One of the first highlights of the second quarter 2021 was the announcement in April that Mount Pleasant teacher, Lorna Hood, had been named the Iowa Headstart Teacher of the Year. Hood teaches at the Tolson Community Action Center in Mount Pleasant. She has been teaching since 1999. Hood is the daughter of Doris and Larry Price, also of Mount Pleasant.
May 3 two bodies were discovered while Mount Pleasant Fire fighters battled a house fire on Redbud Lane. Monday morning about 3:30 the call came in from 1004 Redbud. The bodies were located inside the house. Investigators with the State Fire Marshalls Office and the Division of Criminal Investigation were called in. The victims’ names were not immediately released but records and neighbors confirmed it was the home of Khay and Keith Baccam. Funeral Services were held for the couple but it wouldn’t be until July that investigators would confirm it was in fact the Baccams who died in the fire.
The first week of May the Mount Pleasant Chamber Alliance showcased five small businesses during National Small Business Week, recognizing the important contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. Smith Plumbing Heating and Cooling was the final winner was announced at the end of the week during a special celebration luncheon. The week was filled with open houses and ribbon cuttings for each of the nominees that also included Airport Road Vineyard/Crossfit Teo, Big Dog Tattoos & Piercing, Jason Smith Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, Little Mexico and Zeglen Construction.
At the May Mount Pleasant School Board meeting Supt John Henriksen recommended to the board that Mike Wilson be promoted from High School associate principal to the position of principal. Long time principal Todd Leichty has accepted a supt position and when he tendered his resignation, according to Henriksen, Wilson came forward. Middle School Associate Principal Dalton Stone stepped up to take the same position at the High School.
At a special meeting of the Wayland City Council in May Dustin Stuelke was offered the city’s Police Chief position. Stuelke replaced Ron Roth who submitted his resignation in February to be effective July 26th. Roth had served in the position since April of 2002. On May 16, 2021, Deputy Sheriff Chad Doak, was appointed as the new Chief Deputy. A 30 year veteran of the department Chad started as a reserve deputy2, worked as a part-time jailer, and became a deputy sheriff in 1995. Deputy Doak replaced Chief Deputy Tracy Brooks who retired from the position.
In May the Mount Pleasant City Council approved a site plan submitted by an out of state developer for a two-tenant building to be constructed on North Grand Avenue replacing the Old Buff’s Truck Plaza. According to the site plan one space is designed primarily for a retail business. The second space is intended for a restaurant that also includes a drive-thru.
At the end of May the Mount Pleasant City Council approved a high-quality jobs application and the sale of land in the Crossroads Industrial Park for Mid-Am Building Supply to complete an $8.6 million expansion in Mount Pleasant, IA.
Mid-Am Building Supply came to Mount Pleasant in 1984 and continued to grow increasing sales volume, production capabilities and service foot print. However, over the last couple of years it became apparent that growth could no longer take place in the current facility. Following the Mount Pleasant City Council’s approval of the sale of the last three available lots in the Crossroads Industrial Park to Mid-Am, the company announced construction of a new, 120,000 square foot facility on the 19-acre piece of ground on Bluegrass Road.
In her announcement of the Citizen of the Year on May 27, Mount Pleasant Chamber Executive Kristi Perry quoted Billy Graham….The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith. She cited those have received the honor in the past and shared that honor with their parents….like Melinda Huisinga and Mary Elgar. She went on to announce that Matt Schimmelpfennig was selected as the 2020 is the Citizen of the Year! His parents JD and Kathy were honored in 2013.
On 5-31 following the third and final reading, a new ordinance regulating ATV/UTV use on Henry County secondary roads received final approval Tuesday on a 2 to 1 vote by the Board of Supervisors. The new ordinance would go into effect July 1, 2021.
5-31
The highlight of this quarter for KILJ Radio was addition of 98.5 FM that went live at the end of May.