Maharishi International University in Fairfield has announced plans to close Utopia Park, a long-standing trailer park on the north edge of town.

University officials say the trailers—built in 1983 for visitors attending the “Taste of Utopia” assembly—have deteriorated to the point where repairs are no longer economically feasible.

MIU Vice President of Operations Jeremy Brenin says the park will be shut down gradually over the next two and a half years. Of the park’s 176 trailers, 146 are currently occupied.

To avoid overwhelming Fairfield’s housing market, the university plans to close the park in six phases, with between 15 and 21 trailers shutting down every six months. The first eviction notices went out February first, giving those residents six months to move out. The final phase is scheduled for August 2028.

The university will also provide $800 toward moving expenses for each trailer through an agreement with a moving company.

Officials say the phased approach is intended to give Fairfield’s rental market time to absorb the displaced residents. About half of the current tenants have ties to the university, while the rest do not.

MIU says the land is expected to be redeveloped in the future for new housing, potentially including townhomes, multi-plex units, or an apartment complex.

A southeast Iowa man is in custody following a multi-state investigation into the deaths of three women in southern Utah.

Authorities say 22-year-old Ivan Miller of Blakesburg, Iowa, was arrested Thursday in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, after being identified as the suspect in the killings.

According to investigators, the series of events began Wednesday afternoon in Wayne County, Utah. Officials say Miller allegedly killed an elderly woman at her home and stole her vehicle. He then reportedly drove to a nearby trailhead near Capitol Reef National Park, where two women who were hiking together were also killed.

Authorities say the incident came to light when the husbands of the hikers went searching for their missing wives and noticed a suspicious vehicle at the trailhead and another vehicle missing.

Investigators used license plate readers and vehicle tracking technology to trace the suspect’s route from Utah through northern Arizona and into southwestern Colorado, where the stolen vehicle was eventually abandoned. Miller was located after a short search and taken into custody.

Officials say the victims had no known connection to the suspect, and investigators have not yet determined a motive. The three women were reported to be in their 30s, 60s, and 80s.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue processing multiple crime scenes in southern Utah.

A Mount Pleasant man is facing multiple charges after police say he forced his way into a woman’s apartment and stole her truck.

Donald Biggs, 52, of Mount Pleasant, has been charged with burglary in the second degree, a Class C felony, theft in the second degree, a Class D felony, violation of a no-contact or protective order – contempt, a simple misdemeanor, and violation of probation.

According to court documents, the Mount Pleasant Police Department was dispatched Saturday, February 28th at approximately 9:45 a.m. to the 1200 block of North Palm Avenue for a reported disturbance.

Officers learned a physical altercation had occurred between Biggs and the victim. During the incident, Biggs allegedly forced his way into the victim’s apartment while she was letting her dogs outside, pushing her down as he entered. Police say Biggs then took the keys to a truck registered to the victim and drove away from the scene.

When questioned by officers, Biggs reportedly claimed the truck belonged to him. However, vehicle registration records showed the truck was registered to the victim.

The disturbance was reported by both the victim and a nearby neighbor who heard the commotion and checked on the victim.

Authorities later located Biggs operating the truck.

Court records also show an active no-contact order had been issued between Biggs and the victim just two days earlier on February 26th in Henry County, listing the victim as the protected party.

According to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Biggs’ bail has been set at $17,300 cash or surety, including $15,300 for the burglary charge and $2,000 for the probation violation.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for March 11th.

The City of Burlington’s outdoor warning siren system is currently out of service due to a failure of a critical piece of equipment.

According to a press release from Des Moines County Emergency Management, the malfunction has placed the city’s Outdoor Warning System out of commission while officials evaluate repair or replacement options. During this time, the sirens used to alert the public during severe weather will not be operational.

Emergency management officials emphasize that the outdoor warning sirens are designed primarily to alert people who are outdoors and should not be relied upon as the only source of emergency notifications.

With severe weather expected in the area, residents are strongly encouraged to make sure they have other ways to receive alerts. Officials recommend signing up for Alert Iowa, a free statewide emergency notification system that can send warnings by text message, phone call, or email. Residents can also customize the types of alerts they receive and select their preferred language.

Emergency Management also encourages residents to maintain a NOAA All-Hazard Weather Radio, which provides continuous broadcasts of official warnings, watches, forecasts, and hazard information directly from the National Weather Service. These radios can automatically sound an alert when warnings are issued, including overnight.

Officials say they will continue to keep the public informed as updates become available regarding the status of Burlington’s outdoor warning system. Residents looking for more information or help signing up for Alert Iowa can visit the Des Moines County Emergency Management website.

Jury selection began Tuesday in Lee County for the murder trial of an inmate accused of killing another prisoner at the Iowa State Penitentiary in December 2024.

Anthony Michael Koehlhoeffer, 35, is charged with second degree murder, a Class B felony, in connection with the death of 64-year-old inmate Gary Showalter Sr.

According to a criminal complaint, the assault happened around 4 p.m. on December 19, 2024, inside the prison kitchen where both men were assigned to cleaning duties. Investigators say the two inmates became involved in a verbal altercation before Koehlhoeffer initially began walking away.

Authorities say Showalter continued speaking to him, prompting Koehlhoeffer to turn around, walk back, and shove Showalter to the floor. Surveillance video reportedly shows Koehlhoeffer standing over Showalter and repeatedly punching, kicking, and stomping his head and face for approximately 25 seconds. Court documents state Koehlhoeffer punched Showalter in the head 21 times and kicked or stomped him seven times. Investigators say several of those blows occurred after Showalter appeared to lose consciousness.

Body camera footage from correctional officers following the incident allegedly captured Koehlhoeffer telling an officer that Showalter “brought it upon himself.” Authorities also say recorded prison phone calls include statements from Koehlhoeffer discussing the assault.

Showalter was transported to the University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center following the incident and later died on December 28, 2024. An autopsy determined the cause of death was blunt force injuries to the head, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation was called to investigate the case. Koehlhoeffer was formally charged on March 26, 2025, and entered a not guilty plea on May 16.

Showalter had been serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole after being convicted in 2023 of first degree murder in the death of his wife, Helen Showalter of Ottumwa.

Koehlhoeffer is currently incarcerated for a 2010 second degree robbery conviction in Jefferson County related to the robbery of the Pilot Grove Savings Bank in Fairfield.

The jury trial is being held at the North Lee County Courthouse in Fort Madison.

A state-licensed care facility for people with disabilities has been cited for improperly using residents’ personal money to buy furniture and supplies for the home.

According to the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, the Walton Group Home in Burlington used residents’ funds for items such as office furniture, kitchen supplies and bottled water—often without written permission from the residents’ guardians.

State inspectors say the practice may have continued for as long as nine years.

The issue came to light in July 2025 when a staff member reported that a dining table used in a staff office had been purchased using one resident’s money. During the inspection, officials also found a large pile of household items—such as cookware, dishes, storage containers and a vacuum cleaner—stored in a bathroom connected to the former administrator’s office. A worker told inspectors the items were believed to have been purchased with residents’ funds.

Records reviewed by inspectors showed that in April 2024, staff requested $1,750 from one resident’s account to buy “home décor.” Receipts later showed the money was used to purchase two dressers and a dining table, which was placed in a staff office. The same resident’s money was also used to buy bottled water and kitchen utensils.

Inspectors also found purchases made using another resident’s funds, including bowls, tumblers, baking pans, a vacuum cleaner and a griddle. When inspectors spoke with that resident’s guardian in December 2025, she said she had not authorized any of the purchases and felt “betrayed” by the actions of former administrators. Inspectors noted the resident had limited financial resources and could not afford to buy items for the group home.

Staff told investigators the practice had been going on for years. One employee said that if residents had extra money in their accounts, it was sometimes used to buy supplies for the facility. Another staff member said residents’ funds had been used at various times to purchase items such as dishes and storage containers for the home.

Inspectors also found that when residents received federal stimulus payments during the COVID-19 pandemic, staff reportedly asked them to pool the money to buy dining room tables and chairs for the facility.

The home’s own policies state that residents’ personal funds should not be used to purchase items intended for the benefit of others.

Although the facility has since introduced new procedures to prevent further misuse of residents’ money, inspectors reported that as of December 2025 none of the residents had been reimbursed.

State regulators fined the facility $500.

The home is operated by Imagine The Possibilities Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides services and housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Iowa. A representative for the organization said the matter has not been referred to law enforcement and described the violation as “very minor.”

Inspectors also cited the facility for additional violations that did not result in fines, including failing to treat residents with dignity. In one instance, a former administrator reportedly called residents “hogs” during a meeting after a group outing and threatened to restrict their access to personal spending money.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors heard several department updates and addressed routine county business during their meeting Thursday morning at the courthouse in Mount Pleasant.

During department head reports, Public Health Director Katie Reuter told the board the state continues to see high flu levels along with RSV and moderate COVID-19 activity. However, she noted that no schools in Henry County have reported absentee rates above ten percent. Reuter also announced her resignation and said the department has begun the search for her replacement while she works to ensure a smooth transition.

Henry County Treasurer Kellie Sloan reminded property owners that the second half of property taxes are due this month. Payments can be made by mail, in person, through the drop box, or online at iowatreasurers.org. Mailed payments must be postmarked by March 31 to avoid penalty, which will begin April 1.

Emergency Management Coordinator Walt Jackson discussed a search conducted last week in Hillsboro after a report of a missing person. Jackson said the individual was not actually missing and the Sheriff’s office confirmed a person has been charged with false reporting. He explained that incidents like this take significant manpower and resources away from normal county operations. Jackson also reported he has applied for the county’s annual Emergency Management grant and expects it to be around $20,000. He will hosting a training this weekend focused on search procedures for missing persons.

IT Director Gunner Sloan reported the county is working to fill a second IT position. Sloan said the county received about 20 applications and interviews were conducted with six candidates.

Sheriff Rich McNamee told supervisors that dispatch continues to see a downward trend in calls for service. The Henry County Jail currently averages about 60 inmates per day.

County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss also presented the Secondary Roads weekly update. The board approved a motion authorizing dust control companies, passed a resolution supporting the FY27 County Program Funding grant, and approved updated speed limits for the Trenton area. Road crews continue maintenance work including patching roads, ditch stabilization, and resurfacing projects. A bridge removal project on Lexington Avenue between 110th and 115th Streets is underway as crews prepare excavation for new footings.

In other business, the board formally acknowledged Reuter’s resignation and discussed rising employee health insurance premiums with IGCHP representative Denise Ballard.

Supervisors were notified by the Henry County Attorney’s Office that they will hire a temporary administrative assistant to work through the end of March ahead of the upcoming special election. Former employee Gayle Donnolly has offered to come out of retirement to assist the office during the two-week period and will require no additional training.

The board also acknowledged liquor license renewals for the Bait and Tackle Shop in Oakland Mills and Deerwood Golf Club.