Author: Kadie Johannson

The Burlington Fire Department responded to a structure fire Sunday morning in Burlington.

At approximately 10:30 a.m. on February 15th, crews were dispatched to 1510 Smith Street. Firefighters arrived within four minutes and reported flames visible from the first floor extending into the second story of the two-story single-family home.

The residence, owned by Arya Enterprises, was insured at the time of the fire. Six children, ranging in age from two to eighteen years old, were inside the home when the fire broke out. All occupants were able to escape safely. Officials say the home was equipped with working smoke alarms.

The residence has been deemed uninhabitable, and damage estimates are still being assessed.

Assisting at the scene were the West Burlington Fire Department, Burlington Police Department, Alliant Energy, the American Red Cross, and Des Moines County Communications.

No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Any additional updates will be released by the Fire Marshal as they become available.

Today marks the birthday of one of the most important public safety tools in the United States — 9-1-1.

On February 16th, 1968, the first-ever 9-1-1 call was placed in Haleyville, Alabama, launching what would become the nation’s universal emergency number. The three-digit system was created to provide fast, simple access to emergency services through a single, easy-to-remember number.

The idea for a nationwide emergency number began taking shape in the late 1950s. In 1967, a presidential commission recommended establishing one single number for reporting emergencies, rather than separate numbers for police, fire, and medical assistance. Shortly after, AT&T announced that 9-1-1 would become the standard emergency code across the country.

The number was chosen because it was short, easy to dial, and had never been used as an area code or service number. Over the decades, 9-1-1 service expanded rapidly. By the end of the 20th century, the vast majority of the U.S. population had access to either basic or Enhanced 9-1-1 service, which allows dispatchers to see a caller’s phone number and location.

Here at home, 9-1-1 calls in Henry County are handled by the Henry County Dispatch Center, located within the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. The center is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Dispatchers serve as the critical link between the public and emergency responders, coordinating law enforcement, fire, and medical services throughout the county. Agencies dispatched include the Sheriff’s Office, the Mount Pleasant Police Department, New London Police Department, Wayland Police Department, and Winfield Police Department.

Fire and first responder agencies dispatched through the center include departments in Hillsboro, Mount Pleasant, Mount Union, New London, Trenton, Olds, Salem, Wayland, and Winfield, along with Henry County EMS.

Officials remind residents to call 9-1-1 only for emergencies — situations involving immediate danger to life, health, or property.

When calling 9-1-1:

• Stay calm and speak clearly.
• Give your exact location, including address, apartment number, or nearby landmarks.
• Explain what is happening and answer the dispatcher’s questions.
• Do not hang up until instructed to do so.

Even if you call from a cell phone, location information is not always exact, so clearly stating where you are is critical.

As 9-1-1 marks another year of service, it remains a vital lifeline connecting Henry County residents and people across the nation to help when they need it most.

Emergency officials have released new details regarding Saturday morning’s pipeline explosion and fire in rural Washington County.

According to Washington County Emergency Management, the Washington County Communications Center received multiple 9-1-1 calls at approximately 10:50 a.m. on February 14th reporting an explosion and large fire in the 2000 block of 325th Street.

The Washington Fire Department established Incident Command, with assistance from additional fire and EMS mutual aid agencies. Officials later confirmed the fire involved an underground pipeline owned and operated by Mid-America Pipeline Company, a subsidiary of Enterprise Products Partners L.P.

Emergency responders and the company’s pipeline personnel worked together to secure the affected section of pipeline and extinguish secondary fires, including flames that had spread across the nearby Skunk River. Authorities report the fire was contained with no injuries and no damage to residential structures. The incident was declared under control at approximately 12:57 p.m.

Officials say there is no active threat to the public. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, and no additional details are being released at this time to protect the integrity of that investigation.

The response involved multiple agencies, including the Iowa State Patrol, area fire departments, county conservation and public works personnel, and local ambulance services.

Emergency Management officials also thanked Hy-Vee and Jersey Mike’s Subs in Washington for providing support to first responders during the incident.

Updates will be shared as more information becomes available.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a scam targeting local families.

On February 12, 2026, authorities discovered that scammers have been impersonating the Sheriff’s Office by calling relatives of incarcerated individuals and requesting bail bond money over the phone.

Officials emphasize that the Sheriff’s Office will never call and ask for bail bond money on behalf of inmates. Bail bonds must be posted in person either at the Sheriff’s Office or at the Henry County Courthouse.

Anyone who receives a suspicious call like this is urged not to provide any personal or financial information and to report the incident to their local law enforcement agency immediately.

The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office has released details about an incident involving an inmate at the county jail.

According to Sheriff Kevin Glendening, deputies responded at approximately 9:44 a.m. on February 10, 2026 to the Des Moines County Correctional Center to assist with moving an inmate identified as Charles Lee Weddington, 32, of Burlington.

Authorities say Weddington was given verbal commands to approach his cell door to be handcuffed but refused to comply. When deputies opened the cell door and issued additional commands, Weddington allegedly threw an object and striking a deputy. He then charged at deputies and threw a punch.

Officials say Weddington continued to resist and fight, and a taser was deployed. During the struggle, Weddington allegedly attempted to disarm a deputy of the taser. He was eventually handcuffed and removed from the cell.

One deputy sustained an injury to his right hand during the incident.

Weddington has been charged with interference with official acts causing bodily injury, disarming a peace officer, and assault on persons in certain occupations.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

A Mediapolis man has been arrested following an assault on a nurse earlier this month

On February 5, 2026, deputies with the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to 142 North Orchard Street in Mediapolis for a report of a nurse who had been assaulted by a resident.

Authorities say Erik Creighton Bienfang, 28, of Mediapolis allegedly struck the nurse in the face and choked them, causing bodily injury. Deputies also learned that prior to the assault, Bienfang reportedly locked himself in a room with the nurse and refused to allow them to leave.

Following the incident, Bienfang fled the residence on foot but was located a short distance away and taken into custody without further incident.

He was transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center and charged with false imprisonment and assault on persons in certain occupations causing bodily injury.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.