The latest fuel report from AAA and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship shows the average price of unleaded gas holding steady this week. Regular unleaded gas prices averaged $2.93 for the second straight week in Iowa, while the average price also held stable at $3.16 nationally. The average cost of retail diesel fuel rose by a penny in Iowa this week. Nationally, average diesel costs increased by three cents.
Crude oil prices dropped this week.
Henry County Fairgrounds – It was a proud day for young exhibitor James Howard Coffin, who made his debut in the 4-H poultry show at the Henry County Fair — and walked away a champion.
A member of the Salem Stars 4-H Club, James is in his very first year of 4-H and showing animals. Despite the newness of the experience, he impressed the judges and the crowd alike with his poise, care, and striking birds.
Among his birds were a stunning pair of Dark Brahmas, which James affectionately introduced as Emmett (the rooster) and Pauline (the hen). “They are a very good pair, and they are quite beautiful to me,” he shared.
James keeps his birds at home alongside other breeds, where he helps care for them daily — an effort that paid off in the show ring. He earned first place in his class for both his Dark Brahma pair and his Mille Fleur d’Uccle, a small and beautifully feathered bantam breed.
His efforts didn’t stop there. James was also awarded Champion Reserve, an outstanding accomplishment for a first-year participant. “I feel very happy,” he said, with a smile that said it all.
With a strong start and plenty of enthusiasm, it’s safe to say this is just the beginning for him in 4-H poultry showmanship.
HENRY COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS — In the middle of a bustling rabbit barn, one young exhibitor stood out—both in the show ring and beyond. Morgan Meyer captured Best Fancy Rabbit and Reserve Best Fancy Rabbit honors at the Henry County Fair Rabbit Show with her senior buck and junior doe, respectively.
Meyer’s pair of Mini Rex rabbits caught the judge’s eye with their strong structure, excellent coat condition, and ideal body shape.
The judge spent time with each exhibitor during the show, offering educational feedback while evaluating each animal’s physical traits. For Meyer, the effort she’s put into preparing her rabbits all year clearly paid off.
Despite her time in the winner’s circle, Meyer won’t be slowing down any time soon. She’s also serving as this year’s Henry County Fair Queen, which means she’s juggling responsibilities both in the ring and across the fairgrounds.
Guy Keith “Dudley” Carey, 104, of Columbus Junction, Iowa, passed away peacefully at his home on the family farm, on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
Keith Carey was born in his grandmother’s house north of Fredonia on May 5, 1921, to Robert and Mamie (Bliven) Carey. He was the sixth of seven sons and one sister. The family moved in March of 1927 to Mercer County, Illinois and began farming in the Bay area. Dud attended several rural schools and passed his 8th grade exam at Eliza Creek school. In the early 1940’s the family moved back to Louisa County, Iowa and farmed in the Port Louisa and Concord Townships. Keith remained in Louisa County for the remainder of his life.
While attending the harness races at the annual Wapello Homecoming the young lady with a bow in her hair leading the horses to post caught his eye. Keith was hooked and he and Katherine Pewitt were married on May 5, 1950, at the Methodist Church in Wapello. For 67 years he and Katherine lived on the family farm together raising row crops, registered angus cattle, sheep, pigs, and standardbred horses. They welcomed four children Twyla, Jeff, Bill, and Patti. Many others found their home a sanctuary and remained “like family”.
Both Katherine and Dudley found they had a similar passion for horses. Katherine loved the Saddlebred horses and Keith liked the Standardbreds. In 1950, Keith’s brother, Red, was injured in a racing accident, so they jumped in to help train and race the family horses. Thus began their involvement in harness racing in the Iowa, Illinois and Missouri circuits. They also raced horses at the Quad City Downs and Balmoral Park for several years. Both he and Katherine have been inducted into the Iowa Harness Racing Hall of Fame for their years of involvement and promotion. Few harness racing families didn’t know Dudley, whether driving, grooming, or sitting in the grandstand. He was a permanent fixture at all the Iowa race tracks, and western Illinois tracks as well.
Dudley will always be remembered for his jovial nature, singing, cracking jokes, and his love of family. In his later years he loved to write about his life and specially creating poems. Some of the poems were funny, some crude, and some were about the love of his life, Katherine. He often mailed his poems to friends and family, whoever he thought would get the biggest kick out of it. He loved to spend time with his family and friends, especially his grandkids and great grandkids. He would have them helping him with the farm work or in the barn, singing songs to them (“The Beans Song” was a kid favorite), or telling them about the good ol’ days. He loved the time around the kitchen table during canning season when he would share his stories. He had the same love for his many nieces and nephews (no matter how many greats were in front of it) and all his bonus family members. They would often come to see Uncle Dud, or he and Katherine would go to visit them. Family was the center point for them.
Keith was a 70 year member of the Freemasons Columbus City Lodge #107 and Louisa County Shrine Club. He often rode in the Leapin’ Lena Shriner car during parades. He and his son Bill had many great memories within these organizations.
Keith was preceded in death by his wife, Katherine on June 16, 2017. His parents Mamie (Bliven) and Robert Carey. His siblings and their spouses: Irene (Dale “Jiggers”) Morrison, Tom (Wilda), Rex (Christina), Royce “Red” (Vesta), Robert “Pat” (Muriel), Clayton “Butch” (Marcella), and Leith. A granddaughter, Jessica Gerling, one great-grandchild, daughter-in-law Debby Carey, special nephew Steve Carey and many other nieces and nephews.
He is survived by a daughter, Twyla (Dan) Peters of Columbus Junction. Their children, Will (Keetra) Peters, Keagan, Kinleigh, and Kelton of Sherman, Illinois; Mackenzie Clark, Sydney, Clay, and Banks of Columbus Junction. A son, Jeff (Nancy) Carey of Columbus Junction. Their children, Mary Carey and Keevyn Kilburg, Kolton and Kaison of Columbus Junction and Karlee (Jackson) Roth of Wayland; Curtis Carey of Columbus Junction; and Allison (Ryan) Pearson, Kathlynn and Newlyn of Lone Tree. Another son, Bill Carey of Columbus Junction and daughter Michelle (Truckie) Harbison of Crawfordsville, Logan (Kylen) of Washington & Caedon of Ainsworth and son Matthew (Miranda) Stauffer of Moscow. Another daughter, Patti (Larry Fred) Gerling of Winfield, their children Saul of Amarillo, Texas, Emma, Akira, Adelaide and Kazzi; Jon (Gladys) Gerling, Mia, Dallas and Emery of Crowley, Texas; and great-granddaughter Freyja Alvarez. Bonus children, nephews and niece Dave & Barb Carey, Marthasville, Missouri and son Leith & Angie and girls; Charlene Carey of New Boston and children Lisa, Butch and Dennis and their families; Penny Dierickx of New Boston, Aron, Mamie, Ashley, Jon & Ben and their families.
Graveside services for Katherine and Dudley will be held at 6:00 pm, July 29, 2025 at Indian Creek Cemetery, east of Columbus Junction, Iowa. The family would like to thank Hospice of Washington County for their caring guidance and support. Everyone was so extremely helpful and left a place in our hearts. Memorials for Hospice of Washington County may be sent to Elliott Chapel, PO Box 123, New London, Iowa 52645. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Standardized Production Broilers
Breeding Turkey
Champion Cow-Calf: Lauren McWhirter (72), Franklin Cubs
Reserve Champion Cow-Calf: Caynan Peak (369), Limecreek Livewires
Champion Returning Bucket Bottle Heifer: Elena Koch (141), Limecreek Livewires
Reserve Champion Returning Bucket Bottle Heifer: Lucas Bender (18), 76 Progressives
Champion Produce Heifer: Peighton Ford (188), Mid‑Prairie FFA
Reserve Champion Produce Heifer: Blake Sheetz (173), Washington Go‑Getters
Champion Simmental: Peighton Ford (188), Mid‑Prairie FFA
Champion Maintainer: Kenna Holmes (314), Limecreek Livewires
Reserve Champion Foundation Simmental: Eve Stoutner (380), Limecreek Livewires
Champion Intermediate Showmanship & Supreme Grand Champion Breeding Heifer: Graci Hershberger (163), Limecreek Livewires
Champion Junior Showmanship: Brystol Younge (202), Limecreek Livewires
Champion Commercial Heifer: Brynn Younge (203), Limecreek Livewires
Reserve Champion Commercial Heifer: Kinley Holmes (316), Limecreek Livewires
Heavy Feeder Champion: LilliAnne Eldridge (137), Riverside Ramblers
Heavy Feeder Reserve Champion: Joseph Pacha (7), Washington Hustlers
Champion Returning Bucket Bottle Market Steer: Caidan Luers (190), Franklin Cubs
Reserve Champion Returning Bucket Bottle Market Steer: Annie Troyer (210), Limecreek Limelights
Champion Returning Bucket Bottle Market Heifer: Clayton Bartholomew (55), Franklin Cubs
Champion Small Breeds Steer: Bretton Flynn (123), Limecreek Livewires
Reserve Champion Small Breeds Steer: Jaycee Flynn (124), Limecreek Livewires
Champion Produce Market Steer: Nicholas West (278), Crooked Creek
Champion Carcass Heifer: Jace Chalupa (280), 76 Progressives
Champion Market Heifer / Champion Senior Beef Showmanship: Brock Thomann (329), Highlanders
Reserve Champion Market Heifer: Cole Troyer (338), Limecreek Livewires
Champion Angus Steer: Parker Long (70), 76 Progressives
Champion Chianina Steer: Kohen Gerot (293), Riverside Ramblers
Champion Maine‑Anjou Steer: Ryker Gerot (294), Riverside Ramblers
Champion Shorthorn Plus Steer: Brock Thomann (329), Highlanders
Champion Simmental Steer: Auben Sweeting (334), Riverside Ramblers
Reserve Champion Senior Beef Showmanship: Kenadie Long (69), 76 Progressives
Reserve Champion Chianina Steer: Hunter Seibel (265), Riverside Ramblers
Reserve Champion Maine‑Anjou Steer: Kellyn Gerot (267), Riverside Ramblers
Reserve Champion Carcass Steer / Rate of Gain: Izzi Chalupa (279), 76 Progressives
Reserve Champion Angus Steer: Tate Sheetz (306), Washington Go‑Getters
Reserve Champion Simmental Steer: Brock Thomann (329), Highlanders
Champion All Other Breeds Steer: Lane Norman (51), Limecreek Livewires
Reserve Champion All Other Breeds Steer: Lilly Boller (288), Mid‑Prairie FFA
Champion Single Source Steer & Reserve Champion Junior Beef Showmanship: John Koch (142), Limecreek Livewires
Reserve Champion Single Source Steer: Lindsey Schneider (235), Green Acres
Champion Carcass Steer & Champion Rate of Gain: Izzi Chalupa (279), 76 Progressives
Champion Division II Crossbred Steer: Greenley Gerot (266), Riverside Ramblers
Champion Division I Crossbred Steer: Ryker Gerot (294), Riverside Ramblers
Champion Division III Crossbred Steer & Grand Champion Market Beef: Ryker Gerot (294), Riverside Ramblers
Reserve Champion Division II Crossbred Steer & Champion Junior Beef Showmanship: Layne Schott (274), Riverside Ramblers
Reserve Champion Division I Crossbred Steer & Reserve Champion Intermediate Beef Showmanship: Kestyn Holmes (315), Limecreek Livewires
