The Jefferson County Attorney’s office was asked to conduct a review of the facts and to determine whether any criminal charges are appropriate relating to the December 3, 2022 non-fatal officer involved shooting that occurred in Mount Pleasant. This request was made to avoid any appearance of conflict because of the close working relationship between the officers involved and the Henry County Attorney’s office. This does not indicate any actual conflict exists, and Jefferson County Attorney Chauncey Moulding said in a written statement that he is confident any reviewing agency would have come to the same conclusions that Henry County Deputy Carlos Lopez used appropriate force under the circumstances to eliminate a threat when he shot Samantha Shumaker in the arm, then acted swiftly to provide necessary aid to Shumaker. Moulding also said his review is limited to a determination of the facts surrounding the deputy’s discharge of his service weapon, and makes no determination regarding whether and which criminal charges might be appropriate for the other parties involved identified as Samantha Shumaker and Steven Lovell.
Street Committee Meeting
The Mount Pleasant City Council Street Committee met Wednesday. The committee discussed two upcoming street projects. The city engineer, Jim Warner, said preliminary planning is well underway and he anticipates bid letting in January for reconstruction on Aldrin and Henry Streets. Since these will involve major work, residents along both streets have already been notified. City Administrator Brent Schleisman said the city is planning for the projects to be the most cost effective with least amount of inconvenience for the residents. How the work will proceed and how access will be handled was discussed but not in depth at this point.
Warner said crews are making good progress on Bluegrass Road on the east edge of Mount Pleasant.
And the committee continued to discuss doing an asphalt overlay on several streets. A decision on which streets will be done still needs to be made and will depend on the condition of the base under the current street surfaces.
Single Vehicle Crash Report
On December 13th, 2022, at approximately 8:02 a.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a single vehicle collision in the 2500-grid of 130th Street, outside of Winfield. An investigation into the single vehicle collision determined Lilian Freeman, 16 of Winfield, was driving a 2011 Toyota Camry west bound on 130th Street. While driving the vehicle lost control and struck the bridge guardrail. The vehicle then entered the north ditch and came to a stop after striking a tree. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Winfield Fire Department and the Henry County Health Center Ambulance.
***A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.****
Anne Sourwine (final arrangements)
Anne Sourwine, 82, of Mt. Pleasant, died Monday, December 12, 2022 at the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant.
The funeral service for Ann will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, December 20, at the Oakland Mills Community Church, rural Mt. Pleasant. Pastor Rick Moorman will officiate. Burial will be in the Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington. Friends may call from 12 Noon to 8 PM on Monday, Dec. 19 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 4-7 PM.
Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Oakland Mills Community Church. On-Line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com
Anna Mae (Collett) Sourwine was born February 27, 1940 in Ottumwa, IA. She was the daughter of Floyd Thomas and Aletha Mae (Allen) Collett. She graduated from Fairfield High School in 1957 and the Southeastern Community College with an Associates of Nursing degree in 1977. On March 8, 1958 at the First Methodist Church in Fairfield, Ann was united in marriage to Blinn Edward Sourwine. Mr. Sourwine preceded in death on Monday, March 11, 2022 at their residence.
Ann worked as a waitress and then in the dental office of Dr. Frank Cole. Ann then began her nursing career. She was an LPN, first in the OB Ward and later in the Long Term Care Ward, both at Henry County Health Center. She retired from the hospital in 1993. All during her career outside the home, Ann was a homemaker and farmer with her husband,
Ann was a very active member of Oakland Mills Community Church, volunteering for many of the activities of the church. Ann was a devoted volunteer in other capacities. She was a member of the Henry County Health Center Auxiliary, volunteering at the HCHC Gift Shop. She was a volunteer driver for the Senior Center, taking people to medical appointments are other places. For a longtime, Ann enjoyed square dancing and Blue Grass Music. She enjoyed crocheting and sewing. Ann was noted for her collectables, mot especially of chickens.
Those thankful for sharing in Ann’s life include her children; Crystal (David) Baldwin of Venice, Fl, Bryan (Rhonda) Sourwine of Marion, Amy (Wayne) Hoyle of Brighton, IA, Ben Sourwine of Mt. Pleasant, and Carrie Sourwine of Mt. Pleasant; 2 brothers – Harold (Diane) Collett of Mt. Pleasant, and H. Duane (Konnie) Collett of St. Charles, MO; 11 grandchldren, 7 step grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, several step great grandchildren. She was expecteing the birth of her 2nd great grandchild anyday.
Her parents, husband, infant son – Aaron Thomas Sourwine, , sister Jean Whaley, brother-in-law Gary Whaley, sister-in-law Mary Collett and daughter-in-law Joanne Sourwine precede Ann in death.
Crash Investigation
On December 12th, 2022, at approximately 8:31 p.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received report of a single vehicle accident in the 1700-Grid of Oakland Mills Road.
The vehicle, a 2003 Ford F-150, was located in the ditch and appeared to be totaled. The female driver was identified as Nyla St.Clair, 35, of Mount Pleasant. Nyla denied any injuries and medical attention.
An investigation was conducted, along with Field Sobriety Testing, which resulted in the arrest and charge of Nyla. Nyla was charged with Driving While Under The Influence Of Alcohol – 2nd Offense, No SR-22 Insurance as required, Driving While Revoked and given a citation for Failure to Maintain Control.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Mount Pleasant Fire Department and Breuer Towing.
***A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.***
From December 13 Supervisors Meeting
The Henry County Board of Supervisors met Tuesday and approved funds for a bridge replacement project on Iowa Avenue. The county engineer Jake Hotchkiss said the bridge is located off Old 218 south of Mount Pleasant. The bridge will be replaced with a twin box culvert.The bid letting will take place in April. Much of the engineer’s update involved discussion of the proposed heated storage building to be built at the County Road Department site on east Washington Street. Bids came in at about 1.3 million much higher than the engineer’s estimate. Hotchkiss believed he can adjust the plans to bring the cost down to somewhere between $850 and $950 thousand.
In other business, the Supervisors approved Deb Savage as the replacement for Sue Weiss on the Henry County Board of Health. Weiss will finish out the year and Savage will begin January 1, 2023.
Henry County Board of Supervisors Meeting Agenda
Roger Herbert Loges,
Roger Herbert Loges, 82, of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 4:59 a.m. Tuesday, December 13, 2022, on his farm in rural Donnellson.
He was born on February 27, 1940, in Primrose, Iowa, the son of Herbert R. and Blanche J. (Rohdy) Loges. On November 3, 1990, he married Charlotte Jahnke in Crawford, Colorado.
Survivors include his wife: Charlotte; three children: Danette Onstott of Greenville, South Carolina, Todd (Sally) Onstott of Donnellson, Iowa and Craig (Anna) Onstott of Crawford, Colorado; grandchildren: Brandon (Chanae), Joshua (Bria), John Michael, Mason (Emilee), Shannon (Aaron), Taylor, Amber (Jason), Curtis and Kolsie; great grandchildren: Phoebe, Macy, Kynlee, Ashley and William; brother: Gale (Laurie) Loges and sister: Carol (Rodney) Sturdivant. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Roger served in the United States Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Donnellson. In his earlier years he worked for Donnellson Implement as a mechanic and truck driver. Roger was a life long farmer, he enjoyed caring for his cattle and his land. Most of all, he enjoyed being a grandpa and great grandpa.
Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon, Friday, December 16, 2022, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. that evening.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 17, 2022, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson with Pastor Orie Thomford officiating.
Burial will be in Primrose Cemetery, rural Primrose, Iowa with full military rites presented by the Donnellson American Legion Gillaspey – Moodie Post #474.
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.