Author: Kathy Snow

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department and Henry County Hospital received a 9-1-1 call yesterday at 11:30am about a young girl getting pinned and injured by her steer at the Henry County Fairgrounds/Old Thresher’s McMillan Park—awake and breathing, but with abdominal and chest pain, and a possible punctured lung. The girl was airlifted to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. 

According to the young girl’s parents’ social media account, their daughter was an exhibitor at the Henry County Fair that wrapped yesterday. She was pinned between her steer and the gate it was tied to and ended up underneath the steer being trampled on. She was flown to Iowa City Pediatric Trauma Unit and then moved to the UI Children’s Hospital. Her parents indicate that she sustained significant injuries and is sore, but is expected to make a full recovery and is in good spirits. They thanked everyone involved for their efforts during the incident and the amount of love and support they have received. 

Special thanks to the Mt. Pleasant Police Department, Mt. Pleasant Fire and Rescue, and Henry County Health Center for their assistance. 

KILJ and the entire Henry County Fair ag community wish her and her family well. 

Multiple agencies responded to a motor vehicle accident in Mt. Pleasant yesterday at 5:28pm at the Y intersection of 195th Street and Franklin Avenue including the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Henry County Hospital – EMS, Iowa State Patrol, Mt. Pleasant Fire & Rescue, and Trenton First Responders.  

48-year-old, Jason Michael Wagamon, was driving a 2012 Harley Davidson traveling west on 195th Street, ran the stop sign at Franklin Avenue, lost control of the motorcycle, traveled through the Y intersection, and landed in the field entrance on the west side of Franklin Avenue colliding with the ditch.  

Wagamon was transported to the Henry County Health Center by Henry County EMS. The motorcycle was totaled with severe damage estimated at over $10,000. Wagamon was under the influence and charges are pending. The Iowa State Patrol is investigating the crash. 

IowaWORKS and Home Base Iowa will shine a spotlight on the skills, leadership, and dedication that Veterans bring to Iowa’s workforce by hosting the second annual National Hire a Veteran Day Career Fair Series on Thursday, July 23^rd from 1-3pm at the Iowa Army National Guard Armory located at 1000 S. Walnut Street in Mt. Pleasant.

Established in 2017, National Hire a Veteran Day encourages employers across the economy to connect with and hire Veteran talent. While the national observance is July 25^th, the Iowa events will take place on July 23^rd this year to best accommodate job seekers and employers.

With more than 115 employers registered across seven Iowa National Guard armory locations, this is the largest series yet. Veterans are highly encouraged to take advantage of one of the best opportunities to build new skills, identify local businesses looking to recruit their talent, and jumpstart a second career.

Home Base Iowa (HBI), the state’s premier initiative for connecting Veterans and their families with new careers after service, is playing a critical role in organizing and promoting the events. HBI’s partnership with the Iowa National Guard has been especially impactful, supporting outreach to guard members who recently returned from deployment and are now exploring the next steps in their career path.

All events are hosted at Iowa National Guard armories. Veterans, Guard members, and their families are encouraged to attend.

For additional information, click here.

According to the Fort Madison Police Department, a 35-year-old Fort Madison man is facing 3^rd degree theft, trespassing 1^st offense, and three counts of FTA or failure to appear including driving under suspension, failure to provide insurance, and interference with official acts, use of an electronic communication device. Joseph Robert Decker was arrested at approximately 1:10am on Sunday, July 19^th.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

In a press release, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office reported that on Sunday, July 19th at approximately 10:42 pm, Deputies responded to the Henry County Jail regarding a physical altercation between two inmates.

Deputies reviewed video footage of the incident, which showed 19-year-old, Edward Kellum, and 34-year-old, Esteban Ellis-Arvizu approach each other in the jail’s social area before exchanging closed-fist strikes and becoming involved in a physical struggle.

Following an investigation, including a review of video footage and statements obtained from the involved inmates, both individuals were charged with Assault Causing Bodily Injury.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office has no further information to release at this time.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.