A Wellman woman was arrested on a felony charge Monday after burning a vehicle’s registration and damaging property.

On Monday, just before 3 p.m. the Washington County Sheriff’s Office arrested 35-year-old Sheyenne Chambers of Wellman on one count of second degree criminal mischief, a class D felony.

According to court records, deputies responded to the 600 block of 4th Street in Wellman to a report of a vehicle that was taken without permission. Upon arriving at the residence, deputies found Chambers in the car and witnessed Chambers leaning out the driver’s door burning the vehicle’s registration and bill of sale. Upon further investigation it was found that she broke two sun visors, the vehicle’s gear shift, and center console area, and had also burnt a spot in the driver’s door with a lighter and also keyed the car.

The estimated cost of repairs is $5,950. When asked by deputies, Chambers admitted to causing the damages.

A trial date has yet to be set.

A preliminary autopsy on the body of a woman found dead on a sidewalk in Keokuk in January showed no signs of foul play.

That’s according to Keokuk Police Chief Zeth Baum. 35-year-old Danielle Clark was found dead on a sidewalk in the 1300 block of South Seventh Street on January 31st. There were no signs of any external injuries.

Baum says additional details may be available once the full autopsy is received.

A Keokuk man is dead following what police say was a self-inflicted gunshot wound Friday afternoon that sparked a large police response.

The Keokuk Police Department responded around 3:27 p.m. to the area of Fourth and Fulton Streets for a report of a person with a gun.

Police Chief Zeth Baum says officers arrived within a minute and found a man with what appeared to be a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Multiple Keokuk officers and other area law enforcement agencies were on scene as authorities canvassed the area for witnesses who may have seen anything related to the incident.

A Donnellson man is facing a felony charge after police say he sexually abused a child last summer.

Thirty-five-year-old Daryl Lee Manley of Donnellson was arrested Friday by the West Point-Donnellson Police Department and charged with second-degree sexual abuse, a Class B felony.

Authorities say Manley admitted to sexually abusing a victim at his home in August of 2025.

The complaint also states that Manley told investigators he threatened to kill himself if the victim told anyone.

Manley is being held at the Lee County Jail on a 30-thousand-dollar cash-only bond.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. March 9.

Under Iowa law, a person convicted of a Class B felony faces up to 50 years in prison.

The Central Lee Community School District could soon be searching for a new superintendent.

Central Lee Superintendent Dr. Andy Crozier (Crow-Zure) has been named one of three finalists for the superintendent position in the Waukee Community School District in Central Iowa. The other finalists include Mark Lane, superintendent of the Woodward Granger Community School District, and Dr. Michelle Morse, superintendent of the Bettendorf Community School District.

The Waukee district expects a final decision during the Waukee School Board meeting on March 12. The position would begin July 1.

Crozier says he was not actively looking for a new position but decided to consider the opportunity when the opening in Waukee became available.

If selected, Crozier says he would remain at Central Lee through the end of the current school year. If the district chooses another candidate, he says he is happy to remain in his current role.

Crozier has served as superintendent at Central Lee after previously working as an educator, activities director, and digital learning coordinator. He also currently serves on the Iowa High School Athletic Association Board of Control.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in a multi-species backyard flock in Washington County. This case is Iowa’s fifth detection of H5N1 HPAI in 2026.

About H5N1 HPAI in Birds

H5N1 HPAI is a viral disease that affects both wild and domestic bird populations. H5N1 HPAI can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick, but is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys.

Heightened Biosecurity 

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is strongly encouraging Iowa poultry producers and backyard flock owners to continue bolstering their biosecurity practices and protocols to protect their flocks. The Department has numerous biosecurity resources to reference on its website.

Suspected Cases in Poultry 

If poultry producers or those with backyard birds suspect signs of H5N1 HPAI, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.

Clinical signs of H5N1 HPAI in birds may include:  

• Sudden increase in bird deaths without any clinical signs
• Lethargy and/or lack of energy and appetite
• Decrease in egg production
• Soft, thin-shelled and/or misshapen eggs
• Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
• Purple/blue discoloration of the wattles, comb, and legs
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing, sneezing, and/or nasal discharge (runny nose)
• Stumbling and/or falling down
• Diarrhea

Food Safety 

It remains safe to enjoy eggs and poultry products. As a reminder, consumers should always properly handle and cook eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F.

Wild and Migratory Birds

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) asks those who find 20 or more sick or dead wild birds in a small area to report their findings to local DNR Wildlife Management staff.

Public Health 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to believe the threat to the general public remains low. Any questions related to public health should be directed to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

List of Confirmed Cases

As H5N1 HPAI detections are confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, those cases are added to tracking websites located on the USDA APHIS website.