Author: Hayden Douglas

The Mount Pleasant Community School District has officially begun the process of hiring a new superintendent to lead the district beginning with the 2026-27 school year. To guide the search, the district has partnered with Grundmeyer Leader Services, a firm experienced in educational leadership recruitment.

The process starts immediately and will conclude with the successful hiring of a new superintendent. Community members, parents, staff, and students are being asked to take part in a survey designed to identify the professional and personal qualities most valued in the district’s next leader.

Survey participants are encouraged to share both narrative insights and ranked priorities for the position. Feedback gathered will be compiled into a report by Grundmeyer Leader Services and presented to the school board. That report will help inform the board’s decision-making by highlighting the traits and qualifications that matter most to district stakeholders.

The survey is anonymous unless a participant chooses to share their name voluntarily. District leaders are emphasizing the importance of broad participation, noting that community input will play a vital role in ensuring the new hire is a strong fit for both the school system and the wider community.

The deadline to complete the survey is Tuesday, September 30.

Superintendent Hiring Timeline

• Application Close Date: Sunday, Nov. 30

• Candidate Review: Tuesday, Dec. 2

• Semi-Finalist Screening: Wednesday, Dec. 10

• Formal Interviews: Tuesday, Dec. 16

District officials encourage all stakeholders to take a few minutes to complete the survey and share their vision for the future of Mount Pleasant Community Schools.

Mount Pleasant police, working alongside the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Iowa State Patrol’s Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force, have made a significant drug seizure following a multi-agency investigation.

The investigation began on August 27, 2025, after authorities received information regarding a package suspected of containing narcotics that was being shipped to Mount Pleasant. On September 2, officers intercepted the shipment and deployed a K9 unit, which alerted to the presence of drugs. A search warrant was obtained, and officers discovered a large number of THC vape devices, which are illegal in Iowa.

That same day, investigators executed a search warrant at the package’s intended destination, a residence located at 605 North Adams Street in Mount Pleasant. Inside, law enforcement seized additional THC vape devices, individually packaged marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, drug paraphernalia, packaging materials, firearms, and scales.

Authorities also confirmed that a 12-year-old juvenile was present inside the home at the time of the search.

As a result, 19-year-old Gavin King of Mount Pleasant was arrested and transported to the Henry County Jail. He faces the following charges:

• One count of Controlled Substance Violation (Iowa Code 124.401(1)(D)), a Class D felony

• One count of Controlled Substance Violation (Iowa Code 124.401(1)(C)(9)), a Class C felony

• Two counts of Failure to Affix Drug Tax Stamp (Iowa Code 453B.12), both Class D felonies

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities say additional charges may be filed.

Law enforcement reminds the public that a criminal charge is only an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Henry County residents will soon have an opportunity to get their health questions answered in a relaxed, supportive setting. Henry County Public Health is hosting Ask A Nurse, a monthly series of informal sessions designed to connect the community with a friendly public health nurse.

The program aims to provide easy-to-understand health education while giving participants the chance to engage directly with a registered nurse. Each month will feature a new health topic, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own questions as well.

Services offered include:

• Answers from registered nurses
• Health education on chronic disease management, nutrition, wellness, and more
• Free blood pressure screenings

The next session will take place on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Mount Pleasant Public Library, 307 E. Monroe Street.

The event is free, open to all community members, and does not require an RSVP.

Henry County Public Health encourages residents to take advantage of this resource to learn more about their health, gain confidence in managing their well-being, and connect with trusted healthcare professionals.

For more information, contact Henry County Public Health at 319-385-0779 or visit HealthyHenryCounty.org

Park Place is celebrating a major achievement—earning a 5-Star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This top rating reflects the facility’s dedication to providing quality care, compassionate service, and a welcoming environment for residents and their families.

To mark the occasion, the public is invited to a special open house on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at Park Place, located at 401 S. Van Buren Street in Mount Pleasant.

Guests can enjoy a complimentary lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., take part in guided tours, and meet the caring team behind Park Place’s success. The open house will run from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., offering a chance for community members to see firsthand what makes Park Place a trusted choice for long-term and rehabilitative care.

Park Place staff are eager to share their commitment to excellence and welcome friends, family members, and neighbors to celebrate together.

For more information, visit Park Place during the open house and discover the difference of 5-Star care.

U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) will host a Service Academy Open House on Saturday, September 20, 2025, in Johnston, for students interested in pursuing an appointment to one of the nation’s military academies.

As a U.S. Army veteran, Ernst has the honor of nominating up to 15 eligible Iowa students each year to each U.S. service academy.

“As the mom of a West Point graduate, nominating the next generation to our nation’s service academies is one of my greatest honors,” said Ernst. “My 23 years of military service shaped my life, and I am proud of the young Iowans who are stepping up to answer the call to service. I look forward to meeting with leaders throughout our state interested in learning more about our academies.”

Representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Air Force Academy will be on hand to share information about their programs and answer questions about the application and nomination process.

America’s service academies offer students a unique opportunity to serve the nation while earning a full, four-year scholarship at some of the country’s most respected institutions of higher learning.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Brenda_Safranski@ernst.senate.gov or call (515) 284-4574.

The academy nomination application can be found online here.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that, in response to record demand, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is extending the deadline for farmers to sign up for cover crop cost-share assistance. Producers now have until September 18 to apply, and additional funding has been allocated to allow more farmers to participate.

“Farmers across Iowa continue to show their commitment to conservation and water quality by incorporating cover crops and other proven practices,” Naig said. “We want to ensure that everyone who is interested has the opportunity to get involved.”

Cover Crop Cost-Share

• $30 per acre for farmers planting cover crops for the first time.
• $20 per acre for farmers who have already been using cover crops.
• Funding is limited to 160 acres per participant.

Additional Assistance for First-Time Users

• $10 per acre for farmers transitioning acres to no-till or strip-till.
• $3 per acre for those using a nitrogen inhibitor when applying fall fertilizer.
• Funding is also limited to 160 acres per participant.

Applications are available now through local soil and water conservation offices, located in each county’s USDA Service Center. Farmers and landowners are encouraged to visit with staff about additional cost-share opportunities and conservation programs beyond the state-funded initiatives.

To learn more about Iowa’s conservation efforts and available resources, visit CleanWaterIowa.org.