Author: Shelbi Swinscoe

The Des Moines County 4-H Community Dinner and Auction has been postponed due to expected severe weather.

Organizers announced the event, originally scheduled for this evening, will now take place Tuesday, March 31st from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Barn on the Ridge.

Tickets will be available for purchase at the door, and community members are encouraged to attend and support local 4-H youth programs.

Officials say the decision was made out of an abundance of caution as extreme weather conditions are forecast for the area tonight.

Residents across southeast Iowa are being urged to stay weather aware today as severe storms are possible later this afternoon and evening.

According to the National Weather Service in the Quad Cities, an Enhanced Risk, or level 3 out of 5, for severe thunderstorms is in place for areas south of a line from Sterling, Illinois to the Quad Cities and Fairfield, Iowa. Forecasters say storms could produce golf ball sized hail or larger, damaging winds, and a few tornadoes. A level 2 risk also extends farther north toward southwest of Iowa City.

Heavy rainfall could also lead to localized flooding, especially in areas that see multiple rounds of storms.

In response to the severe weather potential, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management is reminding residents about lightning safety. Officials stress that people should not seek shelter under trees, on hilltops, or in open fields during thunderstorms, as those locations increase the risk of lightning strikes.

If a building is not available, emergency officials say a hard topped vehicle can offer some protection.

The safest place during a thunderstorm is inside a sturdy building, and officials encourage people to follow the rule: “When thunder roars, go indoors,” and remain inside for at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder.

The National Weather Service also says storm spotter activation may be needed later today and tonight as storms move through the region.

Looking ahead, forecasters say dry and windy conditions Thursday could lead to elevated fire danger.

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.