5 members of the Mt. Pleasant school board met for their September meeting last night. Notably absent were members Donnolly and Williamson. The meeting began with past and present students of Mr. Wagoner’s video team sharing their favorite memories as part of the student spotlight. One student voiced that they enjoyed being there for the parents who couldn’t make it. Superintendent Henriksen even called MPTV Closeup a “lifeline” during the COVID months when many parents were unable to make it to their child’s event.
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services works with TAP (Transition Alliance Program) to help students who have “barriers” such as a mental disability. Any student with an IEP, 504, or medical diagnosis, can be counseled through this program, which is way to help them transition from highschool to life through job tours, coaching, life skills, and more.
The FY25 penny sales tax revenue estimates were shared, with the district expected to receive close to 2.4 million dollars to be used on upgrades, maintenance, and buildings and grounds to name a few. Speaking of buildings and grounds, there was a construction progress meeting on Monday to discuss happenings at the new facility located at 1515 E Monroe St. Construction is about one week ahead of schedule and they are hoping to bore the main electric line under the road this week.
The board continued their meeting by discussing new changes to Iowa’s law that will see less leniency offered to those who miss school. Chronic Absenteeism and truancy have been redefined, which will see students who miss 10% of the days in a semester consider “chronically absent” and those who miss 20% as truant. To put that into perspective, students who are absent for 9 days this first semester, will receive a certified letter home.
Excused absences no longer are exempt, meaning students who miss class for any reason, such as staying home sick, will count against them. There are a few exemptions, such as students including religious services or those who have already reached the graduation requirements. It is important to note that these changes have not been brought forth by the school district, but rather the state. Angie Blint, the president of the school board, asked a variety of questions on this matter, referring to a hypothetical student who has a sickness and stays home for 2 weeks. Looking at the other side of the coin, she mentioned that this new policy might scare students into coming to school, even if they are sick, which could cause illnesses to spread quicker and easier.
The board finished their meeting by approving a trip request for the FFA National Convention in Indianapolis in late October. 14 students will be attending this year, which offers them to opportunity to network with likeminded individuals and bring improvement back home, according to one student who has attended in the past. Board member Mike Hampton stated that he worked with FFA students at the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion and that they were hardworking and a “fantastic group.”
“Changes are coming to a small corner of Main Street Mount Pleasant, thanks to a Backing Small Business Enhancement Grant through American Express and Main Street America.
On Tuesday, June 25, American Express and Main Street America announced the grant recipients for the Backing Small Businesses Grant Program.
Aurora Salon LLC , based at 206 South Adams Street, Mount Pleasant, Iowa was among the winners.
“I am so grateful to be able to use these funds to do much-needed exterior updates on my business. It will really brighten up the corner across the street from the court house exit. I am most excited about the addition of the accessible ramp. I have been working as a cosmetologist in Mt. Pleasant for nearly 20 years and the ramp will allow me to keep serving all of my guests for years to come” says owner Martha Watson. “And of course a huge thank you to Jeremy at Northern Lights Window Tinting for all of his hard work on this project!”
Aurora Salon along with Nothern Lights Window Tinting, also located at 206 South Adams Street, invite the community to stop by and see the finished project during the annual Witch Way to Main on October 24th.
American Express and Main Street America announced the 500 small business owners who have been awarded $10,000 through the Backing Small Businesses grant program. The program’s 2024 grant recipients represent U.S. small businesses across all 50 states, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico. Later this year, grantees will have the opportunity to apply for an additional $30,000 enhancement grant that will be awarded to 25 small businesses.
Since launching in 2021, Backing Small Businesses has provided over $9 million in grants to 1,180 small business owners nationwide. American Express and Main Street America initially created the grant program to help economically vulnerable small business owners recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and grow their businesses.
This program is part of American Express’ “Backing Small” initiative to provide financial support and resources to small business owners experiencing economic hardships. Other Backing Small grant programs include Backing Historic Small Restaurants and Backing International Small Restaurants. Backing Small is an extension of American Express’ longstanding commitment to support small independent businesses globally, including through its Shop Small movement and Small Business Saturday campaign, celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.”
By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, September 10th, 2024 at 9:19 am CDT
The Henry County Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 17th at 3.30. at the USDA Office, 709 S. Iris Street, Mt Pleasant. Tentative agenda items include approve minutes, watershed report, and cost share payments and other district business. Those needing special accommodations should call the office @ 319-385-2824 ext. 3.
Iowa experienced cooler temperatures and dry conditions across most of the State. These conditions allowed Iowa farmers 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 8, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included cutting hay and chopping corn silage.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 29 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 24 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.
Corn in the dough stage or beyond reached 96 percent this week. Seventy-four percent of the corn crop reached the dent stage or beyond, 6 days behind last year and 2 days behind the five-year average. Corn maturity reached 20 percent, 4 days behind last year and 1 day behind the average. Corn condition was rated 77 percent good to excellent. Soybeans setting pods reached 97 percent. Soybeans coloring or beyond reached 42 percent, 4 days behind last year and 1 day behind the five-year average. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 9 percent, 4 days behind last year and 3 days behind the five-year average. Soybean condition was 78 percent good to excellent.
The State’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 93 percent, 8 days behind last year but 1 week ahead of the five-year average. Pasture condition rated 63 percent good to excellent.
The Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report, “Areas of northern Iowa received some scattered showers last week, but otherwise conditions were favorable for field and farm work,” said Secretary Naig. “Warm and dry conditions are expected for the week ahead, with better chances of rain forecasted for the second half of September.”
The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation relating to the weight limits and transportation of grain, fertilizer, and manure.
The proclamation is effective immediately and continues through October 9, 2024. The proclamation allows vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage, stover, fertilizer (dry, liquid, and gas), and manure (dry and liquid) to be overweight (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit for the duration of this proclamation.
This proclamation applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa (excluding the interstate system) and those which do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight, do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code § 321.463 (6) (b), by more than 12.5 percent, do not exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds, and comply with posted limits on roads and bridges.
A Mediapolis man has been arrested falling a sexual assault on Sunday morning according to the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office.
On September 8th, 2024, deputies responded to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center for a reported sexual assault. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with an adult female who advised she was sexually assaulted earlier that same morning in Mediapolis, IA.
Based on the victim’s statement, a search warrant was executed at 127 Maple Dr. in Mediapolis, IA. Items located at this residence confirmed that the victim was present at this address. The suspect, identified as Thomas Scot Armstrong (45 years old), was at home upon deputies’ arrival during the execution of the search warrant. Armstrong refused to speak to deputies about the alleged incident.
Armstrong was placed under arrest for Sex Abuse in the 3rd Degree, a Class C Felony in the State of Iowa. Armstrong faces up to 10 years in prison for the offense. Armstrong was transported by deputies to the Des Moines County Correctional Center and was given No Bond for this offense, which means Armstrong must see a judge prior to being released or issued a bond to secure his release.
Richard W. Cornick, 97, of Mt. Pleasant, died Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at the Klein Center in West Burlington, IA.
He was born September 21, 1926 in Mt. Pleasant. Richard was the son of Parke Forrest and Aletha Marie (Orn) Cornick. He attended East Highland Country School south of his home and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School. Richard attended the University of Iowa, majoring in Labor Relations and Industrial Management. graduating in 1952 with a BS degree in Commerce. He completed his hours for a Master’s degree but was called to active duty before completing his thesis. While at the university, he served in the National Guard 34th Division Reconnaissance Company as a tank commander. He was discharged from the guard as a Sergeant First Class.
As a Distinguished Military Graduate of the Reserve Offices Training Corp while at the University of Iowa, Richard entered the US Army on July 20, 1952 and served as a Counterintelligence Corp detachment operations office on Ashaigawa Island of Hokido, Japan with the 441st Counterintelligence Corp Detachment. He was honorably discharged on April 19, 1954 as a 1st Lieutenant. He served as a Reserve Officer in different units of the Army Reserves until his discharge from the Reserves in 1960.
Richard’s business background and occupations were most eclectic. From 1954-1988, he was a grain and livestock farmer, where he owned and managed Cornick Feed and Equipment Co., selling feed and short line equipment. During those years, Richard was a licensed Private Investigator for 2 years, was a Dealer Sales Representative with Arts Way Manufacturing Company, was an Organizer and Member of the Advisory County of the National Mobile Home Cities Corp. and was a Director of the Mt. Pleasant Bank and Trust Company. He obtained Iowa Real Estate Agent and Broker licenses and was a partner in Van Syoc-Hoyer-Cornick, and Aureco, Inc. – a property holding Corp. owned by Van Syoc-Hoyer-Cornick. He later engaged in the operation of the Van Syoc Cornick Auction and Realty Company. In 1986, Richard formed Cornick Realty, Inc. and obtained an Iowa Certified General Real Property Appraiser License in 1991.
Richard was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He was a Mason with Mt. Pleasant Lodge #8 AF & AM and a 32nd Degree Mason of the Scottish Rite of Des Moines. He was a member of the Kaaba Shrine Temple of Davenport, the Farm Bureau of Iowa, the American Legion Robert Tribby Post #58, the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge and Iowa Beta Chapter of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity of the University of Iowa. He was very active in the Republican Party at the county and state levels. He had served many local civic organizations, including the Pleasant Hill Cemetery Association, the Community Chest, the local Red Cross Chapter, the March of Dimes, the American Cancer Society, the Mt. Pleasant Community School Board Study Committee and the Board of Associates of the former Iowa Wesleyan College.
Richard held both private and commercial airplane pilot’s licenses. He was a certified scuba diver. He enjoyed skiing, hunting and fishing. Richard was an avid boater, traveling over 6,000 miles in three boat trips. He also computerized the Cornick Family Genealogy.
On February 2, 1951 in Mt. Pleasant, Richard married Phyllis Mae Barnum. The couple later divorced. On September 25, 1996, he married Karen Louise Johnson. The couple later divorced. Has been with his good friend and companion Brenda Frederick for many years.
Survivors include his companion Brenda; his 3 children with his first wife Phyllis – son Douglas Cornick and his wife Deborah, son Bradford and his wife Janice, and daughter Debra; his grandchildren – Doug’s children Heath and Heather, Bradford’s child Kesha and Debra’s child Cody; his great grandchildren – Heath’s children Dean and Nora and Kesha’s children Zoey and Emilia. Richard is also survived by his former second wife Karen.
Richard’s parents, former first wife Phyllis and Bradford’s son Jade precede him in death.
Friends may call from 12 Noon to 7 PM on Friday, September 13 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 5-7 PM. At the conclusion of the visitation, a public Masonic service will be conducted at 7 PM by the Mt. Pleasant Lodge #8 AF & AM. A private graveside service will take place at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. The Reverend Court Fischer will officiate. Military Honors will be provided by Iowa Military Funeral Honors and the Henry County Honor Guard.
Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Pleasant Hill Cemetery Association or the Mt. Pleasant Masonic Lodge #8.
