The Mount Pleasant Ordinance Committee will meet on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall in the City Administrators’ Conference Room.
AGENDA
West Burlington, IA- The Iowa Community College Athletic Association (ICCAC) released their Athletes of the Week for January 5th through the 11th and for the second time this season a member of the Southeastern Community College’s women’s wrestling team was adorned with the honor.
Kiara Rodriguez, in the 180-pound weight class, ripped off three wins by fall at the Lakeland Scramble this past weekend before earning 3rd place by forfeit as she had defeated Upper Iowa’s Mya Mendoza earlier in the tournament.
That brings her record to 7-3 on the season through her two tournament appearances. The Burlington alum, who qualified for the state tournament in 2024 and 2025 and finished in 8th place in her senior season, was the first to sign on to join the nascent program. She joins Evelyn Phillips as the other Blackhawk to earn ICCAC Women’s Wrestler of the Week.
Southeastern Community College is back in action tomorrow, January 15th, on the road against Iowa Central Community College.
Wilma “Kay” Derr, 88, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at Jefferson County Health Center in Fairfield.
Visitation for family and friends will be 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Friday, January 16, 2026 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 17th at Wilson Cemetery in Independence, Iowa with Pastor Mark Copeland Officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Fairfield Public Library or Jefferson County Health Center Auxiliary.
Kay was born July 19, 1937 in Columbus Junction the daughter of James and Frances (Hupp) Robertson. She married Charles Hamilton Derr, April 5, 1958 in Muscatine. He preceded her in death, May 21, 2018.
Kay was a registered nurse at Jefferson County Hospital. She retired after many years of faithful service. Kay enjoyed reading, gardening and tending to her flower beds. She was an avid sports fan, following the Chicago Cubs, Green Bay Packers, and Iowa Hawkeyes. Following her retirement, Kay and her husband Charles enjoyed traveling. She cherished her time spent with her grandchildren.
Those left to honor her memory include her children, Jennifer (John) Copeland of Fairfield, IA, Linette (Brett) Page of Kirksville, Missouri and Charles (Roberta) Derr of Lexington, Illinois; grandchildren, Kimberly (Aaron) Wilson, Mark (Christine) Copeland, Matthew (Megan) Page and Bryan (Tessa) Copeland; seven great grandchildren; and her siblings, Gary (Linda) Robertson of Henderson, Nevada and Carolyn (Greg) Seeley of Overland Park, Kansas.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents.
Online condolences may be made to Kay’s family by viewing her obituary at www.behnerfh.com.
Orien Lowenberg, 102, of River Valley Place in Fort Madison, formerly of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 4:27 a.m. Monday, January 12, 2026, at River Valley Place.
She was born on April 25, 1923, in Donnellson, Iowa, the daughter of Hugo and Matilda (Krebill) Lowenberg.
After graduating from Donnellson High School in 1941, she was the office assistant in Lee County Farm Bureau and Extension Office in Donnellson. When the office divided in 1955, she remained with the Extension Service. She especially enjoyed her work with 4-H and becoming an honorary 4-H member. After moving to Miami in 1959, where she lived for eighteen years, she first worked for Fidelity Bankers Life Insurance for four years and then as office manager at the Florida Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center for Crippled Children and Adults. Orien loved to travel and visited all forty-eight states plus Alaska, the Canadian Provinces, Mexico and the Bahamas.
She was a life-long member of Zion Mennonite Church in Donnellson, where she had been a Sunday School teacher and served on various committees.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters: Maurine (Milton) Krebill and Iola (Victor) Spohnheimer; brother: Don (Florence) Lowenberg and twin sisters in infancy.
Survivors include a nephew and nieces, as well as great and great-great nieces and nephews who all treasured Orien as a bonus grandmother
Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Zion Mennonite Church with Pastor Rachelle Luitjens officiating.
Burial will be at a later date at Zion Mennonite Cemetery, Donnellson.
Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Zion Mennonite church cemetery, as Orien requested and can be mailed to the family at: Schmitz Funeral Home, P.O. Box 56, Donnellson, Iowa 52625.
Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
Are you interested in adding native plants to your garden while saving money?
Learn to grow your own native plants from seeds. Winter is the time to start!
Join the Des Moines County Master Gardeners on Saturday, January 17, 2026, as they introduce Dan Sears, a volunteer board member for the Iowa Prairie Network. Dan will share his knowledge of how to start and grow your own native plants at home. He will bring free samples of beginner-friendly native plant seeds to share and help you bring nature home.
This free program will begin at 10 am on Saturday at the Burlington Public Library and is open to the public of all ages. No registration is required.
Great River Health is now accepting applications for its 2026 scholarship programs, offering financial support to students pursuing careers in healthcare. These scholarships reflect Great River Health’s continued commitment to investing in education and strengthening the future healthcare workforce across Southeast Iowa.
Administered with the support of the SEIRMC Auxiliary and community partners, the scholarships are available to high school seniors, college students, and nontraditional learners who are preparing for healthcare careers.
“Our Auxiliary is proud to support students who are passionate about caring for others and serving their communities,” said Monika Coursey, Board President of the SEIRMC Auxiliary. “These scholarships are one way we help remove financial barriers and encourage the next generation of healthcare professionals to pursue their goals.”
2026 Scholarship Opportunities and Deadlines
• Auxiliary High School Scholarship: Available to high school seniors living in Great River Health’s service area who plan to pursue a healthcare career. Application deadline: March 1, 2026
• Auxiliary Continuing Education Scholarship: Open to students who have completed at least one year of college and are majoring in a healthcare-related field. Application deadline: March 1, 2026
• Kathleen Canella Family Scholarship: Offered to seniors and recent graduates of Fort Madison High School, Central Lee High School, Holy Trinity High School, or Keokuk High School who are pursuing healthcare education (excluding medical school). Nontraditional students are also encouraged to apply. Application deadline: April 1, 2026
In addition to scholarships, Great River Health offers student career development opportunities, including job shadowing and healthcare career workshops, providing hands-on exposure to healthcare professions and pathways.
Learn more and apply at greatriverhealth.org/careers/student-opportunities
The City of Fairfield regretfully announced the unexpected passing of Fairfield Police Chief David Thomas on Tuesday, 1.14.26. The City is working with State and local partners to ensure the transition of leadership and public safety services.
The Division of Criminal Investigation and the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office are investigating the facts and circumstances. Currently, there is no foul play suspected, and there is no threat to the public.
In a statement from the Fairfield Police Department, the department shared, “We ask for respect and privacy as the city navigates the loss of a colleague and friend.”
No additional information will be released at this time.
On Monday, January 12, 2026 the Mount Pleasant Community School District Board of Directors unanimously approved the first reading of School Board Policy Series 500. They plan to take action on the updated policies at their next regular board meeting. You can view the Board Policy Series 500 here. Written comments may be sent to Superintendent John Henriksen, 1515 East Monroe Street, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa 52641.
