One business in Mount Pleasant certainly enjoyed the RAGBRAI riders coming through town on Friday. Up Dog RV Park received donations from riders for Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, whose mission is to “provide veterans with a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit monuments and memorials built in their honor for the sacrifice and service they made for our freedom.

A person affiliated with the campground served in the Vietnam War, while his father and all of his siblings served in World War II. One of his uncles went Missing in Action during Pearl Harbor. The man who served was able to take part of the honor flight in May, 2024, and experience firsthand what it was like.

After receiving overwhelming support, Up Dog RV Park has decided to donate $2500 toward the organization, which comes from all camping fees received during RAGBRAI, as well as donations and a personal contribution. If you believe this is a worthy cause, or would like more information on Easter Iowa Honor Flight, head to their website at www.eihonorflight.org

Des Moines County Conservation is hosting a free Shooting Safety and Basics event for anyone 10 and older on Tuesday, August 6^th from 5:30-7:30pm. The event will take place at the Big Hollow Shooting Range where participants will get a safety briefing and hands-on experience with BB guns, rifles, and shotguns. There will be a second event on August 14^th from 5:30-7:30pm as well. They recommend bringing a water bottle and wearing weather-appropriate clothing. The event will be rescheduled in the case of bad weather. Registration is required and can be completed by calling 319-753-5808. DMCC will provide transportation from Starr’s Cave to Big Hollow if individuals request it during registration.

Senator Grassley’s office is holding traveling office hours in Henry and Lee Counties on Wednesday, July 31. His Regional Director, Penny Vacek, will be there. Senator Grassley himself will not be in attendance, as the Senate will be in session and voting.

They will be set up at the Mount Pleasant City Hall, 307 E Monroe Street, between 9:30 and 10:30am on Wednesday. They will then head to Lee County to the Keokuk Public Library small meeting room from 12p-1.

His office helps Iowans contact federal agencies to resolve problems with Social Security payments, military service matters, immigration cases and other issues. You are also able to seek assistance through his website at www.grassley.senate.gov .

William Daft, DO, Family Medicine, and Gregg Calderwood, MD, Women’s Health will retire on July 31, 2024.

Dr. William Daft is a Board-Certified Family Medicine physician.  He received his Doctor of Osteopathy degree from Des Moines University and completed his Residency at Cedar Rapids Area Family Medicine.   Dr. Daft has been with the health system for thirty-three years providing primary care to patients of all ages.

Dr. Gregg Calderwood is a Board-Certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist.  He completed his training at the University of Iowa before establishing his practice in Southeast Iowa. Dr. Calderwood has spent the past forty years providing Women’s Health to patients in the region

“These two physicians have positively impacted the health of many during their time at Great River Health.  We appreciate the dedication to their patients, and the quality care they have provided over the years. We wish them the very best as they enter this next chapter in their lives,” expressed Dr. Joel Ryon, Chief Medical Officer, of Great River Health.

On July 24, 2024, the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office took a report of fraudulent activity on a victim’s credit card. Deputies learned that the victim’s credit card was used to book a hotel stay. While deputies were investigating the initial complaint they took similar reports from two additional victims. Deputies learned that all three victims had recently used their credit cards to book a reservation at Spirit Hollow Golf Course in Burlington, IA.

The investigation showed that Hans Olson, age 25, of Hendersonville Tennessee was the individual who made numerous hotel reservations using the stolen credit card information. Deputies also learned that Olson was employed at Spirit Hollow Golf Course as a summer intern.

On July 26, 2024, deputies conducted a search warrant at Olson’s residence and found paperwork matching one of the hotels he booked with the stolen credit card information. Olson was placed under arrest for unauthorized use of a credit card $1,500 to $10,000 (D felony), 2 counts of unauthorized use of a credit card under $1,500, theft 2nd degree (D felony), theft 3rd degree, and theft 5th degree. Olson was transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center.

On Sunday morning, the Keokuk Police Department responded to a call for service in which a man received a gunshot wound. According to the department, the man did die as a result of the injury suffered. This incident is under investigation.

This was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public.