On September 10^th, at approximately 11:42 p.m., a victim arrived at the Ottumwa Regional Health Center Emergency Room with numerous stab wounds. The victim advised that he had driven himself to the hospital after being stabbed with a knife at a residence in Ottumwa. The victim was identified as Demetric Alexander Edwards, age 32, of Ottumwa. Edwards did provide a statement to police on what happened to him on this night. Edwards was transported to the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City for treatment of his injuries.

Police identified the residence that this assault took place was located at 221 East Golf, in Ottumwa. Police secured this residence and obtained a search warrant to search for additional evidence and document the scene.

On Thursday, September 12, 2024, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Ottumwa Police arrested Joseph Michael Lewis, age 62, of 221 E. Golf for the following charges:

• Attempt to Commit Murder, a Class “B” Felony.
• Assault While Participating in a Felony, a Class “C” Felony
• Willful Injury Resulting in Serious Injury, a Class “C” Felony
• Going Armed With Intent, a Class “D” Felony

Lewis is being held in the Wapello County Jail with no bond being set at this time.

2024 MOUNT PLEASANT HIGH SCHOOL – HOMECOMING

Panther Homecoming Week: September 30 – October 4, 2024 Theme: Destroy the Demons

Days of the Week

Monday – ‘Merica Monday – Boom Day Pep at School 1:00 pm

Tuesday – Tropical Tuesday

Wednesday – Western Wednesday

Thursday – Throwback Thursday – BOOM NIGHT at Mapleleaf 6 pm

Friday – Maroon and Gold Spirit Day

*(Note for all dress-up days….students must be dressed appropriately for school)*

$5.00 for Homecoming Lanyards (will be sold during lunches beginning Sept. 23rd) – That gets you into the dance!

Monday – *’Merica Monday

• Boom Day Pep at the high school 1:00 pm

Tuesday – *Tropical Tuesday (Hawaiian or Beach Wear)

• 9/JV/Var – Volleyball vs Fairfield (senior night)
• Var Cross Country @ Washington
• Jr/Sr Boys Volleyball – best 2 out of 3 games – following Varsity Volleyball match

Wednesday – *Western Wednesday

Thursday – *Throwback Thursday (Dress like a different time)

• Boom Night – 6 pm (Cost $1.00, no activity pass accepted)
• Booster Club Supper starts at 5:30 pm
• Powder Puff at 6 pm
• Announcement of Royalty Court, JR Royalty, & King & Queen

Friday – *MAROON AND GOLD SPIRIT Day –        Parade 3:01 pm

• Grand Marshall: TBA
• Junior Royalty: TBA
• Varsity Football game at 7:30 pm vs Washington

Saturday – HOMECOMING DANCE – 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm

• At Mount Pleasant High School (announce JR Royalty, Royalty, & King & Queen at 8:45 pm)

Homecoming 2024 – Notes

Monday – Boom Day, 1:00 pm pep rally at school.

Tuesday – HS VB (senior night) followed by Boys Powderpuff Volleyball, best 2 of 3 games between juniors and seniors.

Wednesday – Normal Church Night

Thursday – Boom night begins at 6 pm with powder puff football followed by bonfire and announcing of the king and queen.

Friday – Parade at 3:01 pm (normal parade route), Friday Parade participants will line up from the WisdomQuest building to the east on Monroe St. Anyone who wants to be in the parade needs to contact Mr. Stone at the High School.

Saturday – Dance at the HS, 8:00 – 10:30. Announce JR Royalty, Royalty, and King & Queen at 8:45

The Southeast Iowa Food Web is excited to announce Ignite 2.0, a pivotal gathering aimed at advancing the region’s food system initiatives. This event will take place on Wednesday, September 18, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the ISU Extension Office, Cambridge Room, Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Registration is free, and all stakeholders in the regional food system are encouraged to attend.  Registration Link

Some of the event highlights include a briefing by Revata Consulting on the Southeast Iowa Food Web, and then a briefing on a food system plan. There will be breakout sessions for participants as well.

The Southeast Iowa Food Web invites farmers, producers, large-scale consumers, and anyone invested in the region’s food system to participate in this crucial event. Together, we can strengthen the food web, support local economies, and foster sustainable practices across Southeast Iowa.

For more information or questions, please contact Bob Ferguson at 913-208-6357 or bob@fergusonleadersunlimited.com.

It’s Child Passenger Safety Week and Henry County Public Health wants to help make sure your children are safe. They have a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician on staff who can check car seats, let caregivers know if their children are in the right seats for their ages and sizes, and show them how to install the right seats correctly. Call 319-385-0779 to make an appointment with April.

“Unfortunately, there are many details parents may overlook or just don’t know about their car seats,” said April Riley, CPST. “They think they’re protecting their kids, but almost half of car seats are either the wrong seat for the child’s age and size, or the seats are installed incorrectly. That puts children at risk.”

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children. Every day in 2022, an average of three children 14 and younger were killed in crashes, and another 429 were injured. Just like drivers check their vehicle’s oil and tires, everyone who drives children needs to check their car seats to make sure they’re appropriate for your child’s age and size.

When it comes to child passengers, there is a right seat for every age and developmental stage — from infants to teens. Whether it’s a rear-facing car seat, a forward-facing car seat installed with a tether, a booster seat, or a seat belt, a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician can put parents’ minds at ease by discussing correct car seat selection and showing them how to correctly install that seat in their vehicle. Children should stay in each seat and position until they outgrow those limits, and it’s important for all children under 13 to ride in the back seat.

Call Henry County Public Health to schedule a free car seat check at 319-385-0779. Let’s work together to keep our children safe.