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Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
New Mt. Pleasant ordinance targets ‘professional panhandlers’
‘Additional tools’ approved by City Council to ‘move along’ troublemakers
Marilyn Higgins
Nov. 26, 2025 3:22 pm
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MT. PLEASANT - Additional measures were signed into law during Mt. Pleasant’s City Council meeting Nov. 25 to prohibit what the council called “professional panhandling.”
Citing examples of accosted shoppers at Wal-Mart, Chief of Police Lyle Murray called these “extra tools to move people” in the arsenal, to move along those who weren’t “truly in need.“ The city cites roving beggars, who panhandle as a profession.
In other news:
- Repairs have been authorized to sewer pipes on Winfield Avenue. A contract has been awarded to Kinney & Sons Excavating & Grading, a local company. Work is set to commence soon, pending delivery of replacement pipe. Work is expected to be done by mid-December.
- The mayor was authorized to sign a Professional Services Agreement with Shive-Hattery Architecture & Engineering of Cedar Rapids, to provide services to comply with upcoming phosphorous testing required by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. These tests monitor the amount of discharge into the waterways from sewer departments, especially phosphorous. These studies will last 18 months, determining the amount of phosphorous discharged, and how it can be reduced.
- Hazmat charges for Fire Department response will be set to State recommendations, instead of 5-10 year periods of adjustment by City Ordinance. This covers any Fire Department calls that require the cleanup of hazardous waste.
- A Class C liquor license was issued to L&J Services on 1405 Broadway. It appears a new golf simulator is coming to Mt. Pleasant, with alcohol of some kind available. In the meantime, the city renewed the Pep Stop’s Class E Retail Liquor License, allowing them to continue selling liquor to consumers.
Call Marilyn Higgins at 319-368-8895 or email her at marilyn.higgins@southeastiowaunion.com
