The school board members of the Mount Pleasant Community School District took part in a professional development session put on by the Iowa Association of School Boards called “Ready, Set, Govern.” Last night, Wednesday, the regional training was hosted at the Mount Pleasant High School with several board members from schools all over Southeast Iowa in attendance.

The goal of the training is to help new board members learn about the role they play in the functions of schools and as the community’s governing body for the district – setting the vision, policies, and budget and ensuring accountability for student success. School boards manage finances, approve curriculum, set district-wide goals, and oversee operations while working with the superintendent to implement decisions.

Incoming Superintendent Dr. Sharon Dentlinger also made the trip to Mount Pleasant and was in attendance for the professional development. KILJ was pleased to have Dr. Dentlinger to the studio prior to the training for a brief interview. You can listen to that interview below. Dr. Dentlinger is excited to become part of the Mount Pleasant community and will assume her leadership role on July 1, 2026 upon the retirement of current superintendent John Henriksen.

Authorities in Van Buren County are investigating a serious injury crash that occurred Tuesday night and has led to multiple criminal charges.

According to the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy was called to a single-vehicle accident with injuries around 7-thirty Tuesday evening near the intersection of Highway Two and Route W-20.

Officials say the driver, 37-year-old Eric Messerschmitt, was not injured. A 28-year-old female passenger suffered serious injuries and was transported to the University of Iowa Hospital for treatment.

Investigators report both occupants admitted they were involved in a physical altercation inside the vehicle while traveling at highway speeds, which caused the crash.

Messerschmitt has been charged with Operating While Intoxicated, third offense, Driving While Barred, Aggravated Domestic Abuse Assault, and Willful Injury. He remains in custody awaiting an initial court appearance.

The incident remains under investigation. Charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Four people were injured in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday evening on Highway 218 south of Crawfordsville in Washington County.

According to authorities, the accident happened around 6 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 218 southbound and 320th Street. Investigators say a 2013 White Chevy Malibu stopped at the intersection pulled onto the highway and failed to yield to oncoming traffic.

A southbound 2015 Black Cadillac XTS attempted to swerve but was unable to avoid a collision, sideswiping the other vehicle. Both vehicles sustained disabling damage.

Three people, including two juveniles, were transported to the University of Iowa Hospital for treatment. A total of four injuries were reported. Parents of the juveniles were notified and responded to the scene.

The crash occurred under clear conditions, though the roadway was dark and not lighted. One driver was cited for failure to yield at a stop or yield sign intersection.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Department was assisted on scene by Washington County Ambulance and Crawfordsville Fire. The incident remains under investigation.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met Thursday, January 15, to conduct regular county business, including infrastructure updates, planning and zoning items, and board appointments.

The meeting opened with approval of the agenda, which faced opposition from Supervisor Steve Detrick. Discussion followed regarding how the agenda was prepared, with questions raised about the process.

County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss provided his weekly update, beginning with bridge inspections. Supervisors approved a motion authorizing a two-year contract with Calhoun-Burns for bridge inspections. Henry County has been under contract with Calhoun-Burns since 2013. Bridges in the county are inspected on one, two, or four-year cycles depending on classification. For 2026, 25 structures will be inspected at a cost of $8,500, while 80 structures are scheduled for inspection in 2027 at a cost of $22,000.

Hotchkiss also provided a maintenance update. Crews have been removing brush and trees near Lexington with cooperation from local landowners. Culvert replacements were completed at 120th Street and Nashua, as well as on Fremont Avenue near Salem. Road crews ran dura patchers earlier in the week, and territory operators continue blading gravel roads to work rock back into place. Work on the 235th Street bridge has continued to progress; the contractor has started removing existing beams. Jake also reported that a polycarbonate guard was installed on an excavator for added safety.

Planning and Zoning Administrator Joe Buffington addressed the resolution related to construction evaluation, commonly referred to as the “Masters Matrix.” Buffington explained that the resolution applies to confinement feeding operations. Henry County is required to review confinements of more than 1,000 animal units, and the supervisors adopt the construction evaluation annually. Buffington noted the county has been reviewing these applications for more than two decades.

Buffington also discussed compensation related to the 911 board, explaining the board may receive up to $1,000 per month from the state based on the accuracy of required reports to help offset the cost of maintaining the database. Henry County has maintained a 100 percent accuracy rate for several consecutive years while managing approximately 657,000 GIS data points. Buffington noted the 911 board does not reimburse the county for the work he provides, despite the board receiving state funding for that work. Supervisors said they would like to revisit the issue at a later date to discuss it more thoroughly with their HR representative, the board of supervisors, and Buffington.

Supervisors unanimously approved the appointment of Gloria Fear to the Board of Health for a term running from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028.

Additional board appointments included Gary Ibbotson to the Conservation Board for a term effective January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028. Another applicant requested to remain on the list for future openings. Appointments were also discussed for the Henry County Pioneer Cemetery Commission, which currently does not have defined term start or end dates. Supervisor Steve Dietrick abstained from voting on one item due to a family relationship.

Under agenda formatting, supervisors discussed how they would like the agenda to be structured moving forward. They noted they have reached out to contacts to gain clarification on separating new and old business items.

The meeting concluded with discussion on the Freedom of Information Act and its impact on personal devices. County Supervisor Chad White reiterated that public records requests can extend to personal phones and laptops if used for county business. As a result, both Chad White & Steve Detrick stated they would no longer answer calls on their personal phone related to county matters.

The meeting adjourned following discussion.

The Mount Pleasant City Council met Wednesday night for its regular session at City Hall, with several ordinance updates, procedural actions, and infrastructure items on the agenda.

Under old business, council members conducted second readings on two ordinance amendments. One updates the city’s animals and nuisances codes restricting outdoor food placement except for birds, squirrels, and properly restrained pets. Another ordinance addresses noise regulations, setting lower allowable noise levels during nighttime hours and authorizing the purchase of a decibel reader for enforcement.

The council also approved routine procedural motions tied to the seating of the new council, including confirming meeting times, adopting Robert’s Rules of Order, appointing a Mayor Pro Tem, designating the city’s official newspaper, and assigning council members to standing committees. Alcohol license renewals for Walmart and Dollar General on North Grand Avenue were also considered.

During new business, the Mount Pleasant City Council approved the hiring of Nicholas I. Edge as a Public Works Maintenance Worker and authorized Change Order Number Three for the airport T hangar and taxilane project. The change order increases the project cost by just over $12,000 to address additional drainage improvements.

Council also approved a new fixed base operator and airport manager agreement with Air Advantage Inc. During discussion, Cliff Baker addressed the council, noting he had worked with former City Administrator Brent Schleisman on the agreement prior to Schleisman’s passing. Baker explained that one of the updates to the agreement includes an increase in the rent Air Advantage pays to the city, reflecting the growth in the number of hangars at the airport.

Several mayoral reappointments were approved for the Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Commission, and Human Rights Commission.

The council also authorized submission of a Surface Transportation Program grant application for the reconstruction of West Washington Street. The city will apply for up to 80 percent funding toward the project, which is currently estimated at $2 million. City Engineer Jim Warner spoke on the application, noting the city applied for the same grant last year and finished second in the selection process.

The meeting concluded with the public forum. The next regular city council meeting will be held January 28 at 5:30 p.m.