The Mt. Pleasant Community School Board met in regular session on Monday, November 13th.
During the Superintendents report, the looming question of “what next” regarding Iowa Wesleyan property was brought up. As of Sunday, November 12th, the due diligence period has ended, and the attorneys are meeting to discuss a closing date for the 1.135-million-dollar purchase of “central campus.”
Reports from last night show that HOWE Hall, Student Union, and the Chapel, would cost the board just shy of 50 million dollars if they were to construct those buildings new. Of course, those buildings sit vacant, and the board is looking to purchase them for a fraction of the price.
For the practice field, the board is currently researching the best avenue for constructing a 6ft fence, and then building a 15-20ft netting on top. This is to prevent soccer balls from getting into neighboring lawns.
The board also discussed the possibility of building a traffic control light at the intersection of S Grand Avenue and E Harvest Drive, which is the entrance to the Highschool. This has been tabled for the time being as they perform more research and discussion.
The Des Moines County Engineer has announced the closure of Beaverdale Road between 150th St and Lynx Road. This closure will begin on Tuesday, November 14th, at 8:00am for culvert repair. This is a quick process, and the road will only be closed for two full days. On Thursday, November 16th by 3:30pm, the road will be reopened, weather permitting.
You see flashing lights up ahead. What do you do? According to the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Iowa State Patrol, the best thing to do is move over if possible, or slow down as you pass the scene.
The professionals who respond to crashes and other incidents on Iowa’s highways are using National Crash Responder Safety Week, Nov. 13-17, to remind everyone to watch for flashing lights ahead to “Protect Those Who Protect You.”
If you are involved in a traffic crash, you’ll likely be relying on various trained professionals to ensure you and everyone else at the scene are as safe as possible. To keep everyone safer on the road, states across the country have enacted Move Over Laws to encourage motorists to either move over or slow down, if moving over is not possible, when they come up on a crash scene. In Iowa, our Move Over Law states that you should move over or slow down whenever you come upon any vehicle with flashing lights. National data shows that nearly 30 percent of people are unaware of these laws.
When a crash happens, the priority is to make sure all victims are quickly treated and out of harm’s way because many vehicles do not slow down or move over. But there is also work to do to document and clean up the scene and restore the flow of traffic as quickly as possible to get you on your way. Those who come to your rescue are more successful when all the responders work together in a coordinated way. Crash Responder Safety Week is in place not only to remind you that you should move over or slow down but also to highlight the benefits of coordination training for first responders.
Col. Nathan Fulk, Chief of the Iowa State Patrol said, “It is essential that our troopers know how to coordinate with all parties at the scene so we can treat those who may need help and get traffic flowing again. Our troopers investigate the crash and work with the Iowa DOT, local firefighters, our towing partners, and others to clear the crash scene as quickly as possible to reduce the likelihood of additional crashes. These secondary crashes often occur due to drivers paying more attention to the initial crash scene than to the task of driving.”
The Keokuk High School will host the 36th annual Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner sponsored by the KHS students and staff at noon on Dec. 5 at the First Christian Church, 3476 Main Street.
The salt free holiday dinner is prepared and served by students from The National Honor Society, Student Council, Special Education classes and the Food Service staff. Band and choir students will provide the entertainment and “Konnection Kids” will help with decorating.
There will be a bus service provided by the school district’s Transportation Department to and from the church. Buses will leave from River Terrace at 11:20 a.m., from Mississippi Terrace at 11:25 a.m., and from Hotel Iowa and Heritage Center at 11:30 a.m.
In 2022, more than 400 senior citizens took part in the dinner. Keokuk citizens, 60 years of age or older, may call the Keokuk High School 319-524-2542, extension 3 to make reservations.
Moviegoers were put in a frenzy on Sunday afternoon as a fire started at Westland Theater in West Burlington. Reports suggest the popcorn machine caught fire and forced all to evacuate. Burlington Fire Department responded on Auto Aid and one ambulance was needed for burns.
Elizabeth L. “Betty” Harvey, 92, of West Point, Iowa, passed away at 12:40 a.m. Saturday, November 11, 2023 at the West Point Care Center.
She was born on April 1, 1931 near Hamilton, Illinois, the daughter of Marie (Mitze) and Alvin Buckert. On September 11, 1954 she married Francis M. “Frank” Harvey at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Keokuk, he preceded her in death on December 6, 1997.
Survivors include her five sons: Jim (Margie) Harvey of Neenah, Wisconsin, Don (Patty) Harvey of Montrose, Jerry Harvey of West Point, Tom Harvey of West Point, and Pat Harvey of West Point; one daughter Pam (Chad) Kesselring of Montrose; grandchildren: Jeff (Catherine) Harvey, Mindy (Justin) Gloede, Katie (Marcus) Schneider, Tyler (Shelly) Harvey, Eric (Lauren) Harvey, Travis Harvey, Ashley (Micheal) Pilcher, Leah (Kurt) Adams, Abby (Collin) Eaves, Rylie (Keiten Benner) Kesselring, Brittany (Andy) Topel, Karley Harvey, and Danica Douglas ; 18 great grandchildren including one baby girl on the way; one brother Larry (Cheryl) Buckert of Warsaw; Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two daughters-in law Karla and Kara Harvey; three brothers: Bob, Russell, and Fred Buckert; and two sisters: Joyce Hartweg and Linda Moore.
Betty worked at Heatilator in Mount Pleasant where she later retired. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church , St. Mary’s Altar and Rosary Society, The American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, and a former member of St. Ann Circle Daughters of Isabella.
She enjoyed the holidays, playing cards, decorating for the holidays, spoiling her grandchildren and great grandchildren, spending time with her family, watching Hallmark Christmas shows, annual Christmas cookie baking, and spending time with her friends.
A visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, where the family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m. A parish Rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service at 6:00 p.m.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 16, 2023 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.
Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials have been established in her memory for West Point Fire and Rescue or Western Illinois Old Threashers.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
Joanne Marie Beach, 78, of West Point, Iowa passed away at 9:14 p.m. Friday, November 10, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family.
She was born on August 4, 1945 in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Mary (Peggy) Lampe & Lloyd Brown. She grew up in West Point, Iowa and graduated high school in 1963. After high school Joanne enrolled in the nursing program at the University of Iowa and graduated with her nursing degree in 1965.
Survivors include her two children: Mary Lou (Jeff) Birdsell of Montrose, Iowa and James Bechtel of West Point, Iowa; four grandchildren: Danielle (Ian) Kreps of Fort Madison, Iowa, Caleb Birdsell of Montrose, Iowa, Jessy (Billy) Foutch of Bushnell of Illinois, and April Birdsell of Good Hope, Illinois; five great grandchildren: Rhett, Finnley, Jace, Scarlett, and Remi; sister Sue (Tom) Newton of Iowa City, Iowa, and niece Laura (Adam) Kahler and children Owen, Mason, and Addy. She is also survived by several cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, stepfather Dale Turner, and sister Nancy Ratkowski.
Joanne began her nursing career at Sacred Heart Hospital in Fort Madison, she then changed directions and started to work in private practice for several doctors in West Point and Fort Madison. Eventually Joanne decided she wanted to work closer to home and she began working at the West Point Care Center. She was an excellent nurse and often received requests from family members to care for their loved ones.
Joanne married Ronald Bechtel in 1966 in West Point, they had two children together, they later divorced. Joanne married the love of her life Dick Beach on September 30, 1977. They met through mutual friends. She told her family that she had met her soulmate. Dick owned Beach Quarry, where she worked with Dick after she retired from nursing. They enjoyed each others company whether it was joy riding, fishing, gardening, or watching TV, as long as they were doing it together. Dick preceded her in death July 2009.
She had many interests in life including golf cart riding which was her favorite, reading, playing euchre especially when she was on the winning team, gardening, canning, and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. Monday, November 13, 2023 at the Schmitz Funeral Home, West Point, Iowa.
The family will receive friends 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials have been established in her memory for St. Mary’s Catholic Church or Calvary Cemetery.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
Joan A. Jones, 77, of Mt. Pleasant, died Thursday, November 9, 2023 at her residence.
A private family service will be held.
A visitation will be held from 2-4 PM on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends at that time.
Joan was born July 13, 1946 In Iowa City, IA. She was the daughter of Lester Roy and June Emma (Fitch) Schmidt. She attended school in Coralville, IA. Joan was a longtime employee of the Alaniz Company in Mt. Pleasant. She operated her own daycare, caring not only for many children, but also for her own grandchildren. Joan later worked at Hy-Vee Food Store, from which she retired.
Joan loved to bake and was well known for her famous Chocolate-Chip cookies. Joan was dedicated to her grandchildren. She loved attending all the grandchildren’s sporting and music events.
Those thankful for sharing in Joan’s life include her 2 children – Tony (Kim) Wagenknecht of Mt. Pleasant and Jennifer Kimbrough of Pleasant Hill; 5 grandchildren – Justine, Ethan, Addison, Emma and Breleigh; 3 step grandchildren – Brooklyn, Darrick and Griffin and 1 great grandchild – Lennox.
Her parents and a brother, Steven Schmidt precede Joan in death.
Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com
