Author: Yorke Prough

On September 5, 2024, at approximately 18:30 hours, officers with the Mt. Pleasant Police Department were dispatched to an alleged domestic incident in the City of Mt. Pleasant. During officers’ response to the alleged domestic, the suspect drove by the scene and officers attempted to make contact with him.

When officers attempted to make contact with the suspect, the suspect did not stop his vehicle and proceeded to drive through intersections without obeying traffic signs. Near the corner of W Henry Street and N Jefferson Street, the suspect, while still in his vehicle, shot at a Mt. Pleasant Police Officer in his patrol vehicle several times. The suspect then fled in his vehicle at a high rate of speed.  The suspect eventually lost control of his vehicle on Highway 218 and 185^th Street.

Officers approached the vehicle and determined that the suspect was deceased.  Names of the suspect and officer are being withheld pending notification. Throughout the entire incident, no officers discharged their weapons. The City of Mt. Pleasant requested the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations to assist with the investigation, and the investigation remains ongoing at this time.

This was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public. The Mt. Pleasant Policer Officer who was shot at was treated and released with no injuries.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations, Henry County EMS, and Breuer’s Towing.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a suspect or charged party is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Mt. Pleasant Police Department at 319 385-1450.

*ORIGINAL POST*

There was a disturbance yesterday evening in Henry County which saw a suspect located by law enforcement. The Mt. Pleasant Police Department and Henry County Sheriff’s Office were among the agencies involved.

We do know that an alert was put out on the HCSO FB page asking the public to be on the lookout for a white male on foot in the Highway 218/185^th St area. Reports suggest the subject may have been armed. Little details are known about this incident at this time, but there is no ongoing threat to the public.

There was a single vehicle rollover on Thursday morning. This took place on Highway 218 and 180th St. The vehicle rolled and ended up in the median. The driver went to the hospital and the condition of the driver is unknown at this time.

Trenton first responders, Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, HCHC, HCSO, and Iowa State Patrol all responded.

Below is a statement from the TriState Rodeo regarding a stage performer on September 6th.

“Muscadine Bloodline has been added to the upcoming Post Malone Tour. Unfortunately, due to this last-minute tour change, we regret to inform you that all upcoming tour dates, including this Friday at the rodeo, have been canceled. We are still looking forward to some tremendous post-rodeo entertainment by Midland this Friday and cannot wait to see you all here! “

WACO high school students involved in agriculture had the opportunity to meet with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig on Thursday morning. During the laid-back meeting, 10 students shared their input on the WACO FFA program, the new facility, and national convention.

Mr. Fetzer, the Ag advisor and teacher, started the program in 2021 when he first came to the district as a teacher. Just three years later, the program has grown substantially. According to the student reporter, there are around 100 students involved in the FFA program, which is close to ½ of all 7^th-12^th graders at the school.

The new Ag facility has a scheduled groundbreaking in the spring of 2025, with construction to wrap up by the beginning of the next school year. Students shared information on that facility, which will consist of 2 classrooms, locker rooms, areas for rabbits and cattle, and a green house. Mike Naig believes this is a great thing and will provide opportunities to those who don’t have a farm. A student mentioned that they are very fortunate for both Eichelberger Farms and Chem Gro due to their involvement and support.

The FFA National Convention is right around the corner and students are excited. A poultry team of 4, with one alternate, will be going to Indianapolis, Indiana, but will stop at different universities, such as Purdue and Illinois State University, to tour the facilities.

Mike Naig congratulated the students and teacher on the great program that they run. He has been the secretary of agriculture since 2018 and has met with many different programs. He believes there are a few hallmarks to the really good programs, which include having a great teacher, a supportive administration, and a great community, to which he stated that WACO has all three.

“On 09/05/2024, at 12:14am, the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to the Colonial Apartments (115 East Monroe Street) for a report of two male subjects attempting to enter vehicles.

Officers located two male subjects nearby this location. The two male subjects were identified by the witness who reported this.

One male subject was identified as 18-year-old Mason McKenzie of Mt Pleasant. The other male subject was a juvenile male from Columbus Junction. Mason was arrested and transported to the Henry County Jail on an active warrant out of Burlington for Theft 1st. The juvenile male was transported to the Police Department.

At the Police Department, the juvenile male destroyed department property estimated to be around $600, and fought with Officers. The juvenile male was transported to Juvenile Detention located in Montrose.

Mason McKenzie was charged with 3 counts of Attempted Vehicle Burglary, Possession of Burglar Tools, all D Felonies, and a citation for possession of tobacco products by person under 21 years of age.

The juvenile male was charged with 3 counts of Attempted Vehicle Burglary/D Felony, Criminal Mischief 4^th Degree/Serious Misdemeanor, Interference W/ Official Acts causing bodily injury.

The Mt Pleasant PD reminds citizen to lock their vehicles.”

The Des Moines County Disaster Recovery Organization (DMCDRO) has been revived due to the recent storms and growing awareness of the increasing frequency and intensity of weather-related disasters. The DMCDRO has not met since 2015, but with representatives from the United Way of Southeast Iowa, Community Action of Southeast Iowa, Des Moines County Emergency Management, and the Community Foundation of Des Moines County, they decided it’s time to get the band back together.

The group was revived after recognizing significant gaps in the county’s ability to provide sufficient disaster recovery aid to those in need.

In a release, they have stated that the revitalized organization aims to ensure a more effective and coordinated response to future natural disasters by raising funds specifically for recovery efforts and improving disaster preparedness in the county.