Author: Kadie Johannson

Two inmates at the Iowa State Penitentiary are facing attempted murder charges following a nearly fatal assault on two staff members last month.

According to court records, Dennis Lane Lawson, 29, and Anthony Sebastian Bauer, 23, have each been charged with two counts of attempted murder, Class B felonies, and one count of possession of a weapon in a correctional institution, a Class C felony.

A criminal complaint states that at approximately 9:37 a.m. on January 21, 2026, the two inmates were participating in the prison’s long-term restricted program when the assault occurred. Two counselors were providing classroom instruction and were in the process of handing out homework when Bauer and Lawson allegedly attacked.

Authorities believe the assault was coordinated. Both inmates reportedly produced improvised shiv-type weapons, described as sharpened objects fashioned from available materials, and used them to strike one counselor in vital areas including the neck, throat, head, back, and sides in what investigators describe as an apparent attempt to kill.

When the second counselor intervened, that staff member was also allegedly attacked and struck multiple times in similar areas.

The assault ended only after multiple correctional officers responded and forcefully gained control of both inmates.

Both counselors were transported to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center for treatment. A press release from the Iowa Department of Corrections says both have since been released from the hospital.

Bauer is currently serving a 50-year sentence after pleading guilty in 2021 to second-degree murder and three counts of reckless use of a firearm in connection with a fatal New Year’s Day 2021 shooting in Sioux City.

Lawson is serving a 15-year sentence after pleading guilty in 2021 to second-degree robbery, willful injury causing serious injury, and felon in possession of a firearm in connection with a 2020 shooting in Sioux City.

Preliminary hearings for both men are scheduled for 11 a.m. February 20, 2026 at the North Lee County Courthouse and will be held via Zoom.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation. Assisting agencies include the Lee County Attorney’s Office and the Fort Madison Police Department.

The Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra will present a free Valentine’s concert this weekend in Mount Pleasant.

“Valentango” begins at 3 p.m. Saturday, February 14th, at Chapel Auditorium on North Main Street. The Spanish-inspired program includes music from Carmen, Bolero, and Danzón No. 2, along with Broadway favorites.

Guest performers include guitarist W. Mark Akin, vocalist Kelsey Madsen, a regional children’s choir, and area string students.

Admission is free and open to the public. Listen below and hear from Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra Conductor, Bob McConnell, on this fun concert. More information is also available at seiso.us.

Today is the last day to register for a free Cover Crop and Soil Health Workshop in Mount Pleasant.

The workshop will be held Thursday, February 19th, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Henry County ISU Extension Office.

Iowa Learning Farms and partners are hosting the event for farmers and landowners interested in improving soil health and farm resilience. The program will feature local farmers and soil health experts discussing cover crops and no-till practices.

A complimentary meal will be served, and attendees will be entered to win ISU Prairie Strips honey. To RSVP by the end of today, contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or email ilf@iastate.edu

Gas prices across Iowa are on the rise this week.

According to AAA, the average price for regular unleaded gasoline increased four cents and is now sitting at $2.54 per gallon statewide. That’s 42 cents lower than this time last year. The national average climbed five cents over the past week to $2.94 per gallon.

Diesel prices also moved higher. Retail diesel in Iowa rose eight cents, bringing the statewide average to $3.45 per gallon. That’s three cents lower than a year ago and 22 cents below the current national average of $3.67.

In crude oil markets, West Texas Intermediate crude increased $1.95 this week to $65.29 per barrel. Brent crude rose $2.64 to $70.20 per barrel. One year ago, WTI was selling for $73.67, while Brent crude was at $77.65.

At the Des Moines terminal, rack prices are $1.60 for U87-E10, $1.83 for clear unleaded 87, $2.35 for ultra-low sulfur diesel number two, $2.64 for ultra-low sulfur diesel number one, and $1.74 per gallon for E-70.

As for home heating fuels, natural gas prices fell 32 cents at the Henry Hub to $3.15 per million BTUs. Propane in Iowa is averaging $1.63 per gallon, while home heating oil has a statewide average of $2.94 per gallon.

More tips for saving energy at home or on the road can be found at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

The Harlan-Lincoln House in Mount Pleasant will once again offer two opportunities to explore American history on Presidents Day.

On Monday, February 16, 2026, author and Lincoln artifact collector Ethan Afshani will present “An Eyewitness Account of the Battle of Gettysburg.”

Lynn Ellsworth, board member of the Harlan Lincoln House had this to say about Afshani and the upcoming President’s Day program:

Afshani will also display Gettysburg artifacts, and copies of the book will be available for purchase.

The presentation will be held at the Union Block Building, 111 West Monroe Street in Mount Pleasant, at noon and again at 6:30 p.m. KILJ Radio is sponsoring the event to help defray costs. The presentation is free, and donations will be accepted to support the preservation of the Harlan-Lincoln House.

Looking ahead, the organization has several additional events planned for 2026.

Pat Huesmann, another Harlan Lincoln House Board Member, shared about their upcoming school tours in April:

Additionally, on June 6th, an exhibitor from Hildene in Manchester, Vermont, will visit Mount Pleasant to discuss the connection between the Harlan-Lincoln House and Hildene, the 24-room summer home built in 1905 for Robert Todd Lincoln and Mary Harlan Lincoln.

An Ice Cream Social fundraiser is planned for a Sunday in July on the lawn of the Harlan-Lincoln House. And in October, reenactor Katherine Harris of Springfield, Illinois, will present the story of Elizabeth Keckly, Mary Todd Lincoln’s seamstress, who purchased her freedom after being born into slavery and ended up in the White House.

When asked to provide a brief explanation of the Harlan-Lincoln House and it’s significance, Ellsworth said:

Tours of the Harlan-Lincoln House run March through October on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4 p.m., or by appointment. More information is available at harlanlincoln.org.

A Van Buren County man is in custody following an arrest on drug-related charges.

According to the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, 26-year-old Aaron L. Williams was arrested Tuesday morning around 8 o’clock on a Van Buren County arrest warrant. Williams faces two counts of possession of a controlled substance—methamphetamine and marijuana—and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Authorities say the charges stem from a prior incident on December 4th of 2025 at a residence in the 200 block of East Cedar Street in Birmingham, where Williams was arrested on an unrelated Jefferson County warrant. During that arrest, a search reportedly revealed suspected controlled substances in his pockets.

The items were seized and sent to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation crime lab, where testing confirmed the substances to be methamphetamine and marijuana.

Williams remains in custody. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that all criminal charges are accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.