Early Thursday morning area law enforcement, including Henry County Sheriff’s deputies and Mount Pleasant Police, were involved in the apprehension of four individuals involved in a robbery at a Burlington Bar.

At about 1 am February 10th Burlington police officers were called to The Outpost Bar & Grill, 2505 Mt. Pleasant Street to investigate a reported burglary.

Apparently, at least two individuals entered the business armed with handguns. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken from the register. Personal property was also taken from patrons and an employee.

The suspects vehicle was located near Mt. Pleasant and Roosevelt Avenue but the driver refused to stop and instead continued to speed over 100 mph until it was stopped with stop sticks in the 3100 block of County Road 79.

The four occupants of the vehicle attempted to flee on foot and two juveniles were detained. The other two were arrested later by the Lee County Sheriff’s deputies near Denmark. 18-year-old Noah Christopher Scott and 22 Samuel-Evon Christopher Robert McCoy, as well as two unidentified juveniles, all of Keokuk, are charged with multiple counts of First Degree Robbery, and Conspiracy to Commit a Forcible felony. No injuries were reported and two firearms were seized.

Ken Crawford, Superintendent, WACO Schools-

WACO Schools has a lot of unique opportunities for students and staff members.  WACO is one of the few schools in the state doing a four day a week schedule.  There are several benefits to this schedule but one that is becoming clear is the impact it is having on culture.

Every year, students have to do a lot of surveys.  One survey done every April is called Conditions of Learning.  The state asks students a lot of questions on what they think about Student to Adult relationships, their physical safety, emotional safety, and Student to Student relationships.  WACO’s relationship numbers are outstanding.

In the secondary building, grades 6-12, there were several questions asked about Adult to Student relationships.  93% of the students agree that adults in the building treat students with respect.  93% of the students also say they know a teacher cares about them.  If a student needs a teacher to go to for help, 95% of the students said they agreed they had someone to talk to.  Those answers are based on 163 responses.  When these answers are all over 90% – the culture in the district is outstanding.

When the secondary students were asked about Student to Student relationships, 93% of the students felt they had a friend to talk to about a problem.  When asked about a new student to the building, 93% of the students say they try to make them feel welcome.  When asked if they have a friend to eat lunch with over 98% of the students responded that they did.  Again, welcoming new students to our district and having a friend to help them is another sign of a great culture.

The elementary school had 86 responses for the Conditions of Learning survey.  When asked if they felt teachers cared about them, they responded with a 98% yes.  97% of the students felt teachers treated them with respect while 98% of the students felt they treated adults with respect.  When asked about having a friend to play with on the playground, 100% of the students said they had a friend to play with.  When asked if the students felt they welcomed new students to the school, again, 100% of the students felt they did welcome new students.

As WACO continues to grow, the Conditions of Learning survey also shows a culture of welcoming new students and treating adults with respect while receiving it back from teachers.  Small schools can offer a chance to participate in multiple activities but it is also a warm environment for students to grow, learn, and be active.  These results prove culture does matter and that WACO is heading in the right direction as a district.

A former Mount Pleasant police officer will have to wait to find out whether or not he will get his job back.  Wednesday night the Mount Pleasant City Council tabled a decision on a request by Steve Dykstra to be reinstated after he was terminated by Police Chief Lyle Murray.  Dykstra asked to appear in public before the council to appeal his termination.  He said in his statement that he felt it was necessary to share information about himself and the incident that led to his firing.  Dykstra was let go after a complaint was filed with the Chief by a Fairfield resident.  In his appeal to the Council, Dykstra refuted the individual’s account of his visit to her home in search of his daughter back in December.

In other news from the City Council meeting…

The Mount Pleasant City Council approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of $2,000,000 in general obligation bonds. This decision will allow for necessary funds for street repairs in fiscal year  23/24 without having to raise taxes.

The Council approved the Mayor’s recommendation to appoint Brent Schrader to the Planning and Zoning Commission to serve out the term of Terry McNair who recently passed away.  Schrader has been serving on the City Board of Adjustment. His spot on that board will now have to be filled. On the recommendation of Fire Chief Drew Schumacher the council approved the appointment of Brady Bass to the firefighter reserve unit.