Exciting news for families in the community: Mount Pleasant Childcare Center has officially earned the Iowa Quality for Kids (IQ4K) certification, a recognition that highlights its commitment to excellence in early childhood education.

The IQ4K certification signifies that the center upholds high standards in safety, learning, and care. Parents can trust that their children are in the hands of well-trained, passionate educators who focus on child development and school readiness. The certification also underscores the center’s dedication to creating a warm and welcoming environment where young learners can thrive.

In a Facebook post, The MP Childcare center stated in its announcement. “This achievement wouldn’t be possible without our amazing staff who dedicate their time, energy, and love to creating the best experience for our children. Your hard work truly makes a difference, and we appreciate everything you do!”

Mount Pleasant Childcare Center is now enrolling new students, inviting families to schedule a tour and experience the benefits of the IQ4K-certified facility firsthand.

For more information, visit the center’s Facebook page or contact them directly at 319-348-1984 to learn about enrollment opportunities.

The district’s Building and Grounds department has outlined key infrastructure improvements for the upcoming fiscal year, focusing on essential maintenance and facility upgrades.

At the high school, planned repairs include fixing deteriorating sidewalks, resurfacing the parking lot, installing new carpeting in classrooms, and addressing ongoing roof leaks. The middle school will see tuck pointing, new smoke hatches, sidewalk repairs, and LED lighting upgrades. Adjustments to seclusion rooms will also ensure compliance with state regulations.

Van Allen Elementary will undergo brickwork repairs, gutter replacements, tree trimming, and classroom furniture updates. Lincoln Elementary and Salem School improvements include updated bathroom partitions, handicapped parking space repainting, and expanded fencing for playground security. A sewer line inspection at Salem will help address drainage concerns.

Athletic facility upgrades include new sidewalks, improved field drainage, fencing repairs, and leasing an automated field marking system. Additional projects across the district include repainting lockers, extending the chapel stage, and replacing outdated music performance equipment.

The district also plans to purchase a new mower and install updated camera systems on school buses. More details will be finalized as bids are received and schedules are set.

During a recent Site Committee discussion, school district leaders explored several facility updates and logistical plans for the coming academic year, including the installation of camera systems in two recently acquired school buses and strategies for managing rising construction costs.

The district plans to install camera systems in two buses before they are put into service. The total cost for equipping both vehicles with the same CANAS system currently used in the transportation complex is $10,038. Installation will be handled by the same provider to ensure consistency and reliability.

On the construction front, estimates for updates to the high school site raised concerns due to unexpectedly high labor and materials costs. One proposal, including district labor, came in around $760,000—well above initial expectations.

A sense of urgency emerged around scheduling contractors for next year’s building project tied to the school’s agricultural education program. While the location and plan for the upcoming year are set, district leaders emphasized the importance of booking foundation work immediately to avoid costly delays, as experienced in previous years.

Board member Josh Maher said, “We can’t call in July or August and expect things to happen on time, we need to get on people’s schedules now.”

Discussions also referenced past inflated estimates for projects like the bus barn facility, which were eventually reduced significantly once more detailed planning occurred. The committee acknowledged the need to act quickly if they hope to stay on track for potential construction beginning as early as this fall.

A follow-up meeting may be scheduled in the coming weeks to solidify plans and begin outreach to contractors and architects.

Sheriff McNamee is proud to announce the promotion of Lieutenant Jesse Bell to the position of Chief Deputy at the Henry County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO). This significant move highlights Chief Deputy Bell’s impressive 15 years of law enforcement experience, with 12 of those years dedicated to serving the Henry County community. Sheriff McNamee announced the promotion during this week’s Supervisors meeting

Throughout his tenure with HCSO, Chief Deputy Bell has demonstrated unwavering dedication and commitment to his role, having previously served as a Deputy Sheriff, Investigator, and most recently, Lieutenant. His wealth of experience, leadership, and steadfast approach to law enforcement have earned him this well-deserved promotion.

Chief Deputy Bell’s promotion is a testament to his dedication and professionalism in serving the community. The entire HCSO team congratulates him on this remarkable achievement and looks forward to the leadership he will bring in his new role.

On April 1st, 2025, at approximately 11:20 p.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received an 911 call from an unidentified individual reporting a medical issue. The call was mapped to the 1600-grid of Oakland Mills Road. Upon arrival in the area, a vehicle was in the southern ditch fully engulfed in flames.

The fire was extinguished, and an investigation began. A deceased individual was located inside the vehicle. No names will be released until identification is determined and families are notified.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Henry County Emergency Medical Services Ambulance and the Mount Pleasant Fire Department.

KILJ will bring you updated information as it becomes available.

The Planning and Zoning Commission has formally recommended an ordinance regarding alternative energy in the county during this weeks Supervisors meeting. The ordinance was primarily prepared by the Watchman LLC. The recommendation, which includes specific language regarding court venue, was passed despite the attorney’s office advising against it. Officials clarified that the venue for legal matters would ultimately depend on factors such as dollar value and case specifics.

A public hearing on the ordinance is scheduled for April 22nd at 6:00 PM in the upstairs meeting room. Additional meetings will allow for further discussion and input from the community.

During the meeting, officials acknowledged the significant effort put into the ordinance by the Planning and Zoning Commission. It was noted that members likely did not anticipate the complexity of the project when they first joined the board, but over the past year, the ordinance has undergone substantial evolution.

“I just want to say thank you to the Planning and Zoning Commission for the hard work and effort they’ve put into this,” Supervisor Steve Detrick stated. “It’s been a long process with a lot of reading, follow-ups, and late-night meetings.”

Special recognition was given to Jim and Kurt for their contributions, along with Henry County Watchman, which played a significant role in drafting the ordinance.

The ordinance is described as comprehensive and detailed, reflecting extensive collaboration among various stakeholders. While there were compromises made throughout the drafting process, officials believe the final recommendation represents a balanced and well-researched approach.

With the ordinance set for public hearing later this month, residents will have the opportunity to provide input before final decisions are made.