Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities Board Meeting Scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 at 7:15 am CDT

Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities board of trustees will meet this afternoon to consider several major financial and infrastructure items.

The Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. this afternoon, Tuesday, January 20th, in the Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities Conference Room at 509 North Adams Street. The meeting is also accessible by phone.

Trustees are expected to act on multiple financial items, including approval of warrants, the treasurer’s report, capital budget amendments, and several major contracts. One proposal would reallocate $250,000 within the water capital budget for upgrades to electronic deionization treatment equipment. Another item includes review of a Veolia contract totaling more than $800,000 to replace water treatment equipment.

The board will also receive legal and operational updates, including the status of the Cedar Lane Well Number Seven project, advanced metering infrastructure, water treatment maintenance, and multiple power and transmission system projects.

Trustees may enter closed session at multiple points during the meeting, as allowed under Iowa law, to discuss matters currently in litigation.

The meeting is open to the public. Please view the full agenda here. The next MPMU regular board meeting will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

Henry County Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Board Meeting Scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 7:30 a.m.

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 at 7:06 am CDT

The Henry County Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Board of Trustees will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, January 21st, beginning at 7:30 a.m. The meeting will take place in the HCHC Board Room.

The agenda includes approval of minutes and administrative reports, financial and capital updates, a Great River Health update, and the election of officers and committee assignments. Trustees will also conduct a hospital inspection.

New business includes an audit presentation, consideration of facility project funding for fiscal year twenty-seven, setting a county tax public hearing date, review of capital budget policies, the budget calendar, and conflict of interest disclosures.

The Board will also enter a closed session, as permitted under Iowa Code Chapter twenty-one point five, to discuss strategic objectives, quality matters, and legal issues.

The meeting is open to the public. To view the full agenda, please click here.

MPHS InMotion Show Choir Finishes 2nd Place at First Competition of the Season

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 at 6:10 am CDT

Mount Pleasant High School’s InMotion Show Choir earned a well-deserved second-place finish in the 1A/2A/3A category at “A Touch of Class,” the show choir competition hosted by Benton Community Schools last Saturday. The group delivered its first competitive performance of the season and finished the event pleased with its showing while looking ahead to continued improvements as the season progresses.

InMotion also received the Caption Award for Outstanding Costumes, recognizing the visual design and presentation of this year’s production.

The group is now gearing up to perform in front of a home crowd at the Music in Motion Show Choir Invitational, scheduled for Saturday, February 7, hosted at the Mount Pleasant High School.

Proud to bring you results and updates from the Mount Pleasant Music Department are Jason Smith Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, Gramrath Doyle Vens Insurance, 5 Star Community Credit Union, Standard of Beaverdale Home Center, Mount Pleasant Tire, the Kimzey Funeral Home, Your Dream Home Furniture & Floors, and Northeast Animal Hospital.

Alice L. Fitzpatrick

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, January 19th, 2026 at 3:52 pm CDT

Alice L. Fitzpatrick, 79, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at Park Place Elder Living in Mt. Pleasant.

Ms. Fitzpatrick, the former Alice Louise Donald, was born July 10, 1946 in Fairfield, IA. She was the daughter of Daniel Delano and Nola Vera (Pope) Donald. Alice grew up on the Family Century Farm northwest of Stockport, and attended school in Stockport. After consolidation of schools in Van Buren County, Alice graduated from Van Buren County Community High School in 1964. She attended the Park Vue College of Cosmetology in Fairfield, graduating in the summer of 1965.

On August 7, 1966 at the Methodist Church in Stockport, Alice was united in marriage to Leland Laverne McWilliams. To this union, 2 children were born, Terry and Tracy. The couple later divorced. On August 4, 1980 in Mt. Pleasant, Alice was united in marriage to Dennis John Fitzpatrick. To this union a son, Daniel Matthias “Ty” was born. Dennis preceded Alice in death on Sunday February 12, 2023 at the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant. After Dennis’s passing, Alice began a courtship with Michael Vance. The couple just recently became engaged to marry.

After moving to Mt. Pleasant in the mid 1960’s, Alice began a long career as a beautician. She worked at the Colonial Beauty Shop before opening Alice’s Beauty Shop in her home. Alice then moved to A Touch Above Beauty Salon and finally at Shear Advantage until her retirement on January 1, 2008.

Alice was a devoted member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. For 20 years, she served as the Chair of the Environment and Arts Committee of the church, and was a former member of the Parish Council. Alice was a member of Chapter DD of TTT. She enjoyed being with her friends in the Wine and Tappas group. Alice found great delight participating in “Old H.A.G.’s” (Home Alone Gals) who enjoyed food and fellowship while rooting for the W.N.B.A. and Iowa Hawkeye Women’s Basketball Teams.

Those thankful for sharing in Alice’s life include her 3 children – Terry (Cyndi) McWilliams of Mt. Pleasant, Tracy (John) Dingman of St. Paul, IA and Ty (Lindsey) Fitzpatrick of Kansas City, MO; her fiancé – Michael Vance of Mt. Pleasant; 8 grandchildren – Bri (Aliya) McWilliams, Nathan (Mielye Hardersen) McWilliams, Rachel McWilliams, Emily (Isaac) Moeller, Abby Dingman, Alexa (Seth Mendez) Dingman, Sydney Fitzpatrick and Ben Fitzpatrick; a great granddaughter – Avery Moeller; a brother – Doug Donald of Ainsworth, IA and a sister – Cindy (Steve) Rada of Muscatine, IA.

Her parents, husband Dennis, former husband Leland, and brother Ed Donald precede Alice in death.

The family will receive friends from 4-7 PM on Friday, January 23rd at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 607 South Jackson Street, Mt. Pleasant. A Scriptural Wake Service will be held at 7PM at the Church.

A Funeral Mass for Alice will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 24th at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Fathers Ross Epping, Ed Fitzpatrick and Nick Adam will concelebrate the Mass. Burial will be in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Midwest Old Threshers Festival of Lights.

The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, is caring for Alice and her family. Online condolences may be directed to kimzeyfh.com.

Lorianne “Lori” D. Jarvis

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, January 19th, 2026 at 11:21 am CDT

Lorianne “Lori” D. Jarvis, 65, of Franklin, Iowa, passed away at 8:12 p.m. Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, Iowa.

She was born on November 3, 1960, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Harold “Skeet” and Erma (Hellweg) Massey. On February 23, 1980, she married Michael “Mike” Jarvis at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Montrose, Iowa.

She is survived by her husband: Mike of Franklin; daughters: Jennifer (Randy) Coleman of Franklin, Sara Jarvis of Donnellson; grandson: William Jarvis; siblings: Leanne Babington, Julianne Haley, Marcianne Tabb and Robert Massey.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister: Roxianne and brother: Rudolph.

Lori was a 1979 graduate of Central Lee High School. She and her husband, Mike, owned and operated Christian Herschler Winery in Franklin. Lori was a skilled artist. She enjoyed gardening, tending to her flowers, cooking, bird watching, animals and most of all, spending time with her family.

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

A visitation with family receiving friends will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson.

Following the visitation, a Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00 p.m. at Franklin Tap in Franklin, Iowa.

A memorial has been established in her memory.

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

Alan Lafayette Coop

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, January 19th, 2026 at 10:13 am CDT

Alan Lafayette Coop, 83 of Unionville, MO, passed away Saturday, January 17, 2026, at his home.

Alan was born to Harold & Junia (Godwin) Coop on December 9, 1942, in Fairfield, Iowa. He received his education from Brighton High School in Brighton, Iowa, graduating in 1961 at the top of his class. After school, Alan was united in marriage to Linda Jean Boese on December 21, 1963, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. To this union came seven children: JoEllen, Duane, Heather, Lafe, Ashly, Andrea and Carrie.

Alan and Linda owned and operated G &R Auto Body Shop in Mount Pleasant, Iowa for 62 years, where he took great pride in his handiwork. He had his pilots license and enjoyed flying his airplane in his younger years. He also enjoyed surprising people with the number of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren he had, totaling 59. He always followed that up with the comment ‘all because two people fell in love’.

He loved the Lord Jesus, having accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at the Nazarene Church in Mt. Pleasant in January of 1964 and instilled his faith of God in his children. He was always eager to host big Sunday dinners after church and many church New Year Eve parties. Some of his past times included making his famous sweet tea and watching storms roll in, baling hay at the family farm where he had cattle, playing cards with friends and family, and he loved to grocery shop and always requested ‘brown paper bags and don’t squish the bread’.

Survivors include his wife Linda Coop of the home, seven children: JoEllen Jepson (Jeff), Duane Coop, Heather Risberg, Lafe Coop (Hannah), Ashly Hurley (Jerred), Andrea Dorsey (Ray), Carrie Hines (Chris), daughter in law Jennifer Coop, 24 grandchildren: Amanda (Kyle Davy) Jepson, Zacherey (Lindi) Jepson, Sabrina (Cale) Garrett, Chelsea (Travis) Hoyer, Mariah (Mark Nelson) Jepson, Jalyssa Jepson, Wesley Coop, Bradley Coop, Ryan Coop, Brooklyn Holbert, Mackenzie (Tyler) Munday, Raegan Coop, Cason Coop, Sawyer Coop, Bryce Koenen, Brody Hurley, Bryna Hurley, Trevor Dorsey, Mason Dorsey, Levi Dorsey, Dru Dorsey, Bo Dorsey, Carleigh Hines, Deklan Hines, 16 great grandchildren, and numerous extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings; Fern Jeanette, Pauline, Evelyn, Ronnie and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be at 11:00 am, Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Thomas Funeral Home in Unionville. Burial will immediately follow at Lupton Cemetery. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the funeral from 10-11:00 am. Memorials may be given in lieu of flowers to Hospice of Northeast Missouri or Cairo Baptist Church. Condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com.

 

Salem City Council to Fill Vacancy by Appointment

By Kadie Johannson · Friday, January 16th, 2026 at 2:05 pm CDT

The Salem City Council has announced plans to fill a council vacancy following the resignation of Council Member Haley Swinscoe.

Under Iowa law, the council intends to fill the open seat by appointment. That appointment will be considered during a public meeting on March third at five-thirty p.m. at the Salem Community Center, located at two-oh-one South Main Street.

Anyone interested in being considered must meet state eligibility requirements, including being a resident of the City of Salem and a registered voter. Applications must be submitted to Salem City Hall no later than five p.m. on March third.

Applications are available online or in person at the Salem Community Center, the Salem Crew Public Library, or the Salem Post Office.

City officials also note that residents have the legal right to petition for a special election instead of an appointment, as allowed under Iowa law.

Gun Recovered After Passenger Runs From Traffic Stop in West Burlington

By Kadie Johannson · Friday, January 16th, 2026 at 12:05 pm CDT

Des Moines County Sheriff Kevin Glendening released a report following a traffic stop in West Burlington on Tuesday. On January 13, 2026 at approximately 2:12p.m. Des Moines County Deputies stopped a vehicle for moving violations at 3001 Winegard Dr.

During the traffic stop, a West Burlington Police Department K-9 conducted an open-air sniff around the vehicle and the K-9 alerted to the odor of narcotics. One of the passengers in the vehicle ran from law enforcement after being told he was not free to leave.

After a foot pursuit, the subject was detained and a firearm was located where he had squatted down between vehicles while fleeing. The subject was identified as Trayveon Leroy Jefferson, age 20, of Burlington, IA.

Jefferson was placed under arrest for Interference with official acts while armed with a firearm, a class D felony. He was transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center. A criminal charge is an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.