Fairfield Man Facing Multiple Felonies After Narcotics Investigation

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 7:39 am CDT

A 61-year-old Fairfield man is facing multiple felony charges following a narcotics investigation conducted by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.

According to court records, agents executed search warrants early Monday morning after intercepting a FedEx package destined for the 900 block of South 5th Street in Fairfield. Inside the package, investigators allegedly found approximately six pounds of a substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.

The package was addressed to “Options Open Inc.” Investigators believe that business name was an alias connected to Gregory Allen Warnke. Agents conducted a controlled delivery before executing a search warrant at Warnke’s residence.

During the search, authorities say they seized methamphetamine, marijuana, digital scales, packaging materials, drug paraphernalia, U.S. currency, and suspected drug ledgers. Investigators also recovered three firearms, including a handgun and two unmarked rifles. Court documents indicate Warnke is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms.

Warnke was taken into custody at a separate location and has been charged with possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, and three counts of felon in possession of a firearm.

Warnke has not yet made an initial court appearance. Bail and a preliminary hearing have not been scheduled. As a reminder, criminal charges are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

School Speed Zone Removed on Mason Road in Burlington

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 7:37 am CDT

The Burlington Police Department is reminding drivers that beginning today at approximately 9:30 a.m., the school speed zone on Mason Road will be removed. The affected area includes the 2700 through 3000 blocks near Edward Stone Middle School and will return to the regular 35 mile-per-hour speed limit. Drivers are reminded that school speed zones on Willow Avenue and Sequoia Drive are not changing and remain in effect. Motorists are urged to slow down in those areas, stay alert, and watch for students.

Important Plan Enrollment Dates for Medicare Beneficiaries; 2/28/26 and 3/31/26

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 7:35 am CDT

The Iowa Insurance Division is reminding Medicare beneficiaries about two upcoming enrollment deadlines. Iowans currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan have until March 31, 2026, to change plans or return to Original Medicare during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. Those whose Medicare Advantage or Part D plans were cancelled at the end of 2025 have until February 28, 2026 to enroll in new coverage.

Free, confidential, one-on-one assistance is available through SHIIP. In Henry County, trained SHIIP counselors are available by appointment at Henry County Health Center in Mount Pleasant by calling 319-385-6774. Statewide help can also be reached at 1-800-351-4664 for guidance with Medicare decisions, comparing plans, or enrollment assistance.

Click here for more information on the important plan enrollment dates for Medicare beneficiaries, provided by the Iowa Insurance Division.

City of Wayland Meeting Agenda – Wednesday, February 4, 2026

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 7:31 am CDT

The Wayland City Council will meet tonight, February 4th, at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall/Council Chambers at 218 West Main Street in Wayland. The meeting will begin with approval of the consent agenda, including bills for payment and monthly department reports. The council will also hear public comments during the citizen forum. New business includes consideration of a cash payment policy, an agreement with the Wayland Cemetery Association, and a recommendation from ISG Engineering for wastewater treatment plant improvements. The meeting will conclude with adjournment. This meeting is open to the public and residents of Wayland are encouraged to attend. The full agenda for tonight’s Wayland City Council Meeting can be found here.

Henry County Board of Supervisors Meeting Agenda – Thursday, February 5, 2026

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 7:28 am CDT

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will meet tomorrow, Thursday, February 5, 2026 at the Henry County Courthouse in Mount Pleasant at 9 a.m.

Under unfinished business, supervisors will continue reviewing departmental budget submissions. The board will also consider a request from Preserve Oakland Mills seeking authorization for an engineering firm to inspect the Oakland Mills Walking Bridge.

New business includes a discussion with All God’s Creatures Animal Shelter regarding its first-year contract with the county.

Committee reports will include updates from a recent department head meeting and a report from County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss. Additional reports will come from board subcommittees, and a safety committee meeting will be scheduled to examine job duties.
Supervisors Steven Detrick and Chad White will report on attending one day of the ISAC Supervisors Conference, while Detrick will also share plans to attend ISAC Southeast Iowa Days at the State Capitol.

The meeting will conclude with public comment. Residents wishing to speak on items not listed on the agenda are asked to state their name and general address and limit comments to three minutes.

To review the full agenda, click here.

Willis L. Deuser

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026 at 2:21 pm CDT

Willis LeRoy Deuser, 85, of Fairfield, passed away Monday, February 2, 2026 at his home.

A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 5, 2026 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service Thursday. Burial will be at a later date at Maple Hill Cemetery in Birmingham. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fairfield Community Center.

Willis was born December 18, 1940 in Farson, Iowa, the son of Carl and Elsie (Johnson) Deuser. He married Joyce Ann Goemaat, February 18, 1961 at Zion Bible Church in Douds. She preceded him in death October 25, 2020.

Willis held a factory job until 1982 when he began working in sales of janitorial supplies at King’s in Fairfield. He later worked at Rockwell/Meritor, retiring in 2000.

Willis enjoyed watching sports, including basketball and NASCAR. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan. Willis enjoyed gardening, fishing, and traveling, making yearly trips to Florida.

Those left to honor his memory include his children, Lee Deuser of Eldon, Ron (Charissa) Deuser of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Sandy (Sonny) Hootman of Farmington, Iowa, Monty (Angie) Deuser of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Heidi (John) Ferguson of Fairfield; thirteen grandchildren, Luke Deuser, Justin Deuser, Nichole (James) Chapman, Chrysten Deuser, Aubrey (Anthony) Lumetta, Kaely Deuser, Andrew Sonny Hootman, Benaiah (Audrey) Hootman, Kate Hootman, Micaiah Hootman, Nate Deuser, Becca Deuser and Janell Ferguson; great-grandchildren, Gideon Chapman and Soloman Hootman.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Warren Deuser; and sister, Wanda Warner.

Online condolences may be made to Willis’s family by viewing his obituary at www.behnerfh.com.

Wayne E. Johnson

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026 at 11:22 am CDT

Wayne Edward Johnson, 76, of Danville, died Sunday, February 1, 2026, at his daughter’s home in Saint James, Missouri. He was born in Burlington on May 23, 1949 to Cecil R. and Patricia M. Schaefer Johnson. He married Diana “Dee” Ruth McCabe on July 26, 1968 in Middletown, Iowa.  She died February 20, 2025.

His family moved from Burlington to Kahoka, Missouri, then back to Danville when he was a child.  Wayne attended school in Revere, Missouri and Danville.  He was a member of West Burlington Christian Church and New London Christian Church.

He worked at Lehigh Leopold in West Burlington until they closed in 1990. He then got his CDL, and worked for Single Source, CRST-Cedar Rapids, and Ruan-Hon, and was very proud that he achieved a Million-mile safety award. He also worked at Phelps Field Tile Company in New London.  Wayne was an excellent woodworker and proudly built their family dining room table.  He was a member of the Moose and Lions Clubs; in the 1970’s was a TroupMaster for Boy Scouts; volunteered at Old Threshers Main Ground and Campground since he was sixteen years old; enjoyed camping with his wife; being with his family; and Cardinals baseball.  He loved fishing, enjoyed watching the cardinals, grew beautiful roses and since moving to his daughter’s in Missouri, he loved sitting on her front porch watching the cars go by, listening to the windchimes and watching the birds in the birdhouses.  He enjoyed watching Grit TV, reading Louis L’Amour books; very much enjoyed his Danville coffee group and never knew a stranger.

Survivors include his sons Michael Johnson of Austin, Texas and Joshua (Brandi) Johnson of Burlington; daughters Michelle (Troy) Warth of St. James, Missouri and Johanna Hand of Clarksville, Tennessee; nineteen grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; brothers Terry Johnson of Bible Grove, Missouri and Harry Johnson of Downing, Missouri; sister Sharon (Neil) Cornwell of Winfield, Iowa; nieces, nephews and a host of friends.  He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; and brother Van Johnson.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 PM, Sunday, February 8, 2026 at Elliott Chapel, New London, with the family receiving friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.  The Funeral Service will be at 10:00 AM, Monday, February 9, 2026 at New London Christian Church with Pastors Rod and Nathan Cooper officiating.  The family requests that friends wear western or Cardinals baseball attire for the service.  Burial will follow at Prairie Grove Cemetery, rural West Burlington.  Memorials have been established for Be There Ministries in Ethiopia and New London Christian Church.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Applications Open Now for Hellman Lee County IMPACT Grants to Support Lee County Nonprofits

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026 at 7:54 am CDT

The Lee County Charitable Fund has officially renamed its annual IMPACT Grant to the Hellman Lee County IMPACT Grant, honoring the legacy of longtime community leader, philanthropist, and North Lee County advocate Merlin Hellman.

The Hellman Lee County IMPACT Grant is open for application now and will award grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 to eligible Lee County, Iowa 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and qualified governmental entities. Applications must be submitted by April 6, 2026.

Administered by the Lee County Charitable Fund, a volunteer grant committee made up of board members from the North Lee Community Foundation and the Keokuk Area Community Foundation, the IMPACT Grant is designed to support large-scale projects that create meaningful, long-term benefits for Lee County residents.

The grant’s new name honors Merlin Hellman, whose life reflected a deep commitment to service, stewardship, and community responsibility. A founding member of the North Lee Community Foundation and instrumental in the establishment of the Lee County Charitable Fund, Hellman served on numerous boards and organizations throughout Lee County. His philanthropy helped strengthen schools, libraries, faith communities, and human service organizations across the region.

“As one of the founders of the Lee County Charitable Fund, Merlin Hellman worked alongside community leaders throughout the county to provide critical grants and resources for schools, nonprofit organizations, charities and health care organizations from all corners of Lee County,” said the Foundation’s Executive Director Roger Ricketts, “Merlin’s vision of the Lee County Charitable Fund and the Community Foundations in Lee County enabled generous donors and community leaders to believe that we, all of us working together, would and should make a big impact for all who call Lee County their home. It is with pride that we honor Merlin’s legacy and vision for our county with the Merlin Hellman IMPACT Grant.”

Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to attend the KACF & NLCF Grant Workshop Luncheon on February 25, 2026, to be held at Fort Madison’s Turnwater Reception Room. The workshop will provide an overview of the application process, funding priorities, and tips for submitting a strong proposal.

Grant guidelines, eligibility requirements, and application materials can be found at leecountycharitablefund.org. Additional information is available at northleecf.org and keokukfoundation.org.