Below is a statement from the TriState Rodeo regarding a stage performer on September 6th.

“Muscadine Bloodline has been added to the upcoming Post Malone Tour. Unfortunately, due to this last-minute tour change, we regret to inform you that all upcoming tour dates, including this Friday at the rodeo, have been canceled. We are still looking forward to some tremendous post-rodeo entertainment by Midland this Friday and cannot wait to see you all here! “

WACO high school students involved in agriculture had the opportunity to meet with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig on Thursday morning. During the laid-back meeting, 10 students shared their input on the WACO FFA program, the new facility, and national convention.

Mr. Fetzer, the Ag advisor and teacher, started the program in 2021 when he first came to the district as a teacher. Just three years later, the program has grown substantially. According to the student reporter, there are around 100 students involved in the FFA program, which is close to ½ of all 7^th-12^th graders at the school.

The new Ag facility has a scheduled groundbreaking in the spring of 2025, with construction to wrap up by the beginning of the next school year. Students shared information on that facility, which will consist of 2 classrooms, locker rooms, areas for rabbits and cattle, and a green house. Mike Naig believes this is a great thing and will provide opportunities to those who don’t have a farm. A student mentioned that they are very fortunate for both Eichelberger Farms and Chem Gro due to their involvement and support.

The FFA National Convention is right around the corner and students are excited. A poultry team of 4, with one alternate, will be going to Indianapolis, Indiana, but will stop at different universities, such as Purdue and Illinois State University, to tour the facilities.

Mike Naig congratulated the students and teacher on the great program that they run. He has been the secretary of agriculture since 2018 and has met with many different programs. He believes there are a few hallmarks to the really good programs, which include having a great teacher, a supportive administration, and a great community, to which he stated that WACO has all three.

“On 09/05/2024, at 12:14am, the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to the Colonial Apartments (115 East Monroe Street) for a report of two male subjects attempting to enter vehicles.

Officers located two male subjects nearby this location. The two male subjects were identified by the witness who reported this.

One male subject was identified as 18-year-old Mason McKenzie of Mt Pleasant. The other male subject was a juvenile male from Columbus Junction. Mason was arrested and transported to the Henry County Jail on an active warrant out of Burlington for Theft 1st. The juvenile male was transported to the Police Department.

At the Police Department, the juvenile male destroyed department property estimated to be around $600, and fought with Officers. The juvenile male was transported to Juvenile Detention located in Montrose.

Mason McKenzie was charged with 3 counts of Attempted Vehicle Burglary, Possession of Burglar Tools, all D Felonies, and a citation for possession of tobacco products by person under 21 years of age.

The juvenile male was charged with 3 counts of Attempted Vehicle Burglary/D Felony, Criminal Mischief 4^th Degree/Serious Misdemeanor, Interference W/ Official Acts causing bodily injury.

The Mt Pleasant PD reminds citizen to lock their vehicles.”

The Henry County Supervisors met in regular session this morning at 9 am in the courthouse. The monthly department head meeting followed the approval of the agenda as well as the minutes from last week’s meeting.

Walt Jackson, Head of Henry County Emergency Management wants to remind the public September is National Preparedness Month, aimed at encouraging everyone to prepare for emergencies and disasters.

Starting a conversation today can help you and your family to take more actions to prepare. By taking simple steps, you can build your preparedness at your own pace:

• Set aside a time when everyone is calm and relaxed.
• It may help to hold the discussions over a set time period, so decisions aren’t rushed, and people feel more comfortable talking about the topic.
• Talk about steps you’ve taken to prepare and encourage others to ask questions about preparedness actions that might work for them.

With the recent school shooting in Georgia, Walt Jackson informed the supervisors that all schools in Henry County have received Stop the Bleed and Active Shooter training with Emergency Management, the Sheriff’s Department, the Henry County Health Center, and the Police Departments in Henry County within the last year.

Henry County Clerk of Court Jackie Myers shared with the supervisors that she has been promoted to oversee the District Clerk of Courts and introduced Sarah Maddox as the new Henry County Clerk of Court. Sarah brings 25 years of experience from both Des Moines and Louisa counties. Jackie Myers will continue to oversee Sarah through this transition as this is a part of her new duties.

Joe Buffington, Director of Planning and Zoning, updated the board that the next planning and zoning meeting discussing the wind turbine ordinance is scheduled for September 17^th at 6 p.m. in the Henry County Courthouse Courtroom.

Nathan Milks, Henry County Assessor, reported his office received appraisals for 2024 this week so they will be turned over to the auditor’s office later this week or next which will begin preparations for 2025.

Kellie Sloan, Henry County Treasurer, reported property tax statements were sent to Henry County residents August 15^th. Total cost to the county for this service was $7,195.55. The total amount of property taxes to collect for the year is $33,198,672.

Lynnae Buffington, Henry County Recorder, shared recorder fees have not been increased since 1985 and informed the supervisors there is legislation in the works to increase fees to $10 per page from the current $5 rate. If this legislation passes, this would give Henry County a net increase of $56,000.

Steven Giebelhausen, Assistant County Attorney, informed the supervisors there is no report for the County Attorney’s office.

Shelly Barber, Henry County Auditor, shared there have been 750 early voters for the September 10^th special election concerning the Henry County EMS Essential Tax Levy. Early voting continues 8-4:30 Monday through Friday in the 2^nd floor conference room of the Henry County Courthouse until September 10^th when voting will be held in regular polling place locations from 7am to 8 pm. Find your polling location HERE. The Auditor’s Office has already received 100 absentee ballot requests for the upcoming general election on November 5^th. Ballots are not able to be assembled and printed for the November 5^th election because the Nomination by Petition submitted for Lisa Ossian of Oskaloosa running against Adrian Dickey, the current District 44 Senator, has been contested. Until a conclusion is reached, the Henry County’s Auditor office is unable to prepare the ballots.

Following the Department Head Meeting the supervisors held a motion to allow the hiring of an employee in the treasurer’s office. Kellie Sloan, Henry County Treasurer, referenced Iowa House File 674 (found HERE) as another source of revenue for the Henry County Treasurer’s Office to supplement the salary of the new employee. There was mention that treasurer fees have not been increased since 1984. Kellie shared her budget has been cut by $65,000 and the loss of an employee has created stress and inefficiencies in the Treasurer’s Office, therefore she hopes the solution of increased funds will allow her office to return to previous staffing levels. The Henry County Supervisors voted to approve the hiring, and supervisor Marc Lindeen thanked Kellie for providing a solution with her problem.

Joe Buffington, Director of Planning and Zoning, obtained approval from the supervisors for a preliminary plat for Rolling Hills Subdivision South of Mount Pleasant off Hwy 218. This will send the plans back to the Planning and Zoning Committee for further discussion.

In the public comments section of the meeting concern was again raised by a citizen for the lack of report from the County Attorney’s office stating they understand confidentiality but requested statistics such as conviction rate and amount of case load be shared. The topic of recording and providing Henry County Supervisor meetings virtually was again discussed with supervisor Chad White stating other small rural counties have this capability already.

The Des Moines County Disaster Recovery Organization (DMCDRO) has been revived due to the recent storms and growing awareness of the increasing frequency and intensity of weather-related disasters. The DMCDRO has not met since 2015, but with representatives from the United Way of Southeast Iowa, Community Action of Southeast Iowa, Des Moines County Emergency Management, and the Community Foundation of Des Moines County, they decided it’s time to get the band back together.

The group was revived after recognizing significant gaps in the county’s ability to provide sufficient disaster recovery aid to those in need.

In a release, they have stated that the revitalized organization aims to ensure a more effective and coordinated response to future natural disasters by raising funds specifically for recovery efforts and improving disaster preparedness in the county.

The general election in November will not just see a new United States president elected, but also congress members. Mariannette Miller-Meeks has been the congresswoman for US Congressional District 1 this past term, but challenger Christina Bohannan would like to change that. Bohannan visited the Mt. Pleasant Pizza Ranch on Wednesday, but not for pizza. She spoke in front of the noon Rotary Club on why she should be elected this fall.

Major topics discussed during the meeting were healthcare, gun control, fundraising, and the border. She told a story of her father when he was sick with emphysema. Her family had to choose between paying for his medications or everything else. Due to this, she wants to “take on big pharma” to lower drug prices.

When asked a question from the crowd about gun control, her answer might surprise you. Bohannan is a gun owner herself and grew up shooting and hunting. She then said that she supports the 2^nd amendment and would like background checks to keep firearms out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have them.

She did criticize her opponent, stating that she is running against Miller-Meeks not because they are on different parties, but because Meeks is not putting the people of Iowa first. Bohannan then took it further, mentioning that Meeks has received over $250,000 from pharmaceutical companies in a short amount of time. She then claimed that Meeks refused to bring a strict immigration reform to a vote. Bohannan is a “big proponent” of securing the southern border.

The general election takes place just two months from today, Tuesday, November 5th, 2024.

You may notice multiple diaper drop off boxes at locations spread around Henry County throughout the month of September. The Rotary Clubs of Mount Pleasant are partnering together to host a diaper drive for The Family Connection in Henry County.

Individuals, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to participate by dropping off packages of diapers, specifically sizes 3, 4, 5, and 6, at any of the locations accepting donations now through September 30^th. Those drop off locations include American Family Insurance – M.A. Hamilton, Central Park Coffee Company, Five Star Community Credit Union, the Henry County Courthouse, the Mount Pleasant Public Library, People’s Bank Wayland, Pilot Grove Savings Bank – both Mt. Pleasant locations, and Your Choice Restaurant Wayland.

Mount Pleasant Rotary will also be hosting diaper collection days at the Hy-Vee in Mount Pleasant on Saturday, September 21 and again on Saturday, September 28 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. All diapers donated will be given to The Family Connection to stock their “Parents Place” – a store participants can redeem points for diapers, wipes, and other basic baby supplies.

Continue reading “Family Connection and Rotary Join Forces for September “Diaper Drive””