Burlington, Iowa — Get ready for a wild and wonderful nighttime adventure through the waters of Flint Creek! On Wednesday, August 13, Starr’s Cave Nature Center invites you to step into the magic of the natural world after sunset during its Night Creek Stomp program, taking place from 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM.

This free, family-friendly event offers a rare opportunity to explore the creek by headlamp, where shadows dance on the water and the nighttime chorus of frogs and insects sets the scene for an unforgettable experience.

Participants are encouraged to wear water shoes and weather-appropriate clothing, and to bring a headlamp if they have one — although a limited number will be available to borrow. Guided by nature experts, you’ll wade through the cool creek bed and discover the vibrant, hidden life that thrives after dark.

Watch for the glow of fireflies, listen for the calls of nocturnal animals, and learn about the secret nightlife of the forest in a program designed to ignite curiosity in adventurers of all ages.

No RSVP is needed — just show up and be ready to explore. For more information, call Starr’s Cave Nature Center at (319) 753-5808.

Whether you’re a nature lover, a family seeking outdoor fun, or simply looking to try something new, Night Creek Stomp promises a unique and immersive encounter with the wonders of the night.

Friday, July 18 ended the 2025 Washington County Fair successfully for many 4-H and FFA members who sold their livestock projects in the annual livestock auction.  4-H families, volunteers, and auction buyers enjoyed a pancake breakfast hosted by Washington County Farm Bureau and the Washington County Pork Producers before heading to the show ring one last time this year.  161 youth sold in the auction with a total of 296 lots sold. 75  local businesses or personal buyers purchased livestock and awarded Washington County 4-H and FFA members with their paychecks.

The Washington County Fair broke their old attendance record from 2023.  For the entire six-day fair, this year breaks the 19,000-guest mark which is an increase of about 2,000 people from the 2023 fair record.

Secretary Amanda Russell commented, “Having a week of good weather helped out so much, plus we (the fair board) work really hard to bring a wide variety of entertainment which goes on all day long”.  Russell said tickets are counted nightly with wristband sales added after the fair is over.

Fair board member Chris Graf added, “We would like to thank all of the exhibitors, participants, and volunteers that continue to make the Washington County Fair a success.  We are honored to have welcomed over 19,000 visitors to the fairgrounds in 2025.”

The 2026 Washington County Fair will take place from July 19-24, 2026.

For more information about the Washington County Fair Association, follow them on Facebook or at www.washingtoncountyfairia.com .

Iowa motorists are seeing modest relief at the pump this week as fuel prices continue a slow downward trend, according to the latest data from AAA and state fuel terminals.

As of Wednesday, the average price of regular unleaded gasoline in Iowa sits at $2.92 per gallon, a 3-cent drop from last week and a 36-cent decrease from this time last year. The national average for regular unleaded is currently $3.14, down 2 cents from the previous week.

Retail diesel prices across Iowa also declined by 3 cents, now averaging $3.55 per gallon. While diesel is slightly higher than the $3.51 average seen a year ago, Iowa drivers are still paying 19 cents less than the national average, which stands at $3.74 per gallon.

Terminal and rack prices in Des Moines, a key distribution point for fuel across the state, reflect the current wholesale cost to suppliers. As of Wednesday, prices were as follows:

• U87-E10 (ethanol blend): $1.94 per gallon
• Unleaded 87 (clear): $2.26 per gallon
• ULSD#2 (Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel): $2.47 per gallon
• ULSD#1: $2.72 per gallon
• E-70 (ethanol blend): $1.91 per gallon

These rack prices serve as indicators of market trends and often influence retail prices over time.

With both gasoline and diesel prices continuing to dip, Iowans can expect moderate fuel savings heading into August—welcome news for drivers during the final stretch of the summer travel season.

With the start of a new school year just around the corner, the Louisa Sheriff’s Patrol is stepping up to help students head back to class equipped for success. The department has launched a vibrant and community-focused Back-to-School Supply Drive, inviting residents to donate essential classroom items for local children in need.

The drive aims to collect a wide range of school supplies, and community members are encouraged to contribute any of the following items:

• Erasers
• Crayons
• Folders
• Glue (bottles or sticks)
• Pencils
• Pens
• Notebooks
• Loose Leaf Paper
• 3-Ring Binders
• Markers
• Scissors
• Kleenex
• Colored Pencils

Donations of any quantity are welcome, and all contributions will go directly to students within the community who may otherwise struggle to afford basic classroom materials.

By organizing this drive, the Louisa Sheriff’s Patrol is not only ensuring that children have the tools they need to learn, but also reinforcing its commitment to public service and youth support.

For those interested in donating, stay tuned to the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office social media pages or contact their office directly for drop-off locations and times. Every notebook, pencil, and box of crayons helps make a difference!

The main item on the agenda was a site plan for a proposed parking lot at 300 East Washington Street, tied to Revival Wedding and Salon, which is located nearby. However, the lot itself is owned by Castle Church, and it sits on land zoned differently from the adjacent business.

Board members raised several issues with the submission, including:

• Zoning mismatch: The parking lot is located on land zoned R-3 (residential), while the salon is in a business district. It’s unclear whether the lot would legally serve a business in a different zone.
• Insufficient site plan detail: The submitted drawing lacked elevation changes, stormwater runoff control, curb details, ADA-compliant parking spaces, and topographic data. A member noted there is a one-foot elevation drop that could affect water flow and access.
• City engineering input required: Cutting a curb and adding a driveway would likely require approval from the city’s public works or engineering department.

The board ultimately took no action on the site plan, citing a lack of sufficient information. No motion was made, and no recommendation was passed to City Council.

Subdivision Request at 2260 Hickory Avenue Moves on to County

The board next reviewed a rural subdivision proposal located at 2260 Hickory Avenue, which would divide a larger tract of land into three parcels:

• One 72.1-acre parcel
• One 67.34-acre parcel
• One 5.2-acre parcel containing an existing residence

The landowner has no immediate plans to further develop the property, and the subdivision is not expected to impact local infrastructure or increase traffic.

A historic memorial marking Camp Harlan, a Civil War-era Army training ground located at the southeast corner of the property, was also noted during discussion. While the board has no jurisdiction over the memorial, members urged that the Henry County Board of Supervisors and county zoning officials be made aware of the site’s historical significance during their review.

Because the property lies just outside city limits — but within the two-mile urban fringe — the board voted to waive its right to review the subdivision and pass jurisdiction to the county, while retaining the right to review future development.

With no other business presented during open forum, the meeting was adjourned.

Mount Pleasant’s Preppin Mama is headed to the final round of Iowa’s “Open 4 Business” grant competition, with a chance to win up to $25,000 to expand their growing homesteading business.

Founded by mother-daughter duo Dani Murphy and Tatum Kane, Preppin Mama began with a small booth inside Jefferson Street Antique Mall, offering freeze-dried treats and gourmet cookies. Now they’re renovating a storefront at 120 S. Main Street to launch their Homestead Hub — a full-scale space dedicated to self-sufficient living.

The new shop will feature a juice bar, local vendor goods, in-house grain milling, dry goods, and eventually a certified commercial kitchen. It will also offer educational workshops on gardening, canning, cooking, and other homesteading skills.

The “Open 4 Business” program, run by Main Street Iowa, allows each participating community to nominate one business annually. From dozens of entries, only five reach the finals. Finalists receive $5,000 and are eligible for up to $25,000 depending on the judges’ decision. The final pitch will take place this Monday, August 4th at 5:00 p.m. in Muscatine at the Pearl Button Factory.

Main Street Director, Lisa Oetken encourages other local businesses to reach out about similar opportunities.

For help or more information, Oetken can be reached at (319) 385-1629 or lisa@mpiowa.org. Her office is located on the second floor of the Union Block building at 111 W. Monroe Street.