Donnellson, Iowa – The Lee County Narcotics Task Force has announced the arrest of a Farmington man on felony drug charges stemming from an ongoing investigation.

Kent Michael Elder, 42, of Farmington, was taken into custody following a traffic stop conducted by the Donnellson Police Department. During the stop, authorities discovered Elder had an outstanding arrest warrant issued by the Lee County Narcotics Task Force for delivery of less than 5 grams of methamphetamine, a Class C felony under Iowa law.

Elder was arrested without incident. According to the Task Force, the charge follows investigative efforts into local drug distribution activities.

The Donnellson Police Department assisted in the arrest. The Lee County Narcotics Task Force emphasized that Elder is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Task Force receives partial funding through the U.S. Department of Justice and resources administered by the Iowa Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy.

After more than a year of repeated denials, Henry County Sheriff Rich McNamee was finally granted the ability to hire outside legal counsel during this week’s Board of Supervisors meeting. The decision comes amid a contentious legal battle involving the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy’s (ILEA) decertification process and a pending series of depositions related to former deputy Arturo Perez.

McNamee, visibly frustrated but resolute, returned to the board with a renewed request—this time armed with subpoenas issued to four of his staff members. “That’s 10 percent of my workforce being sent to Des Moines for depositions,” he told the board, underscoring both the disruption and the legal exposure facing his department. He emphasized that these individuals are being called to testify about their direct knowledge of the situation surrounding Perez and the decertification process.

A Longstanding Concern Over Legal Conflicts

The sheriff’s concern has consistently centered on a potential conflict of interest with the county attorney, who he says cannot fairly represent both the county and his office in the same matter. “He’s representing the county—not me,” McNamee asserted, suggesting that the overlapping roles present a legal and ethical dilemma. The sheriff has previously expressed concern over what he describes as personal ties between the county attorney’s office and Perez, now a central figure in the ILEA investigation.

Though the county attorney has maintained that the office is focused on protecting county liability, McNamee argued that this does not equate to personal representation for himself or his subpoenaed staff. “I’m trying to protect Henry County with my own funds—and I’ve already spent about $70,000 out of my own salary doing just that,” he said.

Debate Over Precedent and Procedure

Supervisors wrestled with concerns that granting outside counsel could set a precedent for future cases, raising questions about how far the county’s responsibility extends in providing legal defense for individual employees. Others, however, agreed that the unique circumstances and potential for conflicting interests justified the sheriff’s request.

Final Approval and Budget Impact

Ultimately, the supervisors voted to allow the sheriff to proceed with outside legal counsel, authorizing the use of existing funds within his departmental budget to cover the associated costs. This resolution marks a turning point in a saga that has raised fundamental questions about legal representation, interdepartmental trust, and fiscal responsibility within county government.

With depositions scheduled for June 19 and 20 and a formal hearing in July, McNamee said this move was necessary not only for protecting staff but for maintaining public confidence in the integrity of the investigation process.

“This isn’t just about me,” the sheriff concluded. “It’s about doing things the right way—for my staff, for the county, and for the people we serve.”

Mount Pleasant, Iowa — Around 10 a.m. Thursday morning, emergency crews responded to a reported gas line strike near 810 East Monroe Street. Construction crews working in the area are believed to have accidentally hit the line, prompting a swift response from local authorities.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department, along with the Mount Pleasant Fire Department and Mount Pleasant Utilities, arrived on scene to secure the area and assess the potential danger. Police officers blocked off surrounding streets to eliminate traffic flow and ensure public safety, while construction personnel were moved away from the immediate area.

Mount Pleasant Utilities is currently evaluating the situation to determine the extent of the damage and the exact cause of the gas leak. As of now, no injuries have been reported, and officials have not confirmed whether any significant damage has occurred.

Authorities urge residents in the area of East Madison and Cherry street to remain cautious and avoid the vicinity until further notice. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB), in collaboration with the Central Iowa Traffic Safety Task Force (CITSTF) and law enforcement agencies across the state, will be conducting a focused enforcement effort from June 17 to 19 to promote awareness and compliance with Iowa’s Move Over Law.

The law, in effect since 2002, requires drivers to either change lanes or significantly slow down when approaching a vehicle stopped on the shoulder with flashing lights. This applies to emergency responders, tow trucks, commercial vehicles, and even private vehicles with hazard lights activated.

Violating the Move Over Law can result in a $210.25 fine and license suspension, particularly in incidents involving property damage or injury.

Drivers are reminded: if you see flashing blue, red, or amber lights on the roadside—move over or slow down. It’s not just the law, it’s a life-saving act.

For more information or media inquiries, contact the Iowa Department of Transportation.

The Mount Pleasant City Council held its regular session Wednesday evening at City Hall, where members approved a series of motions related to infrastructure upgrades, trail grant applications, and heard updates from staff recognizing recent safety and maintenance successes across the city.

Washington Grand Connector Trail Grant Application

The Council approved a resolution authorizing the city to reapply to the Iowa Department of Transportation’s State Recreational Trails Program. This marks at least the fifth application attempt for funding the Washington Grand Connector Trail.

City officials remain persistent in their efforts. “We’ve already approved one route and have another application in the hopper,” said a representative during the discussion. “This one goes in a slightly different direction, and we’re just going to keep applying until we get one approved. It’s sorely needed for safety.”

South Street Reconstruction Project Moves Forward

Another resolution was approved to set a public hearing for the South Street reconstruction project. This project, though limited to one block, is expected to improve long-term infrastructure. A public hearing will soon be held to review the project’s specifications, contract terms, and estimated costs.

The meeting concluded with unanimous support for adjournment. The council will reconvene for its next regular meeting later this month.

For more information on council decisions and upcoming public hearings, visit www.cityofmountpleasant.com

A Burlington man is facing multiple charges after a motorcycle incident along U.S. Highway 61 on Wednesday led to the discovery of a stolen vehicle and false identification.

On June 11, 2025, at approximately 2:55 p.m., Des Moines County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the area of U.S. Highway 61 and 130th Street for a report of a possible motorcycle accident and a verbal altercation between a man and a woman.

Deputies located a male subject in the 13000 block of Highway 61. The individual initially gave deputies a false name but was later identified as 61-year-old William Gene Henson of Burlington, Iowa. Deputies were informed by the Burlington Police Department that Henson was a suspect in the theft of a motorcycle reported stolen earlier that day.

Further investigation revealed that Henson did not possess a valid driver’s license. He was placed under arrest for providing false identification information.

Deputies later found a 2009 Harley Davidson motorcycle in the 11000 block of 130th Street. The motorcycle had minor damage and appeared to have been laid down. A registration check confirmed it was the same vehicle reported stolen out of Burlington.

The female involved was located near the original incident site. She told deputies that Henson had picked her up on the motorcycle earlier in the day and drove to the area where the vehicle eventually became inoperable.

Henson was taken into custody and transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center. He faces charges of Theft in the 2nd Degree, Providing False Identification Information, and Driving Without a Valid License.

Authorities remind the public that criminal charges are merely accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.