Let’s take look at the news highlights from the fourth and final quarter of 2021. On October 4t the Iowa Wesleyan University Board of Trustees agreed to a two-year contract extension for Christine Plunkett, IW’s 30th president, and the first female president in its 180-year history. Under the new contract terms, Plunkett will remain in the position through the end of May 2024.
On October 16 Judge MaryAnn Brown of Judicial District 8B announced her retirement effective Dec. 31. The district includes Henry, Lee, Des Moines, and Louisa counties in southeast Iowa. Judge Brown is a graduate of Mount Pleasant High School. Later in the quarter District Judge Myron Gookin of Fairfield was named to succeed Brown effective January 1.
Since 1981 the Fellowship Cup in Mount Pleasant has been offering a little help along the way. Over 40 years local churches, businesses and individuals have generously support the mission of service and outreach. The Fellowship Cup took time in October time to not only celebrate this milestone but also say thank you to everyone who has contributed in some way to this strong community led organization.
Of course, elections always make headlines. November 2 voters went to the polls to vote in the school board and municipal city elections. Salem voters found themselves with more choices than usual for city council and mayor. In fact
November 9 when the Henry County Board of Supervisors canvased the votes from the November 2 municipal elections the supervisors had to decide a tie for Salem Mayor. There were three candidates for the position. The top two vote-getters, Kelly Anderman and James Tomson, each received 40 votes so those two names went into the hat. Anderman’s name was drawn making him mayor of Salem.
November proved to be a tragic month in terms of teen violence. November 3 the body of Fairfield High School teacher Nohema Graber was found in a Fairfield park. The following afternoon the Jefferson County attorney’s office issued a press release regarding the arrest of two 16 year olds in connection with Graber’s death. Willard Noble Chaiden Miller and Jeremy Everett Goodale, have been charged with Homicide in the First Degree, and Conspiracy to Commit Homicide in the First Degree.
17-year-old Dimari D. J. Meredith of Fort Madison was arrested and charged with 1st degree murder in connection with the November 3 shooting death of a 15-year-old boy in Fort Madison.
On November 7 law enforcement and emergency medical personnel were dispatched to a home in Fairfield on a report that an individual in the home had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. 21 year old Finnegan Edward Malloy, reported that 19 year old Caleb Heisel had shot himself in the head while playing “Russian Roulette.” Heisel was found dead with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head. Malloy was arrested on November 24 by Fairfield Police, and is charged in Jefferson County with one count of Assisting Suicide, and one count of Aiding and Abetting Reckless Use of a Firearm.
And on November 14 West Burlington Police were dispatched to Pat Klein Park, 631 Swan Street, West Burlington for a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, police discovered an eighteen year old that had been shot. The victim was transported to the South East Iowa Regional Medical center where he was declared deceased. Law Enforcement took into custody a juvenile related to the investigation.
The 4th quarter of 2021 was good for Iowa Wesleyan University in terms of support for facility improvements. In recognition and appreciation of Iowa Wesleyan’s longstanding and ongoing relationship with National Management Resources, the firm committed a generous gift of $250,000 to support campus improvements and student retention initiatives. Since 2001 Iowa Wesleyan has partnered with National Management Resources for its facilities, maintenance, landscaping, and housekeeping services. The gift will support facility enhancements on campus as a result of the University’s enrollment growth and the switch back to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Iowa Wesleyan also announced a $240,000 gift from Steven and Jill Howe to fund initiatives to support the Student Success Center. The Center will be named the Steven and Jill Howe Student Success Center in recognition of their generosity. Over the past two years, Iowa Wesleyan has devoted significant staffing and financial resources to expanding university-wide student success initiatives.
The year finished on a high note for Winfield. The new Winfield Hy-Vee Clinic Pharmacy, located at 107 N. Locust Street in Winfield opened its doors to the public at 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 12. The approximately 900-square-foot clinic pharmacy operates as a telepharmacy and provide patients with a direct line of communication to a pharmacist without having to leave their community. At the Winfield Hy-Vee Clinic Pharmacy, patients can access the following services: Automated prescription refill ordering, Generics medication discount list, Private medication consultation. The Winfield Hy-Vee Clinic Pharmacy also offers over-the-counter health and convenience-style items. Though it does not have a full-time pharmacist, it will have a pharmacist on site 16 hours per month. The Mount Pleasant Hy-Vee is the home store for the Winfield pharmacy location.