Arrests Made in Drug Case

By Theresa Rose · Friday, July 15th, 2022 at 5:30 pm CDT

In April/May 2022, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into the distribution of marijuana in the Henry County, Iowa area.

During the investigation, a search warrant was executed at 2587 Park Circle, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, during which marijuana and indicia of distribution were seized.

As a result of this investigation and search warrant, Monte Moehn, 25 of Mount Pleasant, was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver (class D felony), Drug Tax Stamp Violation (class D felony), Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana (class D felony), Drug Distribution Violation to Persons Under 18 (class B felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (simple misdemeanor), and Gathering Where Marijuana is Used (serious misdemeanor).

Also, because of this investigation Eric Copeland, 21 of Crawfordsville, was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana (class D felony) and Conspiracy to Deliver a Controlled Substance to a Minor (class D felony).

Edward Easley, 23 of Mount Pleasant, was arrested and charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana (class D felony).

One juvenile was arrested and charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana (class D felony).

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Mount Pleasant Police Department, Burlington Police Department, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Road Closure

By Theresa Rose · Friday, July 15th, 2022 at 11:42 am CDT

Henry County Engineers Office announces a road closure on 270th Street (dirt section), west of Nebraska Ave for a bridge removal project starting Monday, July 18th. The road will be closed for approximately two (2) weeks, weather permitting. Questions can be answered at 319 385-0762.

Tony E. Beaber

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, July 14th, 2022 at 9:19 am CDT

Tony E. Beaber, 72, of Mt. Pleasant, died Saturday, July 9, 2022 at New London Specialty Care in New London, IA.

A funeral service for Tony will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 15, 2022 at the Oakland Mills Community Church, rural Mt. Pleasant. Pastor Rick Moorman will officiate. Burial will be in the White Oak Cemetery, rural Rome, IA. Visitation was Thursday at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The family greeted friends from 5-7 PM Thursday evening.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Mt. Pleasant Little League Baseball Association or the White Oak Cemetery Association. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com.

Tony Eugene Beaber was born August 11,1949 in Mount Pleasant, IA. He was the son of Ledru Wesley and Wanda Maxine (Bonser) Beaber. He attended school in Rome and Mt. Pleasant and was a member of the Mt. Pleasant High School Class of 1967. On October 11, 1969, Tony was united in marriage to Dolores Marie Welcher at the Biggsville United Methodist Church, Biggsville, IL.

Tony worked for the H. Eugene Smith Construction Company. For 14 years, he was employed in the Water Department of the Mt. Pleasant Municipal Utilities.

A founding member of the Skunk River Coon Hunting Association, Tony loved to fish, trap, hunt and hunt for mushrooms. He was a huge fan of the Chicago Cubs Baseball Team, seldom missing a game being broadcast. One year, his devotion to baseball led him to be named the Volunteer of the Year by the Mt. Pleasant Little League Association.

Those thankful for sharing in Tony’s life include his wife of 52+ years, Dolores; 3 children – Edward (Sandy Wolfe) Beaber of Trenton, David (Mindy) Beaber of Rome and Suzanne Beaber of Mt. Pleasant;  a sister – Karen (Gene) Wenzel, nephew Todd Smith of Mt. Pleasant and niece Angie (Charles) Boecker and their 2 sons of Ames; grandchildren – Blake (Amie) Beaber, Allison (Cody) Washburne, Sydney (Wolfgang) Schumacher, Shariah Collins, Reese Beaber, Alex Beaber, Manaysha (Quayson Talton) Minner, Nehemiah Minner and Trevor Beaber; great grandchildren – Louie & Augie Beaber, Dulahni Collins, River Washburne and Torrin Thele; step granddaughter – Brittany (Alex) Howe; step great grandchildren – Elliott and Landon Howe; a special niece – Kelly (Kurt) Hand and family and several other cousins, nieces and nephews.

His parents and a brother Terry Wesley Beaber precede Tony in death.

 

Queen Crowned!

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, July 13th, 2022 at 9:38 pm CDT

The 2022 Henry County Fair Queen is Chevelle Mills! Congrats also to First Runner-Up Alexandra Farley. This year’s Junior Queen is Bella Tedrow and First Runner-up is Jacie Campbell. The Fair Princess is Kara Hoover and the First Runner -Up is Kara Campbell! Thank you to Hometown Vet Care for sponsoring the Royalty announcement on KILJ! Tune-in Thursday morning for more details about this year’s Royalty.

Richard A. Tolander (final arrangements)

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, July 13th, 2022 at 1:58 pm CDT

Richard A. Tolander, of Ankeny, and formerly of Olds and Mount Pleasant, died on his 93rd birthday, Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at the VA Regional Medical Center in Des Moines, IA.

A memorial funeral service for Richard will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, July 29, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church, 309 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. The Reverend David Bracht-Wagner, Senior Pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant, with military honors conducted by the Iowa Military Funeral Honors Detail and the Henry County Honor Guard. Friends may call from 12 Noon to 8PM on Thursday, July 28 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 5-7 PM on that Thursday. On-Line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com

Clearing the Air at Several MP Businesses

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 at 3:27 pm CDT

The Smoke Free Air Act, which celebrated its 14th anniversary in 2022, prohibits smoking in places of employment; however, it does not extend to smokeless tobacco. That means products like vape pens or e-cigarettes are legal to use unless a business implements a tobacco and nicotine free policy.

According to the journal Tobacco Control, smokers miss about 2.6 more days of work each year than non-smokers. Additionally, the American Cancer Society estimates tobacco-related health care costs and lost work productivity equal $289 billion dollars in the U.S.

The decision by an employer to become a tobacco and nicotine free workplace benefits both the company,  its employees, and its patrons. This also sends a message to youth that vaping products still contain nicotine, which is addictive, and these products have not been proven healthier than traditional tobacco products.

In fiscal year 2022, the following were  the most recent businesses to adopt a tobacco and nicotine free policy:   MP Childcare Center, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Nikki K’s Dance, Salon Monroe, Etc., Chamber of Commerce, and Henry County Public Health. Iowa State University and Outreach congratulates these businesses in helping make a healthier environment for all. Contact Chris Kempker if you are interested in  implementing a tobacco and nicotine free policy at your business. Free resources and signage are available. Call Chris at 319.385.8126 for more information.

Secretary Naig to Honor Bates Family with Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 at 3:13 pm CDT
 
 

Row crop, cattle and turkey farmers from Washington County to be recognized for outstanding leadership in agriculture

DES MOINES, Iowa (July 12, 2022) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award to the Bates family, owners of Bates Family Farms, on Thursday, July 14 in Washington, Iowa at 11:00 a.m.

This family farm is based outside of Washington and run by Mike and Karen Bates along with their daughter Courtney Bates and one employee. Mike established the operation after he graduated from high school in 1972 and has been farming ever since.

“As leaders in Iowa agriculture, the Bates family has made animal care and environmental stewardship the foundation of their operation for the past 50 years,” said Secretary Naig. “Pairing their farming practices with their longstanding commitment to supporting their local community, the Bates family embodies the true character of Iowa agriculture. I am proud to present them with this award.”

The Bates family farm includes corn, soybean and alfalfa production, a black angus herd and, for 33 years, a turkey operation. While the turkey operation recently transitioned to another young farmer in the area, it remains an important part of the farm’s leadership story.

Through their turkey operation, the family implemented many innovative animal husbandry practices. All their turkey barns were environmentally controlled and equipped with comprehensive biosecurity programs made possible by digital monitors and alarms. The Bates family kept detailed records of their antibiotic-free flock and were reviewed annually by West Liberty Foods. They are also Beef Quality Assurance certified, further ensuring their ability to provide top-notch animal care.

In addition to their dedication to high-quality animal husbandry, Mike has consistently emphasized the importance of conservation. As a result, the family has incorporated terraces, buffer strips and no-till practices on most of their row crop acres. They have also planted rye cover crops on potions of their land and use solar energy to power their house and turkey barns.

Outside of their work on the farm, the family is extensively involved in the Iowa agriculture community and other organizations. Mike has served on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, the U.S. Meat Export Federation, the Farm Bureau Poultry Advisory Committee, the Agri-Way Partners board of directors and the West Liberty Foods board of directors. He is currently a member of the Iowa Turkey Federation, the Iowa Farm Bureau, the Iowa Soybean Association, the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. They are active members of their church and are involved with Water for Life, an organization that helps ensure people in Haiti have access to clean drinking water.

The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award is made possible by the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers. This award recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in caring for the environment, their livestock and being good neighbors. It is named in memory of Gary Wergin, a long-time WHO Radio farm broadcaster who helped create the award.

Conservation Board Meeting Open to the Public

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 at 8:37 am CDT

The Henry County Conservation Board will hold their July 2022 Board meeting on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at 5:30 pm in the conservation
board meeting room at the office in Oakland Mills. Items on the agenda will include: Nature Center Pond Reconstruction, Future Facility Upgrades, Director Update, and Naturalist Reports. Please contact the conservation department if you have any questions, 319-986-5067.