Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Firefighters who have died in the line of duty during the previous year are honored at the national memorial service in Emmitsburg, Maryland. All firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice over the years are also honored.
“As we lower flags, we remember the sacrifice of those who have given their lives. We thank those who have served and those who are currently serving.
Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state.
Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties, and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flags at half-staff for the same length of time.
The Henry County Engineer’s Office has announced the start of a road construction project near the 305th Street and Quincy Avenue Intersection south of New London. The project, beginning on Monday, May 5th, will consist of several crossroad pipe replacements and the intersection being reconstructed to a “T” intersection. The work, weather permitting, will take approximately 2 weeks. Please note, there will be daily road closures and motorists are asked to watch for signage indicating the closures. The roads will be open overnight. Questions can be directed at the Henry County Engineer’s office at 319-385-0762.
Please have items by the curb by 6am on your regular trash day.
DISPOSAL ITEMS MUST BE BAGGED/BOXED AND PLACED WITHIN 3 FEET OF THE ROADWAY/CURB ON YOUR REGULAR PICKUP DAY BY 6:00 AM
ITEMS ACCEPTED – Unwanted miscellaneous household bulk items that are simply otherwise too large for a cart. Volume is limited per household and cannot exceed a pickup bed truck volume.
ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED – Construction debris, dirt, stumps, railroad ties, wet paint, hazardous waste, automobile/mechanical parts, no appliances, no tires, nothing from businesses, etc.
Loose piles of trash thrown out at the curbside will NOT be picked up. The garbage collector will not rake or scoop up loose waste. Items MUST BE BAGGED OR BOXED.
APPLIANCES – Such as refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, stoves, water heaters, microwaves, air conditioners, furnaces, etc. for curb pickup must have a receipt from City Office, fee $15.00.
TVs – Televisions and computer monitors will NOT be picked up curbside and must be taken to the Des Moines County HazChem Center for disposal. There may be a fee required for disposal, please contact the HazChem in advance for costs/drop off times, 319-753-8758.
Mary Kay Lampe, 78, of Macon, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at Samaritan Hospital in Macon.
Mary Kay was born on April 17, 1946, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Maurice and Arlene (Sooy) Lampe.
She is survived by her three children: Christina (Jason) Rak of St. Peters, Missouri, Keith (Kristin) Lampe of Macon, Missouri, and Alex Lampe of Salt Lake City, Utah; five grandchildren: Korbin, Brayden, Madison, Kinsley, and Aubrey; six siblings: Mark Lampe, JoAnne Greubel, Wayne Lampe, Craig Lampe, Theresa Freeman, and Linda Wahlgren; cousin: David Spiekermeier; and other extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Mary Kay was raised in West Point, Iowa. As a young adult, she moved around the Midwest to Independence, Missouri and Macomb, Illinois before moving back to the West Point area. She later settled in Macon, Missouri while continuing to split her time between Macon and her family farm in Iowa. She worked as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist at Samaritan Hospital in Macon and as a traveling CRNA at many hospitals throughout the country. She was involved with the American Heart Association serving as the regional president for the Macon area for a time. Mary Kay was an active member of the Catholic church and schools in both Iowa and Missouri. She was involved in the community: serving as the American Legion Auxiliary president in West Point, volunteering backstage with the local community theater in Macon, and visiting the senior center in Macon to play games with friends. She was enthusiastic about traveling, going on many regional tours in her later years. She had a multitude of hobbies including: crafting, quilting, shopping for unique items and bargains, and baking sugar cookies. Above all, she was a caring and providing mother and grandmother. She will be greatly missed.
A celebration of life visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at the Hutton & McElwain Funeral Home in Macon, Missouri with a reception following at West Winery from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 8, 2025, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point, Iowa.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point, Iowa with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.
Burial service at Calvary Cemetery in West Point with lunch following at the West Point American Legion.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the American Heart Association.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
At 2pm this afternoon (05/02/25) A traffic accident was reported on Hwy 218 Northbound at the Winfield turn off (Hwy 78). HCSO, ISP, Winfield, Old, and Wayland Fire Departments, and HCHC EMS responded to this accident with injuries. Traffic was delayed on Hwy 218 North of Mt. Pleasant.
Wapello, IA- Wapello golf has been on a tear for both the boys’ and girls’ teams with the boys’ team having won their past three showdowns, while the girls’ team has put together six wins out of seven matchups after both teams picked up the win against WACO last night.
Girls’ Meet
The Arrows put together their third best score of the season in their 215-283 final. Emma Gerhardt continues to be the anchor for this squad as her 47 led the team. Emmalin Marshall has proved to be an excellent battery mate as she posted a 52.
Boys’ Meet
The Wapello boys’ team cruised to a 30-stroke win over the Warriors 179-209 behind Wyatt Marlette’s 43 led the squad. Barrett Garrison, who typically has turned in the best score of the bunch, finished with a 45, the third best score of the team as Carter Ball carded a 44.
Up Next
The next team matchup for Wapello will be May 9th at New London, while the WACO girls’ team will take on Burlington Notre Dame on the road on Monday, May 5th. However, the boys’ teams will meet back up on Wednesday, May 7th, for the Southeast Iowa Super Conference Tournament.
Donald Riley, 84, of Mt. Pleasant, died Monday, April 28, 2025 at New London Specialty Care in New London.
Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. All other arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home. On line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com
Charles Lawrence Haffarnan, 67, was born in Henry County, Iowa, June 19, 1957 and died April 21, 2025, in Promise House, Hiawatha, Iowa, after 6 years of complications from a heart attack.
After H.S. graduation in Mount Pleasant, IA, Chuck served in the U.S. Army as a helicopter mechanic, including in Germany during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He retired from active duty with the rank of Sergeant. He then served in the U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard for a total of 23 years.
Chuck worked at the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility as a Correctional Trades Leader, including the supervision of employees and workers. He also worked at Ruan Trucking and Heatilator Fireplaces. Chuck could fix anything, including his beloved 2005 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide.
Work and fishing were his passions.
Chuck was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Joseph Haffarnan, his mother, Helen Louise (Miller) Haffarnan, half-brother John Bennage, half-brother Jerry Joseph Haffarnan and brother Michael Joseph Haffarnan.
Chuck will be greatly missed by brother James William Haffarnan (Susan) and sister Carolyn Arthur (Alan), sisters-in-law Carol Bennage and Donna Haffarnan, nieces Joslyn Bryant (Dalton), Emmily Pfleiderer (Blake), and Chloe Marks (Cameron), nephews Travis Thatcher (Ann) and Ian Arthur (Jessica), and many grand nieces and nephews, friends, and co-workers.
Visitation is scheduled for Friday, May 9, 2025, from 9am to 5pm at Kimzey Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant, IA. A private family graveside service will be held at Forest Home Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant.
Those considering an expression of sympathy may, in lieu of flowers, direct memorials to the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa, 201 Scott Court, Iowa City, IA, 52245 or the American Heart Association.
Charles Lawrence Haffarnan, 67, was born in Henry County, Iowa, June 19, 1957 and died April 21, 2025, in Promise House, Hiawatha, Iowa, after 6 years of complications from a heart attack.