Author: Shelbi Swinscoe

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met Thursday morning, February 12th, at the courthouse in Mount Pleasant, with several presentations and continued discussion surrounding the County Attorney vacancy.

Under new business, Lisa Oetken, Director of Main Street Mount Pleasant, provided the board with a financial support presentation and annual update. Oetken reported that although 2025 was described as a quieter year, the organization successfully completed the second phase of the National Historic District designation. The designation expands opportunities for downtown property owners to access historic tax credits, whether or not individual buildings are listed on the registry.

Oetken noted the designation could create redevelopment opportunities for properties such as the former True Value building, which she said has the potential to house seven to nine apartments — a project Main Street has expressed interest in seeing move forward.

Downtown Mount Pleasant saw four new businesses open and one expansion over the past year, with vacancy rates remaining under five percent. Data shared during the presentation shows shoppers travel between 50 and 70 miles to visit the downtown district.

Main Street directors are required to complete multiple trainings annually, and the organization continues to host and promote events including Ag Music, the Easter Egg Hunt, and Witch Way to Main. Those events serve as fundraisers to support the organization’s operations.

She also highlighted long-term sales tax growth in Mount Pleasant. According to data from Southeast Iowa Regional Planning, taxable sales increased from $132 million in 2012 to $235 million in 2024 — a 77.7 percent increase, with the largest gains occurring between 2019 and 2024.

The board also heard from Emily Davis, Executive Director of All God’s Creatures, which provides animal pound services for Henry County. The service contract costed the county $15,000 in 2025. Davis presented intake data from 2025, noting that approximately 30 percent of the county’s animal intakes originated from Mardan Trailer Park.

Supervisor Chad White emphasized the importance of responsible pet ownership, including spaying and neutering animals, proper feeding, and preventing pets from roaming.

In other business not listed on the agenda, Supervisor Steve Detrick raised concerns about the resignation of County Attorney Administrative Assistant Cara Ferguson, stating supervisors were not notified. Chairman Chad White said he had requested a copy of the resignation letter from the County Auditor but was denied. Steven Giebelhausen, from the attorney’s office responded that resignation letters are personnel documents and should remain in an employee’s file. Detrick stated that established HR procedures were not followed and that Human Resources was not notified.

During public comment, Tim Liechty addressed a letter submitted by the Henry County Watchmen group regarding the recent hiring of his daughter, Abbie Liechty as Assistant County Attorney and the resignation of former County Attorney Darin Stater.

The letter raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest, noting that Ms. Liechty’s father serves as a Magistrate Judge in District 8. The letter also alleged that Stater had “hand selected his successor” prior to resigning.

In his comments, Liechty addressed the conflict of interest concerns and responded to claims made in the letter.

The Mount Pleasant City Council moved through a full agenda Wednesday night, approving several measures related to the city’s budget process, public safety, infrastructure, and childcare services.

The council approved setting a public hearing for the City’s Fiscal Year 2026–2027 Maximum Property Tax Dollars for March 25 at 5 p.m. The hearing is part of the annual budget process and will allow residents an opportunity to provide input before the tax levy is finalized.

In a notable moment for the Mount Pleasant Fire Department, the council authorized the promotion of Jared Dorothy from cadet to firefighter. Dorothy was one of just two cadets in the department’s inaugural cadet program, launched last year for high school students ages 14 to 17. He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School last May and is currently attending Southeast Iowa Community College, where he is taking EMT classes. His progression from local student to firefighter highlights the program’s role in building the next generation of first responders and strengthening the volunteer department.

Council members also approved a contract allowing Mount Pleasant Community Childcare to temporarily use classrooms in the north section of City Hall. During Public Forum, Ed Kropa of the Mount Pleasant Public Library Board thanked the council and city staff for their cooperation in helping secure space for the childcare program, noting the benefits of its central location near educational resources like The Mount Pleasant Public Library and Children’s Discovery Center.

During department reports, City Engineer Jim Warner said the city plans to seek bids in April for the reconstruction of Winfield Avenue from North Broadway to Grand Avenue. The project will include roadway improvements as well as the addition of trails, aimed at improving safety and connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists. Currently there are no sidewalks along Winfield Ave.

The council moved through the remainder of the agenda without significant discussion and will next meet in regular session on February 25 at 5:30 p.m.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 12:15 p.m. to take action on filling the vacancy in the Henry County Attorney’s Office.

During the meeting, supervisors approved a motion to post a public notice of intent to appoint an interim county attorney. The board plans to make the appointment during a supervisor’s meeting scheduled for February 19.

Interviews with individuals already known to be interested in the position are expected to be held on Friday, February 13. Supervisors noted that interviewees have the right to request their interviews be conducted in closed session, as permitted under Iowa law.

The appointed individual would serve as county attorney from the date of appointment until the next general election, unless a special election is triggered through a citizen petition. To force a special election, residents would need to submit a petition with just over 500 valid signatures from Henry County voters within 14 days of the appointment.

According to the Henry County Auditor’s Office, the cost of a special election is estimated to be at least $20,000, which would be paid by county taxpayers.

The meeting adjourned following the discussion.

A Fairfield man has been arrested following a sexual abuse investigation involving a Fairfield High School student.

According to the Fairfield Police Department, officers received a complaint on January 28, 2026, from a concerned parent regarding their juvenile daughter, who is a student at Fairfield High School. The complaint involved suspicions of inappropriate contact through social media between the juvenile female and an adult male teacher at the school.

Police say the Fairfield Police Department immediately began investigating the matter. During the course of the investigation, officers obtained sufficient evidence to apply for search warrants related to the case. Those warrants were granted and executed on February 5, 2026.

As a result of evidence gathered during the investigation, officers arrested 57-year-old Vannen Crabtree Jr. of Richland, Iowa.

Crabtree is charged with Sexual Exploitation by a School Employee, a Class D felony, Grooming, also a Class D felony, and Lascivious Acts with a Minor, an aggravated misdemeanor.

Crabtree is currently being held at the Jefferson County Correctional Facility without bond, pending an initial court appearance.

The Fairfield Police Department was assisted in the investigation by the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Police say aspects of the case remain under investigation. Additional information may be released as it becomes available, however details will remain limited in order to protect the identity of the juvenile victim.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Fairfield Police Department at 641-472-4146.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met Thursday morning to hear updates from county departments and community partner Midwest Old Threshers.

Old Threshers Executive Director Terry McWilliams addressed the board, requesting continued county support totaling one thousand dollars, along with a separate nineteen-thousand-dollar request. McWilliams presented economic impact data showing Midwest Old Threshers brings significant tourism dollars into Henry County, with visitors representing sixty-seven Iowa counties and thirty-four states. He noted that spring promotional mailers reach approximately one hundred eighty-five thousand households in surrounding counties and an additional ten thousand nationwide.

McWilliams also highlighted educational outreach, including field trips for roughly one thousand fourth and fifth grade students each year. Attendance figures from the 2025 Midwest Old Threshers Reunion included more than twelve thousand multi day visitors, twenty-five thousand single day visitors, and approximately six thousand children. One Saturday set a one-day attendance record, and McWilliams said total attendance could reach around twenty thousand when five-day passes are fully counted. Old Threshers also relies heavily on volunteers, with more than one thousand two hundred volunteers contributing over forty-one thousand hours in 2025.

Supervisors also heard plans for improvements to the EMS building located near the carousel. McWilliams also spoke on plans to demolish one of the oldest buildings on the grounds, the restroom located across from the Midwest Old Threshers office. Plans include replacing the structure with a new bathroom and shower facility and adding a covered bus loading area.

During departmental reports, Sheriff Rich McNamee reported that the sheriff’s office handled one thousand five hundred nineteen calls for service in January, down about one hundred calls compared to the same time last year. The department currently has one deputy opening, with four applicants in the hiring pool, and interviews are expected within the next two weeks. McNamee also reported a patrol unit transmission failure at one hundred twenty-three thousand miles, requiring replacement at the cost of the county due to the vehicle being out of warranty.

County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss updated the board on road and bridge projects, noting ongoing brush work, crack filling, and equipment repairs. He said bids for quarry crushing will be opened February nineteenth, and work continues on the Fremont project, with plans to pour half the footing soon. Hotchkiss also reported progress on the removal of the west pier on the 235th Street Bridge and discussed next steps for bridge replacement on Iowa Avenue, including pursuing grant funding.

Public Health Director Katie Reuter reported Iowa is continuing to see high levels of flu activity, though no local schools have crossed the ten percent absentee threshold this week. She also noted there are currently no confirmed measles cases in Henry County, though cases have been reported nationally and in Iowa over the past year. Residents were reminded to wear red Friday in support of women’s heart health awareness. Reuter also reminded the community that free blood pressure checks are available at the clinic.

During public comment, residents addressed the Henry County Board of Supervisors regarding the recent resignation of Henry County Attorney Darin Stater. Supervisors assured residents and department heads that addressing the vacancy and determining next steps is a top priority.

Mount Pleasant Police Chief Lyle Murray also addressed the board, sharing concerns related to the resignation and urging supervisors to move forward promptly in filling the position. Murray cited pending litigation, including cases involving crimes against children that have been awaiting action for several months. Speaking on behalf of local law enforcement and victims, Murray emphasized the importance of timely action to ensure cases can proceed.

Murray also asked that law enforcement agencies be kept informed throughout the process, noting the critical working relationship between local law enforcement and the county attorney’s office.