The City of Salem will meet in special session on Monday, March 16^th at the Community Center, 201 S. Main Street in Salem at 5:30pm.  There are several items on the agenda including a Fire Department Grant, insurance renewal, and a kinetic permit request.  Following the special session meeting, the Salem City Council will hold a budget work session.  No action will taken at the work session and the meeting is open to the public.

Iowa Boys State is a week-long, hands-on leadership and civics program for high school junior run by the American Legion Department of Iowa.  Mt. Pleasant American Legion Post #58 is a proud supporter of this event and is hosting a soup and salad fundraiser on Saturday, March 21^st.  Boys State is a mock government experience where students create a miniature version of the Iowa State government and is for boys who are juniors in high school.  Students learn how the government works by running for office, passing laws, debating issues, and collaborating to solve problems.  The Mt. Pleasant American Legion fundraiser meal is a free will donation and will be held at the Mt. Pleasant Veterans Hall, 300 W. Monroe Street from 5:30pm – 7pm, 3/21/26.

Local law enforcement is partnering with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau in their statewide “Safe Driving Takes More Than Luck.” enforcement weekend to combat drunk driving. St. Patrick’s Day is Tuesday, March 17^th and last year, the Iowa Department of Transportation reported 148 crashes and five traffic fatalities on Iowa roadways.  Young drivers ages 21-34 accounted for the highest percentage (35%) of alcohol-impaired drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes during the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day holiday.

If your plans include drinking for this holiday, make sure you have plans for a designated driver or other sober ride.

Winter weather is in the forecast Sunday into Monday, and a Winter Weather ADVISORY is issued when the forecast calls for blowing snow, accumulations of more than 3 inches of snow in a 12-hour period, freezing rain, or sleet.  Also, a reminder that Unplowed/less traveled roads may be slick, and road conditions can change quickly.   Headlights should be ON not on auto, distance, slow down and ease into braking. Buckle up, avoid distractions and use extra caution on ramps, bridges and overpasses and of course: don’t crowd the plow!  Check 511ia.org for the latest road conditions in Iowa.

The Henry County Auditor’s Office in Mt. Pleasant received the ballots for the upcoming special election to fill the position of Henry County Attorney and early voting begins on Monday, March 16th.  The Henry County Courthouse is located at 100 E. Washington Street and is open from 8am – 4:30pm Monday through Friday.  Citizens of Henry County can cast their vote up until the time of the special election.

The special election will be held on Tuesday, March 31st. On that day, voters will cast their ballots at their regular polling locations across Henry County. Residents looking for information about their polling place or voting details can find a full list of polling locations at KILJ dot com under the news tab.

To listen to the Candidates forum with Abbie Liechty and Becky Wilson visit the KILJ spotify page found on our website, or tune in to 105.5 FM and KILJ.com Monday night (3/16/26) at 6pm for the rebroadcast.

Lockridge Fire & Rescue Department was dispatched to a grass fire on Friday afternoon in the 2900 block of 239^th Street in Lockridge.

Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies and Washington County Fire & Rescue responded to an overturned semi tractor trailer with an attached manure spreader late Friday morning at Highway 92 and Hwy 1.  Washington County dispatch reported that Both occupants of the vehicle were transported to the University of Iowa hospitals.