Mt. Pleasant News

By Grace King, Mt. Pleasant News The Iowa History 101 mobile museum made a debut appearance in Henry County at the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion this weekend.The museum, which is a part of the State Historical Society of Iowa, is making its way through all 99 counties, bringing the history of Iowa to the people of Iowa.The museum is home to the Space Shuttle Patch of astronaut and Iowa Wesleyan University ...

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was called to the 2100 block of E. Washington Street for a two-car collision on Saturday, Sept. 1 around 3:55 p.m.After an investigation, it was determined that Tyler Fitzpatrick, of Mt. Pleasant, operating a 2010 Toyota, struck Gage Bedenbender, of Burlington, driving a 2009 Mercury Sable as they were traveling eastbound. Total damage was estimated at $11,000.Minor injuries ...

When you have tractors to ride in the Midwest Old Threshers parade and not enough drivers to drive them, the National Guard steps in. Lon Royer, Morning Sun, had six antique tractors at Old Threshers in Mt. Pleasant, but didn't have drivers for them all. So his grandson, Riley Heinzel, Winfield, and a member of the Middletown National Guard unit, recruited his fellow National Guardsmen to lend a hand. The group ...

By Gretchen Teske, Mt. Pleasant News *Editor's note: In-Character is an Old Threshers tradition where The News interviews one of the many ?character? volunteers who help bring an old-time feel to the runion. NORTH VILLAGE ? Tucked away on the Old Threshers grounds is the five-building North Village. The tiny town has been under serious threat at the Old Threshers reunion this week but thanks to the deputies ...

By Grace King, Mt. Pleasant News The Iowa Craft Beer Tent is open for business at Midwest Old Threshers until Sunday from 5 to 11 p.m.A debut appearance for alcohol being sold on the grounds, the decision was made in hopes of attracting a younger generation of visitors.Kevin Hall, of Des Moines, employee with the Iowa Craft Beer Tent, takes the responsibility of being the first to sell beer on the grounds ...

By Grace King, Mt. Pleasant News The heavy rains, strong winds, damaged trees and power outages may have alarmed some Mt. Pleasant residents Tuesday evening, but for Mt. Pleasant Utilities line crews, it was just another day at work.With the main power feeders to Mt. Pleasant up and running by Wednesday morning, Mt. Pleasant Utilities shifted their focus to residential customers whose meter bases may have ...

David Schmitz Every week, the Mt. Pleasant News will feature a Henry County resident in a profile snapshot. The questions will appear in bold.This week's friend is David Schmitz, who is the Director of International Programs and Assistant Professor of ESL at Iowa Wesleyan.Are you originally from Mt. Pleasant/Henry County? If not, what brought you here? I was born and raised in Rolla, Mo. We moved here last ...

By Grace King, Mt. Pleasant News The crowd cheered, and children scrambled for candy throughout the Old Threshers parade on Wednesday, Aug. 29.After an uncertain morning of clean up following storms the night before, the sun shone on the tradition, bringing families and friends together to remember where they've been and where they're going.The Sunnybrook Assisted Living parade float sailed through E. ...

By Grace King, Mt. Pleasant News Following heavy storms Tuesday evening, the main power feeders to Mt. Pleasant are up and running, while Mt. Pleasant Utilities works with isolated pockets of power outages to restore full power to the city.Mt. Pleasant Utilities began working immediately after the storm blew through around 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 28, and has three crews out on Wednesday from New London, Muscatine ...

By Gretchen Teske, Mt. Pleasant News For half a century, Miss Sweet 16 contestants have graced the stage.To celebrate the milestone, contestants from the last 50 years of Sweet 16 competitions will be making a special appearance on Sunday, Sept. 2 at 9 a.m. in the grandstand during this year's Miss Sweet 16.The project has been two years in the making by Danielle Davidson. Davidson went through every file on ...

Several vendors at Mt. Pleasant's Crafts in the Park woke up Wednesday morning to find their tents overturned and merchandise scattered. Kristi Ray, executive vice president of the Mt. Pleasant Chamber Alliance, offered full refunds to vendors who decided to pack up and go home before Old Threshers begins Thursday, Aug. 30. The reunion is still a go, despite the evening storm.

By Gretchen Teske, Mt. Pleasant News When Zoe Runyon first put on her Girl Scout vest in the first grade, she had no idea she would still be involved at age 16, let alone receiving a prestigious award.Runyon, who claims she was a very shy kid, so much so that going out to sell cookies and nuts was very difficult for her, received the Girl Scouts Gold Award recently.Runyon was a Scout through her grade school, ...