Author: Hayden Douglas

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office reports that a Mount Pleasant man was taken into custody following a vehicle pursuit and foot chase on Wednesday, October 22.

Deputies attempted to stop a blue Chevrolet Impala, registered to Victor Wenke of Mount Pleasant, for a traffic violation. Wenke allegedly failed to yield to emergency lights and sirens, leading law enforcement on a pursuit through Mount Pleasant before heading into the Oakland Mills campground area.

After stopping the vehicle, Wenke fled on foot. Officers established a perimeter, and a K9 unit was deployed to assist in the search. The K9 tracked Wenke into a nearby cornfield, where he surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident.

Wenke was charged with Driving While Revoked, Eluding, Open Container (Driver 21 Years or Older), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Interference with Official Acts, and Operating Without an Ignition Interlock Device.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted during the incident by additional law enforcement personnel and K9 support.

Kibbe Hancock Heritage Museum in Carthage will end its season at 4 p.m., on Friday, Oct. 31. Until that closing, the museum is open from noon to 4 p.m. The museum will reopen for the next season on April 1, 2026.

The museum plans to be open as part of the Carthage Christmas Open House on Thursday, Dec. 4, from 4 to 8 p.m., featuring the model train displays of Galen Wollbrink.

For several years, Wollbrink has set up his model train displays at the museum for the public to enjoy, beginning with the Carthage Christmas Open House.

Additional model train viewing days in December and January will be announced by the Kibbe Museum closer to the holiday season.

There is no charge to enter the museum or see the displays. All the other exhibit rooms at the museum are open for viewing.

The museum is located at 306 Walnut, in Carthage, one block south of Rt. 136. For information, call 217-357-9552.

It has come to the attention of the Henry County Auditor’s Office that the voters in the WACO Community School District have recently received postcards regarding the public measure placed on the ballot for the upcoming City/School Election. Please be advised that the correct date for the 2025 City/School Election is Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

New postcards containing the corrected election date will be mailed on October 23, 2025, to the registered WACO Community School District voters.

We sincerely apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused.

If you have any questions, please contact the Henry County Auditor’s Office at 319-385-0756.

—

Robin Detrick Henry County Auditor & Commissioner of Elections

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met Thursday morning to review infrastructure progress, departmental changes, and regional updates across the county.

County Engineer’s Report

County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss presented his weekly update, beginning with the opening of a single bid for a new box culvert project on Fremont Avenue, south of the Conservation Center. Iowa Bridge and Culvert submitted a bid of $168,946, well below the county’s engineering estimate of $195,000. Hotchkiss said the lower price was encouraging and that final figures would be verified before a recommendation is brought to the board next week.

He noted that the project provides flexibility for winter construction and will replace a narrow bridge with a wider box culvert, eliminating width restrictions and improving traffic flow.

Hotchkiss also reviewed current road maintenance challenges, explaining that extremely dry conditions have made blading gravel roads difficult. Areas near Winfield, particularly those affected by Highway 78 detours, have seen increased wear and traffic. The engineer said crews are addressing problem spots as conditions allow but emphasized the need for moisture to improve grading work.

Repairs and ditch improvements continue along Franklin Avenue north of Oakland Mills, where crews are using riprap to prevent erosion and prepare for future resurfacing. Brush removal, hydroseeding, and routine mowing along paved roads are also ongoing.

IT Department Restructuring

The supervisors approved a resolution to restructure the county’s Information Technology Department, transitioning oversight from the Auditor’s Office to the Board of Supervisors. The change creates IT as its own county department with independent budgeting, administration, and staffing.

Supervisor Chad White noted that the move be made with the agreement and consent of County Auditor Robin Dietrich.

The county’s IT audit and assessment will begin October 29, with the contracted technology team spending two days in Mount Pleasant to evaluate infrastructure and gather department feedback. A report of initial findings will be presented on October 30. The posting for the new IT Director went live last week, with HR managing the application process.

Other Business

Supervisor Marc Lindeen reported on recent meetings with the Southeast Iowa Regional Waste Authority and Community Action of Southeast Iowa, which included updates on Head Start facilities a in Fort Madison and budget amendments for federal community service grants.

The next meeting of the Henry County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Henry County Courthouse.

Mount Pleasant, Iowa — The Avenue of Flags has announced plans for the 2025 Henry County Veterans Day Observance, set for Tuesday, November 11th. The ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the community room of the Veterans Hall, located at 300 W. Monroe Street in Mount Pleasant. Parking will be available on all four sides of the building.

Dean King, Avenue of Flags Chairman and Honor Guard Commander, will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the event. Pastor Richard Wilson of the Open Bible Church in Winfield will offer both the invocation and benediction.

Musical selections will be provided by the Mount Pleasant Community High School Chamber Choir, under the direction of Makenzie Kauffman-Ho, who will perform the National Anthem and an additional patriotic song.

Commanders or representatives of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts throughout Henry County are invited to share brief two-minute remarks. Those wishing to speak are asked to check in at the podium prior to 10:30 a.m. Roger Pittsenbarger, Henry County Veterans Affairs Officer, will also deliver remarks during the program.

At approximately 11:00 a.m., the Henry County Honor Guard will perform a traditional three-volley salute in honor of all veterans, followed by the sounding of Taps.

This annual observance is open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend and pay tribute to those who have served.

This year, four names have been added to the Henry County Memorial stones. The families of those honored will be acknowledged during the ceremony. With these additions, the total number of names etched into the memorial now stands at 1,540.

The Avenue of Flags invites all residents to join in honoring the service and sacrifice of Henry County’s veterans on this special day of remembrance.