| Weekly Fuel Report
Crude Oil Summary · The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $3.66 per barrel and is currently priced at $75.43. · Brent crude oil rose $3.03 and is currently priced at $80.37. · One year ago, WTI crude sold for $80.13 and Brent crude was at $85.25. Motor Fuels · As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.75 across Iowa according to AAA. o Prices rose 2 cents from last week’s price and are down 51 cents from a year ago. o The national average on Wednesday was $3.10, up 1 cent from last week’s price. · Retail diesel prices in Iowa held steady this week with a statewide average of $3.59. o One year ago, diesel prices averaged $4.24 in Iowa. o The current Iowa diesel price is 33 cents lower than the national average of $3.92. · Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16. · The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $1.93 for U87-E10, $2.28 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.33 for ULSD#2, $2.64 for ULSD#1, and $1.81 per gallon for E-70 prices. Heating Fuels · Propane prices averaged $1.57 per gallon statewide. · Home heating oil prices averaged $3.01 per gallon statewide. · Natural gas prices fell 18 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.65/MMbtu. Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov. |
Dense Fog Advisory Until 9:00 AM
Currently the KILJ listening area is in a dense fog advisory until 9 am this morning. Expect visibility of one quarter mile or less in dense fog. It might be difficult to drive due to the low visibility. Slow down and leave plenty of space in front of you to allow yourself more time to brake. Make sure your headlights are switched on. Again, this dense fog advisory expires at 9:00am.
Burlington Man Conspires to Distribute 65 Kilograms of Meth, Henry County Sheriff’s Office Assists in Investigation
A Burlington man was sentenced on January 23, 2024, to 25 years in federal prison for Conspiracy to Distribute 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Larry Keith Knotts, III, 36, conspired to distribute over 65 kilograms of Methamphetamine. As a part of the conspiracy, Knotts possessed a dangerous weapon and attempted to influence a witness.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Knotts will be required to serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Taskforce, Burlington Police Department, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, West Burlington Police Department, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN, an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime, is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Mary Hodges
Mary Cecile Hodges, 92, Wapello, died Friday, January 19, 2024, at Wapello Specialty Care, where she had been a resident since July of 2022. She had been in hospice care for approximately two months. 
She was born in rural Van Buren County March 27, 1931, to Arthur Marion Poling and Etta (Morris) Poling. In 1936, she and her parents moved to a farm west of Keosauqua, where she lived the remainder of her childhood and youth.
She attended a one room schoolhouse through eighth grade, and then graduated as valedictorian in the Keosauqua High School Class of 1948.
She was a Rainbow Girl and was a high school basketball cheerleader.
Following high school graduation, she worked as a bank teller in Keosauqua. While working in the bank, she met her future husband, James (Jim) Hodges, who was the editor of the local weekly newspaper.
They were married in April of 1951 in Keosauqua, and after a short time in Odebolt, Iowa, moved to Wapello, where Jim was editor (and soon the owner) of the Wapello Republican.
The paper was soon incorporated as Louisa Publishing Company, which eventually owned and published seven weekly newspapers in Southeast Iowa, and had the area’s first web press.
Mary was Secretary/Treasurer of Louisa Publishing Company, retiring in 2002. She was active in the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wapello, T.T.T., Wapello Chamber of Commerce, and in Republican politics.
She was an excellent cook, specializing in casseroles that could be prepared in advance so supper would be ready soon after arriving home from work, and in many other dishes as well.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jim in 1994, and by her parents.
Mary is survived by her sons Mike (Joan) Hodges of Wapello, and James David Hodges of Grandview; grandchildren Bob (Elissa) of Ankeny, Ben (Courtnee), Murray, KY, and Stephanie (Noah David II) Conner of Riner, VA; and great-grandchildren Madeline, Abigail, Tyson and Emerson Hodges, and Coralee and Noah David Connor III.
Visitation will be held 2-4 p.m., Sunday, January 28, 2024, at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral and Cremation Services in Wapello.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date.
A memorial in the name of Mary Hodges has been established. Memorial funds will be directed to Wapello Fire and Rescue and St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wapello. Memorial monies may be mailed to P.O. Box 306, Wapello, IA 52653.
The family would like to extend sincere thanks to the staff of Wapello Specialty Care and Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice for Mary’s care.
Michael Wesely
Michael G. “Mike” Wesely, 72, of Lockridge passed away on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant. Memorials may be directed to the Lockridge Fire and Rescue Association in his memory. According to his wishes cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com
Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for his arrangements.
City Council Meeting Agenda January 24th
The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in Regular Session on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at City Hall, 307 E. Monroe Street, second-floor meeting room at 5:30 p.m.
AGENDA
- Roll Call.
- Consent Agenda: To the Public — All items with an asterisk (*) are routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion and a roll call of the Councilmembers. There will be no separate discussion of items unless the Mayor, a Councilmember or citizen so request, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.
- Receive & file communications.
- Approve agenda.
*5. Approve minutes of previous meetings.
*6. Approve payment of bills.
*7. Receive report of Officers.
- Old Business-
- 3rd reading/adopt Ordinance amending Chapter 21 “Solid Waste” and Chapter 25 “Solid Waste Charges” of the City of Mount Pleasant Code of Ordinance.
- Resolution approving Amended Curbside Residential Solid Waste Collection
Agreement between the City of Mount Pleasant and Wemiga Waste, Inc. and Lance Refuse Inc.
- Request from Midwest Old Threshers Board of Directors to close off McMillan Park and Old Threshers grounds to all vehicle traffic Friday, August 23 rd.
- Request from Midwest Old Threshers Board of Directors for the use of McMillan Park from August 7 through September 13, 2024.
- Request from Midwest Old Threshers to sell alcohol in McMillan Park during Midwest Old Threshers Reunion August 29- September 2, 2024.
- Outdoor Amplified Sound Permit for Midwest Old Threshers at McMillan Park and Old Threshers grounds from August 8-September 2, 2024.
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- Request from Midwest Central Railroad and Midwest Old Threshers to close Locust Street gate on each night of Midwest Haunted Rails and Threshers House of Terror October 2024.
- h) Outdoor Amplified Sound Permit for Midwest Central Railroad and Midwest Old
Threshers on each night of Midwest Haunted Rails and Threshers House of Terror in October, 2024.
- New Business-
- Authorize the Mayor to sign an Engineering Services Agreement with Warner Engineering for Eugene Way — Drainage & Paving- 2024 RISE-funded paving west from S. Roosevelt Street.
- Resolution authorizing the filing of an application for the State of Iowa Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE) funds for a new roadway providing access to future industrial development.
- Resolution authorizing Warner Engineering Services to file an application for TAP
(Transportation Alternatives Program) Funding for the Construction of PCC TRAIL on N. Grand Avenue.
- Resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to submit a grant application to the
Iowa Department of Economic Development’s Nuisance/Abandoned Property
Remediation Fund to demolish the former Iowa Wesleyan University Gymnasium.
- Authorize Mayor to sign Mount Pleasant Area Development Commission (ADC)
- 1 st reading of Ordinance amending Chapter 69 (parking regulations) of the City Code of Ordinances.
- Approve Mayor appointments to the Historic Preservation Committee.
- Resolution approving 2023 tax abatement applications and authorizing the filing with the Henry County Assessor.
- Accept Resignation from Fire Chief with the Mount Pleasant Fire Department.
- Public Forum.
I l . Adjourn to meet in regular session on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.
Ottumwa Man Missing Since Saturday
On January 20, 2024, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Craig Dee Smith, age 40, of Ottumwa was reported as a missing person to the Ottumwa Police Department by his roommate. The roommate advised that he had not had any contact with Smith for two weeks. Below is a picture of Smith. 
Smith is 6 foot tall and weighs around 240 pounds. Smith was wearing jeans, a hooded sweatshirt and a black coat when he left his residence. It was also reported that Smith could have been heading to see a friend in Keokuk County, IA.
If anyone has information on Smith’s whereabouts, they are requested to contact the Ottumwa Police Department at 641-683-0661.
Mount Pleasant Personnel and Finance Committee Meeting Agenda January 25th
The Mount Pleasant Personnel & Finance Committee will meet Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 10:00 AM at City Hall in the City Administrators’ Conference Room.
AGENDA
-
- Call to order
- Discuss Timeline & First Draft of FYE24.
- Discuss Price Changes for Cemetery Sales/Grave Openings
- Discuss Hiring Part-Time Public Works Employee
- Discuss Guidelines On Mount Pleasant Fire & Rescue
- Discuss the Letter from Midwest Old Threshers for CAT Grant
- Open Forum
- Adjourn