“Ricky L. Graham

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 at 2:47 pm CDT

“Ricky L. Graham, 67, of Burlington, died Sunday, September 7, 2025, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.

 

Born August 28, 1958, in Burlington, IA, he was the son of Thomas and Sandra Jackson Graham. On March 19, 1994 he married Nancy Heller.

 

Ricky worked construction throughout his life and later started his own business – Ricky’s Handyman Service.  He was a hard worker and developed a reputation of being dependable and someone you could count on to get the job done.  Ricky looked forward to being outside, whether that was hunting or fishing – he found peace in nature.  Family was important to him and he enjoyed spending as much time as he could with his grandkids.  Ricky’s dedication and steadfastness will be missed but his memory will continue in the hearts of his family and friends.

 

Survivors include wife of 31 years, Nancy; children, Randy (Rebecca) Graham, Dylan (Kimberly) Graham, Mike (Amber) Spiker, Christina Graham, Shanna (Dion) Graham, Kathie (Ron) Koresko; siblings, Scott Graham, Ronnie Graham, Charlotte Leasure, Sherry (Dave) Groenewald, Rhonda (J.D.) Gutierrez; fifteen grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; twelve nieces and nephews; and a close friend, Wayne Knopp.

 

Ricky is preceded in death by his parent’s, Thomas and Sandra.

 

Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.

 

No visitation or services are scheduled at this time.

 

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.prughfuneral.com.”

Patricia Lynn Whitten

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 at 8:35 am CDT

Patricia Lynn Whitten, 86, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at Van Buren County Hospital in Keosauqua.

Graveside services celebrating her life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield. Memorials may be made to the family and sent to 505 E. Pierce Ave. Fairfield, Iowa 52556. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family.

Pat was born February 14, 1939 in Ottumwa, the daughter of Leonard and Anna (Carlson) McGuire. Pat graduated from Ottumwa High School with the class of 1957. She married Jack Whitten, April 4, 1959 at Sacred Heart Church in Ottumwa. He preceded her in death April 9, 2025.

Pat worked at Iowa State Bank, Jefferson County Hospital and retired from the Department of Human Services as a volunteer. Pat and Jack were foster parents for 33 years.

Pat was a member of the Iowa Foster and Adoption Association and Arc of Jefferson and Nearby Counties.

Those left to honor her memory include her daughter, Lynn (Dan) Kane of Fairfield; grandchildren, Travis (Reesa) Starr of Fairfield, Taylor (Amber) Starr of Riverside, Iowa, and Dalton (Jess) Kane of Coralville; great-grandchildren, Axl and Corbin Starr, Bentley and Winston Starr, and Jocelyn Kane; step-grandchildren, Kadie (Mike) Archer of Griffin, Georgia, and David (Alex) Kane of Libertyville; and step-great-grandchildren, Alizabeth and Jaycie Archer.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Laura Starr; son, Timothy Whitten; sister, Helen McGuire; and an older brother in infancy.

Online condolences may be made to Pat’s family by viewing her obituary at www.behnerfh.com.

Fairfield Chamber Welcomes First-Ever High School Intern

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 at 5:27 am CDT

The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the addition of Archer Kreuter as its FIRST high school intern.

Archer, a senior at Fairfield High School, is active in both golf and baseball. Following graduation, he plans to pursue a degree in business.

In his role at the Chamber, Archer will be taking on many of the responsibilities previously managed by the summer intern, including assisting with communications, events, and day-to-day office tasks. Through this experience, he is gaining valuable insight into how a Chamber of Commerce supports local businesses and the Fairfield community.

“High school internships give students the chance to build real-world skills and learn about opportunities right here in Fairfield,” said Mendy McAdams, Executive Director of the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce. “We’re excited to have Archer on board and look forward to the energy and ideas he brings.”

The Chamber encourages community members and businesses to join in welcoming Archer to his new role.

 

The Mount Pleasant City Council Regular Session Wednesday, September 10

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 at 5:16 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in Regular Session on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at City Hall, 307 E. Monroe Street, second-floor meeting room at 5:30 p.m.

 

A G E N D A

  1. Roll Call.         

 

  1. Consent Agenda: To the Public – All items with an asterisk (*) are routine

by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion and a roll call of the Council-

members. There will be no separate discussion of items unless the Mayor, a Councilmember

or citizen so request, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and

will be considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.

  1. Receive & file communications.

 

  1. Approve agenda.                   

 

*5.  Approve minutes of previous meetings.

 

*6.  Approve payment of bills.

 

*7.  Receive report of Officers including Resolution No. 2025-69 approving interfund transfers

for the month of August.

 

  1. Old Business-

 

  1. 5:30 p.m. Public Hearing for proposed plans and specs for 2nd Baptist Church Project.

 

  1. Resolution accepting bids for 2nd Baptist Church Project.

 

  1. Approve and authorize Mayor to sign a contract for the removal of asbestos-containing materials at the 2nd Baptist Church.

 

  1. 3rd reading and adopt an ordinance amending Appendix D, Chapter 19.38 (M-1 Limited Industrial District Regulations) of the Mount Pleasant, Iowa Code of Ordinance.

 

*                 e)  Renewal of a Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service for St. Alphonsus Church located at 607 South Jackson Street.

 

*                 f)  Renewal of a Class B Retail Alcohol License for Aldi Inc. located at 1309 East Washington Street.

 

Page 2 of 2

 

  1. New Business –

 

  1. Resolution approving the application of ContiTech USA, LLC to the Iowa

Economic Development Authority High Quality Jobs Program and pledging the          support of the City of Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

 

  1. Resolution authorizing the appointment of Jared Dorothy to the Fire Department Reserves.

 

  1. Resolution authorizing the appointment of Layla Fischer to the Fire Department Reserves.

 

  1. Public Forum.

 

  1. Adjourn to meet in regular session on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.

Hershey Hall Family Renovation Project Enters Demolition Phase

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 at 4:03 pm CDT
Hershey Family Renovation Project

You may have noticed some movement around Hershey Hall recently. The Hershey Family Renovation Project is now in full swing, with work progressing on the historic building in Mount Pleasant.

According to Gary Shahan, Building and Zoning Administrator for the City of Mount Pleasant, the project is currently in the demolition and discovery stage. “As with any remodel project, you must expose everything to understand exactly where you can begin building back from,” Shahan explained. This process allows construction crews to fully evaluate the structure before beginning the rebuilding phase.

Once complete, the renovation will transform Hershey Hall into a modern residential facility offering twenty-two family units across four floors.

The Hershey Family Renovation Project represents a significant investment in both housing and neighborhood revitalization, blending the preservation of a community landmark with the creation of new, family-friendly living spaces.

City officials say they will continue to keep the community updated as progress is made.

Iowans Invited to Volunteer Day at State Parks on September 27

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 at 2:16 pm CDT

Iowa state parks have set Saturday, Sept. 27 as annual Volunteer Day, when Iowans are invited to lend a hand at several state parks and forests hosting volunteer events. Join park staff to help care for Iowa’s natural areas, freshen up campgrounds and facilities, and spend time outdoors.

Clean-up efforts will be unique for each park depending on needs, and may include litter pick-up, staining or painting buildings, removing invasive species, rebuilding picnic tables, harvesting prairie seeds and more. The state parks and forests participating include:

  • Bellevue State Park, Bellevue
  • Blackburn State Park, Thurman
  • Geode State Park, Danville
  • Lake Darling State Park, Brighton
  • Lake Macbride State Park, Solon
  • Lake Manawa State Park, Council Bluff
  • Lake of Three Fires State Park, Bedford
  • Ledges State Park, Madrid
  • Palisades-Kepler State Park, Mt. Vernon
  • Pilot Knob State Park Forest City
  • Prairie Rose State Park, Harlan
  • Shimek State Forest, Farmington
  • Wapsipinicon State Park, Anamosa
  • Waubonsie State Park, Hamburg
  • Yellow River State Forest, Harpers Ferry

Citizens interested in volunteering can find complete details on times, meeting locations and activities at https://www.iowadnr.gov/places-go/state-parks/statewide-volunteer-day

Karen Sigrid Saul

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 at 1:24 pm CDT

Karen Sigrid Saul, 68, of Fairfield, passed away Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at UnityPoint Health – Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines.

A memorial gathering will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday, September 15, 2025, at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. Memorials may be made to the family.

Karen was born September 4, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois, to Bernard and Audrey Bye. As a child she moved to Spirit Lake, Iowa where she attended Spirit Lake High School. She would later marry Randal Saul with whom she had two sons and lived in Roseville, Illinois. Karen eventually settled in Fairfield, Iowa where she worked as a housekeeper and raised three children with Michael Philips.

A devoted Christian, Karen was active in church activities, including youth outreach and jail ministry. She loved animals and art, especially painting and crocheting in her later years.

Those left to honor her memory include her children, David Philips of Portage, Michigan, Matt Philips of Des Moines, and Heather Philips of Ottumwa;
grandchildren, Lila Wagner and Kyren Thammavongsa; and her beloved cat, Vanna.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Nancy, and two sons, Gale and Randal Saul, Jr.

Fire Destroys Rural Union Township Home; No Injuries Reported

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 at 12:38 pm CDT

On Monday, September 8, 2025, the Burlington Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 4586 Hunt Road in rural Union Township. The call came in at approximately 9:36 p.m., and firefighters arrived on scene eleven minutes later to find the home fully engulfed in flames.

The two-story single-family residence, owned by Daniel Floyd and Stephanie Jones, had already collapsed into the basement when crews arrived. Fortunately, no one was home at the time of the fire, and all occupants are safe. The home was insured.

The Burlington Fire Department received mutual aid from the Wever Fire Department, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, REC Electric, and Rathbun Water Department. Fire crews remained on scene until 11:24 p.m. No injuries were reported to either civilians or firefighters.

According to Burlington Fire Marshal Robert Berndt, the cause of the fire has been ruled undetermined but is not considered suspicious. Further updates will be released as they become available.