Rozella “Lolly” Mae Bannister

By Yorke Prough · Monday, May 6th, 2024 at 2:58 pm CDT

Rozella “Lolly” Mae Bannister, 77, of Mt. Pleasant, went home to rest with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 5th, 2024 while at her home surrounded by family. She was born September 25, 1946 at Memorial Hospital, Mt. Pleasant, to Willie and Helen Roth Beachy of Olds. She was a 1964 graduate of WACO High School. After graduation she attended Heston College in Kansas for a year and then worked as a medical transcriber at University Hospitals in Iowa City. She moved back to Mt. Pleasant after her father passed away and worked as a waitress at the Starlight Cafe, while her mother was manager of the Starlight Motel. That is where she met her future husband, Edward Charles Bannister, as he stayed at the motel and ate at the Cafe every morning while working construction on a natural gas pipeline. He asked where a guy could get a good meal on a Sunday, and she told him that if he went to church, he could have dinner with them, so that is what happened. On October 9th, 1971 they were married in Mt. Pleasant. For a majority of Lolly’s career, she kept books and did other accounting work for various companies such as Millard/Shook Insurance, Motorola, and Innovaire to name a few. She lived in New London from the end of 1978 until 1995 before transferring to Rockford, IL when Motorola relocated. While in New London she raised her family and was an active member of the New London Christian Church (NLCC). In 2007 she moved back to Iowa in rural Mt. Pleasant, just south of Trenton, to be closer to family. She enjoyed cooking, playing various games and spending time with all of her family. Besides her husband Ed, she is survived by her daughter Jami Boles of Mt. Pleasant; son Robert (Amy) Bannister of Ames; step-daughter Tracy (Stephen) Hoffman of Marietta/Tybee Island, Georgia; nine grandchildren, Mitch (Kristen), Levi & Alisha Boles; Quentin & Jayden Bannister; Tristan (Summer) Miller, Connor, Brian and Morgan Hoffman; one great grandchild, Carson Boles; three brothers Gerri (Connie) Beachy of Middlebury, Indiana; Loren (Mary Ann) Beachy of Mt. Pleasant; and Roy (Janet) Beachy of Kalona; and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

The funeral service for Lolly will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday May 13th at NLCC with Pastors Rod and Nathan Cooper officiating.  Following the service, a traditional Mennonite fellowship meal will be held at NLCC.  Private family burial of her cremains will be held at Sugar Creek Cemetery, rural Wayland, at a later date.  The family will greet friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Elliott Chapel, New London, on Sunday May 12th. We ask that memorial gifts be given to EveryStep hospice (everystep.org) in Lolly’s name to continue to aid the amazing and loving work they provide. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Fred Rugg

By Yorke Prough · Monday, May 6th, 2024 at 11:10 am CDT

Fred Rugg, 77 of Wayland, died Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City. A Celebration of Life will be 11:00AM, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at the Independent Bible Church in Wayland, with Pastor Ben Linville officiating. The service will be available via Livestream at the Beatty Peterseim Website, Facebook and YouTube pages. Visitation will be held prior to the service at the church from 9 – 10:45 AM. A graveside service will be held following the service at Cottonwood Cemetery west of Wayland, where full military rites will be afforded by American Legion Post #29 of Washington. A memorial fund has been established for the Cottonwood Cemetery. The Beatty Peterseim Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Fred was born October 12, 1946, the son of Walter “Doc” and L. Helen (Barger) Rugg. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth “Liz” Jane Messer December 24, 1965, at the Independent Bible Church in Wayland. He graduated from Clear Creek High School and was drafted into the United States Navy, where he was a member of the Seabees, serving until October of 1971. Fred worked at Leichty and Sons in Wayland, Bluebird in Mt. Pleasant and later at EBD in Washington. He attended Independent Bible Church and enjoyed camping, gardening, woodworking, square dancing, going to coffee, patrolling the streets of Wayland in his golf cart, and attending his grandkid’s events. Fred loved decorating for Christmas and was especially proud of his 12-foot Christmas tree.

Survivors include his children: Chad Rugg (Patricia Tinder) of Eagan, MN, Shannon Rugg (Erin) of Washington and Kristi Merida (Eric) of Wayland; grandchildren, Eric, Emma and Ethan Rugg,  Matthew Tinder (Christy), Alexa Tinder, Blayze Richardson and Easton Rugg; and eight siblings: Judy Carney of Williamsburg, IA, Laura (Gary) Hill of Washington, IA, Merle (Sherri)  Rugg of Wayland, IA, Beryl (Donna) Rugg of Wayland, IA, Mary (Donnie) Richardson of Omaha, NE, Sanford (Nancy) Rugg of Crawfordsville, IA, Robert Rugg of Omaha, NE, and Shelley (Kent) Herren of Viola, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife Elizabeth September 1, 2019, and one sister Linda Otis.

Marie Perrott

By Yorke Prough · Monday, May 6th, 2024 at 11:08 am CDT

Marie Louise Perrott, 96, of Birkwood Village, Fort Madison, Iowa, passed away at 9:20 a.m. Saturday, May 4, 2024 at the Birkwood Village, Fort Madison, Iowa.

Born  December 7, 1927, the daughter of Louis and Bertha (Schlicher) Wagner.

Survivors include a niece and nephews.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents; one brother; and three sisters.

She was a member of the United Church of Christ.

A private family graveside service will be held Tuesday, May 7, 2024 in Evangelical Cemetery in Donnellson, Iowa.

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

60th Cookout Contest at Iowa State Fair

By Yorke Prough · Monday, May 6th, 2024 at 10:42 am CDT

The Iowa Farm Bureau is seeking to crown its 60th Cookout Contest “Grand Champion” on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at the 2024 Iowa State Fair.

The event, held annually on the Grand Concourse during Farm Bureau Day at the fair, hosts up to 60 backyard chefs vying for the champion title and $4,500 in cash prizes.

The contest is a celebration of Iowa-raised meats and the farmers who provide them with animal care and sustainability as a top priority. Entry categories include pork, beef, turkey, lamb, poultry, and a youth division.

“Iowa agriculture is incredibly diverse,” says Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson. “The cookout contest sheds light on that diversity and the incredible efforts of Iowa’s family farms in harnessing the latest research, technology and innovation to raise an abundant protein supply with fewer natural resources than ever before.”

Backyard chefs named the overall winner of a county Farm Bureau Cookout Contest receive an automatic bid to the state competition. Those unable to make a qualifying event can sign up online for a chance to compete in the lamb, turkey, poultry, or youth competition.

Each first-place category winner receives $400. The Grand Champion takes home an additional $1,000 prize. The winner of the youth division receives $300, and a gas grill valued at $1,000, courtesy of the Iowa Propane Gas Association.

For rules, county contest locations or specialty category sign-ups, visit IowaFarmBureau.com/CookoutContest.

Potential Severe Storms with Damaging Winds Early Tuesday Morning

By Yorke Prough · Monday, May 6th, 2024 at 10:19 am CDT

The National Weather Service is forecasting a potential severe line of storms moving our way late tonight. Currently, damaging winds are the main threats with potential to be 50mph-60mph. Isolated tornadoes are possible as well. It seems that these storms will hit anywhere between 12am and 6am tomorrow morning.

As always, have multiple ways to receive alerts and warnings, and seek shelter if the storms approaches.

Danville City Council Meeting Agenda 05/06

By Yorke Prough · Monday, May 6th, 2024 at 8:43 am CDT

Monday, May 6, 2024

Order of business, Regular session

Danville City Council, Danville City Hall

NOTE:  The regular session may be conducted electronically

as allowed by Iowa Code 21.8

Citizen comments:  Comments must be directed to the subject under consideration.  The presiding officer shall rule on the relevance of the citizen comments.  Citizens making personal, impertinent, or slanderous remarks may be barred by the presiding officer from further comment before the Council during the meeting.

 

1        Call to order, 6:00 p.m..

 

  1. Accept or amend the agenda.

 

  1. Open forum: A time set aside to receive comments from the public regarding city business.  The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public on any subject pertaining to City business, including items on this agenda.  You are asked to state your name and address for the record and to limit your remarks to five minutes in order that others may be given the opportunity to speak.  The Order of Business is at the discretion of the Chair.  No action will be taken.

 

  1. Ethan Pitt, Iowa Area Development Group, along with a representative from Access Energy, to make a presentation pertaining to the City’s Comprehensive Plan update. Action by council if needed.

 

  1. Discussion on the preliminary draft of the former nursing home property, as it pertains to splitting the property into two lots. Action by council if needed.

 

  1. Update on the driveway approach located at 403 South Main Street. Action by council if needed.

 

  1. Update regarding the request from Danville Station regarding future donations. Action by council if needed.

 

  1. Discussion on Resolution 2024-08, the placement of stop signs on South Ash Street. Action if needed.

 

  1. City Electrician’s report.
  2. A) Update regarding the Iowa Grid Resilience Fund application.
  3. B) Update on other on-going projects.

 

  1. Fire Chief/building inspector report – action by council if needed.

 

  1. Public Works written report.
  2. A) Update on sidewalk repair on the east side of North Main Street.  Action by council if

needed.

  1. B) Public Works written report.  Action if needed.

Page 1 of 2, agenda

Page 2 of 2, agenda

May 6, 2024

 

 

  1. Approval of consent agenda.
  2. A) Council minutes of April 15, 2024 (full & summary minutes).
  3. B) March 2024 financial reports.
  4. C) City Clerk to attend clerk’s meeting in New London, May 8th.
  5. D) Payment of bills.
  6. Council reports and correspondence.
  7. A) Request from the Bible School committee to allow the use of a bouncy house on city

property.  Action if needed.

  1. B) Discussion on the current electric rates.  Action if needed.
  2. C) Setting of date and time for amending the 2023/2024 budget.

 

  1. Adjournment.

 

The next regular session of the Danville City Council will be on

Monday, May 20, 2024, starting at 6:00 p.m., Danville City Hall.

Mount Pleasant Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Agenda 05/07

By Yorke Prough · Monday, May 6th, 2024 at 8:42 am CDT

MOUNT PLEASANT PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

May 7, 2024 5:30 P.M.

AGENDA

The Mount Pleasant Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on May 7th, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in Mount Pleasant City Hall, 307 E Monroe St., in the large conference room.

 

 

  1. Call to order

 

  1. Approve minutes from the December 12, 2023 meeting.

 

  1. Elect Chairman for 2024.

 

  1. Make recommendation to city council concerning an ordinance to allow flexible business spaces (limited office use) in the R-3 Multiple Family Dwelling District.

 

  1. Make recommendation to city council to waive the right to review the Leroy Cole Subdivision, a subdivision within 2 miles of city limits.

 

  1. Make recommendation to city council concerning site plan, Mount Pleasant Community School District bus barn/central receiving/buildings and grounds facility, 1515 E Monroe St.

 

  1. Make recommendation to City Council to approve Lot Combination Agreement with property owner at 1515 S Spruce Avenue.

 

  1. Open forum

 

  1. Adjourn

 

 

Iowa Graduation Rate for 2021, 2022, 2023, Announced Using New Code

By Yorke Prough · Monday, May 6th, 2024 at 7:55 am CDT

The Iowa Department of Education announced a graduation rate of 87.5% for Iowa’s class of 2023. Lower than graduation rates reported in previous years, the 2023 rate was calculated using a newly corrected code after the department identified an error in the legacy calculation code that had been used for at least ten years to determine the state’s four- and five-year graduation rates.

Using the corrected code, the Department of Education reports that Iowa’s four-year high school graduation rate for the graduating class of 2023 is 87.5%, up 0.1% from the corrected rate for the graduating class of 2022.

Iowa’s four-year graduation rate for the class of 2023 is consistent with the national standard and its neighboring states. Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota recently reported 2023 graduation rates below Iowa’s, at 83.3%, 87.2% and 84.1%, respectively. Illinois’ reported class of 2023 graduation rate was 87.6%. Among neighboring states, only Missouri and Wisconsin reported class of 2023 graduation rates meaningfully above Iowa’s, at 89.9% and 90.5% respectively.

Corrected four-year graduation rates for the graduating classes of 2021 and 2022 dropped slightly from what were originally reported. The corrected four-year graduation rate for the class of 2022 is 87.4%, down 2.5 percentage points from what was previously announced last year. For the graduating class of 2021, the corrected rate is 87.8%, down 2.4 percentage points from what was announced in 2022.

Iowa’s corrected five-year graduation rate — which reflects students who were part of a graduating class but took an extra year to finish high school — was 89.7% for the Class of 2022, and 90.1% for the Class of 2021. The five-year graduation rate for the class of 2023 will not be available until spring 2025.

Corrected rates for the graduating classes of 2021, 2022 and 2023, including rates by school district and student group, are available on the Department of Education’s Graduation Rates and Dropout Rates webpage.