The Henry County Board of Supervisors has announced a meeting cancellation.
The Board reports the 1:30 p.m. meeting originally scheduled for today, Friday, February 13, 2026, has been cancelled due to a possible call for a special election for the position of Henry County Attorney.
No additional details have been released at this time. Residents with questions can contact the Supervisors Office.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a scam targeting local families.
On February 12, 2026, authorities discovered that scammers have been impersonating the Sheriff’s Office by calling relatives of incarcerated individuals and requesting bail bond money over the phone.
Officials emphasize that the Sheriff’s Office will never call and ask for bail bond money on behalf of inmates. Bail bonds must be posted in person either at the Sheriff’s Office or at the Henry County Courthouse.
Anyone who receives a suspicious call like this is urged not to provide any personal or financial information and to report the incident to their local law enforcement agency immediately.
The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office has released details about an incident involving an inmate at the county jail.
According to Sheriff Kevin Glendening, deputies responded at approximately 9:44 a.m. on February 10, 2026 to the Des Moines County Correctional Center to assist with moving an inmate identified as Charles Lee Weddington, 32, of Burlington.
Authorities say Weddington was given verbal commands to approach his cell door to be handcuffed but refused to comply. When deputies opened the cell door and issued additional commands, Weddington allegedly threw an object and striking a deputy. He then charged at deputies and threw a punch.
Officials say Weddington continued to resist and fight, and a taser was deployed. During the struggle, Weddington allegedly attempted to disarm a deputy of the taser. He was eventually handcuffed and removed from the cell.
One deputy sustained an injury to his right hand during the incident.
Weddington has been charged with interference with official acts causing bodily injury, disarming a peace officer, and assault on persons in certain occupations.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
A Mediapolis man has been arrested following an assault on a nurse earlier this month
On February 5, 2026, deputies with the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to 142 North Orchard Street in Mediapolis for a report of a nurse who had been assaulted by a resident.
Authorities say Erik Creighton Bienfang, 28, of Mediapolis allegedly struck the nurse in the face and choked them, causing bodily injury. Deputies also learned that prior to the assault, Bienfang reportedly locked himself in a room with the nurse and refused to allow them to leave.
Following the incident, Bienfang fled the residence on foot but was located a short distance away and taken into custody without further incident.
He was transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center and charged with false imprisonment and assault on persons in certain occupations causing bodily injury.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Two inmates at the Iowa State Penitentiary are facing attempted murder charges following a nearly fatal assault on two staff members last month.
According to court records, Dennis Lane Lawson, 29, and Anthony Sebastian Bauer, 23, have each been charged with two counts of attempted murder, Class B felonies, and one count of possession of a weapon in a correctional institution, a Class C felony.
A criminal complaint states that at approximately 9:37 a.m. on January 21, 2026, the two inmates were participating in the prison’s long-term restricted program when the assault occurred. Two counselors were providing classroom instruction and were in the process of handing out homework when Bauer and Lawson allegedly attacked.
Authorities believe the assault was coordinated. Both inmates reportedly produced improvised shiv-type weapons, described as sharpened objects fashioned from available materials, and used them to strike one counselor in vital areas including the neck, throat, head, back, and sides in what investigators describe as an apparent attempt to kill.
When the second counselor intervened, that staff member was also allegedly attacked and struck multiple times in similar areas.
The assault ended only after multiple correctional officers responded and forcefully gained control of both inmates.
Both counselors were transported to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center for treatment. A press release from the Iowa Department of Corrections says both have since been released from the hospital.
Bauer is currently serving a 50-year sentence after pleading guilty in 2021 to second-degree murder and three counts of reckless use of a firearm in connection with a fatal New Year’s Day 2021 shooting in Sioux City.
Lawson is serving a 15-year sentence after pleading guilty in 2021 to second-degree robbery, willful injury causing serious injury, and felon in possession of a firearm in connection with a 2020 shooting in Sioux City.
Preliminary hearings for both men are scheduled for 11 a.m. February 20, 2026 at the North Lee County Courthouse and will be held via Zoom.
The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation. Assisting agencies include the Lee County Attorney’s Office and the Fort Madison Police Department.
The Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra will present a free Valentine’s concert this weekend in Mount Pleasant.
“Valentango” begins at 3 p.m. Saturday, February 14th, at Chapel Auditorium on North Main Street. The Spanish-inspired program includes music from Carmen, Bolero, and Danzón No. 2, along with Broadway favorites.
Guest performers include guitarist W. Mark Akin, vocalist Kelsey Madsen, a regional children’s choir, and area string students.
Admission is free and open to the public. Listen below and hear from Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra Conductor, Bob McConnell, on this fun concert. More information is also available at seiso.us.
Today is the last day to register for a free Cover Crop and Soil Health Workshop in Mount Pleasant.
The workshop will be held Thursday, February 19th, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Henry County ISU Extension Office.
Iowa Learning Farms and partners are hosting the event for farmers and landowners interested in improving soil health and farm resilience. The program will feature local farmers and soil health experts discussing cover crops and no-till practices.
A complimentary meal will be served, and attendees will be entered to win ISU Prairie Strips honey. To RSVP by the end of today, contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or email ilf@iastate.edu
Gas prices across Iowa are on the rise this week.
According to AAA, the average price for regular unleaded gasoline increased four cents and is now sitting at $2.54 per gallon statewide. That’s 42 cents lower than this time last year. The national average climbed five cents over the past week to $2.94 per gallon.
Diesel prices also moved higher. Retail diesel in Iowa rose eight cents, bringing the statewide average to $3.45 per gallon. That’s three cents lower than a year ago and 22 cents below the current national average of $3.67.
In crude oil markets, West Texas Intermediate crude increased $1.95 this week to $65.29 per barrel. Brent crude rose $2.64 to $70.20 per barrel. One year ago, WTI was selling for $73.67, while Brent crude was at $77.65.
At the Des Moines terminal, rack prices are $1.60 for U87-E10, $1.83 for clear unleaded 87, $2.35 for ultra-low sulfur diesel number two, $2.64 for ultra-low sulfur diesel number one, and $1.74 per gallon for E-70.
As for home heating fuels, natural gas prices fell 32 cents at the Henry Hub to $3.15 per million BTUs. Propane in Iowa is averaging $1.63 per gallon, while home heating oil has a statewide average of $2.94 per gallon.
More tips for saving energy at home or on the road can be found at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.
