Drought conditions in Iowa showed some improvement from last week to this week. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 79 percent of the state is abnormally dry. Last week nearly 73 percent of Iowa was in moderate drought.
Conditions are less severe than they were at this time a year ago when over 20 percent of Iowa was in extreme drought and 56.4 percent was in severe drought.
Currently, Henry, Jefferson, and Washington counties are not experiencing drought conditions.
A case of bird flu has been detected in a commercial flock in Buena Vista County.
This is Iowa’s sixth case of the bird flu detected amongst domestic birds this year.
Governor Kim Reynolds has declared a disaster proclamation for Buena Vista County, effective through April 13th.
This proclamation allows state resources from Iowa Homeland Security, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and other agencies to assist with tracking and monitoring, rapid detection, containment, disposal, and disinfection. The proclamation also waives regulatory provisions related to commercial vehicles responding to affected sites.
The recent HPAI detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern, and it remains safe to eat poultry products. If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian
Multiple Southeast Iowa Fire Departments were dispatched yesterday for grass/field fires, the storm that blew through last night caused some trouble with downs power lines, tree, and sign damage.
According to police reports, the high winds from last night downed some wires, a sign and tree debris at Iris and Monroe Streets. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office reports that there were power outages on Nature Center Road and downed power lines at Freedom Avenue at Oakland Mills Road and on Salem Road in Hillsboro. The Winfield Police Department responded to reports of wind damage in the 2500 block of 130th Street and in the 600 block of W. Highway 78.
The Mt. Pleasant and New London Fire Departments were on scene for a field fire in the 2900 block of Lexington Avenue early Friday afternoon and Mt. Pleasant Fire was called to the 2100 block of 235th Street later on Friday afternoon for a field fire. The New London Fire Department also dealt with a grass fire on 160th Street. In Wayland, the Wayland Fire Department was out with a field fire in the 1700 block of 335th Street. The Winfield Fire Department investigated a fire in the 300 block of N. Oak Street last night.
Mary Dianne Brokken Beghtol, 80, of Fairfield, Iowa was called home on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at the Jefferson County Health Center with her loving family by her side. Funeral services celebrating her life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield, IA with Pastor John Wilbur officiating. Burial will be in the Union Cemetery immediately following. A visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in Dianne’s honor may be directed to the MegaVoice International or www.bibleleague.org. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com
Leon Leroy “Leo” Wilson, 90, of Birkwood Village in Fort Madison, formally of Donnellson, passed away Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 10:57 a.m. at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison.
He was born January 12, 1935, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, to Leonard and Evelyn Peterson Wilson. On June 13, 1954, he married Yvonne Klingler of Donnellson.
He started school in West Point, Iowa, at the public school in the park, and then another two years in Aransas and back to Donnellson for his remaining years working road construction with his father. He became a partner in the business with his brother and father in 1956, until he took ownership of the company in 1970 until his retirement in 1991. In 1976 he owned and operated the Wilson Stone Quarry in Donnellson.
He enjoyed fixing up old farm tractors and construction equipment, purchasing farms and cleaning them up for resale, as well as watching NASCAR races, Iowa Hawkeyes and western movies. He also loved hunting mushrooms.
Loe was a member of St. Pauls United Church of Christ Church in Donnellson. He was a fifty year plus member of the George Washington Masonic Lodge AF&AM #137. He was a Scottish Right 32nd degree Mason of the K.A.A.B.A. Shriners Temple.
Leon was a man of his word and handshake just like his father.
Survivors include his wife: Yvonne of seventy years and nine months marriage; two sons: Fred (friend Donna) Wilson of Fort Madison, Jeff (Sallie Pikrone) Wilson of Donnellson; brother: Carroll (Vi) Wilson of Fort Madison; sister: Barbara (Wilson) Frow of Amarillo, Texas; four grandchildren: Michael Wilson of Argyle, Iowa, Joshua Wilson of Athens, Alabama, Kyle (Amy) Pikrone of Dover, Tennessee and Kaylie (Sammie) Alibasic of Chicago, Illinois. Also surviving are his sister-in-law: Janet (Klingler) Hodge and brother-in-law: Robert Klingler and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Leon was preceded in death by his parents; son: Douglas Alan Wilson and brothers-in-law: Bill Frow and Fred Hodge.
Per Leon’s wishes, cremation has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, with no formal services or visitations at this time.
A private family burial will be held at a later date at Evangelical Cemetery near Donnellson.
Memorials have been established in his memory for the Shriners Childrens Hospital and can be mailed to Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson at P.O. Box 56 Donnellson, Iowa 52625.
Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com
The Man, the Myth, the Legend. Steve crossed the river on December 4th, 2024. A man’s man, Steve loved his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, brother, sisters, nieces and nephews, ‘real sports’, glazed donuts, cigarettes and black coffee (not necessarily in that order). He was a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none that loved to tell mostly true stories. You just never knew which part was mostly and which part was true. He is survived by Sharon Mast, his wife of 48 years, his children – Derek Blair and Taylor Mast, grandchildren – Savanna Blair, Sawyer Mast, Sullivan Mast and Alexandria Mast, great-grandchild – Theodore Mast, brother – Gary Mast, and his sisters – Kathy Adrian and Lorrie Roth.
There will be a Celebration of Life on March 29, 2025 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Wayland Community Room, 218 W. Main St., Wayland, Iowa. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family.
Born May 23rd, 1946, in Washington, Iowa, he was the second son of Johenry and Lucille Mast who raised him Methodist. He attended the one-room schoolhouse in Noble, Iowa and went on to graduate from WACO High School, where he played football, baseball, basketball, track and was in band. He earned a degree in History from Iowa Wesleyan. Post graduation Steve became a teacher and coach, but Steve was a wanderer, never happy doing the same thing or staying in one place too long. He loved to work in jobs that moved him around and worked as a train engineer for several years, travelling the country. He lived in Iowa, Kansas, and California.
Simply stated, Steve was a good guy, always willing to help “supervise” a project. We will miss you, Dad, and will see you on the other side!
Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Johenry and Lucille Mast, his son, Darren Blair, and brothers-in-law, Rick Adrian and Randy Roth.
In lieu of flowers, family requests paying forward an act of kindness for a stranger. Steve had the gift of gab, loved chatting with people, and leaving a smile on their faces. Steven Lee Mast
At a recent public forum, Representatives Taylor Collins, & Jeff Shipley, and Senators Adrian Dickey and Mark Lofgren, discussed the growing strain on the state’s Medicaid system and potential solutions to control rising costs.
Medicaid now accounts for approximately 20% of the state’s budget, a significant increase from just a decade ago when it made up 7%. Lawmakers expressed concerns about the financial sustainability of the program, with over 600,000 Iowans currently enrolled. A key point of discussion was the number of able-bodied individuals receiving Medicaid benefits without being employed. Some legislators support implementing work requirements to ensure those who can work are contributing before receiving government-funded health care.
Another proposal aimed at reducing long-term health care costs involves reforming the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Lawmakers suggested restricting the purchase of unhealthy foods, such as sugary drinks, to encourage better nutrition and reduce the prevalence of diet-related illnesses that burden Medicaid.
With health care expenses continuing to rise, lawmakers emphasized the need for a balanced approach that ensures access to care while maintaining fiscal responsibility. They urged citizens to stay informed and engage with federal representatives as national policy decisions could further impact Medicaid funding in Iowa.
Iowa- After the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) announced in December of 2024 that the 2024-2025 athletic season would conclude their partnership with the Iowa High School Sports Network (IHSSN), there was a big question mark on who would produce and broadcast the finals. Stepping in for football, wrestling, and basketball will be Iowa PBS.
The multi-year agreement will begin in the fall of the 2025-26 athletic season and the championship events will appear on statewide Iowa PBS and stream for free through both Iowa PBS and the IHSAA. The agreement will ensure that the IHSAA maintains overall event rights.
Iowa PBS will also continue their existing coverage of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union championships for various sports. Iowa PBS will also produce special IHSAA programs highlighting stories of student-athletes, their sports, and communities.
This move was brought about after public outcry when the IHSSN started charging fans for the rights to stream the championship events. This move was exactly what IHSAA executive director Tom Keating was looking for,
“Our fans have asked for a free and easily accessible broadcast option and Iowa PBS is just that.”
Iowa PBS will officially take over production responsibilities on November 20th with the football semifinals.
