The Mount Pleasant Planning and Zoning Commission met in regular session yesterday evening in what was their first meeting since December 12^th. The large talking point was about flexible business spaces at the Belle Center. In March, the Board of Adjustment denied the request of the Board of the Belle Center to occupy the building for multiple uses, such as a business incubator and co-working space. Last night, however, the P&Z Commission made the recommendation to the city council concerning the ordinance to allow flexible business space in that building.

This will be done by adding those terms “business incubator” and “co-working space” into the R3 Multiple Family Dwelling District. Brent Schleisman, the City Administrator, mentioned that this will help expand offerings to the community.

Also passed yesterday evening was the recommendation to the City Council concerning the Mt. Pleasant Community School District site plan for their bus barn/central receiving/building and grounds facility. This will be constructed at 1515 E Monroe St if all goes according to plan. Essentially, this brings all of the support services to one site, according to Superintendent Henriksen, which affords greater efficiency.

Donations still needed for Stop the Bleed Classroom Kits

Sheriff McNamee and SRO Deputy Lopez recently delivered 42 Stop the Bleed classroom kits to the Mount Pleasant Community School District Middle School and 50 Stop the Bleed classroom kits to the Winfield Mt Union School District.

They have now delivered approximately 200 kits to Henry County classrooms, but they are not done! Their goal is to have every Henry County school equipped with these kits by the start of the 2024-2025 school year.

To donate, drop-off a check made out to the Mt Pleasant Community School Foundation at Two Rivers Bank or the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. Indicate on the memo line that the donation is for “School Safety Project”. For more information, contact Deputy Carlos Lopez at the Henry County Sheriff’s Office 319-385-2712

Today is National Fentanyl Awareness Day. In 2021, West Burlington Officers responded to the location of the Americinn in the city of West Burlington regarding a drug investigation. Upon speaking with a female staying at the Americinn, officers located 23 grams of Fentanyl on her person along with other illegal narcotics. The female was charged and ultimately convicted of numerous illegal narcotic crimes along with sales of narcotics. 2 milligrams of Fentanyl is a lethal amount. The amount seized during this investigation was 23,000 milligrams.

Last year over 70,000 Americans fatally overdosed on illegally made fentanyl. Fentanyl is found in fake pills and Main Street drugs. The dangers of this drug is a potent opioid and can be fatal when ingested. Officers face the dangers of this drug by a simple exposure while investigating narcotics on duty.

This is an urgent public health crisis that puts all of us, and our loved ones, at risk. Let’s all play a role in preventing further tragedies.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office has been busy responding to calls. Just before 5:00am on May 1^st, they received a report of a stolen motor vehicle from the 2400 grid of 210^th Street. An investigation determined a 2010 Lincoln MKT was stolen by Marshal Barr, 33 of Mount Union.   Mr. Barr was identified as the offender, but prior to apprehension he fled the area to Clinton, IA.

The vehicle was later recovered in Clinton, IA, and Barr was charged with Theft in the Second Degree, a class D Felony.

Two days later at approximately 1:30 a.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a suspicious vehicle in the 2400-grid of Benton Avenue, outside of Rome. A female identified as Lyn Orwig-Skaggs, 49 of Mount Pleasant, was found occupying the vehicle.  It was determined Skaggs had no lawful right or permission to be present on the property.  Skaggs was cited for Trespass, 1^st Offense.

Less than two hours later, a second 911 call was received for the same area. The caller stated a female was yelling loudly in the area.   An investigation determined Lyn Orwig-Skaggs, was now at a neighboring property.  It was found Skaggs did not have a legal reason or permission to be on this property either.   Skaggs was arrested for Disorderly Conduct and Trespass.

On May 6^th, at approximately 11:00 p.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle in the ditch near the intersection of Highway 78 and Oasis Avenue outside of Winfield.  Upon searching the area, the only thing located was a trailer with its contents spilled into the ditch.  There were no other vehicles around.  During the investigation, it was learned the trailer belonged to Scott Deaton, 68, of Winfield.

While on the way to follow-up with Mr. Deaton, a pickup truck was found in the ditch along Nashua Avenue, south of Highway 78.  It was discovered this vehicle belonged to Mr. Deaton as well.  Mr. Deaton was located in the driver seat of the vehicle.  During the investigation impairment was determined to be the primary factor in putting both the trailer and vehicle in the ditch.  Mr. Deaton was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated, 1^st offense and for Failure to Maintain Control of a Motor vehicle.