Mount Pleasant Police are looking for information regarding a vandalism incident. Sometime between the hours of 10 pm on May 27 and 8 am on May 28 all four tires on a vehicle in the 400 block of W.Monroe were slashed and the back window broken out. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Police Department at 319-385-1450.
OWI Arrest
On May 29, 2020, at approximately 1:57AM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a Audrey Jean Engler (20 years of age) of Burlington, Iowa, stating she had driven her vehicle down into the median portion of the roadway and needed help to turn it back around to drive back to Burlington. Audrey had been driving a black, 2013, Nissan Versa. After an investigation, it was found that Audrey was operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Audrey was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to the Henry County Jail. Audrey was charged with Operating While Under the Influence First Offense, a Serious Misdemeanor. She was also given a citation for Possession/Purchase of Alcohol by Person 18-19-20 Years of Age First Offense.
OWI 3rd Offense
On May 25th, 2020, at approximately 7:50PM the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible accident occurring in the 2400-grid of 290th Street. After arriving on scene, the vehicle was located and the driver was determined to be, William Schroeder Jr, 35, of Mount Pleasant.Upon investigation, William was determined to be intoxicated and found to have an Iowa driving status of not valid. License plates present did not match the vehicle and were not registered to William. The vehicle was removed from the scene while William was taken into custody and transported to the Henry County Jail.
As a result of this incident William Schroeder Jr was charged with Operating While Intoxicated – 3rd Offense, a Class D Felony. In addition to scheduled citations for No Valid Drivers License, Fraudulent use of Registration, and Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability.
***A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.***
MP Community Band Summer Season Cancelled
After consulting with a variety of band directors across Southeast Iowa, closely monitoring what other communities are doing (Burlington, Ft. Madison, Washington), and weighing the options of our performers and audience, Mount Pleasant Community Band director, Adam Creager, has come to the unfortunate decision that the band will not have a MP Community Band summer concert series this season.
Adam said many factors went into making this choice, and he waited a long time to really see how things fell. First, how do they adequately socially distance members as a band in rehearsal/performance and still maintain a clean environment. Second, many of the people in the band and the audience are at an increased level of risk and that the CDC and State of Iowa recommendation is for the elderly to continue to self isolate are two of the biggest concerns. Finally, the use of school equipment and rehearsal space presents conflicts with balancing school plans to deep clean the rooms, keep instruments clean, and keep staff/students safe. He has not yet ruled out the potential of some small ensemble performances and has done some brainstorming with folks about possibilities on how/where/when that may work. He is continuing to work on and develop these possibilities.
Please keep safe and healthy during this time and look for more information to come as we explore some potential alternatives for music in Mt. Pleasant.
Anita Darlene Luckett
Anita Darlene Luckett, 95, formerly of Farmington, Iowa passed away at 10:10 p.m., Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at the Kensington in Fort Madison, Iowa.
She was born on February 8, 1925 in Farmington, Iowa, the daughter of James Collier and Stella Edith (Muntz) Fine. In March 1945 she married Laverne McGlothlin, they later divorced. On February 27, 1954 Darlene married Harold Luckett, he preceded her in death on August 12, 1991.
Darlene is survived by two daughters: Sharon (Rodney) Moeller of Fort Madison, Iowa and Donna Luckett of Burlington, Iowa; a son: Bob (Martha) Luckett of Greenville, Mischigan; daughter-in-law: Cindy McGlothlin of Sedalia, Missouri; six grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and ten great-great grandchildren. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Harold; her son: Rick McGlothlin; her grandson: Chad Harris, two sisters: Nina Peterschmidt and Marjorie Rippenkroeger; and two brothers: Lester Fine and Harold Fine.
Darlene was a member of the Farmington United Methodist Church. She graduated from Farmington High School in 1942. Darlene was a homemaker and had worked at Sheaffer Pen, Iowa Army Ammunition Plant, Rubber Plant, Sylvania, and Whittaker Cable. She played the harmonica and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2020 at the Greenglade Cemetery in Farmington, Iowa with Pastor Sally Barrett officiating.
Burial will be in Greenglade Cemetery, Farmington.
Memorials have been established in her memory to the Farmington United Methodist Church or Fort Madison Community Hospital Home Health and Hospice. Memorials may be mailed to Schmitz Funeral Home P.O. Box 56 Donnellson, Iowa 52625
Iowa Utility Board Lifts Disconnection Moratorium
Effective May 28, 2020, the Iowa Utilities Board lifted the disconnection moratorium for Iowa electric cooperatives and municipal utilities. In response, effective June 1, 2020, Access Energy Cooperative will resume normal disconnection procedures as specified in the cooperative tariff.
Access Energy Cooperative is a locally owned, not-for-profit cooperative. The cost-based rate structure of a cooperative limits the resources available to a cooperative for handling increased rates of nonpayment. We have taken steps to help those who have been financially impacted by the pandemic that included waiving late payment fees and cancelling disconnections for nonpayment in March, April and May.
Member-consumers who are experiencing financial hardships are encouraged to proactively contact the Access Energy Cooperative office to discuss payment options to avoid potential disconnection of service. Please contact the billing department at 319-385-1577 or 866-242-4232.
Some member-consumers may be eligible for energy payment assistance from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is a federally funded program that provides financial aid for heating and cooling costs for eligible households. The LIHEAP application period was recently extended to June 30, 2020, to help those economically affected during the pandemic. Learn more at https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/liheap.
As people spend more time at home during the pandemic you may experience increases in your home energy use, which will also affect utility bill amounts. To find ways to help lower energy usage, visit www.accessenergycoop.com; follow the cooperative page on Facebook @AccessEnergyCoop; or contact the cooperative member services department.
Access Energy Cooperative is an electric cooperative service provider serving 10 counties in southeast Iowa.
Henry County Primary Polling Sites (note correction)
On June 2 the primary polling sites in Henry County will be open from 7 am to 9 pm in the same locations as usual. There will be extra precautions in place to safeguard the voting public. Here are the poll locations for the county cities and townships:
Northwest Precinct at Wayland City Hall for Jefferson Township and Wayne Township residents living west of James Ave, cities of Wayland, Coppock and Olds.
Northeast Precinct at the Winfield City Hall for Scott and Canaan Townships, Wayne Township residents living east of James Ave. Winfield and Mt. Union.
Central Precinct at the Henry County Emergency Management Building on West Washington Street in Mount Pleasant (correct location) for the townships of Trenton, Tippecanoe, Marion and Center and the cities of Rome and Westwood.
The four Mount Pleasant precincts vote at the Veterans Hall at the corner of Jackson and Monroe Streets.
Southwest Precinct votes at the Salem City Hall. These are the townships of Salem, and Jackson and the cities of Salem and Hillsboro.
Southeast Precinct poll is at the New London Community Center for New London Township, Baltimore Township and the City of New London.