The Danville City Council will meet in regular session on Monday, January 5th in Danville City Hall, 105 W. Shepherd Street. Call to order is at 5:30pm and items on the agenda include: appointments by the mayor, actions by the council for 2026, director reports and other items as the council holds their first meeting of 2026. This meeting is open to the public.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department investigated an accident on Sunday, December 28th on Highway 34 East of Batavia. Derek Lankford, 30 of Ottumwa lost control of his vehicle while travelling westbound and ended up in the ditch, rolling the vehicle, and striking a cement culvert. Lankford and a passenger sustained minor injuries in the accident. According to the sheriff’s office, 16.57 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found in the vehicle following the execution of a search warrant. Upon release from the hospital, Lankford was arrested and charged with a control substance and drug tax stamp violation, driving while barred, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Sandra Lee (Troutman) McIntosh, 83, of Farmington, Iowa, passed away at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Southeast Iowa Hospice House in West Burlington, Iowa.
Sandra was born on January 17, 1942, in Kirksville, Adair County, Missouri, the daughter of Lloyd George and Virginia Ellen (Proper) Troutman. On June 18, 1961, she married Ronald Lee McIntosh at the Methodist Church in Farmington, Iowa. He preceded her in death on August 19, 2020.
Sandra graduated from Bonaparte High School. She was a member of the Farmington United Methodist Church and the Ottumwa Kennel Club.
Sandra loved dogs, especially Yorkshire Terriers and other toy breeds, and was active in raising and showing them in various American Kennel Club dog shows. Along with her husband, she managed SanRon Kennels, which over the years produced multiple champions and one international champion.
Sandra also loved horses, and she and her husband raised American Quarter Horses and Appaloosas for many years.
In her later years, Sandra enjoyed painting and experimenting with different painting styles. She became quite skilled at Dutch Pour painting and created dozens of dynamic and abstract patterns using acrylic paint. She loved taking painting classes at Holly’s Flippin Out store with her friends and family.
Sandra also loved mushroom hunting, antiques, going to auctions, playing cards, and spending time with her family.
Survivors include one son: Todd Brian McIntosh of Princeton, Texas; one daughter: Gina Rae Lanman of Farmington, Iowa; three sisters: Marcia Ann Hendrichsen, Deborah Mae Levens, and Alica Kay Garnett; one sister-in-law: Donna Mae Hamberg; seven grandchildren: Brian McIntosh, Daniel McIntosh, Deborah Adam, Jessica Messier, Mark Lanman Jr., Taryn Hattan, Timmy Hattan, nine great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, one daughter: Tina Renee Hattan, and one great-grandchild.
Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. A memorial has been established in her memory and can be mailed to the family at: Schmitz Funeral Home, P.O. Box 22, Donnellson, Iowa 52625. Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
As many area residents set New Year’s resolutions focused on health and wellness, the Mount Pleasant Rec Center is inviting the community to turn those goals into action with its annual “Lose It!” Weight Loss Challenge.
The individual challenge runs from January 9 through March 8, with registration open December 8 through January 9. The program is designed to motivate participants to build healthier habits at the start of the new year while competing for prizes and accountability along the way.
Participants will have a chance to win a $300 grand prize, which includes a cash award, a yearly individual Rec Center membership, and four personal training sessions. Second place will receive a six-month individual membership and four personal training sessions, while third place earns a three-month individual membership.
Registration fees are $20 for Rec Center members and $30 for non-members. The challenge is open to individuals looking to jump-start their fitness journey, stay consistent with New Year’s resolutions, and make lasting lifestyle changes.
Those interested can register or get more information by contacting the Mount Pleasant Rec Center at 319-385-2960, visiting the facility at 200 E. Monroe Street, or online at www.mprecctr.com
The Mount Pleasant Rec Center encourages residents to make 2026 the year they commit to healthier living—and reminds participants that every step forward counts.
The Burlington Police Department reports an arrest following an incident of property damage late Wednesday night.
Police say officers were dispatched around 11:10 p.m. on December 31st to the Burlington train depot at 300 South Main Street after receiving a report of a man breaking windows. Upon arrival, officers observed significant damage to the building.
The suspect was identified as Obie Taylor, who police say admitted to causing the damage during the investigation. Taylor was taken into custody and transported to the Des Moines County Jail, where he is being held on bond.
Taylor has been charged with second-degree criminal mischief. Police note that additional charges may be pending. As with all cases, the charge is an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
The Henry County Conservation Board will hold their January Board meeting on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 4:30 pm in the conservation board meeting room at the office in Oakland Mills.
Items on the agenda will include: FY26/27 Budget Discussion, Board Member Vacancy, Committee Updates, Project Updates, Director Report, and Naturalist Reports.
Please contact the conservation department if you have any questions, 319-986-5067. Henry County Conservation Director, Caleb Waters, will be in to KILJ to provide listeners updates on Thursday, January 8, 2026.
Iowa House Representative Taylor Collins has announced plans to seek reelection in 2026. Collins currently represents Iowa House District 95, which includes all of Louisa County and portions of Des Moines, Henry, and Muscatine counties.
Collins, first elected in 2022 and reelected by a wide margin in 2024, says he is running to continue what he calls conservative priorities for southeast Iowa, including tax relief, public safety, and education policy. During the current legislative term, Collins was appointed chair of the Iowa House Higher Education Committee, where he helped advance legislation capping tuition increases, expanding civic education initiatives, and creating accelerated degree and work-study programs at Iowa’s regent universities.
In addition to his leadership role on higher education, Collins serves on the Appropriations, Government Oversight, State Government, and Natural Resources committees. Outside the legislature, Collins works as executive director of economic development for the Greater Burlington Partnership and helps manage his family’s farm. Collins and his family live in Mediapolis.
Caroleann Black, age 88, of Columbia, Missouri died on December 19, 2025.
Her body was cremated. Visitation for family and friends will be 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 7, 2026 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Frosty Van Voorst officiating. A private burial will be held at Batavia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Caroleann was born December 20, 1936 in Polk County, Iowa and was adopted by Emmet and Hazel Gingerich at the age of five months. She was united in marriage to Marvin Lee Black (“Bud” Hupp) on October 23, 1955, at Hope Lutheran Church in Germanville, Iowa. Caroleann lived most of her life in Germanville and the Batavia area. She graduated from Brighton High School with the class of 1955.
In her younger years, Caroleann sewed clothes for herself and her daughter. She spent many years gardening and canning while living on the Batavia farm. Caroleann loved music and sang solos for many weddings and funerals. She served as a church organist and choir director for many years. She also cleaned houses and worked for the University of Iowa Hospitals for a period of time. Caroleann and Marvin loved camping together.
She was a member of the Richland United Methodist Church in Richland, Iowa, before moving to Columbia, Missouri in 2021.
Caroleann is survived by her two children, Ron (Sandy) Black, and Martha (Thomas) Morrow; three grandchildren: Nicole (Jared), Billie Jo, and Jason; two step-grandchildren: Bobbi (Alex) and Steve (Tyana); six great-grandchildren: Gage, Kane, Zaden, Xzavier, Oakley, and Cashton; and three step great-grandchildren: Shadyn, Adrian, and Mateo.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Emmet and Hazel Gingerich; her husband, Marvin Lee Black; one son, Randy Joe Black; one sister, Nancy Jones; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bill and Ruth Hupp.
