A letter sent by Henry County Attorney Darin Stater, to the Board of Supervisors, and KILJ, reveals sharp disagreement with Sheriff Rich McNamee’s request for outside legal counsel in connection with an ongoing state administrative case involving former Deputy Arturo Perez.

The request, discussed at the Henry County Board of Supervisors meeting Thursday morning, stems from Sheriff McNamee’s concerns about testifying in a disciplinary hearing overseen by the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA). However, Stater argues that there is no legal basis for hiring external counsel at the county’s expense.

The situation became complicated during April 10 depositions, when Sheriff McNamee reportedly told state prosecutors he did not feel comfortable proceeding without “his attorney.” That prompted both state and defense attorneys to agree to pause the proceedings.

Following the incident, Stater said he spoke with Assistant Attorney General Lynn Hardisty, who confirmed she did not advise McNamee to seek counsel. Hardisty later offered to meet with the Sheriff to answer any questions about the process—an offer that, as of Thursday, McNamee had not accepted.

Stater said he met with both McNamee and Bell on April 18 to discuss the case and the deposition process. He also confirmed in a May 9 email that he would personally attend future depositions to ensure adherence to Iowa legal standards.

In light of the facts, Stater urged the Board of Supervisors to deny the Sheriff’s request for outside legal representation.

“Considering that neither the County nor the Sheriff are parties to this action, and there are two public attorneys attending to the Sheriff in this matter, I strongly advise you to deny Sheriff McNamee’s request,” Stater concluded.

It remains unclear how the Board will proceed. A decision could come at a future meeting or following consultation with legal counsel.

KILJ News will continue to monitor this story as it develops.

May 19 – May 25, 2025

DES MOINES, Iowa (May 27, 2025) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“Last week’s cool and soggy conditions sidelined many farmers who were looking to finish planting or complete other field work. Despite the delays, most farmers are grateful to receive the rain as we recharge our soils and give the crops a strong early season boost,” said Secretary Naig. “We expect a less active weather pattern with warmer temperatures and spotty rain in the week ahead.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop Report
Timely rains while needed, limited Iowa farmers to 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 25, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn and soybean planting continued but some producers are waiting for warmer and drier conditions to start spraying.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 15 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 23 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus.

Corn planted reached 95 percent. Corn emerged reached 76 percent, 6 days ahead of last year’s pace and 2 days ahead of normal. Corn condition rated 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 62 percent good and 21 percent excellent. Ninety-two percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, just over 2 weeks ahead of last year and 8 days ahead of the 5-year average. Soybeans emerged reached 60 percent, 8 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of normal. Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 64 percent good and 16 percent excellent. Ninety-two percent of the State’s oat crop has emerged. Oats headed reached 26 percent. Oat condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 69 percent good and 17 percent excellent.

Forty percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed.  Hay condition rated 85 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 68 percent good to excellent.

Mount Pleasant Community School District Superintendent John Henrickson is seeking to settle confusion and calm concerns following a recent article that misrepresented the district’s intentions for the P.E.O. Memorial Building.

The Mississippi Valley Publishing Group recently published a story suggesting that the district had decided to demolish the historic structure, located on the former Iowa Wesleyan University Central Campus, which the school district purchased earlier this year. However, Superintendent Henrickson emphasized that no such decision has been made.

In a public statement, Henrickson clarified:
“Several weeks ago I met with correspondent Bob Hansen of the Mississippi Valley Publishing Group regarding Mount Pleasant Community School District’s (MPCSD) purchase of the former Iowa Wesleyan University Central Campus. We discussed details of the purchase and how Central Campus fits into the District’s long-range facilities plan. Mr. Hansen produced a well-written article; however, the P.E.O Memorial Building is not set to be demolished as the article’s title states. The MPCSD school board has not ‘moved for its destruction.’ The District continues to evaluate and discuss the best uses of Central Campus to meet the needs of our students.”

At this time, there are no intentions to demolish the P.E.O. Memorial Building. Instead, the district is considering further community input, potentially through additional surveys, to guide the planning process for the Central Campus.

Residents are encouraged to stay engaged in upcoming discussions, as the district moves forward with careful consideration of both educational needs and the preservation of community landmarks.

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, has recognized Huffman’s Farm & Home of Lee County as this week’s Small Business of the Week. The honor is part of Ernst’s initiative to spotlight one small business in each of Iowa’s 99 counties during the 119th Congress.

“For over two decades, the Huffman family has exemplified the heart of American small business,” said Ernst. “Huffman’s is the cream of the crop when it comes to serving farmers, families, and folks across the Midwest.”

Huffman’s Farm & Home was founded in 2002 by Bob Huffman and his brothers, Mike and Hank, after years of working in the family’s welding business. Customers at Huffman’s Welding & Machine often requested tools and other items, inspiring the brothers to open a retail store. What began as a 10,000-square-foot shop has since grown into a 30,000-square-foot operation, with additional locations in West Burlington, Iowa, and Aledo, Illinois.

The business offers a wide range of products including tools, mowers, farm equipment, toys, and electrical supplies. Bob’s nephew, Jason Huffman, now serves as vice president and helps oversee the manufacturing division and special projects. Huffman’s will celebrate its 23rd anniversary later this year.

Sen. Ernst will continue highlighting outstanding small businesses across Iowa each week as part of her ongoing recognition series.

Local residents will have two meaningful opportunities this week to honor and support Iowa National Guard soldiers from Company B, 1st Battalion 133d Infantry and Company A, 224th Engineers as they prepare for deployment.

On Wednesday, May 28, Company B will depart from the Iowa City Readiness Center located at 4540 Melrose Avenue, Iowa City. Community members are invited to attend the farewell ceremony, with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. and the ceremony beginning at 5:30 p.m. The unit will then travel south on Highway 218, expected to pass through Mount Pleasant around 7:30 p.m.

Residents are encouraged to line the pedestrian bridge connecting Linden Heights to East Lake Park, waving flags and holding signs to show support as the soldiers pass through the area.

The next day, Thursday, May 29, Company A, 224th Engineers will report for duty at 1:30 p.m. at the Mount Pleasant Armory, 405 E Thresher Rd. A formal send-off ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m. in Wright Pavilion, followed by time with family and friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Departure is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., when buses carrying the unit will leave Mount Pleasant.

The community is encouraged to line Walnut and East Washington Streets, extending all the way to U.S. Highway 218 near Davis Home Sales, to salute the soldiers as they begin their journey. The escort will include the Mount Pleasant Police Department, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, and Mount Pleasant Fire Department, along with a motorcade of veteran and civilian motorcycles accompanying the convoy to the Missouri border.

Another chance to cheer on the troops comes Thursday at 5:45 p.m. as locals are again urged to gather on the Linden Heights-East Lake pedestrian bridge for one last wave and cheer.

These service members are the sons and daughters of our community—friends, neighbors, and family. Let’s come together to show our deep appreciation, respect, and support as they answer the call to serve.