Author: Hayden Douglas

Salem residents should prepare for a change in their waste collection schedule starting in July 2025. Wemiga Waste has announced that beginning Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025, garbage will be collected on Wednesdays instead of the current day.

To accommodate the transition, there will be no garbage pickup on Monday, June 30th, ensuring a smooth start to the new Wednesday collection routine.

Residents are also reminded that Des Moines County curbside recycling will continue to operate on its current schedule, with pickups occurring every other Monday.

Wemiga Waste thanks the community for their cooperation as this scheduling adjustment is made.

Mt. Pleasant Christian School Enrollment Open for 2025-2026 School Year

Enrollment is now open for the 2025-2026 academic year at Mt. Pleasant Christian School, an accredited K-12 Christian school committed to providing a faith-based education grounded in academic excellence.

Families considering private education are encouraged to apply soon, as the enrollment period is underway and applications for the state’s Education Savings Account (ESA) program — commonly referred to as vouchers — will close on June 30. Mt. Pleasant Christian School proudly accepts ESA funds to help make private education more accessible for Iowa families.

The school offers a nurturing, Christ-centered environment that supports students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Those interested can begin the enrollment process by visiting the school’s website at www.mtpleasantchristian.com. Additional information is available by calling the school office at 319-385-8613.

Early applications are encouraged as space may be limited in some grade levels.

On the evening of June 5, 2025, at approximately 6:40 p.m., the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of East Washington Street and South Adams Street.

According to authorities, a 2016 Ford Escape driven by Adrien Alberis of Mount Pleasant was stopped at a red light, facing east in the 100 block of East Washington Street. Behind the Ford Escape, a 2018 Hyundai Elantra driven by Sara Woodall of Burlington failed to stop in time, resulting in a rear-end collision.

The impact caused extensive damage to the Hyundai Elantra, which was deemed a total loss. The Ford Escape sustained functional damage but remained drivable.

Following the investigation, Sara Woodall was cited for Failure to Stop in Assured Clear Distance under Iowa Code section 321.285. She was assessed at the scene by Henry County Emergency Services personnel and subsequently transported to the Henry County Health Center for treatment of her injuries.

Assistance at the scene was provided by the Mount Pleasant Fire Department, Henry County Emergency Services, and Breuer Towing & Recovery.

Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature is 73 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie on the edge of the flooded timber on the south side of the lake in 9-10 feet of water up a foot or so off the bottom.  Bluegill – Fair: Some are starting to sneak back onto the spawning beds; many are still out in 6 to 7 feet of water.  Use a worm and slip bobber to clear the water so you can  vertically jig over top of them. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass have recovered from the spawn.  The bigger the bass the farther they are back in the trees.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
Recent rains are forecast to keep the river levels stable until middle of next week before falling again. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait in the backends of the sandbars or stink baits behind brush piles.

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is 72 degrees. Water clarity is 7 feet.  Black Crappie – Fair: Try slow drifting or vertically jigging over the habitat and in about 12-16 feet of water.  Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegills out in deeper water 10-14 feet down in the trees. They might come back in to continue the spawn as the water continues to warm.

Lake Darling
Water temperature is 71 degrees. Water clarity is good at 50-60 inches. The water has a green tint; it’s starting to clear again. Black Crappie – Fair: Look for crappies down by the dam in brush piles in deep water out from the high rip-rap bank or on the rock pile field on the ends of the dam. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill fishing slowed with most bedding areas vacant.  They may start to come in as the water warms into the 70s.  Anglers are catching most in 6-8 feet of water.

Lake Geode
Water temperature is 73 degrees. Water clarity is 6 feet. Black Crappie – Good: Find crappies in the habitat in 8 to 19 feet of water; try vertically jigging. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are starting to return to the spawning beds after a brief break.  Use a worm and bobber or a small jig tipped with a waxworm. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are looking for young bluegills and crappies to feed on.

Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature is 68-70 degrees.  Curly-leaf is still in good health; hasn’t started the summer die back yet. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill fishing has slowed. They should start to move back on to the beds as the water warms back up. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are cruising the shallows feeding on the young bluegills; use crankbaits or topwater baits.

Railroad Lake
Minnows can’t be used as bait. Black Crappie – Slow: Work the brush piles in the middle of the lake; use small jigs. Bluegill – Excellent: Try worm and bobber and small jigs fished a few yards out from shore. Channel Catfish – Slow: Catfishing has slowed with falling water temperatures. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use nightcrawlers rigs and assorted artificial baits.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
River levels were slowly dropping; forecast to start to rise again with recent rainfall. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing with stink baits and cut baits had started to slow, but should pick up with the rising water. It’s time to try nightcrawlers again.

For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

MOUNT PLEASANT — A blank gray wall on the side of the Henry County Extension Office is being transformed into a vibrant celebration of youth, agriculture, and community, thanks to the brushstrokes of local artist Annie Guldberg — also known as Oil Painter Annie.

Guldberg, a full-time Mount Pleasant artist, has spent the past year honing her mural skills and reaching out to area organizations with one goal in mind: to bring more large-scale public art to Southeast Iowa.

Her persistence paid off when the Henry County Extension Office responded to her outreach with an offer — and a wall.

“This actually started last fall,” Guldberg explained during an interview on site. “They even had a second option — a barn east of town — but we realized it wouldn’t be visible enough. So we went with this wall, and it’s just a perfect location.”

The theme? 4-H, naturally — but with a modern twist. Working closely with the local 4-H Teen Council, Guldberg helped translate a brainstorm of ideas into a mural design that captures the diverse range of programs and experiences 4-H offers.

“It’s not just livestock or projects at the fair,” Guldberg said. “The Teen Council wanted to show the full picture — leadership, community service, STEM, agriculture, and everything in between.”

The imagery was carefully organized in a thoughtful color order, creating a cohesive visual experience for anyone passing by the Henry County Extension Office.

The mural, still in progress, is already turning heads and drawing curiosity from those passing by. With a few more sunny days, the final product will soon stand as a lasting tribute to the impact of 4-H and the creativity of a local artist driven to brighten the walls of her hometown.

Stay tuned for an unveiling once the work is complete — and a new landmark takes its place in Henry County.

Henry County Sheriff Rich McNamee appeared before the Board of Supervisors this week to renew a request for outside legal counsel ahead of an upcoming Iowa Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) hearing—calling the situation unique and unlike anything he’s encountered in his career.

“Two weeks ago, I was here asking for outside counsel,” McNamee reminded the board. “This is a unique situation. Yes, I’m being called as a witness—Current Chief Deputy Bell and retired Chief Deputy, Chad Doak, as well. But this is an Iowa Law Enforcement Academy hearing. It’s the first one I’ve heard of in my career.”

McNamee explained that the process began with a deposition in April that lasted roughly two and a half hours. At that time, he said he hadn’t realized he would not have legal representation during the proceeding, prompting his request for formal counsel moving forward.

County Attorney Darin Stater is expected to be present at the upcoming July hearing.

Chairman Marc Lindeen noted the matter warranted broader discussion and said he would direct the issue to be added to next week’s agenda. Supervisor Chad White also expressed that Supervisor Steve Detrick, who was not present, should weigh in as well.

McNamee confirmed he would return for that meeting, hoping for a decision on whether the board will authorize his request for legal representation during the ILEA process.