IWU Mt. Pleasant, LLC (IWU) acquired six buildings on the former Iowa Wesleyan Campus in Mount Pleasant, Iowa on October 17, 2023, consisting of the former dormitories on the east and west sides of the campus, as well as the Science Building and Hershey Hall.

In response to numerous requests from local and regional community leaders, IWU plans to market the dormitories to serve anticipated housing needs for temporary *construction workers in nearby Middletown.  While in the very early stages, this use is expected to reduce the strain on area hotels needed for local businesses and residents alike, as well as attract construction workers to the community, replacing at least part of the economic benefit associated with former students at Iowa Wesleyan University.

Chris Ales, project manager and co-owner of IWU Mt. Pleasant, LLC further plans to convert the Science building and/or Hershey Hall to affordable housing.  The initial phase of this project consists of approximately 30 apartments for seniors over the age 55 with incomes at or below 60% of the area median income and rents estimated at $5-600 for one-bedroom and $6-700 for two-bedroom apartments.  Typical tenants will be retired on social security with a modest pension.

Ales has over 20 years of experience in adapting buildings such as these for use as housing throughout eastern Iowa, many of them award winning developments. Ales notes urban revitalization projects like these avoid blight otherwise associated with idled buildings and represent an efficient utilization of community resources.  While preserving historic properties, they also provide needed affordable housing for seniors, which frees up entry level housing for the local workforce and utilizes existing public infrastructure which minimizes public costs.

*Previous coverage explaining the need for construction workers for a project.*

Middletown Ammunition Plant Expansion

Every day, about 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 39 minutes. In 2021, over 13,000 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths — a 14% increase from 2020. These deaths were all preventable.

Driving after drinking is deadly. Yet it still continues to happen across the United States. If you drive while impaired, you could get arrested, or worse — be involved in a traffic crash that causes serious injury or death.

Driving a vehicle while impaired is a dangerous crime, and of course, there will be increased law enforcement from now until Monday. Charges range from misdemeanors to felony offenses, and penalties for impaired driving can include driver’s license revocation, fines, and jail time. It’s also extremely expensive. A first-time offense can cost the driver upwards of $10,000 in fines and legal fees.

About 31% of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers. In fact, on average over the 10-year period from 2012-2021, about 10,850 people died every year in drunk-driving crashes

No one is saying you can’t have a drink this holiday weekend. There are plenty of ways to drink and still arrive home without placing anyone, including yourself, in danger.

1. Plan your safe ride home before you start the party, choose a non-drinking friend as a designated driver.
2. If someone you know has been drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. Take their keys and help them arrange a sober ride home.
3. If you drink, do not drive for any reason. Call a taxi, a ride-hailing service, or a sober friend.
4. If you’re hosting a party where alcohol will be served, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver.
5. Always wear your seat belt — it’s your best defense against impaired drivers.

If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact local law enforcement. Your actions could help save someone’s life.

Dr. John Thurman, Family Practice, Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, Fort Madison, was named the 2023 Iowa Family Physician of the Year by the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians.  Dr. Thurman was honored at an award ceremony on Friday, November 17, 2023, in Des Moines.

Dr. Thurman was nominated by patients Curt and Ginnie Swarm who had this to say, “He’s an excellent doctor, great communicator and motivator, has a wonderful sense of humor, and really cares for each and every one of his patients, whom he considers personal friends.”

An accomplished seven-year, active-duty U.S. Army officer with combat experience and double board-certified family medicine physician, Dr. Thurman earned his Bachelor of Science degree in systems engineering from the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point and his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from ATSU’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kirksville, Missouri. He completed a family medicine residency at MacNeal Hospital, Berwyn, Illinois, and was nominated chief resident in 2014. Prior to his current position, he worked at Great River Health in Burlington, Iowa, and at the University of Chicago Medicine in Chicago.

In addition, he has served as medical director for hospice, rehabilitative services, and nursing homes. Among his many honors, Dr. Thurman was nominated for physician excellence at Great River Health for going above and beyond in patient care.

Dr. Thurman joins three other family physicians from Great River Health to receive this award.  These include Dr. David Carlson in 2005, Dr.  Michael AbouAssaly in 2010, and Dr. Doug Peters in 2011.

“We are proud to have Dr. Thurman as part of our medical team.  The kindness and care he provides to his patients is a true reflection of the care we feel our patients deserve.  Dr. Thurman joins a very respected peer group in Dr. Carlson, Dr. AbouAssaly and Dr. Peters.  We send our sincere congratulations and thank you to Dr. Thurman,” expressed Dr. Michael McCoy, President and CEO of Great River Health.

The Iowa Academy of Family Physicians honors outstanding family physicians and educators by presenting annual membership awards.  The Family Physician of the Year Award is presented to a family physician that was nominated by a patient and exemplifies what it means to be not only a great family physician but an active participant in their community.

The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 6 cents, averaging $2.97 across Iowa according to AAA.

Crude Oil Summary

The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $.45 per barrel over last week, currently priced at $77.60. Brent crude oil rose $.43 and is currently priced at $82.10. One year ago, WTI crude sold for $79.73 and Brent crude was at $88.44.

Motor Fuels

• As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.97 across Iowa according to AAA.
  • Prices fell 6 cents from last week’s price and are down 43 cents from a year ago.
  • The national average on Wednesday was $3.30, down 5 cents from last week’s price.
• Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 7 cents this week with a statewide average of $4.17.
  • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $5.00 in Iowa.
  • The current Iowa diesel price is 11 cents lower than the national average of $4.28.
• Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
• The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.08 for U87-E10, $2.31 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.73 for ULSD#2, $3.13 for ULSD#1, and $1.97 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

• Propane prices held steady with a statewide average of $1.54 per gallon.
• Home heating oil prices fell 2 cents, with a statewide average of $3.47 per gallon
• Natural gas prices fell 30 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.89/MMbtu

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

City offices will be closed November 23rd and 24th for Thanksgiving. Thursday garbage will be collected on Friday, November 25th.

This Thanksgiving holiday, local law enforcement is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Region 7 on a high-visibility Click It or Ticket seat belt awareness campaign. Over the entire Thanksgiving holiday weekend (Wednesday, November 22, through the early morning hours on Monday, November 27), your law enforcement community will be working together to reduce the number of fatalities that occur when vehicle drivers and passengers fail to buckle up. If you’re unbuckled, you may be pulled over and issued a ticket.

During the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in 2021 there were 361 passenger vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes across the nation. Tragically, half (50%) were unrestrained. Not wearing a seat belt proved to be deadly at any time of the day during the holiday weekend: 52% of those killed in nighttime crashes were unbuckled, and 46% of those killed in daytime crashes also were unbuckled. These deaths represent needless tragedies for families across America and may have been prevented with the simple “click” of a seat belt.

The facts don’t lie: If you’re ejected from a vehicle during a crash, the odds are that you will not survive. In 2021, more than 4 out of 5 (83%) passenger vehicle occupants ejected from vehicles in crashes were killed. Wearing your seat belt is the most effective way to prevent ejection.

We want you to make it to the dinner table this Thanksgiving. The bottom line is this: a seat belt may very well mean the difference between spending the holiday with family and friends or in a hospital or worse. Make sure you and all passengers fasten seat belts so everyone can have a happy holiday weekend. For more information about traveling safely this Thanksgiving, please visit:  www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/seat-belts