MOUNT PLEASANT MUNICIPAL UTILITIES MEETING Sept 16th

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, September 16th, 2025 at 5:17 am CDT

MOUNT PLEASANT MUNICIPAL UTILITIES                                              Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

                                                                                                                                                                            

 

Board of Trustees:                                                                                                          Regular Meeting:

Dan McCabe, Chairman                                                                                                   1:00 P.M. Tuesday

Harvey Ungerman                                                                                                              September 16, 2025

David George                                                                                                                      (MPMU Conference Room

Michelle Rosell                                                                                                                     located at 509 N. Adams St.)

Mike Tometich

                          

                                                                       AGENDA

 

  1. CALL TO ORDER.
  2. Roll call.
  3. Approval of Agenda.

 

  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS.
  2. Regular Board Meeting August 12, 2025 – (Action).

 

  •                                                                                                                                
  1. Approval of Warrants (Action).
  2. Treasurer’s Report – Jody Fuller (Action).
  3. LEGAL COUNSEL.                                                                        
  4. Attorney – Timothy J. Whipple (Ahlers & Cooney P.C.) – (Informational).

                             

  2. Nate Lucas – General Manager                                                                                                                           
  3. Cedar Lane Well #7 and Water Distribution System Project – Litigation Update – (Roll call vote to go into closed session)
  4. Closed session with Ahlers & Cooney pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(c) to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation.
  5. No action expected
  6. AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) Status Update – (Informational)
    1. Discussion of the replacement metering project.
  7. Water Treatment Maintenance Project Status Update (Informational)
  8. a) Board discussion of the maintenance project.
  9. Hoaglin Dr. Overhead to Underground Improvement Project Status Update – (Informational)
    1. Board review of the Hoaglin Dr. overhead to underground improvement project.
  10. Transmission System Power Supply Project Status Update – (Informational & Action)
  11. Status update of the associated 69 kV transmission system power supply work – (Roll call vote to go into closed session).
  12. Closed session with Ahlers & Cooney pursuant to Iowa Code section 388.9 to discuss marketing and pricing strategies or proprietary information relating to electric transmission planning and construction contracts with third-parties.
  13. Approve investment nomination amount with IPPA. (Action)
  14. Monthly Activities.
    1. Discussion of the scope of utility board and staff roles in governance and operations – (Informational).                                                                   

 

  1. OTHER BUSINESS.
  2. Wholesale Power Supply – RPGI Litigation Update (Roll call vote to go into closed session).
    1. Closed Session with Ahlers & Cooney pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(c) to discuss matters presently in litigation.
      • No action expected.
    2. Employee Handbook Update Discussion – (Informational).

 

                                                                             Next Regular Board Meeting: 1:00 p.m. October 21, 2025

Dennis Aloysious Menke

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 1:09 pm CDT

Dennis Aloysious Menke, 81, of West Point, Iowa, passed away at 9:31 p.m. Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospital in Fort Madison.

Dennis graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in 1961. He married the love of his life, Kate Geers, in 1963. They started their life together moving to Chicago so that Dennis could take a job as a diesel mechanic with the Santa Fe Railroad. No stranger to work, he also took a job with American Asphalt Paving Company while in Chicago. After starting their family, a move back to West Point was in order.  In 1967, Dennis continued his work as a diesel mechanic with J.J. Nichting Co. until he purchased a tank wagon business from his father-in-law, Ed Geers, in 1971. Menke Oil merged with Bentler Oil in 1976 to form Jet Gas.

With Kate at his side, they started another business – Crystal Ice – in 1978. Little did they know this was the start of something big. Over the course of his 35 years in the ice industry, Dennis had national influence in improving production and delivery efficiencies. His innovative methods were widely recognized and duplicated resulting in his induction to the International Packaged Ice Association Hall of Fame in 2006. After the sale of the Arctic Glacier ice plant in 2013, Dennis continued to be a mentor to both the ice industry and leaders in his local community.

Besides his family, whom he fiercely loved, Dennis was passionate about his Catholic faith, Catholic education, and his community. This passion was evident throughout his life. In 1970, along with Jim Bendlage, he was instrumental in organizing the first St. Mary’s Fall Festival. Dennis was a member of the Marquette School Board in the late-80’s, serving several years as president. Generosity was taught around the kitchen table. This was never more evident than when it became obvious that Holy Trinity Catholic School needed a new grade school building. Dennis and Kate personally funded the marketing efforts for the capital campaign. His daily job through every phase of the project was seeing to every detail. Seeing those children, the future of our Catholic faith, enter that building, always made him smile. His final dream, still in the planning process, was to see the completion of the second phase of construction of the Holy Trinity Catholic grade school in West Point. His efforts to this end continued with his involvement in the Holy Trinity Education Foundation.

Dennis also left his fingerprints on St. Marys of the Assumption parish – raising funds necessary to build the gathering space, continuously working in the cemetery, and serving on the cemetery board.

To say Dennis enjoyed life is an understatement. When the work was finished, it was time for fun. No bottle of Crown was safe when Dennis was around. Hours and hours on the boat and at the cabin – raising his family on the river. Skiing, tubing, or just going for a boat ride. Watching the next generation grow to love the river as he did was one of the greatest joys of his life. Also an avid rodeo fan, he joined two of the things he loved most by hosting the Tr-State Rodeo cowboys and committee at an annual “river day” each year during rodeo week.

Wherever he was, whatever he was doing, regardless of the “busy”, there was always time for a drink with a friend.

Dennis is survived by his loving wife: Kate; daughters: Ann Menke, Shelly (Craig) Pieper, and Deina (Dale) Merschbrock, and son: Doug (Cindy Lawson) Menke; sisters: Kathy (Mo) Jham and Nancy Franklin and brother: Keith (Cheryl) Menke. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents: Linus and Mary Bentler Menke; in-laws: Edward and Babe Schroeder Geers; daughter-in-law: Lori Wust Menke; sisters: Diane Menke and Janice Driscoll; brothers: Martin Menke and Tommy Menke; sisters-in-law: Mary, Martha, and Edwarda Geers and Jo Farrington and brothers-in-law: Jim Franklin, Paul Walker and Keith Klemmt.

His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

A memorial Mass will be held Friday, September 19, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point. A celebration of Dennis’ life will be held immediately following Mass at the American Legion in West Point.

Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 20, 2025. All are welcome to attend either service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you continue Dennis’ legacy by considering a memorial to Holy Trinity Catholic Schools.

“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost: that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them.”  Henry David Thoreau

Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Noon Optimist Club Plans September 16 Meeting in Mount Pleasant

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 5:27 am CDT

The Noon Optimist Club will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, September 16, at the RIA Advisory Group, located on the south end of Holtkamp Auto in Mount Pleasant.

Members are encouraged to bring a lunch, while the host will provide drinks for everyone attending. In addition to regular club business, the meeting will feature special membership items for discussion.

All members and prospective members are invited to attend and take part in the conversation as the club continues its mission of community service and youth support.

Farmington Teen Killed in Early Morning Motorcycle Crash

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 5:10 am CDT

An 18-year-old Farmington man was killed Saturday morning in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in Lee County.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash occurred around 7:41 a.m. on September 13 in the 1900 block of County Road 103, just east of Pilot Grove Road. Investigators said a westbound 1983 Yamaha motorcycle, driven by Lucas Timothy Johnson, failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway, and entered the north ditch, where it struck a utility pole.

Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office by Schmidt Family Funeral Home. No other vehicles were involved.

The crash remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol, with assistance from Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

Washington County 4-H Youth Compete in 2025 State Shooting Sports Competition

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 5:09 am CDT

Washington County 4-H Youth Compete in 2025 State Shooting Sports Competition

September 9, 2025, 2:35 pm | Sydney Peterson, Celine Beggs-Shoemaker 

AMES, Iowa – More than 130 youth from 22 counties participated in the 2025 Iowa 4-H Safety and Education in Shooting Sports State Shooting Competition on Aug. 23 at Brownell’s Big Springs Shooting Complex in Searsboro.  Washington County’s 4-H Bows and Bullets club sent nine members to compete.

“I’m so impressed with these members and their dedication,” said Amy Green, Washington County 4-H and Youth Coordinator.  “I know their leaders are so proud of the time the kids put in and how much they want to grow.  It’s a group of positive kids who have went to the event with big goals for themselves.”

Iowa 4-H members competed at the state level in six disciplines: archery, air rifle, shotgun, smallbore rifle, muzzleloader and wildlife. Youth competed in compound, recurve and Genesis archery subcategories, and in Junior (grades 4–6), Intermediate (grades 7–8) and Senior (grades 9–12) age divisions for awards. Competition results for Washington County 4-H members include:

Archery – Genesis

Junior Division.  Third – Nolan Rose, Washington County

Intermediate Division

  • First – Brayden Rundell, Washington County
  • Second – Cooper Boman, Washington County
  • Third – Dean Rose, Washington County

Smallbore Rifle

Intermediate Division – Second – Lovella Peiffer, Washington County

Senior Division – Second – Justin Moore, Washington County

Each discipline’s four top-scoring individuals will be contacted and invited to compete in the 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships, scheduled for June 21–26, 2026, in Grand Island, Nebraska. Participants may only attend a National 4-H Shooting Sports Championship Invitational once per discipline and can only compete in one discipline per year.

Sponsors for the event included Brownell’s, the Iowa 4-H Foundation, and the Nebraska and Western Iowa VA Suicide Prevention Program. The Nebraska and Western Iowa VA supported the event by donating 200 gun cable locks to give to families and clubs who attended the event. Kimberly Cavalier, health and human sciences educator with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, passed out the gun cable locks and shared information about suicide awareness, suicide prevention and safe gun storage.

For more information on how to get involved as a participant, volunteer or sponsor of the  Washington County 4-H shooting sports activities please contact the Washington County Extension Office at 319-653-4811.  Follow “Washington County 4-H – Iowa” on Facebook for up to date 4-H event news.

Danville City Council Meeting Sept. 15th

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 5:00 am CDT

Monday, Sept. 15, 2025

Order of business, regular session

Danville City Council, Danville City Hall

NOTE:  The regular session may be conducted electronically

as allowed by Iowa Code 21.8

Citizen comments:  Comments must be directed to the subject under consideration.  The presiding officer shall rule on the relevance of the citizen comments.  Citizens making personal, impertinent, or slanderous remarks may be barred by the presiding officer from further comment before the Council during the meeting.

 

  1. Call to order, 5:15 p.m..

 

  1. Accept or amend the agenda. Due to the fact the Council will be meeting with the Danville & Pleasant Grove Township Trustees at 6:30, p.m., council may need to take a recess at 6:30 p.m. and reconvene after the joint meeting if need be to finish their agenda.

 

  1. Open forum: A time set aside to receive comments from the public regarding city business.  The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public on any subject pertaining to City business, including items on this agenda.  You are asked to state your name and address for the record and to limit your remarks to five minutes in order that others may be given the opportunity to speak.  The Order of Business is at the discretion of the Chair.  No action will be taken.

 

  1. Discussion and action on the August 2025 Des Moines County Sheriff’s report.

 

  1. Items for discussion with City Attorney, action if needed.
  2. Wagner Park
  3. Other city items.

 

  1. Discussion on location of Danville School’s fireworks display, action if needed.

 

  1. Building Inspector report.
  2. Discussion and action on proposed Building inspection and permit fees.

 

  1. Public Works written report.
  2. Action on the written report.
  3. Discussion and action on Sidewalk RFQ Notice to Bidders.
  4. Discussion on Capital Expense projects.

 

  1. Approval of consent agenda.
  2. Council and paper minutes of September 2, 2025.
  3. Payment of bills.

 

  1. Council reports and correspondence.
  2. Review of invoice from Tyler Technologies regarding city software.
  3. Review of letter received by Bob Dodds

 

  1. Adjournment.

 

Next regular session of the Danville City Council will be on,

Monday, October 20, 2025 starting at 5:15 p.m…

Fairfield 5th Grade Band Open House Set for September 16

By Hayden Douglas · Friday, September 12th, 2025 at 6:15 am CDT

Fairfield Community School District families with budding young musicians are invited to a special 5th Grade Band Open House on Tuesday, September 16 at 6:30 p.m. The event will take place in the Fairfield Middle School Cafetorium and is open to all fifth-grade students and their families.

Mr. Tyler Nunziato, the district’s 5th Grade Band Director, shared that students have been working hard trying out different musical instruments and many are ready to begin their band journey. The open house will provide key information for families as students prepare to select and begin playing their chosen instruments.

Representatives from West Music, the district’s music retailer, will be on hand to explain the process for renting student instruments and purchasing the necessary band materials.

Percussion auditions are also underway, with results to be announced to 5th grade homerooms during the school day on September 16. Students not selected for percussion will have the opportunity to play their second-choice instrument.

Families with questions about the 5th Grade Band or the parent night can contact Mr. Nunziato at tyler.nunziato@fairfieldsfuture.org

Commercial Pesticide Applicator Courses Scheduled for Fall 2025

By Hayden Douglas · Friday, September 12th, 2025 at 5:38 am CDT

The Lee County Extension Office has announced the schedule for this fall’s Commercial Pesticide Applicator Continuing Instruction Courses. Pre-registration is required for all sessions by calling 319-835-5116. All courses will be held at the Lee County Extension Office.

The fall lineup includes:

  • Forest, Aquatic, & Right-of-Way (Categories 2, 5, 6) – Oct. 22 at 9:00 a.m.

  • Ornamental & Turfgrass (Categories 30, 3T, 30T) – Nov. 12 at 9:00 a.m.

  • Fumigation (Category 7C) – Nov. 18 at 9:00 a.m.

  • Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, & Plant Disease Pest Control (Categories 1A, 1B, 1C) – Nov. 19 at 9:00 a.m.

  • Pest Control Operators (Categories 7A, 7B, 7D, 8) – Dec. 10 at 9:00 a.m.

Two additional courses are available by appointment:

  • Aerial Application (Category 11) – Call to schedule

  • Greenhouse Pest Control (Category 3G) – Call to schedule

These courses provide essential training and certification updates for commercial pesticide applicators. For more information or to reserve a spot, contact the Lee County Extension Office at 319-835-5116.