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.

DES MOINES, IOWA, MARCH 5, 2026 — Daylight saving time begins on Sunday, March 8, and the American Red Cross encourages everyone to test their smoke alarms as they turn their clocks forward to make sure the devices are working.

“Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half, as you only have about two minutes to safely get out,” said Emily Holley, Regional Communications Manager for the Nebraska-Iowa Region. “Every second counts when there’s a home fire and the sooner an alarm alerts you to a fire, the sooner you can get to a safer place.”

In 2025, local Red Cross volunteers responded to help over 2,000 people in Iowa affected by 584 home fires, which account for most of the about 65,000 disasters that the Red Cross responds to annually across the country.

SMOKE ALARMS When turning your clocks forward this weekend, test your smoke alarms and replace the batteries if needed. Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to create and practice with your family, or download the free Red Cross Emergency app by searching “American Red Cross” in app stores.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including inside and outside bedrooms and sleeping areas.
• Replace smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. Components such as sensors can become less sensitive over time. Follow your alarm’s manufacturer instructions.
• Practice your two-minute home fire escape plan. Make sure everyone in your household can get out in less than two minutes — the amount of time you may have to escape a burning home before it’s too late.
• Include at least two ways to get out of every room and select a meeting spot at a safe distance away from your home, such as your neighbor’s home or landmark like a specific tree in your front yard, where everyone can meet.

HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN SAVES LIVES Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, working with community partners, has saved at least 2,577 lives by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the country. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit redcross.org/homefires.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or follow us on social media. 

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DES MOINES, Iowa (Mar. 4, 2026) – The price of regular unleaded gasoline rose 34 cents from last week’s price and is currently averaging $2.93 across Iowa according to AAA.

Crude Oil Summary

• The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $9.46 per barrel, and is currently priced at $74.92.
• Brent crude oil rose by $10.86 and is currently priced at $81.64.
• One year ago, WTI crude sold for $68.47 and Brent crude was $72.31.

Motor Fuels

• As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.93 across Iowa according to AAA.
  • Prices rose 34 cents from last week’s price and are up 2 cents from a year ago.
  • The national average on Wednesday was $3.20, up 22 cents from last week’s price.
• Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 37 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.90.
  • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.39 in Iowa.
  • The current Iowa diesel price is 14 cents lower than the national average of $4.04.
• The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.13 for U87-E10, $2.49 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.98 for ULSD#2, $3.18 for ULSD#1, and $2.02 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

• Natural gas prices were up 2 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.94 MMbtu.
• Propane prices averaged $1.61 per gallon in Iowa.
• Home heating oil prices had a statewide average of $3.22 per gallon.

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

Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to fly at half-staff effective immediately until sunset on the final day of interment in honor and remembrance of Major Jeffery O’Brien, 45, of Waukee, Iowa and Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa. Both are Army Reserve Soldiers with the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines, Iowa, and were killed in action on March 1, 2026, in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. 

“Our hearts are broken by the deaths of Major Jeffrey O’Brien and Sgt. Declan Coady, two brave Iowa soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice to secure freedom and peace,” said Governor Kim Reynolds. “On behalf of a grateful state, Kevin and I offer our prayers and condolences for their families, and we ask all Iowans to stand united in support of our fallen soldiers and those who loved them.”   

Flags will be flown at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be at half-staff on all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state.   

Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties, and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.