The Henry County Supervisors met on Tuesday, June 29^th. A decision over the Changing of the Future Land Use Map in Comprehensive Plan drew many visitors, and much discussion was had.

8 acres of a residential zone on the west side of Hickory Avenue is now in the process of changing to an industrial zone, as a new concrete plant plans to begin operations there. This was passed by the Board of Supervisors, and now will go back to the Planning and Zoning to determine the outcome. Another public hearing will be planned for the month of July, and the date is not certain yet. KILJ will continue to update the public as new information becomes available.

“A deputy sheriff stopped a subject for speeding in the 3000 grid of US 218/27.  As the deputy exited his squad unit and approached, the subject fled at a high rate of speed, northbound.  The subject crossed the highway, continuing at a high rate of speed, northbound in the southbound lanes of travel.  The subject eluded officers for several more miles and attempted to enter the city of Mt. Pleasant, at exit 42 (near Krusen Motors). The pursuit continued in the extreme east side of Mt. Pleasant and ended southbound on the northbound exit of exit 42.”

The subject has been identified as Jemere Jackson, 20, of Ottumwa. He was taken into custody and arrested, charged with Eluding, Reckless Driving, OWI-Drugs, Speeding, Driving on Wrong Side of Highway, and Driving Under Suspension.

A Muscatine man was sentenced on June 23, 2023 to 136 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Mackenzie Jacob Belnap, 31, was identified by law enforcement as a distributor of “ice” methamphetamine in eastern Iowa. In May 2022, a package linked to Belnap was intercepted by federal authorities. The package contained nearly a pound of methamphetamine and was shipped to Iowa from California. In all, Belnap was responsible for more than 4,500 grams of ice methamphetamine.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Belnap will be required to serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

The Henry County Public Health Center is looking for people to fill out surveys that will help to enhance the quality of care provided at health centers in Henry County. This assessment is required every 3-5 years from the state, and the results help the individual communities tremendously. By taking the survey, the health centers hear directly from you, anonymously, so that they can better tailor to your needs.

This survey is available until July 9^th, and can be accessed at surveymonkey.com/r/HealthyHenry or a physical form can be picked up from the office and filled out that way.

Burlington Riverfront Entertainment (BRE) is known for bringing the fun to the riverfront with year-round events and this summer they’re breaking the ice with youth hockey at the historic Memorial Auditorium.

Simply called “The Rink” presented by the John H. Witte Jr Foundation is now open till July 22. In addition to regular ice skating, BRE has reserved Wednesday nights for Youth Hockey Stick & Puck Night. Kids ages 6+ can come learn the basic fundamentals like skating, stick and puck handling, shooting the puck, etc.

Former youth hockey coach, Jim Fitzgibbon from Mount Pleasant, Iowa will lead Stick & Puck Night. “I’ve always wanted to see more hockey in Southeast Iowa,” stated Mr. Fitzgibbon, “and this is a chance to get kids involved and excited about hockey!”

BRE assistant director, David Kroll added “The Rink is not real ice, it’s a synthetic material but you still wear real ice skates. It’s not quite as slick as real ice which makes it perfect for beginners to learn on.” Kroll also expressed his gratitude towards Fitzgibbon saying “Jim is volunteering his time to teach these kids hockey. That’s how passionate he is about this! We couldn’t be more grateful for him bringing something new like this to our town!”

Stick & Puck Night at the Memorial Auditorium will be held every Wednesday 6-8pm for kids ages 6+ now through July 19. The cost is $10, which includes skates and equipment use. Fitzgibbon encourages all kids who want to participate to bring some sort of helmet such as a bike helmet, gloves of any kind, and tall socks. If you have your own skates and sticks, bring them otherwise skates and sticks are provided.

In addition to youth hockey, The Rink is open for regular skating hours Thursdays and Fridays 5-9pm and Saturdays 1-9pm now through July 22. For more details visit www.skateburlington.com.

A Burlington man was sentenced on June 23, 2023 to thirty years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin.

According to court documents, and evidence presented at sentencing, Kourtney Melvin Connors, 35, was identified by law enforcement as a distributor of methamphetamine through an investigation that began in the spring of 2019. During the course of the investigation, numerous individuals identified Connors as a supplier of large quantities of methamphetamine and heroin in the Burlington and Quad Cities areas. In all Connors was held accountable for more than 4,500 grams of ice methamphetamine, nearly 500 grams of heroin, and 40 grams of fentanyl.

This sentence was ordered to be served consecutively with any sentence of imprisonment imposed in relation to a criminal case in Marathon County, Wisconsin. After completing his term of imprisonment, Connors will be required to serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.