Henry County Public Health in Mt. Pleasant says, “Respiratory Illness Season is Here – Are you protected?”  As we spend more time in close proximity to others, Henry County’s Public Health Community Outreach Department reminds people that the best way to protect yourself is by getting the vaccines that are recommended for you.  Public Health holds walk-in immunization clinics on Tuesdays 9a-11a, Wednesday and Thursdays 1p-4p and the 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays of the month, until 6pm.  Most insurance is accepted; however the vaccines for flu, COVID, RSV, and Pneumonia are also available at no cost for uninsured individuals through government-funded programs.

Strategies to help reduce your chances of getting sick or infecting others include: staying home when you are sick, wear a mask, and social distancing.  You can also follow good hygiene practices such as washing hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, and clean frequently touched surfaces like tables and doorknobs.  Henry County Public Health is located at 106 N. Jackson Street in Mt. Pleasant, 319-385-0779 or HealthyHenryCounty.org.

The Alliant Energy Foundation is offering scholarships to young community leaders with up to 25 $1,000 scholarships available.  The scholarships will be awarded in the fall of 2026. Applicants write an essay that identifies a challenge in their community and presents their own innovative solution using science, technology, engineering and math. Scholarship recipients will be selected based on essay content, participation in leadership roles, volunteer work, community service, activities and grade-point average. Applicants must be enrolled in their first full-time program at an undergraduate school be under 25 years of age and either a dependent of a current Alliant Energy customer or a customer themselves.

Applications are being accepted through February 3rd, 2026.

https://scholarshipamerica.org/scholarship/alliantenergyinnovation/

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met Thursday morning, December 4th, at 9 a.m. The meeting opened with approval of the agenda and the November 25 meeting minutes.

Department heads then delivered routine updates.
Nathan Milks reported that field work began earlier this week. Tracy Sammons of the Secondary Roads Department noted that crews worked 12-hour days over the weekend to complete snow removal following last week’s storm. She also announced that the bridge on 235th Street, west of Mount Pleasant, will close on Monday to begin a full replacement project scheduled for completion in November 2026.

Blake Vierra, Assistant County Attorney, shared upcoming district and trial court dates. He also noted a recent rise in truancy referrals. Under Iowa law, students may be referred to the county attorney once absences reach 20% of a grading period, unless exempt.

Public Health Director Katie Reuter reported steady demand for flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations.

Veterans Affairs Director Roger Pittsenbarger updated the board on the November 26th VA meeting and said their next meeting is scheduled for December 18th. He also reported strong turnout for the department’s breakfast events and warned of misleading mailers being sent to area veterans advertising “additional healthcare benefits” that ultimately require paid premiums.

Caleb Waters informed the board that the county dump station is operational, though installation of fiber optics for security cameras has been delayed due to cold weather. Waters also reported the completion of the new Story Book Walk, a collaboration with the Mount Pleasant Library and Rotary Club. He expressed concerns about tight budget timelines, noting that multiple departments must also work through their own governing boards for approvals.

Recorder Lynnae Buffington announced that staff member Marla Willey will retire in February and said she plans to promote Tamara to Deputy without filling the vacancy.

County Treasurer Kellie Sloan updated the board on an upcoming statewide rollout of a new scheduling system for motor vehicle and driver’s license appointments. The system, which goes live January 20, will allow Iowans to schedule appointments anywhere in the state and will replace the subscription-based system the county currently pays for.

Chad White delivered an update on behalf of Sheriff Rich McNamee, who is in training this week. McNamee reported a decrease in call volume this year compared to previous years, with inmate counts remaining in the upper 50s throughout the month. Housing out-of-county inmates has generated $4.2 million during the reporting period. McNamee also urged residents to celebrate safely this holiday season and to keep emergency kits, including blankets, jumper cables, and extra clothing in their vehicles.

Auditor Robin Detrick said her office is working on several year-end reports due this month. The board also announced the hiring of Gunnar Sloan as the county’s new IT personnel.

During public forum, several residents voiced strong support for Deputy Lopez and urged the county to reimburse his legal expenses. Lopez recently succeeded in having his name removed from the Brady-Giglio list and is seeking reimbursement for the costs associated with that process.

The meeting adjourned following public comments.

Henry County drivers should expect a long-term road closure starting next week. Beginning Monday, December 8th, the bridge over Big Creek on 235th Street — also known as Business 34 just west of Mount Pleasant — will close for a full bridge replacement project.

The closure is expected to last nearly a year, with work scheduled to wrap up in November of 2026. A detour will route traffic onto Franklin Avenue, Old Highway 34, and Goodyear Road. Drivers are urged to follow posted signs, as speed limits in the area have been adjusted. Heavy trucks are asked to use the Mt. Pleasant bypass.

Anyone with questions can contact the Jake Hotchkiss or Henry County Engineer’s Office at 319-385-0762.

The City of Fort Madison will hold a groundbreaking and project update tomorrow, Friday, December 5th, for two major facility projects.

The event begins at 2 p.m. at the site of the new Fire Station at 2200 Avenue L, followed by an update at the new Public Works Facility on 21st Street.

Voters approved up to $12 million for a new fire station in 2024, though the city expects the project to come in much lower, with construction set to begin in spring 2026.

Work is already underway on the new 15,000-square-foot Public Works building. The facility will house trucks and heavy equipment and is designed for future expansion.

Future plans include additional parking, updated staff facilities, and a new salt storage building as the city continues to grow its Public Works operations.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, in cooperation with the Iowa Beef Industry Council, will host a Beef Quality Assurance training program in Sigourney, Iowa this fall. The program will cover numerous best management practices and will qualify producers for BQA certification.

BQA certification is perhaps more important than ever as major packers now require a current BQA certificate from feedlot producers selling market-ready cattle, said extension beef specialist Patrick Wall. All major packers now require that suppliers are BQA certified.

“Beyond just fulfilling that requirement though, the BQA program includes a great deal of useful information that producers can take home and immediately utilize in their beef cattle operations,” Wall said. “The program will include information that applies to all facets of beef cattle production including cow-calf, stocker/backgrounder, and feedlot.”

Iowa beef producers, veterinarians, feed industry personnel and anyone interested in beef cattle production are invited to attend.

The program will take place from 6-8 on p.m. on December 11 and will cover all the major production practices required for BQA certification. Topics of discussion will include animal care and handling, management of feedstuffs and feed additives, management of animal health products, proper injection site techniques, biosecurity and record keeping. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Patrick Wall at patwall@iastate.edu or 515-450-7665.

BQA is a nationally coordinated, state-implemented program that raises consumer confidence by offering proper management techniques and a commitment to quality within every segment of the beef industry. The Iowa BQA Program is funded by the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Beef Checkoff. To learn more about the Iowa BQA Program and other upcoming certification trainings across Iowa, visit iabeef.org.

Wall reminded people that those unable to attend an in-person workshop may complete their training online at bqa.beeflearningcenter.org

To register for this event please call the Keokuk County Extension Office at 641-622-2680 or email Emily Belvel at ebelvel@iastate.edu