SCC Staffers and Hospital Partner Honored at Iowa Community College Awards Banquet

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 at 5:22 am CDT
WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa – Two SCC employees and a novel public-private partnership initiative were honored at the annual Outstanding Community College Awards at the Community Colleges for Iowa Annual Convention and Trade Show in Des Moines on December 4. Michelle Brown earned the SCC Outstanding Staff Award, Jim Steffen received Outstanding Faculty Award, and Great River Health (GRH) won Outstanding Business and Industry Award.

The awards highlight SCC’s dedication to excellence in education and community development.

Michelle Brown, Director of SCC’s Title III Guided Pathways Grant, was honored with the Outstanding Staff Award for her remarkable contributions to student success. Michelle has utilized grant resources to enhance support systems, including training initiatives and innovative tools like translation earbuds to assist non-native speakers. She has been instrumental in improving recruiting, retention, and student outcomes at SCC, creating lasting positive change for faculty, staff, and students alike.

The Outstanding Faculty Award was presented to Jim Steffen, SCC’s EMS Program Coordinator and Instructor. With over 30 years of experience in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Jim was celebrated for his leadership in EMS education and his dedication to community outreach. His calm demeanor and passion for teaching have made him a respected mentor and advocate for emergency responders in rural areas.

“We’re all extremely proud of our award winners, Michelle and Jim,” said SCC President, Dr. Michael Ash. “They are amazing examples of what it means to live out the College’s mission to provide accessible, quality programs and services to promote student success.”

SCC partner Great River Health received the Outstanding Business and Industry Award for a number of novel initiatives implemented by the two institutions to enhance and expand SCC’s health programming. One winner is selected from all Iowa’s community colleges nominees each year as the business or industry that has gone above and beyond to impact students and the community.

In 2022, the foundation committed $10 million over five years to support the expansion of SCC’s nursing program. This transformative partnership funded critical upgrades to facilities, increased faculty and staff, and provided scholarships to nursing students. GRH has also enhanced student support systems, established new clinical sites, and ensured financial assistance for students. In addition, GRH has made sizeable donations in support of SCC health programs, facilities, and scholarships. This past fall, it also opened a facility to house SCC’s new radiologic technician program on its West Burlington hospital campus.

GRH President and CEO Dr. Michael McCoy accepted the award on behalf of GRH.

“Success in any community begins with partnerships between people and organizations with an eye on a better future for the common good. Great River Health has enjoyed this kind of partnership with SCC for many years,” said McCoy. “We need to continue to find creative new ways to secure our future by educating more students to fill the open positions to provide quality care.”

Dr. Ash echoed Dr. McCoy’s remarks.

“The vitality of a community is often measured by the strength of its education and healthcare institutions,” explained Ash. “SCC and Great River Health have been strategic partners doing everything we can to build upon the quality of life for the residents of our region. The College is very fortunate to have such a willing and forward-thinking partner in this effort.”.

For more information about the award winners or to read more SCC news, visit scciowa.edu.

Jason Hutcheson, Executive Director of the Great River Health Foundation; Michael Yost, Chief Human Resources Officer of Great River Health; Dr. Michael McCoy, President & CEO of Great River Health; and Dr. Michael Ash, President of Southeastern Community College, proudly accept the Outstanding Business and Industry Award on behalf of Great River Health & SCC. Photo courtesy of Community Colleges for Iowa
SCC EMS Program Coordinator and Instructor Jim Steffen accepts the Outstanding Faculty Award. Photo courtesy of Community Colleges for Iowa.

Michelle Brown, Director of SCC’s Title III Guided Pathways Grant, accepts the Outstanding Staff Award. Photo courtesy of Community Colleges for Iowa.

Iowa State Fair Wins 21 Awards At The International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) Annual Convention

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 at 5:03 am CDT

The Iowa State Fair continued to showcase its leadership in the fair industry by earning multiple awards and honors at the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) Annual Convention, held last week in Phoenix, Arizona. Overall, the Iowa State Fair took home 21 awards in Communications, Competitive Exhibits, Agriculture Education and Sponsorship competitions.

The Iowa State Fair was also recognized as the Division 5 winner for the Best Marketing Campaign for the 2024 theme, “Fair Fever.” IAFE awards are divided into five divisions based on attendance and are judged by industry experts. The Iowa State Fair competes against other fairs and festival members with an attendance of over 1 million.

The Iowa State Fair Thrill Parks were designated by the Outdoor Amusement Business Association as recipients of the prestigious Circle of Excellence.

This seal of approval is given to outdoor amusements that have completed a rigorous checklist of requirements and exemplify the highest standards in safety, operation, image and customer satisfaction. To date, the Iowa State Fair is one of only two fairs in the world to have earned this designation.

Iowa State Fair awards are as follows:

Hall of Honor Communications:

Television Commercial: 2nd Place

Radio: 3rd Place

Double-Sided, Multi-Page or Folded Promotional Ad: 3rd Place

Promotional/Advertising Poster: 1st Place

Miscellaneous Marketing: 2nd Place

Social Media: 1st Place

Competitive Exhibits:

New to Your Fair: 2nd Place

Competitive Exhibits Photo Series: 3rd Place

Ag Awards:

Technique/procedure/policy developed by Fair Management to correct an issue or challenge related to an agricultural issue impacting your community or Fair which can be addressed during the Fair: 2nd Place

Newly established or evolving program/exhibit at your fair that promotes agriculture or a current agricultural issue to the fair-going public: 2nd Place

Evolved program/exhibit at your fair that promotes agriculture or a current agricultural issue to the fair-going public: 1st Place

Program/event/exhibit designed to educate consumers/fair-going public on the Story of Food: 2nd Place

Any Other Agriculture Program/Exhibit: 1st Place

Agriculture Individual Photo Horticulture/Crops: 2nd Place

Agriculture Individual Photo Rodeo: 3rd Place

Agriculture Individual Photo Ag Education: 3rd Place

Agriculture Individual Photo Miscellaneous: 3rd Place

Sponsorship:

Sponsorship Innovation: 2nd Place

Sponsor Continuity: 1st Place

In-Kind/Trade Sponsor: 2nd Place

Overall Awards:

Best Marketing Campaign Overall Winner, Division Five

American Ordnance LLC, Will Pay $39,311 for Alleged Hazardous Waste Violations

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 at 5:00 am CDT

EPA Fines Iowa Army Plant and Contractor for Alleged Hazardous Waste Violations

The U.S. Department of the Army and its contractor, American Ordnance LLC, will pay $39,311 in civil penalties to resolve alleged violations of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The Army owns the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Middletown, Iowa, while American Ordnance operates the plant.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the facility operators violated the terms of its hazardous waste management permit in 2023 when they improperly detonated explosives in a detonation chamber; failed to properly close the grenade detonation chamber after it was moved to a different location at the facility; and burned munitions in open burn pans in excess of permit limits.

In response to the alleged violations, the Army and American Ordnance have taken the necessary steps to return the facility to compliance.

RCRA creates the framework for the proper management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste. Facilities owned by the federal government are subject to the same requirements for safely handling hazardous waste as privately owned facilities.

Henry County Board Of Supervisors Meeting December 12, 2024 9:00 a.m.

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, December 10th, 2024 at 5:46 pm CDT

Henry County Board Of Supervisors

Board of Supervisors Office

December 12, 2024

9:00 a.m.

1.Approve Agenda

2.Approve Minutes

3.Jake Hotchkiss Engineer Weekly Update

4.Caleb Waters, Conservation Monthly Update

5.Joe Buffington, P & Z Monthly Update

6.28E Agreement Parking Ticket Between the City of Mt Pleasant & Henry County

7.Mirranda Swafford, Mississippi Valey Workforce Development, County Support the Skill-up Program

8.Public Comments

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors’ Sub-Committee Updates

DONALD PAUL “DOC” SHANNON

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, December 10th, 2024 at 3:20 pm CDT

DONALD PAUL “DOC” SHANNON

1934-2024

Don, “Doc”, Shannon, 90, of Houghton passed away on the morning of December 9, 2024 at Fort Madison Community Hospital in Fort Madison, Iowa.

Doc was born July 31, 1934 in Keokuk County, Iowa to Bill and Fronie Shannon of Keota. He was the middle of three sons including older brother Jim and younger brother Ed.  After high school graduation, Doc attended Iowa State University and graduated with a degree in Veterinary Medicine. He married Joann “Jo” Shannon on June 18, 1958.  He worked at Pahle Veterinary Clinic in Milwaukee, Wisconsin until they returned to southeast Iowa. Doc and Jo established their home and veterinary clinic in Houghton Iowa in 1959, where he practiced for many years until Jo’s passing in 2022.

Doc loved his veterinary work. He often said, “If you love your work, you’ll never work a day in your life. If your work is your passion, your passion is not work.”  For many years, his answering machine message always ended with “Thank you for calling, I’m here to help.”

Doc loved amateur photography and Iowa Hawkeye football (even though he graduated an Iowa State Cyclone, Iowa City was closer to attend home games). He and Jo enjoyed playing FreeCell on his iPad. Jo would thumb-wrestle over shared-effort games of this. A love of knowledge and learning was manifest by his passion for reading any newspaper he could get his hands on.  He loved sharing knowledge with others and frequently hosted veterinary students from Iowa State University. Doc and Jo loved playing bridge and participated on a regular basis with close friends for over sixty years.

Doc was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, Houghton, Iowa, the Houghton Knights of Columbus, and was a founding member of the Southeast Iowa Veterinary Association.

Doc and Jo had four children: Sherry Boeding (Steve), Steve (Jennifer), Cindy Hagan (Doug), and Sue Thomas (Eric). Their grandchildren include Amanda Merta (Travis), Sam Boeding (Shari), and Shane Boeding (partner Lydia and son Cailin), Jordan Freske (Adam) and Tyler Gunn, Stephanie Hagan (Doug Carmody) and Matt Hagan, and Avery, Lauren, and Lexi Thomas. Great-grandchildren include Jaxson and Briggs Merta and Rowan and Riley Boeding.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joann, parents Bill and Fronie Shannon, and his brother Jim.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday December 14, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Houghton Iowa, with burial service immediately after in St. John’s Cemetery. A luncheon will follow afterwards at the Knights of Columbus community building in Houghton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Houghton Fire Department. Memorial arrangements are being handled by Barr Memorial Chapelhttps://www.barrmemorialchapel.com www.barrmemorialchapel.com

Mount Pleasant City Council Meeting December 11th at 5:30pm

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, December 10th, 2024 at 3:05 pm CDT

The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in Regular Session on Wednesday, December 1 1 , 2024, at City Hall, 307 E. Monroe Street, second-floor meeting room at 5:30 p.m.

AGENDA

  1. Roll Call.
  2. Consent Agenda: To the Public — All items with an asterisk ( *) are routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion and a roll call of the Council members. There will be no separate discussion of items unless the Mayor, a Council member or citizen so request, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.
  3. Receive & file communications.
  4. Approve agenda.

*5. Approve minutes of previous meetings.

*6. Approve payment of bills.

*7. Receive report of Officers including Resolution No. 2024-108 approving November transfers.

  1. Old Business-
    1. 3rd reading and adopt ordinance amending Chapter 12, Section 12-6 Stop Intersections for Harvest Drive and South Grand Avenue.
    2. 3rd reading and adopt ordinance amending Chapter 12, Section 12-4 Speed Limits for South Grand Avenue.
  2. New Business-
    1. Approve the issuance of a new Class E Retail Alcohol License for Iowa Wine & Spirits at 109 S Jefferson Street.

Great River Health Hosting Midwest Book and Gift Fairs

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, December 10th, 2024 at 12:45 pm CDT

Great River Health will be hosting a series of Midwest Book and Gift Fairs at their hospital campuses.

  • Henry County Health Center (HCHC) campus, Wednesday, December 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Upper Lobby.
  • Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center (SEIRMC), Fort Madison campus, Tuesday, December 17, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., in the Main lobby.
  • Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, West Burlington campus,
    • Wednesday, December 18, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., in the Main lobby
    • Thursday, December 19, from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., in the Main lobby

Besides books, hundreds of items will be available at reduced prices. They include educational products, toys, music collections, and stationery.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to HCHC Friends and SEIRMC Auxiliary to support hospital projects and healthcare scholarships.

For more information, please call SEIRMC Volunteer Services at 319-768-3340 or HCHC Volunteer Services at 319-385-6524.

Arlene Mae Haifley

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, December 10th, 2024 at 12:40 pm CDT

Arlene Mae Haifley, 93, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Saturday, December 7, 2024 at Prestige Care Center in Fairfield.

Per Arlene’s wishes there will be no services held at this time.

Inurnment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family.

Arlene was born September 18, 1931 in Jefferson County, the daughter of Harold and Elsie (Olson) McIntire. She married Robert Haifley, October 9, 1949 in Fairfield. He preceded her in death December 1, 2018.

Arlene was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Caring for her family was her greatest joy. She was a member of Suburban Heights Baptist Church in Fairfield.

Those left to honor her memory include her daughter-in-law, Christine Haifley; grandchildren, Korie (Gary) Cochran, Matthew (Erika) Haifley, Jennifer (Brian) Vanderhart and Michelle (Dana) Semprini; and eight great-grandchildren, Hannah, Connor, Steven, Austin, Evan, Noah, Carson and Harper; siblings, Marilyn Kane of Fairfield, Pamela Cubbage of Batavia, and Steven McIntire of Goldfield, Iowa.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; and sons, Robert Allen Haifley, Jr. and Guy Lee Haifley.

Online condolences may be made to Arlene’s family by viewing her obituary at www.behnerfh.com.