Last Chance for Small Businesses to Apply For Utility Assistance

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, September 17th, 2020 at 9:08 pm CDT

There is still money available as very few Mount Pleasant businesses that have applied. Please take look at this grant designed to help you during this difficult time.

 ASSISTANCE FOR IOWA SMALL BUSINESSES & NONPROFITS

Governor Reynolds has allocated federal CARES Act funds to assist small businesses and nonprofits economically impacted by COVID-19. The Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Small Business Utility Disruption Prevention Program will provide short-term relief to eligible small businesses and nonprofits that face significant hardship in the payment of utility bills for service provided during the months of disruption to their business.

AVAILABLE UTILITY BILL ASSISTANCE

Electric and natural gas utility bill assistance for four months of electric or natural gas service provided between March 17, 2020 and October 15, 2020, 2020. Request for assistance must be for a minimum of $400 for natural gas and electric service charges combined, but may not exceed $7,500.

Financial assistance can only be applied to an applicant’s utility bills.  The applicant’s utility service provider will receive a payment from IEDA, which will be credited to the applicant’s utility account.

Apply here – https://www.iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/Business/energy-recovery

HCHC alerts area residents to caller scam

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, September 17th, 2020 at 3:28 pm CDT

Henry County Health Center and Physicians & Clinics of HCHC would like to alert the public to scam telephone calls that are occurring. Community members have reported receiving calls from individuals claiming to be an employee from HCHC and/or the rural health clinics located in Mt. Pleasant, New London, Wayland and Winfield. The calls may even appear as local phone numbers with a caller ID appearing as Henry County Health Center. Often times these scam phone calls ask for personal information, including social security numbers.

 

HCHC would like to make the public aware of these scam calls and inform the public that these calls are not coming from HCHC and that HCHC is not affiliated with these callers. The only time HCHC would call a patient is:

  • If the patient has a service scheduled or we are calling to schedule a service. In these instances, the patient would be expecting this type of phone call.
  • The only information HCHC would ask for over the telephone is address, phone number and insurance. HCHC would never ask for social security numbers over the telephone.

 

If you receive a call asking for personal information like social security number, financial information such as bank account numbers, personal health information, etc. please decline to respond and remember to never give personal information over the telephone. If you want to verify that the call is legitimate, please contact the healthcare provider’s office or Henry County Health Center directly for verification.

Patricia Ann “Pat” Ludwig

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, September 17th, 2020 at 1:52 pm CDT

Patricia Ann “Pat” Ludwig, 81, of Hillsboro and formerly of Ottumwa passed away on Tuesday, September 15, 2020, at Savannah Heights in Mt. Pleasant.

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

WMU Crowns King and Queen!

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, September 17th, 2020 at 11:23 am CDT

The Winfield Mt. Union Homecoming Queen is Molly Miller and this year’s King is Josh Elam! They were crowned on the WMU football field Wednesday night. The rest of the court for 2020….

Jenna Buffington, Emma Haines, Jami Wilkerson, Farrah Nelson, Dane Sweezer Bryce Wade, Chance Malone,and Brody Barton. This year’s crown bearers are Karli Remick and Lane Wilson.

Kevin Fletcher

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, September 17th, 2020 at 11:01 am CDT

Kevin Fletcher, 58, of Wapello passed away on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics following a 3 ½  year long courageous battle with kidney cancer.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18, 2020 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello, formerly The Dudgeon-McCulley Funeral Home.  Private graveside services will be held at a later date in Harrison Cemetery, rural Wapello.     In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Kevin’s memory.     Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

Kevin Fletcher was born on May 7, 1962, the son of Perry and Shirley (Kerr) Fletcher.  Kevin was a 1980 graduate of Wapello High School.  On June 12, 1998, Kevin was united in marriage to Eva Bowman in Wapello.  Kevin had worked for over 37 years for Monsanto as a chemical technician, retiring in 2017.   Kevin was a member of Ducks Unlimited.  He loved anything with the outdoors, especially enjoying anything in the outdoors, including hunting, fishing, trapping, traveling and animals.   His greatest love was his grandbabies, taking Bliven hunting and riding around with Kiarra listening to her music.

Kevin will be deeply missed by his wife, Eva; children, Josh Fletcher of Muscatine, Amber (Kevin Murphy) Buffington of Wapello and Justin (Miranda) Fletcher of Riverside; three grandchildren, Kiara, Bliven and Finnigan; father, Perry Fletcher; maternal grandmother, Ruth Kerr; siblings, Brian Fletcher and Renee Arnold; several nieces and nephews and good friends, Ron Orris, Greg Kerr, Tim Connolly, Dwayne Connolly and Bill Newswander.

Kevin was preceded in death by his mother; grandparents and good friend, Mike Lloyd.

Myron Wayne Pundt

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 at 8:58 pm CDT

Myron Wayne Pundt, 57, lost his year and a half long battle with cancer in Iowa City, Iowa, on September 14, 2020.

Myron was born in Bloomfield, Iowa, to Harold Pundt and Freda Thornton. He graduated in 1981 from Central Lee High School and then continued on to Hawkeye Tech where he graduated with a Degree in mechanical engineering. He worked at Hawk Technology/ALM for just shy of 25 years and was the Vice President of engineering at the time of his passing. Myron married his wife Kris in April of 1987, they were married for 33 years.

Myron lived In Aledo, Illinois for the last 20 years. He loved spending time with his family, doing projects around the house, riding horses, and boating. He was an extremely proud and loving father of two and was known and loved by many. One of his greatest joys in life was being “PaPa” to his grandchildren.

 

He is survived by his wife: Kris Pundt of Aledo; son: Justin Pundt of Aledo; daughter: Jessica Pundt (Justin Fuller) of Reynolds; father: Harold (Carolyn) Pundt of Keokuk; mother: Freda Thornton of Donnellson; father and mother-in-;aw: Marv and Fran Kroemer of Casa Grande Arizona; brother: Harlan (Lori) Pundt of Donnellson; sister: Denise Roberts (Aaron Nichols) of Donnellson; 5 grandchildren: Cason, Owen, Addison, Evelyn, and Holden and many loving nieces and nephews.

 

Friends may call after 12:00 noon Friday, September 18, 2020, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson where the family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. that afternoon.

 

A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, September 18, 2020 at Schmitz Funeral Home with Pastor Dean Graber officiating.

 

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

 

A Celebration of Life for Myron will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, September 19, 2020, at Myron & Kris’s in Aledo.

 

In lieu of flowers, 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.

Thomas H. Huston

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 at 4:52 pm CDT

Thomas H. Huston, 90, of Columbus Junction, passed away on Monday, September 14, 2020, at Colonial Manor in Columbus Junction.  Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2020, at the Columbus City Cemetery.  Following the graveside service, a time of food and fellowship will be held at the Youth Center at the Louisa County Fairgrounds.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for the local community, c/o Mark Huston 131 Springer Avenue, Columbus Junction, Iowa  52738 in memory of Tom.  Online condolences may be sent to the Huston family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.  The Snyder and Hollenbaugh Funeral and Cremation Services of Columbus Junction is caring for Tom’s family and arrangements.

Thomas Hal Huston was born on November 9, 1929, in Washington, Iowa the son of H. Lee and Juanita C. (Prizer) Huston.  Tom was a 1947 graduate of Columbus Community Schools and attended Iowa State University graduating in 1951.  On June 16, 1951, Tom was united in marriage to Maryan U. McDermott, who later passed on September 22, 1964.  After college he entered into the United States Air Force, stationed and served active duty at Chanute Air Force Base in Brian, Texas.  After leaving the service in 1953, he made his way home to the family farm in Wyman, Iowa and farmed full time until 1958.  On January 1, 1958, Tom went to work at the Columbus State Bank and built his home in the Columbus Community.  On August 6, 1966, Tom was united in marriage to Alice Rowland, who later passed on April 21, 1992.  On October 9, 1993, Tom was united in marriage to A. Kay Cutler.

Throughout his life, Tom was very active in several organizations which include, Columbus Community School Board Member; Stockholder and helped with the building of and served as President and Board Member for Cedarcrest Country Club; helped with the building of the Community Swimming Pool; Past President of the Louisa County Red Cross; Past Chairman of the Cancer Crusader for Louisa County; Past Chairman of the Iowa Bankers Association Ag Committee; Iowa Bankers Association Director in 1968, Vice President in 1970 and President in 1971; Director and Treasurer of the Iowa State Fair from 1974 – 1976; served as Superintendent of Banking from 1975 – 1986 and Treasurer, Vice President and President of the Iowa Independent Bankers Association from 1987 – 1988.  Tom was recently active in the Columbus Community Club, serving as past President; Director of the Columbus Community Senior Center; Treasurer and Board Member of Colonial Manor; Louisa County Fair Board member; Deacon of the United Presbyterian Church of Columbus Junction and Industrial Committee for Columbus Community.

Tom will be deeply missed by his wife, Kay of Columbus Junction; his children, Susan U. (Dan) Godec of Vail, Colorado, T. Mark (Jennifer) Huston of Columbus Junction, John D. (Diane) Huston of Minnetonka, Minnesota, N. Dean (Margie) Rowland of West Des Moines, Sarah (Doug) Wells of Des Moines, Sarah (John) Hand of Columbus City and Luke (DeeAnna) Cutler of Columbus City; grandchildren, Gregory (Paige) Garman, Michael (Chelsea) Garman, Ben Godec, Joseph (Anna) Huston, Johnathan (Jenna) Huston, Rob (Elise) Huston, Tom Huston, David Huston, Bryan (Kelly) Rowland, Andy (Bianca) Rowland, Theodore (Katharine) Wells, Samuel (Emily) Wells, Atlie Hand, Hank Cutler, Delta Cutler and Willis Cutler and great grandchildren, Kiff Thomas, Ben, Alex, Katelyn, Brooks, Logan, Dierks, Avery, Beckett, Norah and Claire,

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; two wives, Maryan and Alice; grandson, Will Godec and sister, Jo (Marshall) Smith.

From the HCHC Trustees Meeting

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 at 3:17 pm CDT

The Henry County Health Center Board of Trustees met in regular session Tuesday.  Following a public hearing on the project to replace a chiller, cooling tower and air handler.  The board was pleased with the five bids received and ended up going with a 1.6 million dollar base bid from Winger Contracting. The project was originally estimated to cost over 2.5 million. CEO Robb Gardner discussed the status of Covid 19 with the board.  He noted it’s been 6 months since the country has been dealing with the virus and while spread seemed to have slowed down during the summer months, southeast Iowa has seen a spike in the last 6 weeks…a trend also seen in Iowa and nationwide. HCHC and Great River Medical have been working together to address the increase in cases in Henry, Lee and Des Moines counties.  The outbreak at the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility and the return to school have contributed to the increase.  Regional health officials are urging people to avoid mass gatherings, wear masks and be diligent about hand washing.  Gardner also noted that 63% of cases are now reported in people 40 years of age and younger.  HCHC has tightened visiting policies and has returned to taking temperatures at the hospital entrance. He emphasized the importance of getting a flu shot as a way to keep the flu and the virus from overwhelming the healthcare system.