Mount Pleasant Community School District is partnering with Henry County Health Center and the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital to educate young riders and host a community bike rodeo. Henry County Sheriff’s Office and Mount Pleasant Police Department will also be important in this event.

On Friday, May 10, staff from the U of I Stead Family Children’s Hospital will come to Mount Pleasant and present an assembly to Kindergarten through 2nd grade students at each elementary school in our district.

Then on Saturday, May 11 a community bike rodeo will be held from 10am-12pm at Maple Leaf Athletic Complex. Kids can ride/bring their bikes to the rodeo. There will be a local bike shop available to do some general bike maintenance, kids will get their helmets properly fitted by a member of the UI RAGBRAI team, kids attending will have the opportunity to win a free bike, and there will be two courses set up for kids to practice safe riding.

This is an exciting event for our kids and our community as we prepare for the arrival of RAGBRAI this summer.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a fertilizer spill in the City of Burlington in Des Moines County.

On April 22, the DNR Field Office in Washington was notified of a liquid fertilizer spill in Burlington. At approximately 5:00 p.m. a truck driven by Jeff Boyer was hauling fertilizer when a 700-gallon plastic tank containing ammonium phosphate fell off near the intersection of West Street and Roosevelt Avenue in Burlington. The driver stopped but left the scene shortly after.

Local authorities responded to the scene. Further investigation revealed an unknown amount of the fertilizer spilled onto the street and continued into a nearby storm sewer which discharges into Hawkeye Creek. DNR staff later observed fertilizer contamination at Hawkeye Creek, which flows through the City of Burlington to the Mississippi River.

City officials are working to capture the creek flow and clean it through the Burlington Wastewater Treatment Plant.

No dead fish have been observed at this time. Samples have been collected. Residents and their pets are encouraged to avoid the area.

DNR is working with the City of Burlington to address the fertilizer impact before entering the Mississippi River. Further enforcement action will be considered when appropriate, and the investigation is ongoing.

To report a release after hours, please call the DNR’s emergency spill line at (515) 725-8694. Quick reporting can help DNR staff identify the cause of an incident. The DNR website has more information about spill reporting requirements.

Mt. Pleasant Municipal Utilities is partnering with Tyler Technologies to provide an easier way to pay your utility bill. Starting June 1^st, they will no longer be accepting card payments over the phone. Instead, they are offering a link on their website to pay bills online. In person card payments will still be accepted, however there will be a fee of 2.35% plus $1.50 per transaction added to the total payment.

There will be a fee of 2.35% plus $1.50 per transaction for online transactions made through a debit or credit card.

To clarify further, there is only a fee for ACH if it is set up through the online payment program through Tyler Technologies. If you set it up with Mt. Pleasant Utilities directly in their office there is no fee.

*Below is a release written and provided by a candidate for the position of Supervisor for Henry County.*

Steve Detrick is pleased to announce his candidacy for the position of Henry County Supervisor. With a deep commitment to integrity, transparency, and effective leadership, Steve aims to be the voice that represents the best interests of the residents in Henry County.

With over 35 years of experience in leadership roles at John Deere, Steve brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. His extensive career in manufacturing, supply management, and marketing has honed his skills and given him a unique perspective on managing resources and budgets successfully. Throughout his career, Steve has had the opportunity to travel extensively, gaining valuable insights from different regions around the world.

Beyond his professional achievements, Steve has also been an active leader in the community. He has served as an assistant Conservation Commissioner for the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District and as a Fence Trustee for Jackson Township. In recent years, Steve has worked as the Finance Chair for the Henry County Republican Committee, contributing to the support of solid candidates and a strong platform.

Steve’s dedication to serving the community is further demonstrated by his consistent attendance at Board of Supervisor meetings, where he has gained valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by the county. He recognizes the importance of practical decision-making, transparency, and accountability in the county’s operations. Steve firmly believes in effective communication from the Board to the taxpayer, ensuring that every voice is heard.

Collaboration and unity are at the heart of Steve’s approach. He understands that by working together, we can achieve great things. Steve is committed to building relationships, fostering partnerships, and representing the interests and concerns of Henry County’s residents. He envisions a brighter future for Henry County, where open communication, abundant opportunities, and a thriving community are the norm.

“I am excited about the opportunity to serve Henry County,” Steve Detrick stated. “Together, we can create an environment where our community flourishes. I am asking for your vote of confidence on November 5th to become your next Henry County Supervisor.”

With Steve Detrick as your Supervisor, you can expect fresh ideas, innovative solutions, and unwavering dedication to improving our community. He will champion initiatives that prioritize the residents, promote workforce expansion, manage budgets effectively, and enhance communication with taxpayers. Steve is committed to ensuring that Henry County remains a proud place we call home.

About Steve Detrick:  Steve and his wife Nancy, resides in Rural Henry County, between Salem and Mt. Pleasant.  With a proven track record in budget management and manpower, Steve brings a wealth of experience to the table.   He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and dedicated over 35 years of his career to John Deere.

Steve is a leader who is deeply committed to practical decision-making, accountability, transparency, integrity, and effective communication.  His primary goal is to serve and represent the residents of Henry County, working tirelessly to enhance our local governance.

For further information, interviews, or inquiries, please contact: Steve Detrick at detrickstevenb@gmail.com

“Together we can create a better future for the residents of Henry County.” – Steve Detrick