Alicia Yocum with the Henry County Fair, visited The Board of Supervisors to request funding for general expenses, seeking $23,000—an increase from the $20,000 granted last year.

Alicia highlighted recent improvements, including rewiring fans in the cattle barn, modifying gates, and purchasing lighter pens for the growing sheep and goat exhibits. The fair repurposed old pens by selling them to another fair.

Financially, the fair saw an increase in donations from area businesses, ending the fiscal year with a positive balance.

Plans for this year’s fair include a new Friday night event, though details remain undisclosed, and the discontinuation of the truck and tractor pull due to financial losses.

While exact attendance numbers are difficult to determine, the Saturday night demolition derby drew over 1,500 spectators.

Joel Garrettson, representing the Henry County Historic Preservation Commission, presented the commission’s annual report to the Board of Supervisors.

The commission, a certified local government, remains active in preservation efforts, including supporting historic sites, publishing local history books, and nominating Wayland’s Historic Residential District to the National Register of Historic Places.

For 2025, goals include developing a historic site guidebook to boost tourism, continuing preservation projects, and maintaining certified status. With six of nine commissioners up for renewal, Garrettson encouraged new member nominations. The final report will be submitted after required signatures are collected.

On Wednesday February 19th, 2025 at approximately 12:31pm the Morning Sun Fire Department was paged for a report of an electrical fire in a garage.

Upon arrival crews located a one story detached garage with heavy smoke showing. Wapello Fire Department was called for mutual aide to assist.

Crews initiated an interior attack and located an electrical box that appeared to be burning. Crews quickly brought the fire under control and ventilated the smoke from the garage.

The structure was insured at the time of the fire. No further details will be released.

• As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.01 across Iowa according to AAA.
  • Prices rose 6 cents from last week’s price and are up 8 cents from a year ago.
  • The national average on Wednesday was $3.16, up 1 cent from last week’s price.
• Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 1 cent this week with a statewide average of $3.46.
  • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.84 in Iowa.
  • The current Iowa diesel price is 23 cents lower than the national average of $3.69.
• Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
• The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.08 for U87-E10, $2.24 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.37 for ULSD#2, $2.59 for ULSD#1, and $2.00 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

• Natural gas prices were up $.66 at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $4.20 MMbtu.
• Propane prices averaged $1.67 per gallon in Iowa.
• Home heating oil prices had a statewide average of $3.05 per gallon.

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

The Friends of Conservation for Henry County are hosting their 2^nd annual Banquet Fundraiser on March 21^st. Several tickets options for your meal tickets.

Director of Henry County conservation, Caleb waters talks about the event.

Friends of Conservation in Henry County is a 503c non profit with a focus on conservation and education. We host events to get people to our parks in Henry County. You can purchase your tickets to the banquet and see auction items on their Facebook page, Friends of Conservation in Henry County, Ltd.

The banquet is March 21^st, doors open at 5pm, dinner starts at 6pm at the mount pleasant gold & country club.