Henry County Public Health is planning a new back to school health fair on Tuesday, August 8^th from 4-7pm. Kids will be able to get their back-to-school immunizations, lead testing, dental screening and vision screening all in one place. Sports physicals will also be available for $25 (CASH ONLY). There will also be community resource tables, kid’s activities, and giveaways. Full Smoke BBQ and Casa Bella Potosina food trucks will be selling food on site. This health fair will take place at Manning Hall at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 607 S. Jackson St., Mt. Pleasant.

“We know summers are busy and go by fast, so we want to give this opportunity for parents to get all of their children’s back to school health requirements taken care of in one evening.” states Robin Poole, Immunization Coordinator. Physicals and most screenings have paperwork that will need to be filled out and those will be available onsite or at HealthyHenryCounty.org/PublicHealth. Language translation will be available.

For more information and updates visit Facebook.com/HealthyHenryCounty or call Public Health at 319-385-0779. This health fair is sponsored by Henry County Public Health, American Eyecare, Enhance Henry County Community Foundation, Family Medicine of Mt. Pleasant PC, Henry County Health Center Clinics, I-Smile, and Moeller Family Practice.

There was a two-vehicle accident at the 1600 block of Highway 218 just before 6:00pm on July 25^th. Agencies that responded were the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Winfield Police Department, Henry County Health Center, Olds Fire and Rescue, Trenton Fire and Rescue, and Winfield Fire and Rescue. KILJ will continue to update this developing situation as more details are released.

The Burlington Police Department had officers on scene of a shooting that occurred on July 25^th in the evening. This was near the intersection of 8^th and Elm. KILJ will continue to provide updates to this developing story.

At approximately 6:00pm on July 21^st, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop in the 2600-grid of Perkins Road. The vehicle was observed to have no registration plates, and the driver was identified and known not to possess a valid driver’s license. The driver and passenger also have an active No-Contact Order.

The vehicle then accelerated away from the Sheriff’s Office vehicles, and was followed to the back of a property in the 2500-grid of Perkins Road. The passenger then was taken into custody.

As a result, Samantha Sammons, 33, of Salem, was arrested for Violation of a No-Contact Order, a simple misdemeanor; two counts of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, simple misdemeanor; and two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance 3^rd or Subsequent Offense, D Felony.

This incident is still under investigation.

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

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, July 25^th to discuss the rezoning of a part of Southeast section 7 center township from agricultural to industrial. There was a public hearing held, and Joe Buffington provided his insight as part of the Planning and Zoning commission.

The rezoning would allow a cement plant to be built in this area. There was plenty of debate between the two sides of residents, with one side arguing that there is not enough industrial infrastructure in the town of Mount Pleasant and that this is progress for the town. The other side believes that this should not even be considered, given that there are residents and homeowners in this same area.

Mitchell Taylor, an attorney representing an “undisclosed resident” believes that the original site plan failed to follow the rules of the county ordinance, as it did not provide dimensions and was different than the site plan proposed at a later date. Darin Stater, the county attorney, agreed with Joe Buffington that the site plan was correctly presented and believes that the board of supervisors could legally move forward.

As the supervisors deliberated, they discussed the potential of going “back to scratch” which entails the original site plan being republished and fixed. While there were three options brought forth, the supervisors ultimately chose to go back to scratch. It is now up to the owner to provide an improved site plan for this to move forward.

It is important to note that this is the first rezoning since moving to an electronic application, and so much of the difficulty stems from that.

While driving around Mt. Pleasant, you may find yourself having to take a detour over certain crossings at the railroad tracks. Broadway, Cherry, and White are all open and you can drive through those crossings as usual. Meanwhile, Adams, Lincoln, and Main are all closed off. We expect this work to be completed Wednesday or Thursday per Public Works.