Construction has officially begun on a new Sonic Drive-In on the north side of Mount Pleasant.

Gary Shahan, Building and Zoning Administrator with the City of Mount Pleasant, confirmed crews have started breaking ground at 1206 North Grand Avenue. The project has been highly anticipated by local residents, with plans for the restaurant circulating in the community for nearly a year.

Shahan said building permits for the project were originally issued in April of last year. He added that construction is expected to take about three months to complete, weather permitting.

Once finished, the Sonic Drive-In will add another dining option along the North Grand corridor and mark a new commercial development for the area.

Maharishi International University in Fairfield has announced plans to close Utopia Park, a long-standing trailer park on the north edge of town.

University officials say the trailers—built in 1983 for visitors attending the “Taste of Utopia” assembly—have deteriorated to the point where repairs are no longer economically feasible.

MIU Vice President of Operations Jeremy Brenin says the park will be shut down gradually over the next two and a half years. Of the park’s 176 trailers, 146 are currently occupied.

To avoid overwhelming Fairfield’s housing market, the university plans to close the park in six phases, with between 15 and 21 trailers shutting down every six months. The first eviction notices went out February first, giving those residents six months to move out. The final phase is scheduled for August 2028.

The university will also provide $800 toward moving expenses for each trailer through an agreement with a moving company.

Officials say the phased approach is intended to give Fairfield’s rental market time to absorb the displaced residents. About half of the current tenants have ties to the university, while the rest do not.

MIU says the land is expected to be redeveloped in the future for new housing, potentially including townhomes, multi-plex units, or an apartment complex.

A southeast Iowa man is in custody following a multi-state investigation into the deaths of three women in southern Utah.

Authorities say 22-year-old Ivan Miller of Blakesburg, Iowa, was arrested Thursday in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, after being identified as the suspect in the killings.

According to investigators, the series of events began Wednesday afternoon in Wayne County, Utah. Officials say Miller allegedly killed an elderly woman at her home and stole her vehicle. He then reportedly drove to a nearby trailhead near Capitol Reef National Park, where two women who were hiking together were also killed.

Authorities say the incident came to light when the husbands of the hikers went searching for their missing wives and noticed a suspicious vehicle at the trailhead and another vehicle missing.

Investigators used license plate readers and vehicle tracking technology to trace the suspect’s route from Utah through northern Arizona and into southwestern Colorado, where the stolen vehicle was eventually abandoned. Miller was located after a short search and taken into custody.

Officials say the victims had no known connection to the suspect, and investigators have not yet determined a motive. The three women were reported to be in their 30s, 60s, and 80s.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue processing multiple crime scenes in southern Utah.

A Mount Pleasant man is facing multiple charges after police say he forced his way into a woman’s apartment and stole her truck.

Donald Biggs, 52, of Mount Pleasant, has been charged with burglary in the second degree, a Class C felony, theft in the second degree, a Class D felony, violation of a no-contact or protective order – contempt, a simple misdemeanor, and violation of probation.

According to court documents, the Mount Pleasant Police Department was dispatched Saturday, February 28th at approximately 9:45 a.m. to the 1200 block of North Palm Avenue for a reported disturbance.

Officers learned a physical altercation had occurred between Biggs and the victim. During the incident, Biggs allegedly forced his way into the victim’s apartment while she was letting her dogs outside, pushing her down as he entered. Police say Biggs then took the keys to a truck registered to the victim and drove away from the scene.

When questioned by officers, Biggs reportedly claimed the truck belonged to him. However, vehicle registration records showed the truck was registered to the victim.

The disturbance was reported by both the victim and a nearby neighbor who heard the commotion and checked on the victim.

Authorities later located Biggs operating the truck.

Court records also show an active no-contact order had been issued between Biggs and the victim just two days earlier on February 26th in Henry County, listing the victim as the protected party.

According to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Biggs’ bail has been set at $17,300 cash or surety, including $15,300 for the burglary charge and $2,000 for the probation violation.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for March 11th.

The City of Burlington’s outdoor warning siren system is currently out of service due to a failure of a critical piece of equipment.

According to a press release from Des Moines County Emergency Management, the malfunction has placed the city’s Outdoor Warning System out of commission while officials evaluate repair or replacement options. During this time, the sirens used to alert the public during severe weather will not be operational.

Emergency management officials emphasize that the outdoor warning sirens are designed primarily to alert people who are outdoors and should not be relied upon as the only source of emergency notifications.

With severe weather expected in the area, residents are strongly encouraged to make sure they have other ways to receive alerts. Officials recommend signing up for Alert Iowa, a free statewide emergency notification system that can send warnings by text message, phone call, or email. Residents can also customize the types of alerts they receive and select their preferred language.

Emergency Management also encourages residents to maintain a NOAA All-Hazard Weather Radio, which provides continuous broadcasts of official warnings, watches, forecasts, and hazard information directly from the National Weather Service. These radios can automatically sound an alert when warnings are issued, including overnight.

Officials say they will continue to keep the public informed as updates become available regarding the status of Burlington’s outdoor warning system. Residents looking for more information or help signing up for Alert Iowa can visit the Des Moines County Emergency Management website.