Henry County Board of Supervisors Meeting Agenda for Thursday, January 22, 2026

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, January 21st, 2026 at 6:52 am CDT

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will meet Thursday morning to review budgets, hear departmental updates, and consider action on several county operations items.

The meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Thursday morning, January 22, 2026 at the Henry County Courthouse in Mount Pleasant.
Supervisors will begin with routine business, including approval of meeting minutes from January 15, 2026 and authorization of financial claims for payment.

Unfinished business includes continued departmental budget reviews and an update on the Friends of Oakland Mills contract.

New business will feature reports from several county departments. County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss will present a motion to approve dust control dates and fees for secondary roads. Updates are also scheduled from Planning and Zoning – Joe Buffington, Information Technology – Gunner Sloan, and Human Resources – Paul Greufe.

Committee updates will include a report on safety-related expenses.

Other items on the agenda include a WEMIGA report on e-waste disposal totals for 2025, reassignment of employee and building alarm code duties, discussion of noxious weed responsibilities, and reminders regarding internal contact information.

The meeting will include time for public comment, with speakers asked to limit remarks to three minutes.

The meeting is open to the public. View the full agenda here.

City of Wayland Meeting Scheduled Wednesday, January 21, 2026 – Agenda Posted

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, January 21st, 2026 at 6:44 am CDT

The Wayland City Council will address several administrative and policy items at its meeting tonight at 7:30 at Wayland City Hall, 218 West Main Street in Wayland.

Council members are scheduled to begin with approval of routine business, including minutes from the January seventh meeting, bills for payment, and certificate of deposit renewals.

The meeting will include a citizen forum, giving residents the opportunity to address the mayor and council on items not listed on the agenda. Public comments are welcome, though no formal action will be taken during that portion of the meeting.

Under unfinished business, the council will consider a resolution approving an agreement with the Wayland Area Childcare Organization.

New business items include adoption of a revised 2026 operations and maintenance plan, which includes updated emergency procedures. Council members will discuss modifying city staff office hours to Monday-Friday 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 12-4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Closed Wednesday after 11:30 a.m. They will also consider approval of a cash payment policy.

The meeting will conclude following council discussion and action on agenda items. This meeting is open to the public. View the full agenda here.

Sports, January 21st

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, January 21st, 2026 at 6:32 am CDT

High School Basketball

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team held on to pick up a road upset against #10 Oskaloosa last night, 48-45. In their best defensive showcase of the season, the Panthers dominated the lanes on both sides of the court, blocking five shots on defense and watching Isaiah Lange cash in for 19 points. Panther head coach Eric Rawson was nearly speechless after the game,

 “Yeah, we were great defensively. You know, to hold that team to 19 points in the first half. Yeah, I just can’t. I’m just kind of at a loss for words right now. Just an emotional game. Guys were locked in defensively and offensively. We executed our game plan as far as getting the ball inside and into the post. Noah [Lange] did a lot of work there in the first half and Isaiah [Lange] certainly came alive. Yeah, just defensively, we were really locked in. It was great to see.”

Mt. Pleasant will look to carry that momentum to Fort Madison on Friday, January 23rd, with tip-off at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm.

West Burlington split their night against Danville with the girls’ team losing 64-45, with a 22 point showing from Macie Wagner as she drilled five threes, and the boys’ team finishing strong in a 49-40 final. 

Danville will make the trip to Van Buren County on Friday with game one at 6 pm.

West Burlington will host Central Lee on Friday with the night starting at 6 pm.

The #10 Mediapolis girls’ team smacked Burlington Notre Dame last night, 74-19. Amelia Grier tabbed 20 points in the win. The #3 Notre Dame boys’ team defeated the Bulldogs 63-51 for their 16th win of the season. 

Burlington Notre Dame will make the trip to Holy Trinity Catholic on Friday with tip-off at 6 pm.

Mediapolis will face off against New London on the road with the girls’ playing first at 6 pm.

The Holy Trinity Catholic boys’ team collected their fifth straight victory last night in a 72-43 thrashing of Van Buren County. Jack Ragar cashed in for 19 points. 

The Central Lee boys’ team took down New London last night, 59-32. The Hawks will continue their five-game road trip tomorrow, January 22nd, against Winfield-Mt. Union with game one at 6 pm.

Wapello split their showdown with Hillcrest Academy last night with the girls’ team sneaking out with a 44-42 victory and the boys’ team falling 68-38. Macey Kuntz led the girls’ team with 19 points. Wapello will play Highland on Friday with game one at 6 pm.

The WACO girls’ team fell to Lone Tree last night 55-37, while the boys’ team clobbered the Lions 74-47. Courtney Waterhouse led the girls’ squad with nine points and Holden Hughes went off for 29 points in the boys’ contest. The Warriors will tangle with Sigourney tomorrow at 6 pm.

The Fairfield boys’ team was throttled by Pella Christian last night, 80-37. Ethan Bisgard led the scoring with 13 points. The Trojans will get back to conference play with a road matchup against Washington on Friday at 6 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union split their night against Highland with the girls’ team losing 56-26 and the boys’ team getting back in the win column with a 59-24 victory. Cody Milks collected a 14 point/11 rebound double-double in the winning effort. 

Columbus will tangle with Winfield-Mt. Union on Friday at home with the girls’ teams playing at 6 pm.

High School Wrestling

Mt. Pleasant will travel to Fairfield tomorrow, January 22nd.

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will head to Louisa-Muscatine tomorrow for a triangular.

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team will duel Wapello on the road tomorrow.

Van Buren County will host a triangular tomorrow with WACO making the trip.

New London will welcome Mediapolis tomorrow for a triangular.

The WACO, Fairfield, Wapello, and Mediapolis girls’ teams will compete at the Louisa-Muscatine Invite on Saturday, January 24th.

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will host Fairfield tomorrow, January 22nd.

Southeastern Community College

The women’s basketball team will square off against Iowa Central Community College at 5:30 pm tonight.

The men’s basketball team will head back home on Saturday, January 24th, to take on Marshalltown Community College at 7 pm.

The women’s wrestling team will compete at the Warrior Open on Friday, January 23rd.

The men’s wrestling team will participate in the Stormin’ Norman Tournament on Saturday.

College Basketball

The Iowa State women’s team will search for answers tonight at home at 6:30 pm against Cincinnati. 

The #10 Iowa women’s team will travel to Maryland tomorrow, January 22nd, at 5 pm.

The Iowa men’s team skated past Rutgers last night, 68-62. Bennett Stirtz led the way with 20 points. The Hawkeyes will take on USC on Wednesday, January 28th, at 6 pm at home.

The #9 Iowa State men’s team took out their frustration on UCF last night, clobbering the Knights, 87-57. Joshua Jefferson tabbed 17 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds for his second triple-double of the season. The Cyclones will hit the road for a Saturday, January 24th, meetup with Oklahoma State at 3 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1954 – First time in NBA All-Star history, an overtime period is needed to decide a winner; Boston Celtics’ guard Bob Cousy’s 10-point overtime scoring burst gives the East a 98-93 win; Cousy wins All-Star MVP honors.

1990 – John McEnroe becomes the first player ever to be expelled from the Australian Open.

1994 – The Dallas Mavericks suffer their 19th straight loss at Reunion Arena, 91-87 to the Seattle SuperSonics, extending an unwanted NBA record for the most consecutive home defeats.

Shelia Dianna Pate

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 at 3:58 pm CDT

Shelia Dianna Pate, 70, of Mount Pleasant, passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at her home.

Shelia was born on January 14, 1956, in Birmingham, Alabama, the daughter of Verne Clark. She spent her early childhood years in Lakeland, Florida. Shelia worked at various places, including cooking at different truck stops and was a mail carrier. Shelia was united in marriage to James A. Bryant. From this union her two sons were born, James and Sean. She was married for twenty-three years before his death in October of 2015. She worked for Drs. King and Hart in Fairfield and Mount Pleasant. Shelia later moved back to Lakeland, Florida, where she married Julius Pate. Following his death she returned to Mount Pleasant.

Shelia enjoyed going on airplane rides, making jewelry, but most of all spending time with her family.

Those thankful for sharing in her life include her sons, Sean Bryant and James Bryant, both of Mount Pleasant, her three grandchildren, Corey, Trinity and Jayden, and one great grandchild, Cora.

Sheila was preceded in death by her parents, her two husbands and one brother, Eddie.

According to Shelia’s wishes cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant and no services are planned.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

The Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant is honored to serve the family with love, comfort and dignity as we celebrate the life of Shelia Pate.

Connie Sue Peterman

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 at 3:54 pm CDT

Connie Sue Peterman, 83, of New Boston, Iowa, passed away at 2:41 a.m. Sunday, January 18, 2026, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, Iowa.

She was born on May 21, 1942, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Edwin and Mary (Walker) Bonham.

Survivors include her children: Kelly (Jeff) Fett of Donnellson, Iowa, Tony Peterman of Ewing, New Jersey, Penny (Todd) Vandenberg of Ankeny, Iowa; grandchildren: Zachary, Justin and Connor (Makaylee) Fett; Hunter (Anna), Lexi (Greg), Chance (Giana), Preston (Erica) and Quentin Vandenberg; ten great grandchildren; two sisters: Kim Bonham and Tammy Yaley. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter: Polly Peterman; sister: Sharon Mosbarger and brother: Steve Bonham.

Connie was a graduate of Fort Madison High School. She retired from Sheller Globe. She was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Donnellson. Connie enjoyed gardening, tending to her flowers and her dog “Pooder Bear”. She also enjoyed trips to Branson with her family to visit her sister.

Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Homes for cremation.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 31, 2026, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Donnellson with Pastor Tony Keefe officiating.

A memorial has been established in her memory for St. Paul’s United Church of Christ.

Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Annie’s Project Farm Business Management Course Begins January 31, 2026

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 at 10:53 am CDT

Women involved in agriculture in Louisa and Washington Counties are invited to participate in “Annie’s Project,” a six session farm business management course designed to help women make informed, confident decisions for their farm operations.
The course will run from January 31 – February 12, 2026, with the first session held Saturday, January 31 at 9:00 a.m.

Annie’s Project focuses on the whole farm business, offering practical education in financial management, human resources, legal considerations, marketing strategies, production decision tools, crop insurance, USDA programs, and farmland leasing.

Sessions will be held at two locations. Classes on January 31 and February 3 will take place at the Conservation Education Center at Marr Park, located at 2943 Highway 92 in Ainsworth. Sessions on February 6, 10, and 12 will be held at the Youth Center at the Louisa County Fairgrounds, located at 101 Fairground Road in Columbus Junction.

Each session includes a meal, and participants can receive a discounted registration rate by using the code louisawashington when registering.

For more information or questions about the program, contact Adair Lents at 319-523-2371.

Legislative Forum Dates Set for Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce in February and March

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 at 7:47 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce will host two upcoming legislative forums giving local residents and business leaders a chance to hear directly from state lawmakers and ask questions about issues affecting the community.

The forums will feature State Representatives Taylor Collins and Jeff Shipley, along with State Senators Adrian Dickey and Mark Lofgren. The events are hosted by the Chamber’s Government Relations Committee.

Both forums will be held at the Union Block building, 111 West Monroe Street, on the 3rd floor:

  • Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
  • Friday, March 20, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

All Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce members are invited to attend. The forums are a benefit of Chamber membership and are designed to encourage open dialogue between elected officials and the local business community.

Henry County Public Health Reminds You of the “3 Cs” of Flu Prevention

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 at 7:30 am CDT

Henry County Public Health is reminding residents to take simple steps to stay healthy as flu season continues,  sharing guidance from Iowa Health and Human Services focused on the “3 Cs” of flu prevention:

  • Cover your cough
  • Clean your hands
  • Contain germs by staying home when sick

Officials encourage using a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing, washing hands often with soap and water or using hand sanitizer, and limiting the spread of illness by avoiding contact with others when symptoms are present.

In addition to prevention reminders, Henry County Public Health hosts immunization clinics Tuesdays 9–11 am, Wednesdays & Thursdays 1–4 pm, and 1st & 3rd Thursdays 1–6 pm at 106 North Jackson Street in Mount Pleasant. No appointment necessary. Residents are asked to bring their insurance card if they have one, but vaccines are also available for uninsured or underinsured individuals.

Anyone with questions about the clinic or available vaccines can call Henry County Public Health at 319-385-0779.