Author: Theresa Rose

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.

The bridge located at Sugar Creek, 1.4 miles west of Donnellson in Lee County is scheduled to open Wednesday, December 15^th, weather permitting. With the first phase to replace bridges on Iowa 2 completed, between Farmington and Donnellson, Iowa 2 will be open to traffic in both directions during the Winter.

However, in Spring 2022, the next phase to microsurface Iowa 2, between Donnellson and Farmington, will require alternating lane closures and using a pilot car for traffic control.

The Iowa DOT reminds motorists to drive with caution, obey the posted speed limit and other signs in the work area, and be aware that traffic fines for moving violations are at least double in work zones. As in all work zones, drivers should stay alert, allow ample space between vehicles, and wear seat belts.

The latest traveler information is available anytime through our 511 system. Visit 511ia.org; call 511 (within Iowa) or 800-288-1047 (nationwide); stay connected with 511 on Facebook or Twitter (find links at https://iowadot.gov/511/511-social-media-sites); or download the free app to your mobile device.

To receive email or text alerts about traffic incidents, road closures, traffic delays, and other restrictions that affect this highway route or other routes you travel, the Iowa DOT offers the “Your 511” option on 511ia.org. It’s easy to subscribe to Your 511 and sign up to receive the email/text alerts. Visit https://iowadot.gov/511/511-full-feature-website-help/how-to-videos for simple, step-by-step instructions.

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The Lee County Sheriff’s Department investigated a two vehicle accident Wednesday just before noon on Wednesday on the Old Quarry Road. Deputies were dispatched to the intersection of 115^th Street and 280^th Avenue. Logan Sanders of West Point was southbound on 280^th. At the intersection with 115^th he made a u turn in order to go back north.  But he didn’t see a vehicle driven by Barbara Cecil of Bonaparte that was southbound. Sanders vehicle hit the Cecil vehicle broadside. No one was injured but both vehicles were totaled.

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:   ____12-9-2021_____

JAIL COUNT

  21_    Henry County Inmates

 48_    Out of County Contract Inmates              

 69   Total

AGENDA

December 9, 2021

Approve Agenda

Approve Minutes

Approve Claims

9:00 Resolution Agreement regarding Joint Voting Precincts

9:10 Resolution Naming Candidate to SEIRPC Board of Directors

Resolution Naming Private Sector Representative to SEIRPC Board of Directors

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

While many artists focus almost completely on one specialty such as oil painting or watercolors, Ruth Meth of Olds, Iowa, chooses to put her Iowa Wesleyan University art degree to good use in a variety of media.

     Ruth M. Meth’s degree from Wesleyan exposed her to applying artistic skills to painting, watercolors, tile and porcelain painting, charcoal drawing, wood sculpture, and terra cotta pottery.

     This wide variety of media work is displayed in December and January at the Arts IMPACT gallery in the Mount Pleasant Public Library. The show is free and open to the public.

     During her college years, Ruth Meth had four of her works published in “Design,” the university’s international creative work publication. She has received recognition in Iowa Artist Regional Shows since 2000. Additionally, her work is held in private collections in Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Argentina, Kenya, Japan, Spain, and also the United States.

     Ruth maintains her own gallery at her home in Olds, Iowa. Guests are welcome to visit the gallery “A Room of My Own.” She only asks for at least 24 hours’ notice at her phone contact of 319-254-2129.

     The public is invited to the Mount Pleasant Library to view the exhibit during regular hours of Monday-Thursday 9:00am – 8:00pm, Friday 9:00am – 5:30, and Saturday 9:00am – 2:00 pm.

     The Arts IMPACT Portable Gallery at the Library is supported by the Enhance Henry County Community Foundation and the William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation.