Mt. Pleasant News

By Brooks Taylor, Mt. Pleasant News Many of those who were straddling the fence prior to Thursday night?s community meeting in Mt. Pleasant on proposed options for new jail facilities, jumped off.Residents were offered tours of the Henry County Jail and those taking the tour said it was an eye-opener.?It?s sad,? offered Rachel Beatty, of Mt. Pleasant, as she left the Henry County Sheriff?s Office. ?We need ...

By Brooks Taylor, Mt. Pleasant News Henry County?s Board of Supervisors took care of some preliminary details before work begins on a project on Nebraska Avenue.The board, during its regular meeting Thursday, approved purchase of right-of-way on Nebraska Avenue for a grading and box culvert project, which will be done this spring.County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss said two box culverts would be installed on ...

By Brooks Taylor, Mt. Pleasant News In addition to managing its own wastewater treatment facilities, the Regional Utility Service Systems (RUSS) is branching out.During a special meeting Wednesday via conference call, RUSS directors approved entering into an agreement with the City of Parnell to operate its wastewater treatment plant.RUSS Executive Director Bruce Hudson told his board during its regular ...

Henry County?s Jail Committee will host a public meeting at the Henry County Courthouse on Thursday, March 16, from 6:30-8 p.m.Also during this time, there will be an opportunity for residents to tour the jail.Schematics, drawings, cost estimate and other information on the four options the committee is considering for future jail needs will be on display during the public meeting. There also will be a comments ...

By Brooks Taylor, Mt. Pleasant News LOWELL ? A Tuesday afternoon fire completely destroyed a trailer home near Lowell, according to New London Fire Chief Brad Helmerson.Helmerson said the trailer home, located at 2593 Perkins Road, was completely engulfed by the time firefighters arrived shortly after 1 p.m. Helmerson said the owner (last name of Buck, first name unknown) was home at the time of the fire.The ...

Henry County Sheriff?s Office investigated a car/deer accident March 11, on Racine Avenue, north of New London.According to the accident report, Brice Dodson, of Winfield, reported striking a deer in the roadway causing an estimated $3,000 in damage to his car.No injury was reported.

By Karyn Spory, Mt. Pleasant News WINFIELD ? Students at Winfield-Mt. Union will continue to be able to participate in soccer and wrestling, according to the W-MU School Board.The board met last week and unanimously approved a sharing agreement for the upcoming school year between W-MU and Columbus Community School District. The two districts currently have a sharing agreement for the two sports.The board ...

By Brooks Taylor, Mt. Pleasant News Henry County?s Corn Growers organization is on the upswing.That?s what corn growers Ken Helt, Ralph Sandeen, Marc Benson, John Fitzpatrick and Matt Fitzpatrick believe.The five men are directors of the county unit with Helt also serving as president and John Fitzpatrick, secretary-treasurer.For the first time in nearly a decade, the group hosted a banquet last month, ...

By Karyn Spory, Mt. Pleasant News It wasn?t an easy decision.That sentiment was echoed around the table by Mt. Pleasant?s school board members as they voted unanimously to reduce the general fund budget by over $800,000 Monday night.During a work session last week, board members were presented with three different options to reduce the budget. After a few days to mull it over, the board members voted unanimous...

For anyone hoping March would continue with the warm temperatures area residents experienced in late February, they had a rough surprise on Monday morning as the Mt. Pleasant area received just a little more snow. Temperatures are set to increase into the 50s later into the week, feeling a little more like spring.

By Brooks Taylor, Mt. Pleasant News Over 200 people jammed into the Main Street Cinemas Sunday to take a trip back in time.Judging by the comments received following the 60-minute presentation of ?Mt. Pleasant 1952 The Movie,? the production was Oscar award worthy?at least in Mt. Pleasant.?I thought it was fabulous,? Gene Copeland said afterwards. ?It was so authentic and caught people as they were. It is a ...

Despite many absences due to colds and influenza, ?Alice in Wonderland? was a huge success last weekend for the Mt. Pleasant Community Theater. There were over 40 characters in the musical, many of whom were children. Shown in the photos are some of the scenes from the production, directed by Deb Savage. The musical was performed Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and during a Sunday matinee.