Notice of Early Voting & Absentee Ballot Mailing in Henry County

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 at 2:15 pm CDT

Early Voting begins October 5th through November 2nd Monday thru Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and Saturday October 24th & 31st in the 2nd Floor Conference Room of the Henry County Courthouse signs will be posted.  Please bring your Driver’s License or Non-Operator ID.  Masks are not required but will be available along with hand sanitizer and rubber gloves if wanted.

Absentee Ballots will be mailed out beginning October 5th thru October 24th if you have requested a ballot by mail you should vote it and return by one of the following methods:

  • Mail it back as postage is provided, must be postmarked on or before November 2nd.
  • Put in the locked drop box outside the back door of the courthouse as it is checked several times daily.
  • Bring it to the Auditor’s office.

Should you lose your ballot or never receive it in the mail or have any other questions regarding your ballot, come into the Auditors Office or call 385-0756.  As No one will be denied the right to vote.  The reason for this is, all ballots must be accounted for whether mailed out or handed out at the polls.

All regular polling locations will be open on Election Day November 3rd from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.  Please bring a form of identification.  Masks are not required but will be provided along with rubber gloves and hand sanitizer.

Iowa Wesleyan to host Open House for Center for International Education 

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 at 11:05 am CDT

Iowa Wesleyan University invites the public to an open house to see the newly renovated Center for International Education on September 30, 2020. Located in a campus house on the corner of N. Broadway and W. Franklin Streets, the open house will be held from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.  Tours will be provided in groups of 10 or less & masks will be required throughout the open house. The Mount Pleasant Chamber Alliance will kick off the event with a socially distanced ribbon-cutting outside the house.  

The open house will showcase the many aspects this new space will offer our students and the community. International students will be present to share their experiences, their culture, and their food with guests. 

“We are pleased to have a new home for our Center for International Education to serve our students better,” said Dr. DeWayne Frazier, university provost. “The cultural differences can be overwhelming for our international students, so this house provides them many valuable resources as well as signals the university’s commitment to supporting their education.”

The Center for International Education at Iowa Wesleyan will provide resources on best practices within international education and coordinate programs and opportunities for learning and growth across cultures for the campus and broader community.  

Robert D. Gholson

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, September 30th, 2020 at 11:03 am CDT

Robert D. Gholson, 73, of Mount Pleasant, died Tuesday, September 29,

2020 at the University of Iowa Hospitals, Iowa City.  Services are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London.

 

Edward L. “One Feather” Wagner

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, September 29th, 2020 at 8:42 pm CDT

Edward L. “One Feather” Wagner, 65, of Franklin, Iowa, passed away at 3:04 p.m. Monday, September 28, 2020, at home surrounded by family.

 

Ed was born on September 8, 1955, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of LaMar and Dorothy (Johnson) Wagner.  On February 14, 1986, he married Barbara Hoskins in Franklin, Iowa. She preceded him in death.

 

Survivors include his two sisters: Nola (John) Gram of Fort Madison, Iowa and Susie (Paul) Whitaker of Franklin, Iowa; one brother: Paul (Kristi Larson) Wagner of Burlington, Iowa and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father: James Hoffman and wife: Barbara.

 

Ed was a 1973 graduate of Central Lee High School. He served in the United States Navy from 1973 to 1979. He was a member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ. Ed worked at Fruehauf and Crandon’s Paper Mill in Fort Madison, he later retired from West Liberty Foods in Mt. Pleasant. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and drinking beer. Ed was a workaholic and loved spending time with his friends.

 

Friends may call after 12:00 noon Friday, October 2, 2020, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson where the family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. that evening.

 

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, October 3, 2020, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson.

 

Those attending are encouraged to wear a mask and are required to social distance.

 

Burial will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery, rural Franklin, Iowa with full military rites presented by the Donnellson American Legion Gillaspey – Moodie Post #474.

 

A memorial has been established in his memory.

 

Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

 

Iowa Department of Public Health Adjusts Quarantine Recomendations

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, September 29th, 2020 at 4:35 pm CDT
 

 

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is making a change on quarantine recommendations for people that have been exposed to a positive case of COVID-19. This applies in non-healthcare, non-residential settings only. This includes businesses, education and child care settings.

  • Close contacts of COVID-positive cases will no longer need to quarantine for 14 days if a face covering was worn consistently and correctly by the positive case and close contacts. The positive case must isolate. The close contacts should self-monitor.
    • Self-monitoring entails close monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms over the subsequent 14 days, staying home if any symptoms develop, and speaking with a healthcare provider about COVID-19 testing in the case of any illness.
    • If people who are self-monitoring become ill but do not get tested, they should remain home until 10 days after symptom onset.
  • People currently in quarantine may be released from quarantine if a face covering was worn consistently and correctly by the positive case and close contacts during exposure.
  • If the positive case wore a face covering, but close contacts did not, those close contacts must be quarantined.
  • If the positive case did not wear a face covering, close contacts must quarantine whether or not they wore a face covering.
  • Quarantine of close contacts will still be necessary in residential and healthcare settings.

Please find an infographic depicting the new IDPH recommendations at https://idph.iowa.gov/Portals/1/userfiles/61/covid19/resources/WhenToQuarantine.pdf

Masks are proven to be effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Increased mask use will reduce the number of individuals that need to quarantine. Along with wearing a face covering, we ask that everyone continue all recommended public health strategies:

  • Stay home when sick.
  • Maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet whenever possible.
  • Wash hands frequently.

This approach is based on data and focused feedback from community and school leaders over the past month indicating that transmission is not frequently occurring when both parties are wearing face coverings consistently and correctly. Additionally, we are aware of other jurisdictions, including Nebraska and Wyoming, that have made similar changes based on experiences in their states. We will continue to make recommendations based on best available information and adjust when needed.

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Lura Lorraine Anderson

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, September 29th, 2020 at 4:29 pm CDT

Lura Lorraine Anderson 94, of New London, IA, died at the home of her daughter on Monday, September 28, 2020 after a short illness.

Born at home in Middletown on March 3, 1926, she was part of a set of triplet daughters born to Herman and Fern Keller Prehm.  She married Howard E. Anderson on April 5, 1947.

Mrs. Anderson attended Fairview Country School through 8th grade and graduated from Danville High School in 1944. Before her marriage she worked at the Danville Telephone Company and Brown, Lynch & Scott. After her marriage and the birth of her children, she worked along side her husband on the farm and raised her two sons and daughter.

She went back to work after they were in school as a New London School aide. Later she worked at Sylvania and Midwest Biscuit Co. in Burlington, Breck Co. in Ft. Madison, and retired from Metromail in Mt. Pleasant.

She was active in Post #7641 VFW Women’s Auxiliary in New London and could be counted on to do whatever jobs needed to be done. She was a member of the Long Creek United Methodist Church and the Long Creek United Methodist Women. She was also active in various circles at the New London United Methodist Church before she and her husband moved to rural Danville in 1979. She was a member of the Long Creek Birthday Club and enjoyed playing pinochle with her women friends.

Mrs. Anderson loved her family and had the gift of hospitality. No one was ever turned away, and she welcomed her children’s friends and later her grandchildren’s friends for any holidays and family celebrations. She hosted many a slumber party for her granddaughters’ many friends. She particularly loved her spring and summer flowers and caring for her yard. After her husband died in 1990, she returned to New London and enjoyed the activities of her extended family and a close relationship with her twin, Lucille McCabe.

She is survived by her daughter Sandra (Kenny) Garrels, Danville; her son Robert (Gina) Anderson, New London; and Judy Owens, Monmouth, IL; her five grandchildren Tim (Amy) Gerst and Tracy Jarrett, Danville; Ryan Anderson and Lindsay (Bryant) Porter, New London; and Christopher (Sara) Anderson, Colona. IL; her great-grandchildren Braden (Montana) Gerst, Comanche, IA; SGT. Gage Jarrett USMC currently deployed in the Middle East; Emma Jarrett (SGT. Derek USMC) Brumbaugh, Camp Pendleton, California; Cole Jarrett, Danville; Mason Porter, South Bend, IN; Blaise, Brigham, and Kellan Porter, New London; Viktoria and McKinnon Anderson, New London; Peyton, Evelyn, and Hunter Anderson, Colona, IL; and great great grandson Jackson Gerst, Comanche, IA; her sister Lucille McCabe, New London; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son, Edward Anderson, and her sisters Dorothy Gerdner, Mary Siems, and infant triplet sister Lois.

Visitation for Mrs. Anderson will be at Elliott Chapel in New London, October 2, 2020. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. with the funeral to follow. Interment will be at Long Creek Cemetery, rural Danville, with Rev. David Mixon officiating. Memorials have been established for the Long Creek United Methodist Church and the New London High School Boys Basketball Program.  Please follow social distancing guidelines and masks are recommended.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

 

Charlie Adams

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, September 29th, 2020 at 10:42 am CDT

Charlie Adams passed away on September 27th, 2020. He will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife in their family graveyard at Bethel Church. Not one to waste a day, his request to be buried in his work overalls with a good 9/16 wrench and his favorite pair of blue handled channel locks will be honored, as he was sure they may need a good mechanic in heaven.

Drafted into the Korean War, Charlie spent 9 months on the front lines at Heartbreak Ridge. Charlie saved all his military pay to buy a new car when he returned to base in Colorado. While racing back home, he ran from a police car chasing him just so he could “see if the car could do what they told me”.

He enjoyed a long and happy marriage to Mary Adams and together they raised two children, Bill and Peggy. They spent their free time riding motorcycles with the Honda Gold Wings club and traveled over 100,000 miles together.

Charlie was a devoted grandfather of three and great grandfather to one. He spent the last 7 months of his life with his oldest granddaughter Kelly and her husband Jason. While they cared for Charlie, they all shared many laughs, watched a lot of car shows, and worked together to befriend the household kitten.

Charlie would like to remind everyone to keep their oil changed because oil is cheaper than parts, and to be kind to one another.

Friends may call from 9AM-1PM on Thursday, Oct. 1 at the Kimzey Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant. The family will not be present. The procession will leave the funeral home at 1PM for a 2 PM graveside funeral service at Bethel Chapel Cemetery, rural Wapello. Pastor Charles Courtney will officiate. Masonic Rites will be conducted at the graveside by Good Faith Lodge #235 AF & AM of Winfield. Military Honors will be conducted by the Iowa Military Funeral Honors Detail. Masks and social distancing care are requested.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that funny stories and old memories of Charlie be mailed to his granddaughter Kelly Langfeldt at 12705 Marinda St., Omaha, NE, 68144 to be shared at a family gathering in the future.

On line condolences may be left at www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com.

Pedestrian Injured When Hit By A Car

By Theresa Rose · Monday, September 28th, 2020 at 10:12 pm CDT

September 26 at about 2:30 pm Mount Police responded to a report of a car/pedestrian accident on West Courtland Street near Carnahan Road.  Russell Lyon II of Washington, Iowa was walking East on Courtland when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Samantha Burkhart of Mount Pleasant. Lyon suffered serious head injuries and was transported to HCHC by ambulance. The investigation into the incident continues.