Two Area Students Receive Access Energy Cooperative Scholarship

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, April 11th, 2024 at 11:27 am CDT

Congratulations to recently named award recipients of the 2024 Access Energy Cooperative Lineworker Scholarship program! Receiving $2000 toward a line worker educational program are Hunter Gregory and Brendan Hudson.

Hunter Gregory

Hunter will graduate from Central Lee High School. His plans are to attend the Powerline program at Northwest Community College.

 

Brendan will graduate from WACO High School, and will also be attending the Powerline program at Northwest Community College, as well as DMACC.

 

In addition to the $9000 in scholarship money awarded to students whose parents or guardians of the applicant are members of Access Energy Cooperative, up to two $2000 line worker scholarships can be awarded to students planning to pursue a career as a line worker. Winners are chosen based on their academics, achievements, community involvement, and a personal interview. They must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a qualifying lineworker educational program.

 

Access Energy Cooperative is a rural distribution electric cooperative, providing power to homes, farms, business and industry in 10 southeast Iowa counties.

Drug Bust in Louisa County Reveals Meth, Cocaine, Mushrooms, and More

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, April 11th, 2024 at 11:20 am CDT

On April 10, 2024 at approximately 11:00AM the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office and Columbus Junction Police Department conducted a residential narcotics warrant at 1201 8th Ave in Fredonia, IA. This was in reference to an on-going narcotics investigation into the distribution and use of methamphetamine. Illegal substances including 24 grams of methamphetamine, cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms and marijuana were all seized; as well as drug packaging, paraphernalia and distributing materials.

As a result of this investigation Merril Shepherd, age 65 and Nicole Harris, age 38 both of this residence were arrested and transported to the Louisa County Jail.

Merril has been charged with class D felony possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, class D felony gathering/residence where controlled substance are used, class D felony drug tax stamp, 2 counts of misdemeanor possession of controlled substances and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nicole has been charged with class D felony gathering/residence where controlled substances are used, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both subjects are being held on cash bond at the Louisa County Jail.

Assisting alongside the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office on the residential search warrant were the Columbus Junction Police Department and Louisa County Ambulance.

Franklin Avenue Road Closure Beginning April 22nd

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, April 11th, 2024 at 10:31 am CDT

The Henry County Engineers Office has announced a construction project on Franklin Avenue (W-55) from the Skunk River bridge at Oakland Mills south to Jackson Street in Salem. This project on the nearly 6 mile stretch of road will begin on April 22nd. This phase of construction will consist of culvert replacements and dirt work including shoulder widening. Please use the posted detour, as sections of the road will be closed to traffic. The road closures will change throughout the construction. All questions can be answered at 319 385 0762.

Prep Girls’ Soccer Rankings: Fort Madison Climbs to #13 in Class 2A

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, April 11th, 2024 at 10:28 am CDT

Prep Girls’ Soccer- The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released the third rankings of the girls’ soccer season and the top 15 for all three Classes experienced a shakeup.

Class 1A saw Assumption keep their undefeated record and the #1 spot. However, Bishop Heelan’s 3-0 record hiccupped to a 4-2 mark after losing to Southeast Polk and Glenwood at a tournament over the weekend. That slid the Crusaders back to the #5 slot. Gilbert and Des Moines Christian round out the top three, respectively. Further down the list, Van Meter stumbled with losses to Des Moines Christian, 3-0, and Sioux City North, 3-1. The Bulldogs went from 7th to 10th because of it. Lastly, Treynor is the new entry to the top 15 after #11 Sioux Center dropped two games in-a-row this past week to LeMars and Spirit Lake, forcing them out of the top 15.

Dallas Center-Grimes, Waverly-Shell Rock, and Pella are still the top three teams in Class 2A, respectively, but Central DeWitt is proving their worth jumping nine spots in the rankings to now be #6. The Sabers have won three consecutive games including a 2-0 win over #7 North Scott. Spencer fell four spots in the rankings to #12 after losses to tough Class 1A competition, Bishop Heelan and Treynor. #13 Fort Madison is a team to fear from the Southeast, touting a 4-0 record. The Bloodhounds average 8 goals a game and have yet to allow a goal. They will be challenged tonight by a preseason top 15 choice Burlington.

Lastly, Valley is no longer the #1 team in Class 3A after losing 1-0 on Tuesday to the new #1 team Waukee Northwest, who is 6-0 on the season. Waukee staggered from #3 to #8 after a couple of losses. Southeast Polk went from unranked to #7 due to their wins against former #3 Waukee and Class 1A’s #5 Bishop Heelan. The Rams will battle Waukee Northwest tomorrow, April 12th. #10 Mason City and #12 Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln were both dropped from the top 15. Iowa City West took the open slot at #14 as Urbandale rounds out the top 15.

Henry County Supervisors Meeting Agenda 04/11

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, April 11th, 2024 at 10:06 am CDT

**The Courthouse will Close at 3:00 pm 4/16/24 for Courthouse Training**

Henry County Supervisors

100 E Washington St  Ste 202

Mt Pleasant IA  52641

Fax:  319-385-3601

Chad White, Member            Marc Lindeen, Vice-Chairman        Greg Moeller, Chairman

           319-385-0759                                 319-385-0760                                  319-385-0761________                       

AGENDA

    April 16, 2024

Approve Agenda

Approve Minutes

9:00 Jake Hotchkiss Engineer Weekly Update

10:00 Public Hearing to Adopt Henry County Budget FY2025

Resolution Certify Henry County Budget for FY2025

Resolution Henry County Appropriations for FY2025

Motion for Henry County Employees & Assessors Office Wages for FY2025

Resolution Setting PEO Wages 1/1/25 thru 6/30/26

Other County Business as time allows

 Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

The Courthouse will Close at 3:00 pm 4/16/24 for

Courthouse Training

Fire Truck Push in Ceremony and Change of Command

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, April 11th, 2024 at 7:05 am CDT

It was all hands-on deck for the fire truck push in ceremony, which took place minutes after the city council meeting adjourned. Drew Schumacher, former Fire Chief for the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department, started the change of command ceremony by providing history on fire service, and made mention of the stellar public servants of Mt. Pleasant. Schumacher gave advice to Chief Blint, stating that a Chief needs to think about others first and lead with “we” and not “I”.

Shumacher also recited the firemen’s prayer, with the last line reading “and if according to Your Will I have to lose my life, please bless with Your protecting hand my children and my wife.” This helps to sum up the great service these men and women on the fire department continually do. The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department is looking for volunteers, and if you think you would be a good fit, stop by the station at 204 S Jackson St.

After the blessing of the truck, it was ready to be pushed into the station. The engine was turned on, but only “for the noise” and the truck soon sat in it’s new home.

*Blint has been in the role for less than 2 weeks, but has plenty of experience with over 20 years on the department.

Photos courtesy of Dave Schneider

Gas Prices Gain What They Lost Last Week – Weekly Fuel Report

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, April 11th, 2024 at 7:00 am CDT

Taking a look at our weekly fuel report, remember last week when prices dropped 6 cents? Well, prices rose 6 cents this week, now averaging $3.33 across Iowa for unleaded gasoline according to triple A. This is 29 cents less the national average of $3.62.

Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 2 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.79. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.90 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is 27 cents lower than the national average of $4.06.

Natural gas prices rose 4 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently prices at $1.88/MMbtu.

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

Sports, April 11th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, April 11th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Track and Field

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ and girls’ teams will be hosting an invitational tonight with Central Lee, Mediapolis, and West Burlington bringing both teams, while the New London, Danville, WACO, and Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ teams also attend. 

The Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will host a meet tonight with WACO, Van Buren County, and Danville also participating.

The Van Buren County boys’ team will hit the road to participate in a meet on Monday, April 15th, at Central Lee. 

The New London girls’ team will travel to Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday, April 16th, for a meet. 

High School Soccer

The WACO boys’ team will host Wapello tonight.

Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union will take on Mediapolis on the road with the girls’ playing first at 5 pm tonight.

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will face off against Keokuk tonight on the road. The boys’ team will travel to Danville tomorrow, April 12th, to take on the Bears at 6:30 pm.

The Central Lee boys’ team will host Danville tonight, while the girls’ team will travel to West Branch tomorrow.

High School Tennis

Mt. Pleasant will take on Burlington today with the boys’ at home and the girls on the road. 

High School Golf

Winfield-Mt. Union will take on Highland today on the road. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will host the SEC today for an invitational, while the girls’ team will travel to Keokuk for their meet. 

The New London boys’ team will attend a meet at Tipton today. 

The WACO boys’ and girls’ teams will host a triangular tomorrow, April 12th, with Mediapolis and BGM competing. 

Central Lee will face off against Van Buren County tonight at home. 

Southeastern Community College

In a tight contest yesterday, SCC baseball fell at home to Kirkwood Community College 8-5. The Blackhawks pushed across four runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to tie the game at five. Nevertheless, the comeback would fall short as the Eagles scored three runs in the top of the 9th to win the conference showdown. Cal Sullivan was the leader for the Eagles with a home run and four RBIs on three hits. The Blackhawks will look to bounce back today against Carl Sandburg College at home. 

The SCC softball team will travel to Kirkwood Community College today for a doubleheader. 

University of Iowa

The Carver-Hawkeye Arena was packed last night to bid farewell to the seniors of the Iowa women’s basketball team and honor their runner-up finish for the second year in-a-row as they finished with a school record 34 wins this past season. 

Additionally, Iowa athletic director Beth Goetz announced that Caitlin Clark’s number #22 would be the third number retired in program history. Clark finished her career as the all-time leading scorer and the consensus National Player of the Year. She totaled 3,951 points and 1,144 assists in her career. 

This Day in Sports History

1921 – KDKA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania broadcasts the first radio sporting event, a boxing match between lightweights Johnny Ray and Johnny Dundee.

1966 – 30th US Masters Tournament, Augusta National GC: Jack Nicklaus becomes the first back-to-back Masters champion winning an 18-hole Monday playoff against Tommy Jacobs and Gay Brewer.

1989 – First playoff goal scored by a goalie, Ron Hextall of the visiting Philadelphia Flyers shoots into the Washington Capitals empty net while his team is short handed in a 8-5 win.