DONNELLSON, IA — Kaisie Peterson will serve as the next principal of Central Lee Middle School, starting in the 2026-27 school year.

Peterson brings 13 years of experience in education, including roles in special education, 4th grade, and, most recently, 5th grade at CLMS. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to student learning and continuous school improvement.

“Kaisie has been a strong teacher and leader within our district,” said Central Lee Community School District Superintendent Dr. Andy Crozier. “She brings the experience, passion, and vision necessary to lead our middle school into the future. I am confident she will build strong relationships, guide our staff in effective instructional practices, and create the conditions for continued student success.”

Peterson’s leadership has extended beyond the classroom through her service as a Professional Learning Community (PLC) leader, mentor teacher, and active member of building leadership and lighthouse teams. She also plays an important role in supporting student-athletes by coaching middle school basketball and organizing youth programming for 1st and 2nd grade through Central Lee Youth Basketball.

As a proud graduate of Central Lee, Peterson has deep roots in the district. She and her husband, Tyler, are the parents of two Central Lee students and are active members of the community.

The Mount Pleasant Community School Board met Monday night for its regular meeting, where several high-profile items were on the agenda.

A public hearing was held regarding the proposed conveyance of district property located on East Madison Street, next to City Hall, to the City of Mount Pleasant. No comments were received from the public, and the board narrowly approved the resolution to proceed with the sale. The motion passed 4 to 3, with board members Schrader, Maher, and Hurd voting no.

Another major item on the agenda was a revised contract request from DeCarlo Corp. regarding the demolition of the PEO Memorial Building. Due to weather conditions preventing the use of equipment requiring water, the company requested an extension of the project timeline to March 31, 2026. The extension was narrowly approved on a 4 to 3 vote, with Schrader, Williamson, and Hurd opposed.

The board approved a construction proposal from Greiner Buildings to build a new Ag Education greenhouse, with one member abstaining due to conflict of interest. Materials for the project came to a total cost of $112,195 and construction costs total $35,000. Continental contributed a grant toward the project in 2019 in the amount of $129,000 to support expanded career and technical educational opportunities for area students.

The meeting also included other routine items and committee reports before adjourning.

The Henry County Conservation Department is rolling out a major change to how residents access park information, facility reservations, and conservation updates. The department has announced it is moving away from the long-time MyCountyParks platform and transitioning to a new system hosted through CivicPlus.

Officials say the switch will give visitors a more streamlined and user-friendly experience, with improved navigation, updated reservation tools, and better integration with the county’s existing digital services. The new CivicPlus site will also offer more flexibility for posting timely announcements, trail information, and seasonal programming.

During the transition, users may notice temporary changes in how they make campground or cabin reservations, but the conservation department says staff will be available to help guide people through the new process. All current bookings will remain valid.

Henry County Conservation encourages residents to watch for updates as the CivicPlus platform goes live in the coming weeks. More information will be posted on the county’s official website and social media pages. The change is set to occur January 1, 2026.

In other Henry County Conservation news… Their deer processing program scheduled for tonight, December 9, has been canceled due to lack of interest.

Willy Amos, District Store Director at both the Washington and Mount Pleasant Hy-Vee locations, has announced his retirement, effective January 1, 2026.

Amos has been part of the Hy-Vee family for 38 years, beginning his career in 1987 as a part-time courtesy clerk at the Chariton store. Over the next several years, he held various roles across multiple locations, finally landing as store director in Mount Pleasant in 2001.

In a letter to all store associates Willy said, “There is no way to put into words what Hy-Vee means to me and my family. It’s the only job I have ever had and the only job I ever wanted. Serving our customers, our staff, and the community of Mount Pleasant is what I am the proudest of. ‘A helpful smile in Everly Aisle’ isn’t just a tagline. It’s truly how we operate as a company. I am beyond thankful for all the opportunities and experiences I have been given at Hy-Vee. It’s time to focus on my health and my family. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my 38 years at Hy-Vee.”

It would be difficult to find a more dedicated store leader than Willy. Not only do his store teams provide outstanding service, but he is also a key part of the community in every way. Whether it’s serving on the school board, coaching Little League, or organizing a community food drive, Willy is always there to help Hy-Vee and our community.

Please join KILJ in congratulating Willy on his remarkable and successful career.

A southeast Iowa man was arrested late Saturday after authorities say he intentionally set fire to his own apartment in Mount Pleasant.

Police were dispatched around 11:47 p.m. on December 6 after Eric Shroyer, 33, called Henry County Dispatch and reported that he had deliberately set fire to his residence. Both the Mount Pleasant Police Department and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office responded on scene. Shroyer told dispatchers he would be waiting in the parking lot of the Open Bible Church, where Sergeant Body later located him. Officers say Shroyer immediately confessed, and smoke was already visible coming from the apartment building.

Shroyer was detained while Sergeant Body and Officer Swanson went to the scene at 909 East Henry Street and found the apartment fully engulfed. Crews from the Mount Pleasant Fire Department quickly arrived and extinguished the flames. The building, a single-row structure with shared roofing, sustained significant structural, electrical, and plumbing damage, forcing all residents to evacuate for the night. No injuries were reported. Henry County Emergency Management and Henry County Health Center ambulance crews assisted displaced tenants.

According to investigators, Shroyer admitted he poured a gallon of gasoline on his bed and couch before lighting the fire with a lighter. He told officers he was “tired of living” and wanted to return to prison. When asked about the safety of his neighbors, Shroyer allegedly said he had not considered them and would not have warned anyone.

Shroyer was arrested and charged with First-Degree Arson, a Class B felony, and transported to the Henry County Jail. He is being held on a $25,000 bond. Court records also show Shroyer has a prior conviction for Second-Degree Arson from December 2, 2019, in Greene County, Missouri.

KILJ reminds readers, a criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

A man was arrested after police say he cut two people Sunday night in Burlington.

Officers came to a home for a report of an assault at about 8:08 p.m. in the 400 block of Maple Street, according to an arrest affidavit.

A man met with officers and took them into a bedroom where they found a man with an open wound on his left shoulder. Officers said the man’s eye was swollen and he could barely open it. The injured man told officers he was assaulted by Kelvin Willform, 58. Police said he could not remember how Willform assaulted him. The injured man was taken to an area hospital.

Police said the man who met officers at the home told them he saw Willform at a Circle K gas station about 10 minutes before finding the injured man in the home. At Circle K, Willform told the man that he assaulted the injured man according to an arrest affidavit.

Police said officers headed to the Circle K for a report of a woman who was assaulted at about 8:43 p.m. in the 1000 block of Maple Street. At the Circle K, police said officers found a woman with a cut to her cheek. The woman told officers she was with Willform in the 500 block of South 10th Street and that he was rambling to her that she knew what “they” did to him and that she was a part of it.

The woman told police Willform held a knife to her face and caused the cut, according to an arrest affidavit. Police said the woman described the knife as a silver pocket knife.

Officers went to a home in the 500 block of South 10th Street and spoke with the homeowner. Police said they were allowed in to look for Willform. While inside, police said they saw fresh blood on the carpet. The homeowner told officers the blood was from Willform.

Officers later found Willform in an alley to the west of the 500 block of South 10th Street. Police said when they arrested him, he said that people tried to kill him and “roofied” him. Officers also saw Willform drop a silver pocket knife that was covered in blood, according to an arrest affidavit.

Willform is charged with:

• Willful injury – causing bodily injury, a Class D felony
• First-degree harassment, an aggravated misdemeanor
• Assault while displaying a dangerous weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor

A preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 17, court records show. Willform is being held at the Des Moines County Jail on bond. A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.