The Henry County Heritage Trust will present a special program exploring the history and beginnings of Mount Pleasant’s Mental Health Institute at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the Henry County Heritage Center Museum, 403 West Madison Street, Mount Pleasant.

Opened in 1861, the sprawling complex was originally known as the “Insane Asylum” and later the Iowa State Hospital. Mount Pleasant’s MHI was one of only four such institutions in Iowa and, for many years, stood as one of the region’s largest employers. The program will provide an in-depth look at its origins, operations, and impact on the community.

The event is free to attend and will include refreshments. For more information, contact the Heritage Center at (319) 217-6042.

Washington County, Iowa – On Sunday, August 10, 2025, at approximately 10:53 a.m., emergency dispatchers received reports of a two-vehicle collision with airbag deployment and unknown injuries in the 2700 block of Highway 1, rural Washington County.

According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation revealed that Unit 1, operated by Kevin Pape, was traveling southbound on Highway 1, while Unit 2, operated by Travis Kleese, was traveling northbound and towing an enclosed livestock trailer.

Authorities say that as the vehicles approached one another, Pape purposely crossed the centerline and drove toward Unit 2 without regard for safety. In an effort to avoid a head-on collision, Kleese took evasive action, but Unit 1 struck the axle area of Unit 2’s trailer, causing disabling damage. Pape’s vehicle then left the roadway to the east, entered the ditch, and came to rest after striking a wooden powerline pole.

Investigators determined that Pape knowingly and intentionally attempted to use his vehicle as a weapon against Unit 2, which was occupied by five individuals, none of whom were known to Pape.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Washington Police Department, Washington County Conservation, Washington County Ambulance, Washington County Rescue, Washington Fire Chief, Washington Fire Department, Washington QRS, and Moore’s Towing.

LEE COUNTY – Multiple people were injured Saturday afternoon in a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Highway 16 and 240th Avenue.

The Iowa State Patrol reports the crash occurred at 5:16 p.m. on August 9 when a 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander, driven by a 31-year-old from Richland, Iowa, was traveling north on 240th Avenue and failed to stop at the stop sign. The SUV entered Highway 16 and was struck by a westbound 2023 Chrysler 300 driven by a 66-year-old from Fort Madison.

Seven individuals sustained injuries in the collision:

• A 37-year-old from Mount Pleasant, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was flown by MedForce to University of Iowa Hospitals.

• The 31-year-old driver of the Mitsubishi was transported by ground ambulance to Great River Hospital; authorities say a seatbelt saved their life.

• A 51-year-old from Richland was transported by ground ambulance to Great River Hospital.

• Two children, ages 9 and 8, both from Richland, were also transported to Great River Hospital.

• The 66-year-old driver of the Chrysler was flown by AirCare to University of Iowa Hospitals; authorities say a seatbelt saved their life.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene by Newberry’s Towing.

The Iowa State Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, West Point Police Department, Donnellson Police Department, and Lee and Henry County Fire and EMS crews.

The crash remains under investigation, and the names of those involved are being withheld pending further investigation.

The MPCSD Back to School Health Fair is from 4p-7p on Monday, August 11^th at the MPCSD Central Campus Gym.  Back to school Immunizations, Dental and Vision Screening, Lead Testing, and Sports Physicals are available ($25 cash for the physicals grades 7-12.)  Community resources are available, kids activities and more.

It’s Back to School Night for Mt. Pleasant Elementary Schools: Van Allen, Harlan and Lincoln, on Thursday, August 21^st from 4pm – 6:30pm. Students can meet their teachers, drop off supplies, and kick off the school year.

The Mt. Pleasant Community School District School Board will meet in regular session at 6pm on Monday, August 11^th in the Media Center of the Mt. Pleasant High School, 2104 South Grand Avenue. Items on the agenda include a presentation from the Superintendent Search Firm, a motion to approve the search firm, and instructional reports from elementary principals.  This meeting is open to the public.

The Mt. Pleasant Veterans are reaching out to all Veterans here in Mount Pleasant and the other surrounding towns with an invitation to participate in the Harvest Parade on Wednesday, August 27^th.  This parade is an annual event to kick off the five-day Old Thresher’s Reunion. Any veteran is invited to join in the parade and rides will be available: we would like to invite you to join us in the parade.

Please contact us If you may be interested in carrying one of our Military Branch flags in the parade.

If you are interested in participating, please meet at the Veterans Hall, 300 W. Monroe Street, at 2:15pm on Wednesday, August 27^th.