Mount Pleasant Mayor, Steve Brimhall paid a visit to KILJ last week for the Generation Gap.
Mayor Brimhall talked about several improvement projects that are planned for 2025. The first thing he discussed was the Airport improvement project.
Mayor Brimhall says the mount pleasant airport is a key facility for southeast Iowa, bringing in lots of company CEO’s, agriculture flights for crop work, and private travel. Mayor sounds confident the project will start and finish in 2025.
The Henry County Conservation department has been working with a few local schools and organizations to start an archery program. NASP is the National Archery in Schools Program, and over 20 students have been in the club for a few weeks now.
Shania is the Assistant Naturalist with the Henry County Conservation department and is taking the Archery team to their first tournament.
Shania also mentioned that the conservation department is still in efforts to build a playground at the park. You can contact the Henry count conservation office if you would like to become involved or make a donation.
Henry County Sheriff Rich McNamee stopped by the KILJ studio for his monthly update on the jails inmate count and budget.
As we see the colder weather and frigid temperatures below zero, Sheriff McNamee wants to advise people to be safe on the roadways and be prepared for emergency.
During his monthly update, Sheriff also talked about the new year being a good time to update your emergency contact information if you have moved, or if you are a business owner, The Sheriffs office needs the most updated information in their efforts to help in an emergency.
Lastly Sheriff McNamee talks the new year being a great time to check Fire alarms and smoke alarm batteries in your home or business, check the batteries in your security cameras and changing the batteries so you know they are new and good for the year.
Senator Chuck Grassley was honored to be sworn in once again as President pro tempore of the United States Senate. Grassley previously held the position from 2019 to 2021.
This constitutional leadership role is traditionally held by the most senior member of the majority party and places me third in the line of presidential succession, following the Vice President and Speaker of the House. Senator Grassley is only the second Iowan in history to serve as President pro tempore, following in the footsteps of Senator Albert B. Cummins, who served in this role from 1919 to 1925.
Iowa is number one in the Senate as a result of my leadership. Grassley says he is looking forward to delivering for our great state as President pro tempore and Senate Judiciary Chairman this Congress.
Rosemary E. Marley, 82, of Mt. Pleasant, died unexpectedly on Friday, January 3, 2025 at the Henry County Health Center Emergency Room after suffering a fall at her home.
Mrs. Marley, the former Rosemary Emma Hallowell, was born May 1, 1942 in Iowa City, IA. She was the daughter of Carl Joseph and Beulah Edith (Miller) Hallowell. She graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1960. She worked at the Hy-Vee Food Store where she met and began dating the man who became the love of her life. On July 2, 1961 at the Salem Methodist Church, Rosemary was united in marriage to William Warner “Bill” Marley. It was a love and partnership that lasted 58 years until Bill’s passing on Sunday, April 26, 2020 in Iowa City.
After their marriage, Rosemary worked at Smitty’s Cleaners and Motorola in Mt. Pleasant. Together with Bill, they cleaned houses for numerous families in the area. Rosemary also babysat for many people as well.
Rosemary was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church, seldom missing a worship service. A gifted cook, Rosemary prepared a meal every Saturday night for the Saturday night worship service at FUMC. Rosemary employed her cooking skills far more than at church. She would host her fellow co-workers from Motorola for suppers. Other groups and individuals were the beneficiaries of her skills in the kitchen and their hospitality. When the meals were not at her house, Rosemary would prepare meals and take them to people.
Rosemary loved flowers and enjoyed tending to her flower beds. She was a devoted fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, cheering them on, no matter what sport it was. Above and beyond all this, Rosemary loved pleasing people and would go out of her way to bring life and joy into someone’s life.
Those thankful for sharing in Rosemary’s life include her 4 children – Deb Marley of Mt. Pleasant, Dawn (Ron Walgren) Marley of Maui, Hawaii, Denise (Brian) Kirby of Mt. Pleasant, and Doug (Ashly) Marley of Mt. Pleasant; her sister – Carlene Miller of Ft. Madison; 2 grandsons – Spencer Kirby and Kasey (Michaela Speketer) Kirby, and 4 great grandchildren – Izabella Rose Kirby, Isla Kirby, Oakland Kirby and Bennett Duncan.
Her parents and husband Bill precede Rosemary in death.
Friends may call from 12 Noon to 8 PM on Wednesday, January 8 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 4-6PM.
The funeral service for Rosemary will be 11 AM on Thursday, January 9 at the First United Methodist Church, 309 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. The Reverend Court Fischer, Senior Pastor, will officiate. Cremation Rites will be accorded following the service, and Rosemary’s ashes will be interred on Friday at the Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant.
Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the First United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com
Carl Nicholas Bloom, 57, passed away Thursday, January 2, 2025, as the result of a brain tumor.
Per Carl’s wishes, his brain will be donated for medical research and his body cremated. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Relay for Life of Jefferson County and mailed to the family at 408 W. Broadway, Fairfield, Iowa 52556. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family.
Carl was born August 13, 1967 at Graham Hospital in Keokuk, Iowa to George N. and Barbara A. Bloom. Carl’s grandparents were Leonard “Bud” and Bette Bloom of Keokuk and Harold and Alta Bangert of Montrose.
Carl graduated from Central Lee High School in 1985. In 1989, he graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Later, he graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a Master’s degree in English. At the University of Southern Illinois in Carbondale, he earned a Doctorate degree in English and taught there. Carl wrote many educational papers and published one book.
In March of 1998 in St. Helen, Oregon, Carl married Hafiza Nilofar “Nel” Khan. Carl enjoyed painting, drawing, writing, magic cards, Dungeons and Dragons, concerts, and debating.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Nel of Dhaka, Bangladesh; one daughter, Alisha Bloom, of Denver, Colorado; his parents, Barbara Bloom of Fairfield and George N. Bloom of Montrose; two sisters, Christy Bloom of Chicago, and Rebecca Angell of Fairfield; many cousins, aunts, and uncles, in California and Iowa; and his mother-in-law, Mrs. Wali Khan.
During winter weather, the Iowa State Patrol sees a lot of action on Iowa’s roads during winter weather and all types of collisions. Law Enforcement officials advise one of the biggest keys to driving safe during winter weather is to allow extra room between your car and the car in front of you. Slow down and use caution on ramps, overpasses and underpasses and consider if you absolutely need to be on road during snow, fog or icy conditions.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has some preparation tips for winter driving. Remove snow and ice from your vehicle, warm up your vehicle, check the tires, have an emergency kit and know your route. NHTSA.gov has a complete list of life saving information and what to do in an emergency when you are on road during the winter months.
