The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a health alert warning consumers about several brands of ground cinnamon that have been recalled due to the presence of lead. The alert urges households to check their cabinets and ensure that the cinnamon products they have at home are not among those affected. 

Children are considered especially vulnerable to lead exposure because of their smaller body size, rapid metabolism, and ongoing growth. Lead is highly toxic and can cause a range of serious health effects, including developmental delays, learning difficulties, headaches, and other health problems. Importantly, children exposed to lead may not show immediate symptoms, making vigilance crucial. 

Parents and caregivers who believe their child may have consumed cinnamon products containing lead are strongly encouraged to contact their healthcare provider promptly. 

For a full list of affected cinnamon brands and more information on the recall, consumers are advised to refer to the FDA’s official website. 

Henry County Public Health is reminding the community to stay informed and take precautions to protect children from potential lead exposure. Healthyhenrycounty.org 

MOUNT PLEASANT — The Mount Pleasant Community School District reported a drop in certified enrollment for the 2025–26 school year during Monday’s school board meeting. Superintendent Henriksen said the district’s count on October 1 dropped nearly 60 students, from 1,757 to 1,697, potentially reducing state funding by about $480,000. 

The Iowa Department of Education had projected 1,702 students for the year, closely matching the actual count. Future projections show continued declines, with enrollment expected to drop to roughly 1,523 by 2029–30. Henriksen noted the district works with neighboring schools to confirm student residency and avoid duplicate counts. 

Board members also received an update on the Facilities Ad Hoc Committee, which will review elementary programming and attendance centers. A community kickoff meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 16, where the public has a chance to hear about those plans. 

The Henry County Historic Preservation Commission will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, October 15, at 1:00 p.m. at the Henry County Heritage Center. 

The public is invited and encouraged to attend to learn more about ongoing preservation efforts and local history projects. 

Fifth graders from Van Allen Elementary were recognized at Monday night’s Mount Pleasant School Board meeting for their leadership and Panther Pride. 

Teachers introduced the group of students, explaining how the fifth graders have taken on new responsibilities as the oldest students in the building. 

Students shared highlights from their work on the Homecoming Committee, where they helped plan dress-up days and design posters, and their roles in Morning Announcements, writing and reading daily updates for the school. 

They also discussed the Wellness Ambassador Program, which promotes healthy choices through activities like “Mighty Miler” runs, Wellness Days, and Field Day planning. 

Board members thanked the students for their enthusiasm and leadership, commending them for setting a positive example of Panther Pride at Van Allen. 

A public hearing was held Monday evening at the start of the Mount Pleasant Community School Board meeting regarding the estimated costs, specifications, and proposed plans for the demolition of the P.E.O. Memorial Building, located on the former Iowa Wesleyan University campus.

Architect Thomas McInerney presented details of the project, explaining that the plan calls for the full demolition of the two-story, reinforced concrete structure built in 1927. The project will include interior “soft stripping,” removal of electrical and mechanical systems, decommissioning of the geothermal system—preserved for potential future use—and complete basement and foundation removal, followed by site restoration.

The demolition also includes careful removal of the building’s cornerstone, which may contain a time capsule believed to have about a 70% chance of being present. McInerney noted that the building’s limestone cornices are deteriorating and pose a safety hazard.

“It’s already starting to have signs of decay,” McInerney said. “Pieces of the cornice are crumbling off, and it’s become a danger.”

The estimated cost of the demolition and restoration is $371,000, with bids due October 27th at 2 p.m. A contractor walkthrough is scheduled for this Thursday, and the work is expected to be completed by December 15th, before winter weather sets in.

District officials explained that no state grant funding is available for this project, unlike previous assistance the district received for the old gymnasium demolition. Superintendent John Henriksen shared that the district currently spends about $13,500 per year on utilities for the unused building and recently incurred an $8,000 repair bill after sewer and drain backups.

The building’s geothermal wells, located on the south lawn, are self-contained and not connected to other campus buildings. Those wells may be placed on standby for future district use.

The district has also worked closely with local and international P.E.O. chapters to allow for the removal and preservation of historical or sentimental items from the building, including plaques, medallions, and the inscription stone. Additionally, smaller items such as doors, doorknobs, and light fixtures will be offered to Preservation Station in Burlington for reuse and historical resale.

Despite the district’s plans, some community members spoke against demolition. One local resident, Tom Tipton, urged the board to consider rehabilitation rather than destruction, citing examples of historic buildings he has successfully restored in Mount Pleasant; The Colonial Apartments, The Union Block, Mt.Pleasant Civic Center and Library, Amtrack Depot and many other smaller projects in The city.

Another speaker, a software engineer from Cedar Rapids, proposed an adaptive reuse of the structure for a business venture specializing in digital media preservation. He noted that the building’s layout would suit his needs without major modification and asked the board to delay demolition to explore potential reuse options.

Henriksen responded that while the district had considered various scenarios when purchasing the central campus property for $1.1 million, the P.E.O. building was not viewed as viable for district use due to its deterioration and significant renovation costs—estimated between $1.5 and $2 million to restore safely and make code-compliant.

“We knew the P.E.O. building came with the purchase,” Henriksen said. “But given its condition and the financial liability it poses, we felt moving forward with demolition was the responsible step.”

No board action was taken on demolition during the hearing itself. Monday’s session was held to authorize the district to move forward with accepting bids, with final approval of a demolition contract expected after bids are opened later this month.