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.

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.