Mount Pleasant has been chosen as an overnight community for the 51st RAGBRAI on July 26, 2024. To make this event possible, volunteers are needed. The Mount Pleasant RAGBRAI committee is seeking day of volunteers and/or help with committee planning. To sign up to be a part of this event, check out mtpleasantragbrai.com
For additional information, please contact the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance at 319-385-3101.
The price of regular unleaded gasoline rose 14 cents, averaging $3.31 across Iowa according to AAA.
Crude Oil Summary
The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $2.87 per barrel over last week, currently priced at $81.98.
Brent crude oil rose $2.68 and is currently priced at $86.15.
One year ago, WTI crude sold for $67.64 and Brent crude was at $72.42.
Motor Fuels
As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.31 across Iowa according to AAA.
Prices rose 14 cents from last week’s price and are up 12 cents from a year ago.
The national average on Wednesday was $3.52, up 12 cents from last week’s price.
Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 1 cent 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 26 cents lower than the national average of $4.05.
Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.45 for U87-E10, $2.77 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.80 for ULSD#2, $3.07 for ULSD#1, and $1.98 per gallon for E-70 prices.
Heating Fuels
Propane prices averaged $1.59 per gallon statewide.
Home heating oil prices averaged $3.20 per gallon statewide.
Natural gas prices rose 2 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $1.70/MMbtu
June Darlene Brewer, 83, of Stonebrook in Mt. Pleasant, formerly of Stockport, Iowa, passed away at 8:38 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, Iowa.
She was born on June 17, 1940 in Terre Haute, Illinois, the daughter of Melvin and Violet (William) Powelson. On January 11, 1958, she married Jesse Brewer in Stronghurst, Illinois. He preceded her in death on October 12, 2019.
She is survived by her two children: Jo (Michael) King of Burlington, Iowa and Jeffrey Lee Brewer of Burlington, Iowa; three grandchildren: Michele, Joshua, and Katje; two sisters: Helen Curl of Nebraska and Dorothy Wade of Texas. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Jesse and brother: Gerald “Junior” Powelson.
After Jesse returned from serving in the Army, he and June were married. Then, in the 1970’s the Brewers moved from Blandinsville, Illinois, where they had farmed together, to Stockport, Iowa, where they bought the Tarpleywick farm. There they continued farming and raised hogs and cattle. June enjoyed living and working on the farm, where she was able to do her photography, which she loved. She also enjoyed her cats and attending the Old Threshers Reunion faithfully every year. Most of all, she loved her family.
Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.
A visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 25, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, where the family will receive friends and family from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. that evening.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at the Keokuk National Cemetery in Keokuk.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her memory for PAW Animal Shelter.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
After a threat was made against the Van Buren County High School around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, the Sheriff’s Office promptly responded.
This incident was investigated by the Sheriff’s Office staff with assistance from the High School’s administration. It has been determined that there is no ongoing threat to the staff or students.
According to Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, multiple people called in reference to the school going into lockdown. However, the lockdown was for an unrelated police K9 unit check of vehicles in the parking lot. The lockdown had nothing to do with any threat to the school.
The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the administration of Van Buren County High School for their prompt alert and response to today’s incident.
We would also like to thank the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for the use of their K9 team.
Darrell “Goose” Blint, 75, of West Point, died January 12, 2024. A Celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, March 30 from 1:00 – 5:00 PM at 3391 Penn Avenue, West Point. Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting the family.
March
27th – Commercial Pesticide – Ornamental & Turf Pest Control
27th – Region 27 Ames STEM Trip
29th – 4-H Babysitter Clinic
April
2nd – Introduction to Planning & Zoning for Local Officials
13th – 4-H Regional Clothing Workshop
15th-20th – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Week
To find out more information about these upcoming events head to the Henry County Extension website or Facebook page!
Horticulture Headlines
Creating Raised Bed Planters
Wanting to add functional and attractive raised garden beds to your home? Click here for types of raised beds, advantages of having raised garden beds, and the construction of them.
Manage Garden Plants that Break Dormancy Early
Recent warm temperatures across Iowa may cause some concerns for gardeners as they see buds and foliage emerge in February. This puts plants at risk of damage if below-average temperatures return. In this article, you will be advised on what to do when plants break dormancy early. Click here to read full article.
Henry County & 4-H Happenings
SWITCH – Salem Elementary
This month, Erin was off to Salem Elementary School for her SWITCH Program. SWITCH (School Wellness Integration Targeting Child Health) is an innovative school wellness initiative designed to support and enhance school wellness programming. With the help of the students pedaling the blender bike, Erin made peach-carrot smoothies! Smoothies are a good snack and an easy way to add your fruits and vegetables for the day.
Peach-Carrot Smoothie Recipe: frozen banana, peaches, and cooked carrots. Add your choice of yogurt, milk, water, or peach juice, and enjoy!
Van Allen 4-H After School Program
We are four weeks into the 4-H After School Program at Van Allen! The students have been diving into the Engineering Design Process. Students first designed their doghouses on paper and then brought those designs to life by making them out of cardboard with the help of their mentors! It was fun seeing how creative these young engineers were and how they overcame obstacles while putting the houses together.
A Burlington woman is facing criminal charges for lighting a fire on the porch of house she believed was her friend’s.
The incident occurred just after 4:30pm on March 19, 2024. The resident of 2224 Vineyard in Burlington called DESCOM after she received an alert of motion from her security camera. The resident, who was not home at the time, watched video from her security camera as a woman lit a fire on the resident’s porch. The resident said she did not know the woman and had never seen her before.
Officers from the Burlington Police Department and Burlington Fire Department were dispatched to 2224 Vineyard and when they arrived, they found Michelle Young, 46, standing on the porch. Young told officers her friend lived there and admitted to setting a fire on the porch. Young told officers the items she set on fire were miscellaneous items she picked up while walking in the area.
Officers were able to view the video from the security camera and positively identified Young as the person who had started the fire. Michelle Young was arrested and during her arrest, officers discovered Young was in possession of drug paraphernalia. The fired department quickly extinguished the fire and there was minimal damage to the porch.
Young was charged with Reckless Use of Fire, a serious misdemeanor, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor.