Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education announced a statewide investment of over $3.5 million to provide book packs to all public and accredited nonpublic elementary schools & nearly 38,000 first-grade students. These Take home Books are based around Science, math, history and other core academic growth.
Gov. Reynolds said- “These book packs, based on the Science of Reading, bring parents more fully into that process by giving them a fun way to reinforce at home what their children are learning at school. It’s a powerful way to teach our kids to read—so they can spend a lifetime reading to learn.”
The Department selected “Just Right Reader” through a competitive bid process, that will now provide decodable reading packs at no cost to Iowa elementary schools and families.
Each decodable book includes a QR code with access to video lessons for active family engagement.
Southeastern Community College is offering two workshops to anyone looking to fill out the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms.
These sessions are designed to help individuals planning to start college this spring navigate the financial aid process.
The first workshop will be held on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 3 to 6 p.m. at SCC’s West Burlington campus in Room 361.
A second session is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 12, from 3 to 6 p.m. at SCC’s Keokuk campus in Room 419.
Staff members from the SCC Educational Opportunity Center will be on hand to guide students through the process of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and answering questions about financial aid.
This event is free and open to students of any age or income level, regardless of which college they plan to attend.
No pre-registration is required; staff will assist attendees on a first-come, first-served basis.
Students under age 24 should attend with at least one parent or guardian.
To complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA, students and parents should each bring the following:
Social Security number, driver’s license number, and date of birth
2022 federal and state tax returns, including all schedules and worksheets
W-2 forms or other records of income earned in 2022
Current bank statements and records of assets and investments
Rick Lynn “Rickie” Schiller, 67, of Donnellson, Iowa passed away at 8:35 p.m. Saturday, November 30, 2024, near Jordan, Montana.
He was born on February 21, 1957, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Leo and Alice (Jesberg) Schiller.
Rickie is survived by his wife: Anita; daughter: Amanda Clifford of Wayland, Missouri; three grandchildren: Ashton, Shaylee, and Freya; three siblings: Joann Knisley of Donnellson, Garry Schiller of Donnellson, and Ernie (Cheryl) Schiller of Donnellson; six nieces: Dawn (Kyle) VanAusdall, LeAnn (Kevin) Rink, Tara (Jason) Farley, Alicia (Larry) Haynes, Amanda (Jason) Myhre, and Arie Schiller; two nephews: Billy Knisley and Chris (Michelle) Schiller; four great nieces: Sara (Dylan) Bruns, Kara Knisley, Payton Schiller, Lainie Zachmeyer; six great-nephews: Eric (Jenny) VanAusdall, Ryan (Miranda) VanAusdall, Christopher (Darynne) Wenger, Ethan Knisley, Levi Schiller, and Ian Schiller and a sister-in-law: Nadine Shannon.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers in infancy: Arlet and Terry.
Rickie was a 1975 graduate of Central Lee High School. He was known as the “Mayor of Charleston”. In 2024, he received an award for the Central Lee Athletic Hall of Fame. He was on the board of trustees for the Charleston Township, and he played college basketball at Indian Hills Community College on a full ride scholarship.
He enjoyed farming, mushroom hunting, elk hunting, deer hunting, fishing and socializing. He loved his family Fourth of July BBQs, fish frys, gambling, and following sports teams especially the St. Louis Cardinals. Everyone enjoyed talking to Rick and hearing his stories.
A visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 7 p.m. Friday, December 6, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, where the family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2024 at the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Donnellson with Pastor Tony Keefe officiating.
Following the funeral service, his body will be entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.
Burial will be at a later date in the Charleston Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in his memory to Donnellson Fire and Rescue, Central Lee Sports Boosters or the PAW Animal Shelter.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (Dec. 2, 2024) — As part of its annual Hams for the Holidays campaign, Hy-Vee employees will join with local first responders to distribute 200 Hormel® Cure 81® hams on Wednesday, Dec. 4 beginning at 5 p.m. while supplies last. The event benefits families in need and will be held at the Mount Pleasant Hy-Vee, 1700 E. Washington Street.
Now in its seventh year, Hams for the Holidays is a collaborative effort with Hormel Foods to help fight food insecurity in communities served by Hy-Vee stores. This location is one of 18 stops that Hy-Vee is making across its eight-state region delivering 5,000 total hams.
The event continues until 7 p.m. or until all hams are distributed, whichever occurs first. Media is encouraged to attend the event.
Weeks of preparation, planning and setup are now done, and the joy of Christmas is shining bright for another season of the Mount Pleasant “Festival of Lights”.
You can expect to spend anywhere from a half hour to an hour to drive through the near 2 mile route. Many Families make it tradition to see Santa while he is in town for the Festival of Lights.
In the 12 years of the festival they started with 60 displays and will have over 180 lighted displays this year.
The Festival of Lights is open until December 31st, from 5:30pm-9pm. $10 a car load.
Board of Supervisors Office – December 5, 2024 – 9:00 a.m.
1.Approve Agenda
2.Approve Minutes
3.Approve Claims
4.Department Head Meeting
5.Katie Reuter, Public Health Budget Vaccines
6.SEIRPC Resolution # 31-2024
Henry County Support the Great River Housing Trust Fund
7.28E Agreement for Contribution for Emergency Medical Services
8.Public Comments
Other County Business as time allows
Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates
Guidelines for Speakers
When you are called upon to speak, stand if possible, and address the Board as a whole, not an individual member.
Be concise in your comments. You have a limit of three (3) minutes.
Be civil and courteous with your comments. Profanity will not be tolerated.
Speakers may not use Public Comment to harass the Board or other elected officials or engage in disturbing behavior. Public Comment is not for asking questions of the Board members or engaging in a dialogue or debate.
Conversations with Board members should be arranged for outside of Board meetings.
Disturbances will not be tolerated and may be cause for removal.
Jake Junior Vicars, 93, of Hillsboro died Saturday, November 30, 2024, at Park Place Elder Living in Mount Pleasant.
Junior was born November 17, 1933, in Stockport, Iowa, the son of Jake and Alta (Marshall) Vicars. He graduated from Salem High School in 1950. On April 4, 1953, Junior was united in marriage to Bonnie Haushahn at her parent’s home in Salem. The couple made their home on their farm in rural Hillsboro. Junior was a hardworking and dedicated farmer until his retirement in 1996. He was a member of the Salem Congregational Church. Junior loved to spend time with his family. He was especially fond of going to all activities his kids, grandkids and great grandkids were involved in. Junior enjoyed any type of hunting, trapping and fishing from the bridge. He had a passion for playing baseball, he spent many years coaching kids of all ages. Junior, along with others, was instrumental in founding the Salem Recreation Association.
Junior is survived by son, Clint Vicars of Salem; daughter, Colleen (Don) Kramer of rural Hillsboro; four grandchildren, Keith Kramer, Megan Kramer, Jacob (April Forsyth) Kramer and Lucas (Justice) Kramer; six great-grandchildren, Rhion, Finn, Cruz, Katherine, Madeline and Lincoln; brother-in-law Keith Mills of Burlington; sister-in-law Shirley Tiemann of Henderson, TX; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Bonnie; brothers Herman, Roscoe, Bob; sisters Ida Mae, Ruth, Ella Jay, Mary; niece Shirley; and nephew Randy.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 6, 2024, at Salem Congregational Church in Salem. Pastor Aaron Helterbran will officiate. Burial will be in the Salem East Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1-7 p.m. Thursday at the Olson-Powell Chapel and Crematory where the family will greet friends from 4-7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to Salem Recreation Association and Salem Old Settlers. The Olson-Powell Chapel and Crematory is caring for Junior and his family.
