A new program aimed at helping cancer survivors and their caregivers navigate life during and after treatment will soon be available in West Burlington. Survivorship 101, a free nine-week program, begins Tuesday, September 17, and will meet weekly through November 12. Sessions will be held every Tuesday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Wellness Plaza’s Indian Room on the West Burlington Campus.

Led by specially trained facilitators, Survivorship 101 provides a safe, supportive environment for participants to connect with others who understand the cancer journey.

The program focuses on five key areas of support:

• Emotional Support – Sharing experiences with peers who face similar challenges can help reduce isolation and loneliness.

• Practical Guidance – Learn coping strategies, treatment recommendations, and tips for managing side effects and daily life.

• Information Sharing – Gain evidence-based advice on nutrition, exercise, intimacy, and reducing anxiety.

• Perspective and Hope – Hear stories and insights from others who have overcome similar challenges.

• Community Building – Build lasting connections with a supportive network of survivors and caregivers.

Anyone interested in participating can reserve a spot by calling the Survivorship Program Coordinator at 319-768-4248.

The Mount Pleasant Personnel & Finance Committee will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will take place in the City Administrator’s Conference Room at City Hall.

The agenda includes several key items of discussion, beginning with construction project bids for the Second Baptist Church. Committee members will also review the release of a non-sufficient funds (NSF) check and consider needed repairs to a Public Works backhoe.

In addition, the committee will discuss upgrades to city computers used in Public Works and the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). An open forum will be available for public input before the meeting concludes with adjournment.

The meeting is open to the public.

The Mount Pleasant Ordinance Committee will hold a meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. The session will take place in the City Administrators’ Conference Room at City Hall.

The agenda includes discussion of regulations regarding amplified sound under Chapter 14-69, ongoing nuisance issues, and the city’s loitering and panhandling ordinance. Following these items, the committee will open the floor for public comment during the Open Forum portion of the meeting.

The meeting is open to the public.

The Iowa Attorney General’s Office has ruled that a Des Moines County sheriff’s deputy was legally justified in the fatal shooting of David Leonard Maupin during a domestic disturbance on August 5.

The decision, announced Monday, follows an investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Deputies were called at 9:09 p.m. to a rural Burlington home after a woman reported that her boyfriend, Maupin, was intoxicated, destroying property, and had displayed a shotgun in front of her and her 3-year-old child.

Deputy Brett Haubrich responded and found Maupin in a detached garage. Investigators said Maupin threatened to shoot the deputy, retreated inside, and then reemerged with a rifle. Maupin ordered Haubrich to leave, advanced toward him, and ignored repeated commands to drop the weapon. When Maupin allegedly raised the rifle toward the deputy, Haubrich fired, killing him.

A fully loaded Ruger .22 caliber rifle with a round in the chamber was recovered at the scene, along with two other rifles, two shotguns, and numerous beer cans. An autopsy determined Maupin’s blood-alcohol concentration was .30, more than three times the legal limit.

The Attorney General’s Office said Haubrich acted lawfully in response to an immediate and life-threatening danger.

 Washington County 4-H would like to recognize volunteers who have had a large impact on 4-H this year and in the past.  These adult awards will be presented at the 4-H Award Celebration on November 2.

Five awards will be given out: Friend of 4-H, Partner in 4-H, 4-H Volunteer of the Year, 4-H Alumni, and 4-H Family of the Year. 

Nominations for these awards can come from anyone in Washington County or a part of the 4-H program; this includes those involved in 4-H or others who simply have witnessed the volunteer in action.  For descriptions of these awards and nomination forms visit https://tinyurl.com/washcoadultawards visit the Extension Office.

Nominations are due to the Washington County Extension Office by October 1.

The Mount Pleasant Community School District has officially begun the process of hiring a new superintendent to lead the district beginning with the 2026-27 school year. To guide the search, the district has partnered with Grundmeyer Leader Services, a firm experienced in educational leadership recruitment.

The process starts immediately and will conclude with the successful hiring of a new superintendent. Community members, parents, staff, and students are being asked to take part in a survey designed to identify the professional and personal qualities most valued in the district’s next leader.

Survey participants are encouraged to share both narrative insights and ranked priorities for the position. Feedback gathered will be compiled into a report by Grundmeyer Leader Services and presented to the school board. That report will help inform the board’s decision-making by highlighting the traits and qualifications that matter most to district stakeholders.

The survey is anonymous unless a participant chooses to share their name voluntarily. District leaders are emphasizing the importance of broad participation, noting that community input will play a vital role in ensuring the new hire is a strong fit for both the school system and the wider community.

The deadline to complete the survey is Tuesday, September 30.

Superintendent Hiring Timeline

• Application Close Date: Sunday, Nov. 30

• Candidate Review: Tuesday, Dec. 2

• Semi-Finalist Screening: Wednesday, Dec. 10

• Formal Interviews: Tuesday, Dec. 16

District officials encourage all stakeholders to take a few minutes to complete the survey and share their vision for the future of Mount Pleasant Community Schools.