Author: Kadie Johannson

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at the Henry County Courthouse to conduct regular business, learn more about the organization Preserve Oakland Mills and their request to move forward with Kirkham Michael Engineering for design plans on the Oakland Mills Foot/Walking Bridge, and approve a resolution for Henry County to continue its support of the Great River Housing Trust Fund in the upcoming fiscal year.

County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss provided an update and discussed ongoing projects across the county.

He reported that crews continue work on the bridge replacement project on 235th Street west of Mount Pleasant. They have removed nearly all the bridge deck and will be adding a second crane to remove the existing steel beams. Crews are repurposing much of the broken old concrete from the demolition to create a rock trench for stability for the new bridge.

Hotchkiss also explained that the melt of snow and ice on gravel roads throughout the county has given road crews a chance to spot haul rock and blade where needed. He noted conditions on gravel, although sloppy in some areas during the day, are in good shape for the winter.

The Supervisors held a discussion about the dust control application fee and late fees. Dust control fees for summer of 2026 will remain at $25. However, the late fee will be adjusted to $50. The deadline for submitting your dust control application request to the county is April 15.

Henry County Conservation Director Caleb Waters provided some additional information to the Supervisors regarding the Oakland Mills Foot/Walking Bridge and the relationship between the conservation department, the county, and the Preserve Oakland Mills organization.

After discussion, the Supervisors are allowing the 501c3 non-profit organization Preserve Oakland Mills, which is separate from the county or conservation department and consists of a group of concerned citizens, to move forward with an inspection and engineering design for the bridge with Kirkham Michael Engineering as long as there is an addendum to the agreement clearly stating the county is not held responsible or liable in any way, financially or otherwise.

Sara Hecox, a representative of the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission gave an informative presentation on the Great River Housing Trust Fund. She explained what types of projects they support, the eligibility requirements for each project, and the positive impacts Henry County’s investment in the Great River Housing Trust Fund from prior years has made around Mount Pleasant and Henry County.

Established in 2011, the Great River HTF has helped secure $9,012,813 dollars for housing projects across Southeast Iowa that assist low- and moderate-income households. Those projects range from helping secure down payment loans for homeowners, providing funds for homeowners to rehabilitate their homes focusing primarily on exterior improvements, upper story conversion funds for developers, and development assistance for projects – for example, the Hershey Hall project that is currently ongoing.

The Supervisors approved Resolution #35-2025 to support the Great River Housing Trust Fund, investing $12,500 for the upcoming fiscal year 2027 thus benefiting low to moderate income households in the county and region.

During supervisors’ subcommittee updates, each supervisor shared reports from committees they serve on. The meeting concluded following additional discussion and public comments.

As of the morning of Wednesday, December 24, 2025 Mount Pleasant Police Chief Lyle Murray has confirmed to KILJ that Angie Helmick was located and is safe; she no longer appears on the Iowa Missing Person Information Clearinghouse.

Mount Pleasant Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing woman.

Angie Marie Helmick, 47, has not been heard from since December 20, 2025 and authorities are working to determine her whereabouts.

Helmick is described as a white female, standing five feet four inches tall, weighing approximately 180 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Police say anyone who believes they may have seen Angie or has information related to her disappearance should not attempt to approach or intervene. Instead, they ask that you take note of details such as the location, time, direction of travel, or any vehicle information, and report it to authorities.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Mount Pleasant Police Department at 319-385-1450, or the Iowa Missing Person Information Clearinghouse at 515-725-6036.

Authorities encourage the public to come forward with any information that could help locate her.

Three people are in custody following the execution of a search warrant tied to a narcotics investigation in Keokuk.

On December 19th, 2025, the Lee County Narcotics Task Force served a search warrant at a residence in the 2100 block of Johnson Street Road. During the search, investigators located methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a firearm.

As a result, three Keokuk residents were arrested and transported to the Lee County Jail.

John Dale Wyatt, 52, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and maintaining a drug house.

Mark Clinton Avery, 38, faces charges including possession of a controlled substance, second offense; delivery of a controlled substance under five grams; possession of drug paraphernalia; and possession of marijuana.

Jenean Joyce Brockett, 50, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, and all individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The Lee County Narcotics Task Force was assisted by multiple agencies, including the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the Keokuk and Fort Madison Police Departments, and the Lee County SRT Team. The task force receives partial funding through the U.S. Department of Justice.

Read the full press release.

With Christmas baking now in full swing, food experts say it’s a good time to check the freshness of pantry staples before you start mixing.

According to baking experts with Iowa State University, most baking ingredients won’t make you sick if they’re past their best-by date, but older ingredients can hurt flavor and texture.

Flour over a year old, for example, is better for cookies and cakes, while fresh flour is best for bread. Whole wheat flour should be stored in the freezer to prevent it from going rancid.

Eggs can usually be used past the carton date if they’ve been refrigerated, though older eggs work better in cookies than cakes or meringues.

Fats and oils should be tossed if they smell off, since rancid fats affect taste.

Sugar doesn’t spoil, but brown sugar can harden and may need softening.

Nuts and chocolate should be checked for freshness, and freezing nuts can prevent them from turning rancid.

Spices don’t spoil, but they do lose strength over time.

The takeaway as Christmas approaches: fresh, properly stored ingredients make better holiday baking.