Author: Shelbi Swinscoe

The weekly fuel report published by Triple A and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship shows that the price of regular unleaded gasoline fell by one cent and averages $2.37 across the state. The national average on Wednesday was down 2 cents from last week’s price. Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 5 cents this week and the current Iowa diesel price is 29 cents lower than the national average. Taking a look at heating fuels: natural gas prices were down 27 cents and propane prices averaged $1.56 per gallon in Iowa. Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov

A Mount Pleasant woman was arrested on felony drug charges in Brighton on Tuesday this week.   52-year-old Kathleen Lyon was arrested by Washington County Sheriff’s deputies on charges out of Henry County. The charges include violation of probation on the original charge of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, and controlled substance violation, both class B felonies.

According to court documents, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office conducted a drug investigation in September of 2025. During that investigation, a search warrant was executed at Lyon’s residence in Mt Pleasant where drug paraphernalia, a scale and packaging was found, as well as a large amount of money.  Lyon’s phone was seized and messages were discovered alluding to the sale of methamphetamine.

Lyon is currently being held in the Henry County Jail on a $30,000 bond. An arraignment hearing has been scheduled for January 26th.

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley spoke on the Senate floor Thursday ahead of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, which is observed Friday, January 9.

Grassley expressed gratitude for law enforcement officers across the country, saying their service deserves recognition every day of the year. He encouraged Americans to personally thank officers for their role in keeping communities safe.

Grassley cited national crime data, noting violent crime is down 12 percent and murders in major cities have dropped 20 percent. He also highlighted record seizures of dangerous drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, crediting law enforcement for removing those substances from the streets.

As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Grassley said he has continued working to support law enforcement in Iowa and nationwide. He pointed to recent legislation that secured increased funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant and COPS programs, which help local police departments and strengthen efforts to combat drug trafficking.

Grassley also noted four bipartisan bills passed during Police Week in May became law through the National Defense Authorization Act. The measures expand federal support for law enforcement officers and their families, strengthen tools to fight online child exploitation, and extend counter-drone authority to state and local agencies.

Grassley said he remains committed to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support law enforcement efforts.

He closed his remarks by thanking officers for their service and offering well wishes for their safety as they continue protecting communities across the nation.

Impact Life Blood Center encourages Southeast Iowans to consider giving blood, noting that eligibility requirements have recently been updated, potentially allowing more people to donate.

According to updated donor guidelines effective this month, donors must be at least 17 years old — or 16 with parental consent — weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good general health on the day of donation. A photo ID is required, and donors are encouraged to eat a full meal before giving blood. Several common conditions, including well-controlled diabetes, allergies, and many routine medications, do not automatically prevent donation

The updated criteria also clarify waiting periods for recent tattoos, piercings, dental work, surgeries, and vaccinations, as well as guidelines for donating after illness, pregnancy, or prior blood donations. Officials say the changes are intended to maintain safety while expanding the pool of eligible donors.

Blood centers remind residents that donated blood is critical for trauma care, surgeries, cancer treatment, and chronic illness management. Anyone unsure about their eligibility is encouraged to call 800-747-5401. You can also see a list of eligibility requirements by clicking here.

Impact Life notes that 51% of their blood donors donate just once a year. In 2026, their goal is to get every donor to donate at least twice. To meet that goal, they have boosted their donor incentives. Your first donation this year, you’ll receive $20 in donor rewards and on your second donation of 2026 you’ll receive $40. Visit impactlife.org to view upcoming blood drives near you.

After a challenging 2025, Iowa farmers are heading into 2026 with tighter margins, higher interest costs, growing market uncertainty and some forecasts showing a 24% decrease in net farm income. To help farmers navigate those pressures, Iowa Farm Bureau will host a six-stop Ag Market Outlook Meeting Series across the state this February.

The series will examine current drivers in the grain and livestock markets and how tariffs, interest rates and price inflation are affecting ag financing decisions. Farm Bureau Financial Services will discuss 2026 crop insurance considerations, as well as risk management tools such as Livestock Risk Protection.  The session will also cover farm transition and succession planning.

Speakers will vary by location and include Carol Jensen, Luana Savings Bank vice president; Nic Klein, Central Bank agricultural lending officer; Dr. Christopher Pudenz, Iowa Farm Bureau economics and research manager; Zach Brummer, Iowa Farm Bureau farmer education program manager; Erin Herbold-Swalwell, Farm Bureau Financial Services senior counsel; and Angie Horn, Zach Hyland and Shelby Oetting, Farm Bureau Financial Servies regional crop consultants.

Meeting locations and dates are as follows:

• Northwest Iowa Community College, Sheldon on Monday, Feb. 16 from 7:45 to 10:45 a.m.
• Wall Lake Community Center, Wall Lake on Monday, Feb. 16 from 12:45–3:45 p.m.
• Dunlap Four County Fairgrounds, Dunap on Tuesday, Feb. 17 from 9:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
• Northeast Iowa Community College, Calmar on Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 7:45–10:45 a.m.
• Jones County Farm Bureau, Anamosa on Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 12:45–3:45 p.m.
• Cambridge Building on the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Fairfield on Wednesday, Feb. 25 from 5–8:15 p.m.

“Farmers are making decisions in an environment with a lot more unknowns than we’ve seen in recent years,” said Brummer. “Iowa Farm Bureau wants to provide farmers with a relevant look at how rising input costs, tariff volatility and global uncertainty are affecting profitability—and what steps they can take now to manage risk going into 2026.”

Registration is free for Iowa Farm Bureau members. Non-members interested in attending are encouraged to contact their local county Farm Bureau or become a member at www.iowafarmbureau.com. All meetings include a catered meal, coffee bar and educational materials. For registration assistance or additional information, contact Ashley Lennon at alennon@ifbf.org.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office is inviting young artists to take part in a new community coloring contest.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office Coloring Contest is open to children of all ages, with age groups divided into 0 to 5, 6 to 8, 9 to 12, and ages 13 and older. Participants can enter for a chance to win a retired K9 Axel stuffed dog along with other Henry County Sheriff’s Office swag.

Completed coloring pages can be dropped off at the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. Entries must be submitted by February 6th. Winners will be selected from each age group.

The contest is designed to encourage creativity while giving kids a fun way to connect with local law enforcement. Parents and guardians are encouraged to help younger children complete and submit their entries before the deadline.

You can download the printable coloring page by visiting henrycounty.iowa.gov/sheriff/ or by visiting this story on kilj.com under the news tab. (spoken)

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Click here to download the printable coloring page.