Henry County Board of Supervisors to Hold Budget Hearing and Proclamations at April 10 Meeting

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 at 8:43 am CDT

Henry County Board of Supervisors to Hold Budget Hearing and Proclamations at April 10 Meeting

Mount Pleasant, Iowa — The Henry County Board of Supervisors will convene for a regular meeting on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. in the Third Floor Courtroom of the Henry County Courthouse, located at 100 E Washington Street, Mount Pleasant.

The meeting consist a full agenda, highlighted by a public hearing and adoption of the Fiscal Year 2026 Henry County Budget.

Following routine approvals of the agenda, previous meeting minutes, and claims, County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss will deliver his weekly department update. The board will also hear from Caleb Waters of the Conservation Department.

At the center of the meeting is a public hearing on the proposed county budget for FY2026, after which the board is expected to consider and potentially adopt multiple related resolutions:

  • Certification of the FY2026 Budget
  • Appropriations for FY2026
  • Wage adjustments for Henry County employees and the Assessor’s Office

The meeting also includes proclamations recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month, along with a resolution to reappoint Klay Edwards to the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission’s Loan Review Committee.

Additional county business may be addressed as time allows, and the supervisors will share updates from their sub-committees. The public is welcome to attend.

Governor Kim Reynolds Expressed Strong Support For House File 782

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 at 8:43 am CDT

Governor Kim Reynolds has expressed strong support for legislation passed by the Iowa House that aims to limit student access to personal electronic devices during instructional hours. House File 782, which passed earlier this week, seeks to address the growing concern over digital distractions in schools.

In a statement released Tuesday, Governor Reynolds highlighted the negative impact of cell phone use on student learning and classroom productivity.

“Digital distractions are at an all-time high, disrupting focus, learning, and productivity in our classrooms,” she said. “Iowa students deserve to learn free from the disruption of personal electronic devices to fully focus on their education.”

Reynolds emphasized that several Iowa schools have already implemented similar restrictions and have seen “tremendous progress in student behavior and engagement.” She voiced her support for extending those outcomes statewide.

“I look forward to signing this bill, allowing every Iowa student to once again prioritize learning,” she added.

The proposed legislation marks a significant step in Iowa’s ongoing efforts to enhance the educational environment and reduce distractions in schools. Once signed into law, it will enforce stricter guidelines on electronic device use, aiming to create more focused and engaging classrooms across the state.

Capstone Pharmacy Named Finalist for 2025 Small Business of the Year

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 at 8:41 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Capstone Pharmacy as the second finalist for the 2025 Small Business of the Year award!

Known for their personalized service, compassionate care, and deep community ties, Capstone Pharmacy has built a strong reputation as a trusted healthcare partner in Mount Pleasant. From providing expert advice to going the extra mile for customers, their commitment to wellness and community well-being truly sets them apart.

In a Facebook post from the chamber, they wrote, “This recognition is a reflection of their dedication not just to business excellence, but to the people they serve every day.”

Please join us in congratulating Capstone Pharmacy on this well-earned honor! Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight more outstanding local businesses throughout the week

Sports, April 9th

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Track

Mt. Pleasant traveled to Williamsburg to participate in a Co-Ed Invitational last night with the girls’ team grabbing 5th place with 52 team points and the boys’ team taking 14th place with 20 team points. Leading the girls’ team was Alex Scott in the 100-meter dash with a 2nd place time of 12.86 seconds, while Kynlee White nabbed 4th place in the 200-meter dash. White and Scott were joined by Ellie Freeman and Kiyah Sanders in the 4×200 with the squad taking 2nd place with a time of 1 minute and 46 seconds, while Taylor Williamson joined Sanders, Scott, and White for the 4×100 with a gold medal time of 50.56 seconds. In the field events, Ella Ensminger won the shot put with a heave of 38 feet and 9 inches. 

On the boys side, Jack Newman finished in 4th place in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 58.48 seconds and Avin Truong collected six points of his own with an 8th place finish in the 100-meter dash and a 4th place leap of 6 feet in the high jump. The shuttle hurdle relay team of Newman, Kaden Schadt, Gavin Kerr, and Keegan Heaton took 5th place, while Truong and Kerr were joined by Ryan Helling and Griffen Jones for a 6th place finish in the 4×100 meter relay. 

The Fairfield girls’ team hosted their own relays last night and Fort Madison took home 1st place with 120 points followed by the Trojans with 84 points. For Fairfield, the 800-medley relay team snatched 1st place with a time of 1 minute and 59 seconds. Lily Bergren sprinted to a 1st place time of 16.99 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles and with that success the Trojans finished in 1st place in the shuttle hurdle relay and the 400-meter hurdles with Ireland Cranston logging a time of 1 minute and 14 seconds. 

Central Lee collected 23 points as Allison Gruntmeir’s 2nd place time of 18.36 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles led the Hawks. 

The Trojan boys’ team narrowly won the Dennis Anderson Relays last night, outpacing Davis County with 141 points versus the Mustangs’ 139. Gabe Tejada won the 400-meter dash with a time of 51.38 seconds. The Trojans dominated the hurdles with Ryan Giberson taking the 110-meter hurdles and Dylan Adam taking the 400-meter hurdles by two-tenths of a second (58.64 seconds). Fairfield grabbed 1st place in the 4×400, the sprint medley, and the shuttle hurdle relays. In the field events, Eli Zillman leapt to a 1st place finish in the long jump with a distance of 21 feet-even, while Giberson won the high jump with a height of 6 feet and 6 inches. 

Mt. Pleasant, Wapello, WACO, and Fairfield will compete in the Demon Relays tomorrow, April 10th. 

Mediapolis, Danville, West Burlington/Notre Dame, Wapello, and Winfield-Mt. Union participated in the Dave Aamodt Relays last night and here’s some of the highlights. On the boys side, the Bulldogs won the meet with 135.5 points. Henry Luttenegger took the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.54 seconds. Gannon Gunn hopped his way to the gold in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 16.72 seconds. Mediapolis grabbed 1st place in the 4×200 and shuttle hurdle relays. In the field events, Lathan Keller and West Burlington/Notre Dame’s Mason Watkins tied for 1st place in the high jump with a leap of 6 feet. 

Winfield-Mt. Union took the bronze with 82 points, while Danville finished in 4th place with 77.5 points followed by West Burlington/Notre Dame with 56 points. The Wolves were led by Kohlby Newsom’s 1st place time of 1 minute and 54 seconds in the 800-meter run and the 1600-meter run with a time of 4 minutes and 39 seconds. That endurance helped in the distance medley with a 1st place time of 4 minutes and 3 seconds. Cooper Buffington edged out Wapello’s Kolton Small in the shot put with a winning heave of 46 feet and 7.75 inches. Small would go on to win the discus with a toss of 140 feet and 2 inches.

Danville won the 4×400 and sprint medley relays, while Jackson Shacklett paced his way to the win in the 3200-meter run with a time of 9 minutes and 48 seconds. Logan Hamma took 1st place in the 400-meter hurdles for the Falcons.

On the girls’ side, Mediapolis finished in 2nd place with 101 points, while Danville’s 77 points were good enough for 4th place. The Bulldogs had Kira Messer win the 100-meter dash. The Bulldogs grabbed 1st place in the distance medley and shuttle hurdle relays.

The Bears were led by Alaina Gourley’s 1st place time of 1 minute in the 400-meter dash and a gold medal time of 1 minute and 11 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles. Danville also won the sprint medley. Winfield-Mt. Union’s Josie Nelson took the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 17.40 seconds. Wapello’s Natalee Marks won the shot put with a throw of 30 feet and 7 inches. 

New London, Danville, Mediapolis, and Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to West Burlington/Notre Dame to compete in the Co-Ed Falcon Relays tomorrow.

The WACO relays ran yesterday and the Columbus boys’ team won the meet with 143 points, while the Van Buren County girls’ team took home the crown with 111 points. Starting with the girls, Rylee Phillips grabbed 1st place in the 1500-meter run and 3000-meter run. The Warriors squad won the distance medley relay. 

WACO took home 82 points for 4th place as Carlee Lunsford won the 800-meter run with a time of 2 minutes and 32 seconds and the 4×400 meter relay team snatched their win with a time of 4 minutes and 37 seconds.

On the boys side, Columbus took the 4×100 and 4×800 meter relays. Itai Zapiensz won the shot put and Fritz Figaro grabbed the discus with a heave of 124 feet and 9 inches. Van Buren County, who took 2nd place with 95 points, had Lincoln Bainbridge outsprint the field in the 800-meter run and Jace Duncan win the 400-meter hurdles. The Warriors also won the sprint medley relay. WACO found success in the field events with Hayden Shelman taking the long jump with a leap of 21 feet as New London’s London Franklin finished in 2nd place with a distance of 20 feet and 8 inches and Louden Huisenga taking the high jump with a height of 5 feet and 10 inches. 

High School Tennis

Mt. Pleasant will compete against Fort Madison tomorrow, April 10th, with the boys at home and the girls on the road.

Fairfield will face off against Burlington tomorrow with the boys on the road and the girls at home.

High School Golf

Central Lee will travel to Holy Trinity Catholic tomorrow, April 10th. 

The next boys’ SEC meet will take place tomorrow at Fort Madison, while the girls’ teams will make the trip to Fairfield. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will compete against Columbus tomorrow at home.

Wapello will take on Highland tomorrow on the road.

Danville will face off against Burlington Notre Dame tomorrow at Flint Hills Golf Course.

Mediapolis will square off against Louisa-Muscatine on Friday, April 11th, at home.

WACO will travel to Hillcrest Academy on Friday.

New London will host Central Lee on April 15th. 

High School Soccer

The Central Lee girls’ team lost to Mid-Prairie last night 6-0, while the boys’ team snuck past WACO 3-2 as Peter Seyb netted two goals for the Hawks.  

Central Lee will be back in action on Friday, April 11th, at 5 pm with the girls’ team facing off against Washington at home and the boys’ team competing against Sigourney Keota on the road. 

The WACO boys’ team will travel to Hillcrest Academy tomorrow, April 10th, at 6 pm. 

The Mediapolis girls’ team fell to Fairfield last night 2-0. The Bulldogs will square off against Tipton tomorrow at home with gametime at 5:30 pm.

The Wapello boys’ team will host Highland tomorrow at 5 pm.

The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team will take on Monmouth-Roseville on the road tomorrow at 5 pm, while the boys’ team will travel to Solon on Friday, April 11th, at 5:30 pm.

Mt. Pleasant will square off against Fairfield tomorrow with the boys’ team making the trip west at 5 pm and the girls’ team playing at home at 4:30 pm.

Columbus will face off against Mid-Prairie at the Muscatine Sports Complex tomorrow with the girls’ team playing first at 5 pm.

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

Southeastern Community College                                                     

The softball team will face off against Indian Hills Community College today in a doubleheader.

The #4 baseball team fended off Ellsworth Community College last night 6-3 to extend their win streak to 14 games. The Blackhawks will travel to Des Moines Area Community College tomorrow, April 10th. 

This Day in Sports History

1912 – The first exhibition baseball game at Fenway Park (Red Sox vs Harvard).

1941 – The PGA establishes the Golf Hall of Fame.

1965 – First baseball game at Houston Astrodome, Astros beat NY Yankees 2-1 in exhibition as Mickey Mantle hits MLB’s 1st indoor homerun; US President Lyndon Johnson and wife Lady Bird attend.

Jersey Mike’s Subs Coming to Mount Pleasant – Grand Opening April 16th!

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 at 5:59 am CDT

Jersey Mike’s Subs Coming to Mount Pleasant – Grand Opening April 16th!

Mount Pleasant, IA – Sandwich lovers, get ready! Jersey Mike’s Subs is officially opening its doors in Mount Pleasant on Wednesday, April 16th, bringing fresh-sliced subs and top-tier service to the heart of southeast Iowa.

Located at 901 N Grand Ave, Jersey Mike’s will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., giving locals plenty of time to swing by for their favorite cold subs, hot cheesesteaks, and fresh-made wraps.

In a convenient twist for busy schedules, the Mount Pleasant location will feature a dedicated pick-up window for online and call-in orders only, making it even easier to grab a meal on the go. Customers are encouraged to download the Jersey Mike’s app to place orders, earn rewards, and skip the line.

“Our amazing team can’t wait to serve you,” said a representative from the new location. “We’re excited to become a part of the Mount Pleasant community and look forward to serving up smiles—Mike’s Way!”

Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the Jersey Mike’s experience, make plans to stop in and taste the difference on April 16th.

The Mount Pleasant City Council Meeting April 9th 5:30pm

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 at 5:43 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in Regular Session on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at City Hall, 307 E. Monroe Street, second-floor meeting room at 5:30 p.m.

AGENDA

  1. Roll Call

  2. Consent Agenda:
    To the Public — All items with an asterisk () are routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion and a roll call of the Council members. There will be no separate discussion of items unless the Mayor, a Council member or citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.*

  3. Receive & file communications – Proclamation designating April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

  4. Approve agenda

  5. Approve minutes of previous meetings

  6. Approve payment of bills

  7. Receive report of Officers including Resolution No. 2025-23 approving March transfers

Old Business

  • a) Renewal of a Special Class C Retail Alcohol License for DW Costa’s, LLC at 115 South Jefferson Street

  • b) Renewal of a Class E Retail Alcohol License for Hometown Liquor & Wine located at 719 North Grand Avenue

New Business

a) Approve the Site Plan for Sonic Restaurant at 1206 North Grand Avenue
b) Approve Mayoral appointment to Mt. Pleasant Utility Board of Trustees
c) Resolution authorizing the appointment of Jordan Pohren to the Fire Department Reserves
d) Approve new tobacco permit for Hometown Liquor & Wine at 719 North Grand Avenue

  1. Public Forum

  2. Adjourn to meet in regular session Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.

Henry County Supervisors Meeting April 10th 9am

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 at 9:33 am CDT

Henry County Supervisors

100 E Washington St Ste 202

Mt Pleasant IA  52641

Fax: 319-385-3601 

  Chad White, Vice-Chair               Marc Lindeen, Chairman               Steven Detrick, Member    

           319-385-0759                                 319-385-0760                                     319-385-0761________

 

AGENDA

Board of Supervisors Meeting

3rd Floor Courtroom

April 10, 2025

9:00 a.m.

  1. Approve Agenda
  1. Approve Minutes
  1. Approve Claims
  1. Jake Hotchkiss Engineer Weekly Update
  1. Conservation, Caleb Waters Updates
  1. Public Hearing to Adopt Henry County Budget FY2026
  1. Resolution Certify Henry County Budget for FY2026
  1. Resolution Henry County Appropriations for FY2026
  1. Motion for Henry County Employees & Assessors Office Wages for FY2026
  1. Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation
  1. Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation
  1. Resolution to reappoint Klay Edwards to SIRPC Loan Review Committee

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors’ Sub-Committee Updates

Community Invited to Experience “The Room Upstairs” – A Unique Passover/Seder Feast Dinner Theatre on April 17

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 at 7:55 am CDT

On the evening of April 17, 2025, the community is invited to attend a moving and educational experience titled The Room Upstairs, a full dinner theatre production held at 6:30 p.m. This special event, hosted at First United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant, offers a unique opportunity to step into the scene of the Last Supper and explore how Jesus’ final meal with his disciples may have fit into the traditional Passover celebration.

Hosted as a Passover/Seder Feast “Dinner Theatre,” The Room Upstairs invites audience members to take on the role of guests at the Last Supper of Christ. Through storytelling, fellowship, and a traditional meal, attendees will gain insight into the customs, actions, and words of Jesus during that sacred evening. The event is described as both educational and spiritually enriching—a time for reflection and togetherness.

There is no fee to attend the event, but tickets are required to help organizers track attendance. Freewill donations will be accepted during the evening. Tickets can be picked up at First United Methodist Church or Brown’s Shoe Fit in downtown Mount Pleasant. Those who obtain a ticket but later find they are unable to attend are asked to return their ticket to the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) so it may be reissued to someone on the waiting list.

Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect on one of the most powerful moments in Christian tradition, shared in the spirit of community and discovery. Apri 17th at 6:30pm at First United Methodist Church.