Author: Kathy Snow

The 2026 Washington County Fair Poultry Show was full of feathered fun with several exhibitors competing in each category. Here are the results:

Standardized Production Broilers

Champion – Reese Conrad

Reserve – Corbin Vazquez

Pen of 3 Egg Layers

Champion – Annabelle Peiffer

Reserve – Dacin Redlinger

Single Egg Layer

Champion – Annabelle Peiffer

Reserve – Brooklyn Liska

Meat Turkey

Champion – Caynan Peak

Reserve – Caynan Peak

Overall Production Poultry

Champion – Reese Conrad

Reserve – Annabelle Peiffer

Fancy/Exotic Hobby Bantam Type Breed Hen

Champion – Reese Conrad

Reserve – Pierce Duvall

Fancy/Exotic Hobby Bantam Type Breed Rooster

Champion – Avery Rich

Reserve – Avery Rich

Fancy/Exotic Larger Breed Hen

Champion – Max Peterson

Reserve – Dexter Rich

Fancy/Exotic Larger Breed Rooster

Champion – Pierce Duvall

Reserve – Brynn Conrad

Duck

Champion – Annabelle Peiffer

Reserve – Pierce Peiffer

Goose

Champion – Joanna Vakulich

Reserve – David Vakulich

Breeding Turkey

Champion – Caynan Peak

Reserve – Caynan Peak

All Other Poultry

Champion – Brynn Conrad

Reserve – Reese Conrad

Overall Exhibition Poultry

Champion – Pierce Duvall

Reserve – Reese Conrad

Showmanship

Senior

Champion – Reese Conrad

Reserve – Joanna Vakulich

Intermediate

Champion – Max Peterson

Reserve – Brooklyn Liska

Junior

Champion – Pierce Duvall

Reserve – Annabelle Peiffer

Rooster Crowing

Champion – Brynn Conrad

KILJ recognizes the many volunteers, parents, and family who help these exhibitors, and the Fair with workshops, weigh-ins, and organizing the show—and congratulates the 2026 Washington County Fair Poultry Show champs and reserve champs!

A big KILJ thanks to our sponsors for helping us bring you coverage of the Washington County Fair 2026—Beatty Funeral Home in Wayland and Washington, Graber Services, Harbison Fencing, and KFC.

Check back to KILJ for the Clover Kid Poultry Show recap.

The Mt. Pleasant City Council met in regular session yesterday at 5:30pm at City Hall. Mayor Steven Brimhall called the meeting to order with Council Members Kent White, Bob Griffith, Matthew Crull, Stephen Engberg, and Terry McWilliams in attendance.

The Mayor asked for any changes and approval of routine items from the consent agenda and Old Business including the minutes of the previous meeting, paying bills, and certain routine permits—including the renewal of five Special Class C Retail Alcohol Licenses for Tap This Concessions, Westside Tap, Mi Pueblo Real Catering, and Rumors—all of which the Council approved.

The Council then considered and discussed five New Business items. The Council passed and approved the following resolutions and motions:

• A resolution to set a Public Hearing on August 12^th at 5:30pm to transfer the 2^nd Baptist Church property to the Historic Preservation Commission 501(c)3, the Historic Baptist Church, Inc.
• A resolution designating the official location for posting public meeting notices for the City of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. City Administrator Joe Taylor explained that it will be on the door facing the alley so it can be accessed and seen through the door at all times. Frames have been ordered.
• A motion to approve the contract with Sinclair Tractor to purchase a tractor for the Public Works Department. The Personnel and Finance Committee approved the purchase. Cost of the new tractor is $84,500. Taylor clarified this is the airport mowing tractor.
• A motion approving the mayoral appointment of Kurt Moon to the Historic Preservation Commission. The term expires January 1^st, 2027.

The Council did not pass a resolution directing the City Attorney to prepare an amendment to the fireworks ordinance restricting the number of days (July 3^rd and 4^th, and December 31^st) that fireworks could be discharged in the City. After spirited consideration and discussion regarding fireworks noise, sales, and possibly wanting more public input via a ballot or survey, the resolution did not carry.

Engineer Jim Warner gave an update about the HK Sewer inspection and cleaning saying they are 90% done and have been able to successfully clear gravel, tree roots, leaves, and other debris that’s accumulated over time. He also said all the area road work was on schedule, too.

The meeting was adjourned.

The next City Council Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12^th at 5:30pm at City Hall.

The most recent Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship press release indicated that, according to AAA, Iowa drivers were paying more at the pump this week, with the price of regular unleaded gasoline rising 12 cents from last week’s price, and is currently averaging $3.80 across Iowa, up 89 cents from a year ago. While the national average was $4.06, up 17 cents from last week.

Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 32 cents this week with a statewide average of $4.85, up from the $3.57 Iowa average a year ago. But 33 cents lower than the current national average of $5.18.

The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $8.06 per barrel and is currently priced at $86.76, while last year it sold for $67.56. Brent crude oil rose by $9.87 and is currently priced at $93.87, increasing from last year’s price of $69.69.

Natural gas prices remained unchanged at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.91 MMbtu. Iowa retail heating oil and propane prices will be reported in October.

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

A Memphis, Tennessee woman is facing multiple charges after she was stopped for speeding and driving recklessly on Highway 218 and 240^th Street yesterday morning, July 21st.

The Iowa State Patrol reported that 30-year-old, Ariel Nicole Adams, was driving without a license and intoxicated. During the stop, the trooper also determined that the vehicle Adams was driving had been reported stolen out of Minnesota.

Adams was charged with operating while intoxicated, theft, speeding, reckless driving, illegal dark window tint, driving without a valid license, and failure to provide proof of financial liability.

The stolen vehicle was towed to Moore’s Towing, and Adams was transported to the Washington County Jail.

Clover Kids is a fun 4-H Youth Development Program for children in kindergarten through 3^rd grade, designed to offer hands-on activities, build life skills, and foster new friendships.

KILJ would like to recognize the following Clover Kids and their 4-H Mentors for their participation in this year’s Washington County Fair 4-H Clover Kid Goat Show:

Clover Kid, Fletcher Altenhofen and 4-H Mentor, Hayden Litwiller;

Leila Dotson and Kenzie Thomas;

Dawson Gipple and Eli Conrad;

Reagan Hill and Calli Brink;

William Leichty and Hadley Leichty;

Callie Loeffler and Bryn Litwiller;

Kaiden Russell and Hattie Longbine;

Nolan Stogdill and Kennah Robertson; and

Sawyer Chamberlain and Ryder Vittetoe.

Once again, kudos to all the 4-H Members for taking the time to mentor their Clover Kids for this fun Goat Show!

KILJ would also like to thank the Iowa State University Extension & Outreach Office – Washington County, McElhinney Livestock, Merschman Seed, Wishing Well Angus, and Yotty’s Golf Cars for helping us bring you our Washington County Fair coverage.

KILJ congratulates the following exhibitors for excellence in animal husbandry and showmanship at this year’s Washington County Goat Show. 

Dairy Goat Wether 

Champion – Kale Miller 

Reserve – Beau Marsengill 

Champion Crossbred Wether 

Champion – Leighton Leichty 

Reserve – Tobias Flynn 

Champion Jr. Breeding Meat Doe 

Champion – Parker Shalla 

Reserve – Trig Lee 

Champion Yearling Breeding Meat Doe 

Champion – Isabelle Litwiller 

Reserve – Sadie Brink 

Champion Sr. Breeding Meat Doe 

Champion – Andee Smothers 

Reserve – Casey Sexton 

Overall Breeding Meat Doe 

Champion – Parker Shalla 

Reserve – Trig Lee 

3rd Overall – Isabelle Litwiller 

4th Overall – Callie Brink 

5th Overall – Callie Brink 

Overall Market Goat 

Champion – Trig Lee 

Reserve – Taytum Flynn 

3rd Overall – Taytum Flynn 

4th Overall – Callie Brink 

5th Overall – Teague Pepper 

Rate of Gain Champion 

Champion – Allie Smothers 

Reserved – Tobias Flynn 

Goat Showmanship 

Senior 

Champion – Kenadie Long 

Reserve – Teague Pepper 

Intermediate 

Champion – Callie Brink 

Reserve – Bryn Litwiller 

Junior 

Champion – Sadie Brink 

Reserve – Taytum Flynn 

A big KILJ congratulations to all of you for your hard work and dedication. 

KILJ thanks Iowa State University Extension and Outreach – Washington County, Midwest Old Threshers, Northeast Animal Hospital, Quality Plus Feeds, Steffes Auctioneers, and Walmart Distribution for helping us bring you our 2026 Washington County Fair coverage.