Water Shut-Off

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, August 18th, 2022 at 10:47 am CDT

Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities will need to shut water off Friday, 8-19-22, from approximately 9 am to 1 pm. The affected are will include the following:

  • S. Walnut St. extending from the intersection of E. Washington to the intersection of Webster St.
  • E. Webster St. extending from the intersection of Corkhill to the intersection of Walnut St.
  • E. Clay St. extending from the intersection of S. Jay to the intersection of S. Walnut St.

The water shut off is to tie in water services from the recently completed water main project on E. Clay St. We are contacting residents that will be affected by this as well as placing door hangers this morning.

Marlene L. Statler (final arrangements)

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, August 18th, 2022 at 10:41 am CDT

Marlene L. Statler, 89, of Mount Pleasant, died Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at the Lone Tree Care Center, in Lone Tree.

Marlene was born October 29, 1932, in Mount Pleasant, the daughter of Miles and Ruth (Kopp) Mallams. She graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1950. On January 7, 1956, Marlene was united in marriage to Robert Statler at the First United Methodist Church Chapel. Marlene was a dedicated associate in the Mount Pleasant Community School District for 19 years. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, Order of Eastern Star where she served as Worth Matron in 1976. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary. Marlene enjoyed spending time with family and weekly meals with family.

Marlene is survived by two daughters, Lori (Shannon) Scherwin of Mesa, Arizona, Christi Sammons of Conesville; four grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; sister Jan Roach of Mount Pleasant; and two sisters-in-law Joann Mallams of Mount Pleasant and Mary Rich of Wayland.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob, son-in-law Terry Sammons, two brothers Dale Mallams, Marvin Mallams, sister-in-law Phyllis Mallams and brother-in-law Dick Roach.

A Memorial Service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 20, 2022, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. Inurnment will follow in the Lockridge Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for the First United Methodist Church and Hospice Compassus. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

New Utilities General Manager

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, August 17th, 2022 at 4:36 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant Utilities Manager Jack Hedgecock introduced his successor at Tuesday’s meeting of the Utilities Board of Trustees.  August 25 the transition to Nate Lucas will begin.  Hedgecock will continue to work with the new general manager for a period of time before retiring from the position. IN other news from the trustees meeting…Hedgecock reported on the progress of the new well under construction saying they are still experiencing drilling issues. A vote on a change order on the project was tabled. He reported on the water main replacement project on East Henry Street saying the plan is to finish that project mid October. The old control building at the Adam Street Substation is being replaced this is a million dollar project that should be completed by next spring. A long lead time for materials is to blame for the extended project time line.

Stanley Ross

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, August 17th, 2022 at 4:07 pm CDT

Stanley W. Ross, 80, of Fort Madison formerly of Mount Pleasant, died Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at Parkview Manor in Wellman.  Funeral Services are pending at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel.

Dolores V. Freitag (updated)

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, August 17th, 2022 at 3:42 pm CDT

Dolores V. Freitag, 104, of West Point, Iowa, passed away at 4:45 p.m. Friday, August 12, 2022, at the West Point Care Center.

Born on July 18, 1918, in West Point, Iowa, the daughter of Ben and Theresa (Merschman) Wellman. On February 14, 1939, she married Cletus Freitag at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point, Iowa. He preceded her in death on November 12, 1955.

Survivors include one son: Mark (Mary) Freitag of Billings, Montana; three grandchildren: Chad (Anya) Freitag, Amy (Jeff) Berve, Ryan Freitag; five great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; two step-grandchildren: Stacie (Austin) Heil and Sara (Cody) Belgarde, four step great grandchildren; one great-great step grandchild; one sister: Phyllis Ward of West Point, Iowa; one brother: Ron (Linda) Wellman of West Point, Iowa; one sister in-law: Marilyn Wellman. Also surviving are  several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, four sisters: Germaine, Virginia, Bernice and Crescentia;  four brothers: Bob, Stanley, Paul and Donald in infancy.

Dolores was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, the Altar and Rosary Society, St. Anns Circle Daughters of Isabella, several card clubs, the study club and the West Point Historical Society. Dolores farmed with her husband until his death. She then worked several years at Freitag Implement and later became the Postmaster of the West Point Post Office until her retirement in 1984. Dolores enjoyed traveling, quilting, playing scrabble, volunteer work and most of all being with family.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 P.M. Friday, August 19, 2022, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, where the family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A parish rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m. and a Christian wake service will be held at 6:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 20, 2022, at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.

Burial will be in Saint John’s Cemetery in Houghton, Iowa.

A memorial has been established for Holy Trinity Elementary School or Saint John’s Cemetery.

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

Marlene L. Statler

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, August 17th, 2022 at 10:02 am CDT

Marlene L. Statler, 89, of Mount Pleasant, died Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at the Lone Tree Care Center, in Lone Tree. Services are pending at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel.

LABORSHED STUDY TO BE CONDUCTED IN MOUNT PLEASANT

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, August 17th, 2022 at 10:01 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Area Development Commission is partnering with Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) and Iowa Economic Development Authority to complete a Laborshed employment study for the Mount Pleasant area.  This study will geographically define which communities contribute to Mount Pleasant’s workforce, regardless of political boundaries. This defined area is called a Laborshed area and is based upon commuting patterns.

The purpose of this Laborshed study is to measure the availability and characteristics of Mount Pleasant area workers. Laborshed studies are useful tools for economic development teams and existing or prospective employers to understand the local labor market, make informed expansion and site selection decisions, and maintain/recruit a high-quality workforce.

For the success of this study, we are sending letters to randomly selected households asking residents to take a confidential online survey. Survey questions will cover topics such as: employment status, current and desired wages, current and desired benefits, education level, and type of occupation, among other things. However, Iowa Workforce Development will not be asking survey takers identifiable information such as: name, social security number, or date of birth. Participation in this workforce study is greatly appreciated regardless of employment status whether you are currently employed, unemployed, a homemaker, retired, etc. Your input is highly valued.

Following the conclusion of the online surveying efforts, IWD will conduct telephone surveying in the area through a third-party vendor. The survey call originates out of Missouri and the incoming number will have the 573 area code. The same survey questions asked in the online survey will be asked of those who participate in the survey on the phone and again, no identifying information will be collected. All the survey answers collected will be combined and reported together. Individual answers are completely confidential.

Every year Iowa Workforce Development conducts Laborshed studies across the State. The results of each analysis are publicly available online at www.iowalmi.gov/laborshed.  If you have any questions about the Laborshed project, please contact Katie Lippold at 515-281-3035 or Kristi Perry at the Mount Pleasant Area Development Commission at 319-385-3101.

Utilities Annual Leak Detection

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, August 16th, 2022 at 4:06 pm CDT

The Mt. Pleasant Municipal Utilities would like to inform customers and general public that on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, Westrum Leak Detection Service will begin doing the annual leak detection. This will occur over a three-day period, day and night. They will be in a van with the MPMU logo and also on an unmarked moped. For questions or additional details, please call 319-385-2121 (24 hrs.).