The Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force has been working tirelessly for the past several months on an investigation involving the trafficking of narcotics at 1404 Lucas Ave in Burlington. On November 15^th, the hard work paid off, as a search warrant was obtained and executed at the residence. Once inside, officers found evidence of narcotic trafficking.

Two men were arrested as a result of the search warrant and investigation. Marcus Steele was placed under arrest and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance 1st Offense, a serious misdemeanor.

Emmanuel Davis was placed under arrest for Possession of Controlled Substance 3rd Offense a D Felony, as well as an Illinois Warrant for Delivery of Controlled Substance – Cocaine.

The Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force was assisted by the Burlington Police Department, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, West Burlington Police Department, Lee County Narcotics Task Force and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Jeremy Goodale, 18, who plead guilty in April for the murder of Fairfield High School Spanish teacher, Nohema Graber, was sentenced to life in prison. The jury found him guilty on November 15th, 2o23. Goodale has the chance of parole after 25 years behind bars.

Both Goodale and Miller have now been sentenced to life in prison.

Motor Fuels

As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.03 across Iowa according to AAA, which is an 8 cent decline from last week. Even better, Iowans currently pay 47 cents less for the same gallon of unleaded gasoline than a year ago. The national average on Wednesday was $3.35, down 6 cents from last week’s price.

Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 13 cents this week with a statewide average of $4.24.

The current Iowa diesel price of $4.24 is 10 cents lower than the national average $4.34. These prices have dropped 13 cents from one week ago, and over 3 quarters of a dollar from last year’s price ($5.06)

Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.

The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.10 for U87-E10, $2.35 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.81 for ULSD#2, $3.24 for ULSD#1, and $2.10 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

• Propane prices held steady with a statewide average of $1.54 per gallon.
• Home heating oil prices fell 9 cents, with a statewide average of $3.49 per gallon
• Natural gas prices rose 10 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $3.19/MMbtu

Crude Oil Summary

The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $1.20 per barrel over last week, currently priced at $77.15. Brent crude oil rose $1.43 and is currently priced at $81.67. One year ago, WTI crude sold for $86.92 and Brent crude was at $94.30.

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

Many residents of Mt. Pleasant have been questioning the future of solid waste collection in our town. Will the city continue to provide a service, or will the community need to hire private pickup?

The Mount Pleasant City Council is meeting tonight at 5:30pm to discuss solid waste collection. There is a public forum scheduled as well, so if you have any thoughts or concerns, you can voice them at 307 E Monroe Steet in the second-floor meeting room.

The Holidays are a time for families to gather and enjoy a great meal. Unfortunately, not everyone can always count on food, as many go without it for days on end. Thankfully, Henry County has plenty of food pantries for those who need to utilize their services. Two food pantries in Mt. Pleasant, and then one in each Winfield, Wayland, Crawfordsville, and New London, ensure that everyone is granted the opportunity to enjoy a meal this Thanksgiving.

These food pantries need your help! Love thy neighbor by donating extra canned goods to these pantries. Consider giving fresh or frozen meat, or even fresh produce. They currently are in search of a variety of food, such as instant rice, oatmeal, and potatoes, as well as tortillas, bread, pancake mix/syrup, and packaged meals like mac and cheese or hamburger helper. Of course, pasta and spaghetti sauce is helpful, and they always appreciate donations of milk, eggs, and cheese.

Food Pantry Information:

Wayland Food Pantry: 104 W 2^nd St, Wayland

319 591 0961

2^nd, 4^th Thurs 4-6pm

Community Action of Southeast Iowa: 1303 W Washington St, Mt. Pleasant

319 385 2310

M-F 8:30-4:30

The Fellowship Cup: 203 N Jefferson St, Mt. Pleasant

319 385 3242

Thursday 10a-4p

Tiger Food Pantry: 106 W Wilson St, New London

319 367 0512

Thurs 3:30-6p, Sat 9-11a

WACO Community Food Pantry: 105 N Chestnut St, Crawfordsville

319 461 0532

1^st, 3^rd Thurs 2-5:30p

MOPS-Winfield Food Pantry: Winfield Methodist Church (current)

Moving to 107 E Elm St

319 217 2655 W

Wednesday 12-5p

Help fight food insecurity in Southeast Iowa by supporting the Food Bank of Iowa at the 25th-anniversary tour of the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Holiday Train.

On Monday, November 27, at 10 a.m., the popular Holiday Train will stop at the CPKC Station at 1300 Wildwood Dr. on Highway 34 West. The special holiday event will include music from the train featuring Seaforth and Kiersza, treats and pictures with Santa, a gift basket drawing, and a check presentation from CPKC to the Ottumwa Distribution Center of the Food Bank of Iowa for the busy holiday season.

The Food Bank of Iowa will be accepting nonperishables and tax-deductible financial donations at the Holiday Train celebration. Donations can also be made online at foodbankiowa.org, through Venmo @Food Bank Iowa, and by mail and in person at 705 W. Main St., Ottumwa, IA 52501.

The CPKC Holiday Train, in addition to its own financial donation to nonprofit organizations, raises awareness of food insecurity across the country. Locally, the Food Bank of Iowa provides food and hope for Iowans facing hunger in its 55-county service area, as more than 96 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to feed our neighbors. For less than $2 per day, donations will help a child, hard-working adult, or senior on a fixed income receive the nutritious food they need to survive.

For more information about the Holiday Train or the Ottumwa Distribution Center of the Food Bank of Iowa, please call 641.682.3403.