Despite steady rain falling over the Henry County Fairgrounds, the competition was fierce and spirits remained high in the show ring during the 2025 Market Beef Show. Local youth presented top-quality cattle with pride and precision as Judge Keaton Lain sorted through class after class of impressive animals. After a full day of judging, champions were named across each division, culminating in the announcement of the overall Grand and Reserve Champion Market Beef.

Grand Champion Market Beef

Libby Myers

Reserve Grand Champion Market Beef

Katie Miller

Grand Champion Breeding Heifer

Morgan Meyer

Reserve Grand Champion Breeding Heifer

Katie miller

Champion Crossbred Heifer

Morgan Meyer

Division Champions:

Champion Market Heifer

Aubrey Lloyd
Reserve Champion Market Heifer

Justin Knipfer

Champion Lightweight Market Steer

Grant Anderson

Reserve: Olivia Francy

Champion Mediumweight Market Steer

Libby Myers

Reserve: Kylie Lloyd

Champion Heavyweight Market Steer

Katie Miller
Reserve: Elyssa Graber

Final Thoughts

Judge Keaton Lain praised the depth and quality of the cattle shown, stating, “This show had tremendous consistency from top to bottom. These youth have done their homework — the structure, performance, and presentation today were second to none.”

Congratulations to all exhibitors on a strong showing at the 2025 Henry County Fair Market Beef Show!

For the second year in a row, Libby Myers has claimed the coveted title of Grand Champion in the Market Beef division at the Henry County Fair.

Representing the New London 4-H Club and attending Holy Trinity Catholic Schools, Libby is no stranger to the winner’s circle. With her parents, Tim and Brandy Myers, proudly supporting her, she delivered another standout performance in the ring—despite the day’s wet and muddy conditions.

Earning back-to-back titles is no small feat, and Libby’s win is a testament to her hard work, preparation, and dedication to her project. Her market beef entry stood out once again to the judge, rising to the top of a competitive class.

The champion isn’t done yet. Libby plans to compete in the Showdown in a few weeks—a regional competition that draws elite exhibitors from across the area.

With two straight Grand Champion titles under her belt, Libby Myers continues to build a strong legacy in the beef show world—one determined step at a time.

It’s been a whirlwind week for Morgan, and she capped it off in style — taking the top spot in the Breeding Beef show with her heifer, Gloria.

Morgan has been a constant presence in the show rings all week long, and her success is the result of months of hard work. From early mornings to late-night feedings and preparations, this fair week has been the reward for her dedication.

Morgan also won champion Crossbred Heifer during the Beef Show

As she looks ahead to her final events of the fair, Morgan will be remembered not just for the banners she earned, but for the poise and passion she brought to every class she entered. Congratulations to Morgan and Gloria — your 2025 Breeding Beef Champion!

Des Moines County, Iowa – A Burlington woman is dead and another injured following a single-vehicle crash late Thursday night on Des Moines County Highway 99.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, the incident occurred at approximately 11:03 p.m. on July 18, near the address of 16015 Des Moines County Highway 99. A 2008 Kia Sorento, driven by 20-year-old Kelsey Lou Orth of Burlington, was traveling southbound at excessive speeds when Orth lost control of the vehicle.

Investigators say the vehicle entered the west ditch near a residential driveway, struck a culvert, and was launched into the air. The SUV rolled several times before coming to rest on its roof. Orth, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Her body was transported by Prugh Funeral Service to the State Medical Examiner’s Office.

A passenger in the vehicle, 18-year-old Ava Grace McCulloch of West Burlington, was wearing a seat belt and survived the crash. She was transported by the Burlington Fire Department to Great River Medical Center with undisclosed injuries.

The vehicle was towed from the scene by Campbell’s Towing.

The crash remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol. No additional vehicles were involved, and no other injuries were reported.

Trooper Hudson of Post 13 is leading the investigation.

Authorities continue to urge drivers to obey posted speed limits and always wear a seat belt.

The City of Danville City Council will meet in regular session on Monday, July 21^st at 105 W. Shepherd Street.  A Public Hearing regarding sewer rates increase will be held at 5:15pm with the regular session meeting immediately following.  The meetings are open to the public.

The National Weather Service has issued flash flooding alerts for southeast Iowa through Monday.  Repeating rounds of storms with heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding.  The prediction is 2-4 inches of rain.  The storms also carry wind, hail, and lightning.  All southeast Iowa is under the flood watch.  Henry, Lee, Des Moines, Wapello, and Washington counties included.  The NWS timeline shows a line of storms coming through between 6pm today through 6am Sunday. And again between 6pm on Sunday through noon on Monday.

The Iowa DNR and Pheasants Forever are celebrating 100 years of pheasant hunting in the state of Iowa.  Iowa DNR reports that the first season was held Oct. 20-22, 1925, when 13 counties in north central Iowa were opened to pheasant hunting. Hunters were allowed a three-rooster limit, for a half-day of hunting. An estimated 75,000 hunters participated.

Iowa’s 2024 estimated pheasant harvest was the second highest in nearly two decades, coming in at more than 460,000 roosters’ last fall.  The 2023 harvest was 590,000 birds.

This is the best back-to-back pheasant harvest years since 2007 with only South Dakota harvesting more pheasants last year. More than 77,400 hunters tracked pheasants in Iowa last fall, down from 83,600 in 2023.

The statewide August roadside survey is conducted by Iowa DNR staff between Aug. 1-15, who drive 225, 30-mile routes on gravel roads at dawn on mornings with heavy dew. Hen pheasants will move their broods to the edge of the gravel road to dry off before they begin feeding, which makes it easier to count.

Iowa’s quail hunters harvested 27,500 birds or 2,700 fewer than last year. Iowa’s rabbit and squirrel harvest both increased over 2023; rabbits by 13 percent and squirrels by 32 percent.

Hunters can commemorate the 100th anniversary of pheasant hunting by purchasing a hard card featuring Iowa Pheasants Forever Print of the Year when they purchase their 2025 hunting and fishing licenses.