Van Buren County Deputies Make Three Arrests in Separate Incidents

By Kadie Johannson · Saturday, July 4th, 2026 at 6:01 am CDT

The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office has released details on three recent arrests following separate incidents across the county.

On June 24th, deputies responded to a reported assault at a home in the 900 block of North High Street in Milton. Michael Lee Vanlaningham, 45, was arrested and charged with Simple Assault. He was later released following his initial court appearance.

On June 28th, a deputy on routine patrol arrested Joshua James Brown, 37, of Bonaparte on an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear at sentencing on a previous No Contact Order violation.

Later that same day, deputies responded to a domestic disturbance in the 26000 grid of 292nd Street near Mount Sterling. Authorities arrested Matthew Andrew Scearcy, 39, who is charged with two counts of Domestic Simple Assault, Interference with Official Acts, Assault on a Peace Officer, and Second-Degree Criminal Mischief.

The incidents remain under the jurisdiction of the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office. The Iowa State Patrol and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office assisted.

In all cases, a criminal charge is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

ServSafe Food Protection Manager Course Scheduled in West Burlington

By Kadie Johannson · Saturday, July 4th, 2026 at 5:45 am CDT

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is sponsoring ServSafe®, the national certification program for food service managers. The course will be held in West Burlington on July 28 at the Des Moines County Extension office, 1700 W. Mt. Pleasant Street. All food service operations must have at least one certified staff member. Anyone interested in preparing and serving safe food is welcome to attend.

The cost of the course is $175, which includes 8 hours of class time, a manual, and the national certification exam. A discounted rate of $125 is available to Iowa Restaurant Association members, subject to verification before class. Registration is required by July 7, 2026.

Contact Vera Stokes at 563/210-0587 or vstokes@iastate.edu with any questions. A full calendar of upcoming course dates and registration links is available at www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/servsafe.

Waterloo U.S. 218 Construction Could Impact Southeast Iowa Travelers

By Kadie Johannson · Thursday, July 2nd, 2026 at 5:26 am CDT

If you’re planning trips north on U.S. Highway 218 this summer or fall, be prepared for delays in the Waterloo area.

The Iowa Department of Transportation says beginning Monday, July 6, continuous single-lane closures will be in place in both directions of U.S. 218 from the west U.S. 63 interchange to the Cedar River bridge. The lane restrictions are expected to remain in effect through mid-October, weather permitting.

The project includes resurfacing the highway with hot-mix asphalt. While some work will take place overnight, at least one lane will remain open in each direction throughout construction.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to slow down, stay alert, and follow posted speed limits through the work zone. Traffic fines for moving violations are at least doubled in Iowa work zones.

Travelers heading to Waterloo, Cedar Falls, or continuing north are encouraged to allow extra travel time and check road conditions before leaving home. Current traffic conditions, construction updates, and travel alerts are available through Iowa 511 at 511ia.org, by calling 511 within Iowa, or by using the free Iowa 511 mobile app.

Georgia L. Sammons

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, July 1st, 2026 at 4:04 pm CDT

Georgia L. Sammons, 78, longtime resident of Rome passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.

Georgia was born on September 14, 1947, in Rome, the daughter of Ernest “Red” and Nevah (Septer) Calhoun.  She was united in marriage to Dennis E. Sammons on June 4, 1966, at Kahoka, Missouri.  He preceded her in death on January 3, 2016.

Georgia was very active in her community. She worked at the Rome Post Office, for the city of Rome and was a faithful member of the Rome Baptist Church.  She was known for her excellent baking skills and loved to share with others. Georgia had a love of children. Throughout the years she babysitting for many families.  She enjoyed square dancing.  Holidays were very special for her, especially Christmas.  She would have her home all decorated with lights and was instrumental in getting Santa Claus to come to town for the kids.   Georgia worked at Vega of Mount Pleasant and later for Mount Pleasant Schools as a cook.  For 23 years she and Dennis, along with their son Dean, operated Deano’s Restaurant.   Her love for her family was most important; her grandchildren and great grandchildren gave her so much joy.

Those thankful for sharing in her life include her children, Edward (Brenda) Sammons of Rome, Dean (Susan) Sammons of Rome and Annette (Carey) Hawk, of Trenton, her ten grandchildren, Brock (Courtney) Adrian, Tyler (Samantha) Westercamp, Cameron Sammons, Clayton Sammons, Grace Dieu, Chelsea (Jonathan) Kramer, Jessica (Shawn) Landess, Jamie (Richie) Pardall, Jacquelyn (Tyler) Lally, and Jalyn Gerleman, along with her 18 great grandchildren, her sister, Edna (Raymond) Stott, of Burlington, her sisters-in-law, Retha Sammons  and  Rosie Wiggins and her brother-in-law, Guy (Diane) Sammons.

Georgia was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a daughter, PareSetta Sammons, two sisters, Eloise Van Zile, Nancy E. Calhoun and her two brothers, Darrell Calhoun and Francis (Pee Wee) Calhoun.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Rome Baptist Church with Pastor Guy Sammons officiating.  Burial will follow in the Grant Cemetery.  Friends may call after 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, to the Murphy Funeral Home where the family will be present from 4 to 7 p.m. that evening.  Memorials may be directed to the Rome Baptist Church or to the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in her memory.

The Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant is honored to serve the family with love, comfort and dignity as we celebrate the life of Georgia.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Terri Kaye Ferrel

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, July 1st, 2026 at 3:27 pm CDT

Terri Kaye Ferrel, 69, of rural Keosauqua, passed away Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at UI Healthcare Downtown in Iowa City. A Celebration of Life will be held 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday, July 18, 2026 at The Walton Club in Fairfield.

Terri was born July 20, 1956 in Keosauqua, the daughter of Robert and Anna (Boozel) Wiseman. Terri graduated from Fairfield High Scholl in 1974. She married Jeff Ferrel, September 8, 1994 in Keosauqua.

Terri worked for Hawthorne Direct for many years. She enjoyed boating, fishing, and spending time with her grandchildren. Terri loved a good party, peppermint schnapps, and getting into the occasional, friendly argument.

Those left to honor her memory include her husband, Jeff; children, Kathryn (James) Seals of Perkins, Oklahoma, Jennifer Ferrel of Fairfield, and Michael (Miranda) Wiseman of Keosauqua; grandchildren, Charlie (Alex) Elliott, Cali, Leah, Jessica, Christian, and Caroline Seals, Hayden Coates, Allie Ollum, and Wyatt Wiseman; great-grandchildren, Emery Elliott and Kreu Coates; brother, Michael (Karla) Wiseman of Keosauqua; sister, Donna (Robert) Williams of Johnston, Iowa; and bonus kids, Patience, Harmony and Paisley Jennings.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Eli Wiseman. The Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be directed to behnerfh.com.

Carol Sue Johnson

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, July 1st, 2026 at 11:34 am CDT

Carol Sue Johnson, 66, of Douds, Iowa passed away at her home on June 19, 2026.  As were Carol’s wishes, cremation has taken place.  A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.  on Friday, July 10, 2026, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield, IA with a brief memorial service to follow.  Burial will be held privately in the Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield.  In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be directed to Noah’s Ark Jefferson County or to the family for a tree to be planted on JCHC property.  Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Carols Sue Johnson was born on December 31, 1959, in Fairfield, IA, to Lawrence M. Johnson and Ruth M. Ringelspach Johnson. She graduated from Fairfield High School with the class of 1978. Later she attended Indian Hills Community College with an associate’s degree in nursing. She dedicated her life to helping others. She worked at Jefferson County Health Care Center ER for 17 years. She was known for her kind, gentle, caring ways. She was very dedicated to her work. She thought of her co-workers as family.

Carol lived in the Fairfield area most of her life. She also lived in Billings, Montana for about 10 years.

She enjoyed nature, hiking, biking and gardening. She was a beautiful seamstress, making many fabulous quilts. She enjoyed reading. But her favorite hobby was her cats. She loved them dearly and took in many strays.

She was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by three siblings, James L. Meeks-Johnson of Bloomington, Indiana, Kenneth C. Johnson of Fairfield and Mary L. Johnson Steele of Lockridge.

She will always be remembered for her loving and caring ways.

New 60 MPH Speed Limit Takes Effect on Iowa Highways and County Roads

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, July 1st, 2026 at 10:11 am CDT

Beginning today, Iowa’s default speed limit has increased from 55 to 60 miles per hour on many rural roads across the state.

The change is the result of Senate File 378, approved by the 2026 Iowa Legislature and signed by Governor Kim Reynolds. The new law raises the default speed limit on two-lane paved roads made of asphalt or concrete where no other speed limit has been established through engineering studies or local ordinance.

In Henry County, the Road Department says crews will spend the next several weeks placing 60 mile-per-hour overlays on existing 55 mile-per-hour speed limit signs on eligible county roads. As time permits, crews will also review other traffic signs that may need to be updated because of the higher speed limit.

Officials stress that posted speed limits remain the legal speed limit until signs have been updated. While most eligible roads will eventually change to 60 miles per hour, some roads currently posted at 55 may remain at that speed following engineering and safety reviews.

Drivers are also reminded that the posted speed limit is the maximum legal speed under ideal conditions—not the speed they are required to travel. Motorists should continue to slow down when weather, traffic, visibility, or road conditions make it necessary.

When asked about the speed limit change, Henry County Sheriff Rich McNamee said, “Speed is still a major cause of injuries on our roads in the USA. Hopefully this will not have a major negative impact. Time will tell.”

The Iowa Department of Transportation expects to update most affected signs on the state highway system within about a week, while counties are responsible for updating signs on county roads.