Mount Pleasant, Iowa — The ISU Extension and Outreach Office in Henry County is reminding local 4-H participants and families to save the date for the upcoming Sheep and Goat Weigh-In, scheduled for Friday, May 2nd at 5:30 p.m.

The weigh-in is a critical step for youth planning to exhibit animals at the county and state fair levels. All goats—with the exception of bottle-fed entries—must be weighed and tagged at the event. Organizers also stress the importance of providing the date of birth for all breeding does, which is required for proper documentation and eligibility.

Additionally, in compliance with animal health and identification regulations, all intact sheep and goats must have a scrapies tag before they can be weighed in. The scrapies tag helps ensure traceability and disease control within the livestock industry.

The Extension Office encourages families to plan ahead and arrive on time. More details and specific instructions will be shared directly with registered participants as the date approaches.

For further information or questions, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach – Henry County office at (319) 385-8126 or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/henry.

It’s not too early to register for summer swimming lessons in Mount Pleasant. Mail-in registration began April 1st, and some private lesson spots are already full. If you’ve already turned in your registration forms, keep an eye on your email, confirmation messages will arrive soon.

You can still send in your registration by mail. Just send your completed form to 307 E Monroe Street, Mount Pleasant, Iowa 52641.

This year’s swimming lessons will run from June 2nd through July 31st. Group lessons are scheduled for two weeks, Monday through Thursday, while private lessons take place over one week, also Monday through Thursday. Walk-in registration opens May 1st at our office.

Please note: children must be at least 5 years old to sign up for private lessons.

For the full lesson schedule, class descriptions, and a registration form, visit the City of Mount Pleasant website.

The City of New London has announced its annual Spring Cleanup event, scheduled for Monday, May 5. Residents are encouraged to place their bagged or boxed bulk household items at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on their regular trash pickup day. All items must be within three feet of the roadway.

Acceptable items include large miscellaneous household items that don’t fit in regular garbage carts. However, the total volume must not exceed that of a standard pickup truck bed.

Prohibited items include construction debris, dirt, stumps, railroad ties, wet paint, hazardous waste, mechanical parts, appliances without proper documentation, tires, and any business-related waste. Loose trash or uncontained items will not be collected.

Residents wishing to dispose of appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, or air conditioners must first pay a $15 fee at the City Office and present a receipt for curbside pickup.

Televisions and computer monitors will not be collected and must be taken to the Des Moines County HazChem Center. Residents should contact the center at 319-753-8758 for disposal fees and drop-off details.

MOUNT PLEASANT — Preschool teachers and administrators with the Mount Pleasant Community School District are already preparing for the 2025-2026 school year, beginning with an important step: estimating enrollment numbers for Little Panthers Preschool.

In accordance with state law, children must be four years old on or before September 15, 2025, to be eligible for preschool enrollment. Parents and guardians who are interested in enrolling their child are encouraged to complete the online pre-registration form, available now through the district website at www.mtpcsd.org.

The preschool program is tuition-free for all students. Classes are held Monday through Thursday, with two daily sessions offered: a morning session from 8:15 to 11:00 a.m. and an afternoon session from 12:10 to 3:05 p.m.

Pre-registration reserves a child’s place in the program, with final registration to be completed online in July. Sessions will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The preschool has a capacity of 108 students, with 18 students per class. Administrators aim to keep morning and afternoon enrollment numbers as balanced as possible.

At the end of the pre-registration process, families will be asked to indicate a preference for either the AM or PM session, though placement in a preferred session is not guaranteed.

Families already enrolled in the district will be able to register their preschool student through the Infinite Campus parent portal in July. New families to the district will receive an email with an activation code from Cindy Smith to create an account and complete registration through Infinite Campus.

The district encourages parents to share this information with any families who may not have received it.

To access the Little Panthers Preschool pre-registration form, visit www.mtpcsd.org.