Author: Yorke Prough

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office received good news as they were told that K9 Mack will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Mack’s vest is sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and will be embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of K9 Hobbs, Des Moines, IA – EOW 12/12/23”. Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 5,627 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.

The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $985 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1800.00, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.

$3.18 is the average price across Iowa for a regular unleaded gallon of gasoline, according to AAA. This is a 3 cent rise from last week and a 12 cent drop from this time last year. This price creeps closer to the national average, which held steady this week at $3.45.

Diesel prices also rose 3 cents, for a statewide average of $3.52, which is 9 cents cheaper than last year, and 28 cents lower than the national average.

Natural gas prices fell 13 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.88/MMbtu.

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

RAGBRAI is right around the corner and it’s hard to escape hearing about it. The route through Mount Pleasant was announced earlier this week, and while houses along that route should certainly expect a large amount of riders, so should almost every house in town.

Have you ever wanted to make your house the best looking one on the block? Maybe there is a project you’ve been pushing back and waiting for a long weekend to complete. Whatever it is, now is the time to spruce up your home and yard. Every street, corner, and park should represent what Mount Pleasant is all about, Home Sweet Home.

Whether it’s crafting colorful banners, planting beautiful flowers, placing an extra chair or two in your yard or simply adding a touch of Mt. Pleasant to your storefront, every little bit counts!

Looking for help or ideas for decorating? Send a message to the Mount Pleasant RAGBRAI Facebook page for inspiration!

The “Grandparent Scam” is a type of fraud that targets older adults by pretending to be a grandchild or other family member in need of help.

Scammers may call and claim to be in an emergency, such as needing money for medical expenses or bail.

Here are 5 tips to protect yourself from this scam:

1.) Don’t give out any personal or financial information. If the person is indeed in jail, you can contact the county or municipality to arrange payment. If the person needs car repairs, talk directly to the shop owner and call them at their business number.

2.) Don’t answer questions like “Do you know who this is?” You may accidentally give them a name that they were previously unaware.

3.) DO ask questions! Ask the caller personal questions that only a real grandchild could answer, such as a favorite birthday gift or family vacation memory. Birthdates and addresses can be easily obtained on the Internet so do not ask simple questions like that.

4.) DO verify the story. After you hang up, call the grandchild’s parents or other relatives to confirm the story.

5.) DO trust your instincts. Many older adults doubt themselves or their memories and end up falling victim to a crime.

On June 16, Burlington Police Officers responded to a report of Criminal Mischief at the new Dankwardt Park playground equipment. Upon arrival, officers located significant damage to the new equipment. This incident remains under investigation by the Burlington Police Department. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the Burlington Police Department at 319-671-7001 or Crime Stoppers at 319-753-6835. If you call Crime Stoppers and your information leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward.

On June 18^th, 2024, at 10:14pm, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1700 grid of Highway 218 near 180^th Street for a vehicle collision.  An investigation determined a 2024 Honda CR-V driven by Navin Chander, 49, of Frisco, Texas, was travelling southbound on Highway 218 near 180^th Street, when a deer struck the vehicle.  The vehicle sustained disabling damage due to the collision.  Airbags did deploy.  Estimated damage to the vehicle was $5,000.  No injuries reported.

***A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.***

There will be a change in garbage collection for residents in New London.

Starting July 1st, 2024 the City of New London, Iowa will be switching garbage collection providers from WEMIGA to Waste Management. Customers should receive a postcard in the mail this week with the details of change in service.

A 96 gallon cart will be delivered to all residential customers homes starting the week of June 24th, 2024. Commercial Customers will receive either a 96 gallon cart or 2-4 yard dumpster.

Service with Waste Management will start MONDAY July 1st, 2024. The regular pickup day for the entire city will be on MONDAYS.

If customers find they need more than one 96-gallon cart once the service starts, they may request an additional cart for $12.00 per month for residential and $20.00 for commercial.

If you have any other questions regarding the service or do not receive your cart by the end of the day on 6/27/2024 please contact Kasi Howard at 319-367-7702.