning, avoid using equipment that creates sparks (like lawnmowers or welding tools), do not park on or drive through dry grass, and do not dispose of cigarette butts outside.

Missing Burlington Woman: Kara Ann Bradley *FOUND

** Update: Kara Bradley has been located.

Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing Burlington woman.

Kara Ann Bradley, 36, was known to have contact on February 11th. Bradley is described as five feet two inches tall, weighing approximately 180 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Burlington Police Department or the Iowa Missing Person Information Clearinghouse.

Officials stress that if you believe you see Bradley, do not take action yourself. Instead, try to gather helpful details such as a location, vehicle description, or license plate number, and contact law enforcement immediately.

Anyone with information about her disappearance can call the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s Missing Person Information Clearinghouse at 515-725-6036 or the Burlington Police Department at 319-753-8366.

Authorities urge anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem, to come forward.

Traffic Stop Leads to Multiple Drug Charges in Burlington

The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office reports a Burlington woman has been arrested on multiple drug charges following a traffic stop Monday night.

According to Sheriff Kevin Glendening, deputies stopped a vehicle around 9:17 p.m. on February 16th at Osborn Street and Linden Street for an equipment violation.

During the stop, a deputy K-9 conducted an open-air sniff of the vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotics.

A search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered marijuana, methamphetamine, clonazepam pills, and drug paraphernalia in the area where the front seat passenger had been sitting.

Authorities identified the passenger as Addison Ann Trickler, 26, of Burlington. She was taken into custody and charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance, failure to affix a drug tax stamp, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Trickler was transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center.

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

Shots-Fired Incident in Burlington Leads to Arrest

The Burlington Police Department has made an arrest following a shots-fired incident Tuesday morning.

According to a February 17th press release, officers responded at approximately 10:39 a.m. to a report of shots fired in the 1400 block of South Street. While officers were en route, dispatch advised that the suspect, later identified as Kamron Elmore, had left the area in a minivan.

A short time later, officers located the vehicle near the intersection of Central Avenue and Market Street. A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of a firearm.

Elmore was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Des Moines County Jail.

He is charged with Reckless Use of a Firearm and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon. Authorities say the incident was isolated and there is no ongoing threat to the public. A charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 

Kyler Rugg

Kyler Rugg, 17, of Wayland, passed from this life on Friday, February 13, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. A visitation will be held Friday, February 20, 2026, from 3 – 8 PM at the WACO High School gymnasium. Following visitation, cremation will take place and a celebration of his life will be held Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 1- 4 PM at the Eichelberger Main Office at 408 N. Way Drive, Wayland. A general memorial fund has been established. The Beatty Peterseim Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Kyler was born on July 9, 2008, in Washington, the son of Aaron and Dawn (Stauffer) Rugg. He was a senior at WACO High School, where he was very active in FFA (which he loved) and had played on the football team. Kyler owned and operated his own lawn care business, Rugg’s Lawn Care and Snow Removal, and worked for C & M Plumbing in Mt. Pleasant. He enjoyed fishing, tractors, singing 90’s country songs and giving hugs. He will be remembered for this quote: “Every day is a great day, but not everybody sees the great in that day.”

Survivors include his parents, Aaron and Dawn of Wayland; two brothers Karsen and Kolten; his girlfriend Sammy Helfrich of Brighton; their soon to be born son Benjamin Kyler James; his maternal grandparents: Jimmy and Gina Stauffer of Wayland, paternal grandparents Merle and Sherri Rugg of Wayland, maternal great-grandparents Curt and Janice Eddy of Wayland, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Preceding Kyler in death were his maternal great-grandparents Edwin and Louise Stauffer, and paternal great-grandparents Doc and Helen Rugg and Dick and Frances Morrow.

Local Guide: Running for County Office in Henry County

With the 2026 general election coming up on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 residents interested in running for county office in Henry County are encouraged to start the process of filing their paperwork.

Several county positions will be on the ballot this year, including:

  • County Attorney
  • County Treasurer
  • County Recorder
  • Henry County Board of Supervisors – 1 open seat

Candidates must file nomination papers with the Henry County Auditor’s Office between Monday, March 2nd and Friday, March 20th by 5 p.m. To get on the ballot, candidates need to submit an Affidavit of Candidacy and a Nomination Petition with signatures from eligible voters.

There is no filing fee, but prospective candidates should check with the Auditor’s Office for the required number of signatures and any other qualifications. Nomination forms are available at the Henry County Auditor’s Office or on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website.

Filing early ensures your name appears on the ballot and gives you more time to campaign. The primary election will be held on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Click here for the Iowa Secretary of State’s Candidate’s Guide to the Primary Election June 2, 2026

For more information, contact Henry County Auditor Robin Detrick or Election Coordinator Heidi Shilling at the Henry County Auditor’s Office which is located at the courthouse in Mount Pleasant,100 East Washington Street, Suite 202 or at 319-385-0756.