The Henry County Supervisors met in regular session this morning, Thursday July 25th at 9 am in the Henry County Courthouse. Jake Hotchkiss the Henry County Engineer started the meeting with his weekly update. Two permits for fiber have been approved, the first starting at Franklin Avenue ending at Old Highway 34 and the second on W55 from Old Highway 34 to 245th street. Henry County Engineer Hotchkiss also updated crews continue roadway painting, are on their second round of mowing shoulders on gravel roads, along with dura patching and hauling rock to resurface in various locations around the county. Franklin Avenue (W-55) is still closed from 275th Street North to 260th street. Work is continuing with the hope to have pavement completed this fall depending on weather. There will also be a preconstruction meeting next week to discuss the Nebraska Avenue bridge replacement, this project may begin as early as this August.

During the public comment section, a concerned Henry County resident commented that they had submitted a formal complaint against the Henry County Attorney to the Attorney General of Iowa. The resident asked the supervisors to support him in his complaint. Henry County Supervisor Marc Lindeen responded that this section of the meeting is open for public comments and to not be voted upon.

Henry County has lots of options to get and donate fresh produce. In Mount Pleasant, leave or receive food from Community Action Food Pantry, the public library, and The Fellowship Cup. The Fellowship Cup prefers donations from 8am-12pm. New London has the H J Nugen Public Library and Tiger Food Pantry. Salem Community Center also accepts donations. Wayland and Crawfordsville have the WACO Community Food Pantry and Wayland City Hall. Anyone looking to donate in Winfield can give them to the Winfield City Hall or the Winfield Food Pantry.

Some key reminders for donating. Call ahead for hours and only wash the produce if you have time to dry it. When picking up produce, only take what you need and wash it before eating.

Even though there are several places for free produce, another great way to give more people access to fruit and vegetables is to plant your own share.

For more information about healthy living and public health, visit healthyhenrycounty.org or Healthy Henry County on Facebook.

The Mount Pleasant Public Library is now offering Mobile Wi-Fi Hot Spots for check out! This is a device that allows any Wi-Fi capable device to connect to the internet. Their service is through US Cellular, so anywhere that their service has coverage, you will be able to get internet from their devices.

Currently, the library has 2 hotspots to kickstart the program.

There is a policy in place for the usage of these devices that must be read, and an agreement that must be signed before you are able to check one out. Stop in, or call, to reserve your hot spot today! 319-385-1490.

Prices for regular unleaded gasoline neither fell nor rose from last week til now, as prices averaged $3.28 across Iowa according to AAA. This price does reflect a 9-cent decrease from this time last year, and is 23 cents away from matching the national average.

Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 3 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.52, one year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.63 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is 31 cents lower than the national average of $3.83.

Natural gas prices rose 9 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.15/MMbtu.

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

On April 4^th, 2024, the Burlington Fire Department was dispatched to 1015 N Central Avenue regarding a house fire. Arriving on scene, firefighters observed smoke coming from the residence, owned by Heather Dawson. The Burlington Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division was called to assist the Fire Marshal as the fire appeared suspicious.

An investigation revealed that Heather Dawson attempted to file an insurance claim for the residence. They also found out that her husband, Derek Dawson, had spoken to others about starting the fire and his truck was seen leaving the area prior to the fire being noticed.

As the result of an ongoing investigation, Heather and Derek Dawson have been arrested in Peoria, Illinois.

Heather Dawson has been charged with insurance fraud. Derek Dawson has been charged with insurance fraud and 2nd degree arson.

Burlington Fire Department was assisted by Burlington Police Departments Criminal Investigation Division and the Peoria Police Department.

For months, residents of Mount Pleasant have known that the town would be the final overnight stop for the 51^st RAGBRAI. Now, only one day separates the excitement. RAGBRAI riders will pass through Wayland and Trenton tomorrow, before coasting into Mount Pleasant on West Courtland Street, before heading South on North White, East on West Franklin, South on North Broadway, East on West Madison, and South on North Main. The official campground, McMillan park, will be reached by heading East on East  Monroe and South on South Walnut.

Setup begins today and the beverage garden will open by noon tomorrow! Portable Playlist DJ will start the fun from 12-6pm, Blake Jack and the South 35 from 6-7:30m and the Spazmatics will perform from 8-11pm! All roads in the downtown area will be closed except for Washington Street.

Stay tuned to KILJ Radio, the official media sponsor, for traffic updates, special interviews, and lots of fun.

Mount Pleasant, IA- The City of Mount Pleasant held their City Council meeting last night at City Hall with last discussions of RAGBRAI, approvals of different projects, and a public hearing on the appeal of a dangerous animal determination.

Once roll call was finished, the meeting began with an approval of old business, which included:

-Amplified sound permits for Paul Revere’s Pizza from 7 pm to 2 am and Lisa Pforr for 5 pm to 7 pm for Friday July 26^th.

-Renewal of a Class C Retail Alcohol License for Jefferson Street Grill and Main Street Mount Pleasant and an amended Class C Retail Alcohol License for Westside Tap to include outdoor service for RAGBRAI.

-Lastly, a request from the Knights of Columbus to have alcohol at the East Lake Park Softball Complex on August 2^nd and 3^rd.

The Council also approved the resolution in support of the property tax levy for Emergency Medical Services-Essential Services in Henry County. More information on the tax levy:

-A public vote of at least 60% majority on September 10^th would ensure that this service will continue. In this instance, the $0.27 cent current tax levy would be removed from the hospital budget and replaced with a new $0.75 cent essential services tax.

Rachel Lindeen of the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce and Lisa Oetken of Main Street Mount Pleasant reminded everyone that the downtown roads will be closed after 4 pm on Thursday with everything being reopened on Saturday with the police department helping with traffic flow.

Additionally, at 7:30 pm on Friday, along with RAGBRAI Gives Back, there will be a donation of at least $5,100 towards Lee Town Parks. The duo also thanked the council and the community for all their help preparing for RAGBRAI.

In terms of new business, there was a public hearing to appeal the dangerous animal order issued by the Mount Pleasant Police Department to Ryan and Wie Yeager, owners of a dog that attempted to attack a victim and their dog.

Community Service Officer Jared Walker led off the hearing discussing a few of the 12 reports of aggressive behavior over the past two years against the Yeager’s dog, Coco, with the first event occurring back on June 8^th, 2023.

The dog had exhibited aggressive behavior in terms of chasing, barking, and scratching a victim, resulting in a potentially dangerous animal order being placed on the dog. The orders involved building a fence for their backyard, supervision outside the house, or muzzling the dog when outside.

The orders were not followed leading to more reports against Coco bringing about the dangerous animal order. The argument for the order being that the animal, despite not biting anyone, is “not naturally tame nor gentle.”

The Yeager’s, who have been communitive during the entire process, understood and took responsibility but were asking for some leniency.

Ultimately, the council voted to affirm the dangerous animal determination. The Yeager’s can now appeal the notion and resolve it in court, move the dog out of city limits, or put the dog down.

After the public hearing, the council approved the resolution to accept the HES Industrial Park-Sanitary Sewer Extension and approved a change to Order #2 that involved a decrease of $6,200.

The council also approved:

-A new Retail Permit for Cigarette/Tobacco/Vapor Sales for Mount Pleasant BP.

-The hiring of Marcus Mullin as Parks Supervisor.

-The Change Order #2 for the Waste Water Treatment Plant Disinfection Project. A decrease of $3,296.10 as a result of balancing the cost of designed quantities compared to actual as built quantities.

-An acceptance of the Main Waster Water Treatment Plant Improvements-Disinfection Plan project as it has been completed in conformance with the contract documents according to Shane Oyler, Project Engineer. A project several years in the making.

-Bruce Oviatt and Beau Bergmann reappointed to 3-year terms on the Airport Advisory Committee.

-Lastly, a resolution for the mayor to execute a Mortgage Release on behalf of the City Council for mortgage assistance that was granted under the City Housing Assistance Program. The owner will pay back the balance of $8,200.

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 14^th, at 5:30 pm at City Hall, the second-floor meeting room.