Hazmat Response Called After Formaldehyde Spill at SEIRMC West Burlington

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 7:42 am CDT

A formaldehyde chemical spill was reported in the Surgery Department (OR) at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center (SEIRMC), West Burlington, at approximately 8:45 a.m. yesterday, Tuesday, February 3rd. The West Burlington Fire Department was contacted to assist the SEIRMC hazmat team in cleaning up and neutralizing the spill and mitigating any further risk of exposure.

Formaldehyde, in the form of formalin, is an inert chemical used for tissue preservation in the OR. The room where the spill occurred has been made unavailable for use. No patients were exposed to the chemical. One employee did suffer an exposure and was immediately treated in the Emergency Department. Patient and employee safety remains a top priority for GRH.

Great River Health appreciates the support and response of the West Burlington Fire Department, West Burlington Police Department, and the Des Moines County Local Emergency Planning Committee.

Fairfield Man Facing Multiple Felonies After Narcotics Investigation

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 7:39 am CDT

A 61-year-old Fairfield man is facing multiple felony charges following a narcotics investigation conducted by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement.

According to court records, agents executed search warrants early Monday morning after intercepting a FedEx package destined for the 900 block of South 5th Street in Fairfield. Inside the package, investigators allegedly found approximately six pounds of a substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.

The package was addressed to “Options Open Inc.” Investigators believe that business name was an alias connected to Gregory Allen Warnke. Agents conducted a controlled delivery before executing a search warrant at Warnke’s residence.

During the search, authorities say they seized methamphetamine, marijuana, digital scales, packaging materials, drug paraphernalia, U.S. currency, and suspected drug ledgers. Investigators also recovered three firearms, including a handgun and two unmarked rifles. Court documents indicate Warnke is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms.

Warnke was taken into custody at a separate location and has been charged with possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, and three counts of felon in possession of a firearm.

Warnke has not yet made an initial court appearance. Bail and a preliminary hearing have not been scheduled. As a reminder, criminal charges are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

School Speed Zone Removed on Mason Road in Burlington

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 7:37 am CDT

The Burlington Police Department is reminding drivers that beginning today at approximately 9:30 a.m., the school speed zone on Mason Road will be removed. The affected area includes the 2700 through 3000 blocks near Edward Stone Middle School and will return to the regular 35 mile-per-hour speed limit. Drivers are reminded that school speed zones on Willow Avenue and Sequoia Drive are not changing and remain in effect. Motorists are urged to slow down in those areas, stay alert, and watch for students.

Important Plan Enrollment Dates for Medicare Beneficiaries; 2/28/26 and 3/31/26

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 7:35 am CDT

The Iowa Insurance Division is reminding Medicare beneficiaries about two upcoming enrollment deadlines. Iowans currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan have until March 31, 2026, to change plans or return to Original Medicare during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. Those whose Medicare Advantage or Part D plans were cancelled at the end of 2025 have until February 28, 2026 to enroll in new coverage.

Free, confidential, one-on-one assistance is available through SHIIP. In Henry County, trained SHIIP counselors are available by appointment at Henry County Health Center in Mount Pleasant by calling 319-385-6774. Statewide help can also be reached at 1-800-351-4664 for guidance with Medicare decisions, comparing plans, or enrollment assistance.

Click here for more information on the important plan enrollment dates for Medicare beneficiaries, provided by the Iowa Insurance Division.

City of Wayland Meeting Agenda – Wednesday, February 4, 2026

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 7:31 am CDT

The Wayland City Council will meet tonight, February 4th, at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall/Council Chambers at 218 West Main Street in Wayland. The meeting will begin with approval of the consent agenda, including bills for payment and monthly department reports. The council will also hear public comments during the citizen forum. New business includes consideration of a cash payment policy, an agreement with the Wayland Cemetery Association, and a recommendation from ISG Engineering for wastewater treatment plant improvements. The meeting will conclude with adjournment. This meeting is open to the public and residents of Wayland are encouraged to attend. The full agenda for tonight’s Wayland City Council Meeting can be found here.

Henry County Board of Supervisors Meeting Agenda – Thursday, February 5, 2026

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 7:28 am CDT

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will meet tomorrow, Thursday, February 5, 2026 at the Henry County Courthouse in Mount Pleasant at 9 a.m.

Under unfinished business, supervisors will continue reviewing departmental budget submissions. The board will also consider a request from Preserve Oakland Mills seeking authorization for an engineering firm to inspect the Oakland Mills Walking Bridge.

New business includes a discussion with All God’s Creatures Animal Shelter regarding its first-year contract with the county.

Committee reports will include updates from a recent department head meeting and a report from County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss. Additional reports will come from board subcommittees, and a safety committee meeting will be scheduled to examine job duties.
Supervisors Steven Detrick and Chad White will report on attending one day of the ISAC Supervisors Conference, while Detrick will also share plans to attend ISAC Southeast Iowa Days at the State Capitol.

The meeting will conclude with public comment. Residents wishing to speak on items not listed on the agenda are asked to state their name and general address and limit comments to three minutes.

To review the full agenda, click here.

Sports, February 4th

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 6:31 am CDT

High School Basketball

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team attempted 19 more free throws than Fairfield last night, but it was not enough to overcome the Trojans’ seven threes in a debilitating 45-44 final. Abby Carthey finished with a game high 18 points for the Panthers, while Faith Jones knocked in 14 points for Fairfield.

Mt. Pleasant will travel to Keokuk on Friday, February 6th, with the girls’ teams playing at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm.

Fairfield will host Burlington on Friday with game one at 6 pm.

The Holy Trinity Catholic boys’ team clobbered Fairfield last night, 64-26, after holding the Trojans to just 10 points in the first half. Corbin Van Niewaal led the scoring with 19 points. 

The Holy Trinity Catholic girls’ team handled New London last night, 36-15, to end a six-game losing streak. 

Columbus split their night against Pekin with the girls’ team winning, 37-35, and the boys’ team faltering 60-49. 

West Burlington was swept by Burlington last night with the girls’ team falling 73-32 and the boys’ team losing 56-49.

The Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team finally squashed their 18-game losing streak last night, defeating WACO 40-34. Madisen Kellogg was magnificent, scoring 33 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in the winning effort. The Wolves’ boys’ team completed the sweep behind a strong second half effort to beat the Warriors, 54-31. 

Southeast Iowa Super Conference Shootout

The girls’ teams seeded #3-#8 will lead off the SEISC shootout tomorrow, February 5th, with Louisa-Muscatine, Pekin, and WACO hosting a pair of games.

The #3 and #4 seeds will meet up at Louisa-Muscatine with the north teams acting as the home team. In the #4 seed game, Van Buren County will take on Columbus at 6 pm, while West Burlington will face off against the hosts at 7:30 pm in the #3 seed contest. 

The #5 and #6 seeds will compete at Pekin with Wapello tangling with Holy Trinity Catholic in the #6-seed game at 6 pm followed by Pekin colliding with Central Lee at 7:30 pm to decide the #5 seed.

Lastly, New London and Hillcrest Academy will lead off the night at WACO with tip-off at 6 pm for the #8 seed-contest, while WACO will take on Burlington Notre Dame for the #7 seed at 7:30 pm.

The Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will host Cedar Valley Christian on Friday, February 6th, at 6 pm.

Highland and Mediapolis will face off for the conference title on Saturday, February 7th, at 2:30 pm at Highland, while Danville will compete with Lone Tree to lead off the day at 1 pm.

The boys’ will start play on Friday with Central Lee hosting the #3 and #4 seeds, Holy Trinity Catholic will have the #5 and #6 seeds, and Van Buren County will house the #7 and #8 seeds with the south division acting as the home team.

At 6 pm, #4 West Burlington will play #4 WACO at Central Lee, #6 Danville will tip-off against #6 Wapello, and #8 New London will tussle with #8 Lone Tree at Van Buren County.

At 7 pm, #3 Central Lee will face off against Pekin, #5 Holy Trinity Catholic will tangle with #5 Columbus, and #7 Van Buren County will take on #7 Highland.

Burlington Notre Dame will hold the #1 and #2 seed games on Saturday with Mediapolis clashing with Winfield-Mt. Union at 6 pm and the conference title going to either the Nikes or Hillcrest Academy at 7:30 pm.

High School Wrestling

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team fell to Woodward-Granger in the Regional Dual semifinals last night, 42-38. Andre Worrell, Rowan Berndt, Ryan Rose, Jared Glendening, Kael Cook, and Joey Glendening each picked up victories for the Nikes. 

The Van Buren County boys’ team will compete in a quad tomorrow, February 5th. 

The Fairfield boys’ team will duel Washington tomorrow.

The boys’ district wrestling meets are scheduled for February 14th.

The 2026 girls’ state tournament will take place tomorrow and Friday, February 6th. KILJ will be providing updates for 17 local wrestlers. For a full look at their first round matches, follow this link: First Round Matchups

High School Bowling

The girls’ state meet is scheduled for February 10th through the 12th in Waterloo. Keokuk will be competing as a team, while Mt. Pleasant’s Shyann Smith will bowl as an individual along with Keokuk’s Allison Sapp, Jaelynn Ketterer, and Josie Sapp.

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will host their invite tomorrow, February 5th, with Central Lee and West Burlington making the trip.

The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) released the state qualifying meet assignments and Central Lee will host West Burlington, while Fairfield will travel to Monticello in Class 1A.

 In Class 2A, Clinton will play host to Burlington, Keokuk, and Mt. Pleasant.

Both meets are scheduled for Monday, February 16th, at 10 am.

Southeastern Community College

The women’s basketball team will host Des Moines Area Community College tonight at 5:30 pm.

The men’s basketball team will take on Sauk Valley Community College at 7 pm tonight at home. 

College Basketball

The Iowa State women’s team will travel to Utah on Saturday, February 7th, at 6 pm.

The #10 Iowa women’s team will host Minnesota tomorrow, February 5th, at 6 pm.

The Iowa men’s team will stay on the west coast to play Washington at 10 pm tonight.

The #7 Iowa State men’s team will take on Baylor at home at 1 pm on Saturday.

This Day in Sports History

1987 – The Sacramento Kings scored only four points in the first quarter against the LA Lakers; fewest points in a period since the introduction of the 24 second shot-clock in 1954.

1991 – Baseball’s Hall of Fame board of directors vote unanimously to bar Pete Rose, due to his betting on games while a player and manager.

1997 – Mario Lemieux is the 7th NHL player to score 600 goals.

Willis L. Deuser

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026 at 2:21 pm CDT

Willis LeRoy Deuser, 85, of Fairfield, passed away Monday, February 2, 2026 at his home.

A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 5, 2026 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service Thursday. Burial will be at a later date at Maple Hill Cemetery in Birmingham. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fairfield Community Center.

Willis was born December 18, 1940 in Farson, Iowa, the son of Carl and Elsie (Johnson) Deuser. He married Joyce Ann Goemaat, February 18, 1961 at Zion Bible Church in Douds. She preceded him in death October 25, 2020.

Willis held a factory job until 1982 when he began working in sales of janitorial supplies at King’s in Fairfield. He later worked at Rockwell/Meritor, retiring in 2000.

Willis enjoyed watching sports, including basketball and NASCAR. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan. Willis enjoyed gardening, fishing, and traveling, making yearly trips to Florida.

Those left to honor his memory include his children, Lee Deuser of Eldon, Ron (Charissa) Deuser of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Sandy (Sonny) Hootman of Farmington, Iowa, Monty (Angie) Deuser of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Heidi (John) Ferguson of Fairfield; thirteen grandchildren, Luke Deuser, Justin Deuser, Nichole (James) Chapman, Chrysten Deuser, Aubrey (Anthony) Lumetta, Kaely Deuser, Andrew Sonny Hootman, Benaiah (Audrey) Hootman, Kate Hootman, Micaiah Hootman, Nate Deuser, Becca Deuser and Janell Ferguson; great-grandchildren, Gideon Chapman and Soloman Hootman.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Warren Deuser; and sister, Wanda Warner.

Online condolences may be made to Willis’s family by viewing his obituary at www.behnerfh.com.