Southeast Iowa anglers are finding summer fishing patterns settling in as water temperatures climb into the mid to upper 70s across the region.

At Lake Darling near Brighton, bluegill fishing remains good, with anglers finding fish around shoreline brush piles and rock piles in about four feet of water. Black crappie are being caught over cedar tree structures in 10 to 14 feet of water using minnows under slip bobbers. Most largemouth bass have finished spawning and moved into deeper water around rock and brush piles.

At Lake Geode in Henry County, bluegills have shifted into deeper habitat in eight to ten feet of water. Fisheries biologists recommend vertical jigging with small jigs tipped with red worms or waxworms. Largemouth bass have largely completed their spawning cycle and moved away from nesting areas.

Lake Belva Deer near Sigourney continues to offer fair fishing opportunities. Bluegills are being found around deeper weed beds, while largemouth bass have mostly wrapped up spawning and moved into deeper water. Crappie fishing remains slow, with anglers having the best success trolling along the old creek channel and flooded timber.

On the Iowa River between Columbus Junction and the Mississippi River, channel catfish fishing is rated good. Anglers are finding success using minnows or green sunfish around brush piles now that river levels have stabilized near seasonal averages.

The Skunk River between Rose Hill and Coppock has returned to normal levels for this time of year. Channel catfish fishing is rated fair, with live bait, minnows, green sunfish, and nightcrawlers producing the best results. Fisheries staff say the bite could improve if forecasted rainfall materializes.

Further south, Lake Wapello in Davis County is reporting fair largemouth bass fishing around cedar tree piles, while bluegill fishing remains slow. At Lake Miami in Monroe County, both bluegill and bass fishing are rated fair, particularly around rock jetties and the dam.

At Rathbun Reservoir, anglers are finding fair success targeting walleye with crawler harnesses and crankbaits along rocky structure and the old river channel. White crappies are moving closer to shore in about eight feet of water, while channel catfish continue to provide fair action along rip-rapped shorelines.

For more information on fishing conditions in Southeast Iowa, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Residents who are new to Medicare—or simply want a better understanding of their coverage options—have an opportunity to learn more at an upcoming free seminar in Mount Pleasant.

Henry County Health Center’s SHIIP counselors will host a “Welcome to Medicare” seminar on Tuesday, June 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Soldiers Room at Henry County Health Center. Attendees should enter through the north entrance off Warren Street, marked Physical Therapy.

The seminar is designed for individuals who will soon become eligible for Medicare, current Medicare beneficiaries seeking additional information, or family members who help loved ones navigate Medicare coverage.

According to lead SHIIP counselor Sally Fager, understanding Medicare’s benefits and options can help ensure eligible individuals receive the healthcare coverage available to them.

Topics will include Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, prescription drug coverage through Part D, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicare supplement insurance options.

The seminar is free, but advance registration is required by noon on June 8. To register, call 319-385-6774, leave your name and phone number, and indicate that you would like to sign up for the Welcome to Medicare seminar.

SHIIP, the Senior Health Insurance Information Program, is a free service of the State of Iowa. Counselors are trained by the state and provide confidential, unbiased information without selling or promoting insurance products. Henry County Health Center serves as the local SHIIP sponsor for Henry County.

For additional information, call 319-385-6774.

The Iowa State Auditor’s Office has released its annual audit of Henry County, identifying a series of financial management and internal control concerns while also noting the county received an overall clean opinion on its financial statements.

The audit covers the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and found eleven issues related to the handling of public funds and county operations. Nine of the eleven findings are repeated from the prior year.

According to the audit, “The County Board of Supervisors and other elected officials have a fiduciary responsibility to provide oversight of the County’s operations and financial transactions. Oversight is typically defined as the “watchful and responsible care” a governing body exercises in its fiduciary capacity.”

Among the most common concerns cited by auditors was a lack of segregation of duties in several county offices. Auditors noted that because of limited staffing, some employees are responsible for multiple aspects of financial transactions, increasing the risk that errors or irregularities could occur without detection. The Treasurer, Recorder, Sheriff’s Office, Secondary Roads Department, and Conservation Department all acknowledged the challenge and cited staffing limitations while pledging to continue improving oversight procedures.

Auditors also identified a financial reporting issue that required a material adjustment to the county’s financial statements. The finding stemmed from payables that were improperly recorded at the end of the fiscal year. The audit report stated that county policies did not require an independent review of year-end transactions, increasing the likelihood that reporting errors could go undetected. In response, the County Auditor’s Office said it will continue reminding department heads annually to review expenses and ensure all payables are properly reported.

Auditors reported the Sheriff’s office does not currently maintain a formal accounting policies and procedures manual. The report noted such manuals help ensure continuity, consistency, and accountability in financial operations, particularly during staff turnover. The Sheriff’s Office responded that it is currently working on developing a policies and procedures manual.

A separate Sheriff’s Office finding involved inmate room-and-board billing. Auditors found the county lacks formal procedures for collecting, recording, and reconciling room-and-board charges assessed to inmates. The report noted there were no reconciliations performed between amounts billed and amounts collected. Auditors recommended creating written procedures and requiring independent reviews of billings, collections, and deposits. The Sheriff’s Office again responded that development of a formal policies manual is underway.

The audit also identified concerns within Henry County Public Health. Auditors found that billing reconciliations were not consistently matched to accounts receivable records, creating the possibility of misstated revenues or uncollected balances. Public Health officials indicated future monthly reconciliations will include all invoices generated through the department’s billing system.

Another finding involved the Henry County Conservation Department. Auditors reported bank reconciliations were not being prepared for a conservation account, creating the potential for unrecorded transactions or undetected errors. Conservation officials responded that they will work to prepare and review monthly reconciliations going forward.

Payroll procedures also drew attention from auditors. While timesheets were being completed, the audit found there was no documented independent review of timesheets submitted by department heads. Auditors recommended an approval process involving someone independent of the employee submitting the time record. The County Auditor’s Office responded that it will continue implementing policies requiring review and authorization of payroll records.

The report additionally cited budget compliance issues. Auditors found certain county departments exceeded their appropriated spending authority before budget amendments were approved and that some expenditures exceeded appropriations at year-end. Auditors recommended county officials carefully monitor expenditures throughout the year to ensure compliance with Iowa budget law.

Despite the findings, the audit also showed Henry County’s overall financial position improved during the fiscal year. County revenues increased to just over $25 million, while expenses totaled approximately $21.2 million. The county’s net position increased by nearly $3.8 million, reaching more than $55 million at the end of the fiscal year.

Auditor Rob Sand’s office noted that county officials have a fiduciary responsibility to provide oversight of public funds and recommended continued attention to internal controls and financial management practices. County departments generally agreed with the findings and outlined corrective actions intended to address the issues identified in the report.

A new national observance with roots in Mount Pleasant is aiming to revive traditional skills and strengthen communities across the country. 

National Homesteaders Day has been officially established through National Day Calendar and will be observed annually on August 15. The initiative was founded by Mount Pleasant resident Dani Murphy, owner of Preppin Mama, and is centered around what organizers call the “Lost Skills Revival.” 

The movement encourages individuals and families to reclaim one practical heritage skill each year, ranging from gardening and food preservation to sewing, woodworking, baking, bartering, and community-building. 

Murphy says many of the skills that were once common knowledge just a few generations ago are rapidly disappearing, but remain valuable for building confidence, self-reliance, and stronger communities. 

National Homesteaders Day is built around three core principles: Gather, Equip, and Sustain. Organizers have also identified seven heritage skill categories they hope participants will explore: Grow, Make, Mend, Preserve, Build, Gather, and Community. 

The observance is intended to be more than a single-day celebration. Organizers say the goal is to encourage year-round learning, storytelling, and connections between families and communities interested in preserving practical skills and traditions. 

Supporters can learn more about the Seven Heritage Skills, take a pledge to reclaim a lost skill, share their progress, and access educational resources through the movement’s website. 

Founding sponsors of National Homesteaders Day include Midwest Old Threshers and Homesteaders of Iowa. 

More information is available at nationalhomesteadersday.com. 

A recent audit of Henry County finances has prompted county officials to discontinue direct donations to private nonprofit organizations, including a previous contribution to Main Street Mount Pleasant.

According to the Iowa State Auditor’s report covering the fiscal year ending June 30th, 2025, auditors identified a $7,500 payment from Henry County to Main Street Mount Pleasant. The report notes that the Iowa Constitution generally prohibits counties and other government entities from making gifts or donations to private corporations, including nonprofit organizations.

Auditors cited longstanding legal opinions indicating public funds may only be provided to private organizations when a specific service is being performed under a lawful agreement. The report concluded that the payment to Main Street Mount Pleasant did not meet those requirements as documented.

County officials told auditors they believed the contribution provided value to Henry County residents and discussed the issue with the county attorney. However, the county agreed with the auditor’s recommendation and stated it will cease making similar donations in the future to ensure compliance with state law.

The finding does not allege any misuse of funds by Main Street Mount Pleasant. The organization continues its work supporting downtown revitalization, business development, community events, and economic activity in Mount Pleasant.

Auditors noted that future partnerships between counties and nonprofit organizations may still be possible if structured under specific legal requirements and tied to services or economic development activities permitted under Iowa law.

The audit recommendation applies to the county’s method of funding rather than the mission or activities of Main Street Mount Pleasant.