After fourteen years of celebrating antique automobiles and local history, the Red Flag Motor Tour is ending its annual run from New London to Brighton, closing the chapter on a popular Southeast Iowa tradition.

Each year during the final week of September, the tour brought visitors and vintage vehicles to the Dover Museum, where volunteers with the Dover Historical Society prepared breakfast for drivers and support staff before the group set out on a reenactment of the historic route to Brighton.

The tour was inspired by the original 1896 London to Brighton road race in England, which celebrated changes to early automobile laws and the removal of the requirement that a person walk ahead of each vehicle carrying a red flag to warn others of approaching “horseless carriages.”

Locally, the event became known for its display of pre-1928 cars and motorcycles parked around New London’s city square, where spectators gathered to admire the restored vehicles and visit with drivers dressed in period clothing. The final day traditionally began at the city park, followed by breakfast at Dover and introductions of the vehicles before they traveled the scenic two-and-a-half-hour route to Brighton, often making stops along the way.

Over the years, the tour also included visits to historic destinations across Southeast Iowa, such as museums, parks, and local landmarks, giving participants a chance to experience the region’s history at a slower pace.

With the decision to end the annual run, the tour’s board has chosen to distribute its remaining funds to several local historical organizations, including the Dover Museum, the Harlan-Lincoln House, the Lewelling Quaker Museum, and the Henry County Heritage Trust.

While the engines will no longer roll each fall, the legacy of the Red Flag Motor Tour will live on through the memories created and the support it provided to preserving local history throughout Southeast Iowa.

KILJ’s Information Center reported on many events in the community last week.  FOCUS takes a look at a couple of those stories.  To view KILJ news stories, please access KILJ.COM/News Tab.

Registration is open for Southeast Iowa Early Childhood’s annual Early Childhood Conference. The conference is being held from 8am – 3:30pm on Saturday, April 25, at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, 200 N. Main Street in Fairfield and is free. Sessions are available for HHS childcare credit hours. Receive hands-on tips and fun talks to boost little learners’ growth during the Early Childhood Summit!  Discover fresh ways to support little learners and connect with a community dedicated to nurturing young minds. Reserve your spot!

The Iowa Department of Corrections (DOC) and the Anamosa State Penitentiary are suspending all in-person visitation, effective immediately, due to ongoing safety and security concerns. The Iowa DOC made the announcement this week and explained they are taking appropriate steps to ensure the safety of staff, incarcerated individuals, and visitors.

According to the press release, the suspension will remain in effect until further notice from the Iowa DOC.  Access to video visitation will remain available according to the standard schedule.

Last month (Thursday, March 26), The Iowa Department of Corrections (DOC) and the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility suspended all in-person visitation in the main building, until further notice.

Joshua Zaiontz, 34, of Mt. Pleasant faces domestic abuse and child endangerment charges following an incident on Tuesday evening, April 7, at a residence in Mount Pleasant.

Zaiontz was charged with Domestic Abuse Assault, first offense, a simple misdemeanor, and two counts of Child Endangerment, both aggravated misdemeanors.  He was arrested and transported to Henry County Jail. A no-contact order has been requested for both the victim and the two children. Bond has been set at $4,500 cash or surety. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday, April 17th, and a bond review hearing has been requested and set for April 29th.

According to court documents, the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to a Mt. Pleasant residence on Tuesday, April 7 at about 6pm following a report of a disturbance with yelling in the background. No physical altercation or weapons were reported at the time of the call. Upon arrival, officers found that Zaiontz had been pinned to the floor by others inside the residence and was detained for investigation.

Court records state that Zaiontz, who does not reside at the address, allegedly entered through the front door and moved toward the victim in an aggressive manner. According to court documents, a witness intervened between the two, and an additional witness physically restrained Zaiontz. Court records also indicate that two juvenile boys—ages 13 and 6—exited the residence through a window on the opposite side during the incident. The victim told officers they feared Zaiontz was going to physically harm them.

Court documents note that Zaiontz and the victim have been married for 11 months but have been living in separate households for approximately one month. The two share the juvenile boys.

The Mt. Pleasant Community School District Board of Education will meet in regular session at 6pm on Monday, April 13 in the High School Media Center, on S. Grand Avenue.  Items on the agenda include a public hearing regarding the FY2027 certified budget, class of 2025 graduation rate, board committee reports, among other business.  There are two considerations to approve “reduction in force termination” of two district employees.  The entire board agenda can be accessed HERE.

The agenda can also be found on MTPCSD.org.  This meeting is open to the public except for a “Negotiations Discussion” which is exempt from the open meeting law.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will meet at 10am on Monday, April 13 at the courthouse in Mt. Pleasant.  There are two items on the agenda which will be presented by Henry County Attorney Becky Wilson.  The first is a discussion, debate and possible board approval to hire part-time, temporary outside attorney counsel to work on public information requests.  The second item that Wilson will bring before the board is an “Employment Separation Agreement” along with a board discussion and possible board approval. This meeting is open to the public.  The KILJ news department will provide a complete report following the meeting.  Listen live or refer to KILJ.com under the NEWS tab.