On March 27, 2022, at approximately 2:52AM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop in the 1400 Block of East Washington Street in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.  They stopped a blue, 2003, Jeep Grand Cherokee for a non-functioning brake light.

After an investigation it was found that the driver, Kelly Allen Smithburg (49 years of age) of Mount Pleasant, was driving a motor vehicle while being in possession of marijuana, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia.  Kelly was also processed for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of narcotics.

Kelly was subsequently placed under arrest, and transported to the Henry County Jail without incident, where he was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine Second Offense-Aggravated Misdemeanor, Possession of Marijuana Second Offense-Serious Misdemeanor, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia-Simple Misdemeanor.  Kelly was also given a citation for Open Container by Driver-Simple Misdemeanor and was given a written warning for the non-functioning brake light.

This incident is still under investigation.

After the current service provider, Mike Prottsman announced his company’s decision to no longer manage the rural trash collection operation as of the end of March, the Henry County Supervisors sent out requests for proposal in search of a new provider.  WEMIGA Waste, another local family owned company, responded proposing  pricing on three of four options requested by the supervisors. Tuesday the Board voted 2 to 1 to go with Option 1… to continue to operate the Citizen Convenience Center on West Washington in Mount Pleasant but hours would be expanded to Tuesday thru Thursday noon to 6 pm, Fridays 8 am to 6 pm and Saturdays 8 am to noon for a flat monthly fee of $14,800. The current four remote collection sites will no longer be available. A second option included operating the Mt. Pleasant site and the four remote locations.  The monthly fee would be $21,400. The first option will save the county $297,000 over the life of the 3 year contract. Rural residents cannot drop off trash at any of the sites this week.  Operation of the Mount Pleasant site will resume April 5.

The Mount Pleasant School Board met in special session Monday night and approved several personnel items including hiring a new Middle School principal.  Mark Adams will replace Nathan Lange, who’s resignation is effective at the end of the school year.  Adams comes to Mount Pleasant from his position with the Van Buren County Community School District as the 7 thru 12 principal.  The board also voted to hire Brandon Ridinger as the new Director of Technology.

Following the special meeting the board held a work session to discuss capital projects for the next school year.  Potential projects include sanding and painting the High School gym floor, in addition to carpet and paint for some of that building’s classrooms. Also on the list…continuing driveway and sidewalk repair at the High School as well as some exterior brick repair.  There are some continued exterior masonry repairs at Van Allen.  Supt. John Henriksen said they are considering putting in a bus pull-in area on the south side of the Van Allen building to help with traffic congestion before and after school. The Lincoln building could also use some improvements to the car line on the south side. The project list includes some painting at the Salem building and new siding for the garage there. Supt. Henriksen also added new mowers for the district to the list.