Author: Shelbi Swinscoe

Today is World Cancer Day, a time to remember those affected by cancer and to focus on progress in the fight against this disease. And here in Washington something big just happened that could make a real difference.

Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of eastern Iowa announced that a major piece of cancer detection legislation was signed into law yesterday by President Trump.

The new law is called the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act. It will help Medicare cover new multi-cancer early detection tests, which are advanced screenings that can find many types of cancer from a single test.

Dr. Miller-Meeks, who herself is a physician, said early detection saves lives and this law will give seniors access to cutting-edge tools that can find cancer earlier, improve treatment success, and reduce suffering for patients and their families.

Under the law, Medicare will begin covering FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection tests starting in 2028. These tests will be available once a year for eligible beneficiaries without replacing existing cancer screenings people already rely on. The law also ensures fair payment rates for providers and gives the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services the funding to make the coverage work smoothly.

This announcement comes on World Cancer Day, a fitting reminder that progress against cancer comes not just through awareness, but through action.

Jury selection and initial proceedings began today at the Des Moines County District Court for 49-year-old Tisha Renee Bounds, who is accused of fatally stabbing a man in an apartment nearly a year ago.

Prosecutors allege Bounds stabbed a 33-year-old man during an argument inside an apartment in the 300 block of Angular Street on March 1, 2025. Officers responding to a reported medical emergency discovered the victim with a single stab wound. He was transported to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, where he later died. Investigators identified the victim as Derius Lashaun Moore of Chicago.

Burlington Police say witnesses told detectives that Bounds and the victim had been involved in a dispute shor

tly before the stabbing. According to the arrest affidavit, after the argument ended, Bounds grabbed a knife and stabbed the man in the back. The Burlington Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, with help from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, handled the case.

Bounds was charged with first-degree murder and has been held in the Des Moines County Jail without bond pending court proceedings. She entered a plea of not guilty ahead of the trial

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met in work session Tuesday, following their regularly scheduled meeting, to continue budget reviews for county departments.

During the session, Sheriff Rich McNamee presented an in-depth overview of the Sheriff’s Office proposed budget. One of the key discussion points was the office’s electronic key-fob access system. Sheriff McNamee was informed that the current system is seven years old and already considered obsolete. Replacing the system is estimated to cost approximately sixty thousand dollars. Sheriff McNamee told the board he would like to explore new vendors before moving forward with a replacement through the current provider.

Additional highlights from the sheriff’s presentation included plans to equip jail staff with stab-resistant vests. McNamee noted that grant funding may be available to help offset a portion of the cost. The sheriff also addressed the need to replace body cameras currently used by jail staff. Many of the cameras, which were previously used by deputies, are no longer functioning reliably.

The board also reviewed the proposed budget for the Henry County Attorney’s Office. No representative from the County Attorney’s Office was present at the review. As a result, supervisors raised questions regarding several budget line items. With assistance from the County Auditor’s Office, most of those questions were addressed during the meeting.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors plans to hold another budget work session next Friday. KILJ will have the official agenda once it is released.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met Thursday morning, January 22, at the Henry County Courthouse to address a full agenda ranging from budget reviews to road projects and department updates.

During the consent agenda, supervisors unanimously approved the minutes from the January 15 meeting along with financial claims for payment.

Under unfinished business, supervisors continued departmental budget reviews. Several departments have already presented, with the remaining reviews scheduled to be completed at the board’s next meeting on January 27. Supervisors also received an update from Preserve Oakland Mills regarding the contract for an engineering assessment of the Oakland Mills bridge. The board is currently waiting for a signed revised contract from attorneys before moving forward.

In new business, County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss provided his weekly Secondary Roads update and presented a resolution to approve dust control dates and fees for 2026. Fees will remain the same as last year, with a $25 application fee if submitted by April 15 and a $50 fee for late applications received after that date. Hotchkiss reported crews have been clearing brush near Lexington Avenue, maintaining equipment during colder days, and blading roads throughout the county. He also announced the upcoming removal of the Fremont Avenue bridge, which will be replaced with a culvert. The road will be closed north of Graham Avenue for approximately six to eight weeks. Work continues removing existing beams from the bridge on 235th Street. Hotchkiss also noted IRVM Assistant Rob Quinn has announced his retirement, and the position will be posted.

Planning and Zoning Director Joe Buffington provided a department update, followed by a report from newly hired Information Technology Director Gunner Sloan, who outlined progress made in his first few weeks on the job. Human Resources matters were addressed through a letter presented from Paul Greufe, with the next HR meeting scheduled for February 10.

Committee updates included discussion from the Safety Committee, chaired by Walt Jackson, which is reviewing ways to consolidate Cintas expenses across county offices.

Other business included a report from WEMIGA indicating 6,962.2 pounds of cathode materials, such as television and computer monitor tubes, were disposed of in 2025. Supervisors also discussed assigning employee/building alarm code responsibilities to Tyler Freeze. Department heads raised the possibility of using key fobs instead of individual codes, with IT Director Gunner Sloan indicating the option would be explored with Freeze.

Supervisors also discussed coordination between Weed Commissioner Michael Yaley and Secondary Roads staff on treating noxious weeds along county rights-of-way. Additional reminders were issued for staff and residents to remove personal cell phone numbers from public listings, as county business will no longer be conducted through personal phones.

Also under other business, the board received a report from Henry County Veterans Affairs Director Roger Pittsenbarger, who is unable to attend the upcoming department head meeting. Pittsenbarger reported that Henry County veterans received a total of $751,948 in benefits during the past month.

Emergency Management Coordinator Walt Jackson took the opportunity to recognize Pittsenbarger for his work, noting that veterans from counties outside of Henry County regularly seek assistance through his office. Jackson stated that Pittsenbarger “helps people everywhere.”

Pittsenbarger emphasized that Henry County veterans are always given priority, adding that “no veteran walks away unattended.” The Board of Supervisors commended Pittsenbarger for his dedication and expressed appreciation for the work he continues to do on behalf of local veterans.

The board reminded the public that its next meeting will be held Tuesday, January 27, at 9 a.m., rather than the usual Thursday schedule, before adjourning the meeting