Today, Ryan Coop announced he will seek election to the first district of the Southeastern Community College Board of Trustees, representing the Mt. Pleasant, WACO, Winfield – Mt. Union, and New London community school district.

Coop is eager to expand live classes and other educational opportunities at the SCC Mt. Pleasant Center and other regional SCC offices.

“After Iowa Wesleyan announced their closure this year, it became clear that Henry County was going to need a stronger higher education presence in the community,” said Coop. “While the Mt. Pleasant SCC office offers occasional classes, it is far from realizing its full potential. Our community has a rich educational heritage, and I am prepared to dedicate my time on the board of trustees to ensuring that Henry County continues to be a beacon of higher learning for generations to come.”

Ryan was elected to fill a vacancy on the Marion Township Board of Trustees in 2022 where he currently serves as Chairman. For the past two years he’s served as a Clerk at the State Legislature and during the interim, engaged in political advocacy – encouraging voter turnout and other grassroots organizing, ensuring that Iowa’s elected representatives are engaging with their constituents.

Before his service in the State House, Ryan graduated from Mt. Pleasant Christian School and worked at GrayBarn Industries, a local print shop. Ryan was born and raised in Mt.Pleasant, and attends Wellspring Evangelical Church.

A man has been arrested after eluding deputies on a motorcycle. On September 19^th, at approximately 11:40am, Des Moines County Deputies performed a traffic stop on a motorcycle in the 14000 block of US Highway 61. The driver, Bradley Michael Haynes, 33, of Burlington, was known to have a barred driver’s license. The motorcycle also did not have registration plates.

Deputies attempted to halt the motorcycle using lights and sirens, however, the driver took off reaching speeds greater than 100mph on US Highway 61. Deputies terminated the pursuit at that time.

Approximately 20 minutes later, Haynes pulled into the drive at his residence on the same motorcycle he eluded deputies on. They approached Haynes, arresting him for driving while barred, operating a non-registered vehicle, and felony eluding. Haynes was then transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center.

A Burlington man has been arrested after officers found methamphetamine in his vehicle. Des Moines County Deputies pulled over a vehicle at Roosevelt Ave. and Division St. at approximately 10:50pm on September 12^th, 2023. The driver had a barred license, and was identified as Andrew Joseph Stout, age 37, of Burlington.

Deputies proceeded to search the vehicle and located methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Stout was subsequently placed under arrest for driving while barred, possession of a control substance 3^rd of subsequent offense, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was then transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The Burlington Police Department has provided an update to a death that occurred in a workplace on September 15^th.

There was an injury that led to death at 724 Jefferson Street, with the name being unavailable to the public at the time. The deceased man has been identified as Travis Brown, 42, of Fort Madison.

Brown was working for a company contracted to perform work at the Busted Cup Brewery, which was scheduled to open for business on September 19^th. He, and another man, were loading a forklift onto an elevator when the forklift fell over and struck Brown in the head.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has opened an investigation into Brown’s death. The event has been determined to be accidental.

Central Lee Middle School student Micah Ashmore has been named a Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholar by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.

Out of a pool of 800 applicants, just 43 Young Scholars were selected for the program. Ashmore will receive a five-year, pre-college scholarship in recognition of his outstanding achievements. The seventh grader was recommended for this scholarship by Central Lee talented and gifted teacher, Hollie Weber, and middle school math teacher, Andrew Orton.

Hollie Weber had nothing but kind words for the gifted young man. “Micah has embraced the multitude of opportunities that Central Lee has provided, actively participating in various activities throughout his academic journey. I am eager to witness the experiences and growth that this program will offer him, as well as his continued success.”

The pre-college scholarship encompasses academic guidance, college advising, participation in sponsored summer programs, internships, music and art lessons. It also provides support for hardware, software needs, and enrichment opportunities tailored to each student.

This has been a long time in the making for Ashmore. He completed multiple rounds of the application process in May 2022, which spanned into the summer as well. Assisted by Nadine Weirather, K-12 talented and gifted coordinator, he was able to complete his application.

“The honor, distinction, and growth opportunities presented by the Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholar program are unparalleled,” said Dr. Andy Crozier, Central Lee Superintendent. “We are incredibly proud of Micah for securing this prestigious scholarship, and we have full confidence that he will seize this opportunity, paving the way for his success in high school and beyond.”

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students. The Young Scholars Program, one of the organization’s flagship initiatives, offers tailored scholarships and educational support to exceptionally promising students who demonstrate leadership, persistence, financial need, and outstanding academic ability and achievement.

To learn more about the Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program, please visit https://www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships/young-scholars-program/.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, September 19^th. The big talking point came with the subject of House file 718.

This file, which originated in the Iowa House of Representatives, promises big changes to counties across the state. This will cause levies to drop to $3.50 by 2029. Currently, the Henry County general basis levy is set at $4.83, requiring a sharp drop in the next six years.

Representative Taylor Collins (District 95) and Representative Jeff Shipley (District 88) will both comment on Thursday’s meeting. They will be able to explain the file in detail. The supervisors are looking for more information from the representatives, and to ensure that their voices are heard. There is the possibility that Senator Dickey will meet with the board of supervisors in the coming weeks as well.

House file 718 – https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=HF718

The agenda for the supervisors meeting on Thursday is posted below.

AGENDA

September 21, 2023

Approve Agenda

Approve Minutes

9:00 Representatives Shipley & Collins

Discussion Regarding HF 718

Other County Business as time

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates