Danville City Council Special Session Agenda for Tonight at 4:30 p.m.

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 at 4:01 pm CDT

The Danville City Council will hold a special session today, February 18th, at 4:30 p.m. at Danville City Hall, 105 West Shepherd Street in Danville. The main item of business is discussion and possible action on water tower quotes.

Danville city officials believe that due to the previous low temperatures, and the recent warm weather dethawing any frozen water, the main supply pipe at the top of the tower has broken. This required them to shut off the flow and drain the tower. Danville is currently pulling from Middletown’s water tower. They plan to review the repair quotes and determine how to proceed so we can get the tower back into operation as soon as possible.

The meeting may be conducted electronically as allowed under Iowa Code. The meeting is open to the public and will include an open forum section for residents to address the mayor and council.

Sandra Louise Cole

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 at 2:31 pm CDT

Sandra Louise Cole, 63, of Bonaparte, Iowa passed away at 9:14 p.m. Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Country Lane Manor in Keosauqua, Iowa.

She was born on July 19, 1962, in Kirksville, Missouri, the daughter of Bernard and B. Maxine (Warner) Clark. She married Robert Cole, they later divorced.

She is survived by her four children: Tyler Duncan of Bonaparte, Jeremiah Cole of Ottumwa, Tristian (Kristen) Cole of Bonaparte, Stormie Cole of Bonaparte; grandchildren: Noah, Chance, Chase, Kyran, Makenzie, Izzy, Zighrex, Dean, James, Bobby; one sister: Maria Rains of Bonaparte, Iowa; and one nephew: Dale.

She was preceded in death by her parents and two nephews: Matt and Travis.

Sandra enjoyed spending time with her family.

Per her wishes her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 noon, Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the former Bonaparte school.

A memorial has been established in her memory and can be mailed to the family at: 501 1st Street, Bonaparte, Iowa 52620.

Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Esther “Maxine” Litton

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 at 11:12 am CDT

Esther “Maxine” Litton, 84, of Fairfield, passed away February 17, 2026, 6 days after her beloved Jack.

The family will greet friends from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. Burial will follow at Glasgow Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Lords Cupboard of Jefferson County. Cards and memorials can be mailed to Pam Baumann, 101 E Harrison Ave, Fairfield, Iowa 52556.

Esther Maxine Martin was born November 30, 1941, in Fairfield to Carl and Delpha Martin. After graduating from Fairfield High School, she married the love of her life, Jack Litton, June 10, 1960. Together they shared 66 joyous years of marriage, creating a life centered on family. The two were never apart except for the six days the two were separated on Earth.

Aside from raising three beautiful daughters, Maxine provided a daycare service in her home on 4th street for over 25 years. She looked after many children of Fairfield and the surrounding community. Additionally, she was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church Women’s Group, Ladies of Hope and often attended Saturday night service before 2020.

Most of all Maxine loved being a mother, grandmother and a loving and devoted wife. She was famous for her baked goods – especially her sugar cookies. At Christmas, she would bake up to 15 different kinds. Her freezer was always stocked with cookies, sweet corn, and homemade strawberry jam. Maxine spent a great deal of time in her garden tending to her flowers in the spring and growing tomatoes in the summer. She loved country music and even learned to play guitar in her 70s! She enjoyed playing cards on the weekends with her friends and supporting her grandchildren in their various sports. She and her husband Jack never missed a game.

She is survived by her daughters, Lorie (Phil) Jackson, Julie (Frank) Fritz, and Pam (Greg) Baumann; six grandchildren, Travis, Adam, Sidney, Alex, Cameron, and Samantha; four great-grandchildren; sister, Carol; brother, Earl; brothers-in-law, Bill (Kay) Litton and Bob Litton, as well as extended family and friends who will cherish her memory.

She is proceeded in death by her husband Jack; parents, Carl and Delpha; brothers, Wayne and Tom; sister Evelyn; sisters-in-law, Loreta and Phylis; brother-in-law, Jimmy.

Maxine will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her passion for baking, and the calm strength and unwavering loyalty she exhibited throughout her life. Our special thanks to the Compassus Care Team out of Washington, Iowa (Kandis, Alex, Brenda, Alyssa and Stephanie) and Carla Fleig.

Notice of Election for City of Salem Set for April 7, 2026

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 at 11:10 am CDT

Residents of Salem are being reminded of an upcoming special municipal election.

The municipal election for the City of Salem will be held Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Voters will elect one City Council member.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. All City of Salem electors will vote at the Salem Crew Public Library, located at 107 East Cherry Street in Salem.

A public test of voting equipment for the election will be conducted Thursday, March 26 at 10 a.m.

2026 Property Tax Credit Forms Available; Deadline for Completed Applications is June 1, 2026

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 at 10:47 am CDT

The Henry County Treasurer’s Office is reminding residents that several property tax credit applications are now available.

According to a press release from Treasurer Kellie Sloan, the Iowa Property Tax Credit Claim Form, Iowa Special Assessment Credit Claim Form, and the Iowa Mobile or Manufactured Homeowner Application for Reduced Tax Rate are available at the Treasurer’s Office located in the Henry County Courthouse in Mount Pleasant.

The 2026 forms can also be downloaded from the Iowa Department of Revenue website.

Residents with a total household income of less than $26,895 may qualify.

The Property Tax Credit is available to homeowners who meet income guidelines and are 65 years of age or older as of December 31, 2025, or are totally disabled and between the ages of 18 and 64. Additional income provisions apply to some homeowners age 70 and older.

The Mobile Home Reduced Tax Rate is available to residents who meet income requirements and were at least 23 years old as of December 31, 2025.

Anyone who did not receive a form in the mail can download one by following the hyperlinks in this article or contact the Henry County Treasurer’s Office at 319-385-0763 or by email.

Completed applications must be returned to the Treasurer’s Office by June 1, 2026.

Henry County Road Closure Begins Monday 2/23/26: Lexington Avenue between 110th and 115th Street

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 at 9:18 am CDT

The Henry County Road Department is alerting motorists to an upcoming road closure on Lexington Avenue.

According to the Henry County Engineer’s Office, a culvert replacement project will begin Monday, February 23rd at 8 a.m. The project is in the northern half of Henry County on Lexington Avenue between 110th Street and 115th Street between Olds and Winfield.

This portion of Lexington Avenue will be closed to through traffic for approximately eight to ten weeks, weather permitting.

Drivers are encouraged to plan alternate routes and use caution in the area during construction.

Anyone with questions can contact the Henry County Road Department at 319-385-0762.

road closure lexington

A Red Flag Warning in Henry County until 8 p.m. Tuesday

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 at 9:01 am CDT

A Red Flag Warning has been issued for Henry County.

The National Weather Service has placed Henry County under a Red Flag Warning for today, Tuesday, February 18, 2026 in effect until 8 p.m.

A Red Flag Warning means critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. Gusty winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation can combine to create rapid fire spread.

Residents are strongly urged not to burn during this time. Any outdoor burning could quickly get out of control.

Officials ask everyone to avoid open flames, properly dispose of cigarettes, and report any signs of fire immediately. Remember, during a warning, you should suspend all outdoor burning, avoid using equipment that creates sparks (like lawnmowers or welding tools), do not park on or drive through dry grass, and do not dispose of cigarette butts outside.

Missing Burlington Woman: Kara Ann Bradley *FOUND

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 at 8:11 am CDT

** Update: Kara Bradley has been located.

Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing Burlington woman.

Kara Ann Bradley, 36, was known to have contact on February 11th. Bradley is described as five feet two inches tall, weighing approximately 180 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Burlington Police Department or the Iowa Missing Person Information Clearinghouse.

Officials stress that if you believe you see Bradley, do not take action yourself. Instead, try to gather helpful details such as a location, vehicle description, or license plate number, and contact law enforcement immediately.

Anyone with information about her disappearance can call the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s Missing Person Information Clearinghouse at 515-725-6036 or the Burlington Police Department at 319-753-8366.

Authorities urge anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem, to come forward.