Just after 12:00 noon on Monday, crews from Mount Pleasant Fire, Salem Fire, and New London Fire responded to a report of a silo on fire at 2801 Lexington Avenue, just outside Mount Pleasant.

KILJ News arrived on scene at approximately 12:20 p.m., where multiple fire personnel were actively working the incident.

Mount Pleasant’s ladder truck was extended to the very top of the tall grain silo as firefighters monitored the upper portion of the structure.

Light, barely visible smoke could be seen drifting from the top. (No Visible Flames)

At this time, the cause of the fire remains unknown, and no injuries have been reported.

Update: Crews were cleared from scene just before 3pm on 11/17/25

Over 30,000 Gallons of water was hauled to the scene from New London fire & Salem Fire.

The Iowa Department of Transportation has implemented new safety measures at the U.S. 218/Highway 34 interchange in Mount Pleasant, installing No Left Turn signs and placing yellow and white road barriers at Exit 42A. The change is designed to prevent drivers from crossing over Highway 34 and making a left turn—or westbound turn—into Mount Pleasant.

For years, some motorists have used the 42A ramp to turn left despite signage and roadway markings prohibiting the maneuver. That maneuver has contributed to numerous crashes, including a fatal motorcycle accident this past summer, in which a driver attempted to cross oncoming traffic to make a left turn, causing a deadly collision.

The new barriers and signage are meant to physically block that left-turn movement, forcing drivers to use the safer, designated route.

Drivers should be aware:

Exit 42A no longer allows any left turn toward Mount Pleasant. Motorists traveling north on U.S. 218 who need to head west on Highway 34 will now be required to continue to Exit 42B and navigate the exit to make the proper connection into Mount Pleasant.

IDOT officials emphasize the change is permanent and encourage all drivers to stay alert, follow posted signs, and adjust their routes accordingly to ensure safer travel through the interchange.

Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) has announced that she has secured $825,000 in Community Project Funding to support ongoing facility improvements at the Keokuk Area Hospital—a major step toward restoring critical health care access to a region that has been without a hospital since October 2022.

“For more than two years, families in and around Keokuk have gone without local hospital care, a gap that has put lives at risk,” said Miller-Meeks. “As a physician, I am proud to secure this funding to help restore emergency and specialty services and ensure that every Iowan, no matter their ZIP code, has access to timely, reliable, and quality health care. This investment brings hope, stability, and long-overdue support for a community that deserves nothing less.”

Project Details

Keokuk Area Hospital – $825,000

The funding will support vital facility upgrades needed to reopen the site as a Rural Emergency Hospital. These improvements will allow the facility to provide not only emergency care but also outpatient specialty services, addressing a dangerous gap in health access for Lee County and surrounding communities. The project aims to stabilize health outcomes and reinstate critical medical resources that residents have lacked for more than two years.

Background

This investment is part of more than $5 million in Community Project Funding Congresswoman Miller-Meeks has secured so far this year for communities across Iowa’s 1st District. Her supported projects span a range of essential local priorities, including expanded childcare options, strengthened rural health care systems, and programs that train future medical professionals.

Miller-Meeks continues to advocate for community-driven initiatives designed to enhance quality of life, boost local economies, and ensure Iowa families have reliable access to the services they need and deserve.

Henry County Public Health and Healthy Henry County are alerting families to a multistate outbreak of infant botulism linked to ByHeart Whole Nutrition powdered infant formula. A national recall has been issued, but officials caution that some product may still be in homes and in use. 

Parents and caregivers are urged to immediately stop using any ByHeart Whole Nutrition formula, including all powdered varieties and single-serve packets. Officials emphasize that WIC formula supplies are not affected by this recall. 

Signs of Infant Botulism 

Early symptoms can be subtle, but may rapidly worsen. Parents should watch for: 

• Constipation 

• Difficulty feeding, such as trouble sucking or swallowing 

• Loss of head control 

• Weak facial expression 

• Reduced muscle tone, which can progress to descending paralysis and potentially life-threatening respiratory failure 

What to Do 

If an infant shows any of these symptoms, families should contact their healthcare provider immediately. If symptoms appear after regular hours, take the child to the nearest emergency department and inform medical staff that botulism is suspected. 

Henry County Public Health encourages families to check their formula supplies right away and stay alert for any updates regarding the recall. 

For more information, families may contact their healthcare provider or Henry County Public Health. 

A late-night traffic stop on Highway 218 resulted in the arrest of an Illinois man on several charges, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

On November 16, 2025, at approximately 8:21 p.m., a deputy conducted a traffic stop near mile marker 150 in Riverside after observing a vehicle traveling 96 miles per hour in a 65-mph zone. The vehicle, registered under license plate 4183894B, was stopped for suspected impaired driving.

During the investigation, deputies arrested Brandon Alan Hamilton, 25, of Liberty, Illinois. Hamilton faces multiple charges, including:

• Possession of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana (1st offense)

• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

• Speeding 96/65

• Reckless Driving

• No Valid Driver’s License

The Sheriff’s Office noted that the vehicle was added to the Mobile Architecture for Communications Handling (MACH) system following the incident.

No injuries were reported. The case remains under investigation.

Access Energy Cooperative is inviting young artists and families across southeast Iowa to take part in a creative and educational challenge—the 2025 Poster Contest. This year, the cooperative is switching things up by focusing on artwork that teaches electrical safety, offering participants a chance to win $100 and have their posters featured in the 2027 Access Energy Cooperative calendar.

The contest encourages kids, families, and groups of all ages to design eye-catching horizontal posters (11″ x 5.5″) that include both a vivid visual message and a simple electrical safety tip. Thirteen winning entries will each receive $100, and their posters will appear not only in the annual calendar but also on the cooperative’s website, social media pages, the Iowa Electric Cooperative Living magazine, and at the Access Energy annual meeting.

Entries must be original, two-dimensional creations—drawings, markers, paints, and similar mediums are all welcome. Posters should be appropriate for families and children, and must be submitted by individuals living in the southeast Iowa counties served by Access Energy Cooperative.

Key Dates:

• Submission deadline: March 21, 2026

• Winners announced: April 2026

• Posters featured: 2027 Access Energy calendar, distributed at the 2026 Annual Meeting

All posters will also be displayed at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Members.

Submissions may be mailed or delivered to Access Energy Cooperative, 1800 West Washington Street, or sent to P.O. Box 440, Mount Pleasant, IA 52641. Entrants should include contact details and a poster title on the back of their artwork.

For more details, visit Access Energy Cooperative’s website and look for the poster contest information page. This is a great opportunity for kids to learn about safety, share their creativity, and possibly see their artwork in print for thousands to enjoy!

The Family Connection is inviting parents and caregivers to two upcoming Parent Circle gatherings, designed to offer community, support, and helpful conversation in a relaxed setting.

The first session will take place Monday, November 17th, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Iowa State Extension and Outreach Office, located at 127 N. Main Street in Mount Pleasant.

A second session will follow on Thursday, November 20th, also from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., at the Washington Public Library, 115 W. Washington Street in Washington.

Both events are open to all parents and caregivers looking for connection, ideas, and encouragement. Snacks will be provided, and children up to 2nd grade are welcome to attend.

The Family Connection hosts Parent Circle gatherings regularly to help families build supportive networks and access resources within their communities. Organizers encourage anyone interested to stop by, meet other local parents, and take part in the conversation.