Burlington Police Investigating Saturday Night Shooting

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, December 22nd, 2025 at 6:53 am CDT

Burlington police are trying to learn more about a Saturday night shooting. Burlington Police Officers went to the 800 block of Maple Street for a report of shots fired around 11:45 p.m on December 20, 2025.

Police said no one was hurt but a home was struck by gunfire. The Criminal Investigations Division was called to assist with the investigation, according to a press release from the department.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to call the Burlington Police Department at (319)753-8366.

Information can also be submitted anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (319)753-6835. Officials said tips that lead to an arrest could earn a cash reward.

This incident remains under active investigation.

Eldon Man Arrested for First Degree Murder

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, December 22nd, 2025 at 6:50 am CDT

A 25-year-old Eldon man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred last week, according to the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to a 911 call last Wednesday reporting a man who had been shot at a residence at 310 Des Moines Street in Eldon. When deputies arrived, they found a deceased male, later identified as 77-year-old Gary Keith Stevens.

Following an investigation, deputies arrested Jordan Wade Duncan, 25, late Friday evening. He is charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm or offensive weapon by a person subject to a protective order.

Duncan is being held in the Wapello County Jail without bond. The investigation was assisted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Office of the State Medical Examiner, and the Wapello County Attorney’s Office.

As a reminder, a criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Sheryl Ann Carhoff

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, December 22nd, 2025 at 5:55 am CDT

Sheryl Ann Carhoff, 71, of Cedar Rapids and formerly of Mount Pleasant, passed away on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Funeral arrangements for Sheryl are pending at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant.

Mount Pleasant Board of Education Names Dr. Sharon Dentlinger as Next District Superintendent

By Kadie Johannson · Friday, December 19th, 2025 at 8:04 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Community School District Board of Education has named Dr. Sharon Dentlinger as the district’s next superintendent.

Dr. Dentlinger is the current assistant professor of practice and superintendent program coordinator at the University of Northern Iowa. She also has over 20 years of experience serving as a principal at Kuemper Catholic Schools, superintendent and curriculum director for the Interstate 35 Community School District, and director of special education at Heartland Area Education Agency (AEA).

Throughout her time as an educator and administrator, Dr. Dentlinger has been known for her strategic leadership and expertise in providing professional development opportunities for educators. This reflects her commitment to student growth and achievement in the classroom.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Sharon Dentlinger as our next superintendent,” said Board President Angie Blint. “Her deep passion for education, coupled with a commitment to supporting both students and staff, makes her the right choice for our district. Sharon understands that every decision must center around the well-being and success of our students and the professional growth of our educators. We are confident that under her leadership, our district will continue to thrive, and our students will receive the best possible education. We will work together to ensure the path ahead is clear: a district united, a community inspired and our students empowered to achieve without limits.“

Dr. Dentlinger also has experience teaching early childhood and special education in communities across Iowa. She is a Rural School Advocates of Iowa (RSAI) legislative team member and an active member of Lions Club International and Rotary International.

“I am honored and excited to work with the students, staff, board and community of the Mount Pleasant Community School District as we engage in the work that focuses on continuing to “empower students to achieve without limits.” The foundation for learning is strong and I look forward to being a part of the journey.” Dr. Dentlinger said.

Board members worked with staff at Grundmeyer Leader Services to find the district’s superintendent. The board’s goal was to conduct the search as early as possible to provide ample time for a transition.

Dr. Dentlinger will officially begin leading the Mount Pleasant Community School District effective July 1, 2026.

Holiday Hours for Henry County Courthouse Offices

By Kadie Johannson · Friday, December 19th, 2025 at 7:59 am CDT

Here are the holiday hours for the offices at the Henry County courthouse:

On Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, 2025, the Henry County Clerk of court is closed, while the Henry County Treasurer’s office is open 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Henry County Auditors, Henry County Recorders, and the Henry County Assessors offices are all open 8:00 a.m. – noon.

On Christmas Day, Thursday, Decemer 25, 2025 all courthouse offices will be closed.

On Friday, December 26, 2025 the Auditors, Treasurers, Recorders, Attorneys, and Accessors Offices will be closed. The Henry County Clerk of Court will be open from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For assistance, please call 319-385-2632 ext. 5.

Garbage Collection Schedule in Mount Pleasant for Christmas Holiday

By Kadie Johannson · Friday, December 19th, 2025 at 7:33 am CDT

The City of Mount Pleasant will be closed on Christmas Day, Thursday, December 24, 2025.

Trash pickup in the city of Mount Pleasant for Lance Refuse and WEMIGA will be moved one day later. If your pickup day normally falls on Thursday, it will now be picked up on Friday. Garbage collection for Wednesday, December 23, 2025 will carry on as scheduled.

Similarly, garbage collection on New Years Day will be moved one day later as New Years Day also falls on a Thursday.

The City of Mount Pleasant offices are closed on New Years Day, Thursday, January 1, 2026.

O’Donnell seeks Iowa House Seat in District 87

By Kadie Johannson · Friday, December 19th, 2025 at 7:20 am CDT

A rural Keosauqua man is running for the Iowa House of Representatives in the coming year.

Tom O’Donnell is seeking the seat in House District 87, which covers Van Buren County and parts of Henry and Jefferson counties, including Mt. Pleasant and Fairfield.

O’Donnell said he’s running to help keep the rural lifestyle residents love, working across the entire district to address costs and improve education, health care, economic opportunities, natural resources and more.

“We prize our children, want them to succeed and thrive, and hopefully, remain or return to help our area grow,” O’Donnell said. “We’re a community that helps each other, where we’re safe, where we can enjoy natural beauty and resources like forests, rivers, lakes and fields full of wildlife. We care for and respect our elderly and veterans. We love our small towns and want them to succeed and offer things that make them even better places to live.”

But “we can feel our rural life and special people and places slipping away,” O’Donnell said. Food, housing and utilities costs are rising. Wages aren’t keeping up. Population and school enrollment are falling. Hospitals are struggling. Seniors risk injury or death in poorly monitored care centers. Family, friends and neighbors die too young from preventable diseases, especially cancer.

“We can preserve and improve our unique and wonderful rural lifestyle and places,” O’Donnell said. “It takes all of us, working together.”

O’Donnell, is a retired reporter and editor and lives in the unincorporated town of Vernon with his wife, Paula Mohr. He has two grown children who live out of state. O’Donnell ran for the House seat in 2024, losing to Republican Jeff Shipley.

The campaign will formally launch in February.

Henry County Supervisors Approve Quarry Lease, Revolving Loan Plan Updates

By Kadie Johannson · Thursday, December 18th, 2025 at 3:38 pm CDT

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met Thursday, December 18th at the Henry County Courthouse to conduct regular business, hear department updates, and take action on several agenda items.

County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss provided an update from Secondary Roads and discussed ongoing projects across the county. Supervisors approved a lease agreement with ITC Midwest LLC to lease 10.1 acres of the county quarry for storage. The lease will run from October 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028, with the county receiving a lump sum payment of $136,350, calculated at $500 per acre per month. Hotchkiss explained that the funds from the lease will go directly toward the cost of crushing rock at the quarry in 2026. Crews plan to build a three-year stockpile of crushed rock to carry the county through the duration of the lease. Secondary Roads will still have access to its stockpiles during the lease period.

Hotchkiss also reported that crews continue work on the bridge replacement project on 235th Street west of Mount Pleasant. Crews have been removing the bridge deck and are working on ramps to access the channel below for additional work.

Supervisors and Hotchkiss discussed potential changes to the county’s dust control fees. Supervisors requested that Hotchkiss return with additional information at a future meeting, including data on the number of residents who submit late applications for dust control.

Zach James with Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission presented updates to the Henry County Revolving Loan Plan. James explained that eligibility requirements have expanded. Previously, applicants were required to live in Henry County but outside city limits. The updated plan now allows applicants from anywhere within Henry County. Additionally, the program has been expanded beyond for-profit businesses to include nonprofit organizations. Supervisors voted to approve the resolution updating the Henry County Revolving Loan Plan.

Steve and Marcy Davis provided an update on Preservation of Oakland Mills. The group requested permission to sign an engineering contract to re-evaluate the bridge and assess its structural integrity. Supervisors requested a copy of the proposed engineering agreement for review before taking further action.

During supervisors’ subcommittee updates, each supervisor shared reports from committees they serve on. Supervisor Chad White also addressed an ongoing issue regarding a request from Deputy Lopez for reimbursement of legal fees related to his removal from the Brady Giglio list. White reported that after consulting with an attorney provided through the Iowa Communities Assurance Pool, he was advised that Henry County does not have a legal basis to reimburse those fees. White noted that the board has reached out to Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird for additional guidance but has not yet received a response. No official decision was made during the meeting.

The meeting concluded following additional discussion and routine business.