On May 26^th, at 4:04 am, the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call of a shots fired incident on Main Street in Columbus Junction. Officers from the Columbus Junction Police Department and Deputies from the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office responded to 205 ½ Main Street.

It was determined that a physical altercation had taken place and a handgun had been brandished. As one of the parties in the altercation was leaving the area in a vehicle, along with a female and small child, the suspect, Elijah M. Doss, 25 of Burlington, began firing multiple shots from a handgun at the vehicle. Damage was sustained to the victim’s vehicle and the Washington State Bank building. There were no reported injuries from the shots fired.

Jonathan Martinez, 24 of Winfield, was arrested in relation to the original physical altercation call and charged with: Disorderly Conduct, Public Intoxication and Child Endangerment.

Doss was taken into custody without incident at 6:53am. Elijan M. Doss was charged with: Attempted Murder, Reckless Use of a Firearm, Going Armed with Intent, (2) Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon, Child Endangerment, and (2) Criminal Mischief Second Degree charges. The suspect is currently being held in the Louisa County Jail.

Agencies assisting with the case were the Columbus Junction Police Department, Louisa County Sheriff’s Office, Louisa County Attorney’s Office, Burlington Police Department and West Liberty Police Department.

The Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center Auxiliary and Great River Health Foundation recently awarded $28,400 in scholarships to students pursuing a career in a healthcare field.

Kathleen Canella Family Scholarship – Great River Health Foundation

This scholarship was established in memory of Kathleen Canella, a longtime volunteer and member of the Fort Madison Community Hospital Auxiliary.

$1,000 to $3,000 scholarships to high school seniors:

• Lily Arnold, Fort Madison High School, physical therapy.
• Jordyn Burch, Fort Madison High School, nursing.
• Mazie Hotop, Fort Madison High School, nursing.
• Brooklyn Jones, Central Lee High School, psychology.

Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center Auxiliary scholarships

$1,000 scholarships for high school seniors:

• Penelope Sowell, Danville High School, nursing.
• Lauren Krieger, Notre Dame Catholic High School, pharmacy.
• David King, Burlington Community High School, biological sciences/pre-med.
• Jia Qian Liu, Burlington Community High School, biochemistry.
• Seena Nowroozi, West Burlington High School, biology.
• Logan Kelley, West Burlington High School, kinesiology.
• Noah Lenahan, West Central High School, radiology technology.
• Alexis Dietsch, Danville High School, nursing.
• Erin Ryan, West Burlington High School, radiology technology.
• Madison Taeger, Burlington Community High School, human health science.
• Kaelyn Ferrill, Illini West High School, nursing.
• Josephine Newton, Central Lee High School, diagnostic medical sonography.
• Josie Mueller, Central Lee High School, health studies/pre-physician assistant.
• Lily Arnold, Fort Madison High School, physical therapy.
• Mazie Hotop, Fort Madison High School, nursing.
• Ava Tackett, Van Buren High School, biology.

$1,000 scholarships for continuing college students:

• Allison Worley, Quincy University/Blessing Reiman College of Nursing, nursing.
• Jessica Kendell, Truman State University, health science.
• Lauren Beckman, University of Iowa College of Dentistry, dentistry.
• Abigail Bence, Central College, pre-physical therapy/kinesiology.
• Kayla Box, Grand View University, nursing.

The Mount Pleasant Family Aquatic Center will open permanently for the season on Friday, May 31^st after a soft open on Memorial Day. They will be open from 12-1p for a lap swim each day, with open swim from 1-7pm, Monday through Sunday. The daily fee is $3.50 for ages 4-15, and $4 for 16 and up. You can purchase a pass or ticket book at 307 E Monroe Street in Mount Pleasant between 8am-4:30pm Monday-Friday. Passes are $75 for an individual and double that for a family. Ticket books costs $30 for 10 tickets or $60 for 25.

On May 25^th, 2024, at 10:28 PM, the Burlington Fire Department was dispatched for black smoke and flames coming from the residence located at 415 Peasley St. Burlington. They arrived 4 minutes later to find heavy fire showing from the rear of the two-story residence.

415 Peasley St. is owned by Dennis Wilson Revocable Trust and was vacant at the time of the incident. The residence is insured and considered a total loss.

Burlington Fire Department was assisted by West Burlington Fire Department, Danville Fire Department, Alliant Energy and Gas, and the Burlington Police Department. There were no reported civilian or firefighter injuries, and the last unit cleared the scene at 1:27am.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Burlington Fire Department and Burlington Police Department.

There is a slight chance of rain throughout today and a 45% chance on Friday, and while this may upset some people who think we’ve had enough, weather.gov would disagree. The average precipitation in inches at this point of the year is 13.88. Currently, Mt. Pleasant is at 14.93, with the majority of that coming between April 1^st and May 1^st. The lowest rainfall total at this point was way back in 1956 at just over 4 inches, with the most in 1973 at almost double the 2024 amount, 28.30.

If you need a new 911 address marker, get yours before July 1 when prices for them increase. These signs display a vital piece of information for first responders and can save precious minutes in emergency response times.

To request a replacement or new sign, property owners can call the Henry County Planning and Zoning office at (319) 385-2146.

The Preserve Iowa Summit is coming up fast, which promises of Iowa history lovers from all over coming to Mount Pleasant to learn more about the town on June 6^th-8^th. As part of the summit, which interested parties can still register for until June 1^st at https://culture.iowaeda.com/events/230 there is an evening that is open to anyone.

Aptly named “An Evening at Old Threshers” mark your calendar for Friday, June 7^th, at 6:00pm for a Methodist meatloaf dinner, homemade fruit pies, drinks, and music by Annie Savage and her band. The Theater Museum will be open as will the carousel and trolley rides. Children under 12 get in for free and an adult ticket is $20. Contact Lea Bradley at 319 931 0671 to get your ticket today!