New Law Protects First Responders

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025 at 1:22 pm CDT

Many new laws went into effect yesterday including the new Iowa law that increases penalties for assaults against law enforcement officers and first responders.

The law protects law-enforcement officers, first responders, and corrections officers by raising penalties for assaults to:

  • Up to 10 years in prison when the assault involves a dangerous weapon or is meant to inflict serious injury
  • Up to 5 years when the assault causes bodily injury
  • A mandatory minimum sentence of 7 days in jail for all other assaults against first responders

The law also raises the penalty for spitting on law-enforcement officers, first responders, or corrections officers to assault with other bodily fluids.

Iowa Flags Half Staff Sunrise to Sunset, July 3rd

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025 at 1:22 pm CDT

Gov. Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff and remain at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in honor and remembrance of Iowa Senator Rocky De Witt.

Flags will be flown at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be at half-staff on all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state.

Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

Fourth of July Safety

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025 at 1:19 pm CDT

With the Fourth of July just days away, we want to remind everyone to celebrate safely—especially when it comes to fireworks.

Last year, more than 10,000 people in the U.S. were injured by fireworks, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. And nearly half of those injured were kids under the age of 15.

Officials recommend leaving the fireworks to the professionals and attending public shows. But if you’re lighting fireworks at home:

Keep a bucket of water or hose nearby.

Light one firework at a time—and never relight a dud.

And never point fireworks at people, pets, or buildings.

Celebrate safely—and keep the holiday fun, not dangerous.

A good rule of thumb when using fireworks is to use fireworks:

  • Only on private property with the owner’s permission
  • NOT on city streets, sidewalks, parks, or any public property
  • Fireworks must remain on your property — you are responsible for all debris and damage
  • Do not discharge fireworks while intoxicated or under a fire ban
  • Call 911 only for emergencies, not for fireworks complaints
  • And be courteous to your neighbors. You never know who may be struggling with mental health and PTSD.

Henry County, IA

  • July 3rd 9am to 10 pm
  • July 4th 9am to 11pm

Fairfield

  • July 3rd between 9 am and 11pm
  • July 4th between 9 am and 11pm

Henry County Supervisors Meeting Agenda, July 3rd

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025 at 7:03 am CDT

Henry County Supervisors

100 E Washington St Ste 202

Mt Pleasant, IA  52641

Fax: 319-385-3601

 

  Chad White, Vice-Chair               Marc Lindeen, Chairman               Steven Detrick, Member    

           319-385-0759                                 319-385-0760                                    319-385-0761________                       

 

AGENDA

Board of Supervisors

July 3, 2025

9:00 a.m.

  1. Agenda
  2. Approve Minutes
  3. Approve Claims
  4. Department Head Meeting
  5. County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss Weekly Updates
  6. RES – 28E Cooperative Agreement for CHBP Grant Project – Bridge #215
  7. Motion – Fuel Contract Extension
  8. 2nd Reading of Standard Penalties Amendment Ordinance.

Supervisor’s Sub-Committees.

Columbus Junction Man Arrested for Dragging a Body Through Town

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025 at 6:45 am CDT

A Columbus Junction man was arrested last week after investigators say he drove a van dragging the body of a deceased man tied to the vehicle with a cord before crashing the van into a ditch.

Salvador Castaneda, 58, was arrested by the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office on June 25 and charged with abuse of a corpse-mutilate/dismember to conceal a crime (class C felony).

Just before 4:30 p.m. on June 25, Louisa County dispatched received a 911 call that a white Chevrolet Astro van had crashed into a ditch near the 14000 block of R Avenue. During a search of the van, police found a cell phone with an alarm going off, a loaded handgun with the serial number scratched off, and a large bag of suspected marijuana.

Investigators soon discovered the body of Noe Ibarra-Tijerina, 58, in a nearby ditch what an electrical cord wrapped around his torso and a small puncture hole in the area of his right cheekbone, consistent with a small caliber gunshot wound.

Police also spoke with a witness who reported seeing the van dragging what appeared to be a body through the streets, and investigators also discovered blood and drag marks in the streets.

Castaneda is being held at the Louisa County Jail on $25,000 cash-only bond.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday at the Louisa County Courthouse in Wapello.

State of Iowa Launches New Behavioral Health and Disability Services Systems

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025 at 6:42 am CDT

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services launched its newly redesigned Behavioral Health and Disability Services Systems—making it easier for Iowans across the state to get the care they need.

Iowans can access mental health, substance use, problem gambling, and disability support services through a new, statewide Behavioral Health Service System.

The system is supported by the Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organization, run by the Iowa Primary Care Association. That means less red tape for providers—and more time focused on patients.

Iowans can also get 24/7 support through Your Life Iowa, offering help via phone by calling 988, text, or online chat. And now, Behavioral Health System Navigators are available to connect people to services in their local communities.

For disability services, the state is rolling out new Disability Access Points, or DAPs, as part of the Aging and Disability Resource Center Network. These DAPs will help Iowans, and their families find services, make referrals, and build plans for independent living.

Governor Kim Reynolds says the goal is to ensure every Iowan has access to the care they need, no matter where they live. And Iowa HHS Director Kelly Garcia calls it a major step toward a more person-centered approach.

To learn more about the new systems, visit hhs.iowa.gov.

To learn more about Iowa’s Behavioral Health Service System visit: hhs.iowa.gov/ibhss

To learn more about Iowa’s Disability Service System, visit: hhs.iowa.gov/disability-service-system

Sports, July 2nd

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025 at 6:32 am CDT

High School Baseball

Mt. Pleasant clobbered West Burlington last night 13-2 behind J.C. Sitar’s second home run of the season as his three RBIs led the team. Ayden Figuereo finished the game with three hits and an RBI for the Falcons. West Burlington ends the regular season with an 8-11 record.

Mt. Pleasant will host #2 Sigourney tonight at 7 pm.

Central Lee walked-off Danville last night in an uncharacteristically low scoring contest with a 2-1 final. Gage VanAusdall and Chase Johnson each tabbed an RBI in the winning effort. Jaden Bauer had shut down the Hawks offense for 6.1 innings, allowing only six hits and striking out seven.

Central Lee will travel to Keokuk tonight at 7:30 pm.

Wapello fell to Highland last night 11-1.

Fairfield’s 11 runs were not enough to sink the Clippers as Clear Creek Amana put up 17 runs in the victory. Aiden Westercamp knocked home three runs as Luke Konczal continued to slug the ball with two doubles and two RBIs. The Trojans will face off against Burlington tomorrow, July 3rd, at 7:30 pm with the winner taking the Southeast Conference championship.

In what should have been their toughest game of the season, #5 Mediapolis demolished Class 1A’s #2 Sigourney last night 12-0. The Bulldogs will play Cascade tonight in a doubleheader on the road to end their regular season.

Winfield-Mt. Union got back in the win column last night after defeating Lone Tree 5-1. Tyson Kaalberg swatted a double for three RBIs in the winning effort. The Wolves will host Pekin tonight at 5:30 pm.

Van Buren County will celebrate their Senior Night tonight at 5:30 pm against Davis County.

Postseason Baseball Brackets

In Class 1A Substate 5 District 10, Danville and Van Buren County will be heading off to Moravia for the Saturday, July 5th, doubleheader. The Bears will square off against Moravia at 7 pm, while Van Buren County will start off the night at 5 pm.

On the bottom half of the bracket, Burlington Notre Dame will venture to New London to face off against Keota at 5 pm, while New London will host the nightcap against Wapello at 7 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call for both games with the pregame show at 4:45 pm.

Moving to Class 2A Substate 4 District 7, Mediapolis earned a bye and will host the winner between West Liberty and Camanche on July 8th at 7 pm.

Over in Class 2A Substate 5 District 9, West Burlington and Louisa-Muscatine will meet up in Wilton at 5 pm in the battle of the Falcons. Winfield-Mt. Union will take on the hosts at 7 pm, where the winner will advance to compete against Central Lee on July 8th at 5 pm at Chariton Middle School.

For Class 3A Substate 5, Washington will face off against Assumption on the road. In Substate 6, Mt. Pleasant will travel to play Fairfield for the fourth time this season, while Keokuk will take on Pella and Fort Madison will venture to Xavier with both games on the road. 

For Class 4A Substate 3, Burlington grabbed the #4-seed and will hit the road to compete against the #3-seed Muscatine.

Classes 3A and 4A will start postseason action on July 11th with first pitch at 7 pm. 

High School Softball

Mt. Pleasant could not stop scoring last night in a 17-10 thrashing of West Burlington/Notre Dame. Chaley Cook got the win in the circle and produced one of the team’s five doubles to bring home four runs. 

Mt. Pleasant will head back home tonight to square off against Davis County with first pitch at 7 pm.

West Burlington/Notre Dame will take on Burlington in a road doubleheader tonight with game one at 5 pm.

Wapello’s three-game winning streak was snapped in a 4-1 loss to Highland last night. The Arrows will compete against Northeast tonight at home at 5 pm.

Holy Trinity Catholic crushed WACO last night 23-4.

WACO will travel to Highland tonight at 5:30 pm.

New London will face off against Holy Trinity Catholic tonight at 7 pm at home.

Kennedy Woepking nearly lifted Columbus to victory herself against Pekin, clouting a home run and tallying six RBIs in the 15-6 rout of the Panthers. The Wildcats end the regular season with a 12-11 record. 

Danville could not upset Central Lee last night in their regular season finale, losing 3-0 to the Hawks. 

Central Lee will make the trip to Keokuk tonight with first pitch at 7 pm.

Van Buren County will hit the road to take on Centerville tonight at 7 pm.

Fairfield will take on Burlington at home tomorrow, July 3rd, at 7:30 pm.

Mediapolis will host Davis County on July 8th at 5:30 pm.

Postseason Softball

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released the postseason brackets for all five classes, here’s a look at our local matchups. 

For Class 1A Region 1, game one on July 7th will pin WACO against Wapello at 7 pm with the Arrows getting a home game. The winner of the matchup will play Holy Trinity Catholic at West Point South Park on July 9th at 7 pm.

Over in Class 2A Region 2, Van Buren County will host Danville on July 7th at 7 pm with the winner advancing to play #2 Louisa-Muscatine on July 9th in a road showdown.

Also playing on day one will be New London/Winfield-Mt. Union, as the Tigers will make the pilgrimage to Pella Christian High School to face off against the Eagles. The winner will take on Wilton in the quarterfinals.

Columbus earned a bye and a home game with the Wildcats gearing up for a contest with Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont on July 9th at 7 pm in the top half of the bracket with Louisa-Muscatine expected to host the July 11th contest in the semifinals if both teams advance.

On the bottom half of the Class 4A Region 3 bracket, it is a repeat of the season opener as Mt. Pleasant will travel west to face off against Oskaloosa. The Panthers struck first that night with a two-run homer off the bat of Paityn Ensminger, but could not keep the momentum going as they fell 11-3. KILJ will be on the call.

Prospect League

The Burlington Bees allowed 10 runs in the first inning to the Quincy Doggy Paddlers before falling 18-8 in eight innings. Caleb Seibers knocked a double and brought home two runs. 

The Clinton LumberKings defeated the Normal CornBelters last night 10-5. Kaden Frommelt clocked a two-run homer in the winning effort. 

The Bees and LumberKings will meet at Community Field tonight with game time at 6:30 pm for the first game of a three-game series. 

2025 Prospect League All-Star Game

The Burlington Bees will be sending five players to the 2025 Prospect League All-Star game being held in Springfield on Tuesday, July 8th, at 6:30 pm at Robin Roberts Stadium.

Kooper Schulte has been showing off his power at the plate with 13 extra-base hits, which ranks second in the league, tied for the league lead in triples, and his 24 RBIs puts him in the top 10 for the league. Schulte will also participate in the Homerun Derby.

Caleb Siebers has brought home 17 runs, while scoring 17 runs himself, and he’s clocked four homers.

Mason Schwalbach has collected 16RBIs thanks to his batting average sitting near 0.400 for the season, including six extra-base hits.

Two guys on the mound that claimed a spot on the All-Star team are Braeden Sunken and Kaelen Clarkson.

Sunken has recorded five saves, which ranks second in the league, in 11 appearances, posting a 2-1 record with 3.14 ERA. Clarkson, a lefty, has thrown 12 strikeouts in 15 innings strewn across four starts. His ERA currently sits at 3.00.

This Day in Sports History

1903 – Pitcher Jack Doscher, debuts for the Chicago Cubs, the first son of a major leaguer (Herm played from 1882-92) to play in the MLB. 

1941 – Joe DiMaggio hits a 3-run homer off Boston’s Dick Newsome to pass Willie Keeler’s MLB record 44 game hitting streak. The streak lasts 56 games. 

1989 – Jockey Steve Cauthen wins the Irish Derby on Old Vic to become the first rider in history to sweep the world’s four major Derbies (Kentucky, Epsom, French, Irish).

The Burlington Bees Send 5 to the 2025 Prospect League All-Star Game

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, July 1st, 2025 at 2:01 pm CDT

Burlington, IA- The Burlington Bees have started off the second half of the regular season on a two-game win streak after finishing the first half on a bit of a sour note in terms of the standings. However, the Bees tout five All-Stars on their team after a stellar start to the year.

Kooper Schulte, who busted onto the scene after earning Prospect League Hitter of the Week to open the season after hitting for the cycle and totaling five RBIs in their first game of the year, grabbed a spot on the All-Star team.

The former New London Tiger has been showing off his power at the plate with 13 extra-base hits, which ranks second in the league, tied for the league lead in triples, and his 24 RBIs puts him in the top 10 for the league. Schulte will also participate in the Homerun Derby.

Caleb Siebers, from Carmi, Illinois, has continued his momentum from his freshman season at Olney Central College as he currently sits with a slash line of 0.316/0.396/0.519. Seibers has brought home 15 runs, while scoring 15 runs himself, and he’s clocked four homers.

Another Bee from Southern Illinois that has earned a spot on the All-Star team is Mason Schwalbach. The Saluki has collected 15 RBIs thanks to his 0.383 batting average, including six extra-base hits.

Two guys on the mound that claimed a spot on the All-Star team are Braeden Sunken and Kaelen Clarkson.

Sunken has recorded five saves, which ranks second in the league, in 11 appearances, posting a 2-1 record with 3.14 ERA. Clarkson, a lefty, has thrown 12 strikeouts in 15 innings strewn across four starts. His ERA currently sits at 3.00.

The 2025 Prospect League All-Star game will be held in Springfield on Tuesday, July 8th, at 6:30 pm at Robin Roberts Stadium with the Eastern and Western Conferences facing off against one another.