Deputies with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office saw some excitement on Sunday, as multiple arrests were made in separate incidents. At 9:00pm, the Sheriff’s Office received a driving complaint of a grey sedan driving erratically, speeding up and slowing down, and running of the shoulder northbound near mile marker 39 U.S. Highway 218.

A Henry County Deputy located the vehicle, and after checking the license plates, found the vehicle was listed as stolen before 5:00am in Mount Pleasant that day. A traffic stop was performed at mile marker 47 by Henry County Deputies, Mount Pleasant Police Department and Winfield Police Department.

The driver, Trystine Pace, 17, of Wayland was charged with Theft 2^nd Degree, Driving Under Suspension, and Failure to Maintain Control. An Operating While Impaired investigation is ongoing for Trystine.

Ashley Knuz, 20, of Mount Pleasant was arrested by Mount Pleasant Police Officers on other charges related to this incident.

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.

“Our hearts go out to all the Iowans and communities who have been affected by the recent rounds of devastating severe weather. The outpouring of support for those affected highlights the remarkable strength of our state and its people. Iowans are resilient and we will get through this together,” said Secretary Naig. “Planting progresses as conditions allow, but many farmers continue to face delays. Outlooks into the first week of June show elevated chances of warmer temperatures and near-normal rainfall chances, which hopefully will lead to conditions more favorable for field work.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop Report

Severe weather including heavy rains, tornadoes, and derecho conditions limited Iowa farmers to 2.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 26, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Planting corn and soybeans, and cutting hay was limited. Topsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 26 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 9 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus. Corn planted reached 88 percent. Sixty-six percent of the corn crop has emerged. The first corn condition rating of the season was 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 54 good and 19 percent excellent. Seventy-three percent of Iowa’s expected soybean crop has been planted, 10 days behind last year and 3 days behind the normal. Soybeans emerged reached 42 percent, 5 days behind last year. Ninety-five percent of the expected oat crop has emerged. Oats headed reached 31 percent, 6 days ahead of last year and almost 2 weeks ahead of the average. Oat condition improved 5 percentage points to 81 percent good to excellent. Alfalfa hay reached 20 percent complete. Hay condition rated 78 percent good to excellent.  Pasture condition rated 72 percent good to excellent. Reports of flooded fields were received throughout the State.  

On May 15^th, The Lee County Sheriff’s Office hosted a county wide sex offender compliance check sweep.  The Keokuk Police Department, Fort Madison Police Department, Montrose Police Department, Donnellson/West Point Police Departments, and the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) assisted with this project.

Through coordination with all Lee County law enforcement agencies and DCI, all compliance checks were completed in one day with some follow-up needed.  The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Registry Compliance Officer reported the following stats from the sweep:

(91) registered sex offenders

(2) absconded/wanted, not living in Iowa

(7) incarcerated (6 in the Lee County Jail)

(2) registry violation investigations initiated

(82) residential compliance checks

Central Lee Elementary has announced a change for the coming school year. The Little Hawks Preschool will transition from a four-day to a five-day week. They believe this will offer a more consistent and comprehensive experience for the young learners.

Since 2017, the Little Hawks Preschool Program has served four-year-old students, with a goal to deliver high-quality preschool education tailored to each child’s needs, including children with disabilities and diverse backgrounds.

Children who are four years old by September 15 can attend Little Hawks Preschool for free. Interested in enrolling your child for 2024-25 or have questions? Contact Karen Rudd at 319-835-9510 or krudd@centrallee.org.

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.