A car vs train accident early Monday morning saw one teenager in Ainsworth deceased.
17-year-old Rowan Ross of Washington was driving a vehicle southbound on Spruce Avenue just after 1:45am on Monday. According to the Iowa State Patrol, the teenager ran a stop sign over a railroad crossing, and was struck by a westbound train. The vehicle then ended up in a ditch.
The Iowa State Patrol was one of many agencies to respond to this accident, and say that the incident remains under investigation.
The Mt. Pleasant Community School Board will meet in regular session on Monday, October 14th, at 6:00pm in the high school media center.
Meeting Agenda
1. Call To Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Student Spotlight
5. Citizen Comments
6. Approval of Minutes, Claims and Financial Report
7. Reports
a. Student and Family Advocate Services
i. Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy – Martha Peterson, Student and Family Advocate
b. Superintendent’s Report
i. Certified Enrollment Update
ii. IASB Proposed 2025 Legislative Agenda
iii. School Board Work Session, Monday, Oct. 28 @ 6pm. Candidate Forum
iv. IASB Annual Convention – Wednesday Nov. 20 – Friday Nov. 22
a. Delegate Assembly Nov. 20 @ 9am
v. IASB Director District #9 Vacancy
vi. Bus/Central Receiving/Buildings and Grounds Facility Project Update
vii. Master Planning Update – Oct. 23, 2pm – 4pm
viii. School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) – Wed. Dec. 4 @ 6pm
c. Board Committee Reports
i. Finance Committee
ii. Site Committee
iii. Policy Commitee
8. Other Board Communications
9. Consent Items
a. Personnel
b. Open Enrollment
10. Unfinished Business
11. New Business
a. Consideration to Approve LP Fueling Station Proposal (Motion)
b. Consideration to Approve Transportation Facility Change Order (Motion)
c. Consideration to Approve Modified Allowable Growth for Limited English Proficiency (Motion)
d. Second Reading of Board Policy Changes (Motion)
i. Board Policy 501.01, Compulsory Attendance
ii. Board Policy 501.01A, Student Absences – Excused
iii. Board Policy 501.10B, Truancy – Unexcused Absences
iv. New Board Policy 501.01C, Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy
v. Board Policy Regulation 501.01C – (R)1, Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy
e. First Reading of Board Policy Series 700, Non-Instructional and Business Services (Motion)
i. New Board Policy 703.14 Credit and Procurement Cards
ii. Board Policy 707.01 School Nutrition Program
iii. New Board Policy 707.07 Meal Charges
f. Consideration to Approve iJAG Fundraiser (Motion)
g. Consideration to Approve National Honor Society Fundraiser (Motion)
h. Consideration to Approve FFA Fundraiser (Motion)
12. Adjournment
The Henry County Engineer has announced an update to the construction on W55 – Franklin Avenue.
The contractor will have the majority of the milling operation complete today. Weather permitting, starting Monday, October 14th the contractor will be doing patching on multiple sections of Franklin Avenue and prep work for paving. Later in the week the contractor will start asphalt work on the shoulders.
The department encourages people to use the posted detour route as flaggers and pilot cars will be used for this operation. Please use caution and expect delays
Connie I. Woodsmall, 73, of Mt. Pleasant, died Thursday, October 10, 2024 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.
Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant.
Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com
Two arrests were made in Burlington after police were made aware of a sexual abuse.
Sherry Chamblee, 59-, and 57-year-old Wayne Chamblee, were both arrested on Tuesday by the Burlington Police Department. Sherry was charged with second-degree sexual abuse while Wayne was charged with two counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a child, and one count of third-degree sex abuse by force.
There will be a hearing at the Des Moines County Courthouse on Friday, October 18th.
Kathleen Melinda “Kathy” Berry, 64, of Argyle, Iowa, passed away at 4:17 a.m. Thursday, October 10, 2024, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison, Iowa. 
She was born on March 28, 1960, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Robert L. and Alice J. (Geigley) Berry.
Survivors include her siblings: Jeff Berry of Argyle, Iowa, Terry (Bob) Conlee of Argyle, Iowa, Steve (Carrie) Berry of Burlington, Iowa; nieces: Laura (Rob) Conlee – Russell, Jennifer (Ryan) McMillan, LouAnna (Jeremy) Bryant, Amanda (Charles) Holloway; nephews: Will (Amy) Conlee, Rob (Holly) Conlee, Robert (Marie) Berry; special friend: Linda Derr and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Kathy was a 1978 graduate of Burlington High School. She enjoyed crafts, woodworking and spending time with her nieces, nephews, friends and family.
A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday, October 18, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson (no family will be present).
A private family service will be held Saturday, October 19, 2024, with Tony Keefe officiating.
Burial will be at Evangelical Cemetery in Donnellson.
A memorial has been established in her memory for the Central Lee Foundation.
Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
Stephen Albert Smyth, 78, of New London, died Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Des Moines.
Stephen was born July 4, 1946 in Burlington, IA. He was the son of Horace Frederick and Frances Cecila (Maddox) Smyth. He attended school in Lockridge and Fairfield.
Stephen was called to the service of his country during the Vietnam War. He entered the United States Army on July 29, 1964 at Camp Dodge in Des Moines. He was stationed with the 33rd Battalion of the 7th US Army Division . He served as a mechanic in general vehicle repair, which also included tank retrieval and repair. He was honorably discharged as a Tech Sergeant on July 20, 1967 at Fort Hamilton, New York.
On November 30, 1968 in Mt. Pleasant, Stephen was united in marriage to Patricia Ann Rich. The couple later divorced. On October 3, 1980 in Kahoka, MO, Steph was united in marriage to Linda Lou McDowell Starr.
For 30 years, Stephen was an overhead crane operator for the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad yards in West Burlington. He liked to hunt and fish. He also enthusiastically collected eagle memorabilia and Budweiser steins and mugs. A man with a generous heart, Stephen was often the first to assist a friend in need, and the last to want any recognition of the help he offered.
Those thankful for sharing in Stephen’s life include his wife of 44 years, Linda of New London; their children – John Smyth and wife Wende of Mt. Union, Michael Smyth and wife Beth of Mt. Pleasant, David Smyth of New London, Susie Carter and husband Dennis of New London, Robin Willey of Mt. Pleasant, Brett Starr (Sonya Brown) of Mt. Pleasant, Shaun Blythe and wife Tracy of Mt. Pleasant and Brittani Beeding and husband Daniel of Wapello, IA; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; a sister, Joyce Rauscher of Mt. Pleasant, and sisters in law Agnes Smyth of Niles, IL and Gretchen Liechty of Mt. Pleasant. Stephen is also survived by his cat, Mimi.
His parents, daughter Susan Starr, and brothers Paul, Daniel and John Smyth, precede Stephen in death.
Per his request, there will be no public service. His family will gather later to celebrate his life. Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant. Burial will be at a later date in the Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant.
Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the New London Trap Team. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com
Joyce Garretson, 99, of Salem, died Thursday, October 10, 2024 at her residence.
Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant.
Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.
