Mt. Pleasant News

Jerry Rauenbuehler, a custodian at the Henry County Courthouse, makes easy work of removing the light dusting of snow Mt. Pleasant received early this morning.

BY ERIN MURPHYDes Moines BureauDES MOINES ? The process by which Iowa?s state troopers, correctional facility staff and teachers ? among others ? negotiate their wages and benefits with the state appears destined for changes in 2017.One of the options being discussed in the Iowa Capitol ? which is now under complete Republican control ? that would have a significant impact would be to require unions and other ...

BY ROD BOSHARTGazette Des Moines BureauDES MOINES ? Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate on Wednesday proposed a $1 million upgrade to the state?s election system to guard against fraud by using electronic poll books statewide and requiring voter or signature verification at polling places and for absentee ballots.Pate said he has shared a draft of his proposed election integrity legislation with majority GOP ...

Ronnie and Monica Giles, of Mt. Pleasant, celebrated the birth of their son, Shadow LaYne Giles, on Tuesday. Shadow was the first baby to be born at HCHC in 2017, and the couple were honored by the HCHC Auxillary for the occasion.

Mt. Pleasant Police have made a couple of arrests following several burglaries in the Mt. Pleasant and Lockridge areas.Kameron Fracaro, 18, Mt. Pleasant, and a 17-year-old juvenile were arrested following a Dec. 23 burglary in the 500 block of E. Clay St. in Mt. Pleasant. The burglary occurred while the victim and her two small children slept.Fracaro and the juvenile also used the victim?s credit card. Both ...

Christmas decorations may have been put back into storage until next year, but that doesn?t mean Central Park looked any less dazzling in the new year. A sorbet colored sky greeted business owners around the square as they opened their doors this morning.

BY BROOKS TAYLORMt. Pleasant NewsSALEM ? Jim Dean told the Salem City Council not to expect any action soon on the community?s veterans monument.However, Dean, a member of the monument committee, said once spring comes that will all change.?We don?t want to do any flat concrete work in the winter,? Dean said during Tuesday?s city council meeting. ?You won?t see any activity until April.?He said he hopes past ...

An inmate in the Henry County Jail has been charged with a serious misdemeanor following an altercation Dec. 28 with another inmate.According to the Henry County Sheriff?s Office, Michael Earp, 45, Mt. Pleasant, was charged with assault causing bodily injury following the altercation.A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

BY BROOKS TAYLORMt. Pleasant NewsAs another year dawns, Henry County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss is reflecting upon 2016 with satisfaction.?Our fiscal 2017 construction is pretty much done,? he told the Henry County supervisors Tuesday morning in the board?s first meeting of the year. ?It was a very busy summer. I am grateful the weather still has remained good enough for doing some ditching and brush clearing.?Ho...

BY BRYCE KELLYMt. Pleasant NewsA Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission (SEIRPC) public survey issued in February 2016 yielded few surprises, according to the Healthy Henry County Communities (HHCC) board. Nevertheless, the board, along with members of the SEIRPC, reviewed the results of the survey on Tuesday.The survey, which will be added to a comprehensive plan for the City of Mt. Pleasant, featured ...

Mt. Pleasant Police investigated a three-vehicle accident on Friday, Dec. 30, 2016, in the 500 block of N. Linn St.Bobby Browning of Salem was cited with failure to maintain control and driving under suspension following the investigation.According to the police department?s accident report, Browning was driving a 1996 Ford Ranger and allegedly crossed the centerline and collided with a parked 2002 Pontiac ...

New Life House, in Wayland, opened its doors to members of the local community for a New Year?s Eve Eve open house and celebration on Friday. Locals were encouraged to tour the home and learn more about what residents of the house have been working on since the house opened earlier last year.