Early voting in Iowa began this week and runs until Election Day, which is Tuesday, November 4^th.  Citizens can vote and/or register to vote at the county auditor’s office, and you will need a valid ID. The Henry County Auditor’s Office is located at 100 E Washington St # 202 in Mt. Pleasant.  Hours are Monday – Friday 8am – 4:30pm and for more information, call 319-385-0756 or access online: henrycounty.iowa.gov/auditor

Henry County Engineers announced a bridge closure on Monday, October 2oth. Preliminary design work will begin on 200^th Street just East of Hickory Avenue and the work will last through Tuesday, October 21^st.  The Engineers’ office reports that the closure will occur during daytime hours, with the bridge open overnight.  The work is weather permitting, scheduled for two days, and questions may be directed to 319-385-0762.

The City of Danville will meet in regular session on Monday, October 20^th with call to order at 5:15pm.  The council will receive departmental reports, and this meeting is open to the public.

The Washington Police Department arrested 44-year-old Lucas Blint of Mt. Pleasant on public intoxication and arson charges on Tuesday, October 14th this week.   According to court records, officers responded to a fire call on the northeast corner of the Washington Hy-Vee grocery store’s property and found Blint on the scene.  Camera footage showed Blint starting the fire, which recklessly endangered the property of the store.

On October 15, 2025, at approximately 1:05 p.m., officers with the Fort Madison Police Department arrested 74-year-old Rebecca Patino of Fort Madison on multiple charges stemming from a reported assault earlier this month. 

Patino was charged with Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury, a Class C Felony, and Aggravated Domestic Abuse Assault with a Weapon, an Aggravated Misdemeanor. She was taken into custody at the Fort Madison Police Department and transported to the Lee County Jail, where she awaits her initial court appearance. 

The charges follow an investigation into an alleged assault that occurred on October 6, 2025, at a residence located at 3612 Avenue L in Fort Madison. 

The Fort Madison Police Department was assisted in the case by the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Fort Madison Fire Department (FMFD), and LeeComm 

Cooler fall temperatures are slowly improving fishing conditions across southeast Iowa, though some lakes are still adjusting after seasonal turnover. Water clarity remains strong in most areas, and fish activity is gradually increasing as species prepare for winter. 

At Big Hollow Lake, water clarity is high with plenty of duckweed on the surface. Anglers are reporting better crappie action in deeper water, around 10 to 12 feet. 

The Iowa River continues to drop, exposing many sandbars and making boating more difficult. Shoreline anglers are finding good success with channel catfish along rocky banks, while a few white bass are being caught below Wapello. 

Lake Belva Deer recently turned over, improving water quality despite a lingering green tint. Crappie activity is slowly picking up in 10 to 12 feet of water around submerged trees. 

At Lake Darling, turnover has brought oxygen levels up throughout the lake. Crappie and bass bites are fair, with fish holding in deeper water around habitat structures. Bluegill activity remains slow.  

Lake Geode also experienced turnover this week, mixing the water and dispersing algae. Fish are still adjusting to fluctuating temperatures, with crappies staying tight to habitat areas in 8 to 10 feet. 

For detailed conditions and weekly updates, visit the Iowa DNR’s interactive fishing report page.