Local law enforcement agencies are warning residents about multiple scams circulating right now, including hacked email accounts and fake vehicle registration mailers.

The Ottumwa Police Department is reminding residents that scam emails can appear to come from trusted sources—including law enforcement agencies. Officers say if an email seems unusual or out of character, residents should avoid clicking links or opening attachments and instead verify the message by contacting the sender through another method.

Police are also warning about a separate scam involving fake vehicle registration vouchers appearing in some Iowa mailboxes. These mailers attempt to trick recipients into revealing personal or financial information and are not legitimate notices from the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Anyone who receives one of these fake vouchers is encouraged to report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission and discard the mail. Residents who are unsure whether a notice is legitimate can also check with their local County Treasurer’s Office or contact Iowa DOT Driver Services for verification.

Law enforcement officials say the key message is simple: use caution with unexpected emails or mail, even if they appear to come from trusted sources.

Residents have an opportunity this afternoon to take advantage of free health testing in Mount Pleasant.

Henry County Public Health is offering free HIV and sexually transmitted infection, or STI, testing today through the Outreach Prevention Services program.

Testing will be available from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Public Health Office, 106 North Jackson Street in Mount Pleasant.

Public health officials remind residents that many sexually transmitted infections have no symptoms, meaning individuals may not know they are infected. They say regular testing is an important step in protecting personal health and preventing the spread of infections to others.

Those interested are encouraged to stop in during the scheduled hours to take advantage of the free testing opportunity.

One of the most popular student events of the year returns this weekend to the Mount Pleasant Community High School, as the annual Dessert Theatre takes the stage.

The Dessert Theatre fundraiser, hosted by the Mount Pleasant Music Department, will be held this Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets sell out quickly, so be sure to get yours today from Brown’s Shoe Fit in Mount Pleasant.

The weekend performances combine student musical entertainment with a wide selection of desserts, making it a sweet experience.

Community response has already been strong, with dessert donations now filled, but they are still looking for volunteers to help the event run smoothly. Individuals and local businesses are encouraged to sign up to assist with serving and other duties during the performances. Sign up HERE!

Funds raised during the Dessert Theatre help support the music department and its growing programs, while also showcasing the talents of local student performers.

Students at Winfield-Mount Union Community School District are making a difference in their community thanks to a newly awarded grant and some hands-on service work.

School officials say Mrs. Pogmore recently wrote and secured funding from the Peter Marsh Foundation to create a new Pathways Club, designed to give students opportunities to complete projects that benefit the community.

Using grant funds, a variety of high school students spent time yesterday planting drought-resistant perennial plants in two park locations in Winfield. One planting site was located near the ball commons, while the second was near the city office.

The project not only improves the appearance of community spaces but also teaches students the value of service and environmental stewardship.

The newly created Pathways Club will continue working on additional community-focused projects in the future, helping students stay engaged while giving back to the Winfield area.

Young artists from Mount Pleasant Middle School recently put their talents to work during a special visit to Oakland Mills Nature Center.

According to Henry County Conservation, middle school students visited Oakland Mills this week to sketch animals at the nature center, showcasing impressive artistic talent from students across the county.

Conservation staff say the visit also serves as inspiration for others in the community. Residents interested in drawing wildlife are encouraged to participate in the conservation department’s upcoming art contest.

Registration is currently open for those who would like to submit their artwork and share their creativity with the community.

Construction continues to move forward on a major expansion project at the Mount Pleasant Municipal Airport, with officials reporting significant progress over the past two weeks.

According to Air Advantage, crews have poured more than 650 yards of concrete as work advances on new hangar space at the airport.

The expansion, led by the City of Mount Pleasant, includes construction of eight new T-hangars designed for smaller aircraft, along with one large corporate hangar to help meet growing demand.

Currently, the airport can house 26 planes, but officials say there is a waiting list of more than 20 additional aircraft, highlighting the need for expanded facilities.

The project represents a significant economic development investment for the region. The city was awarded 2.6 million dollars in grant funding from the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration. The city also contributed 550 thousand dollars, bringing the total project cost to approximately 3.15 million dollars.

The project is expected to support local aviation needs and encourage economic growth in the Mount Pleasant area for years to come.

Southeast

Lake Darling Management District

• Contact Person: Vance Polton – 319-694-2430

For more information on these lakes and ponds, call the Lake Darling Fisheries at 319-694-2430. Last updated on 03/04/2026

Big Hollow Lake (Des Moines)

• Water Temperature (°F): 62.0
• Ramp Condition: Useable

• Black Crappie – Good: Crappie fishing has been good along the edges of the trees in 8 to 10 feet of water. Try small jigs and minnows vertically jigged or slow trolled. A few anglers picked up a few scattered crappies in shallower water along the north side over the weekend.
• Largemouth Bass – Fair: On sunny warm (70+) days, anglers were picking up bass along the north side along the more open shoreline where the sun could get in to warm the water.

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Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi R) (Louisa)

• Ramp Condition: Useable

The Iowa River just left “minor” flood stage. It looks to be headed back up that way when the water coming down from up river gets here.

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Lake Belva Deer (Keokuk)

• Water Temperature (°F): 58.0
• Ramp Condition: Useable

Water temperature is 58-60 degrees. Water clarity remains decent; water is flowing out the overflow pipe.

• Black Crappie – Good: Anglers continue to catch crappies out in 10 to 12 feet of water in the flooded trees. A few anglers are starting to pick up a few in the shallower water along the north side in the timber; but those seem to be only there on the warmest days.
• Largemouth Bass – Fair: A few more boats are chasing bass on sunny warm days. Anglers are catching some decent bass up to the 4 pounds. Try working the lures slow and shallow along sun heated rocks.

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Lake Darling (Washington)

• Water Temperature (°F): 62.0
• Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level in the lake is about 10 inches above the normal full pool level. Water clarity remains decent at about 3 feet despite the recent heavy rains.

• Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are coming up into 3 to 4 feet of water along the rocks to feed on warm days. They are heading back out deeper when it clouds back over and cools down. They are not spawning yet.
• Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try working crankbaits with a slow release along the rock shorelines and tree falls/brush piles on warmer days with just a little chop on the water. Look for bass to head back out to the deeper rock piles in 8 to 10 feet of water on cooler days.

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Lake Geode (Henry)

• Water Temperature (°F): 62.0
• Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity remains fairly good despite the rain.

• Black Crappie – Fair: Most crappies remain out over the habitat in 8-10 feet of water. Try vertically jigging red or blue tube jigs or minnows under slip bobbers.
• Largemouth Bass – Fair: Depends on the day. Warm and sunny: hit the tops of the long mounds across from the beach or along the rock shoreline in the sun with crankbaits. Cool and cloudy: work the steeper shorelines where they can stay closer to deeper water.

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Lake of the Hills (Scott)

• Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
• Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity remains decent despite recent rains. Several inches of water is going over the spillway and a little “extra” water in the lake.

• Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching bass over top of the same brush piles as they are catching trout.
• Rainbow Trout – Good: Anglers continue to catch trout out of the brush piles using small spinners or jigs.

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Lost Grove Lake (Scott)

• Water Temperature (°F): 55.0
• Ramp Condition: Useable

Water temperature was 55 degrees at about mid-day yesterday (4/15). A good amount of water is going out the overflow pipe. Lake level is 6 inches or so above normal levels.

• Largemouth Bass – Fair: Key into the sun on warm days; hit the shoreline along the north side, especially when a south breeze is blowing. Bass are working those shoreline. When it’s cloudy and cool, concentrate your efforts a little deeper out around the habitat not to far from those same shorelines.

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Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock) (Washington)

• Ramp Condition: Useable

The Skunk River is currently about 2 feet from running bank full. It is flowing fairly fast and is muddy from all the heavy rains.

Macbride Management District

• Contact Person: D. J. Vogeler or Chris Mack – 319-624-3615

Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow) (Cedar)

• Ramp Condition: Useable

• Channel Catfish – Fair
• Sauger – Fair
• Walleye – Fair

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Coralville Reservoir (Johnson)

• Ramp Condition: Useable

• Black Crappie – Fair
• Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing along the rock shorelines.
• Channel Catfish – Slow
• Green Sunfish – Fair: Try fishing along the rock shorelines.
• Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing along the rock shorelines with flooded brush.
• White Crappie – Fair

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Ely Pond (Linn)

• Ramp Condition: Not applicable

• Largemouth Bass – Fair
• Rainbow Trout – Slow

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Goose Pond (Johnson)

• Ramp Condition: Not applicable

• Largemouth Bass – Good

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Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.) (Iowa)

• Ramp Condition: Useable

• Black Crappie – Good: Try fishing around the brush piles along shore.
• Largemouth Bass – Good

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Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction) (Johnson)

• Ramp Condition: Useable

• Sauger – Slow
• Walleye – Fair
• Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair

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Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake) (Iowa)

• Ramp Condition: Useable

• Channel Catfish – Slow
• Walleye – Slow
• White Bass – Slow
• Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow

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Lake Macbride (Johnson)

• Water Temperature (°F): 50.0
• Ramp Condition: Useable

• Largemouth Bass – Good: Try fishing along rock shorelines and brush piles.
• Muskellunge – Fair
• Spotted bass – Fair
• Walleye – Fair
• White Crappie – Good

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Liberty Centre Pond (Johnson)

• Ramp Condition: Not applicable

• Rainbow Trout – Slow

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Noelridge Park Pond (Linn)

• Ramp Condition: Not applicable

• Rainbow Trout – Slow

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North Ridge Park Pond (Johnson)

• Ramp Condition: Not applicable

• Rainbow Trout – Slow

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Pleasant Creek Lake (Linn)

• Ramp Condition: Useable

• Black Crappie – Fair
• Largemouth Bass – Fair
• Muskellunge – Fair
• Walleye – Good

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Sand Lake (Marshall)

• Ramp Condition: Useable

• Largemouth Bass – Fair

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Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction) (Jones)

• Ramp Condition: Useable

• Sauger – Slow
• Smallmouth Bass – Slow
• Walleye – Fair

Rathbun Management District

• Contact Person: Rathbun Fish Hatchery personnel – 641-647-2406

Water temperature is in the 50s at most district lakes. Last updated on 04/16/2026

Hawthorn Lake (Mahaska)

• Ramp Condition: Useable

Target channel catfish early spring.

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Lake Miami (Monroe)

• Ramp Condition: Useable

• Largemouth Bass – Status Unsure: Target largemouth along the face of the dam and around the fishing jetties.

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Lake Sugema (Van Buren)

• Ramp Condition: Useable

• Channel Catfish – Slow: Try cut bait or dead minnows.
• Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers report catching largemouth bass. Target the rip-rapped shorelines using plastics or spinnerbaits.

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Lake Wapello (Davis)

• Ramp Condition: Useable

• Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills will move shallow ss the water temperature warms; use small jigs.
• Largemouth Bass – Fair: Target the brush piles with plastics or along the shoreline with spinnerbaits.

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Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond) (Wapello)

• Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Anglers report that mornings and evenings are the best bite. Use gold rooster tails or other in-line spinners. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

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Rathbun Reservoir (Appanoose)

• Water Temperature (°F): 46.0
• Ramp Condition: Useable

Lake level is 906.70 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Boat ramps are open and docks are installed; campgrounds are still closed. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels; clean, drain and dry your boat before going to another water body.

Walleye – Status Unsure: Walleyes are post-spawn.