Starting next Tuesday, July 1st, a new hands-free driving law goes into effect statewide.

The goal of the law is simple: to reduce distracted driving and make Iowa’s roads safer. But what exactly does “hands-free” mean?

Under the new law, drivers cannot hold their phone in any way while behind the wheel. That means no texting, no scrolling, no typing, and no manually entering an address into GPS while you’re driving.

You also won’t be allowed to stream videos, make video calls, or view social media — not even if you use voice commands to start them. And unless you’re using a hands-free or voice-activated feature, you can’t call, text, or dial at all.

And it’s not just your phone. The law applies to tablets, laptops, PDAs, and gaming devices as well.

So, how can you stay hands-free and legal?

• You can use an auxiliary cable to connect your phone to your car’s speakers and control it with your voice or a single touch.
• A vehicle mount can hold your phone in place so you can use voice commands safely.
• Bluetooth® devices like earpieces or adapters are another option to stay connected without touching your phone.
• And remember, speakerphone is free — just set your phone in a secure spot and use voice commands.

Law enforcement will be watching, and this will be a primary offense — meaning officers can pull you over just for using a device illegally.

Again, Iowa’s hands-free law takes effect Tuesday, July 1st. Plan ahead, drive safely, and keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.

For more information, visit the Iowa Department of Transportation’s website.

The Fairfield Community School District is hiring! The district announced an opportunity for a dynamic and dedicated individual to join its leadership team as Director of Operations.

This vital role is responsible for overseeing key functions that ensure the smooth daily operation of schools, including transportation, facilities management, and district-wide operations. The Director of Operations will play an essential part in creating safe, efficient, and supportive environments for students, staff, and families.

“We’re looking for someone who is passionate about helping our schools succeed behind the scenes,” the district shared. “This position provides the chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and in our community.”

Those interested in applying are encouraged to visit the district’s employment page at fairfieldsfuture.org to learn more about the position and submit an application.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met on Monday in a public work session to hash out the details of a proposed burn ordinance. The Supervisors hope to move toward a simpler, more focused set of rules aimed at curbing dangerous burning during red flag warnings while minimizing unnecessary regulation on responsible landowners.

At the heart of the discussion was the desire to craft an ordinance that puts teeth into enforcement during periods of high fire danger, while relying on common sense and courtesy for routine burns. Supervisors agreed that the purpose section should be tightened up to reflect that goal.

Supervisors agreed that notification requirements could serve as a safeguard, helping alert residents to red flag conditions. Joe Buffington with Planning & Zoning said, “Sometimes people just don’t know there’s a red flag warning. If they call dispatch, they can be told, ‘Hey, you can’t burn today.’ That might stop a problem before it starts.”

Ideas discussed included requiring calls for burn piles over a certain size (such as 500 or 1,000 square feet) and combining related sections of the ordinance to avoid redundancy. The board also acknowledged the reality of fire behavior. “You can set up your burn pile however you want, but fire is fire. Mother Nature can take over pretty quickly,” one supervisor cautioned.

Despite differing views on some details, the supervisors appeared unified on the need for a straightforward ordinance that emphasizes safety during red flag conditions while respecting property owners’ good judgment. County staff will work on revised language, and the board expects to review a new draft at an upcoming meeting.

 The Burlington Fire Department responded to an apartment fire Monday evening that resulted in significant damage to a rural residence and the loss of a family pet.

At approximately 6:54 p.m. on June 23, 2025, emergency crews were dispatched to 3750 Old Highway 61 following reports of a fire at a four-plex apartment complex. Firefighters arrived on scene within six minutes and found flames visible from one of the units in the single-story building.

The residence, owned by Shipley Construction and insured at the time of the fire, housed multiple families. All occupants were able to evacuate safely before firefighters arrived. Unfortunately, one cat perished as a result of the blaze.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire to a single apartment unit, preventing further spread and damage to the rest of the structure. Notably, smoke alarms were not present in the affected unit.

The Burlington Fire Department received assistance at the scene from the West Burlington, Wever, Gladstone, and Denmark Fire Departments, as well as the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, Access Energy, and the American Red Cross. No injuries were reported among civilians or firefighters.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Burlington Fire Department and the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Burlington Fire Department at (319) 753-8396.

Fire Marshal Robert Berndt indicated that additional updates will be provided as the investigation continues.