Gregory Balchunas

Gregory Balchunas, 62, of Mt. Pleasant, died Saturday, December 5, 2020, at the VA Hospital in Iowa City from COVID pneumonia.

Greg was born March 28, 1958, in Baltimore, Maryland, son of Anthony and Argriffin (Chasis) Balchunas. He graduated from Dundalk High School in Baltimore. He served in the United States Army in the 82nd Airborne. Greg was united in marriage to Denise Speidel on November 4, 1983 in Houston, Texas. They have lived in Mt. Pleasant since 1985, where he worked for Wal-Mart Warehouse for 10 years and Goodyear for 10 years. Greg loved spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren. Greg enjoyed hunting, fishing, building, landscaping and gardening. He was a long-time church member of Faith Christian Outreach Church. He served for many years on the prayer ministry and was a prayer captain. Greg was an avid prayer warrior. Greg was a friend and mentor of many.

Greg is survived by his wife Denise of Mt. Pleasant, daughter Sarah Balchunas of Mt. Pleasant, son Travis (Liz) Balchunas of Tiffin; 2 granddaughters Alissa and Amelia Balchunas; 2 brothers, Anthony (Kathy) Balchunas of Baltimore, MD and Bruce Balchunas of Galveston, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 11, 2020 at the Faith Christian Outreach Church in Mt. Pleasant. Pastor Monte Knudsen will officiate. Burial will be in the Richwoods Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Masks are mandatory for attendance. A memorial fund has been established to assist with Greg’s medical expenses. The service will be livestreamed on the Powell Funeral Homes Facebook page and at our website, www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Heather D. White

Heather D. White, 46, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Sunday, December 6, 2020, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.

 

Henry County Board of Supervisors Meeting Agenda

AGENDA

 

December 8, 2020

 

Approve Agenda

 

Approve Minutes

 

9:00 Jake Hotchkiss, Engineer Weekly Update

Approve Tile Crossing Policy

 

9:30 Approve Family Farm Credit Applications

 

Other County Business as time allows

 

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

 

Saturday, December 5 News

Two people died in a two-vehicle crash in Washington County Thursday evening. According to the Iowa State Patrol, at about 5:30 p.m. Patricia A. Remington of Brighton was driving north on Fir Avenue west of Brighton. Westley A. Vaughan of Oskaloosa was driving east on Highway 1. Remington failed to stop at the stop sign and her vehicle collided with Vaughan’s vehicle, sending both vehicles came to rest in the northeast ditch. Remington and a passenger Nita J. Hesseltine of Rubio both died at the scene and were transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office. Vaughan and passenger, Mateo Ariza of Oskaloosa, were taken by ambulance to Washington County Hospital and University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, respectively. The incident remains under investigation with Iowa State Patrol.

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The state of Iowa has updated the positive case analysis dashboard on coronavirus.iowa.gov to include new data for total tests, in addition to individuals tested, providing the public more comprehensive testing data that more clearly illustrates recent virus activity and testing volume. The information for tests and individuals is displayed in total and by day, by test type, and by county. Also included are the current 14-day and 7-day averages for positivity rate and individuals positive per population of 100,000 at statewide and county levels. These trends are more comprehensive indicators of recent virus activity than daily cases and positivity rates alone.

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Governor Reynolds  announced Friday that a total of nearly $9 million in assistance is available to assist eligible low-income Iowans who are at imminent risk of eviction and individuals who have lost housing to quickly regain housing stability. The funding will also provide support for homeless shelter operations. The funds are made available through a supplemental appropriation to the Emergency Solutions Grant program through the federal CARES Act.  Individuals in need of assistance must apply through the Coordinated Entry help line in their area, which is available along with additional eligibility and program information at iowahousingrecovery.com.

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The Burlington School Board has voted to request permission from the Iowa Department of Education to continue 100% online learning. The decision was made due to the positivity rate in Des Moines County remaining around 18%, and a projected surge in COVID-19 cases occurring around the holidays. The school district submitted the request Friday and ask parents and students to plan accordingly and to assume that students will remain in Remote Instruction for the next two weeks.

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The Burlington Police Department warns residents of a phone scam using a local number. Unknown individuals calling residents using a local Burlington phone number indicate the residents owe money for an outstanding student loan debt.The local number being used is (319) 754-7460 and has no affiliation with debt collection. If you receive a similar call requesting money from this number it is a scam.

Thelma Lair

Thelma Lair, 96, of Danville, died Thursday, December 3, 2020 at New London Specialty Care.  Services are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London.

 

Danville Woman Dies of Injuries Received in Accident

An 82-year-old Danville woman has died of injuries received when her bicycle collided with a dump truck

According to the Iowa State Patrol, June Darlene Judd of Danville was transported by air to University of Iowa hospitals Tuesday afternoon. The accident occurred at the intersection of Old US 34 and 125th Street in Des Moines County.

Judd was riding east in the outside lane. Marvin Creelman of Burlington was also eastbound driving a dump truck in the inside lane. Judd began to veer into the inside lane.Creelman, crossed the center line in an attempt to avoid the bicyclist.  Judd continued to veer into the inside lane and struck the left side of the dump truck causing Judd be thrown from the bike. The incident remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol.

Single Vehicle Crash

On December 3rd, at approximately 1:40 a.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a motor vehicle accident in the 1700-grid of Oasis Avenue.  An investigation determined that Jaina Rusch, was driving northbound when she lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle went into the ditch and rolled into a fence line. The collision resulted in minor damage to the fence and totaled the vehicle.

NEW LONDON MUNICIPAL UTILITIES – AGENDA FOR BOARD OF TRUSTEES

DECEMBER 4TH, 2020 – FRIDAY AFTERNOON – 1:00 P.M. – NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CENTER
1. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR MEETING Chairperson Jodi Jackson
2. ROLL CALL: Jerry Wilhelm, Steve Rotter, Jodi Jackson, Shanon Wellington, and Bob Byczek
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
4. OPEN FORUM
5. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
a. Approve minutes of the previous meetings (1-6)
b. Accept Treasurer’s report (7-14)
c. Approve payment of claims (Handout)
d. Approve Central Air Conditioner Rebate for David Bell at 206 Orchard Lane (15)
6. OLD BUSINESS
a. Approve resolution #130 adopting the service rules for NLMU (16)
b. Discuss and take action on resolution #129 increasing the rate for water sold to customers of New London Municipal Utilities (17-20)
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Discuss and take action on cashing in a water CD (9)
b. Discuss and take action on the annual holiday potluck at noon on December 24th, 2020 and dismissal of employees after the meal
c. Appoint a Chairperson (21)
d. Appoint a Chairperson Pro Tem (21)
e. Approve committee appointments (21)
f. Utility Board Meeting, January ____, 2021 at 1:00 PM, Community Center
8. REPORTS
a. Foreman’s Report – Dave Ford (22-29)
b. Council Minutes (30-35)
9. ADJOURNMENT