A Mediapolis man has been arrested following an assault on a nurse earlier this month

On February 5, 2026, deputies with the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to 142 North Orchard Street in Mediapolis for a report of a nurse who had been assaulted by a resident.

Authorities say Erik Creighton Bienfang, 28, of Mediapolis allegedly struck the nurse in the face and choked them, causing bodily injury. Deputies also learned that prior to the assault, Bienfang reportedly locked himself in a room with the nurse and refused to allow them to leave.

Following the incident, Bienfang fled the residence on foot but was located a short distance away and taken into custody without further incident.

He was transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center and charged with false imprisonment and assault on persons in certain occupations causing bodily injury.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Two inmates at the Iowa State Penitentiary are facing attempted murder charges following a nearly fatal assault on two staff members last month.

According to court records, Dennis Lane Lawson, 29, and Anthony Sebastian Bauer, 23, have each been charged with two counts of attempted murder, Class B felonies, and one count of possession of a weapon in a correctional institution, a Class C felony.

A criminal complaint states that at approximately 9:37 a.m. on January 21, 2026, the two inmates were participating in the prison’s long-term restricted program when the assault occurred. Two counselors were providing classroom instruction and were in the process of handing out homework when Bauer and Lawson allegedly attacked.

Authorities believe the assault was coordinated. Both inmates reportedly produced improvised shiv-type weapons, described as sharpened objects fashioned from available materials, and used them to strike one counselor in vital areas including the neck, throat, head, back, and sides in what investigators describe as an apparent attempt to kill.

When the second counselor intervened, that staff member was also allegedly attacked and struck multiple times in similar areas.

The assault ended only after multiple correctional officers responded and forcefully gained control of both inmates.

Both counselors were transported to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center for treatment. A press release from the Iowa Department of Corrections says both have since been released from the hospital.

Bauer is currently serving a 50-year sentence after pleading guilty in 2021 to second-degree murder and three counts of reckless use of a firearm in connection with a fatal New Year’s Day 2021 shooting in Sioux City.

Lawson is serving a 15-year sentence after pleading guilty in 2021 to second-degree robbery, willful injury causing serious injury, and felon in possession of a firearm in connection with a 2020 shooting in Sioux City.

Preliminary hearings for both men are scheduled for 11 a.m. February 20, 2026 at the North Lee County Courthouse and will be held via Zoom.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation. Assisting agencies include the Lee County Attorney’s Office and the Fort Madison Police Department.

SCC will host two Financial Aid Workshops later this month to help individuals planning to start college this spring navigate the Free Application for Federal Student Aid process. Staff will be available to walk attendees through the form and answer questions about financial aid.

The first workshop will take place Wednesday, February 18th, from 3 to 6 p.m. at SCC’s West Burlington campus in Room 361. The second session is set for Wednesday, February 25th, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Keokuk campus in Room 419.

The workshops are free and open to students of any age or income level, no matter which college they plan to attend. No pre-registration is required. Assistance will be provided on a first come, first served basis. Students under the age of 24 are asked to attend with at least one parent or guardian.

To complete the 2026 to 2027 FAFSA, students and parents should bring their Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, 2024 federal and state tax returns, W-2 forms, bank statements, records of assets and investments, documentation of any untaxed income, and current account balances. Non U.S. citizens should also bring their A-Number.

Students who cannot attend either workshop can schedule an appointment for FAFSA assistance year-round by contacting Mack Turner at 319-208-5026.

For more information, call 319-208-5026 or visit scciowa.edu.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met Thursday morning, February 12th, at the courthouse in Mount Pleasant, with several presentations and continued discussion surrounding the County Attorney vacancy.

Under new business, Lisa Oetken, Director of Main Street Mount Pleasant, provided the board with a financial support presentation and annual update. Oetken reported that although 2025 was described as a quieter year, the organization successfully completed the second phase of the National Historic District designation. The designation expands opportunities for downtown property owners to access historic tax credits, whether or not individual buildings are listed on the registry.

Oetken noted the designation could create redevelopment opportunities for properties such as the former True Value building, which she said has the potential to house seven to nine apartments — a project Main Street has expressed interest in seeing move forward.

Downtown Mount Pleasant saw four new businesses open and one expansion over the past year, with vacancy rates remaining under five percent. Data shared during the presentation shows shoppers travel between 50 and 70 miles to visit the downtown district.

Main Street directors are required to complete multiple trainings annually, and the organization continues to host and promote events including Ag Music, the Easter Egg Hunt, and Witch Way to Main. Those events serve as fundraisers to support the organization’s operations.

She also highlighted long-term sales tax growth in Mount Pleasant. According to data from Southeast Iowa Regional Planning, taxable sales increased from $132 million in 2012 to $235 million in 2024 — a 77.7 percent increase, with the largest gains occurring between 2019 and 2024.

The board also heard from Emily Davis, Executive Director of All God’s Creatures, which provides animal pound services for Henry County. The service contract costed the county $15,000 in 2025. Davis presented intake data from 2025, noting that approximately 30 percent of the county’s animal intakes originated from Mardan Trailer Park.

Supervisor Chad White emphasized the importance of responsible pet ownership, including spaying and neutering animals, proper feeding, and preventing pets from roaming.

In other business not listed on the agenda, Supervisor Steve Detrick raised concerns about the resignation of County Attorney Administrative Assistant Cara Ferguson, stating supervisors were not notified. Chairman Chad White said he had requested a copy of the resignation letter from the County Auditor but was denied. Steven Giebelhausen, from the attorney’s office responded that resignation letters are personnel documents and should remain in an employee’s file. Detrick stated that established HR procedures were not followed and that Human Resources was not notified.

During public comment, Tim Liechty addressed a letter submitted by the Henry County Watchmen group regarding the recent hiring of his daughter, Abbie Liechty as Assistant County Attorney and the resignation of former County Attorney Darin Stater.

The letter raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest, noting that Ms. Liechty’s father serves as a Magistrate Judge in District 8. The letter also alleged that Stater had “hand selected his successor” prior to resigning.

In his comments, Liechty addressed the conflict of interest concerns and responded to claims made in the letter.

The Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra will present a free Valentine’s concert this weekend in Mount Pleasant.

“Valentango” begins at 3 p.m. Saturday, February 14th, at Chapel Auditorium on North Main Street. The Spanish-inspired program includes music from Carmen, Bolero, and Danzón No. 2, along with Broadway favorites.

Guest performers include guitarist W. Mark Akin, vocalist Kelsey Madsen, a regional children’s choir, and area string students.

Admission is free and open to the public. Listen below and hear from Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra Conductor, Bob McConnell, on this fun concert. More information is also available at seiso.us.

Today is the last day to register for a free Cover Crop and Soil Health Workshop in Mount Pleasant.

The workshop will be held Thursday, February 19th, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Henry County ISU Extension Office.

Iowa Learning Farms and partners are hosting the event for farmers and landowners interested in improving soil health and farm resilience. The program will feature local farmers and soil health experts discussing cover crops and no-till practices.

A complimentary meal will be served, and attendees will be entered to win ISU Prairie Strips honey. To RSVP by the end of today, contact Liz Ripley at 515-294-5429 or email ilf@iastate.edu

Gas prices across Iowa are on the rise this week.

According to AAA, the average price for regular unleaded gasoline increased four cents and is now sitting at $2.54 per gallon statewide. That’s 42 cents lower than this time last year. The national average climbed five cents over the past week to $2.94 per gallon.

Diesel prices also moved higher. Retail diesel in Iowa rose eight cents, bringing the statewide average to $3.45 per gallon. That’s three cents lower than a year ago and 22 cents below the current national average of $3.67.

In crude oil markets, West Texas Intermediate crude increased $1.95 this week to $65.29 per barrel. Brent crude rose $2.64 to $70.20 per barrel. One year ago, WTI was selling for $73.67, while Brent crude was at $77.65.

At the Des Moines terminal, rack prices are $1.60 for U87-E10, $1.83 for clear unleaded 87, $2.35 for ultra-low sulfur diesel number two, $2.64 for ultra-low sulfur diesel number one, and $1.74 per gallon for E-70.

As for home heating fuels, natural gas prices fell 32 cents at the Henry Hub to $3.15 per million BTUs. Propane in Iowa is averaging $1.63 per gallon, while home heating oil has a statewide average of $2.94 per gallon.

More tips for saving energy at home or on the road can be found at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.