Author: Hayden Douglas

The Henry County Heritage Trust will present a special program exploring the history and beginnings of Mount Pleasant’s Mental Health Institute at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the Henry County Heritage Center Museum, 403 West Madison Street, Mount Pleasant.

Opened in 1861, the sprawling complex was originally known as the “Insane Asylum” and later the Iowa State Hospital. Mount Pleasant’s MHI was one of only four such institutions in Iowa and, for many years, stood as one of the region’s largest employers. The program will provide an in-depth look at its origins, operations, and impact on the community.

The event is free to attend and will include refreshments. For more information, contact the Heritage Center at (319) 217-6042.

Washington County, Iowa – On Sunday, August 10, 2025, at approximately 10:53 a.m., emergency dispatchers received reports of a two-vehicle collision with airbag deployment and unknown injuries in the 2700 block of Highway 1, rural Washington County.

According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation revealed that Unit 1, operated by Kevin Pape, was traveling southbound on Highway 1, while Unit 2, operated by Travis Kleese, was traveling northbound and towing an enclosed livestock trailer.

Authorities say that as the vehicles approached one another, Pape purposely crossed the centerline and drove toward Unit 2 without regard for safety. In an effort to avoid a head-on collision, Kleese took evasive action, but Unit 1 struck the axle area of Unit 2’s trailer, causing disabling damage. Pape’s vehicle then left the roadway to the east, entered the ditch, and came to rest after striking a wooden powerline pole.

Investigators determined that Pape knowingly and intentionally attempted to use his vehicle as a weapon against Unit 2, which was occupied by five individuals, none of whom were known to Pape.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Washington Police Department, Washington County Conservation, Washington County Ambulance, Washington County Rescue, Washington Fire Chief, Washington Fire Department, Washington QRS, and Moore’s Towing.

LEE COUNTY – Multiple people were injured Saturday afternoon in a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Highway 16 and 240th Avenue.

The Iowa State Patrol reports the crash occurred at 5:16 p.m. on August 9 when a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander, driven by a 31-year-old from Richland, Iowa, was traveling north on 240th Avenue and failed to stop at the stop sign. The SUV entered Highway 16 and was struck by a westbound 2023 Chrysler 300 driven by a 66-year-old from Fort Madison.

Seven individuals sustained injuries in the collision:

• A 37-year-old from Mount Pleasant, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was flown by MedForce to University of Iowa Hospitals.

• The 31-year-old driver of the Mitsubishi was transported by ground ambulance to Great River Hospital; authorities say a seatbelt saved their life.

• A 51-year-old from Richland was transported by ground ambulance to Great River Hospital.

• Two children, ages 9 and 8, both from Richland, were also transported to Great River Hospital.

• The 66-year-old driver of the Chrysler was flown by AirCare to University of Iowa Hospitals; authorities say a seatbelt saved their life.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene by Newberry’s Towing.

The Iowa State Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, West Point Police Department, Donnellson Police Department, and Lee and Henry County Fire and EMS crews.

The crash remains under investigation, and the names of those involved are being withheld pending further investigation.

The Mount Pleasant Community School District Finance Committee met Friday to review July expenditures, finalize budget items related to the 2024-25 fiscal year, and prepare for upcoming board decisions. While no official action was taken, a range of financial details were discussed in depth, setting the stage for next Monday night’s full board meeting. The meeting opened with a review of July’s district-wide expenditures, spanning general fund, activity, and other accounts.

Property Tax Rate & Enrollment Revenue

The committee reviewed the final certified levy rate for Fiscal Year 2026, which came in at $11.97 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Also discussed was the July SAVE (Secure an Advanced Vision for Education) sales tax allocation, which came in at $240,421. That figure represents an increase over last July’s $217,000, likely due in part to rising certified enrollment—up from 730 to 750 students. These monthly allocations fluctuate based on real-time sales tax collections and directly support infrastructure and capital projects.

Fiscal Year 2025 Closeout and Audit Timeline

Henriksen gave updates on fiscal year-end tasks. The Certified Annual Report (CAR) is due by September 15, and the district audit is scheduled for the week of November 3.

Upcoming Board Elections

The meeting closed with reminders about the upcoming school board elections, with nomination papers available now and due by September 18. The election will be held November 4, and seats up for election include:

• Director District 1 currently held by Melinda Huisinga
• Director District 2 currently held by Derek Mullin
• At-Large seat Currently held by Josh Maher

All terms will be for four years, a result of redistricting changes in recent years.

The full board will review these finance items at its regular meeting Monday night. More information can be found on the district’s website.

Mount Pleasant, Iowa — Community members, Chamber of Commerce representatives, and Goodwill staff gathered this week to celebrate the grand opening of the Helms Career Center, a new resource hub aimed at helping individuals build job skills and find meaningful employment.

The ribbon cutting ceremony marked the launch of the center, located within the Goodwill facility in Mount Pleasant. The center is named in honor of Dr. Bradley Helms, the organization’s founder, who championed self-sufficiency and lifelong learning.

“This is very exciting,” said Amy Winslow, Career Services & Development Manager. “We call this the Helms Career Center, and it’s named after Dr. Helms, who believed we should help people help themselves by giving them the skills they need to find work and support their families. That still aligns with our mission today—to help people reach their full potential through education, training, and the power of work.”

The Helms Career Center offers a wide range of free services, open to all community members, with no eligibility requirements.

Services include:

• Resume writing assistance

• Interview tips and mock interviews

• Job search guidance

• Courses in Microsoft Office and artificial intelligence

• Industry-recognized certifications

“This center is here for high school students looking for their first job, or someone who hasn’t worked in a while and is ready for a new opportunity,” Winslow added. “It’s all possible thanks to the community’s support of our retail stores and donations.”

Emmy Thompson will staff the center and provide one-on-one assistance during the following hours:
Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The celebration concluded with a cheerful ribbon cutting, applause, and photo opportunities with attendees and staff.

For more information or to access services, visit the Helms Career Center inside the Goodwill Mount Pleasant location during posted hours.

As summer draws to a close, so does the 2025 swim season at the Mount Pleasant Family Aquatic Center. The City of Mount Pleasant Park & Recreation Department has announced that the final day of operation for the pool will be Sunday, August 17.

The department extended its gratitude to the community for another successful season and gave special thanks to the pool’s hardworking staff for their dedication throughout the summer.

The aquatic center has been a popular spot for families, offering a place to cool off, enjoy recreational activities, and connect with neighbors during the warmer months. With the back-to-school season approaching, the closure marks a seasonal transition for many in the community.

For updates on fall programming and upcoming events, residents are encouraged to follow the Park & Recreation Department on social media or visit the city’s website.

The Henry County Engineering and Road Department continues to advance key infrastructure projects this week, following a series of approvals and ongoing fieldwork across the county.

During this week’s Board of Supervisors meeting, multiple construction contracts and plans received the green light, including:

• Right-of-way construction contracts and final construction plans for the 170th Street Culvert project (FM-CO44(103)–55-44)
• Right-of-way construction contracts and plans for the Lexington Avenue Culvert project (BROS-CO44(100)–8J-44)

These culvert replacements are part of the county’s ongoing effort to improve rural drainage infrastructure and ensure long-term roadway safety.

The department also issued several underground utility permits this week, authorizing work by Mt. Pleasant Utilities, KCTC, and Windstream in multiple locations, including Franklin Avenue, Clayton Avenue, and 130th Street.

In terms of maintenance, crews are actively replacing a culvert on 310th Street west of Salem. Territory operators continue blading gravel roads, and rock resurfacing is underway in various locations. The third round of mowing on gravel road shoulders has begun, and county-maintained ground behind Hy-Vee in Mount Pleasant has also been mowed.

Additional field projects include the installation of new signage along J20 near Salem, including a school stop sign. Meanwhile, road crews have made significant progress on Goodyear Road north of 235th Street, where they’ve removed the existing earth shoulder and installed a 7-foot granular shoulder. Rock placement is expected to be completed today, with concrete patching scheduled in the coming weeks.

Dust control applications resumed this week, with the second round of treatments beginning on Wednesday, August 6.

For further updates or questions, residents may contact the Henry County Engineer’s Office at (319) 385-0762