Henry County Supervisors AGENDA REVISED

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 at 11:14 am CDT

Henry County Supervisors

100 E Washington St Ste 202

Mt Pleasant IA  52641

Fax: 319-385-3601

 

  Chad White, Vice-Chair               Marc Lindeen, Chairman               Steven Detrick, Member    

           319-385-0759                                 319-385-0760                                     319-385-0761________                        

 

AGENDA REVISED

Board of Supervisors

May 15, 2025

9:00 a.m.

  1. Approve Agenda
  1. Approve Minutes
  1. Engineer, Jake Hotchkiss Weekly Update.

Motion – Calhoun-Burns Contract

  1. Follow up & Discussion on County Ordinance for Traffic Codes
  1. Motion to approve settlement of EEOC #26A-2025-000463 and CP # 03-25-83451

in the amount of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00).

Supervisors’ Sub-Committee Updates

Contour Airlines to Launch Jet Service Between Burlington and Chicago; Fares Start at $59

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 at 8:44 am CDT

Daily Flights Begin July 1, 2025

Contour Airlines has announced the launch of nonstop jet service between Burlington, Iowa (BRL) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), with flights beginning July 1, 2025. To celebrate the new route, Contour is offering special introductory one-way fares starting at just $59.

The service will be operated using a 30-seat regional jet, offering passengers all-leather seating with expanded legroom. Each ticket includes a complimentary checked bag, snacks, and beverages—no additional fees required.

“We are thrilled to launch new nonstop jet service from Burlington, IA to Chicago,” said Ben Munson, President of Contour Airlines. “This enhances access to Chicago and its surrounding areas, while also allowing passengers to connect seamlessly to over 100 destinations with our partners, Alaska, American, and United Airlines.”

Sara Sandburg, Airport Director of Southeast Iowa Regional Airport, welcomed the announcement:
“Southeast Iowa Regional Airport Authority’s Board is excited to announce the arrival of Jet Service by Contour Airlines,” said Sandburg. “Starting July 1, Contour will provide daily flights to and from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Our community is looking forward to having dependable service to meet your travel needs. This service will help our community’s economic growth with the help of Contour’s transformation service.”

The new route marks a significant development for southeast Iowa’s air travel connectivity, providing both convenience for local passengers and potential for broader economic benefits.

For more information or to book a flight, visit www.contourairlines.com or call (888) 332-6686.

Sports, May 14th

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 at 6:22 am CDT

High School Track

Danville, Columbus, New London, Wapello, and Winfield-Mt. Union will make the trip to WACO for their state qualifying meet tomorrow, May 15th.

Mt. Pleasant will host their state qualifying meet tomorrow with Fairfield and West Burlington/Notre Dame participating. 

Mediapolis will travel to Monticello, Van Buren County will go to Wayne, and Central Lee will make the trip to PCM for their state qualifying meets tomorrow. 

High School Tennis

The Fairfield boys’ team will host the District singles and doubles tournament today with Mt. Pleasant making the trip.

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will travel back to Fairfield on Friday, May 16th, for their team Regional Tournament. 

High School Golf

The SEC girls’ teams will compete in their tournament today.

In Class 1A, Winfield-Mt. Union will host their Sectional meet today with Danville, Holy Trinity Catholic, New London, WACO, and Wapello making the trip. 

Mediapolis, Central Lee, Columbus, and Van Buren County will make the trip to Pella for their Class 2A sectional meet today. 

The Mt. Pleasant and Burlington Notre Dame boys’ teams will head to Washington, while the Fairfield boys’ team will make the trip to Knoxville for their Class 3A District Qualifiers today. 

The girls’ Class 1A Region 5 meet will take place on Friday in Wapello with Winfield-Mt. Union, WACO, New London, Danville, Holy Trinity Catholic, and Columbus making the trip. 

The Mediapolis and Central Lee girls’ teams will head to Kalona for the Class 2A Region 5B meet on Friday. 

High School Soccer

The boys’ SEISC tournament got underway yesterday with Mediapolis and Burlington Notre Dame hosting a pair of games and the semifinals are now set for Friday, May 16th. 

At Mediapolis, Highland defeated Hillcrest Academy for the first time since 2017, despite trailing 2 to 0 at halftime, winning 3-2 in extratime. Seth Ours tallied an assist for both goals for the Ravens.

In the nightcap game, Mediapolis shutout WACO 3-0 as the Bulldogs look to defend their SEISC championship. Mediapolis will take on Highland with the winner advancing to the championship on Saturday, May 17th, at Central Lee at 10 am.

Over in Burlington, the Nikes displayed why they are ranked #6 in Class 2A in a 10-0 trouncing of Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union to start off the night. Alessandro Markomichelakis netted four goals in the thunderous victory. 

Central Lee and Danville were locked in a tight battle after a second half goal by the Bears tied the game at one, eventually leading to penalty kicks, which the Hawks would exit on top of for the 2-1 victory. Peter Seyb had the lone goal for Central Lee. 

#6 Burlington Notre Dame will travel to Central Lee on Friday for their semifinal matchup scheduled to start at 7 pm.

The Central Lee girls’ team had no answers for Fort Madison last night, losing 10-0. The Hawks will start Regional play on Monday, May 19th, on the road against Fairfield at 7 pm.

The WACO boys’ team will hit the road to take on Sigourney Keota on Friday at 5 pm.

The Mediapolis girls’ team will compete against Keokuk tomorrow, May 15th, at 5 pm on the road. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will make the trip to Burlington Notre Dame tomorrow at 5 pm.

Fairfield will compete against Centerville tomorrow in a road doubleheader with the girls’ team leading off the night at 5:30 pm. 

The Wapello girls’ team will face off against Mid-Prairie in the Class 1A Region 3 first round at 7 pm on Monday.

High School Postseason Soccer

The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) released the postseason brackets and here’s the matchups for our local teams.

In Class 1A Substate 5, Danville and WACO will face off against one another in round one, which is slated to start at 7 pm on Tuesday, May 20th. The winner will take on West Liberty. In the bottom half of the bracket, Mediapolis earned a bye and will await the winner between Central Lee and Sigourney Keota, on May 27th.

In Class 2A Substate 5, Burlington Notre Dame earned the #1 seed and a first-round bye. The Nikes will compete against either Assumption or Solon. On the bottom half of the bracket, Wapello will take on Central DeWitt. 

Over in Substate 6, Fairfield will host Centerville in the first round with the winner advancing to play Mt. Pleasant on May 27th.

In Class 3A Substate 4, Burlington will play Clinton in the play-in game, while in Substate 6 Fort Madison will travel to Mt. Vernon for their second round matchup.

This Day in Sports History

1906 – The flagpole at the White Sox ballpark breaks during the pennant-raising.

1995 – At 43 years, 162 days Manchester City goalkeeper John Burridge becomes the oldest player to appear in an English Premier League match, a 3-2 home defeat to Queens Park Rangers.

2016 – Gabriel Medina becomes the first surfer ever to land the move “Backflip” in competition.

Tom Beasley- pending

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, May 13th, 2025 at 9:00 pm CDT

Tom Beasley

Tom Beasley, 85, of Mt. Pleasant, died Monday, May 12, 2025 at his residence.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, which is assisting Tom’s family with the arrangements.

Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

Rodney “Rod” Wade Zirkle

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, May 13th, 2025 at 8:47 pm CDT

Rodney “Rod” Wade Zirkle, 54, of Richland, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, surrounded by loved ones.

Born on January 1, 1971, in Virginia, Rod was the beloved son of Roger Lee and Linda (Hall) Zirkle. He graduated from high school in Virginia in 1989 and went on to earn his Associate’s Degree. Rod’s life journey brought him to Iowa in 1999, where he began a distinguished career in public service as a firefighter at the Veterans Hospital in Knoxville. He later joined the Ottumwa Fire Department as a firefighter and paramedic, proudly serving the community and standing strong with his brothers and sisters in the Firefighter’s Union.

It was during his time in Ottumwa that Rod met the love of his life, Sarah Ann Keeley. They were united in marriage on February 22, 2008, and together built a beautiful life filled with laughter, love, and devotion. Rod and Sarah were blessed with two wonderful children, Bekah (13) and Brody (10), who were the light of his life.

After retiring from his fire service, Rod continued to serve his community in another way—by becoming a school bus driver. He faithfully drove routes for the Fairfield, Winfield-Mt. Union, and Pekin school districts, always looking out for the children in his care with the same dedication he had shown his entire career.

Rod was a man of many passions. He loved the outdoors and could often be found hunting, fishing, golfing, or practicing archery. He had a natural talent for working with his hands and took pride in tackling yard projects and handiwork around his home. His quick wit, warm hugs, and perfectly timed jokes made him unforgettable to all who knew him. Rod had a wicked sense of humor and a deep love of comedy that brought joy to many. Above all, he was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a loyal friend.

Rod’s gentle spirit extended to all creatures—especially his cherished service dog, Maisie, a constant and beloved companion who was truly a member of the family.

One of Rod’s favorite traditions was volunteering at Old Threshers, where he could be found doing what he loved—driving the ground train and enjoying the music echoing from the grandstand.

Rod is deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, Sarah, and their children, Bekah and Brody; his brother, Kevin Zirkle and wife Anne; his in-laws, Jerry and Becky Keeley; sisters-in-law Tressa Keeley-Pickett and husband John; Cynthia Keeley Ridinger and husband Thom; his brother-in-law, John Keeley; his (Aunt)Sue Rapheld of Mt. Pleasant and his cousins Jill and Kenny Stutsman.

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Dan Keeley.

Rod’s life will be honored with a memorial service at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 17th at the Conservation Center in Marr Park, 2943 Iowa Highway 92, Ainsworth, Iowa. The Ottumwa Fire Department Honor Guard will render final honors. Following the service, a Celebration of Life and luncheon will be held until 2:00 PM. Cremation rites have been entrusted to Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation for the future education of Rod and Sarah’s children, Bekah and Brody. Checks may be made payable to Sarah Zirkle.

Online condolences may be shared at www.kimzeyfh.com.

Mark Overberg Wins Mt. Pleasant School Board Special Election

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, May 13th, 2025 at 8:17 pm CDT

The Mt. Pleasant Community School District has a new school board member. Mark Overberg emerged victorious in Tuesday’s special election, defeating Todd Liechty to fill the vacant seat.

A total of 861 were cast in the election, which took place at St. Alphonsus Manning Hall.

Todd Liechty: 339

Mark Overberg: 522

Total: 861

Throughout the campaign, both Overberg and Liechty emphasized the importance of transparency, open communication, and student-centered leadership. Voters ultimately chose Overberg to represent those values on the board.

Overberg is expected to be sworn in at an upcoming board meeting as the district continues its work on budget planning, student support initiatives, and strategic goals.

For additional updates, visit the Mt. Pleasant Community School District’s official website.

No Injuries Reported in Burlington House Fire on Isabella Avenue

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, May 13th, 2025 at 7:54 pm CDT

BURLINGTON, Iowa – May 13, 2025 — The Burlington Fire Department responded to a house fire Tuesday afternoon at 2011 Isabella Avenue. Crews were dispatched at 4:03 p.m. and arrived on scene just three minutes later to find smoke coming from the single-story home.

Firefighters entered the residence and were able to quickly bring the blaze under control. The property is owned by Michelle and Mark Putnam and leased to Jenna Putnam and Alex Schweitzer. Schweitzer was home at the time but escaped without injury.

Officials say the fire was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials and has been ruled accidental. The home had multiple working smoke alarms, and the property was insured at the time of the fire. Damage assessments are still underway.

The Burlington Fire Department was assisted on scene by Alliant Energy and Gas, the West Burlington Fire Department, and the American Red Cross. Fire ground operations concluded at 6:15 p.m.

No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

HCHC Foundation Celebrates Successful Campaign, Surpassing $104k Raised

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, May 13th, 2025 at 4:19 pm CDT

The Henry County Health Center Foundation is pleased to announce the successful completion of its recent $100,000 campaign to purchase medical beds and equipment for Henry County Health Center (HCHC). Thanks to generous private donations and strong community support at Foundation fundraising events, the Foundation surpassed its goal, raising a total of $104,000.

 

In addition to private donations, proceeds from the Foundation’s Bingo Night and Derby Party contributed to the successful campaign. Over 200 people attended Bingo in March, while May’s Derby Party drew supporters for a festive evening featuring Churchill Downs–style flair, mint juleps, auctions, and themed attire. Campaign funds provided new beds, equipment, and furniture for the Medical-Surgical and Emergency Departments, as well as the expanded Mount Pleasant Clinic.

All event proceeds and donations to the HCHC Foundation stay local, supporting high-quality healthcare in Henry County. To learn how your gift can help your friends and neighbors, contact the Foundation at (319) 385-6541 or scollins@greatriverhealth.org.