DMC Highway 99, immediately north of Golf Course Road intersection) will be closed starting Monday, June 19^th, for bridge replacement. 90^th Avenue intersection will be closed, but 125^th Street intersection will remain open as part of the detour route.

Weather permitting, this project is anticipated to take 3-4 months to complete.

The Mount Pleasant Historic Preservation Commission is excited to announce that they recently received a Certified Local Government (CLG) grant to research and survey the historic buildings in downtown Mount Pleasant.  Any resident interested in learning more about this project is invited to a meeting on Thursday June 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room on the third story of Union Block (105 W. Monroe St).  Project consultant Rebecca Lawin McCarley of SPARK Consulting, Cedar Rapids, will present information on the survey project and the National Register of Historic Places.

The survey area for the project encompasses the buildings around the square, as well as additional historic commercial buildings extending out from the square along Jefferson St, Main St, Monroe St, Washington St, and adjacent blocks.  It is estimated that around 130 properties within this area have buildings that were constructed by 1980 and will be included in this historical and architectural survey project.  The resources in downtown Mount Pleasant are primarily commercial, with some additional public, religious, and residential buildings as well.

The goal of the historical and architectural survey is to research and evaluate the significance of the individual buildings in downtown Mount Pleasant as well as assess the possibility of a historic district eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.  This survey will position the commission and community to undertake future projects, including nomination of historic properties or a historic district to the National Register of Historic Places.  However, this initial survey will only focus on researching and evaluating these properties.  The project is anticipated to take about a year to complete.

The survey project for downtown Mount Pleasant is led by the Mount Pleasant Historic Preservation Commission.  Main Street Mount Pleasant and Henry County Heritage Trust are partners with the commission on this project, supporting their efforts to recognize the significant history and architecture found in downtown Mount Pleasant.  Members of the Mount Pleasant Historic Preservation Commission are appointed by the City of Mount Pleasant.  The commission is a Certified Local Government, recognized by the State Historic Preservation Office as meeting national standards for historic preservation commissions.

The public meeting on Thursday June 22 at 6:30 p.m. will be followed by training for any resident interested in volunteering to assist with the project.  Volunteers are needed to complete research, type research summaries, and take photographs.  No previous experience is needed – interested volunteers of all backgrounds can make positive contributions to this project.

On June 12^th, 2023, at approximately 10:10 a.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a driving complaint.  The caller stated a silver Pontiac Grand Prix was swerving between both lanes on west bound Highway 34 near Racine Avenue.  As law enforcement was responding the caller stated the vehicle almost wrecked and pulled over near the intersection of Penn Avenue and Highway 34.

The Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle and stopped to check the welfare of the driver.  Based on the complaint and observations of the driver, an investigation into Operating While Under the Influence was initiated.

As a result of the investigation, the driver Damen Lorentzen, 34 of Keokuk, was arrested and charged with Operating Under the Influence, 1^st Offense, a serious misdemeanor.

“The Washington County Extension Office, Washington County Fair Association and members of the Washington County Ambulance were able to provide CPR Training at the Washington County Fair Grounds, for the first time.  Because of this class, 37 people are now trained in how to give correct CPR, basic first aid and how to use an AED.  One participant stated that she hopes to never have to use her new skill but after tonight feels comfortable preforming CPR if there was an emergency.  That’s 37 people in our community, that can make a difference.  Not all people are comfortable doing CPR on a patient, but if you understand the process there are many other ways you can help in the event of an emergency.  Thank you to the local supporter who gave the donation to allow us to have the class.  Thank you for all that attended and thank you to all that helped out.”

Of course, CPR, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is important for several reasons. The American Heart Association says that immediate CPR can double or triple chances of survival after cardiac arrest. In fact, 350,000 people in the United States die each year due to cardiac arrest. It is important to note that heart attacks and cardiac arrests are NOT the same thing. Heart attacks are a blood circulation issue, while cardiac arrest is an electrical issue in the body. For a heart attack, the person should be taken to the hospital. For a person in cardiac arrest, high-quality CPR should be administered immediately after calling 911.

For the typical adult, 30 chest compressions should be followed by two “rescue breaths” for a ration 0f 30:2, and 100-120 per minute. The common beat is to the catchy 1977 tune “Stayin Alive” by the Bee Gees. The depth of compression should be around 2 inches. An AED should be used if available. These are very simple to use as they give directions to the user as to what to do.

Of course, different people require different treatment, so be sure to look on the American Heart Association or the Red Cross website for a full list of duties.

Below is a list of seven steps to perform high-quality CPR for an adult, found and provided by the Red Cross.

1 CHECK the scene for safety, form an initial impression and use personal protective equipment (PPE)

2 If the person appears unresponsive, CHECK for responsiveness, breathing, life-threatening bleeding or other life-threatening conditions using shout-tap-shout

3 If the person does not respond and is not breathing or only gasping, CALL 9-1-1 and get equipment, or tell someone to do so

4 Kneel beside the person. Place the person on their back on a firm, flat surface

5 Give 30 chest compressions

• Hand position: Two hands centered on the chest
• Body position: Shoulders directly over hands; elbows locked
• Depth: At least 2 inches
• Rate: 100 to 120 per minute
• Allow chest to return to normal position after each compression

6 Give 2 breaths

• Open the airway to a past-neutral position using the head-tilt/chin-lift technique
• Pinch the nose shut, take a normal breath, and make complete seal over the person’s mouth with your mouth.
• Ensure each breath lasts about 1 second and makes the chest rise; allow air to exit before giving the next breath

Note: If the 1st breath does not cause the chest to rise, retilt the head and ensure a proper seal before giving the 2nd breath If the 2nd breath does not make the chest rise, an object may be blocking the airway

7 Continue giving sets of 30 chest compressions and 2 breaths. Use an AED as soon as one is available! Minimize interruptions to chest compressions to less than 10 seconds.

https://cpr.heart.org/en/resources/what-is-cpr

https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr/performing-cpr/cpr-steps

The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, administered by the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in cooperation with the Iowa Department on Aging, provides eligible older adults (60 years or older) with a booklet of checks that can be spent at participating farmers’ markets and roadside stands. Each participant receives ten $5 checks for a total one-time benefit of $50, and these can be used to purchase fresh Iowa grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey. Participants must live in the service area of Milestones Area Agency on Aging, and must have a yearly income below $26,973 if single or $36,482 for a household of two.

Participants who receiver coupons last year will automatically receive a 2023 application. To receive an application, please call Milestones at 855 410 6222.

ISU Extension and Outreach: Washington Co. Hiring Youth Outreach Educator and Office Assistant

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Office in Washington County is now seeking a 4-H Youth Outreach Educator (full-time, part-time, and/or ¾ year position with no summers, dependent upon candidate), and a ¾ time Office Assistant for 32 hours per week. These position will work in a team environment with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Council and staff to provide programs and resources to our community. The Youth Outreach Educator will have a strong focus on our Ag in the Classroom program, and will lead this program to elementary schools in Washington County. The Office Assistant will conduct day-to-day operations in the office to include customer service, newsletters, bulk mailing, receipt funds, support local programs and assist with management of 4HOnline, MyData, and Fair Entry.

These position require excellent organizational skills, strong skills in written and oral communication, and the ability to work with a team. Extension and 4-H knowledge is valuable. Applications can be found online or at the Washington County Extension Office. Applications, a cover letter, resume and a list of references must be returned to Katharinna Bain at the Washington County Extension Office-2223 250^th St., Washington, Iowa 52353 or e-mailed to kbain@iastate.edu, no later than 4:30pm on Tuesday, June 27^th. If you have further questions regarding this position, you may contact Katharinna Bain, Regional Extension Director, at (319) 310-2071 or kbain@iastate.edu.
https//:www.extension.iastate.edu/washington

The Carnegie Historical Museum announces the second annual Juneteenth Celebration of the Underground Railroad in Jefferson County, Iowa.  Juneteenth has become a national holiday to celebrate the day when the last enslaved people in the country were informed of their freedom.  Jefferson County Iowa played a very important part in helping those migrating north from Missouri through Van Buren County and Jefferson County to Richland and Brighton on their way into the northern safe haven states.

This year’s celebration will take place on June 19, 2023 at the Carnegie Historical Museum at 112 South Court Street in Fairfield, Iowa.  Rev. Herb Shafer will be the primary speaker as the event begins at 1:00 p.m. on the second floor of the museum.  Guests will have the opportunity to learn more about the role that Jefferson County served in this important mission of assistance. At 2:30 p.m. there will be a wreath laying ceremony at the Evergreen Cemetery on East Stone Street just east of D Street.  The grave of abolitionist Nancy Yancy will be the location of the wreath laying ceremony.

“Old Fairfield/Evergreen Cemetery has served as Fairfield, Iowa’s central burial ground since the town was founded in 1839.  Thirty miles from the Missouri border, its headstones, memorials and unmarked plots give visitors glimpses into the lives of courageous freedom seekers crossing that border; of formerly enslaved American citizens finding their way from eastern states to new lives in Iowa; of freedmen enlisting in the Union Army upon learning of Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation; of conductors and station operators risking fines and imprisonment in this hidden hub of Underground Railroad activity; of young men from Jefferson County volunteering to fight in the war to end slavery; and of a local Congressman sponsoring and rafting the House of Representatives resolution that became the 13^th Amendment abolishing slavery in the United States.  All of them are buried here.”

Please accept this invitation to join us on the afternoon of Monday, June 19^th at  the Carnegie Historical Museum at 112 South Court Street beginning at 1:00 PM and at the Evergreen Cemetery at 2:30 PM for the wreath laying as we recognize those who gave so much.