Henry County Board of Supervisors Meeting Thursday, March 26th

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 at 6:23 am CDT

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will meet Thursday morning for their regular session.

The meeting begins at 9:00 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by approval of consent agenda items, including minutes and financial claims.

In unfinished business, supervisors will continue discussions on a proposed policy related to public requests for information, including potential fees and determining a central point of contact for handling those requests. The board will also review the status of current information requests.

Budget-related discussions will include possible financial support agreements with several local organizations, including Old Threshers, the Henry County Fair, Area Economic Development, Main Street, and Friends of Geode, along with other community betterment efforts.

Supervisors will also be introduced to a new Information Technology employee, Brad Bavery, and discuss whether website management should fall under an IT manager or other staff.

In new business, County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss will provide updates, including a presentation on the Iowa DOT budget and five-year construction program.

The board will also discuss supervision and building access for county employee Tyler Freeze, approve appointments to the Historic Preservation Commission, and consider an appointment to the eminent domain review board.

Additional discussion will include updates from the Iowa Public Information Board and follow-up on the Iowa Governmental Health Care Plan.

The meeting will wrap up with public comments before adjournment.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors Meeting is open to the public.

The Mount Pleasant City Council Regular Session Meeting Tonight

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 at 6:23 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in regular session Wednesday evening at City Hall.

The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in the second-floor meeting room at 307 East Monroe Street.

On the agenda, council members will hold a public hearing on a proposed loan agreement and consider issuing up to 1.235 million dollars in general obligation capital loan notes. Those funds would support upcoming city projects, with resolutions also setting repayment through a property tax levy.

In old business, the council will consider the third reading and possible adoption of an ordinance updating city code regulations related to signs and industrial districts.

New business includes review of a site plan for a proposed car wash at 2125 East Washington Street, along with approval of additional plans tied to the Continental Industrial Plant expansion on North Goodyear Road.

Council members will also consider property tax abatement applications, bids to demolish a structure at 403 East Green Street, and set a public hearing date of April 22nd for the fiscal year 2027 budget.

Additional items include approval of employee health and dental insurance renewals, hiring a new administrative assistant for the City Clerk’s office, and a mayoral reappointment to the Construction Board of Appeals.

The meeting will conclude with a public forum, followed by adjournment. The council is also scheduled to meet in a special session on Friday, April 3rd at 8:00 a.m.

Hiring Raises Questions After Unlicensed Counselor Joins Iowa Corrections

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 at 6:07 am CDT

A hiring decision by the Iowa Department of Corrections is raising questions after state records revealed a newly hired employee had been practicing without a valid license.

According to the Iowa Board of Behavioral Professionals, Keith R. Keller of southeast Iowa was originally licensed as a master’s-level social worker in 2015, but his license expired in December of 2022.

In August of 2023, the board received a complaint about Keller. A follow-up investigation in 2024 found that Keller was allegedly being promoted by an employer as a licensed social worker, despite his expired license.

Records show Keller later acknowledged the issue, telling investigators he was concerned about passing the required exam to renew his license. He then stopped communicating with the board.

In May of 2025, Keller was formally charged with falsely representing himself as licensed, practicing with an expired license, and failing to cooperate with the investigation.

A hearing was held in January of this year, which Keller did not attend. The board found him guilty on all counts and issued a suspension of his already expired license for at least 90 days.

However, state records show that just weeks before that suspension took effect, and while the charges were still pending, Keller was hired as a community corrections program coordinator for the Eighth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services. The Eighth Judicial District covers 14 Southeast Iowa counties including Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Lee, Louisa, Van Buren, Wapello, and Washington.

In a Facebook post announcing the hire, the department described Keller as an Iowa-licensed master social worker and highlighted his background in substance abuse and mental health counseling.

Attempts to reach Keller and Department of Corrections officials for comment were unsuccessful.

The situation may be tied to delays in the public release of disciplinary actions. Records show the charges against Keller were approved in May of 2025 but were not made public until late October.

Those delays have been an ongoing issue since the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing took over administration of licensing boards in 2023.

Iowa High School Athletics: Conference Realignment Committee

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 at 11:20 pm CDT

Boone, IA- Conferences will be shifted around after this school year is over as multiple teams put in their application and got it approved to join different cadres. The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) is working in combination with the Conference Realignment Committee to make it happen.

The Conference Realignment Committee, which was established by the signing of House File 783, and started meeting in January of 2026 is in charge of reviewing and determining applications of member schools looking to move conferences.

The committee members are active superintendents and activities directors from member schools, including Dr. Andy Crozier of Central Lee and Scott Lamm of Mt. Pleasant for our local schools.

So far, sevens schools have had their proposals approved with Decorah, Waverly-Shell Rock, and Ankeny Christian still waiting for their decision. None of our local schools have changed conferences.

For a full look at the committee minutes, timelines, application procedures, and other documents related to the work of the committee, follow this link: Conference Realignment Committee

Ronald Rickey “Rick” Williams

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 at 2:33 pm CDT

Ronald Rickey “Rick” Williams, 76, of Mount Pleasant passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at his home.

Rick was born on May 31, 1949, in Mount Pleasant the son of Ronald Newton “Newt” and Lucille Kathryn (Wellington) Williams. Rick graduated from the Mount Pleasant High School with the class of 1967. Following his graduation, he attended Southeastern Community College in West Burlington for two years. He worked for the Mount Pleasant Utilities as an operator for 26 years before his retirement.

He loved music and had a collection of over 300 old 45’s and had written over 200 poems and songs in his lifetime. Rick was a big fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs. Rick played softball in his younger years, and enjoyed taking walks, riding his bike and shooting baskets at the REC Center. He enjoyed gardening and giving his produce to others. Rick was devoted to the Holy Scriptures and was a student of the Bible. He was a past member of the V.F.W. Sons of AMVETS.

Rick is survived by his cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Newt and Lucille Williams.

According to his wishes cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant. A private family burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to All God’s Creatures Animal Shelter in Mount Pleasant in his memory.

The Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant is honored to serve the family with love, comfort and dignity as we celebrate the life of Rick.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Sally Fritcher

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 at 2:28 pm CDT

Sally Fritcher, 85, of Mount Pleasant passed away on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Sally was born on July 17, 1940, in St. Paul, Minnesota, the daughter of Antonio and Mary (Evenoff) Sanchez.  She was united in marriage to Kenneth L. Fritcher on June 30, 1962, in St. Paul, Minnesota.  He preceded her in death on July 30, 1996.  Sally was a homemaker taking care of her children.  After her husband’s death she went to work for Mackay Envelope of Mount Pleasant for 3 years.  Her grandchildren were the highlight of her life.  Sally was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan and enjoyed trips to the casino.  Sally was a member of the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant.

Those thankful for sharing in her life include her children, Terry Kimble, of Mount Pleasant and Steve (Lori) Fritcher of Danville, her beloved grandchildren, Steven Fritcher, Jr., Russell Fritcher, Kristin Septer and Matthew Kimble, along with four great grandchildren.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sisters, Mary Lou Palacio and Delores Crow and two brothers, Nick Sanchez and Gregory Sanchez.

According to her wishes cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant and no services will be held at this time.  

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

The Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant is honored to serve the family with love, comfort and dignity as we celebrate the life of Sally.

Sue Stevens

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 at 2:18 pm CDT

Sue Stevens, 82, of Mount Pleasant passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at Park Place in Mount Pleasant.

Sue was born on February 14, 1944, in Burlington, the daughter of Jack and Wanda (Newman) Daniels.  She graduated from Burlington High School in the class of 1962.  Sue was a medical transcriber for over 30 years.  She loved nature, watching her game shows and was an avid sports fan, especially watching the Olympics.

Those thankful for sharing in her life include her daughters, Joni (George) Cunningham, of California and Dana Capaldi, of Texas, along with her grandchildren, Sean Cunningham, Taylor Cunningham, Daniel Smith, Austin Wilde, Sadie Beasley and Christian Capaldi, her sister-in-law, Glenda Daniels and her nephew, Jim Daniels.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents and her brother James (Bubba) Daniels.

Everyone who knew Sue felt her big heart and giving nature.  Her memory will continue to live on and inspire strength, resilience and generosity in those whose lives she touched.  May she rest in peace.

According to Sue’s wishes cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant and a private family service will be held with burial in the Salem South Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com The Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant is honored to serve the family with love, comfort and dignity as we celebrate the life of Sue.

Cleo Lucille McKim

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 at 10:19 am CDT

Cleo Lucille McKim, 99, of Mt. Pleasant, died Thursday, April 3, 2025 at the Sunrise Terrace Care Center in Winfield.

A committal service for Cleo will be at 2PM this Friday, March 27 at the Forest Home Cemetery.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the First United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com. The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main Street, is caring for Cleo and her family.