The 2020 Census shows a population shift for the Mount Pleasant. And that means the Mount Pleasant Community School District school board director district boundaries will have to be changed. A company called Mapping Strategies did an initial analysis of the Census results. According to Mapping Strategies the difference between the most populous and the least populous director districts must be less than 10%. Mount Pleasant is 14.95%. There was a 671 population increase in the School District and 606 people of that number live in the city of Mount Pleasant. Something else to note….this is spatially concentrated growth. It is not district wide and it is not over all the Director Districts. Currently the District is divided into five director districts and two at large district for a total of seven school board members. The board previously made the decision to stay a seven member board. But there are options for the make-up of those 7 seats. For example the district could be re-mapped for four director districts and three at-large as long as there are less at large seats. Or all the seats could be at-large. Mapping Strategies will assist the district with re-drawing the boundaries and any director changes.
State Historical Society of Iowa calls for board and awards nominations
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Keokuk County Emergency Management Coordinator Arrested
On December 13, 2022, the Keokuk County Emergency Management Coordinator Larry Gene Smith (66) was arrested for Theft in the 2nd Degree a Class D Felony based on an investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
The Office of the State Auditor conducted an audit of the Keokuk County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) on February 10, 2021. During the audit it was determined Larry Smith, Emergency Management Coordinator, was authorized by the Keokuk County Emergency Management Commission (EMC) to purchase a 2018 Chevy Silverado for the EMA. On September 5, 2018, Larry Smith traded in the agency’s 2006 Ford F-350, diesel truck for $800 to a Fleet Dealership. On September 5, 2018, Larry Smith purchased the 2006 Ford F-350 from the Fleet Dealership for his personal use and ownership for $800. The vehicle was estimated to be valued at $6,600 to $14,400 based on NADA and Kelly Blue Book estimates. The State Auditor’s Office stated because the trade-in amount received for the vehicle was less than its value, the EMA incurred additional costs. As part of their investigation the State Auditor’s Office released its audit findings to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, the Keokuk County Attorney’s Office, the Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office and the Division of Criminal Investigation. Due to the potential conflict of interest, Keokuk County Attorney Amber Thompson referred the case to the Washington County Attorney’s Office and to the Division of Criminal Investigation for additional investigation.
On December 14, 2022, Larry Smith submitted a letter of resignation from his position as the Keokuk County Emergency Management Coordinator.
Although criminal charges have been filed, this continues to be an ongoing criminal investigation conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Washington County Attorney’s Office.
No further information will be released at this time.
Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
From the Mount Pleasant City Council Meeting
During the Mount Pleasant City Council meeting held Wednesday…the Council authorized Mayor Steve Brimall to sign a contract with Municipal Pipe and Tool to line about 300 feet of sanitary sewer under West Henry Street at a cost of $19,275.
City Administrator Brent Schleisman was re-appointed to represent the City on the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission.
And Mayor Brimhall was authorized to sign a purchase agreement with the owner of property at 102 North Harrison Street.
3 Firefighters Thanked for Public Service to the Citizens of Mount Pleasant
The Mount Pleasant City Council passed resolutions recognizing the public service of three Mount Pleasant Fire Fighters. During the regular Council meeting held Wednesday night Mayor Steve Brimhall read the resolutions and thanked Nicholas Ettinger for ten years of service and Kevin Elmore for 5 years of service. Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Beavers, who is retiring from the Department, was recognized for 45 years of dedicated public service.
Loraine Colman McKay
Loraine Colman McKay (Atkinson) (83) passed away on December 13, 2022. Loraine was
born on July 22, 1939, in Parkersburg, WV, to Theodore and Mary (Callihan) Atkinson. After Loraine graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1958, she served our country in the Women’s Auxiliary Corps. There she met Ronald J. Colman, and they were married on October 31, 1959. During their 30 years of marriage, they raised two daughters, Heidi Ann and Merry-Noel. After Ronald’s death, Loraine found love again and married Austin F. McKay on September 1, 1992. Austin brought to the family two daughters, Annie and Louisa.
Loraine’s first and last employment involved her love of books. When her children were old enough, she quit being a homemaker and became a supervisor for the U.S. Army Main Library in Heidelberg, Germany. Then, she served several years for the Civilian Payroll Division as the Payroll Supervisor for the Department of Defense and was rewarded for her service in 1991. Upon retirement, Loraine returned to her passion for reading and with a dream to share her love of books, she helped establish the St. Charles Public Library, St. Charles, Iowa in 2001. Loraine received the Governor’s Volunteer Award for reading The Des Moines Register to the blind and print handicapped for Iowa Radio Reading Information Service in 2007. She volunteered in the Project Connect Mentoring Program in 2010 and was recognized by the Internal Revenue Service for public service for helping prepare tax forms and provide tax counseling
for the elderly in 2013. Loraine also received the Quilt of Valor in 2019. She was the Head Librarian for her retirement community in Des Moines, Iowa, before moving to Fairfield, Iowa.
Loraine is predeceased by her father, Theodore M. Atkinson, and her mother, Mary L. Rhodes (Callihan); brothers, David Atkinson and Homer Rhodes; nephew Troy Rhodes and both her husbands: Ronald J. Colman and Austin F. McKay.
Loraine is survived by her daughters, Heidi (Mark) Unkrich, Merry-Noel (Martin) Chamberlain, Annie (James) Pelzman, Louisa (Frank) Buford DeJarnette; sisters, Sandy Kenny, Crystal (David) DeLong and Linda Welch; grandchildren, Royene (Phillip) Bozek, Eric (Amanda) Pelzman, Audrey (Ryan) Smith, Emily (Nick) Fraser, and Ashleah; great grandchildren, Kassidy, Phillip, Mallory, Jozlyn, Collette, Quinnlyn, Noelle, Jonas, Mirah, Alton; and great-great granddaughter, Aurora; plus, nieces, nephew, and several cousins.
A graveside service will be held at Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Van Meter, Iowa at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 19, 2022. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the St. Charles Public Library, 113 S. Lumber St., St. Charles, IA 50240.
“Anything that increases the intelligence level of a community is a benefit,” said Loraine McKay. “You sponsor interesting programs for children, for seniors, for everybody. If you don’t do well for the children in your community, you might as well close your town.”
Irvin E. Meier, Jr.
Irvin E. Meier, Jr., 71, of Wapello, passed away on Monday, December 12, 2022 at his home in Wapello. Friends may call after noon on Monday, December 19, 2022 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello, the family will be present from 4:30 until 7:00 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home. Celebration of Life for Irv will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at the Wapello High School Gymnasium. For those attending please wear your blue FFA jacket or rodeo shirt in honor of Irv. Private family burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at a later date. Memorials will be used toward the Wapello FFA Program and the Wapello Pro Rodeo in memory of Irv. Condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.
Irvin Eugene Meier, Jr. was born on November 22, 1951 in Algona, Iowa, the son of Irvin, Sr. and Adabelle (Grandgeorge) Meier. Irv was a 1970 graduate of Belmond High School where he was the valedictorian of his graduating class. While in high school he was actively involved in FFA and was a member of the wrestling team. Following high school, he went on to attend college at Iowa State University, where he received his B.S. in Agricultural Education. Irv then began his career of teaching at Dysart-Geneseo High School for 15 years from 1974 until 1989. While there, he also served as the Advisor of the Dysart-Geneseo FFA Chapter (which later became the LaPorte-Dysart FFA Chapter) from 1974-1992. In 1989, Irv briefly left his teaching career and became an agronomist at Tama-Benton Cooperative in Dysart. Returning to teaching in 1992, Irv accepted a position as the Agricultural Education Teacher and FFA Advisor at Wapello High School. Irv retired from teaching in 2013; although no one could say Irv ever really “officially” retired as he continued helping students obtain opportunities and achieve their full potential.
Irv had received the regional winner of the Sound Off Agriculture award, which is given to the top four young Ag teachers in the U.S. He had also received the honorary Iowa FFA degree and honorary American FFA degree and was inducted into the Iowa 4-H hall of fame. Irv worked countless hours on the Wapello Pro Rodeo, working with several judging teams and coached several state and national champions. In addition to his extensive history of accomplishments, Irv enjoyed time spent with his brothers, sisters and their families. He loved spending the holidays with them and playing cards.
Irv will be deeply missed by his siblings, Philippe (Annette) Meier of Boone, Marjorie Aldrich of Boone, Richard (Colleen) Meier of Clarion and Ada Martin of Clarion and nine nieces and one nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents; nephew, Kelly Aldrich; brother-in-law, Dennis Aldrich and niece, Amanda Stracke.
Marjorie Wilson (final arrangements)
Marjorie Wilson, age 90, of Salem died Wednesday, December 14, 2022, at Park Place Elder Living.
Marj was born November 15, 1932, in Toledo, Iowa, the daughter of Floyd and Hazel (Gray) Pugh. She graduated from Toledo High School in 1950. On May 7, 1953, she married Carl Wilson, the couple had four children and later divorced. She then married Charles Newman, they later divorced. Marj worked as a telephone operator in Toledo and Mount Pleasant. She owned and operated restaurant bar establishments and managed the Mount Pleasant Country Club. Marj was a member of the Mount Hamill Sunshine Girls and enjoyed socializing around a cup of coffee. In her younger years you could find Marj playing basketball, softball, bowling or roller skating. She had a lifelong love of sports.
Marj is survived by her four children Debbie Wilson (Marvin) of Salem, IA, Greg (Teri) Wilson of Marshalltown, IA, Carla Wilson of Salem, IA, Ruth (Charlie) Allen of Fort Madison, IA; 7 grandchildren Michele (Pierre) Bensch of Hillsboro, IA, Melanie Anderson of Mount Pleasant, IA, Nathan Swift of Burlington, IA, Jamie (Stewart) Gardner of Emporia, KS, Jeff (Maggie) Wilson of Knoxville, IA, JJ Frary of Fort Madison, IA, Cali (Gracie) Wilson of Nashville, TN; 12 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; sister Marilyn Bain of Peoria, IL, brother Dick Pugh of Alden, IA, sister-in-law Connie Pugh of Toledo, IA, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Leonard Pugh, sister-in-law Bev Pugh, brother-in-law Ernie Bain, and a nephew Vince.
Funeral service will be held 2:00 pm Saturday, December 17, 2022, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. Rev Jeff McPheron will officiate. Burial will be in the Salem South Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held 10:00 am until service time, the family will greet friends from 1:00 – 2:00. A celebration will be held at The Underground following the service. A memorial fund has been established for the Salem Fire Department and Salem Playground. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Marj and her family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com