Author: Lisa Grilliot

A record number of Memorial Day weekend travelers are on the road today with holiday weekend gas prices at the highest they’ve been in four years. The national average for a gallon of regular is at $4.56, up 3 cents over last week and $1.38 higher than this time last year. Current prices are close to what drivers were paying 4 years ago, when the national average on Memorial Day was $4.61. Prices at the pump are likely to remain elevated as the summer travel season gets underway.

A reminder that the Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau “Click It or Ticket” high visibility campaign is in full swing until the end of May.   GTSB is partnering with law enforcement across Iowa to support the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) enforcement effort.

Seatbelts remain the single best defense against serious injury according to the Iowa State Patrol. In 2025, 121 people who died in Iowa traffic crashes were not wearing a seatbelt and accounted for 47% of fatalities on Iowa’s roadways.

The Avenue of Flags, Henry County Veterans Memorial Committee extends an invitation to anyone interested to help raise the flags this morning at 8am on the Henry County Courthouse lawn.  In honor of Memorial Day, the flags will be flown throughout the weekend and retired on Wednesday, May 27^th at 4pm, weather permitting.

If you are traveling around the state of Iowa this Memorial Day weekend, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued swimming advisories for four state park beaches due to high E. coli levels. Testing indicated bacteria concentrations exceeded safety thresholds, making the water unsafe for swimming. E. coli levels routinely spike after heavy rainfall, prompting these swimming advisories. The Iowa DNR tests water quality weekly throughout the summer.

The following beaches are currently under advisories:

• Pine Lake South Beach (Hardin County)
• Bobwhite State Park Beach (Wayne County)
• Beeds Lake Beach (Franklin County)
• Backbone Beach (Delaware County)

The DNR advises that you check swimming conditions regularly as water conditions change rapidly. You can view real-time testing results and the full list of statewide advisories on the Iowa DNR Beach Monitoring portal.

United States Senator Chuck Grassley’s (R-Iowa) staff will hold traveling office hours in 32 counties from Monday, June 1, to Friday, June 12. Iowans seeking assistance with a federal agency or wishing to share their views may stop by during the scheduled hours listed below.    Senator Grassley will not be in attendance: however, members of his staff will be on hand to ensure constituents’ concerns are heard and their problems are addressed.  Iowans needing assistance are encouraged to stop by during these upcoming traveling office hours.  Locally, Grassley’s staff will hold meetings at the following locations:

Louisa County, Monday, June 8, 2:45 – 3:45 p.m. Columbus Junction City Hall, Council Chambers, 232 2^nd Street, Columbus Junction (Deputy State Director Penny Vacek).

Lee County, Tuesday, June 9, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Fort Madison, City Hall, Council Chambers, 811 Avenue E, Fort Madison (Deputy State Director Penny Vacek).

Des Moines County, Tuesday, June 9, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., Burlington City Hall, Council Chambers, 400 Washington Street, Burlington (Deputy State Director Penny Vacek).

The City of Mount Pleasant, the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, and Henry County EMS congratulates Aaron Dorothy on being named the 2026 Provider of the Year by Henry County Emergency Medical Services. This recognition reflects Aaron’s dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving others both on and off duty. Aaron has worked for HCEMS since 2022 and since has been dedicated to the Henry County community, assisting on calls even when he’s not on shift, excels in communication and patient care and is always reliable.

Aaron has served as a volunteer firefighter with the Mount Pleasant Fire Department since 2019 and has become a familiar face throughout the community through his involvement in many of the department’s public outreach and community engagement efforts. Aaron leads Fire Safety Week activities in local schools, to coordinates appearances at parades, and brings the fire truck to home football games and other community events.  He consistently goes above and beyond to connect with and serve the residents of Mount Pleasant. Aaron has stepped up into a Team Lead role with the MP Fire Department this past year taking on truck maintenance responsibilities.  The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department described Aaron as the definition of ‘going above and beyond.’  Congratulations Aaron Dorothy, Henry County EMS Provider of the Year! (photo: FB, City of Mt. Pleasant)

Mt. Pleasant Utilities and the Mt. Pleasant School District announced that there is a water main break in front of Van Allen School. Henry Street between Pine & Cherry Streets will be closed during pick up time.

• Parent Pick Up will take place on the EAST side of the school (Cherry St.) Parents need to come from the North.

  There will be NO PARKING on Henry Street, East of Cherry Street and NO parking on Cherry Street, South of Henry Street.

  Bus Line Pick Up will be on Henry Street East of Cherry Street, blocking the Open Bible Church Parking Lot. Any cars that are parked in that parking lot, will be stuck there until the buses leave.