Author: Allison Jacobs

The Des Moines County Regional Waste Commission is encouraging the public to take advantage of their disposal services for items that should not be thrown in regular trash.

Accepted materials include things like latex, oil-based, and spray paint, automotive fluids such as motor oil and antifreeze, household cleaners, aerosols, and chemicals like bleach, ammonia, and peroxide.

Electronics are also accepted, including TVs, computers, cell phones, monitors, printers, rechargeable batteries, and fluorescent tubes.

Officials say paints and chemical items are accepted by appointment only, and residents are asked to call ahead to schedule a drop-off.

However, TVs and other e-waste items can be dropped off anytime without an appointment.

For more information or to schedule a disposal, call 319-753-8758 or visit dmcwaste.org.

Officials say taking the time to properly dispose of these items helps protect the environment and keeps harmful materials out of local landfills.

As part of National Severe Weather Awareness Week, residents in Henry County are being reminded to review their tornado safety plans and make sure they have reliable ways to receive weather alerts.

The National Weather Service will conduct a TEST Tornado Warning at 10:00 a.m., which will include the activation of outdoor warning sirens across Henry County.

Officials stress that this is only a test, but it’s a great opportunity to practice what you would do in a real emergency.

It’s also important to remember that outdoor warning sirens are designed mainly to alert people who are outside and may not be heard clearly indoors. Because of that, residents are encouraged to have multiple ways to receive warnings.

One option is to download the Henry County Sheriff’s Office mobile app, which provides alerts directly to your phone.

Emergency officials say taking a few minutes now to prepare could make all the difference when severe weather strikes. KILJ is your local National Weather Service Station.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will meet Thursday morning for their regular session.

The meeting begins at 9:00 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by approval of consent agenda items, including minutes and financial claims.

In unfinished business, supervisors will continue discussions on a proposed policy related to public requests for information, including potential fees and determining a central point of contact for handling those requests. The board will also review the status of current information requests.

Budget-related discussions will include possible financial support agreements with several local organizations, including Old Threshers, the Henry County Fair, Area Economic Development, Main Street, and Friends of Geode, along with other community betterment efforts.

Supervisors will also be introduced to a new Information Technology employee, Brad Bavery, and discuss whether website management should fall under an IT manager or other staff.

In new business, County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss will provide updates, including a presentation on the Iowa DOT budget and five-year construction program.

The board will also discuss supervision and building access for county employee Tyler Freeze, approve appointments to the Historic Preservation Commission, and consider an appointment to the eminent domain review board.

Additional discussion will include updates from the Iowa Public Information Board and follow-up on the Iowa Governmental Health Care Plan.

The meeting will wrap up with public comments before adjournment.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors Meeting is open to the public.

The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in regular session Wednesday evening at City Hall.

The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in the second-floor meeting room at 307 East Monroe Street.

On the agenda, council members will hold a public hearing on a proposed loan agreement and consider issuing up to 1.235 million dollars in general obligation capital loan notes. Those funds would support upcoming city projects, with resolutions also setting repayment through a property tax levy.

In old business, the council will consider the third reading and possible adoption of an ordinance updating city code regulations related to signs and industrial districts.

New business includes review of a site plan for a proposed car wash at 2125 East Washington Street, along with approval of additional plans tied to the Continental Industrial Plant expansion on North Goodyear Road.

Council members will also consider property tax abatement applications, bids to demolish a structure at 403 East Green Street, and set a public hearing date of April 22nd for the fiscal year 2027 budget.

Additional items include approval of employee health and dental insurance renewals, hiring a new administrative assistant for the City Clerk’s office, and a mayoral reappointment to the Construction Board of Appeals.

The meeting will conclude with a public forum, followed by adjournment. The council is also scheduled to meet in a special session on Friday, April 3rd at 8:00 a.m.

Henry County residents now have a new way to safely dispose of rechargeable batteries.

Officials say rechargeable batteries are now being accepted at the Des Moines County Area Recyclers recycling drop-off location at 1000 West Washington Street here in Mount Pleasant. The site is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and residents are encouraged to bring their batteries along with their regular recycling.

In addition to the main location, rechargeable batteries can also be dropped off at mobile recycling sites.

The mobile unit visits New London every Wednesday from 8:15 to 11:30 a.m. at the town square, and Danville on Wednesdays from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. in front of City Hall.

In Winfield, the mobile site is available Thursdays from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., also in front of City Hall.

These expanded options make it easier for residents across the county to properly and safely dispose of rechargeable batteries.

Improperly disposing of lithium and rechargeable batteries can be dangerous. When thrown in the trash or standard recycling, these batteries can become damaged and spark fires in garbage trucks or at waste facilities, putting workers and equipment at risk.

To see the schedule for the different drop off locations, visit KILJ.com under the news tab or our community calendar.

Rechargeable Battery Drop-Off Locations & Times

Main Drop-Off Site
📍 1000 W. Washington Street
🕒 Wednesdays & Fridays | 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Mobile Recycling Locations

New London (Town Square)
🗓️ Wednesdays | 8:15 AM – 11:30 AM

Danville (City Hall)
🗓️ Wednesdays | 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Winfield (City Hall)
🗓️ Thursdays | 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Students from the Eastern side of Iowa gathered in Cedar Rapids on March 21 at the Lindale Mall to compete at the regional science fair. There were 211 projects from 18 schools that were registered to compete at the Eastern Iowa Science and Engineering Fair. In total, there were 30 students from KMS and KHS (16 middle school projects and 11 high school projects) who participated.

KMS Awards:

• Blessing Takoribsong

  • Thermos Fisher JIC: Outstanding Achievement Award

  • Division II, Junior Physical

• Lydia Bailey

  • Honorable Mention, Junior Physical

• J.J. Stevens and Wilhelm Mossengren

  • Excellence in Science Research Award

• Avery Bogert and Lara Contreras

  • Excellence in Science Research Award

KHS Awards:

• Cally Leenerts

  • 5th Year Participant Achievement Award

  • Senior Biological Finalist

  • Division I, Senior Biological

• Carl Hausch

  • Honorable Mention, Senior Biological

• Savin Langenwalter

  • Excellence in Science Research Award

• Maribelle Zirkel

  • 6th Year Participant Achievement Award

  • Senior Biological Finalist

  • Division I, Senior Biological

• Avery Totten

  • Cedar Rapids Audubon Society Award

• Landon Mondon

  • 4th Year Participant Achievement Award