A Burlington woman has been sentenced to up to 50 years in prison for the stabbing death of her cousin last year.

On Feb. 11, a Des Moines County jury found 50-year-old Tisha Bounds guilty of second-degree murder in the death of 33-year-old Derius Lashaun Moore. Bounds was sentenced Monday by Judge Wyatt Peterson, who also ordered her to pay $150,000 in restitution to Moore’s two young children. Under Iowa law, Bounds must serve up to 70 percent of her sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

The case stems from a March 2025 confrontation at an apartment Bounds was living in. During an argument with Moore and his fiancé, Bounds stabbed Moore, who later died from his injuries. Prosecutors argued Bounds chose to take her anger out on Moore, while her defense maintained she acted in self-defense.

A victim impact statement read in court detailed the deep and lasting pain Moore’s death has caused for his family. Bounds also addressed the court, saying she loved her cousin and never intended to kill him, calling the incident a tragic outcome of a heated confrontation.

The Mount Pleasant Music Department is celebrating a successful fundraiser that will benefit student programs for years to come.

Organizers say the department raised more than $11,500 during its recent One Day Mattress Extravaganza. An additional $200 cash donation brings the total even higher.

Students recently had the chance to mark the milestone by accepting a ceremonial “big check” from Tim the Mattress Guy.

School officials are thanking the community for its support—whether by spreading the word, hosting promotional signs, or purchasing mattresses during the event.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will go directly toward supporting students involved in music programs, including upcoming trips and future opportunities.

A Mount Pleasant man was arrested early Sunday after police say he was intoxicated in the roadway.

According to the Mount Pleasant Police Department, at approximately 2:09 a.m., an officer on patrol observed a man stumbling in the middle of the 300 block of South White Street.

Police made contact with the individual, identified as 48-year-old Manuel Alvaro Urizar Perez. Officers reported a strong odor of alcohol, along with bloodshot, watery eyes and unsteady balance. The man admitted to drinking.

At the jail, authorities attempted to administer a breath test using a Datamaster unit, but due to technical issues, a preliminary breath test was conducted instead. The result showed a breath alcohol concentration of .263.

Urizar Perez was taken into custody following the incident. Charges are pending.

A Chicago man is facing charges after an incident late Saturday night in Mount Pleasant.

According to the Mount Pleasant Police Department, officers were called to a home in the 400 block of West Park Avenue around 10:32 p.m. on April 4th after a homeowner reported an unknown man sitting on the front porch.

When officers arrived, they found 29-year-old Jesus Alfonzo Castellanos Perez at the residence. The homeowner told police he did not know the man.

An investigation determined the suspect had been at a local tavern earlier in the evening and left on foot, attempting to walk home. However, police say he became disoriented and was unable to find his residence.

Officers reported a strong odor of alcohol and observed that the man had red, watery eyes. He admitted to drinking, and a preliminary breath test showed a blood alcohol content of .253 percent—more than three times the legal limit.

Castellanos Perez was taken into custody following the incident.

DES MOINES, Iowa (Apr. 6, 2026) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.  

New London School officials say a bomb threat discovered during testing today was quickly investigated and determined not to be credible.

According to Superintendent Chad Wahls, the note was found on the floor of a high school classroom after a group of students had already moved to another testing location.

Administration was immediately notified and took action to keep students and staff safe by securing the group in their current classroom while the situation was assessed.

Officials say the building was not evacuated, as the students from the identified classroom were safely contained and supervised by administrators and law enforcement.

Local law enforcement, along with the school’s resource officer, responded quickly. Within minutes of the note being discovered, a student came forward and admitted to writing it.

The student was detained, questioned, and searched by authorities, and has since been sent home indefinitely pending further review.

School officials say they take all threats seriously and are committed to ensuring student safety. They also thanked students, staff, and local law enforcement for their cooperation.

Superintendent Wahls says the safety and well-being of the school community remains the top priority.

The Mount Pleasant Fire Department is celebrating a successful turnout following its annual pancake breakfast, with more than 750 people attending the community event.

Fire officials expressed their appreciation to residents who came out to support the department, noting that the strong participation will have a direct impact on local emergency preparedness and response capabilities.

Proceeds from the breakfast will be reinvested into two key initiatives aimed at improving safety and efficiency. The first focuses on upgrading training equipment, specifically replacing outdated rescue manikins with new adult and junior models. These tools are essential for preparing firefighters and first responders to handle a wide range of emergencies, including vehicle accidents and search-and-rescue operations.

In addition to training improvements, the department is launching a long-term effort to replace its aging emergency response vehicle. Funds raised will help kick off a new “side-by-side” (SXS) fund, intended to purchase a modern utility vehicle equipped for fighting timber and grass fires.

The department’s current vehicle, a 2010 John Deere Gator, is nearing the end of its service life. A new side-by-side with a high-capacity skid unit is estimated to cost around $50,000—an investment officials say is critical for maintaining effective response in rural and off-road conditions.

Fire officials emphasized that this year’s fundraising success marks an important step toward that goal while immediately enhancing training capabilities.

By directing proceeds back into equipment and preparedness, the department says community support is playing a direct role in strengthening public safety across Mount Pleasant.