Author: Allison Jacobs

Henry County EMS and Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a traffic accident at about 6:15 this morning on Highway 34 east of Mt. Pleasant/MM 244.  A vehicle collided with a deer.

As bike season approaches, Iowa officials urge motorists to be vigilant for young bicyclists who are often hard to spot due to their smaller size and unpredictable riding patterns.

The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) emphasizes the importance of looking twice, especially at intersections, where most bicycle-related fatalities occur.

Since 2021, Iowa has seen 24 bicycle fatalities, highlighting the need for increased awareness and caution. Drivers are encouraged to scan intersections thoroughly, maintain safe distances, and avoid distractions to help prevent accidents.

The Mt. Pleasant Community School District School Board will meet in regular session on Monday, May 9^th at 6pm.  This meeting is held in the High School Media Center at 2104 S. Grand Avenue.  This meeting is open to the public and the board agenda can be found at MTPCSD.org/board/meetings.

A two-vehicle accident was reported just before 6am this morning, Saturday, May 31^st at NB Hwy 218 at 185^th street.  No injuries were reported.

Park Place Lone-Term Care Facility in Mt. Pleasant is honoring 3 of their resident veterans with handcrafted quilts through the Quilts of Valor foundation.  The presentation will take place on Friday, June 6^th at 2:30pm.  The community, friends and family are invited to share in this ceremony at Park Place, 401 S. Van Buren Street.  Light refreshments will be served.

The Lee County Narcotics Task Force reported on Friday, May 30^th, the arrest of a West Point woman on felony and misdemeanor drug charges.

Allison Lea Wolkenhauer, 42, of West Point was charged with possession, possession with intent to deliver while possessing a firearm and multiple other charges.

(Possession of more than 5 grams of methamphetamine with the intent to deliver while possessing a firearm, a class B felony; (3) counts of Iowa drug tax stamp violation, all are class D felonies; Possession of a controlled substance (morphine), a serious misdemeanor; Possession of a controlled substance (oxycodone), a serious misdemeanor; Possession of a controlled substance (clonazepam), a serious misdemeanor; Possession of a controlled substance (ecstasy), a serious misdemeanor; Possession of marijuana, a serious misdemeanor; Possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor.)

The charges are the result of a search warrant that was executed at Wolkenhauer’s residence by the Lee County Narcotics Task Force and other law enforcement agencies.

The Lee County Narcotics Task Force were assisted by the Lee County area SRT (special response team), the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Fort Madison Police Department, and the Keokuk Police Department K-9 Szolt.

The defendant in this case is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The Lee County Narcotics Task Force is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Justice and the funds administered by the Iowa Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy.

“Our Roads Safety Week” begins on Monday, June 2^nd.  The US Department of Transportation goal is to bring awareness to road safety. Millions of large trucks, buses, and vehicles help move the nation’s economy and citizens.

95 lives have been lost on Iowa’s roadways so far this year according to the Iowa State Patrol.   Memorial Day kicked off what the Iowa State Patrol calls the “100 deadliest days of summer,” a period marked by an increase in teen driver crashes and fatalities.

This time of year, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, is when many younger drivers are hitting the roads for the first time Law enforcement agencies, including the Iowa State Patrol, increased their presence on the roadways and noticed a reduction in fatal collisions over the holiday weekends over the past 3 years.