Firefighters with the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department had a stressful and busy day on Tuesday, fighting multiple fires and responding to calls. A house in the 600 block of North Carol Avenue caught fire and upon arrival, firefighters observed heavy fire coming from the front and rear of the house. The fire was quickly contained in 15 minutes, as a two-man crew entered through the front while a deck gun was used to knock the fire down. In total, four trucks and 13 firefighters were on scene, as well as Mt. Pleasant Police and Henry County Health Center. There were no human injuries, but family pets were lost.
Before the call was wrapped up, two brush trucks and a tanker were sent to a brush fire. At the end of the evening, the department was called to Arby’s for a fire alarm around 11:00pm.
Susan Rae Mitchell, 76, of Westwood, died Monday, September 16, 2024 at Park Place Elder Living in Mt. Pleasant.
Mrs. Mitchell, the former Susan Rae Keller, was born March 31, 1948 in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was the daughter of Donald Vernen and Bobetta Louise (Betz) Keller. The family moved to Ames, IA when Susan was young. Susan graduated from Ames High School in 1966. She entered the United States Navy on June 17, 1966. She served as a Hospital Corps wave (the female Navy version of a Hospital Corpsman). Susan was honorably discharged as a HM3 at the Naval Hospital in Bremerton, WA on June 16, 1969.
On July 22, 1967 in Ames, IA, Susan was united in marriage to Vernon Glen Mitchell.
The couple settled in South Dakota where Susan graduated with honors from Dakota State College (now Dakota State University) in Madison, SD with her degree in Business and Education. She taught school in Hudson, SD and in Minnesota. The couple moved to Redfield, SD where Susan became an educator at the South Dakota State Mental Health Institution in Redfield, working with disabled children.
In 1992, Susan and Vernon moved to Mt. Pleasant. Susan worked for the Job Training Partnership Act, which was administered by Southeastern Community College.
Susan belonged to two book clubs in Mt. Pleasant. She loved to volunteer. She assisted as a volunteer with the Red Cross, and with was a Girl Scout Camp Director. Susan volunteered to organize archives at the Repertoire Theater Museum on the Midwest Old Threshers Grounds in Mt. Pleasant.
Those thankful for sharing in Susan’s life include her husband of 57 years, Vernon of Mt. Pleasant, and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
Her parents, a sister – Marcia Widows and a brother, Don Keller, precede Susan in death.
Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. A committal service will take place at a later date at the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD.
Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the family for decisions to be made later. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.
The Winfield-Mt.Union Homecoming King and Queen have been crowned. Congratulations to Cooper Buffington and Olivia Martinez. Also on the court are Pacey Schlee, Sofia Boschi, Josie Nelson, Rachel Tapia, and Summer Neubauer for the girls. The guys on the court are Kohlby Newsom, Sheaden Adams, Jake Edwards, and Sinjin Brown. The Junior Royalty are Henry Shinstock and Ceila Malone.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.
Secretary Naig. “National Farm Safety and Health Week is a timely reminder for all farmers and drivers to do our part to ensure a safe and productive harvest season for everyone in the field, around the farm and on the road. Given the stress and long hours of harvest as well as challenges in the ag economy, it’s also important for farmers and those involved in agriculture to prioritize their mental health and well-being.”
Iowa experienced hot and dry conditions this week. These conditions allowed Iowa farmers 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 15, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included chopping corn silage and harvesting corn and soybeans.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 6 percent very short, 38 percent short, 55 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 6 percent very short, 32 percent short, 61 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.
Corn in the dent stage or beyond reached 85 percent this week, 8 days behind last year and 2 days behind the five-year average. Corn mature reached 41 percent, 4 days behind last year but 2 days ahead of the average. Corn harvested for grain began this week at 2 percent. Corn condition was rated 77 percent good to excellent. Soybeans coloring or beyond reached 72 percent, 3 days behind last year but 2 days ahead of the five-year average. Soybean dropping leaves reached 31 percent, 3 days behind last year. The soybean harvest began this week at 1 percent. Soybean condition was 77 percent good to excellent.
The State’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 96 percent, 9 days behind last year but 1 week ahead of the five-year average. Pasture condition fell 11 percentage points to 52 percent good to excellent.
The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.
Kenneth James “Jim” Moore, 61, of Bonaparte, Iowa, passed away at 2:35 p.m. Monday, September 16, 2024, at Van Buren County Hospital in Keosauqua, Iowa.
He was born on May 9, 1963, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, the son of Larry and Mary Ellen (Goudie) Moore. On August 18, 1984, he married Lisa Rider at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Farmington, Iowa.
Survivors include his wife: Lisa; children: Kate (Luke) Wells of Donnellson, Jake (Stacy) Moore of Keokuk, Paige (Whitney) Moore of Des Moines; grandchildren: Avery and Carson Wells, Camron, Jason and Landon Moore; father: Larry Moore of Bonaparte; mother-in-law: Louise Rider of Farmington; siblings: Mary Jo (Keith) Heitzman of Tampa, Florida, Sharon (Mike) Burek of Winsted, Connecticut, Doug (Angie) Moore of Donnellson. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his mother: Mary Ellen Moore and father-in-law: Tom Rider.
Jim was a 1981 graduate of Harmony High School. He attended Iowa State University and then returned to the family farm. He finished his career as a partner with his brother Doug at their business, Moore Seed and Service. Jim was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, Farmington Actioneers, Farmington EMTs, IHSAA as a basketball referee, Lee County Cattleman, Farmington Rod and Gun Club, Atta-Boy Hunt Club. He enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, watching sports, woodworking, playing cards, socializing with friends and most of all, being a grandpa.
A visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m. Friday, September 20, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, where the family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 21, 2024, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Farmington with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.
Burial will be at Sharon Cemetery, rural Farmington, Iowa.
A celebration of life will follow at the Houghton Knights of Columbus Rural Life Club.
Memorials have established in his memory for Houghton Rural Life Club, Farmington Rod and Gun Club or Farmington American Legion.
Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
On September 14, 2024, at approximately 1:19p.m. Des Moines County deputies attempted to stop a motorcycle for a registration violation at Oak St. and Ashmun St. The motorcycle failed to pull over and accelerated as deputies activated their emergency lights and sirens. Deputies pursued the motorcycle through the north side of Burlington.
The pursuit continued until the suspect pulled into a drive in the 1200 block of Washington St. and lost control of the motorcycle, laying it down. The suspect, identified as Littlewill Tucker Minton, 40, of Burlington, attempted to flee on foot and was shortly taken into custody. A check of his driving status showed he was revoked, and a registration check on the motorcycle revealed it was stolen out of Burlington in 2021.
A search of Minton was conducted, and law enforcement located multiple baggies of suspected crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana as well as a large sum of cash. Minton was transported to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center to check on injuries he sustained during the pursuit. He was later transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center and charged with fail to display registration plate, eluding 2nd or subsequent offense, driving while revoked, reckless driving, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine, possession with intent to deliver marijuana, failure to affix a drug tax stamp, and theft 2nd.
The Henry County Planning and Zoning Commission is holding a public hearing over the alternative energy ordinance this evening at 6:00 p.m. This will take place in the Henry County courthouse in the 3rd floor courtroom. The courthouse doors will open for the meeting between 5:30pm and 5:45pm. The building will close at 4:30pm, like usual, and so any individual arriving to the meeting prior to 4:30 will be asked to leave. This meeting is open to the public, but there are rules, as there are at any meeting.
1.Individuals who desire to comment during the public hearing, must add their name and address to list of people desiring to speak. Each person on the list will be recognized by the Chairperson when it is their turn to speak.
2.Before speaking, please stand up (if physically able), state your name, address, and/or corporation you represent.
3.You will have three (3) minutes to present comments.
4.Time limit may be extended an additional three (3) minutes at the discretion of the Chairperson.
5.Questions must be directed to the Chairperson. At the Chairperson’s discretion, the questions may be directed to appropriate people.
6.Comments shall be related to the agenda item under discussion. Please do not repeat previously discussed topics unless you have additional information to present.
7.Do not interrupt other speakers.
8.Disruptive behavior; interruptions, applause, signs, placards, etc. will not be permitted.
9.Vulgar, derogatory, or insulting comments will not be permitted.
10.Anyone breaking the rules shall forfeit their right to speak.
11.If order cannot be maintained the meeting will adjourn and all remaining business will be tabled.
12.The board will not debate with members of the public.
13.The board may ask questions from the public at their discretion
