Mt. Pleasant Intersection Closed

By Theresa Rose · Monday, April 24th, 2023 at 8:23 am CDT

The Mt Pleasant Jackson St. & Henry St. intersection will be closed all day today Monday April 24th. This is to allow Kinney & Sons room to install the Intake at the NW corner of W. Henry St. & Jackson St. The intersection will be open to North to south traffic at around 5:30 P.M. today but will be closed again tomorrow Tuesday April 25th during the work hours for installation of the Intake on the SW Corner of W. Henry St. & Jackson St. Henry St. from White St. to Jackson St. is closed to through traffic but homeowners can get into their driveways.

 

Burn Ban Lifted But…..

By Theresa Rose · Monday, April 24th, 2023 at 8:16 am CDT

The Henry County Burn Ban has been rescinded. If you want to burn it is a good idea to contact the Henry County Dispatch to let them know that you are burning. They can let the fire department know. This gives responders a contact person in case Dispatch receives a call about a fire It can be checked to see if the fire is a controlled burn or is out of control before the fire department is sent out.

 

Sports, April 24th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, April 24th, 2023 at 7:37 am CDT

High School Track and Field

The Mt. Pleasant girls and boys teams will travel to compete in the Keokuk Relays tomorrow, April 25th.

The Central Lee boys and girls teams will be competing at the Keokuk Relays tomorrow.

The boys and girls teams of WACO, and Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Sigourney to compete in a meet tomorrow.

The boys and girls teams of Danville and New London will compete in the Chris Selby Invitational hosted by New London tomorrow.

High School Soccer

The Mt. Pleasant boys team will travel to take on Washington tonight.

The Mt. Pleasant girls team will face off against Washington at home today.

The WACO boys team will take on Central Lee tonight on the road.

The Central Lee girls team will compete against Fort Madison tomorrow, April 25th.

High School Golf

The Winfield-Mt. Union boys team will compete in the West Liberty Invitational tomorrow and the girls team will face off against New London on April 28th.

The Mt. Pleasant boys team will travel to Fort Madison today. The girls team will host their Invitational on April 28th.

The New London girls and boys teams will face off against Mediapois tonight.

The Central Lee girls and boys teams will take on Danville on April 27th.

High School Tennis

The Mt. Pleasant girls team will take on Fort Madison tonight at home.

The Mt. Pleasant boys team will face off against Fort Madison on the road today.

Iowa Wesleyan Athletics

The Tiger softball team’s next game will be against Viterbo University tomorrow on the road.

The Tiger baseball team will take on Missouri Baptist University tomorrow.

The men’s golf team’s next competition will be at the Continental Athletic Conference championships on May 1st. The women’s team will be back in action today to compete at the Mount Mercy Invitational.

The outdoor track and field teams competed at the DeBacker Invitational and the women’s team had seven top 10 finishers and the men’s team had five top 5 finishers. Lilly Garnsey was the lone Tiger to walk away with a win at the meet as she took the 5,000 meters with a time of 19 minutes and 48 seconds. Faith Younce finished in 2nd place in the 5,000 meter racewalk with a time of 28 minutes and 24 seconds and Allison Morris grabbed 4th place in the event. Morris also took 5th place in the 3,000 meter steeplechase with a time of 14 minutes. Zoi Smith took 8th in the high jump and 9th in the long jump. Brianna Hunter threw the shot put 41 feet 11.25 inches to take 4th place.

The men’s team had a productive 5,000 meter racewalk event as Kenny Tucker finished in 2nd place with a time of 25 minutes and 36 seconds and Logan Lucas finished right behind him with a time of 26 minutes and 10 seconds. Jabez Rivers took 5th place in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 57.18 seconds and Angel Lottie finished in 5th place in the 400 meter dash with a time of 51.54 seconds. Lastly, KeRon Blackwell grabbed 3rd place in the high jump. The Drake Relays get underway on Wednesday, April 26th.

This Day in Sports History

1956 – American League umpire Frank Umont is 1st to wear glasses in a regular season game.

1963 – Future Basketball Hall of Fame point guard Bob Cousy plays his last NBA game for Boston as Celtics beat LA Lakers, 112-109 in Game 6 for their 5th straight NBA Championship.

1974 – NFL grants a franchise to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

 

 

MP School Board Meeting Agendas

By Theresa Rose · Monday, April 24th, 2023 at 6:23 am CDT

Mount Pleasant Community School District School Board Special Session, April 24, 2023 6:00 PM followed by a work session. Both meetings will be held in the Mount Pleasant Community High School Media Center, 2104 South Grand Avenue.

  1. Call to Order
  2. Roll Call
  3. Approval of Agenda
  4. Consideration to Approve 2023 – 2024 Contractual Agreement with Mount Pleasant Education Association (Motion)
  5. Closed session to discuss the purchase of real estate pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(j)
  6. Adjournment

Mount Pleasant Community School District School Work Session Board Meeting, April 24, 2023 6:30pm

  1. Call to Order
  2. Roll Call
  3. Approval of Agenda
  4. Review of 2022-2023 Student Assessment Data
  5. Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Overview
  6. Adjournment

April 24th, 2023 – April 30th, 2023

By Allison Jacobs · Sunday, April 23rd, 2023 at 9:16 am CDT
04/24/23
Matther Millspaugh
04/24/23
Cameron Styron
04/24/23
Keith Taylor
04/25/23
Patricia Goesttsche
04/25/23
Kate Newman
04/25/23
Patrick Thomas
04/25/23
Dennis Schroeder
04/26/23
Lynn Humphries
04/26/23
Kinzington Keaster
04/26/23
Robert "Bobby" George
04/27/23
Sandra Christner
04/27/23
Jerry Davis
04/27/23
Audrey Murphy
04/27/23
Maime Sefton
04/28/23
Charlie Krizek
04/28/23
Carson Boles
04/28/23
Larry & Donna Fletcher - 60th anniversary
04/29/23
Jeff Dotson
04/29/23
Dorothy Wenger
04/30/23
Sherri McPheron
04/30/23
Bonnie Volgler
04/30/23
Loretta Linz

William Henry “Bill” Wenke

By Theresa Rose · Friday, April 21st, 2023 at 5:48 pm CDT

William Henry “Bill” Wenke, 94, of Bonaparte, Iowa, passed away at 9:08 a.m. Friday, April 21, 2023, at his home.

Born on November 17, 1928, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of John and Clara (Schroeder) Wenke Sr. On May 25, 1963, he married Jean Peterson at Saint John’s Catholic Church in Burlington, Iowa. She preceded  him in death on September 1, 2019.

Survivors include his three children: Dana Mabe of Bonaparte, Iowa, Evan Wenke of Fairfield, Iowa, Mark (Laura) Wenke of Ottumwa, Iowa; four grandchildren: Heather Mabe, Natasha Wenke, John (Diana) Wenke and Connor (Kaeli) Davis; sister: Elizabeth O’Connor of Fort Madison, Iowa. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, granddaughter in infancy: Alyson Mabe; brothers: John Jr., Bernard, Henry, Ferd and Herman; sisters: Mary and Anna Louise.

Bill was a welder and electrician for Loudens in Fairfield, Iowa. He farmed and was a carpenter. He and his wife owned Waterfront Place Antiques. He was of Catholic Faith. He was a United States Army veteran and served during the Korean Conflict in 1950 to 1953. Bill was a member of Bonaparte American Legion Sargent-Osweiler Post #563 and a life member of Fairfield V.F.W. Bill enjoyed hunting arrowheads, doing for others, going to auctions, walking dogs and especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon, Monday, April 24, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington, Iowa, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A parish rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington, Iowa, with Pastor Sally Barrett officiating.

Burial will be held in Bonaparte Cemetery with full military rites by Sargent-Osweiler American Legion Post #563.

A memorial has been established in his memory.

Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Melissa Sue Oaks

By Theresa Rose · Friday, April 21st, 2023 at 5:47 pm CDT

Melissa Sue Oaks, 43, of Fort Madison, Iowa, passed away at 3:33 p.m. Monday, April 17, 2023, at the Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

She was born on January 28, 1980, in Joliet, Illinois, the daughter of David and Mildred (Chapman) Palmer. On September 16, 2000, she married Larry Haynes in Burlington, Iowa. They later divorced. On September 11, 2020, she married Taylor Oaks in Pensacola, Florida.

Survivors include her husband: Taylor; three children: Serenity Haynes of Donnellson, Iowa, Faith (Phil) Rudd of Cramlington, England and John David Oaks of Fort Madison, Iowa; mother: Mildred “Cindy” Donovan of Joliet, Illinois; brothers Marvin Jones of Crest Hill, Illinois and Jon Jones of Fort Madison, Iowa. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents and father.

Melissa received her Bachelors degree in Nursing from Southeastern Community College in Keokuk, Iowa. She worked for Birkwood Village in Fort Madison, Iowa. She enjoyed traveling, sunshine and reading. Most of all she loved being a wife, mother and nurse.

Her body has been entrusted to Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon, Friday, April 28, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. that evening.

A memorial has been established in her memory.

Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Iowa Utilities Board assesses civil penalties to two companies

By Theresa Rose · Friday, April 21st, 2023 at 5:37 pm CDT

Iowa Utilities Board assesses civil penalties to two companies operating pipelines and underground storage facilities without permits

The Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) Friday issued separate orders assessing civil penalties to two pipeline companies that have been operating hazardous liquid pipelines and underground storage facilities for years without obtaining permits from the IUB.

The IUB is taking this action as a result of a 2022 review of hazardous liquid pipelines and company applications (petitions) to the IUB for renewal of expiring HLP permits. In its review, the IUB discovered Enterprise Products Operating, LLC, did not have a current permit for approximately 750 miles of its operational hazardous liquid pipelines located throughout Iowa, and Sinclair Transportation Company did not have a permit for its 11.8-mile hazardous liquid pipeline located in Lee County, Iowa.

Friday’s orders assess civil penalties against Enterprise for not obtaining permits for seven hazardous liquid pipelines and two hazardous liquid underground storage facilities and against Sinclair for operating its hazardous liquid pipeline without a permit. The companies have 30 days to pay the civil penalties.

Under Iowa law, the IUB can assess penalties of up to $1,000 per day, per violation; however, the law also caps the assessed amount at $200,000 for each related series of violations. All penalties collected pursuant to Iowa Code (section) 479B.21 are designated for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program and Weatherization Assistance Program, administered by the Iowa Department of Human Rights.

The IUB became aware of these Iowa hazardous liquid pipelines via the National Pipeline Mapping System, which is run by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Both companies confirmed their specific pipelines had not been issued the necessary permits required to construct, maintain, or operate a hazardous liquid pipeline in Iowa.

Enterprise and Sinclair, as well as the previous owners of these pipelines, have been in violation of Iowa Code chapter 479B since its enactment by the Iowa Legislature in 1995. Enterprise and Sinclair have since filed new petitions seeking a hazardous liquid pipeline permit, and those applications are pending with the IUB.

Documents regarding the civil penalties are available for review in the IUB’s electronic filing system under Docket Nos. SPU-2023-0002 (Enterprise) and SPU-2023-0003 (Sinclair). The companies’ applications for permits are under review in Docket Nos. HLP-2023-0002 and HLP-2023-0001, respectively.