The EveryStep Hospice team in Mt. Pleasant has been recognized as a “Superior Performer” by Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP). The prestigious honor comes after the team achieved an overall caregiver and family satisfaction score ranking in the top 20% of all eligible SHP clients for 2022 calendar year.

This award places EveryStep Hospice in Mt. Pleasant above the rest, as they are one of just three award recipients in the entire state. This is the third consecutive award for the Mt. Pleasant team.

EveryStep Hospice regional director, Kimberly Endecott commented on this great achievement. “The Mount Pleasant team is serving patients and their families during one of the most difficult times in their lives and they are doing it with such compassion, skill and expertise. This is an amazing accomplishment.” EveryStep has been providing nonprofit hospice care services for more than 45 years in Iowa.

“SHP is proud to present the SHPBest awards to our top-performing customers. We commend these organizations for their continuous focus on delivering the highest quality of care to their patients,” said Rob Paulsson, president of SHP.

Read more about the SHPBest awards program, including methodology and award recipient lists at https://www.shpdata.com/hospice/shpbest-cahps-hospice/.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority is hosting a meeting in Fairfield on Thursday, September 21^st. This is an informational meeting for those who are interested in learning more about how they can help their community grow. Economic growth may include the creation of additional jobs, growth of businesses, development of new housing units, increase property values or potential population growth.

The idea is that, through this workshop, vibrant downtown areas can be bolstered by the Catalyst Grant. This grant assists communities with the redevelopment or rehabilitation of buildings to stimulate economic growth or reinvestment in the community.

Funding is based on annual availability, and 40% of funds will be awarded to cities with populations under 1,500. $100,000 is the maximum grant given. Funds are available for the rehabilitation of one commercial building per community. If two buildings are under the same ownership and connected, they will qualify. Deconstruction is also an option, but only in dire situations or safety issues.

This meeting is scheduled for 10:00am-12:00pm at the Fairfield Public Library.

For more information, visit the link below.

Community Catalyst Building Remediation | Iowa Economic Development Authority (iowaeda.com)

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/.