Author: Yorke Prough

A Mt. Pleasant native has announced his candidacy for the 3rd Congressional District. Lanon Baccam is a veteran, public servant, and native of rural Iowa.

In a statement from Baccam, he mentions why he decided to run.

“As a veteran, public servant and father, I’ll go to Washington to get things done for Iowa – to build a stronger economy and deliver real results to the third district,” said Lanon Baccam. “I know that our politics is more divided than ever – and we need leaders to focus on finding solutions, not sowing division. In Congress, I’ll fight to lower costs for families, expand access to good paying jobs right here in Iowa, and ensure seniors can retire with dignity. As a veteran who fought to protect our freedoms abroad, I will stand up here at home to protect women’s reproductive freedoms. Every day, I will put Iowa first.”

Lanon Baccam is challenging current Congressman, Zach Nunn, who was elected to his position this year. Baccam has powerful voices behind his candidacy, with former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack and First Lady Christie Vilsack endorsing him.

“Lanon is the type of public servant this state needs in Congress, and we are honored to support him in this race.”

Lanon was born and raised in Mt. Pleasant, and age 17, enlisted in the Iowa National Guard. In the wake of 9/11, Lanon left community college and answered the call to serve his country. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2004 as a combat engineer, focusing on explosive demolitions and force protection in and around Kandahar.

This is Baccam’s first time running for elected office, although he has been involved with campaigns before. In 2020, he was appointed as the deputy state director for President Joe Biden’s campaign in Iowa.

Baccam was previously appointed as the deputy state director for President Joe Biden’s campaign in Iowa in 2020. This is his first time running for public office, at the age of 42.

The 2024 Election will be held on Tuesday, November 5^th, 2024.

The Mt. Pleasant Community School Board met for a special session on Wednesday evening. There was one topic of discussion brought to the table. The due diligence reports from Carl A. Nelson Construction Company and Terracon for the Iowa Wesleyan buildings were the reason behind this special meeting.

The report from Carl A. Nelson Construction Company revealed a mixture of pros and cons. They were taking a look at the construction and making sure that the buildings were structurally sound. The Student Union is built well, but the windows are not energy efficient, and the roof is “probably at the end of it’s life.” A new HVAC system would need to be installed as well. The plumbing in the building was revealed to be fine for now, and there are no apparent leaks within the building.

The HOWE Hall does not have much wrong with it, other than that a new fire alarm system will need to be installed to fit the code. The roof has a few patches that are not done well, but those should be rather quick fixes. Overall, the building is in good condition. It is the newest building on central campus, and that shows when the plumbing and electrical systems are investigated and found to be in good condition.

The Chapel is a “well built, strong building. It has lasted a long time, and it’s going to last a lot longer.” The HVAC system was installed in 2009 and is in very good condition, as well as the electrical system and plumbing. The basement floor of the Chapel has a fair bit of moisture in the office area which is causing the concrete floor to deteriorate.

The report from Terracon found that there is no need to assess any further at this moment. However, asbestos was discovered in the Student Union and minimal amounts were found in other buildings.

This all comes with a cost, and looking at the mid-range for asbestos abatement for those buildings would likely cost around $550,000. A board member did a rough estimate based on the range presented in both reports to fix all that is required and came up with a figure out $5.5 million dollars or so. This dollar amount also contains the purchase price of the buildings.

The board currently has $3.4 million from the penny sales tax fund, and $2.0 million (or so) in a different fund. These can both be spent on the buildings. They were also told that there are grants that can essentially cover the entire cost of the asbestos abatement, and that these buildings would most likely qualify given their history.

The school board does not have a date set for closing at this moment.

The Terracon report and the Carl A. Nelson Construction Company report are available on the district’s website for the public to look through.

https://www.mtpcsd.org/ Under “News and Announcements”

On Tuesday evening, November 7th, 2023, at approximately 7:45 PM, Fort Madison Officers were summoned to Hardee’s at 1431 Avenue H for an armed robbery. The subject was last seen fleeing west out of the building.

It was learned a lone male subject entered the premises displaying a large knife demanding money. His features were disguised by a hooded sweatshirt and face mask. When refused, he punched the manager in the face, cutting the back of his left hand, and fled when a patron stepped in to confront him.

Fort Madison Fire & Rescue provided first aid to the store manager. She was subsequently transported to the hospital by Lee County EMS. Detectives conducted interviews and collected evidence while officers and a K-9 team searched the area. It was noted that there existed distinct similarities to an October 7th robbery at Dollar General, giving cause to believe that the same person is responsible for both crimes.

Currently, the suspect remains at large. The Police Department is seeking a white male, short with a stocky build, and brown hair, with a bleeding injury to the back of his left hand. His clothing included a black hooded sweatshirt, black facemask, white shoes, and black sweatpants. He also wore an untucked red undershirt that was visible below the waistline. Surveillance photos from the store cameras are pending.

Tips can be submitted anonymously to Lee County Crime Stoppers by calling: 319-376-1090, their website at: www.leecountytips.com , or via the P3 Mobile App, and may be eligible for a cash reward. Otherwise, information can be submitted directly to the Fort Madison Police Department via LeeComm (319)372-1310.

Crude Oil Summary

The price of global crude oil fell this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $6.72 per barrel over last week, currently priced at $75.95.

Brent crude oil fell $6.41 and is currently priced at $80.24.

One year ago, WTI crude sold for $88.91 and Brent crude was at $96.85.

Motor Fuels

As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.11 across Iowa according to AAA. This is an 8 cent drop from last week, and 43 cents lower from 12 months ago.  The national average on Wednesday was $3.41, down 5 cents from last week’s price.

Meanwhile, retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 14 cents this week with a statewide average of $4.37, which is now 2 cents lower than the national average. A gallon of diesel would have cost you $5.13 a year ago in Iowa.

Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16. The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.15 for U87-E10, $2.41 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.84 for ULSD#2, $3.29 for ULSD#1, and $2.14 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

Propane prices held steady with a statewide average of $1.54 per gallon. Home heating oil prices fell 33 cents, with a statewide average of $3.58 per gallon. Natural gas prices fell 46 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $3.09/MMbtu

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov

The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in Regular Session Wednesday,

November 8, 2023, at City Hall, 307 E. Monroe Street, second-floor meeting room at 5:30 p.m.

AGENDA

1. Roll Call.
2. 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.
3. Receive & file communications — Update local Hazard Mitigation Plan, Gail R Thomas SEIRPC

– Zone Change Application SWI/4 , sec 8, Twp 7/N Range 6W 4. Approve agenda.

*5. Approve minutes of previous meetings.

*6. Approve payment of bills.

*7. Receive report of Officers including Resolution 2023-83 approving October transfers.

8. Old Business-
   1. 3rd reading/adopt ordinance to amend accessory building and shipping container ordinance.
   2. Renewal of a Class B Retail Alcohol License for Aldi, Inc. at 1309 E. Washington Street.
   3. Renewal of a Class C Retail Alcohol License for Little Mexico Restaurant at 107 S Jefferson Street.
9. New Business-
   1. Resolution setting Public Hearing on zone change application for vacant land at 20002200 block of W Washington Street.
   2. Resolution setting Public Hearing to sell/transfer 202 N Porter.
   3. Resolution approving continued support for Main Street Mount Pleasant.
10. Public Forum.
11. Adjourn to meet in adjourned session on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at 5:30 p.m.

On November 4th, 2023, the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office received a report that the body of a deceased male had been discovered in a wooded area near Pittsburg.

A Sheriff’s deputy and the Medical Examiner responded to the scene. The body was sent to the Iowa State Medical Examiner for an autopsy, which is still pending.

The decedent was a 54-year-old male of Davenport, Iowa. No other details from the investigation will be released at this time.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department responded to a report of a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Maple Leaf Drive and Cherry Street. At approximately 4:40pm on Tuesday, November 7^th, officers were dispatched and learned that David Yarber, of Hillsboro, was northbound on Cherry Street in his Dodge when he stopped at the stop sign at Maple Leaf Drive.

David then proceeded north and failed to yield right of way to Betty Aguilar, of Mt. Pleasant, who was traveling westbound on Maple Leaf Drive in her Chevrolet.

Betty was unable to stop in time and proceeded to strike David’s vehicle. This caused disabling damage to both, and they were towed from the scene. Total damage was estimated at $7000.

David Yarber was cited for Failure to Obey Stop Sign and Yield Right of Way.

The MPPD was assisted by Newberry Towing.