District 95 Representative Taylor Collins Recap’s Week One of Iowa Legislative Session

By Hayden Douglas · Friday, January 17th, 2025 at 6:17 am CDT
Representative Collins Headed to the Chief Clerk’s Office to file this years bills

District 95 representative Taylor Collins reported back from the Iowa Legislative session, regarding the first week of movements. While many people were hopeful that the university of Iowa would get rid of the Diversity equity and inclusion programs and departments, that simply is not the case. Instead, the university has decided to change course by renaming and merging all of the programs into one school; the School of “Social and Cultural Analysis.”

In a recent letter sent to the Board of Regents by Representative Collins and Senator Lynn Evans, it states:
“A little over a month ago, Iowans celebrated when the University of Iowa announced the closure of the University’s Gender Studies Department, and the elimination of majors such as those in ‘Social Justice.’ However, instead of truly ridding the University of these ideologically driven programs, the University is now proposing to combine many of those radical programs into an entire school – the School of “Social and Cultural Analysis. Iowans expect our institutions of higher education to be focused on providing for the workforce needs of the state, not programs that are focused on peddling ideological agendas.”

Collins expresses this proposal should be rejected.

 

2025 Forum Schedule

Des Moines County:

  • Greater Burlington Partnership Forum: (TODAY) Friday, January 17th from 8 – 9AM at the Greater Burlington Partnership in the Winegard Board Room.
    • Click here to watch online.
  • Greater Burlington Partnership Forum: Friday, February 21st from 8 – 9AM at the Greater Burlington Partnership in the Winegard Board Room.
  • Greater Burlington Partnership Forum: Friday, March 21st from 8 – 9AM at the Greater Burlington Partnership in the Winegard Board Room.
  • Greater Burlington Partnership Forum: Friday, April 18th from 8 – 9AM at the Greater Burlington Partnership in the Winegard Board Room.

Henry County:

  • Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance Forum: Saturday, February 22nd time and place TBD.
  • Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance Forum: Friday, March 14th time and place TBD.

Louisa County:

  • Self Organized Forum: Saturday, February 1st from 11AM – 12PM at Wapello City Hall in the City Council Chambers.
  • Self Organized Forum: Saturday, March 1st from 11AM – 12PM at Wapello City Hall in the City Council Chambers.

Muscatine County:

  • Muscatine Community College Forum: Saturday, date and time TBD at Muscatine Community College in the lounge in the Student Services Building.
  • Self Organized Forum: Saturday, March 1st from 9 – 10AM at Wilton City Hall in the Community Room.

Greater Muscatine Chamber Forum: date, time, and location TBD.

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORT

By Hayden Douglas · Friday, January 17th, 2025 at 5:50 am CDT

SOUTHEAST

Big Hollow Lake
Unsafe ice conditions.  The ice is still thin.  Ice is thickest at the boat ramp bay.  Nearly everywhere else is much thinner.  Some thicker ice on the south side where it is shaded from the sun.

Lake Belva Deer
Use caution.  Ice conditions are improving with the colder weather.  Still some spots of thin ice.  Not much angler activity yet.

Lake Darling
Use extreme caution.  Nobody has been out fishing yet.  Ice thickness is about 6 inches on the campground arm.  Ice thickness is about 4 inches by the main ramp.  Geese and swans are keeping a spot open just west of the middle of the lake. Lots of thinner spots; highly variable ice conditions. Bluegill – No report: A couple of anglers have been out and drilled test holes and then left.

Lake Geode
Unsafe ice conditions. Ice is still  thin. Ice thickness is less than 4 inches in most spots.

Lost Grove Lake
The ice conditions continue to improve at the lower end of the lake; still use caution.  Most activity is at the west end of the lake.  Bluegill – Fair.  Anglers are catching some bluegills toward the west boat ramp around the flooded timber.

For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Janet Sue Rippenkroeger

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, January 16th, 2025 at 12:46 pm CDT

Janet Sue Rippenkroeger, 75, of New London, died Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington.  She was born March 27, 1949 in Oakville, Illinois to Wilbur and Helen Rose Hangartner Seggerman.  She attended Winfield schools and was a member of Heritage Baptist Church in Burlington.

She married David Mathews in 1965; they later divorced.  On May 7, 1988, she married Darrell Long; he died March 10, 2015.  She married Randy Rippenkroeger February 10, 2017 at Heritage Baptist Church.

Janet worked in housekeeping at the Harlan Hotel in Mt. Pleasant and retired after twenty-seven years at Heatilator.  She enjoyed mini-vacations; watching the hummingbirds at her kitchen window; was a good cook and loved to eat Randy’s fresh caught fish; she adored her cats Izzy and Midnight; but most importantly, she loved her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Randy; two daughters, Kimberly (Terri) Hester-Mathews of Winfield and Lindsey Wagner of Mt. Pleasant; step-children, Christie  (Harley) Davidson of Donnellson, Randy (Patricia) Rippenkroeger of Ft. Madison, Gary (Robin) Long of New London and Michael Cain of Croton, Iowa; twelve grandchildren, Paige, Kylie, Madelyn, Adriana, Courtney, Alayna, Rylan, Nicholas, Maci, Damion, Lincoln and Ellie; two great-grandchildren Braydon and Amelia; Brothers Eddie (Charlene) Seggerman of Mt. Pleasant, Leslie (Jean) Seggerman of Roanoke, Illinois, Myron Seggerman of Seattle, Washington, and Greg (Penny) Seggerman of Texas; sisters Beverly (Jeff) Rodgers of Bettensport, and Janel Finneman of South Dakota.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Willy; and infant sister Joella.

The funeral service for Mrs. Rippenkroeger will be held at 1:00 PM, Monday, January 20, 2025 at Elliott Chapel, New London.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 with the family present to greet friends from 11:00 until the time of the service.  Burial will follow at Sheridan Cemetery, Mt. Union.  A memorial has been established to assist the family. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

The Henry County Historic Preservation Commission Honors Larry D. Roth

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, January 16th, 2025 at 12:02 pm CDT
Left to right are: Judy Rawson, Cathie Schreiner, Caroline Lehman, Larry D. Roth, Joel Garretson, Johanna Crawford, Mary Savage, and Pat White

 

The Henry County Historic Preservation Commission met Wednesday January 15 at the Henry County Courthouse.  Attending were Commissioners Judy Rawson, Cathie Schreiner, Caroline Lehman, Larry D. Roth, Joel Garretson, Johanna Crawford, Mary Savage, and Pat White.

Retiring Commissioner Larry D. Roth was awarded a certificate of appreciation from the Commission and Board of Supervisors for his 11 years of dedicated service, representing the northwest portion of Henry County including Wayland and Trenton.

 

 

The Commission reviewed their goals and accomplishments in year 2024 and developed a new work plan for 2025.  The Commission plans to spend the majority of its efforts this year toward the development of a guide book for all the historic sites and places in Henry County to help promote and stimulate tourism.

As a Certified Local Government, the Commission will hold its annual meeting with the Board of Supervisors on February 13, followed by a regular monthly meeting.

Prep Girls’ Basketball: Time Change for Mt. Pleasant versus Danville on January 20th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, January 16th, 2025 at 10:22 am CDT

Mount Pleasant, IA- The Mt. Pleasant and Danville girls’ basketball teams are scheduled to face off in a non-conference showdown this upcoming Monday, January 20th, at Mt. Pleasant High School but it will be at a different time.

The Junior Varsity game will still begin at 5:30 pm, but they will only play two quarters. This will usher in the Varsity game tip-off time to be between 6:00-6:15 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show 15 minutes before game time.

The Panthers are currently 2-1 on the season against the Southeast Iowa Super Conference-South Division with wins against Burlington Notre Dame and New London, while the Bears have dropped both contests against the Southeast Conference by an average of 33 points.

Although, Danville did beat Mt. Pleasant last year 76-34 in the midst of their 19-game winning streak.

Henry County Public Health & Healthy Henry County Offers “Newborn Home Visitor Program”

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, January 16th, 2025 at 8:32 am CDT

Henry County Public Health & Healthy Henry County offer all mothers with newborn babies that live in Henry County a free home visit to share information on health, safety, parenting, growth and development, community resources and assistance with referrals.

Telephone reassurance is also available.

Home visits are free of charge. Services include Assessment of the infant, Weight check,  Postpartum assessment, Assist with feeding concerns, & Provide resources and information for new parents.

You can contact Mandi Morin with Henry County Public Health at 319-385-0779.

Mount Pleasant Citizen of the Year & Community Impact Award Nominations Are Now Open

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, January 16th, 2025 at 8:29 am CDT

Each year the members of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce are invited to nominate a person for Citizen of the Year.  Nominees should be citizens living and/or working in Henry County and who have had a significant impact on the community through their volunteer and charitable activities.

Chamber Director Rachel Lindeen tells more about it.

Also seeking nominations for Community Impact Award.  Nominees for the Community Impact Award should be a business, non-profit organization or event in the Henry County area. The award will be given on the basis that made Henry County community a better place to work, live and play in the past 12 months.

 

Both awards will be presented at the MPACC’s Annual Banquet on March 27, 2025. If you would like to nominate someone for either award, please contact the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance office by February 19, 2025.