Author: Shelbi Swinscoe

Hy-Vee customers helped make a big difference for children across the state during a recent fundraising campaign.

The grocery chain announced that shoppers raised more than $370,000 for Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa during its February round up campaign. Customers were invited to round up their grocery purchases at checkout, with the spare change donated to support children with special needs.

According to Hy-Vee, the campaign brought in $370,130 statewide. The funds will help provide essential mobility equipment for children, including adaptive bikes, gait trainers, and mobile standers. Donations will also support programs, grants, and transportation services for children who are underserved, at risk, or facing serious health challenges.

Ryan Roberts, Senior Vice President at Hy-Vee and a board member of Variety, says the company is proud to continue its long standing partnership with the organization.

He says the collaboration reflects Hy-Vee’s commitment to giving back and notes that the generosity of customers plays a key role in making the effort successful.

Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa Executive Director Wendy Ingham says the round up campaign is a simple but powerful way to create lasting impact. She says the partnership helps provide resources that improve mobility, increase independence, and enhance quality of life for children across the state.

Hy-Vee has supported Variety’s mission for more than four decades. Since 1983, the company and its customers have raised more than $21 million to help children throughout the Midwest.

Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa has raised more than $148 million since 1975 to support children who are at risk, underprivileged, critically ill, or living with special needs across the state.

According to an update released Monday, the victim has been identified as 19 year old Janea Elizabeth Osier of Wayland, Iowa.

Police were originally called just before 11:20 p.m. Saturday to Chavy’s Bar and Grill on Agency Street in Burlington for a report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found Osier suffering from what appeared to be a single gunshot wound. She was taken to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington where she later died from her injuries.

Authorities say 22 year old Kaysean A. Rice of Mount Pleasant has been charged with second degree murder, reckless use of a firearm, and intimidation with a dangerous weapon in connection with the incident.

Investigators say Rice was later located by Mount Pleasant Police on East Washington Street in Mount Pleasant and taken into custody. Police say he also had an active warrant for violation of a no contact order.

Rice is currently being held in the Des Moines County Jail without bond.

An autopsy for Osier has been scheduled with the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner on March 10th.

Burlington Police say the shooting appears to be an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Burlington Police Department at 319 671 7001 or Crime Stoppers at 319 753 6835.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird is warning residents to stay alert as imposter scams continue to rise across the state.

Bird’s office recently released its list of top complaints and scams handled in 2025, with imposter scams ranking as the second most reported category. These scams include fake job offers, online shopping scams, romance scams, and criminals posing as government officials.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, scammers are increasingly targeting Iowans, particularly older residents. In some cases, scammers have even attempted to visit victims’ homes to collect money or valuables.

One recent case involved an older Iowan who was contacted by individuals claiming to represent the Federal Trade Commission. The scammers told the victim she was in serious legal trouble and would be arrested if she did not follow their instructions. They convinced her to cash out life insurance and annuities and purchase gold that would be delivered to the supposed agency to avoid arrest.

The scammers also warned the victim that she could lose her Social Security benefits if she did not comply and instructed her not to speak to anyone about the situation. They told her a courier would come to her home to pick up the gold once it was purchased.

For nearly two weeks, the scammers contacted the victim several times a day before family members became involved and stopped the scam before any money or valuables were handed over.

Attorney General Bird says scammers are becoming increasingly bold and manipulative.

She urges Iowans to be skeptical of unexpected calls or messages, especially those claiming to be from government agencies. Officials say legitimate agencies will not threaten immediate arrest, demand secrecy, or request payment through gift cards, payment apps, cryptocurrency, or gold.

Residents are also encouraged never to share personal or financial information over the phone or online and to avoid meeting anyone in person to deliver money or valuables.

Anyone who believes they may be involved in a scam or has been contacted by someone claiming to be a government official should contact their local law enforcement agency or the Iowa Attorney General’s Office. Iowans can call the office at 1-888-777-4590 or file a complaint online at the Iowa Attorney General’s website.

The Muscatine County Jail could see a significant increase in revenue for housing federal detainees under a contract amendment with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

According to newly released records, ICE amended its contract with Muscatine County in March of 2025, raising the maximum amount the county could receive for housing federal detainees from about $479,000 to roughly $839,000. That increase of $360,000 represents about a 75 percent rise in potential payments.

Most of the increase, about $340,000, is intended to cover the added costs of housing detainees, while $20,000 is designated for transportation services, such as taking inmates to federal court.

The amendment covers the period from April 2025 through March 2026, during a time when federal immigration detentions have increased.

The newly disclosed documents were released after officials initially said the contract could not be made public, but ICE later withdrew that claim.

Construction has officially begun on a new Sonic Drive-In on the north side of Mount Pleasant.

Gary Shahan, Building and Zoning Administrator with the City of Mount Pleasant, confirmed crews have started breaking ground at 1206 North Grand Avenue. The project has been highly anticipated by local residents, with plans for the restaurant circulating in the community for nearly a year.

Shahan said building permits for the project were originally issued in April of last year. He added that construction is expected to take about three months to complete, weather permitting.

Once finished, the Sonic Drive-In will add another dining option along the North Grand corridor and mark a new commercial development for the area.