A familiar face returns to the Mount Pleasant School Board to fill vacancy on the board.  Melinda Huisinga has been appointed to finish out the term of Willy Amos. The board met Monday night and voted to appoint Melinda as the Director for District Two.  Amos had to give up the seat when he moved to another residence in the school district.

Thomas Stephanie, age 46, of Washington, Iowa, was charged with one count of Insurance Fraud – Presenting False Information (Class D Felony) following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau.

The charges against Stephanie stem from an investigation which began in June 2022.  According to criminal complaints filed by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau, Stephanie provided false statements to an insurer in connection with a workers’ compensation insurance claim.  Stephanie received insurance benefits due to these false statements.

On August 10th, 2022, Stephanie was arrested and booked into the Jefferson County Jail.  Stephanie posted a $5,000 bond and was released.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

No additional information will be provided at this time.

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

On August 20th, 2022, at approximately 3:47 p.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received report of a disturbance in the 1100-grid of Delaware Ave in rural Wayland.

An investigation was conducted which resulted in the arrest Cori Miller, 32 of Wayland, for a No Contact Order violation and Criminal Mischief in the 5^th Degree.

On August 20, 2022, at approximately 7:58 P.M., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on the 2200 grid of Dakota Avenue, in Mount Pleasant for a traffic violation.

Upon speaking with the driver, later identified as Jesse A. Rutherford, 34, of Washington, Iowa, and the passenger, later identified as Dustin E. West, 32, of Albia, Iowa, it was determined both parties currently held a suspended driving status through the State of Iowa. Furthermore, Jesse held two active warrants through the State of Iowa.

After further investigation, a search was conducted on the vehicle where items found included amounts of Methamphetamine, Marijuana, and Drug Paraphernalia.

Resulting from the investigation Jesse was arrested for Possession of Controlled Substance – 3^rd or Subsequent Offense (Class D Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Simple Misdemeanor), and Driving While License Suspended (Simple Misdemeanor). Dustin was arrested Possession of Controlled Substance – 3^rd or Subsequent Offense (Class D Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Simple Misdemeanor)

Henry County Public Health wants you to know that they have the recently approved Novavax COVID-19 vaccine as an option in addition to Moderna and Pfizer. Novavax is authorized for people 18 years and older and is a 2 dose primary series given 3-8 weeks apart. It is not currently authorized to be used as a booster. The main difference is that Novavax is not a mRNA vaccine like Moderna and Pfizer. Novavax uses protein subunit vaccine technology, similar to the Hepatitis B, HPV, and shingles vaccines. For those who were concerned about the mRNA vaccines being developed so quickly, the Novavax vaccine is a type of vaccine that has been widely used for decades. The Novavax vaccine also offers an option to people who may have an allergic reaction to mRNA vaccines.

“We continue to strongly urge everyone who is eligible and has not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves and their loved ones,” said Shelley Van Dorin, Public Health Director. “Anyone with questions about the vaccines should speak with their physician or give us a call and talk to one of our nurses.” Henry County Public Health is currently giving COVID-19 vaccines on Thursdays from 9-3:30 but that schedule may change in September. To view current clinic dates please visit HealthyHenryCounty.org/covid, call 319-385-0779, or follow Facebook.com/HealthyHenryCounty. There is no cost for any of the COVID-19 vaccines.