Author: Theresa Rose

On Friday, January 14, at approximately 4:11pm, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a motor vehicle accident, with unknown injuries, in the 1900 Grid of Highway 34.

Upon further investigation, it was determined that George Sonnee of Mount Pleasant lost control of his vehicle, due to the environmental and road conditions, and slid into a guard rail.  The Sonnee vehicle came to rest in the highway.

George was transported to the Henry County Health Center via ambulance for report of pain.

Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Henry County Ambulance.

Two correctional officers were assaulted by an inmate at the Iowa Medical and Classification Center (IMCC) in Coralville, IA at approximately 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 15.

The correctional officer was working his post in one of the facilities living units when an inmate approached him and began assaulting the officer. Another officer in the area quickly responded and attempted to apprehend the inmate. At this time, the inmate assaulted the second officer with closed fist strikes. Additional staff arrived and were able to apprehend the inmate without further incident.

The first officer that was assaulted was taken to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for treatment of his injuries via ambulance. He was treated and released. The other officer that suffered minor injuries in the incident was seen by IMCC medical staff and was sent home following his shift.

This incident remains under investigation.

On January 14, at approximately 10:54PM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a vehicle in the ditch in the 1100 Grid of Salem Road near Hillsboro, Iowa. After deputies arrived on scene, they located a pickup stuck in the ditch with the driver asleep behind the wheel. The driver was identified as Donald Lee Jennings IV of Stockport. After an investigation, Donald was subsequently placed under arrest for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Donald was transported to the Henry County Jail without incident where he was later charged with Operating While Under the Influence First Offense, a Serious Misdemeanor. Donald was also given citations for failing to maintain Control of a Motor Vehicle and Open Container – Driver 21 Years Old & Older.

Iowa Wesleyan is once again to proud to offer its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Service.   As a reminder, there will be no classes on this day in observance of MLK Day and the event this year will be at 7:00pm on Monday, January 17^th in the Chapel.   This year there will be readings from four of students about their favorite MLK quotes, a praise team led by student Clayton Henriksen, a powerful message by a guest speaker, outstanding selections by the IW Music Program, video presentations and closing song with Professor Donna Debose.  The special guest speaker will be Abena Sankofa Imhotep, Director of the Sankofa Literary & Empowerment Group located in Des Moines, Iowa.
She is a writer, public speaker, and active advocate with more than a decade of experience educating on cultural competency and cultivating authentic community inclusion. She has published numerous articles on society ills, curator of counter-storytelling projects and performance art, and facilitator of public conversations on racism and intersectionality.
Ms. Imhotep is a member of the inaugural class of the John Dee Bright College at Drake University and is currently working towards her BA in International Relations with a minor in Sociology.
She is presently a moderator and facilitator for the Department of Equity and Human Rights for the City of Iowa City where she moderated the 60th-anniversary commemoration of the Freedom Rides of 1961 and facilitated a quarterly book club around African American literature. She is also an instructor at the Gateway Dance Theatre in Des Moines as a Humanities expert for multicultural community programs; vocal music instructor for the SASI Wind Camp; and virtual instructor for poetry and spoken word. She is also a facilitator with the Broadlawns Medical Center TEACH/TECH Program in Des Moines giving empowerment seminars to numerous cohorts of certified nursing students and providing mentorship, professional references, and literary resources. She has also served on the Dean’s Advisory Council at Drake University Bright College and on the Donald V. Adams Leadership Institute at Drake University.

WACO Community School District
Regular Board of Education Meeting
Tentative Agenda
Board Room
WACO Junior/Senior High
Wayland, Iowa
Monday, January 17, 2022
5:30 pm
I. Call to Order—Roll Call
II. Approval of Agenda (with necessary amendments or deletions)
III. Recognition of Visitors & Communications – Amy Langr and 1st graders, STEAM
project
IV. Review WACO Mission Statement—The mission of the WACO Community School
District is to develop responsible, productive citizens who view learning as a life-long
process. WACO’s educational environment encourages continuous improvement,
problem-solving, measurable outcomes, and community involvement.
V. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Minutes
B. Financial Reports
C. Bills for Payment
D. Personnel-Resignation: Jane Koch, Secondary Vocal and Instrumental Music
E. Open Enrollment-Rowan Connop (3) WACO to WMU, Briar Connop (5) WACO to
WMU, Jeffery Marsh (11) WACO to WMU
VI. Old Business
A. Second Reading of Policies 605.1-605.6R1 and 490.2-490.2E1
VII. New Business
A. Early Retirement
B. Discussion only on summer sports
C. 28E Agreement with WMU, TAG services
D. First Reading of Policies: 606.1 – 607.2
VIII. Administrative Reports
A. Superintendent
B. Principals – Elementary, High School
IX. Board Comments/Reports
X. Adjourn

Friday, Representative Joe Mitchell of Mount Pleasant announced his re-election bid for a third term in the Iowa House.  Mitchell currently represents House District 84.  Under the newly confirmed redistricting maps, he will run for House District 87 in 2022. Iowa House District 87 includes all of Van Buren County as well as southern portions of Jefferson and Henry County. The city of Mount Pleasant is located in this district. Mitchell’s current district contains all of Henry County as well as portions of Washington, Jefferson and Lee Counties. Mitchell owns and operates his own real estate development company.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is encouraging ice anglers and snowmobilers to use caution when going out on the ice after a snowmobile and an ATV broke through the ice on West Okoboji Lake and East Okoboji Lake Thursday night. The individuals were rescued by nearby anglers, and then were treated and released from the local hospital.

Greg Harson, district supervisor for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Bureau, said he’s received a number of calls Friday from people planning to come to the Iowa Great Lakes and his message is that the ice quality isn’t as good as it has been in the past and to use caution if they plan to operate a snowmobile or atv on the lakes.

“There are a number of areas to avoid, like the points, ice heaves, the bridges and locations where geese are keeping the water open. The pressure ridges are opening and are hard to see. If we get skim ice then covered with snow, that can create a dangerous situation,” he said. “Geese are keeping a large area open on Spirit Lake out from the pump house, so be really careful if going out on Big Spirit this weekend.”

Harson stressed that there is always risk associated with going on any ice and that no ice is 100 percent safe. He said better quality ice is available away from the areas to avoid and encouraged everyone to check the ice thickness frequently and to bring a throwable floatation cushion, 50 feet of rope and a set of ice picks. 

“The new snow is going to make identifying these hazards more challenging, and it’s also going to insulate the ice from the cold temperatures and slow its growth. We all look forward to this time of year to enjoy these lakes, but need to think twice and if it doesn’t look right or feel right, do not go out,” he said.