Henry County Board of Supervisors Meeting Agenda – December 18, 2025

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 at 9:11 am CDT

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will meet Thursday morning at 9 a.m. at the Henry County Courthouse in Mount Pleasant.
Supervisors are expected to begin with routine business, including approval of the agenda, meeting minutes, and county claims.

County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss will provide his weekly update, and the board will consider a resolution to approve and execute a lease for a county laydown yard.

The board will also hear from the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission and look to approve a resolution for Henry County’s revolving loan fund plan.

Preservation efforts are on the agenda with Steve and Marcy Davis scheduled to speak on the preservation of Oakland Mills.

Planning and zoning matters are expected as well, including consideration of a subdivision request for Lot 1 of the Schlatter Subdivision Phase Two in section 15 of Jefferson Township.

Supervisors will look to name the county’s official newspaper for the coming year.

Following open-session business, the board plans to enter a closed session to discuss cybersecurity matters. The closed session will include a review of the county’s IT audit and a discussion of security policy with the Iowa Counties Information Technology team from the Iowa Statewide Information Sharing and Analysis Center.

The meeting is open to the public, apart from the closed session. View the full agenda here.

Central Lee CSD Rated ‘High Performing’ in Iowa School Performance Profile

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 at 7:09 am CDT

DONNELLSON, IA — The Central Lee Community School District has earned a “High Performing” rating in the inaugural release of the district-level Iowa School Performance Profiles.

The district outperformed the state average on every indicator measured in the new performance system, achieving the highest overall score among all public school districts in southeast Iowa. Central Lee’s strongest results included a 97 percent graduation rate, a postsecondary readiness score of 95 percent, and a chronic absenteeism rate of just 7 percent.

“We are incredibly proud of this recognition and the continued efforts of our staff, students, and families,” Superintendent Dr. Andy Crozier said. “This achievement reflects our district’s commitment to academic excellence and the wellbeing of every student. While we are happy with these results, we also know that we must continue to get better at everything we do.”

The Iowa School Performance Profiles provide an online tool that evaluates all public schools and districts based on academic achievement, student growth, graduation rates, college and career readiness, and attendance. The 2025 update marks the first year the state has included district-level ratings, following the approval of a unified accountability system by the U.S. Department of Education earlier this year.

In October, the district received building-level ratings of “High Performing” for Central Lee High School and “Commendable” for both Central Lee Middle School and Central Lee Elementary School.

The Iowa Department of Education developed the School Performance Profiles to improve transparency and support school improvement across the state. The full report, including school- and district-level results, is available at www.iaschoolperformance.gov.

Tommy R. “Tom” Thompson

By Kadie Johannson · Wednesday, December 17th, 2025 at 5:56 am CDT

Tommy R. “Tom” Thompson, 76, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Sunday, December 14, 2025 at his home.

Tom was born January 24, 1949 in Anamosa, Iowa the son of Homer and Dorothy (Orr) Thompson. Tom was raised in Wyoming, Iowa. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1971.

Tom was a Certified Public Accountant at TDT CPAs and Advisors, opening the firm in Fairfield in 1975.

Tom was active in the Fairfield community volunteering for many organizations and serving on their boards, including the Community Child Care Center, Fairfield Community Center, and Lord’s Cupboard of Jefferson County. He was on the board of directors for Iowa State Bank, Chairman of the Jefferson County Republicans, Fairfield Chamber of Commerce board president, president of the Iowa Society of CPAs, and served on the Accountancy Examining Board for the State of Iowa.

Tom was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and enjoyed driving his red Corvette and flying in his airplane.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Phyllis; children, Dr. JayD (Jan) Horton of Plano, Texas, Jolene Horton of Tarpon Springs, Florida, Alisa Thompson of Columbia, Tennessee, and Jennifer (Cott) Sammis of Arrington, Tennessee; grandchildren, Braz Johnson, Max Johnson, and Vivienne Sammis; siblings, Shirley Kellogg of Monticello, Iowa, Gary Thompson of Texas, Donna (Buster) Wilslef of Wyoming, Iowa, and Becky Mullin of Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation for Tom will be 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Thursday, December 18, 2025 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. The family will not be present. Private funeral services will be held Friday. Burial will be at Mt. Moriah Cemetery in rural Douds.

Online condolences may be made to Tom’s family by viewing his obituary at www.behnerfh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fairfield Community Center or Word of Life Lutheran Church and sent to 604 S. 32nd St. Fairfield, Iowa 52556.

Gene Wyse

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 at 3:56 pm CDT

Gene S. Wyse, 90, of Wayland, died Monday, December 15, 2025, at Parkview Home in Wayland.

A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, December 22, 2025, at the Bethel Church in rural Wayland. Burial will be in the Bethel Cemetery.

A visitation will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Sunday, December 21 at the church, where the family will be present to greet friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Bethel Church or Parkview Home. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory in Mount Pleasant is caring for Gene and his family. www.olsonyoderfh.com.

Larry L. Ridinger

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 at 3:43 pm CDT

Larry L. Ridinger, 83, of Trenton, passed away on Monday, December 15, 2025, at his home.

Larry was born on September 3, 1942, in Royal Oak, Michigan, to Leonard and Margaret (Leydens) Ridinger. He attended Star School in rural Trenton and the Greenmound Church. In 1962, Larry asked his grandma Nora Ridinger to sign to authorize him to join the Navy. During his service, Larry was a diver and welded ships under the sea. Additionally, he was on the Navy boxing team.

Larry was united in marriage to Sylvia Klaus on August 28, 1964, at the Trenton United Methodist Church. To this union the couple had three children, Rami, Angela, and Thomas.

Larry worked for many different contractors pouring and finishing concrete; Mennatts, HE Smith, Fox Pools, and Barton Construction. Additionally, he drove over the road hauling for Bill Rockwell. Larry and Dick Morrow owned and ran the Coppock Sawmill. He owned and raised beef cattle.

Larry was also a member of the International Rodeo Association, riding bulls and helping with pick-up during the performances. He also helped haul rodeo stock for Tonch Heartsill. During his later retirement, he purchased a sawmill and started cutting his own planks. Larry loved working in his shop, building everything from small boxes to headboards and tabletops, all created with different patterns and woods, cut by him at his sawmill.

Larry is survived by his wife, Sylvia; daughters Rami S. Ridinger, Angela M. (Mike) Looker, Melanie Thomson; son Thomas C. (Cindy Keeley) Ridinger; grandchildren, Sasha Noel, Abigail Noel, Tucker Noel, Nicole Schlatter, Justina Thomson, Jesse Thomson, Brittany (Derek) Throckmorton, and Connor (Paige) Wiseman; great grandchildren Easton, Sage, Theone, Natalie and Bennett. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers John and Emmett.

Funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 19, 2025, at the Olson-Yoder Funeral Home & Crematory. Pastor Jeff McPheron will officiate. Burial will follow in the Finley Cemetery. Military Rites will be conducted by the Henry County Honor Guard. Visitation will be 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, at the Olson-Yoder Funeral Home & Crematory. The family will be present to greet friends from 4:00 – 6:00. A memorial fund has been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice. Condolences may be left for the family at www.olsonyoderfh.com.

James Ryan Robinson

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 at 3:33 pm CDT

James Ryan Robinson, 65, of Brighton, IA, died Friday, December 12, 2025 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

James was born June 5, 1960 in Osceola, IA. He was the son of Olin Clay and Nina (Swartz) Robinson. He was raised by his father and adoptive mother, Elna Ruth (Evoritt) Robinson.

James graduated from Mt. Pleasant Community High School in the late 1970’s. He was employed as a truck driver first at Moutrie Trucking and the Agri-Way Processors of Wayland.

James was a member of ABATE District 14. He loved to ride his motorcycle and cook in his garage – grilling steaks and smoking ribs and pork. James kicked back to listen to the radio, especially 80’s and 90’s Country Music with a cold beer in his hand.

Those thankful for sharing in his life include his daughter, Ashely Robinson of Brighton; a stepbrother Michael Bird of Altoona, IA; his birth mother Nina Swartz of Tennessee and his fur baby, Skidmore.

His parents, Olin & Elna Robinson Bird, his stepfather – Melvin Bird, his brother – Raymond Robinson and a stepbrother – Jerald Bird, precede James in death.

A visitation will take place from 12 Noon – 7PM on Monday, December 22nd, at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 5-7 PM that evening.

Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.

$141,000 Awarded to 27 Organizations Through Enhance Henry County Community Foundation

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 at 11:30 am CDT

Henry County, Iowa — The Enhance Henry County Community Foundation has awarded $141,000 to 27 County organizations. An estimated 40,000 people will benefit from the 21st round of grants to be made by the Enhance Henry County Community Foundation.

The 27 grants were announced at a special celebration and media advisory event held at the Union Block Building in Mt. Pleasant on December 16th, beginning at 11 am. The event was open to the public, all grant recipients, public officials from throughout the county and community leaders.

This was the 21st time that the Enhance Henry County Community Foundation has engaged in grantmaking. The foundation applied for and received funds from the County Endowment Fund legislation.

“Our foundation received a total of $148,961. Twenty five percent of this was restricted to permanent endowment and 75 percent was required to be released through local competitive grantmaking. In addition, we took $35,903.95 from our endowment earnings and granted them as well.” said Robert Meyer, Foundation President.

“We received grant applications totaling $435,057.32. We only wish that we had more resources at the foundation because we know there are many needs and worthy projects throughout the county.”

The Enhance Henry County Community Foundation was organized by representatives from throughout Henry County. “Our mission involves helping the communities and non-profit organizations of the county,” said Robert Meyer. “We want to partner with communities and non-profit organizations to help them with programs and projects that might otherwise not be available to the individuals, families and visitors to our county.”

As an affiliate foundation, the Enhance Henry County Community Foundation can assist donors who wish to make outright and testamentary gifts of support to our foundation or other charitable organizations in the county. “It’s even possible for local charitable organizations to establish their own funds and benefit from special tax credits and the professional expertise and investment management we help provide,” said Robert Meyer.

Further information about Enhance Henry County Community Foundation is available by contacting, Lora Roth at 319-385-8728.

An Update from Superintendent of MPCSD John Henriksen

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 at 7:21 am CDT

On Monday, December 16, 2025 KILJ sat down with superintendent of Mount Pleasant Community Schools, John Henriksen, to get an update. Here are a few of the highlights:

At a recent organizational meeting, the Mount Pleasant School Board re-elected Angie Blint as Board President and elected Aaron Williamson as Vice President. They will serve in these roles for the next year.

Today, December 16, 2025, the top three candidates vying for superintendent of Mount Pleasant Community School District will be on campus taking tours and doing interviews. Following a review process conducted with Grundmeyer Leader Services, the board selected Dr. Sharon Dentlinger, Ken Kasper, and Derek Philips as finalists for the position.

Dr. Dentlinger currently serves as an assistant professor of practice and superintendent program coordinator at the University of Northern Iowa and as director of special education for the Knoxville Community School District. Mr. Kasper is the superintendent for the Garner Hayfield Ventura and Rudd Rockford Marble Rock Community School Districts. And Mr. Philips serves as principal of Davis County High School in Bloomfield and has previously served as superintendent of the Pekin Community School District.

Henriksen says the board hopes to make a decision tonight during their special board meeting on who they’d like the new superintendent to be, which will be a closed session to discuss the candidates. Once they have decided on their top candidate, they will offer the position. Once the candidate accepts, the new superintendent of MPCSD will be announced, a process that may take a week or two, according to Henriksen. The new superintendent will assume their leadership role on July 1, 2026 following Henriksen’s retirement.

And upcoming this Thursday, December 18, 2025, the Facilities Ad Hoc Committee will meet for their third and final session. The goal is to come up with a proposal for the school board for the future of our elementary attendance centers, which will be presented to the school board in January. All information and notes from the facilities ad hoc committee meetings can be found following a link on the MPCSD’s homepage.

KILJ will keep you updated on the superintendent search as news becomes available as well as the proposal put together by the Facilities Ad Hoc Committee.