Henry County Board of Health Meeting Agenda for 2/11/26

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, February 9th, 2026 at 4:55 pm CDT

The Henry County Board of Health will meet Wednesday, February 11th, at 12:30 p.m., at the Henry County Public Health conference room in Mount Pleasant.

On the agenda: approval of previous meeting minutes, an environmental health report, public comments, and a public health report including budget and general assistance updates.

The board will also discuss the fiscal year 2027 budget, old and new business, including Thrive Iowa’s Lee County contract to provide services in Henry County, and several policy reviews.

The meeting will conclude with announcements and adjournment.

Central Lee CSD Board Meeting Agenda for 2/10/26

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, February 9th, 2026 at 4:50 pm CDT

The Central Lee Community School District Board of Directors will hold a regular meeting Tuesday morning, February 10th, at 7:00, at the district office in Donnellson.

On the agenda: a fifth-grade presentation, the superintendent’s report including legislative and financial updates, the fiscal year 2027 budget timeline, and upcoming district events.

The board will also consider consent agenda items, board policy updates, a proposal for a K–8 freezer and cold storage expansion, a request to correct a SAVE to PPEL accounting error, and a solar lease agreement with Red Lion, which will include a public hearing.

Additional action items include setting public hearing dates for the fiscal year 2027 budget, personnel matters including contracts, resignations, volunteer approvals, and other district business.

Following adjournment, the board will hold an exempt session to discuss negotiations as allowed under Iowa law.

City of Mount Pleasant Personnel & Finance Committee Agenda 2.10.26

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, February 9th, 2026 at 4:43 pm CDT

The Mount Pleasant Personnel and Finance Committee will meet Tuesday morning, February 10, 2026 at 9:00 a.m., at City Hall in the City Administrator’s Conference Room.

On the agenda: approval of a contract with the Community Day Care Center for temporary use of city buildings, discussion of City Hall cleaning services, a temporary part-time employee for the City Clerk’s Office, and discussion of the fiscal year 2027 tax rate.

The meeting is open to the public and will include an open forum before adjournment.

Caroline K. Bailey

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, February 9th, 2026 at 2:45 pm CDT

Caroline Kay Bailey, 82, of Keosauqua, passed away Sunday, February 8, 2026 at Country Lane Manor in Keosauqua. Our mom was born February 12, 1943 in Keosauqua to Kenneth Harold and Nola Jeanette (Hervey) Robbins.

Our mom was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bulls sports fan, enjoyed playing Bingo, fishing, horses, and her pets. In her younger years, she was a fantastic bowler, and along with the Bonadome ladies, played some serious fast pitch softball. In her later years, she enjoyed following her grandchildren’s sports games and coffee with her friends.

Those left to honor her memory include her sons, Ken (Nancy) Nelson of Franklin, Jason (Shelley) Nelson of West Point, Vince (Heather) Nelson of West Point, and Danny Bailey of Bloomfield; and 12 grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Verne Michael Bailey; brother, Kenneth Wayne Robbins; and sister, Connie Sue Robbins Singer.

Mom has been entrusted to Behner Funeral Home and Crematory in Fairfield for cremation. There will be no service at this time; a private graveside service will be held at a later date at Harness Cemetery in Mt. Sterling. Cards may be sent to the family at 203 Franklin Liberty St., West Point, Iowa 52656. Memorials will be made to Harness Cemetery or Every Step Hospice in Mt. Pleasant.

Recap of the 32nd Annual Music In Motion Show Choir Invitational

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, February 9th, 2026 at 12:28 pm CDT

Christopher Jive and the Uptown 45 from West Branch captured the Grand Championship at the 32nd Annual Mount Pleasant Music in Motion Show Choir Invitational.

The invitational took place Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Mount Pleasant High School and featured a full day of performances from across the region. In total, nine middle school and eleven high school show choirs competed, with Mount Pleasant’s middle school and high school choirs performing in exhibition to close out the event.

You can hear more below as KILJ’s Shelbi Swinscoe got in on the action at Music in Motion:

 

Congratulations to the Mount Pleasant Music Department for putting together this massive invitational and thank you to all the parents, teachers, and volunteers that help make it happen year after year. This is one of the biggest fundraisers for the Mount Pleasant Music Department.

4A Division:
Crimson & Black: Fort Madison High School – First Place
Xuberance: Xavier High School – Second Place
Jubilation, Inc.: Benton Community High School – Third Place

3A Division:
Celebration Co.: Benton Community High School – First Place and Best Band
Voices Unlimited: West Liberty High School – Second Place
Swingspan: Fort Madison High School – Third Place and Best Represented Group
Summit Street Singers: Center Point-Urbana High – 4th Place
Sound Attraction: Williamsburg Jr/Sr High School – 5th Place
Purple Harmony: Keokuk High School – 6th Place
Outstanding Bass Soloist (Carter Killoren)

2A Division:
Christopher Jive and the Uptown 45: West Branch High School – First Place and Best Crew
CENTRifugAL Force: Central Lee High School – Second Place

Walmart Employee Arrested for Public Intoxication in Washington

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, February 9th, 2026 at 12:20 pm CDT

A Washington man was arrested Thursday, February 5, 2026 for public intoxication at the Walmart Supercenter in Washington.

According to the Washington Police Department, officers were dispatched at approximately 9:46 p.m., after receiving a report of an intoxicated employee at the store.

Officers responded to the scene and subsequently arrested Michael Adair, 34, of Washington, for Public Intoxication. Adair was transported to the Washington County Jail. A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities Board Approves Contracts, Budget Changes in January Meeting

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, February 9th, 2026 at 12:17 pm CDT

The Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities Board of Trustees held its regular meeting January 20, 2026 at the utility offices on North Adams Street.

The board approved minutes from its December meeting, along with more than one million dollars in bills and electronic payments. Trustees also approved the December Treasurer’s Report as presented.

Among major action items, the board approved a consulting contract with LEV Consulting and authorized a reallocation of 250-thousand dollars in the water capital budget. The funds were moved from the Well 7 drilling budget to the EDR stack upgrade project. EDR is a water cleaning process.

Trustees also approved a Veolia contract totaling more than 815-thousand dollars to replace EDR water treatment equipment.

Updates were provided on several ongoing projects, including the Cedar Lane Well 7 and water distribution project, advanced metering infrastructure installation, water treatment maintenance, and the Hoaglin Drive overhead-to-underground improvement project.

Utility managers reported three electric outages and one water main break during December. Crews also continue work on underground electric projects, automated metering infrastructure installations, and preparations for the Winfield Avenue Road project.

The next Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24th, at 1 p.m. This meeting is open to the public.

Fort Madison Man Stabbed on Sunday Identified

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, February 9th, 2026 at 12:14 pm CDT

On February 8, 2026, the Fort Madison Police Department was called to the 3033 Avenue J address in reference to a disturbance involving an agitated male. While officers were in route, LeeComm advised that a male subject had been stabbed.

Officers from the Fort Madison Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Fort Madison Fire Department, and Lee County EMS responded to the scene. The male subject was stabilized on scene and transported to Southeast Iowa Regional Hospital in Fort Madison.

The male was identified as Jacob Haage, age 32, of Fort Madison.

The Fort Madison Police Department conducted an initial investigation, and at this time no suspects have been charged. The investigation remains ongoing, and no further information will be released at this time.