Author: Yorke Prough

Henry County Engineers Office announces road closure on Nebraska Avenue, over Big Creek for bridge replacement beginning Thursday, August 29, 2024, for approximately four (4) months, weather permitting. The work is between 220th Street and 235th Street. Questions can be answered at 319 385-0762.

The American Red Cross continues to experience a national blood emergency as remnants of Hurricane Debby and other severe weather events across the country have further complicated efforts to rebuild the nation’s blood supply. Those in unaffected areas are urged to make an appointment to give now.

Weather in recent weeks has added to the summer shortfall in donations by forcing the cancellation of nearly 60 blood drives throughout the country, many of which were caused by Debby, causing approximately 1,500 lifesaving blood products to go uncollected.

Annually, severe weather − such as blizzards, tornadoes, floods and hurricanes − impacts about 90,000 blood donations made to the Red Cross. Because blood has a short shelf life and can only come from volunteer blood donors, any disruptions in the ability to collect lifesaving blood can have serious consequences for hospitals and patients.

First-time donors and those who give regularly are critical to blood supply recovery. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). In thanks, all who come to give through Aug. 31 will get a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. See RedCrossBlood.org/Help for details.

Those who come to give Sept. 1-15 will receive an exclusive Red Cross raglan T-shirt, while supplies last.

On August 24, 2024 at approximately 3:30am, Keokuk Police Officers were dispatched to the intersection of 8th and Concert streets for a report of a male lying on the ground with injuries.

Three Officers arrived at that location at 3:32am and secured the scene. They observed a male subject, identified as Scott Clifford Finch, 42 of Keokuk, unconscious and breathing, in the roadway with injuries. The specific cause of the injuries cannot be confirmed at this time.

The Lee County Ambulance Service arrived on the scene at 3:33am and began life-saving measures. Finch would be transported from the scene to a medical facility via ambulance at approximately 3:58am. He then succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the medical facility. The cause of death will be determined after an autopsy is completed.

Officers contacted the Criminal Investigations Division and requested Detectives respond to the scene. An agent from the Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Criminal Investigation was also requested to assist with this investigation.

The area was canvassed for potential witnesses and evidence. Interviews were conducted, photographs were taken, and possible evidence was collected for further processing. This is an ongoing investigation and no arrest has been made. This is believed to be an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the public.

The Keokuk Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Mr. Finch during this time of grief.

The LeeComm Dispatch Center, Keokuk Fire Department, Lee County Ambulance Service, and the Iowa Department of Public Safety provided valuable assistance during this event.

Excessive heat is in the forecast for today, with heat index values reaching up to 115 degrees according to the National Weather Service. An excessive heat warning remains in effect from 11:00am-8:00pm this evening.

Remember that heat related illnesses significantly increase during extreme heat and high humidity events.

Little relief from the heat is anticipated Monday night with temperatures only dropping into the mid to upper 70s. Another day of oppressive heat is forecast on Tuesday. However, there is potential for an outflow boundary and scattered afternoon storms to lead to slightly cooler temperatures than currently forecast north of Highway 30. To the south, peak heat indices Tuesday afternoon will likely exceed 105 degrees.

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors. Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.

Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met on Thursday morning, August 8th, for their monthly department head meeting. During an update from Joe Buffington, Planning and Zoning Director, the topic of windmills once again was brought up. A moratorium was placed on the rezoning of land to the Alternative Energy Overlay District in April, which is set to expire in March 2025.

The supervisors have compiled remarks from citizens of the county regarding turbines, and plan to send those all to Joe Buffington. He will then take that information to the Planning and Zoning Commission, and they will begin to compile a plan that is right for the county to present to the Board of Supervisors. Recently, one supervisor from Lee County has asked Henry County for a copy of the moratorium that was placed on alternative energy.

One citizen in attendance made it clear that she would like to see opportunities for the public to still voice their opinions and concerns.

Steve Detrick, who won the primary election in June and is all but set to be a county supervisor for the next term, asked if more information could be shared from department head’s during the meetings. He quoted some department heads saying “business as usual” during their brief reports, and failing to share more details.

At recent meetings, although chatter fills the hallway and makes the speakers difficult to hear, according to some constituents, the door to the office has been required to stay open. With a particularly noisy discussion in the foyer today, the door was allowed to be shut halfway. Citizens urged the board to speak up when the noise in the hallway is too loud, and Steve Detrick brought up Iowa Code, saying that there is no law in place prohibiting the door from remaining shut. The Assistant County Attorney said that lawyers would “love to bring up a lawsuit” if they saw that the door was shut all the way.

During the Sheriff’s report, Rich McNamee mentioned that the jail has been holding in the 70s for population recently and is now approaching the 3 million dollar mark in revenue. Inappropriate uses of using 911 have been reported, with a call to 911 asking “what time is it” and another asking for a phone number. The Sheriff’s office is going to focus on informing the public about the do’s and don’ts of 911 in the coming months.

The outgoing county auditor, Shelly Barber, spoke about the upcoming special election on September 10^th. Early voting will begin on August 21^st. The special election polling places will be as usual. A list of the locations is provided on KILJ.com under the news tab. General election absentee ballots can be requested starting on August 27^th.

The Mount Pleasant Community School Board has met in the past, and recently, with a representative from the Mount Pleasant Childcare Center regarding a before and after school program in our community. They realize that there is a need in this town for a program like this.

If you have children enrolled in Elementary School at MPCSD for the 2024/2025 academic year, your input is needed.

Mount Pleasant Childcare Center is looking to gather data to better understand before/after school needs to expand current program offerings.

Please take a moment and complete this survey – one per child!!

https://forms.gle/MuGke3Lt6TLZbNxG6