Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig congratulated the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Mines and Minerals Bureau for receiving the Interior States Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Reclamation Award this week from the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) within the United States Department of the Interior.

The Department’s Mines and Minerals Bureau took honors for their efforts to reclaim the Patrick site located six miles southeast of Eddyville in Wapello County.

“This project is an excellent example of taking abandoned coal mine ground and turning it back into working land suitable for haying, livestock grazing or wildlife habitat. I am proud of our talented team of conservation professionals within the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Mines and Minerals Bureau who are very passionate about this important and impactful work,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “More than 120 sites over the past 40 years have been reclaimed and this work improves water quality and bolsters soil health. Thanks to our productive partnership with the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, we will continue to work with landowners and other partners to make even more progress in the years ahead on the nearly 180 sites left to reclaim.”

The Patrick AML project included the mitigation of 1,379 feet of highwall (steep, exposed cliffs left over from mining), 4.17 acres of clogged stream and clogged stream land, 11 acres of dangerous piles and embankments, 15.8 acres of spoil area (coal waste) and 3 pit ponds. In total, the project included approximately 381,000 cubic yards of excavation, 37.6 acres of permanent seeding and nearly 8.0 acres of wetland fringe seeding. Reclamation of the site fosters more stable ecosystems in the local watersheds and waterways to improve soil health, while providing more opportunities for recreation, grazing and economic activity.

Strong partnerships with Pathfinders RC&D, Hammes Bulldozing and the Wapello County Soil and Water Conservation District helped secure project grants and rally community support. The $987,977 project was funded by the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement through the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation program and the Watershed Cooperative Agreement grant programs.

A video showcasing the Patrick site reclamation project is available at this link.

About the Mines and Minerals Bureau:

Underground coal mining began in Iowa as early as the 1840s with coal production peaking around 1917. The federal government passed the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, which required companies to remove hazards and stabilize coal mines after they finished mining. This legislation paved the way for the Department’s AML program, which began in 1983 and is celebrating its 40^th year in 2023. Iowa has more than 300 AML sites covering 13,000 acres, located primarily in Davis, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Van Buren and Wapello counties. AML sites may include dangerous piles, embankments, highwalls, pit ponds and bare acidic soils that need to be graded and neutralized for reclamation. To date, 120 sites have been reclaimed through federally funded grants and voluntary landowner participation. There are about 180 sites awaiting reclamation in Iowa.

Hy-Vee, Inc. has announced that the new, updated COVID-19 vaccines for the 2023-2024 season are now available at Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations across the Midwest. At this time, Hy-Vee is offering the updated COVID-19 vaccines to individuals ages 12+.

Individuals can save time by scheduling an appointment in advance at Hy-Vee Pharmacy by visiting www.hyvee.com/covidvaccine. Walk ins are also accepted during normal pharmacy operating hours. Individuals can also request to receive a flu vaccine and/or RSV vaccine (only for ages 60+) at the time of their COVID-19 vaccination at Hy-Vee.

Updated COVID-19 vaccines for younger age groups are expected to become available at select Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations in the following weeks.

The FDA and CDC have recommended that all individuals ages 6 months and older receive the updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for the 2023-2024 season. Those who have previously received

COVID-19 vaccines should wait at least 2 months after their last dose before receiving the new, updated  COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals who are severely to moderately immunocompromised can also receive an additional updated COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months after their last updated dose.

According to the FDA and CDC, the new, updated COVID-19 vaccines are reformulated to provide better protection against the virus variants currently responsible for most infections and hospitalizations in the U.S.

Vaccine recipients should bring the following to their Hy-Vee Pharmacy appointment:

• Insurance card (if they have insurance)
• Medicare Part B red, white and blue card (if Medicare recipient)
• Photo ID

Vaccine Pricing

The new, updated COVID-19 vaccine for the 2023-2024 season is the first group of COVID-19 vaccines to become commercially available following the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. The updated COVID-19 vaccine is still free with most private and public insurance plans at this time.

Adults who do not have health insurance or those whose insurance does not cover all COVID-19 costs may still receive the COVID-19 vaccine for free through the CDC’s Bridge Access Program through Dec. 31, 2024. At this time, Hy-Vee is not part of the CDC’s Bridge Access Program. Individuals without health insurance may receive a free COVID-19 vaccine at state and local health departments and federally qualified health centers. To find a nearby CDC Bridge Access provider, patients can visit www.vaccines.gov.

COVID-19, Flu & RSV

According to medical experts, a “tripledemic” may soon be on the horizon with the circulation of COVID-19, flu and RSV viruses. It’s recommended that individuals get their flu and COVID-19 vaccines this fall to help reduce the spread and protect individuals from serious infection. Those who get their flu shot at Hy-Vee can also earn a 20-cent Hy-Vee Fuel Saver reward.

It is also recommended that individuals ages 60+ get the new, single-dose RSV vaccine, which is available at  Hy-Vee pharmacies with no appointment or prescription necessary.

The CDC has approved co-administration of the COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines, so individuals can get all three vaccines (if eligible) in one appointment. Individuals can request to receive the flu and/or RSV vaccine at the time of their COVID-19 vaccination appointment at Hy-Vee.

To learn more about vaccinations at Hy-Vee, visit www.hy–vee.com/my–pharmacy.

The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in Regular Session Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at City Hall, 307 E. Monroe Street, second-floor meeting room at 5:30 p.m.

AGENDA

1. Roll Call.
2. Consent Agenda: To the Public — All items with an asterisk (*) are routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion and a roll call of the Councilmembers. There will be no separate discussion of items unless the Mayor, a Councilmember or citizen so request, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.
3. Receive & file communications – Zoning application for 10 acres NW corner W Washington Street & Hickory Avenue

– Proclamation-Domestic Violence Awareness Month – Title VI Annual Report 4. Approve agenda.

*5. Approve minutes of previous meetings.

*6. Approve payment of bills.

*7. Receive report of Officers.

8. Old Business-
   1. Resolution setting Public Hearing to amend accessory building and shipping container ordinance.
9. New Business
   1. Approve hire of Kinney & Sons Excavating to fix spot sanitary sewer repairs on McCoy and Henry Street Projects.
   2. Approve Change Order # 2 for NE Lagoon Forcemain (Schedule 2) Project.
   3. Approve Cigarette Permit for Steam Demons at 217 W Washington Street.
   4. Approve Mayoral appointment to the Mount Pleasant Utility Board.
10. Public Forum.

I l. Adjourn to meet in regular session on Wednesday, October 1 1, 2023, at 5:30 p.m.

At approximately 2:42pm on Saturday, September 23^rd, Des Moines County Deputies observed a motorcycle at Main St. and Court operating with no registration. The driver, Samuel Joseph Pogue II, 31, of Burlington, was recognized and deputies were already aware that his driving status was barred.

The motorcycle took off when deputies attempted to perform a stop, accelerating through the city streets in an attempt to elude deputies. Reaching speeds of 25 mph over the posted speed limit, the motorcycle lost control in the 300 block of Marshall St. At this time, the driver attempted to flee on foot.

Pogue was soon located and placed under arrest. After a search, it was revealed he was in possession of a bag of methamphetamine.

As a result, Pogue was charged with driving while barred, felony eluding, and possession of a controlled substance. He was taken 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.