Mental Health During the Holidays – Henry County Public Health Holds Monthly “Ask a Nurse” Series

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 at 11:17 am CDT

For many people, the holidays are a time of joy and celebration. But mental health professionals say the season can also bring increased stress, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness.

Shorter days, financial pressure, family expectations, and the loss of loved ones can all take a toll on mental well-being during the holidays. Experts say it’s important to remember that it’s okay if the season doesn’t feel merry.

Mental health providers recommend setting realistic expectations, including limits on spending and social commitments. Maintaining routines—such as regular sleep, meals, and exercise—can also help provide stability during a busy time of year.

Staying connected is another key factor. Reaching out to friends, family, or community groups, even briefly, can help reduce isolation. At the same time, professionals say it’s healthy to take breaks and allow yourself quiet time when needed.

Experts encourage people to be mindful of alcohol use, which can worsen anxiety and depression. Instead, find simple stress-relieving strategies—like taking a walk, practicing deep breathing, or stepping away from social media—to help restore balance.

Locally, Henry County Public Health is holding their “Ask a Nurse” series this month focusing on the topic of mental health. Head to the Crew Public Library in Salem on Tuesday, December 23rd at 1 pm to get answers to your questions related to mental health in a relaxed, supportive environment by a registered nurse. This event is free and open to all and no RSVP is necessary. Click here to view the flyer.

If feelings of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness become overwhelming, help is available. In Iowa and across the country, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day by calling or texting 988.

Mental health professionals say the most important reminder this holiday season is that you’re not alone—and taking care of your mental health is just as important as any holiday tradition.

Police Arrest Burlington Man Wearing Ski Mask, Carrying Shotgun

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 at 10:40 am CDT

Early Sunday morning, Burlington Police were called to a residence on the 2100 block of Douglas Avenue for a report of four men outside the home sitting in a truck wearing ski masks with a shotgun.

Eric Shaffer, 43, was arrested by the Burlington Police and charged with:

  • control of a firearm/offensive weapon by a felon
  • possession of a short barrel rifle/shotgun
  • violation of a no contact order
  • driving under suspension

Shaffer acknowledged that the woman who had initially contacted police was inside his truck and that he was aware of the no-contact order she had against him. Shaffer is being held at the Des Moines County Jail on bond.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Burlington Woman Arrested Following Investigation of a Dependent Adult’s Death

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 at 10:23 am CDT

A caretaker in Burlington is charged after police say the woman she was taking care of died.

According to Burlington police, a dependent woman was hospitalized on July 21, 2025, after her mattress caught fire. She was later moved to hospice care and died on August 14, 2025.

Her death led to an investigation and Audrey Engler, age 25, was identified as a suspect. A warrant was issued for her arrest on December 11, 2025.

On December 15, 2025, at 4:50 a.m. Engler was spotted on the 100 block of South 9th Street. She was arrested and charged with a felony – intentional dependent adult abuse by a caretaker with serious injury. Engler was transported to the Des Moines County jail. A judge has set a preliminary hearing for Engler for December 29, 2025. Bond for Engler has been set at $10,000.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

City of Wayland Meeting Agenda – December 17, 2025

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 at 9:44 am CDT

The City of Wayland will meet in regular session tonight, December 17, 2025 at Wayland City Hall at 7:30 p.m. Under new business the council will look at a resolution waiving their rights to review a proposed subdivision within two miles of the City of Wayland, LL Pelling Summer Street Work 2026 pricing, authorize the purchase of a plow/sander truck and consider options for utility budget planning for customers. To view the full agenda, please click here.

Henry County Board of Supervisors Meeting Agenda – December 18, 2025

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 at 9:11 am CDT

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will meet Thursday morning at 9 a.m. at the Henry County Courthouse in Mount Pleasant.
Supervisors are expected to begin with routine business, including approval of the agenda, meeting minutes, and county claims.

County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss will provide his weekly update, and the board will consider a resolution to approve and execute a lease for a county laydown yard.

The board will also hear from the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission and look to approve a resolution for Henry County’s revolving loan fund plan.

Preservation efforts are on the agenda with Steve and Marcy Davis scheduled to speak on the preservation of Oakland Mills.

Planning and zoning matters are expected as well, including consideration of a subdivision request for Lot 1 of the Schlatter Subdivision Phase Two in section 15 of Jefferson Township.

Supervisors will look to name the county’s official newspaper for the coming year.

Following open-session business, the board plans to enter a closed session to discuss cybersecurity matters. The closed session will include a review of the county’s IT audit and a discussion of security policy with the Iowa Counties Information Technology team from the Iowa Statewide Information Sharing and Analysis Center.

The meeting is open to the public, apart from the closed session. View the full agenda here.

Central Lee CSD Rated ‘High Performing’ in Iowa School Performance Profile

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 at 7:09 am CDT

DONNELLSON, IA — The Central Lee Community School District has earned a “High Performing” rating in the inaugural release of the district-level Iowa School Performance Profiles.

The district outperformed the state average on every indicator measured in the new performance system, achieving the highest overall score among all public school districts in southeast Iowa. Central Lee’s strongest results included a 97 percent graduation rate, a postsecondary readiness score of 95 percent, and a chronic absenteeism rate of just 7 percent.

“We are incredibly proud of this recognition and the continued efforts of our staff, students, and families,” Superintendent Dr. Andy Crozier said. “This achievement reflects our district’s commitment to academic excellence and the wellbeing of every student. While we are happy with these results, we also know that we must continue to get better at everything we do.”

The Iowa School Performance Profiles provide an online tool that evaluates all public schools and districts based on academic achievement, student growth, graduation rates, college and career readiness, and attendance. The 2025 update marks the first year the state has included district-level ratings, following the approval of a unified accountability system by the U.S. Department of Education earlier this year.

In October, the district received building-level ratings of “High Performing” for Central Lee High School and “Commendable” for both Central Lee Middle School and Central Lee Elementary School.

The Iowa Department of Education developed the School Performance Profiles to improve transparency and support school improvement across the state. The full report, including school- and district-level results, is available at www.iaschoolperformance.gov.

Sports, December 17th

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 at 6:40 am CDT

High School Basketball

The Holy Trinity Catholic boys’ team steamrolled Van Buren County last night, 70-34 as Jay Ellison collected 25 points for the Crusaders. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will travel to Burlington Notre Dame on Friday, December 19th, with game one at 6 pm.

Central Lee handled New London last night with the the girls’ team winning 58-25 and the boys’ team taking their game 58-31. 

Central Lee will participate in the Rumble on the River tomorrow, December 18th, with the girls’ team competing against Monroe City at 4:30 pm and the boys’ team facing off against Clopton at 6 pm.

New London will stay on the road to tangle with Mediapolis with the girls’ playing first at 6 pm on Friday.

West Burlington swept Danville last night with the girls’ winning 52-45 and the boys’ taking their game 72-46. The Falcons will square off against Central Lee on the road on Friday with the boys’ game following the girls at 7:30 pm.

Danville will host Van Buren County on Friday with the night starting at 6 pm.

WACO split their night with Hillcrest Academy with the girls’ team demolishing the Ravens 45-19 and the boys’ team falling 55-44. Brenna and Drew Graber each put up 11 points in the victory, while Nick West led the boys’ team with 15 points. The Warriors will take on Highland on the road tomorrow with game one at 6 pm.

The Wapello girls’ and boys’ teams fell to Highland last night, 53-38 in the girls’ matchup and 45-42 in the boys’ game. Wapello will compete against Columbus at home on Friday with game one at 6 pm.

The #10 Mediapolis girls’ team extended their undefeated streak to five games last night with a dominant 85-30 victory. Grace Holsteen dropped eight threes to finish the night with 30 points for the Bulldogs. In the boys’ game, Burlington Notre Dame won their sixth game of the season, decimating the Bulldogs 77-44. 

Mediapolis will host Winfield-Mt. Union tomorrow with game one at 6 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union split their night with Columbus last night, losing the girls’ game 54-30 and winning the boys’ game 56-27. The Wildcats will travel to Pekin tomorrow with tip-off at 6 pm for the girls’ contest. 

Mt. Pleasant will travel to Washington on Friday with game one at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm.

Fairfield will face off against Keokuk on Friday at home with game one at 6 pm.

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will compete in a quad in Burlington on Friday, December 19th, with Central Lee also in attendance. 

High School Wrestling

The WACO boys’ team competed in a quad last night and defeated HLV 57-18 and Montezuma 42-39, while tying North Mahaska at 42. Rydge Sterna, Harley Larrimore, and Ian Maize each finished the night undefeated. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team fell to Lisbon and Union Community last night in a triangular 48-12 in each duel. Brynn Pogmore finished the night undefeated, while Jada Moats and Jalynn Phillips each collected a 1-1 record. The Wildcats will travel to Prairie on Saturday, December 20th, for an invite.

The Mediapolis boys’ team hosted a triangular and finished the night unbeaten with a 42-36 win over Van Buren County and a 54-6 trouncing of Pekin. James Garrison, Kyler Crow, and Brody Minster each finished the night 2-0. Jackson Meek and Alex Scott collected victories for the Warriors.

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team will compete in a triangular at home against WACO and Mediapolis tomorrow, December 18th.

Mt. Pleasant will travel to Fort Madison for a dual tomorrow.

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will host a quad tomorrow with Van Buren County and Wapello making the trip. 

Fairfield will face off against Burlington tomorrow at home.

The New London boys’ team will wrestle at the Fort Madison Invitational on Friday, December 19th.

The WACO and Wapello girls’ teams will compete in the Warhorse Invitational on Saturday.

Southeast Iowa Playbook

Tune in to KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, tonight at 6 pm for a new episode of the Southeast Iowa Playbook with Winfield-Mt. Union being our school of focus.

Southeastern Community College

The women’s basketball team will host Ellsworth Community College tonight at 5:30 pm.

College Football

#23 Iowa will take on #14 Vanderbilt on December 31st at 11 am for the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Florida. 

College Basketball

The #10 Iowa State women’s team will prepare to host their first conference game of the season against Kansas on Sunday, December 21st, at 1 pm.

The #11 Iowa women’s team will face off against #1 UConn in the Shark Beauty Women’s Champions Classic on Saturday, December 20th, at 12:30 pm. 

The Iowa men’s team will travel to play Bucknell on Saturday at 5 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM will have the call.

The #4 Iowa State men’s team will stay at home to take on Long Beach State on Sunday at 5 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1933 – The National Football League Championship – First title game, Wrigley Field, Chicago: the Chicago Bears beat the New York Giants, 23-21; “Bronko Nagurski Rule” – a forward pass is legal anywhere behind the line of scrimmage.

1944 – The National Football League Championship, Polo Grounds, NYC: The Green Bay Packers beat the New York Giants 14-7 for the 6th and final league title under long-time coach Curly Lambeau.

2022 – The Minnesota Vikings recover from a 33-0 deficit at halftime to beat the Indianapolis Colts 39-36 in overtime at US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN; the largest comeback in NFL history.

Brent Schleisman Remembered With Private Farewell, Public Legacy

By Shelbi Swinscoe · Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 at 6:26 am CDT

Following the passing of longtime City Administrator Brent Schleisman, the family has shared that, in accordance with his wishes, there will be no funeral, visitation, or formal obituary.
Schleisman dedicated more than 30 years of his life to public service in Mount Pleasant, but was a private individual who preferred to keep personal matters out of the public eye. The family has asked that those wishes be respected.
The family also acknowledged the community’s desire to honor Schleisman’s legacy. Those who feel inclined to do so are invited to make a memorial tribute in his honor, given to the City of Mount Pleasant and designated for bike trails through the Mount Pleasant Parks and Recreation Department.
The bike trail aligns with values important to Schleisman throughout his career, including thoughtful planning, community investment, and projects intended to benefit residents for generations to come.
The family expressed appreciation for the respect and understanding shown by the community during this time.