The Henry County Board of Supervisors have approved the appointment of Maureen Walsh as a medical examiner investigator. Walsh, a retired nurse, will work in coordination with the county medical examiner. The county has several MEI’s who can respond to scenes where a death has been reported. Supervisor Marc Lindeen abstained from the vote on Walsh’s appointment since the two are married. Lindeen will not be his wife’s direct supervisors. And since she will report to the MEI coordinator Arlo Walljasper and the medical examiner her appointment will not conflict with county policy.
Smoke Haze Explained
The Henry County Sheriff’s office just wanted to get the message out pertaining to the smoke filled haze that everyone is seeing and smelling throughout the county. The office received word from the National Weather Service out of Cedar Rapids that the smoky haze is smoke from wild fires out of Kansas that has been carried into our area from Wednesday night’s wind storm.
School Threat on Social Media
The New London and Winfield Mt. Union School Districts recently learned of an anonymous, nationwide threat against schools that is being shared on social media outlets such as TikTok. The general threat toward all U.S. schools declares Friday, Dec. 17, as “American School Shooting Day.” The posts warn about the possibility of nationwide shootings or bomb threats associated with this day.
School safety is a top priority for the Iowa Department of Public Safety. The Department is aware of this general threat and the Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center is working with law enforcement partners to assess and analyze open source reporting for specific threats.
“At this time, we are not seeing any specific or credible threats towards any schools in Iowa, but we are continuing to diligently monitor the situation,” said Assistant Director of the Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, Pat Waymire. “No division within the Iowa Department of Public Safety has received any requests for assistance.”
TikTok has presented students with challenges all year long and, according to Supt. Chad Wahls, New London students have done a great job of not following these outrageous acts. This challenge has been taken to a much greater level and for that reason The New London Distirct has been in contact with local law enforcement. Out of caution, schools will be in close contact with law enforcement throughout the day. WMU Supt. Jeff Maeder added that his district has partnered with local law enforcement to vigilantly investigate whether there are any local connections to these social media posts. He said that at this time, law enforcement has not acquired any evidence that would deem these threats as credible in our area. Out of an abundance of caution, the schools will be in close contact with law enforcement throughout the day on Friday
Both superintendents encourage parents to take this opportunity to talk with your child(ren) about the appropriate use of social media, and the seriousness and resulting consequences of making any kind of threat. Encourage your students to speak with you or an adult at school if they see or hear something so immediate action can be taken. In addition, if anyone in our community sees something suspicious, please report it to the school immediately and call local law enforcement.
Any act of threat towards the school or anyone at the school will not be taken lightly.
John W. Scott (final arrangements)
John W. Scott, 68, of Mt. Pleasant, died Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City of a heart attack following a short battle with cancer.
The funeral service for John Scott will be 10:30 AM on Saturday, December 18 at the First United Methodist Church, 309 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. The Rev. David Bracht-Wagner, Senior Pastor, First United Methodist and The Rev. Earl Swigert, Pastor, Lockridge Baptist Church, will officiate. Friends may call from 12 Noon to 8 PM on Friday at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 6-8 PM on Friday.
Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to 4-H. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com.
John William Scott was born January 9, 1953 in Mt. Pleasant. He was the son of William George and Charlotte Irene (Felgar) Scott. John graduated from Mt. Pleasant Community High School in 1971. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Agriculture Education. On August 13, 1983 at the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant, John was united in marriage to Marilyn Rhea Lenz.
John farmed on his family farm all of his life with his parents and then alongside his wife and children. He was the 5th generation on the family farm and a 4th generation Hereford Cattlemen. John enjoyed collecting and restoring antique International Harvester tractors. He collected Pontiac GTOs and Trans Ams. He enjoyed studying his family farm history near Rome, IA.
Those thankful for sharing in John life include his wife, Marilyn, of Mt. Pleasant; 2 children – Carl Scott and his wife Dana of Mt. Pleasant and DeAnn Scott-Harp and her husband Branden Harp of Ladora, IA; 3 grandchildren – John, Elliott and Wilder Scott, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
His parents and grandparents precede in death.
Mark M. Keltner
Mark M. Keltner, 67, of Morning passed away on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at Wapello Specialty Care. Funeral Services will be 1:00 p.m. on Monday, December 20, 2021 at Centenary Morning Sun United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery. Memorials have been established in Mark’s name for the church, Fire Department and Ambulance in Morning Sun. Online condolences may be left at www.sandhfuneralservice.com. Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Morning Sun are caring for Mark’s arrangements and his family.
Mark M. Keltner was born on January 24, 1954 in Burlington, Iowa. His parents were Marcella and Kenny Bob Bryant and Don Keltner. Mark graduated from Morning Sun High School in 1972 and continued his education at Southeastern Community College where he played baseball. Mark was a member of Centenary Morning Sun United Methodist Church. He enjoyed sports and NASCAR. Mark raced at various tracks throughout Southeast Iowa. He was a jack of all trades who was very talented and could always be found working in his garage.
Mark will be deeply missed by his significant other, Pamela Jennett of Morning Sun; son, Michael Walker and his daughter, Mikayla of Grandview; siblings, Pam Dohrn of Austinville, Iowa, Russ (Donna) Bryant of Peoria, Arizona and Rondee (Mark) Troester of Elkader, Iowa and nieces and nephews, Thad (Steph) Dohrn, Seth (Cassie) Dohrn, Adam (Annie) Dohrn, Anna (David) Wilson and Amos (Tina) Troester and great nieces and nephews, Madi, Will, Cael, Jack, Macy, Josie, Rocky, Daphne, Camry and Eddie Dohrn, Lewis Wilson and June Troester.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Bill Dohrn.
Donna L. Huffaker (final arrangements)
Donna L. Huffaker, 69, of Mt. Pleasant, died Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant, is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Memorials may be directed to the family. On-Line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com
Henry County Misses Out on Major Damage
Henry County saw minimal effects from Wednesday night’s wind storm compared to other parts of the state. Downed tree limbs and scattered power outages were the bulk of what has been reported. The Salem area was still without electricity early Thursday morning. By the time school started the power was back on at Salem Elementary School. Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities reports a few scattered issues overnight. Since those minor outages are being taken care of, the crews are on stand bye to help other communities that are part of a mutual aid network. Mount Pleasant City Public Works Director Rick Mullin reports a few tree limbs down. County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss said his crews were out early clearing any trees that came down on county roads. If any county residents feel they have some costly damage they should report that to Henry County Emergency Management Coordinator Walt Jackson. Jackson said, while Henry County may not be eligible for any financial assistance following the storm, any damage totals can be added to the state total and possibly assist in getting federal help for the state.
John W. Scott
John W. Scott, 68, of Mt. Pleasant, died Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.
Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant.
On-Line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com