Henry County Jail
In the interest of keeping Henry County residents informed, the Henry County Sheriff’s office has requested KILJ post the daily jail count. During the jail referendum campaign it was publicized that the jail would be able to house additional inmates from surrounding counties and this would generate revenue for Henry County.
Date: 12-29-2022______
22_ Henry County Inmates
34 Out of County Contract Inmates
56 TOTAL
As second quarter began the Van Buren County Community School district board of directors set plans in motion for a new activity center. The School Board met in special session and voted to build the center estimated to cost approximately 6 million dollars. The activity center will be an addition to the existing school building. It will include a second gymnasium, a new wrestling room, 2 classrooms, an area for batting cages and turfed flooring for athletic practices, 2 restrooms and an office with a meeting room. The project will begin late this summer and is expected to be finished by August of 2023.
The highlight of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance Annual Banquet was the announcement of Robb Gardner as the 2022 Citizen of the Year. Other awards this year included The Fellowship Cup receiving the Humanitarian Award; Melinda Huisinga receiving the Ambassador of the Year; and Lori White as the Volunteer of the Year. This was the 80th Annual Banquet for the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce.
Interviews began in April for a new director of curriculum and instruction for the Mount Pleasant School District. Current director Katie Gavin announced the month before that she would be moving on. Supt. John Henriksen received 21 applications for the position.
Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities Manager Jack Hedgcock informed his Board of Trustees of his plans to retire before the end of the year.
MD Orthopaedics in Wayland announced the company had been acquired by OrthoPediatrics Corp, an Indiana-based public company founded to serve the unmet needs of children with orthopedic conditions. The Mitchell family said this is an exciting opportunity for them to join forces with another company equally focused on pediatric orthopedics.
A fight, two shots fired and one person injured in an incident that began around 8:30 pm April 12 near the Iowa Wesleyan University campus. On 4/12/22 at approximately 20:33 hours, the Mt Pleasant Police Department was dispatched to the W Broad St. and N Jackson St area for a call of a large fight. While enroute officers were notified of shots fired.
a Mt. Pleasant High School student not an Iowa Wesleyan student, was injured but it appears his condition is not life threatening.
As a result of the investigation the following people have been charged:
Decobi Davis age 19 formerly from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. –
Reckless Use of a Firearm resulting in serious injury, a Class C felony and Participating in a Riot, an Aggravated Misdemeanor.
Joseph McNeese age 19, formerly of Texas,- Participating in a Riot, an Aggravated Misdemeanor.
James Williams age 21, formerly of Chicago IL,- Participating in a Riot, an Aggravated Misdemeanor.
De’kunta Mason Jr age 19, formerly of New Orleans, LA, -Disorderly Conduct a simple Misdemeanor
J’cauri Morris age 19, formerly of Houston, TX. -Disorderly Conduct a simple Misdemeanor
Vernell Trent age 18 of Mt Pleasant. – Disorderly Conduct a simple Misdemeanor
There will also be four local juveniles charged with Disorderly Conduct a simple Misdemeanor.
During the second quarter of 2022 it was decided both Willard Miller and Jeremy Goodale will be tried in adult court for the murder of Fairfield High School teacher Nohema Graber. Judge Shawn Shower denied requests from both to be tried as juveniles. The teens are charged with first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. In his ruling in the reverse waiver hearings for each Judge Shower said“the Defendant has the potential for rehabilitation. However, the juvenile court simply has too little time to rehabilitate the Defendant for a crime of such magnitude and of the nature described in the minutes of testimony.” Goodale’s trial was set for August 23. Miller’s trial was scheduled for November 1. At the time the two trials were planned for the Jefferson County Courthouse. However, before the year was over trial dates and locations would change.
Week of 5-23
During a May meeting the New London School Board presented three Friend of Iowa Public Education awards. Receiving the awards were Janni Fitzpatrick, Senator Jeff Reichman and Representative Joe Mitchell. The New London School Board hopes to make the award presentation annually.
June 21 at 8 am a grain silo collapsed at the AgriWay Grain Elevator in Yarmounth killing one person. Rescue operations continued all day thru the night into the next day as first responders worked to find the body of the missing employee.
Colleen June Kirchner, 94, formerly of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at the Addington Place in Fort Madison, Iowa.
She was born on December 14, 1928, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of George and Esther (Swanson) Reu. On September 7, 1947, she married Willis Kirchner in Donnellson, Iowa,
She is survived by her four children: Larry (Maureen) Kirchner of Gretna, Louisiana, Peggy (Robert) Crawmer of Fort Madison, Iowa, Susan (David) Chaney of Donnellson, Iowa and Merry (John) Spohnheinmer of Carrollton, Texas; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-four great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; two brothers: David (Wanda) Reu of Donnellson, Iowa and Richard (Deanna) Reu of Donnellson, Iowa. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters: Darlene Mecalf and Pauline Blacksmith.
Colleen was a member of Saint Paul’s United Church of Christ and a seventy year member at the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a 1946 graduate of Donnellson High School. She worked as a private secretary for Sheaffer Pen Company through World War II and the Central Lee School District in the Argyle building for fifteen years as a secretary. Colleen lived life full of travel and adventure. She instilled this in her children.
Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation. Per her wishes, no services will be held.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorial donations to your local food pantry.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com. Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements.
Grace Elizabeth Parker, 58, of New London, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, died Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at her home. She was born August 2, 1964 in Iowa City to John Carl and Sharon Kay Wittstock Parker. She was a graduate of Mediapolis High School and earned her CNA at Southeastern Community College. She married George Manchur and they later divorced.
She worked in home health care and on the line at Lomont Molding in Mount Pleasant. Grace was a volunteer at Old Threshers; enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels; loved animals, especially her cats; and loved watching soap operas!
Survivors include her father of New London; sister Kelly Parker of Wyaconda, Missouri; nieces Jackie (John) Brown of Wayland and Leanna (James) Ravelin of New London; and nephews Dustin (Savanna) Ravelin of West Burlington and Phillip Hillman of Wyaconda. She was preceded in death by her mother; sister Lisa May Parker; and nieces Rebecca Parker and Rebecca Hillman.
According to her wishes, her body has been cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Louise Collora Trueblood, 104, died Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at her home in rural Wellman.
Louise was a Valentine’s Day baby, born February 14, 1918, in Mount Pleasant, the daughter of Clarence and Ethel (Taft) Smith. She graduated from Mount Pleasant High School and attended the Burlington Beauty Academy. Mount Pleasant was Louise’s home for nearly all of her life. In 1945, Louise married Samuel Collora, to this union they were blessed with three children. Samuel died in 1956. Louise married Richard Trueblood in 1975, he died four years later. Louise was an extremely hardworking woman, raising three kids on her own and holding various jobs. She owned and operated Pine Crest Grocery, Gas Station, and Cabins. She was a beautician for the Mental Health Institution, as well as had a salon in her home. She later worked for Emerson Electric, Vega Industries, and Beavers Market. Louise was a member of the JS Sewing Club, Questers, Coatery Book Club, China Painting Club and the Congregational Church of Mount Pleasant. Louise’s family was very important to her and she loved them dearly.
Louise is survived by her children; Karen (Nile) Kennedy of St. George, UT, Evelyn (Allan) Barnes of Mount Pleasant, Sam (Judi) Collora of Mount Pleasant; stepchildren Ronnie (Mila) Trueblood of Mount Pleasant, Donald (Angie) Trueblood of Ladson, SC, Mike (Susan) Trueblood of Oceanside, CA, Deanna (Joe) Smelkal of Omaha, NE; 12 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, a great great grandchild, 8 step grandchildren, many step great grandchildren; brother Wendell T. Smith of Mount Pleasant, and sister Beverly (Allen) Griggs of Washington.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Samuel and Richard; five brothers Edward Smith, Carroll Smith, Walter (Pauline) Smith, Paul (Verna) Smith and Wendell (Margaret) Smith; two sisters Emma Jane (Devon) Hedges and Kathryn (Robert) Hannum and a great grandchild.
Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 31, 2022, at the Revival Sanctuary (former Congregational Church) in Mount Pleasant. Burial will follow in the Forest Home Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Mount Pleasant Fire Department. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Louise and her family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com
