It feels weird to say, but summer is slipping away as August approaches. Back to school will be on everyone’s minds, and that means school supplies. Countless pencils, pens, erasers, and binders need to be bought, on top of all the other needs.  The Fellowship Cup is hosting a Back to School supply distribution on August 14^th from 10:00am to 2:00pm. They will provide basic school supplies for each grade level, and all you need to do is show up! Parents are still responsible for purchasing any additional supplies requested on individual school and grade level lists. This will be in the Community Room at the Fellowship Cup at 203 N. Jefferson St in Mt. Pleasant.

If you’d like to help out by donating items, they are in need of 1 inch, 2 inch, and 3 inch binders, as well as filler paper (wide rule) with 3 holes. They are also in need of dry erase markers. You can drop these items off at the Fellowship Cup on Monday’s and Thursday’s from 8:00am until 4:00pm. If those days don’t work, please call ahead to arrange drop off.

For more information, just call 319 385 3242.

There was an apparent structure fire on July 26^th in the evening. While details at this time are limited, we do know that this occurred at 402 N Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, and that there were many agencies involved including Mt. Pleasant Fire, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, Mt. Pleasant Utilities, and EMS was brought on scene as well. The police blocked off access to the intersection around 9:15.

KILJ now has an update to this situation.

At approximately 8:44pm on July 26^th, a report of a house fire in Mt. Pleasant brought firefighters to the scene. Upon arrival at 402 N Main St, the first engine reported fire on the southeast corner on the first level of a two-story house. They did an initial knockdown of the fire, and then the second crew arrived to assist. The fire was quickly extinguished, however, due to the extreme heat and smoke from the fire, fire crews believed it best to search the entire house for hotspots.

Mutual aid crews from New London and Salem were dispatched for additional manpower. 25 firefighters, 4 engines, and two command vehicles were on scene for “about 3 hours.”

This fire is currently under investigation.

The Fire Chief would like to thank the community members for their support by bringing drinking water for all the firefighters. “This kind gesture confirms that we have the greatest communities in SE Iowa.”

At the Mt. Pleasant City Council meeting on Wednesday, July 26^th, a public hearing was held on the appeal of Dangerous or Vicious Animal determination.

A dog went through the inside door and screen door of a house after it was left open by accident. The dog proceeded to attack and bite a mail carrier. The owner of the dog spoke at the meeting, saying that the dog has gone 13 years without an incident and that he is not a dangerous animal, and then requested that title to be taken down. The resident took all the blame for not shutting the door, and it must have been that they were at a new residence that scared the dog. The man did take him to the vet immediately and was told that the dog was healthy.

The Council ultimately voted on removing the dog from the city limits to avoid future problems, voting unanimously. The resident now must relocate the dog “as soon as possible” and inform the police when the dog is no longer in the city.

The Westland Mall in West Burlington will no longer host Marshalls. The large department store will be moving to a new building at 3320 E Agency Road. Situated right by Planet Fitness and across the Hobby Lobby, store-goers can expect the current location to be closed down by August 20^th. However, they need not fret as the grand opening of the new location is set for August 24^th, 2023!

Jeremy Hess, director of economic development for the Greater Burlington Partnership confirmed the move himself.

The Burlington Police Department is asking the help of the community to try and locate a missing 14-year-old girl named Caydence Roberts.

Roberts is described as a white female approximately 5’00” tall 120 pounds with blonde hair and brown eyes. Caydence was last seen wearing a red Chicago Bulls hat, a light-colored tank top and shorts.  If she is located, please call DesCom at 319-671-7001 or the Burlington Police Department at 319-753-8366.

“Burlington Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 1600 block Osborn in the early morning hours of July 27^th. West Burlington Fire Department was called in on auto aid. It appears that Danville Fire and Mepo Fire were also brought in to assist, as well as off-duty Burlington Firefighters. Superior Ambulance was brought in for rehab. This is a developing situation and KILJ will provide updates as they come.”

There is now an update for the early morning structure fire.

At 3:37 AM Thursday, July 27th, 2023, the Burlington Fire Department responded to a reported house fire at 1305 Corse St. in Burlington, IA. Burlington firefighters arrived at 3:43 AM to find a fully engulfed detached garage fire. The two vehicles adjacent to the garage also sustained damage from the fire.

The garage is owned by Donald and Donna Charles and is considered a total loss. The property and its contents are insured.

Eleven initial Burlington firefighters responded to the call. A box alarm was struck, which resulted in calling in 10 off-duty Burlington Firefighters. West Burlington Fire Department responded with automatic aid. Alliant Gas and Energy and the Burlington Police Department assisted on the scene.

The fire has been ruled undetermined and not considered suspicious.

No injuries were reported, and firefighters cleared the scene at 5:20 AM.