CDC is warning the general public of a new type of phone and phishing scam by criminals posing as CDC representatives, often requesting donations.  According to CDC, most of these fraudulent activities are being conducted by phone, utilizing software to “spoof” phone calls to make them appear as if they are coming from phone numbers that may look familiar.  CDC advises consumers to avoid answering calls from numbers they do not recognize, and to avoid sharing personal information over the phone.  In addition, CDC notes that no federal agency will request donations from the general public.  Suspicious phone calls may be reported to the Federal Communications Commission.

In addition, some criminals are impersonating government officials in emails to facilitate phishing attacks.  These emails contain malicious attachments or links that can be used to gain control over computer systems and to steal information.  Consumers are advised to stay vigilant and to follow good security practices to reduce the likelihood of falling victim to an attack.

The Mount Pleasant School Board approved the fiscal year 21 budget and tax levy rate of $13.89 per $1000 taxable valuation.  That’s up from $13.83 cents this fiscal year.

The School Board approved the bid from Meyers Construction for the pickle ball court project.  Meyers had the low bid of three at $188,300 for the a base bid and an additional $2,125 for a black vinyl fence.

A contract with Triple R Driving School was approved for another three years.  The price per student is going up from $330 to $335.  The cost for free and reduced tuition students will be $310.

The Board approved no changes to the registration fees and meal prices for the upcoming school year. Supt. John Henriksen noted during the meeting that the percentage of students on the free and reduced tuition plan is a little over 50%.  The state average is about 42%.

The Board approved the 2.52% total package increase for the district’s non-certified personnel and passed the extension of the COVID-19 Pandemic Pay Resolution.  Supt. Henriksen said legal council advises the district pay it’s employees until the end of the school year whether or not school resumes.

Before the board approved the personnel items Supt. John Henriksen noted the resignation at the end of the school year of long-time elementary school teacher Sandy Breazeale.  He also expressed the district’s appreciation for Herb Quayle’s 51 years of service.  Herb is retiring from his position as a district bus driver.  Kathryn Sands was formally approved as the principal at Van Allen Elementary School.

A change to the school calendar had to be approved adding the Homecoming game on October 2.  A date for Homecoming was up in the air until the football schedules were released.

Mount Pleasant High School Principal Todd Liechty told the board he did a survey of senior students and parents regarding a graduation date.  Originally the date was set for May 17 but it’s not yet known if students will be back in school by then.  Mr. Liechty said it’s looking like a majority don’t want a virtual commencement and would rather wait until everyone can be physically together.  One board member suggested having graduation the same weekend as prom which is now tentatively set for July 11.  Mr. Liechty said he would keep taking responses.

On 04/13/20 at approximately 11 pm Mt Pleasant Police were dispatched to 801 S. Hoaglin Drive reference a hit and run vehicle accident. Officers were notified that that the driver of the vehicle was Zachary Kloppenburg and that he was driving a silver Chevy Silverado. Officers  met the offending  vehicle on Hoaglin Drive which then took  off at a high rate of speed  and a short vehicle pursuit occurred. The pursuit was stopped for safety reasons. Kloppenburg  was later  caught and arrested by the  Iowa State Patrol in the Henry County /Jefferson County line area after another vehicle pursuit. Zachary  was charged with criminal mischief 2nd degree and Eluding by the Mt Pleasant PD. Iowa State Patrol filed additional charges.

Wayland City Council meeting

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

7:30 pm Wayland City Hall

1. Roll Call
2. Consent Agenda
Note: These are routine items and will be enacted by one motion without separate discussion unless a Council member requests an item be removed for separate consideration.
a. Minutes of April 1, 2020
b. Bills for Payment
3. Citizen Forum
The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public for items not listed on the agenda. You are asked to state your name and address for the record and to limit your remarks in order that others may be given the opportunity to speak. The Order of Business is at the discretion of the Chair. No action will be taken.
4. Unfinished Business
a. Ongoing Discussion – City Hall Protocol for Corona-19 Virus Pandemic
5. New Business
a. West Park Wetlands Project – Change Order #1-Myers Construction
b. Play Equipment Proposal for West Park Wetlands – Boland Recreation
c. Flooring Proposal – City Hall/Community Center
d. Approve FY19/20 Budget Amendment #1 for Publication and Set Public Hearing Date for May 6, 2020 at 7:30 PM
e. Res. 2020-09 “Resolution To Set Public Hearing On Sanitary Sewer Rehab – 2020 Project”
f. Summer 2020 Street Work Proposal
g. Res. 2020-10 “A Resolution Establishing A Public Purpose To Boost Morale Of Citizens Of Wayland During Covid-19 Pandemic 2020”
6. Building Permits – Approved
7. Adjournment
MAYOR: Greg Rich
COUNCIL: Melinda Ullery,
Aaron Barnhart, Chet Fort,
Kathie Grimm, Caylon DeVaul
CLERK: Beverly Conrad
TREAS: Terry Kaufman
ATTORNEY: Mike Vance
Regular Meeting Agenda
Wayland City Hall @ 7:30 P.M.
April 15, 2020
City Hall/Council Chambers
PO Box 155
218 W Main St
Wayland, IA 52654
Phone: 319-256-3276
Fax: 319-256-3279

Geode State Park restoration project timeline extended

Danville, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) extended the timeline to complete in-lake restoration work at Geode State Park due to poor working conditions throughout the winter. Current restoration activities will improve water quality at Lake Geode and enhance accessibility and recreational opportunities in the park.

An unseasonably warm winter prevented the DNR from completing all elements of the project in 2019 and early 2020. DNR’s current plan is to resume work late this summer to remove the remaining 40,000 cubic yards of excess sediment from the upper end of the lake. The lake will be allowed to re-fill starting February 2021.

If weather conditions this year do not allow for mechanical removal of sediment from the lake bottom, the DNR plans to hydraulically dredge the remaining 40,000 cubic yards in early 2021. Efforts to stabilize additional sections of shoreline will be completed via barge after the lake refills. Final in-lake work compliments a decade’s effort to protect future water quality at Lake Geode through implementation of Best Management Practices in the watershed.

Lake restoration construction work at Lake Geode began in January 2018. About 160,000 cubic yards of excess sediment has been removed from the lake, eroded shorelines have been stabilized, fishing jetties have been built, and fish habitat structures added. Local angling groups are helping with the restoration efforts by constructing and placing additional fish habitat features in the lake bottom.

Since construction started, the DNR has replaced the existing lake drain valve, completed maintenance work on the concrete spillway and finished a significant portion of the in-lake work. Construction will continue this spring on the terrestrial portions of the project, including final grading and armoring the shoreline.

From March 2018 through summer of 2019, the DNR also completed campground renovations. Improvements included a new shower building, pit toilet, dump station, and 14 campsites with full utility hook-ups, and 52 campsites with electrical hook-ups.

The DNR recently announced new changes to Iowa state parks due to COVID-19, including the closing of campgrounds and facilities for recreational use through April 30, 2020. Geode State Park is open for day use only, which includes roads and trails and open spaces such as grassy areas.

Lake Geode is one of the lakes in the state selected for lake restoration work designed to improve water quality, habitat, and provide a positive economic return to the community. Poor water quality has impacted the fish population and affected all water based recreation at the lake.

On April 14^th, 2020, at approximately 7:15 a.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a motor vehicle collision in the 300-grid of Highway 78 in Wayland.  An investigation determined that John Edwards, operater of a 2007 International Semi struck a 2006 Dodge Caravan, operated by Dustin Roberts, while exiting a private driveway onto highway 78. The collision resulted in minor damages to both vehicles, no injuries were reported. A citation was issued to John Edwards for failure to yield while entering onto highways.

courtesy of Radio Iowa-

Governor Kim Reynolds says the full extent of the COVID-19 outbreak among employees at the Tyson meat packing plant in Columbus Junction isn’t yet known, but she’s releasing the latest tally.

“We have tested a total of 186 positive at the plant,” she said over the noon hour today.

Test results processed between Sunday and Monday alone indicated 86 workers have the virus. Reynolds said another 100 positive test results are from last week in Louisa and surrounding counties.

“We’ll be able to tell the numbers that tested positive that’s tied to the plant and they’re working on doing that through the contact tracing,” Reynolds said, “so we’ll have those numbers going forward.”

The plant processes pork and was closed April 6th after the first batches of test results shows more than two dozen employees had COVID-19.

“Public Health has been working with management at the plant to test their staff,” Reynolds said.

The governor yesterday indicated state officials have secured extra testing supplies for the plant, which employs about 14oo people.