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: ____10-26-2021_____
JAIL COUNT
23_ Henry County Inmates
36_ Out of County Contract Inmates
59 TOTAL
Iowa WINs, with funding from Humanities Iowa will present award-winning author Mary Swander’s play, Vang, on Thursday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the Heatilator Performing Arts Center. Vang is produced by Swander Woman Productions, a theatre company that creates and tours dramatic performances focused on food, farming, and the larger rural environment.
A Hmong family who fled Communist bullets and wild tigers through the jungle of Laos and across the Mekong River to the refugee camp in Thailand. A Sudanese man who was thrown into prison in Ethiopia for helping the Lost Boys and was left gasping for air through a crack under the door. A Mexican woman who taught herself English by looking up the meaning of the profane words that were hurled at her at her first job in a meat packing plant. A Dutch boy, dressed as a cowboy, who put the flag of the Netherlands through the paper shredder and declared, “I am an American.”These are some of the characters brought to life in Vang, a drama about recent immigrant farmers.
Vang is a collaboration between Mary Swander and Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Deni Chamberlin. Swander and Chamberlin documented interviews with the immigrant farmers to create Vang (meaning “garden” or “farm” in Hmong). Swander then wound their words together to form a verbatim play that captures their struggles, survival skills, and journeys to the U.S. While their experiences are unique—some escaping violence, others fleeing poverty, and others embarking on agri-business ventures—all of these immigrants grew up on farms and wanted to once again assume the livelihood that they had known in the past, the work that had formed the foundation of their cultural roots.
Vang will be performed by actors Rip Russell and Mt. Pleasant native, Amy Johnson Schaefer and features Chamberlin’s photographs.
Performance Date: November 18, 2021
Performance Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Heatilator Performing Arts Center, Mt. Pleasant Iowa
Admission: The event is free and open to the public. A free will offering will be accepted with proceeds going to Iowa WINs. MASKS REQUIRED
The performance will run under an hour and be followed by a brief talkback and Q & A led by author Mary Swander.
For more information, please contact Touring Director Janine Calsbeek at touringSWP@gmail.com (712.707.2010).
Now that the CDC has approved booster shots of the Moderna and J&J vaccines for higher risk individuals, Henry County Public Health will begin hosting off-site vaccine clinics by appointment. To view available clinic dates and make an appointment please visit HealthyHenryCounty.org/covid or call 319-385-0779. They will only have the Moderna and J&J vaccine available and will continue to add clinics as needed to meet demand. They are not accepting names for a waitlist or walk-in appointments.
The CDC has approved a booster dose for people who have received their second dose of Moderna or Pfizer at least 6 months ago that also fall into the following categories: people age 65 and older, age 18+ who live in long-term care settings, age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions, and age 18+ who live or work in high-risk settings (e.g., healthcare workers, first responders, teachers, manufacturing workers, grocery store workers). Everyone who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine is approved to receive a booster dose at least two months after their initial shot. The CDC has also approved the ability to receive a different brand of vaccine for your booster dose if desired.
COVID-19 vaccination protects you and your community. The more people who get vaccinated, the lower the infection rate among the general population — protecting people who are most at risk from severe COVID-19. If you still need your first or second shot, you may also make an appointment at one of these upcoming vaccine clinics. There is no cost, no insurance needed, and language interpretation is available. For more information about COVID-19 including quarantine guidance, please visit HealthyHenryCounty.org/covid.
Jaicey A. Miller, 17, of Wayland, died Saturday, October 23, 2021, at her home in Wayland. Visitation will be Thursday, October 28, 2021, at Bethel Church from 2:00-7:00PM. Funeral Services will be 10:00am, Friday, October 29, 2021, at the WACO High School gymnasium. Memorials in the name of Jaicey A. Miller may be designated to the Washington Library or WACO School. The Beatty-Peterseim Funeral, Cremation Care and Monuments Services has been entrusted with caring for Jaicey and her family.
Jaicey was born July 2, 2004, the daughter of William “BJ” and Jana (Graber) Miller. She was a senior at WACO High School and was involved in choir, track, and student council, and was a manager for the basketball team. Jaicey was homecoming queen and a member of the National Honor Society. She loved singing in the choir, playing the violin, reading, camping, hiking, playing Minecraft, legos, being with her siblings and any type of adventure. Jaicey was a kind soul who could be brutally honest. She dedicated her life to Christ and was baptized at the Bethel Church in 2016. She had been working at the Washington Public Library since this past summer.
Survivors include her parents William “BJ” (Jana) Miller of Wayland; siblings, Walker Miller of Wayland, Whitney Miller of Washington, Delaney Miller and Kinzey Miller both of Cedar Rapids, boyfriend Collin Miller of Frytown, maternal grandparents Lynn and Ruth Graber of Kalona, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Preceding Jaicey in death were her paternal grandparents, and her cousin Michael Miller.
Margaret Mae Anderson Neil, 87, of Mount Pleasant died Friday, October 22, 2021, at Arbor Court in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
Margaret was born May 19, 1934, in Ottumwa, Iowa, the daughter of W. Hervey and Beatrice (Leonard) Anderson. She graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1952. On September 20, 1953, Margaret was united in marriage to John W. Neil of Mount Union at the Lutheran Church in Ottumwa. They made their home in the Mount Pleasant community, where Margaret made customized window dressings for J.C. Penney while working at the Mount Pleasant Savings and Loan; she worked for Peterson’s Implement, and was a manager at the Henry County Credit Union for 27 years. Margaret was a member of the First Baptist Church for 29 years where she taught Sunday School and conducted women’s circle for many years. Margaret was currently a member of the Calvary Baptist Church since 1993. She served as secretary of the district Republican Women of Henry County for many years, and was a former Girl Scout Troop Leader. She enjoyed quilted blankets for John, children and grandchildren and sewing many clothes including matching clothes for all the grandchildren. For many years, Margaret enjoyed team bowling and was a member of the Iris Bowling Hall of Fame and had years of fun playing community slow-pitch softball and volleyball. She enjoyed activities with her grandchildren and family events.
Margaret is survived by her husband, John; a son, David (Jane) Neil of New London, Iowa; a daughter, Patricia (Ron) Greer of Olive Branch, Mississippi; six grandchildren: Lindsey Williams, Melanie (Lee) Forrester, John M (Rachel) Neil, Michael J (Lisa) Neil, Cara (Jake) Renfrow, and Kathrine Neil; 20 great grandchildren. Two sisters, Gladys Roquet and Mabel Sammons of Ottumwa, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister Irene Ryan.
Funeral Service will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Wednesday. A memorial fund has been established for Hospice Compassus. www.powellfuneralhomes.com
Six Mount Pleasant High School students have received the highest individual honor a musician can receive by being named to participate in the 2021 Iowa High School Music Association All-State Festival. Selected to sing in the All-State Chorus are Andrew Rauenbuehler, Elle Ballard, Kade Welcher, Preston Smith and Johnny Mahavong. Chosen to play violin in the All-State Orchestra is Ethan Sexauer. In addition, named as a first alternate for the All-State Band is Jolynn Keomanivong.
Auditions were conducted Saturday at six locations across the state including Washington High School. A total of 3,990 students auditioned for a spot in one of the three All-State ensembles. The 75th All-State Festival will be held November 18-20 in Ames and will conclude with a concert in Hilton Coliseum.
