Henry County Supervisors Meeting April 3rd: Update

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 at 10:44 am CDT

Henry County Supervisors Meeting Update

Henry County supervisors held their weekly meeting this Thursday (april 3rd) where department heads shared updates on infrastructure, public health, finances, and other public departments within the county.

Road Projects

Jake Hotchkiss gave an update on projects going on in the county. Crews are resurfacing roads, repairing storm damage, and prepping for paving. Contractors began resurfacing in Winfield. Old Highway 34 is being prepared for seal coating, and Franklin Avenue rumble strip work is nearly done. The Nebraska Avenue bridge is now open, with only seeding left. The dust control sign-up deadline is April 15.

Financial & Administrative Reports

Kelly Sloan with he Treasurer’s Office reported the department collected nearly $12 million in property taxes in March and processed over $570,000 in motor vehicle transactions. Vehicle registration fees have changed due to House File 274.

Public Health Updates

Katie Reuter with Henry county Health gave an update about flu cases declining, but measles cases have spread to 18 jurisdictions. Officials stressed the importance of vaccination, with Henry County’s MMR rate at 97.8%. Discussions continue on proposed public health realignment.

Emergency Management & Law Enforcement

The Sheriff’s Office will partner with General Assistance to host a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Training next week for officers from 13 counties. Walt Jackson with Henry County Emergency Management mentioned efforts in a new burn ban ordinance under review. The ordinance would give

Conservation & Community Initiatives

Caleb waters with the Conservation department reported that campgrounds open April 15, though dump station updates are delayed. Fundraising for a new playground has reached $40,000, with proceeds also supporting a shelter house and monument relocation. Conservation Board meetings now occur on the first Wednesday of each month.

Looking Ahead

Residents are encouraged to stay informed on projects, tax deadlines, and public health updates. The next Board of Supervisors meeting will provide further details.

William “Bill” Haner

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 at 10:23 am CDT

William “Bill” Haner, 84, of Fort Madison, Iowa, and most recently Hereford, Arizona, passed away at 10:04 p.m. Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Canyon Vista Medical Center in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

He was born on February 5, 1941, in Steator, Illinois, the son of William and Florence Haner. In August of 1964, he married Linda (Ames) Haner. They later divorced.

Bill is survived by his three children: Christina (Haner) Reed, Michael Haner, and Kathleen Haner; brother: Rick Haner; son-in-law: James Reed; grandchildren: Jacob, Julia, Audrey, Allyson, Akeeleys, and Michael; great-grandchildren: Gauge, Carson, Dakota, Levi.

He was preceded in death by his son: Brian (who passed in 1977); mother: Florence; father: Bill; grandson: Tyler (who passed in 2022) and his wife: Arlene (Wilson) Haner (who passed in 2024).

Bill worked for Owens Illinois Glass Company for 41 years. In 2012, he met and married Arlene Wilson.

A graveside celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Montrose Cemetery in Montrose, Iowa.

Following the ceremony there will be refreshments served at a church in Montrose.

Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Sports, April 3rd

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Track

Mt. Pleasant will host a Co-ed meet tonight with Fairfield, the Mediapolis boys’ team, and West Burlington-Notre Dame making the trip.

The Mediapolis girls’ team will host an invitational tonight with Van Buren County, WACO, Central Lee, and Wapello participating. 

The Van Buren County boys’ team will host a meet tonight with WACO competing.

New London will travel to Danville to compete in a meet tomorrow, April 4th. 

Columbus will make the trip to Liberty High School on Saturday, April 5th, for a Co-ed invitational. 

High School Tennis

Mt. Pleasant will start the season against Davis County tonight. The boys’ team will host Davis County, while the girls’ team will hit the road. Girls’ head coach Martha Peterson is excited for her team to get on the courts,

“Davis County is always a tough match as well those will be good tests for us and I think I have to prepare my team for knowing that we’re starting this season that first match your learning, you’re kind of reminding yourself what it is to go out there and play a match, doing that against tough competition isn’t always easy but it’ll be a good test for us.”

Fairfield will face off against Fort Madison tonight with the boys’ team at home and the girls on the road.

High School Golf

The Central Lee, Burlington Notre Dame, and Holy Trinity Catholic boys’ teams will participate in the Keokuk Invite today.

Winfield-Mt. Union will host Highland today. 

WACO will hit the road today to take on Lone Tree. 

Mediapolis will take on Danville at the Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club today.

Wapello will travel to Louisa-Muscatine today.

New London will square off against Van Buren County on the road today.

Columbus will tangle with Hillcrest Academy today at Kalona Golf Course. 

High School Soccer

The Central Lee girls’ team will travel to Burlington Notre Dame tonight while the boys’ team will travel to Fairfield with both games at 5 pm.

Mt. Pleasant will square off against Clear Creek Amana tonight with the girls’ team competing in their home opener and the boys’ team traveling north with gametime at 5 pm. Boys’ head coach Rocco Russo talked about what the Panthers need to do to exit with the win,

“I think if we play soccer the way we know how to play and the way we showed against Danville, we’ll be alright. You know, as long as they keep connecting good passes and playing as a team and playing as one unit, I think it’ll be a fun game.”

Mediapolis will face off against Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union tonight at the Muscatine Soccer Complex.

The WACO boys’ team will take on Wapello on the road tonight at 5 pm.

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team will compete against Hillcrest Academy tomorrow, April 4th, at 5 pm on the road. 

The Danville boys’ team will take on Mediapolis on April 10th at home with gametime at 5:30 pm.

Southeastern Community College                                                     

The softball team will face off against St. Louis Community College on Sunday, April 6th, on the road in a doubleheader. 

The baseball team will take on Kirkwood Community College today in a home doubleheader.

College Basketball

Iowa’s Payton Sandfort will compete at the State Farm College Dunk and Three-Point Championships today. Sandfort tallied 1,619 points in his career, the 11th most in program history, and made the second-most three-pointers all-time with 271. He is just the seventh Hawkeye to compete in the event and will look to become the second one to win it after Peter Jok in 2017. 

March Madness

The KILJ bracket challenge, sponsored by The Press Box and Wiley’s Interior Furnishings and Design, is gearing up for a tight finish with only four teams left in the bracket. The Final Four is slated to start on Saturday, April 5th.

You can find the updated standings here: KILJ Bracket Challenge Standings

This Day in Sports History

1988 – Mario Lemieux wins the NHL scoring title, stopping Gretzky’s 7 year streak.

1994 – The first roster of Silver Bullets (all-female pro baseball team) was announced.

2019 – San Antonio coach Greg Popovich is ejected after an NBA record low 63 seconds in the Spurs 113-85 loss in Denver; received two technical fouls in a verbal confrontation with a referee.

Ferlin Patrick Edgington

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 at 5:59 am CDT

Ferlin Patrick Edgington, 67, of New London, died Thursday, March 27, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington.  He was born September 16, 1957 in Ft. Madison to Edsel Burl and Carla Jean Kinsinger Edgington.  He married Robin Jones and they later divorced.

Ferlin was a 1976 graduate of New London High School and attended Southeastern Community College.  He helped his brother Larry farm and also drove a semi.

He enjoyed his dogs, especially Brutus; watching sports, especially the Hawkeyes; racing; talking politics; and trips to Cantril with Roma.

Those left behind to mourn him include his sister Roma Edgington of New London; his brother Wendell (Connie) Edgington of Ft. Madison; sister-in-law Tina Edgington of Mt. Pleasant; two sons Christopher of Burlington and Joshua of Mt. Pleasant; several grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and his good friend Lisa DuPree of New London.  He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Gary and Larry.

According to his wishes his body has been cremated and a graveside inurnment will be held at Jaggar Cemetery, rural Danville, April 11, 2025 at 4:00 pm.  Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

KHS students Advance to International Science Fair In May

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 at 5:58 am CDT

KEOKUK, Iowa – The Keokuk High School sent 10 students and the Keokuk Middle sent 20 students to compete at the 68th annual State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa held in Ames, Iowa, on March 27-28. For the first time in program history, two KHS students were chosen to advance to compete at the International Science Fair, Kelly Takorbisong (9 awards & invite) and Christine Condren (5 awards).

Both Kelly & Christine were Invited to compete with all expenses paid at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Columbus, Ohio, coming up in May for a week.

MPCSD Site and Policy Committee Meeting | 04/03/2025 – 05:00 PM

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 at 5:38 am CDT

Site and Policy Committee Meeting | 04/03/2025 – 05:00 PM

Mt. Pleasant CSD – Central Office | 1010 East Washington Street, Suite 102
SITE COMMITTEE

1. FY26 Buildings and Grounds Projects Update
2. Transportation Facility Change Order
3. Bus Camera Quote
4. WisdomQuest Design/Construction Plans

POLICY COMMITTEE

1. Second Reading of School Board Policy Series 900 Community Relations
2. Second Reading of School Board Policy 208 Ad Hoc Committees (to
replace 203.06 Ad Hoc Committees)
3. Second Reading of School Board Policy 402.04 Gifts to Employees
4. Review Technology Lease Agreement with Apple Financial
5. Consideration to Approve Kids Heart Challenge Fundraiser
6. Open Enrollment Application Consideration
7. Director District #2 Special Election Information
8. Facilities Master Plan Survey Information

Iowa Weekly Fuel Report As of April 3rd, 2025

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 at 5:37 am CDT

Iowa Weekly Fuel Report

DES MOINES, Iowa (April 2, 2025) – The price of regular unleaded gasoline rose 10 cents, averaging $3.13 across Iowa according to AAA.

Crude Oil Summary

  • The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $1.62 per barrel and is currently priced at $71.45.
  • Brent crude oil rose by $.78 and is currently priced at $74.62.
  • One year ago, WTI crude sold for $85.95 and Brent crude was priced at $87.63.

Motor Fuels

  • As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.13 across Iowa according to AAA.
    • Prices rose 10 cents from last week’s price and are down 14 cents from a year ago.
    • The national average on Wednesday was $3.24, up 9 cents from last week’s price.
  • Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 9 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.42.
    • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.76 in Iowa.
    • The current Iowa diesel price is 21 cents lower than the national average of $3.63.
  • Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
  • The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.30 for U87-E10, $2.55 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.46 for ULSD#2, $2.71 for ULSD#1, and $2.01 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

  • Natural gas prices were up $.17 at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $4.06 MMbtu.
  • Propane prices averaged $1.62 per gallon in Iowa.
  • Home heating oil prices had a statewide average of $2.93 per gallon.

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

Mount Pleasant Ordinance Committee Meeting April 10th

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, April 3rd, 2025 at 5:35 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Ordinance Committee will meet on Thursday, April 10th, at

9:00 a.m. at City Hall in the City Administrators’ Conference Room.

AGENDA 

  1. Call to Order.
  2. Discuss Procedure for Disposing of City Owned Lots
  3. Discuss Solid Waste and Sanitary Sewer Base Fees
  4. Discuss No Parking on Marion Street (Between Clay and Washington Street)
  5. Discuss On Going Nuisances
  6. Open Forum
  7. Adjourn