Author: Theresa Rose

Dec. 10, 2021, West Burlington, Iowa – In 2022, Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center
will build a childcare center on its Fort Madison campus and enlarge the existing facility
in West Burlington. Kid Zone is for children of hospital employees.
“Providing a high-quality, convenient childcare center is a priority on both Southeast
Iowa Regional Medical Center campuses,” said Matt Wenzel, president and CEO, Great
River Health, the hospital’s parent company. “The West Burlington Kid Zone was built in
response to employee requests. Besides benefitting our existing employees, having our
own childcare center helps in the recruitment of future employees and physicians.”
The 5,600 square-foot West Burlington Kid Zone opened in 2006. It is licensed for 89
children. The same blueprint will be used for the Fort Madison facility. It will be the first
new structure built on the campus since the 2011 addition of the Outpatient
Rehabilitation Services Center.
A 3,381 square-foot addition to Kid Zone in West Burlington will increase capacity to
139 children.
The total cost of the project will be $2.5 million. The $1.7 million new childcare center in
Fort Madison will be funded by the Great River Health Foundation, formerly the FMCH
Foundation. The foundation was created in 1995 to fund special projects. Money
donated to the foundation before July 1, 2021, is dedicated for use on the Fort Madison
campus.
“We are grateful to the foundation for funding Kid Zone in Fort Madison,” Wenzel said.
Kid Zone is the only childcare center in southeast Iowa to hold a top five-star rating from
the Iowa Department of Human Services’ Quality Rating System (QRS). The five-star
rating indicates Kid Zone has made significant steps in meeting key indicators of quality
in:
• Environment
• Family and community partnership
• Health and safety
• Leadership and administration
• Professional development

Mount Pleasant, IA – December 10, 2021 — Iowa Wesleyan University held its December Graduation Ceremony on Thursday, December 9, in the University Chapel.  The University celebrated the graduation of 38 undergraduate and nine graduate students, including eight Master of Arts in Management Leadership and one Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction.

During the opening ceremony, Iowa Wesleyan Board of Trustees Chair Robert Miller ‘83 retired the former Chain of Office and presented President Christine Plunkett with the new medallion designed to match the university mace.  The President wears the Chain of Office during formal academic events, including convocation and commencement.  The retired medallion will be maintained in the IW Newsom Archives as a historical artifact.

President Plunkett presented the Presidential Award for Outstanding Merit to Val C. Sheffield, M.D., PH.D. for his work throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.  Dr. Sheffield and his lab team formed a strategic partnership with IW in the summer of 2020 to provide rapid-result saliva testing, often providing students with their test results as quickly as the same day.  This partnership with Sheffield Labs allowed IW to continue to conduct regular and accurate testing on campus, ensuring the safety of its students and employees.  Dr. Sheffield is an internationally recognized leader in human molecular genetics and genomics.  His laboratory at the University of Iowa explores novel treatments for human diseases, including blindness, diabetes, and cancer.  

The graduation speaker was Dr. Shawna Hudson, 2021 Chadwick Teacher of the Year.  Dr. Hudson is a Professor of Education and has been at IW since 2006.  In her address to the graduates, Dr. Hudson challenged the students by stating, “There is a difference between being the best in the world and the best for the world…what kind of best will you be?” 

Thursday, December 9 at about 6:30 pm the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to the 600 block of South Jefferson Street for a report of a two-vehicle accident. Upon investigation, it was determined that a car operated by Paul Connolly of Mount Pleasant, was stopped in the roadway in the 600 block of South Jefferson Street facing northbound while waiting to make a left-hand turn onto West Webster Street. Another car operated by Bradley Sallee of Mount Pleasant, who was also traveling North on South Jefferson Street Sallee failed to see that the Connolly vehicle was stopped. Sallee failed to stop in an assured clear distance which resulted in a rear end collision. Sallee was found to be at fault and was cited for failure to stop in assured clear distance.

In the interest of keeping Henry County residents informed, the Henry County Sheriff’s office has requested KILJ post the daily jail count. During the jail referendum campaign it was publicized that the jail would be able to house additional inmates from surrounding counties and this would generate revenue for Henry County.

Date:   ____12-10-2021_____

JAIL COUNT

  20_    Henry County Inmates

 48_    Out of County Contract Inmates              

 68   Total

Henry County Health Center Foundation is pleased to announce its 2021 Grant Award Recipients: Winfield Public Library, Winfield Fitness Center, Henry County Public Health and Mount Pleasant Community School District. The HCHC Foundation awarded grants to each of these organizations for various projects supporting health related initiatives.

Winfield Public Library was awarded $1000 for the purchase of a cold and hot water dispenser for the 5-2-1-0 program.  Winfield Fitness Center was awarded $2750 to help maintain workout equipment for their patrons.  Henry County Public Health received a grant for $4500 to grow the CARE LINKS program.  And Mount Pleasant Community School District was handed a check for $1750 to go towards CPR training and equipment for students and school personnel.

In total, the HCHC Foundation awarded $10,000 in grants this year.

The HCHC Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the enhancement of the health and well-being of Henry County individuals and families.  Foundation Director Mark Hempen says, “It is exciting to see these grants make a difference in the wellness of our county residents.  These grants are just one example of how HCHC Foundation fulfills our mission for a healthier Henry County.”

The next round of grants will open in July of 2022 and future funding opportunities can be found at www.hchc.org/foundation.  You may also contact HCHC Foundation, Mark Hempen at 319/385-6541, or email hempenm@hchc.org.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (Dec. 9, 2021) — Hy-Vee, Inc. announces today that free Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19
vaccine booster doses are now available to 16- and 17-year-olds at Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations across its
eight-state region.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend a
booster dose for Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients ages 16 and older at least 6 months after their second
vaccine dose. Patients ages 16 and 17 receiving a booster dose may NOT mix-and-match vaccines. At this time,
Pfizer-BioNTech is the only vaccine authorized for minors.
COVID-19 vaccinations are available at Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations by appointment only. Patients can
schedule their COVID-19 vaccination by visiting www.hy-vee.com/covidvaccine.
A parent or legal guardian must consent to the vaccination and accompany all minors to their vaccination. The
booster vaccines are free to all eligible patients, regardless of their insurance coverage.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine approved for individuals 12 years of age and older requires two doses (known as
the primary series). The second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine should be administered at least 21 days
after the first dose. However, a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is ONLY available for individuals
ages 16 and older, and should be administered at least 6 months after the second dose.
Individuals ages 16 and older receiving a COVID-19 first, second, booster or third vaccine dose can receive their
flu shot during the same appointment by requesting it with the pharmacy team.
It is recommended (but not required) that vaccine recipients bring the following to their appointment: insurance
card (if they have insurance) and Medicare Part B red, white and blue card (if Medicare recipient); photo ID; and
their COVID-19 vaccination record card. Masks are required. If individuals do not have insurance, they can still
be vaccinated.
For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit www.hy-vee.com/covidvaccine.

DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds has extended the order to fly all flags in Iowa at half-staff until midnight on Saturday December 11, 2021, in honor and remembrance of Senator Robert Dole, who represented Kansas in Congress for 35 years, both in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.  

 The governor’s order is issued in conjunction with President Joe Biden’s proclamation to amend the initial order earlier this week to lower the United State’s flag to half-staff for the updated length of time.  

  Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state.  

  Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flags at half-staff for the same length of time.  

Wednesday the Mount Pleasant City Council approved a site plan for Ryan Barton to construct a 12 unit multiple family dwelling at 416 N. Van Buren Street.

In other business, the Council agreed to the expenditure of approximately $45,000 for purchase of various new components for the Library/Civic Center HVAC system. According to the City Administrator Brent Schleisman it seems like several things are breaking down at the same time.  Problems with the electrical system seemed to be an issue in several areas so there are plans to have the system assessed.

A motion to approve hiring Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission to administer a R.I.S.E. grant was approved. The city received the grant in the amount of $254,800 for upgrading Blue Grass Road. The grant will cover 50% of the cost to upgrade the gravel road to curb and gutter concrete.  The road is located on the east edge of Mount Pleasant in a developing industrial area. The council also approved an enginnering service agreement with Warner Engineering to design and oversee the project.

The Council set December 22 at 5:30 pm as the date and time for a public hearing regarding the Lift Station project at the Northeast Lagoon. Following the hearing, they council hopes to award the contract for the project.