MOUNT PLEASANT — The team at Family Medicine gathered on-site Monday to celebrate a proud moment: being named one of five nominees for Mount Pleasant’s Small Business of the Year.

The nomination party, held inside the clinic, brought together doctors, staff, and community supporters to acknowledge the decades-long commitment of Family Medicine to local healthcare.

Dr. Metcalf talked about it being much more than a job when he came to Family Medicine.

Dr. Rynders also credited Dr. Situmeang, who attended the same residency program, for recruiting him to Mount Pleasant.

The nomination event included light snacks and a group photo to commemorate the honor. The Family Medicine team expressed their appreciation to the organizers and said they looked forward to the final announcement of the Small Business of the Year winner later this week.

As spring advances, thistles are quickly becoming a bigger threat in pastures and fields — but there’s still time to act. Iowa State University Extension agronomists are urging landowners and farmers to manage thistle patches before they spread further.

“Once plants have bolted, cutting or mowing stems will reduce or perhaps prevent seed production,” said Meaghan Anderson, ISU Extension Field Agronomist.

Thistles not only choke out desirable forage but also reduce pasture productivity and can create long-term management headaches. The Extension recommends targeted strategies for control, including well-timed herbicide applications and consistent mowing practices.

Don’t wait until thistles go to seed — early intervention is key. Learn practical tips and proven methods for tackling these tough weeds by visiting the full Extension article here

Mount Pleasant Finance Committee Eyes Home school Program Expansion, District Partnerships

MOUNT PLEASANT — The Mount Pleasant Community School District’s finance committee met Friday to explore expanding its home school assistance program (HSAP) and setting up 28E agreements with neighboring districts.

The conversation centered on how the district can meet increasing demand from families both inside and outside the district who want to access home school support while retaining connections to their home districts for activities like sports and extracurricular.

Lynn Haffner, who oversees the HSAP alongside Dr. Butler, explained that the program currently serves about 118 students, nearing its capacity. With Iowa law capping caseloads at 50 students per full-time teacher (or 25 per half-time teacher), the district has already discussed hiring an additional half-time staff member to accommodate next year’s numbers.

The committee considered formal agreements that would let students from districts like Danville, New London, and Mediapolis stay enrolled at home for sports while accessing Mount Pleasant’s HSAP. Funding would be split between the districts, with Mount Pleasant receiving about 0.3 weighting per student.

Committee members raised concerns about quickly hitting capacity, Dr. Butler urged a cautious approach. Administrators discussed drafting a template agreement, and the board will revisit the issue at a later meeting.

Henry County Public Health, in collaboration with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, invites residents to get moving and feel better this spring by joining the next Walk with Ease program starting May 12th.

This free six-week walking program meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at The REC Center in Mt. Pleasant. Developed by the Arthritis Foundation, Walk with Ease is designed to help participants safely increase their physical activity, reduce joint pain, and gain confidence in their mobility.

The program is open to all Henry County residents. Whether you’re managing arthritis, recovering from injury, or simply looking to become more active, Walk with Ease provides the support and structure to help you get moving—safely and comfortably.

Space is limited! Call Public Health at 319-385-0779 to sign up today.