By Tracey Lamm for The Beacon

The sign out front on The Broadway Cafe, Bar and Grill says “Additional Parking Lot in Back” — which is a good thing because Saturday afternoon it was needed. Every space out front was full mid-afternoon on a chilly January day in West Burlington.&nbsp;

A look inside showed where all of the motorists had gone. They were inside to eat and enjoy the sports bar ambiance at the Broadway, Cafe, Bar and Grille.&nbsp;

The Broadway, 113 Broadway, West Burlington, is a neighborhood staple, once home to Otis Campbell’s Bar and Grill.&nbsp;On Jan. 1, Jesse and Shayna Smith became the new owners, and business has been non-stop since.

Jesse gestured toward seating that was at about 85 percent capacity Saturday and said, “It’s pretty much been like this every day since we took over.”&nbsp;

The Smiths are no strangers to bar operation. They own Doris’ Tavern on Roosevelt Avenue in Burlington. And for a time, Jesse worked the Pub and Grub Food Truck in the parking lot at Doris’. The weather became his stiffest competition.&nbsp;

“It was cold in the winter, windy in the fall — too hot in the summer,” Jesse said.&nbsp;

When the opportunity to purchase the Broadway presented itself,&nbsp;&nbsp;it seemed the next logical step to doing something he had always wanted to do — own a restaurant.&nbsp;

Food truck operation and catering gigs with a friend, Tony Vanorder, plus 20 years of experience behind the meat counter at Hy-Vee, has led to this venture.&nbsp;

“Most everything is scratch-made. We hand bread the tenderloins, cut our own steaks. I would say 70 percent of the original (Broadway) menu is the same,” Jesse said.

As for Shayna, she said she is in it to support her husband.&nbsp;Jesse and Shayna grew up in West Burlington and now live in Fort Madison. The couple has four children, ages 18, 13, 6, and 2.&nbsp;

When asked about finding a balance between work and home life, Jesse said, “We’re still working on that.”

The full menu is replete with bar and grill staples from fried appetizers to a bevy of meal-size salads, sandwiches, and wraps; approximately eight burger options, plus hand-cut steaks and pizza.&nbsp;

Shayna said the crab Rangoon pizza has become a popular menu item.&nbsp;

Weekly specials include tacos on Tuesday, Thirsty Thursday, and prime rib on Friday and Saturday.&nbsp;

Plans are already in place for a reservation-only four-course meal on Valentine’s Day.&nbsp;The number to call and get on the list for this special event is 319-752-8577.&nbsp;

The Broadway Cafe,&nbsp;&nbsp;Bar and Grill is open seven days a week at 11 a.m. for lunch and dinner. The grill closes at 9 p.m. daily, and the bar remains open until 11 p.m. The location also has room for large parties and events.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2022/1/1643655747037.jpeg" alt="Jesse and Shayna Smith are the new owners of The Broadway Cafe, Bar and Grill in West Burlington.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Photo by Tracey Lamm." />
 <figcaption>Jesse and Shayna Smith are the new owners of The Broadway Cafe, Bar and Grill in West Burlington.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Photo by Tracey Lamm.</figcaption>
 </figure>By Tracey Lamm for The BeaconThe sign out front on The Broadway Cafe, Bar and Grill says “Additional Parking Lot in Back” — which is a good thing because Saturday afternoon it was needed. Every space out front was full mid-afternoon on a chilly January day in West Burlington.&nbsp;A look inside showed where all of the motorists had gone. They were inside to eat and enjoy the sports bar ambiance at the Broadway, Cafe, Bar and Grille.&nbsp;The Broadway, 113 Broadway, West Burlington, is a neighborhood staple, once home to Otis Campbell’s Bar and Grill.&nbsp;On Jan. 1, Jesse and Shayna Smith became the new owners, and business has been non-stop since.Jesse gestured toward seating that was at about 85 percent capacity Saturday and said, “It’s pretty much been like this every day since we took over.”&nbsp;Not a bad way to start out.&nbsp;The Smiths are no strangers to bar operation. They own Doris’ Tavern on Roosevelt Avenue in Burlington. And for a time, Jesse worked the Pub and Grub Food Truck in the parking lot at Doris’. The weather became his stiffest competition.&nbsp;“It was cold in the winter, windy in the fall — too hot in the summer,” Jesse said.&nbsp;When the opportunity to purchase the Broadway presented itself,&nbsp;&nbsp;it seemed the next logical step to doing something he had always wanted to do — own a restaurant.&nbsp;Food truck operation and catering gigs with a friend, Tony Vanorder, plus 20 years of experience behind the meat counter at Hy-Vee, has led to this venture.&nbsp;“Most everything is scratch-made. We hand bread the tenderloins, cut our own steaks. I would say 70 percent of the original (Broadway) menu is the same,” Jesse said.As for Shayna, she said she is in it to support her husband.&nbsp;Jesse and Shayna grew up in West Burlington and now live in Fort Madison. The couple has four children, ages 18, 13, 6, and 2.&nbsp;When asked about finding a balance between work and home life, Jesse said, “We’re still working on that.”<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2022/1/1643656148043.jpeg" alt="Taylor Lolmaugh, general manager of The Broadway Cafe, Bar and Grill, prepares a Bloody Mary.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Photo by William Smith." />
 <figcaption>Taylor Lolmaugh, general manager of The Broadway Cafe, Bar and Grill, prepares a Bloody Mary.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Photo by William Smith.</figcaption>
 </figure>The full menu is replete with bar and grill staples from fried appetizers to a bevy of meal-size salads, sandwiches, and wraps; approximately eight burger options, plus hand-cut steaks and pizza.&nbsp;Shayna said the crab Rangoon pizza has become a popular menu item.&nbsp;Weekly specials include tacos on Tuesday, Thirsty Thursday, and prime rib on Friday and Saturday.&nbsp;Plans are already in place for a reservation-only four-course meal on Valentine’s Day.&nbsp;The number to call and get on the list for this special event is 319-752-8577.&nbsp;The Broadway Cafe,&nbsp;&nbsp;Bar and Grill is open seven days a week at 11 a.m. for lunch and dinner. The grill closes at 9 p.m. daily, and the bar remains open until 11 p.m. The location also has room for large parties and events.

Broadway owners serving up good times

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Des Moines County will host a Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease Management Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators Wednesday, Feb. 9. The program, provided by the ISU Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP), is available at office locations across Iowa.

The local attendance site is the Des Moines County Extension Office. Due to social distancing requirements, preregistration is required. Walk-ins on the day of the program will only be admitted if room allows. The course runs from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The registration fee is $35 on or before Feb. 2 and $45 after Feb. 2. To register or to obtain additional information about the CIC, contact Teresa Friedel at the ISU Extension and Outreach Des Moines County office at 319-671-7165.

The course will provide continuing instruction credit for commercial pesticide applicators certified in categories 1A, 1B,and 1C. Topics covered will include pesticide use and the environment, pesticide labels and comprehension, including restricted entry interval and preharvest interval, and pest management topics.

Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered at this program. Interested participants should bring their CCA number.

Additional information and registration forms for this and other courses offered by the PSEP program can be accessed at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.extension.iastate.edu/PSEP" target="_blank">http://www.extension.iastate.edu/PSEP</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2022/1/1643599056477.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Des Moines County will host a Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease Management Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators Wednesday, Feb. 9. The program, provided by the ISU Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP), is available at office locations across Iowa.The local attendance site is the Des Moines County Extension Office. Due to social distancing requirements, preregistration is required. Walk-ins on the day of the program will only be admitted if room allows. The course runs from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The registration fee is $35 on or before Feb. 2 and $45 after Feb. 2. To register or to obtain additional information about the CIC, contact Teresa Friedel at the ISU Extension and Outreach Des Moines County office at 319-671-7165.The course will provide continuing instruction credit for commercial pesticide applicators certified in categories 1A, 1B,and 1C. Topics covered will include pesticide use and the environment, pesticide labels and comprehension, including restricted entry interval and preharvest interval, and pest management topics.Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered at this program. Interested participants should bring their CCA number.Additional information and registration forms for this and other courses offered by the PSEP program can be accessed at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.extension.iastate.edu/PSEP" target="_blank">http://www.extension.iastate.edu/PSEP</a>.

Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, Plant Disease Course Set for Feb. 9; Prereg by Feb. 2

A natural gas leak in the basement in the Art Center forced the tenants of the Art Center, Burlington By The Book, Gypsi on Jefferson and Allied Creator Studios to evacuate their buildings for a few hours today (Saturday, Jan. 29).

The Burlington Fire Department responded to the gas leak at 10:58 a.m., and called Alliant Energy to discover the source of the leak. Alliant Energy workers discovered a couple of leaks, according to fire department officials.

Tammy McCoy, executive director of the Art Center, said two pipes needed their seals tightened – a situation quickly rectified by Frank Millard and Co.&nbsp;Chris Murphy, owner of Burlington By the Book, was back in his shop and open for business by 2:30 p.m. Gypsi on Jefferson closed for the day.

McCoy said tonight’s Iowa street photography exhibit – “Vice Night featuring Adam Kieler" --&nbsp; will go on as scheduled at 5:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend.&nbsp;

A natural gas leak in the basement in the Art Center forced the tenants of the Art Center, Burlington By The Book, Gypsi on Jefferson and Allied Creator Studios to evacuate their buildings for a few hours today (Saturday, Jan. 29). The Burlington Fire Department responded to the gas leak at 10:58 a.m., and called Alliant Energy to discover the source of the leak. Alliant Energy workers discovered a couple of leaks, according to fire department officials. Tammy McCoy, executive director of the Art Center, said two pipes needed their seals tightened – a situation quickly rectified by Frank Millard and Co.&nbsp;Chris Murphy, owner of Burlington By the Book, was back in his shop and open for business by 2:30 p.m. Gypsi on Jefferson closed for the day. McCoy said tonight’s Iowa street photography exhibit – “Vice Night featuring Adam Kieler" --&nbsp; will go on as scheduled at 5:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend.&nbsp;

Gas Leak Forces Downtown Evacuations For A Few Hours

By Beacon Staff 
 
Sen. Tim Goodwin, R-Burlington, has announced his
decision to retire at the end of 2022.&nbsp; 
 
The recently approved redistricting maps placed
Sen. Goodwin and Sen. Jeff Reichman, R-Montrose, in the same newly created
Senate District 50. Reichman’s term will run through 2024. 
 
Goodwin, a Danville native, former public school
administrator, and transportation executive, was elected to the Iowa Senate in
2020, defeating former Sen. Tom Courtney. 
 
“It has been an honor to serve southeast Iowa in
the State Senate,” said Goodwin. “In the Senate, we have accomplished more in
my short tenure than some elected officials achieve in decades. Last year we
gave parents a choice to have their children in school full time, eliminated a
property tax levy, expanded 2nd Amendment rights, and passed a strong bill
supporting law enforcement. This year, we are positioned to implement
generational income tax relief for all Iowans. I am proud to be a part of all
of it.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2022/1/1643407456659.jpeg" alt="Sen. Tim Goodwin, of Burlington, announced his upcoming retirement from the State Senate. The redistricting process placed Goodwin in the same senate district as Sen. Jeff Reichman, a fellow Republican. File photo." />
 <figcaption>Sen. Tim Goodwin, of Burlington, announced his upcoming retirement from the State Senate. The redistricting process placed Goodwin in the same senate district as Sen. Jeff Reichman, a fellow Republican. File photo.</figcaption>
 </figure>By Beacon Staff 
 
Sen. Tim Goodwin, R-Burlington, has announced his
decision to retire at the end of 2022.&nbsp; 
 
The recently approved redistricting maps placed
Sen. Goodwin and Sen. Jeff Reichman, R-Montrose, in the same newly created
Senate District 50. Reichman’s term will run through 2024. 
 
Goodwin, a Danville native, former public school
administrator, and transportation executive, was elected to the Iowa Senate in
2020, defeating former Sen. Tom Courtney. 
 
“It has been an honor to serve southeast Iowa in
the State Senate,” said Goodwin. “In the Senate, we have accomplished more in
my short tenure than some elected officials achieve in decades. Last year we
gave parents a choice to have their children in school full time, eliminated a
property tax levy, expanded 2nd Amendment rights, and passed a strong bill
supporting law enforcement. This year, we are positioned to implement
generational income tax relief for all Iowans. I am proud to be a part of all
of it.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Goodwin to retire from State Senate at the end of the year

Children who will be five years old on or before September 15, 2022, may attend&nbsp;kindergarten&nbsp;in the 2022-2023 school year within the Burlington Community School District. Contact your school attendance center as soon as possible for registration information.

- Black Hawk Elementary, 2804 S. 14th St., (319) 753-5300

- Grimes Elementary, 800 South St. , (319) 753-0420

- North Hill Elementary, 825 N. 9th St., (319) 753-6363

- Sunnyside Elementary, 2040 Sunnyside, (319) 753-5244

Dates and times for&nbsp;Kindergarten&nbsp;Round Up are Wednesday, March 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Friday, March 18 from 9 to 11 a.m. For additional information, please call the BCSD Administration Building at (319) 753-6791, ext. 1409.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2022/1/1643403690123.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Children who will be five years old on or before September 15, 2022, may attend&nbsp;kindergarten&nbsp;in the 2022-2023 school year within the Burlington Community School District. Contact your school attendance center as soon as possible for registration information.- Black Hawk Elementary, 2804 S. 14th St., (319) 753-5300- Grimes Elementary, 800 South St. , (319) 753-0420- North Hill Elementary, 825 N. 9th St., (319) 753-6363- Sunnyside Elementary, 2040 Sunnyside, (319) 753-5244Dates and times for&nbsp;Kindergarten&nbsp;Round Up are Wednesday, March 16 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Friday, March 18 from 9 to 11 a.m. For additional information, please call the BCSD Administration Building at (319) 753-6791, ext. 1409.

Kindergarten roundup set for 2022-23 school year

Since 2005, January 27 has been designated by UNESCO as Holocaust Remembrance Day. This date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau by Soviet troops on January 27, 1945.

Perhaps no person is as readily associated with the unfathomable loss and tragedy of this genocide than a bright, expressive German-Dutch teenager of Jewish heritage.

During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, Anne Frank kept a diary during the two years she was in hiding with her family. Despite her confined living space, Anne's creativity soared as she observed those around her and explored her innermost thoughts and longings. In 1944, her hiding place in "the Annex" was discovered; Anne died of typhus in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945, only two months before the liberation of the Netherlands.

Seven short years after her death, Time magazine would hail her diary as "one of the most moving stories that anyone, anywhere, has managed to tell about World War II."&nbsp;

This spring, the University of Iowa will receive one of only a handful of saplings grown from the beloved chestnut tree described by Anne Frank in her diary. To commemorate this occasion, The Iowa Youth Writing Project, the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies, and the University of Iowa German Department are sponsoring a writing contest for junior high and high school students.&nbsp;

Contest winners and honorable mentions for the Anne Frank Sapling Prize will be published in a professionally designed anthology. Some winners will be selected to read at the planting of the Anne Frank sapling on April 29 at the northeast corner of the University of Iowa Pentacrest.

The contest is open to Iowa junior high and high school students. To enter, please respond by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 27, 2022, to the following prompt:

Write about a time when you felt isolated or trapped. How did you work through that time, and what did you learn from the experience?

Responses may be written in essay or poem form; length limit in either genre is five double-spaced pages. Email submissions (in editable form, such as .docx, .doc, .rtf) to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:iywp@uiowa.edu">iywp@uiowa.edu</a>.&nbsp;Please indicate in your email's subject line whether you are in junior high or high school (JH/HS), and whether your submission is an essay or a poem.&nbsp;Remember to include your name and email address on the document. This information will be concealed from contest judges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2022/1/1643333653867.jpeg" alt=""The Diary of Anne Frank" has moved and inspired readers around the world for almost 75 years." />
 <figcaption>"The Diary of Anne Frank" has moved and inspired readers around the world for almost 75 years.</figcaption>
 </figure>by Stacey Abell for The BeaconSince 2005, January 27 has been designated by UNESCO as Holocaust Remembrance Day. This date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau by Soviet troops on January 27, 1945.Perhaps no person is as readily associated with the unfathomable loss and tragedy of this genocide than a bright, expressive German-Dutch teenager of Jewish heritage.During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, Anne Frank kept a diary during the two years she was in hiding with her family. Despite her confined living space, Anne's creativity soared as she observed those around her and explored her innermost thoughts and longings. In 1944, her hiding place in "the Annex" was discovered; Anne died of typhus in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945, only two months before the liberation of the Netherlands.Seven short years after her death, Time magazine would hail her diary as "one of the most moving stories that anyone, anywhere, has managed to tell about World War II."&nbsp;This spring, the University of Iowa will receive one of only a handful of saplings grown from the beloved chestnut tree described by Anne Frank in her diary. To commemorate this occasion, The Iowa Youth Writing Project, the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies, and the University of Iowa German Department are sponsoring a writing contest for junior high and high school students.&nbsp;Contest winners and honorable mentions for the Anne Frank Sapling Prize will be published in a professionally designed anthology. Some winners will be selected to read at the planting of the Anne Frank sapling on April 29 at the northeast corner of the University of Iowa Pentacrest.The contest is open to Iowa junior high and high school students. To enter, please respond by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 27, 2022, to the following prompt:Write about a time when you felt isolated or trapped. How did you work through that time, and what did you learn from the experience?Responses may be written in essay or poem form; length limit in either genre is five double-spaced pages. Email submissions (in editable form, such as .docx, .doc, .rtf) to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:iywp@uiowa.edu">iywp@uiowa.edu</a>.&nbsp;Please indicate in your email's subject line whether you are in junior high or high school (JH/HS), and whether your submission is an essay or a poem.&nbsp;Remember to include your name and email address on the document. This information will be concealed from contest judges.

Iowa teen writing contest inspired by Anne Frank

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/8ebae6f0-8ead-424a-b3f9-f97b41af4bbd">Norma "Jeanie" Pleasant</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/c3b07b95-2da6-46e5-aaf3-ccce7baa1f1b">William Bauer</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/6b1aa5d9-006a-48e6-b2d5-ce558447a806">George Keil</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/d7019bb2-65a5-47fe-8b56-c5439bbe758a">Linda Tansey</a>

Obituaries have been published for:<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/8ebae6f0-8ead-424a-b3f9-f97b41af4bbd">Norma "Jeanie" Pleasant</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/c3b07b95-2da6-46e5-aaf3-ccce7baa1f1b">William Bauer</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/6b1aa5d9-006a-48e6-b2d5-ce558447a806">George Keil</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/d7019bb2-65a5-47fe-8b56-c5439bbe758a">Linda Tansey</a>

Recent Obituaries - Jan. 27, 2022

Beacon Staff A Danville man was arrested on 15 warrants Tuesday afternoon (Jan. 25), with some of those related to several high-speed chases in the area in recent weeks. Dallas Michael Garr, 25, has been charged with aggravated eluding of law enforcement, reckless driving, speeding, ignoring a stop sign, one-way street traffic violation, driving on the wrong side of two-lane roadway, driving under suspension, and several other traffic violations. Garr also had an outstanding warrant from Henry County for possession of a controlled substance, second offense. Garr was taken to the Des Moines Count Correctional Center with no bond. According to a press release issued by the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrested Garr at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at his apartment in Danville. Garr isolated himself in the bedroom and refused to surrender to deputy’s commands. In response, the sheriff office’s K-9 was utilized to locate and detain Garr, who was attempting to hide in the bedroom.&nbsp;&nbsp; Garr’s warrants stemmed from a parole violation warrant back in September 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2022/1/1643310494652.jpeg" alt="Dallas Michael Garr was arrested on Tuesday, Jan. 25. Photo provided by Des Moines County Sheriff's Office." />
 <figcaption>Dallas Michael Garr was arrested on Tuesday, Jan. 25. Photo provided by Des Moines County Sheriff's Office.</figcaption>
 </figure>Beacon Staff A Danville man was arrested on 15 warrants Tuesday afternoon (Jan. 25), with some of those related to several high-speed chases in the area in recent weeks. Dallas Michael Garr, 25, has been charged with aggravated eluding of law enforcement, reckless driving, speeding, ignoring a stop sign, one-way street traffic violation, driving on the wrong side of two-lane roadway, driving under suspension, and several other traffic violations. Garr also had an outstanding warrant from Henry County for possession of a controlled substance, second offense. Garr was taken to the Des Moines Count Correctional Center with no bond. According to a press release issued by the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrested Garr at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at his apartment in Danville. Garr isolated himself in the bedroom and refused to surrender to deputy’s commands. In response, the sheriff office’s K-9 was utilized to locate and detain Garr, who was attempting to hide in the bedroom.&nbsp;&nbsp; Garr’s warrants stemmed from a parole violation warrant back in September 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Danville man arrested on more than a dozen warrants

&nbsp;By Beacon Staff After a federal appellate court struck down an injunction that blocked enforcement of a state law preventing school districts from requiring masks on Tuesday, Jan. 25, the Burlington Community School District suspended the district wide mask mandate for all students, staff, and visitors to buildings.&nbsp; In a press release issued Wednesday, Jan. 26, the school district said the decision came in response to the court ruling. “Our district will adhere to and follow guidance from our legal counsel and respect the decision of the courts,” superintendent Pat Coen said.&nbsp; Tuesday's decision holds that the lower court's injunction was overly broad. However, the judges also held that requiring masks is a reasonable accommodation schools can make to protect students with disabilities under federal law and that school boards can put such orders in place. A lower court must reissue a narrower injunction as the case moves through the courts. In a statement, the Iowa Attorney General's Office said it intends to appeal the ruling and noted the current injunction will remain in place for the time being. "The district court’s injunction of the Iowa statute remains in place statewide — and the State will still not be enforcing the statute — until the case returns to the district court," spokesman Lynn Hicks said. "That will likely not happen for at least 21 days, which gives time for the State to seek rehearing of the appeal by the entire Eighth Circuit." The Burlington School Board just voted to loosen mask restrictions at their regular board meeting Monday, Jan. 25, but did not eliminate the mask policy. A group of parents and the advocacy group Arc of Iowa sued the state and Gov. Reynolds in September, seeking to block a law Reynolds signed in May forbidding local government mask mandates. The law has been inactive since October due to a preliminary injunction from a federal judge.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;By Beacon Staff After a federal appellate court struck down an injunction that blocked enforcement of a state law preventing school districts from requiring masks on Tuesday, Jan. 25, the Burlington Community School District suspended the district wide mask mandate for all students, staff, and visitors to buildings.&nbsp; In a press release issued Wednesday, Jan. 26, the school district said the decision came in response to the court ruling. “Our district will adhere to and follow guidance from our legal counsel and respect the decision of the courts,” superintendent Pat Coen said.&nbsp; Tuesday's decision holds that the lower court's injunction was overly broad. However, the judges also held that requiring masks is a reasonable accommodation schools can make to protect students with disabilities under federal law and that school boards can put such orders in place. A lower court must reissue a narrower injunction as the case moves through the courts. In a statement, the Iowa Attorney General's Office said it intends to appeal the ruling and noted the current injunction will remain in place for the time being. "The district court’s injunction of the Iowa statute remains in place statewide — and the State will still not be enforcing the statute — until the case returns to the district court," spokesman Lynn Hicks said. "That will likely not happen for at least 21 days, which gives time for the State to seek rehearing of the appeal by the entire Eighth Circuit." The Burlington School Board just voted to loosen mask restrictions at their regular board meeting Monday, Jan. 25, but did not eliminate the mask policy. A group of parents and the advocacy group Arc of Iowa sued the state and Gov. Reynolds in September, seeking to block a law Reynolds signed in May forbidding local government mask mandates. The law has been inactive since October due to a preliminary injunction from a federal judge.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

BCSD nixes mask requirement for now

Skyler Troutman has joined the Environmental Department of Klingner &amp; Associates, P.C. (Klingner) as an environmental technician. He is experienced in the preparation and review of Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments, remedial action reports, and a variety of testing services.

Troutman holds an Associate of Science / Associate of Arts degree from Southeastern Community College and a Bachelor of Science in environmental science from Iowa State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2022/1/1643168382944.jpeg" alt="Skyler Troutman of Klingner &amp; Associates, P.C. (Submitted photo)" />
 <figcaption>Skyler Troutman of Klingner &amp; Associates, P.C. (Submitted photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>Skyler Troutman has joined the Environmental Department of Klingner &amp; Associates, P.C. (Klingner) as an environmental technician. He is experienced in the preparation and review of Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments, remedial action reports, and a variety of testing services.Troutman holds an Associate of Science / Associate of Arts degree from Southeastern Community College and a Bachelor of Science in environmental science from Iowa State University.

Troutman joins Klingner & Associates, P.C.

By Beacon Staff The Burlington School Board passed the second and final reading of a modified version of its existing mask policy that eases the current masking restrictions if COVID-19 positivity rates fall low enough. Board member Nancy Hoelzen was the only vote against the modified policy. The policy utilizes a tier system informed by county COVID-19 positivity rates to determine when students and staff in the Burlington School District should wear masks. The biggest change, besides upping the positivity rate percentages, is making masks optional at extracurricular activities, including sporting events.&nbsp; The policy reads as follows: Tier One – No masks required with a positivity rate between 0 and 12 percent. Tier Two&nbsp;– Masks required during regular school hours when students are present, including zero hour, Pieces, and Club M, with a positivity rate between 12.1 and 20 percent. The original tier system, broke down as follows:&nbsp; Tier One — No masks required if the county positivity rate is between 0 and 5 percent. Tier Two — Masks required during regular school hours when students are present, including zero hour, Pieces, and Club M, if the county positivity rate is between 5.1 percent and 12 percent. Tier Three — Masks required at all times when inside district buildings if the county positivity rate is 12 percent or greater (including extracurricular activities). Dr. David Carlson of Family Medicine (part of Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center) said the current positivity rate for the county has been between 25 and 30 percent. As of Tuesday, Jan. 25, the rate was just at 25 percent.

According to the mask tier policy, that means masks remain mandatory in school during class, until the positivity rate drops below 12 percent. “Our medical system is at a breaking point,” Carlson said. He noted that up to 15 people have to wait in line at the emergency room and said COVID-19 is spreading like wildfire through the community. “We’re stretched very thin, and we need the public to take this pandemic seriously,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

By Beacon Staff The Burlington School Board passed the second and final reading of a modified version of its existing mask policy that eases the current masking restrictions if COVID-19 positivity rates fall low enough. Board member Nancy Hoelzen was the only vote against the modified policy. The policy utilizes a tier system informed by county COVID-19 positivity rates to determine when students and staff in the Burlington School District should wear masks. The biggest change, besides upping the positivity rate percentages, is making masks optional at extracurricular activities, including sporting events.&nbsp; The policy reads as follows: Tier One – No masks required with a positivity rate between 0 and 12 percent. Tier Two&nbsp;– Masks required during regular school hours when students are present, including zero hour, Pieces, and Club M, with a positivity rate between 12.1 and 20 percent. The original tier system, broke down as follows:&nbsp; Tier One — No masks required if the county positivity rate is between 0 and 5 percent. Tier Two — Masks required during regular school hours when students are present, including zero hour, Pieces, and Club M, if the county positivity rate is between 5.1 percent and 12 percent. Tier Three — Masks required at all times when inside district buildings if the county positivity rate is 12 percent or greater (including extracurricular activities). Dr. David Carlson of Family Medicine (part of Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center) said the current positivity rate for the county has been between 25 and 30 percent. As of Tuesday, Jan. 25, the rate was just at 25 percent. According to the mask tier policy, that means masks remain mandatory in school during class, until the positivity rate drops below 12 percent. “Our medical system is at a breaking point,” Carlson said. He noted that up to 15 people have to wait in line at the emergency room and said COVID-19 is spreading like wildfire through the community. “We’re stretched very thin, and we need the public to take this pandemic seriously,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Burlington School Board Eases Limits on Mask Restrictions; Masks Now Optional at Extracurricular Activities 

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/a2d8334c-3df7-4e4c-9408-5bfd406e5271">Lisa McCoy</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/1600fcdb-d41e-4c4c-812d-cb855fe5ee74">Gerry Walker</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/5a182656-0a96-4ea1-8000-288a579a626a">Audrey Tapke</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/c701daf6-bed7-4e17-aa08-07edbe14e8ea">James Marland, Jr.</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/72bb658f-5ed0-465c-a505-189b8d8fc77d">Ella Mae Osborne</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/5ef1903b-5d3b-46e0-ad81-f1633caef3d7">Eloise Beckman</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/da0abedb-ca5a-4d6a-9b8e-cb31dfbea5f6">Warren Johnson, Jr.</a>

Obituaries have been posted for:<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/a2d8334c-3df7-4e4c-9408-5bfd406e5271">Lisa McCoy</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/1600fcdb-d41e-4c4c-812d-cb855fe5ee74">Gerry Walker</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/5a182656-0a96-4ea1-8000-288a579a626a">Audrey Tapke</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/c701daf6-bed7-4e17-aa08-07edbe14e8ea">James Marland, Jr.</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/72bb658f-5ed0-465c-a505-189b8d8fc77d">Ella Mae Osborne</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/5ef1903b-5d3b-46e0-ad81-f1633caef3d7">Eloise Beckman</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/da0abedb-ca5a-4d6a-9b8e-cb31dfbea5f6">Warren Johnson, Jr.</a>

Recent Obituaries - Jan. 24, 2022

By Kaelen Wiegand for the Beacon

It’s Girl Scout cookie time, and this year there is a new flavor that is an adventure for the taste buds.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Everyone’s favorites, such as Tagalongs, Samoas, and the ever-popular Thin Mint, are back. However, they have been joined by a new taste sensation — the Adventureful.&nbsp;

The new edition is a brownie cookie with a caramel filling and drizzle with a dash of sea salt. It’s inspired by the many adventures the Girl Scouts enable young girls to have.

Girl Scout cookie season has begun with online and in-person sales. On Feb. 18, cookies will arrive for door-to-door and cookie booth sales.

If you can’t wait until February, Girl Scouts have an online ordering service called Digital Cookie. Sales from Digital Cookie still benefit your local troop.&nbsp;

To order from Digital Cookie, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://girlscoutstoday.org/" target="_blank">girlscoutstoday.org</a>, hover over the Cookie+ tab on the green ribbon at the top of the page, and click ‘Buy Cookies’ at the top of the drop-down menu. This brings you to a Google map to find your local troop and their order page, which the girls customize with their own pictures and goals.

The Digital Cookie service has been active for the last several years but, in 2021, it increased in popularity, accounting for 30 percent of cookie sales.&nbsp;

Maura Warner, a former girl scout and the vice president of marketing for the Girl Scouts, fondly spoke about girls as young as five, initially extremely shy and unsure of themselves. Through the cookie program and other experiences, she’s seen them gain confidence, become more outgoing, and begin to learn to advocate for themselves.

Warner said the mission of the Girl Scouts is to make girls feel capable of completing their goals and have confidence in their entrepreneurial skills. A large part of this goal is allowing girls to be active in nature and teaching them to give back to their community. Girl Scouts gives young girls opportunities to take action against problems they see in their community.&nbsp;

Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://girlscoutstoday.org/" target="_blank">girlscoutstoday.org</a>&nbsp;for more information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2022/1/1642999224326.jpeg" alt="There's a new cookie on the scene - the Adventureful. This brownie cookie has a caramel filling and drizzle with a dash of sea salt. Photo from www.girlscouts.org." />
 <figcaption>There's a new cookie on the scene - the Adventureful. This brownie cookie has a caramel filling and drizzle with a dash of sea salt. Photo from www.girlscouts.org.</figcaption>
 </figure>By Kaelen Wiegand for the BeaconIt’s Girl Scout cookie time, and this year there is a new flavor that is an adventure for the taste buds.&nbsp; &nbsp;Everyone’s favorites, such as Tagalongs, Samoas, and the ever-popular Thin Mint, are back. However, they have been joined by a new taste sensation — the Adventureful.&nbsp;The new edition is a brownie cookie with a caramel filling and drizzle with a dash of sea salt. It’s inspired by the many adventures the Girl Scouts enable young girls to have.Girl Scout cookie season has begun with online and in-person sales. On Feb. 18, cookies will arrive for door-to-door and cookie booth sales.If you can’t wait until February, Girl Scouts have an online ordering service called Digital Cookie. Sales from Digital Cookie still benefit your local troop.&nbsp;To order from Digital Cookie, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://girlscoutstoday.org/" target="_blank">girlscoutstoday.org</a>, hover over the Cookie+ tab on the green ribbon at the top of the page, and click ‘Buy Cookies’ at the top of the drop-down menu. This brings you to a Google map to find your local troop and their order page, which the girls customize with their own pictures and goals.The Digital Cookie service has been active for the last several years but, in 2021, it increased in popularity, accounting for 30 percent of cookie sales.&nbsp;Maura Warner, a former girl scout and the vice president of marketing for the Girl Scouts, fondly spoke about girls as young as five, initially extremely shy and unsure of themselves. Through the cookie program and other experiences, she’s seen them gain confidence, become more outgoing, and begin to learn to advocate for themselves.Warner said the mission of the Girl Scouts is to make girls feel capable of completing their goals and have confidence in their entrepreneurial skills. A large part of this goal is allowing girls to be active in nature and teaching them to give back to their community. Girl Scouts gives young girls opportunities to take action against problems they see in their community.&nbsp;Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://girlscoutstoday.org/" target="_blank">girlscoutstoday.org</a>&nbsp;for more information.

Girl Scout Cookie Time is Here!

Story and photos by William Smith Community Editor At its worst, buying a dress is nothing more than an impersonal transaction. No customization or fitting is required. Laura Royer, who opened up the Mae’s Formals dress and formal wear store on Division Street, treats the transaction more like a journey.&nbsp; Finding a dress that fits the body isn’t enough. Instead, Royer wants her customers to discover a dress that fits snugly around their personality. Finding that dress isn’t always easy. “There are girls who have been looking for months to get their hands on a dress,” Royer said. That’s where the customer service end of Royer’s new business kicks in. When customers come into her shop, many know what they want. Others don’t. “A lot of girls think they want something until they try it,” Royer said. It’s Royer’s job to guide them through the decision, utilizing a critical eye and a wide breadth of product.&nbsp;Her store doesn’t have a time limit on how long a customer can try on dresses. There’s no limit on the number of dresses they can try, either.&nbsp;Instead, Royer spends much of her time adjusting the dresses.

“If you see a gown you want in a store and we don’t have it, we can order it in your size and color,” Royer said. Royer even utilizes a program that ensures no two girls will show up at prom or formal dance in the same dress. “It’s prime shopping time right now,” Royer explained. Located inside the former Allstate building at 3204 Division St., Suite A, Royer founded Mae’s Formals because she felt a dress gap existed in the Burlington area. “To find a prom gown or wedding gown, you really had to travel outside of Burlington,” Royer said. “People don’t want to travel an hour and 15 minutes to get a dress.”

Royer recently helped her 16-year-old daughter find a dress and fell in love with the process.&nbsp; Although the store is technically open already, the grand opening is Saturday, Jan. 29.&nbsp;By then, Royer should have new signage. As with everything else, the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed dress shipments to a crawl. A lot of girls are shopping for their prom dresses now, and wedding dresses are a year out or more. But those are just the two most prominent kinds of dresses for sale at Mae’s Formals.&nbsp; Winter formal gowns, mother-of-the-bride gowns, tuxedos, flower girl dresses— the shop has a bit of everything. And it all leads to that one magical moment, that moment when the girl looks in the mirror, looks at Laura and says, “I feel pretty.” “You dream of that gown, and then you find the perfect one,” Royer said. “I love seeing the girls' excitement.”

Mae's Formals is located at 3204 Division St., Ste. A. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2022/1/1642894733450.jpeg" alt="Laura Royer, owner of the recently opened Mae's Formals, poses with some of the dresses in her shop." />
 <figcaption>Laura Royer, owner of the recently opened Mae's Formals, poses with some of the dresses in her shop.</figcaption>
 </figure>Story and photos by William Smith Community Editor At its worst, buying a dress is nothing more than an impersonal transaction. No customization or fitting is required. Laura Royer, who opened up the Mae’s Formals dress and formal wear store on Division Street, treats the transaction more like a journey.&nbsp; Finding a dress that fits the body isn’t enough. Instead, Royer wants her customers to discover a dress that fits snugly around their personality. Finding that dress isn’t always easy. “There are girls who have been looking for months to get their hands on a dress,” Royer said. That’s where the customer service end of Royer’s new business kicks in. When customers come into her shop, many know what they want. Others don’t. “A lot of girls think they want something until they try it,” Royer said. It’s Royer’s job to guide them through the decision, utilizing a critical eye and a wide breadth of product.&nbsp;Her store doesn’t have a time limit on how long a customer can try on dresses. There’s no limit on the number of dresses they can try, either.&nbsp;Instead, Royer spends much of her time adjusting the dresses.<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2022/1/1642894808778.jpeg" alt="Laura Royer helps Alishia Machado try on a dress inside her new shop." />
 <figcaption>Laura Royer helps Alishia Machado try on a dress inside her new shop.</figcaption>
 </figure>“If you see a gown you want in a store and we don’t have it, we can order it in your size and color,” Royer said. Royer even utilizes a program that ensures no two girls will show up at prom or formal dance in the same dress. “It’s prime shopping time right now,” Royer explained. Located inside the former Allstate building at 3204 Division St., Suite A, Royer founded Mae’s Formals because she felt a dress gap existed in the Burlington area. “To find a prom gown or wedding gown, you really had to travel outside of Burlington,” Royer said. “People don’t want to travel an hour and 15 minutes to get a dress.”<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2022/1/1642894892379.jpeg" alt="Local girls shop for dresses at Mae's Formals." />
 <figcaption>Local girls shop for dresses at Mae's Formals.</figcaption>
 </figure>Royer recently helped her 16-year-old daughter find a dress and fell in love with the process.&nbsp; Although the store is technically open already, the grand opening is Saturday, Jan. 29.&nbsp;By then, Royer should have new signage. As with everything else, the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed dress shipments to a crawl. A lot of girls are shopping for their prom dresses now, and wedding dresses are a year out or more. But those are just the two most prominent kinds of dresses for sale at Mae’s Formals.&nbsp; Winter formal gowns, mother-of-the-bride gowns, tuxedos, flower girl dresses— the shop has a bit of everything. And it all leads to that one magical moment, that moment when the girl looks in the mirror, looks at Laura and says, “I feel pretty.” “You dream of that gown, and then you find the perfect one,” Royer said. “I love seeing the girls' excitement.”Mae's Formals is located at 3204 Division St., Ste. A. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m.

Mae's Formals Opens For Business

By Beacon Staff Eight people (including six children) escaped a Burlington apartment fire without injury early Friday morning (Jan. 21). Burlington firefighters responded to a reported structure fire at 116 N. Marshall St. at 2:28 a.m., with the thermometer reading minus seven degrees. Four minutes later, firefighters arrived and found flames and smoke coming from the two-unit apartment house on Marshall Street. The occupants of one of the apartments – Jessica Beeler, Annabele Cable and six children – were exiting the house as firefighters arrived. Police officers kept the occupants warm inside their patrol vehicles until other arrangements could be made. The other apartment in the house was not occupied. The two-unit apartment house, owned by Charles McCabe, sustained extensive fire, smoke, and water damage; the structure is not insured. Damage estimates are still being assessed. There is no renter’s insurance, and the American Red Cross was contacted for victim assistance. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Burlington Fire Department and is not considered suspicious at this time. Eleven Burlington firefighters responded to the fire, and they were assisted by firefighters from West Burlington, Danville, and Mediapolis responding on mutual aid. Burlington Police, Alliant Energy, and Superior Ambulance also assisted at the scene. Firefighters remained on the scene until 6:25 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

By Beacon Staff Eight people (including six children) escaped a Burlington apartment fire without injury early Friday morning (Jan. 21). Burlington firefighters responded to a reported structure fire at 116 N. Marshall St. at 2:28 a.m., with the thermometer reading minus seven degrees. Four minutes later, firefighters arrived and found flames and smoke coming from the two-unit apartment house on Marshall Street. The occupants of one of the apartments – Jessica Beeler, Annabele Cable and six children – were exiting the house as firefighters arrived. Police officers kept the occupants warm inside their patrol vehicles until other arrangements could be made. The other apartment in the house was not occupied. The two-unit apartment house, owned by Charles McCabe, sustained extensive fire, smoke, and water damage; the structure is not insured. Damage estimates are still being assessed. There is no renter’s insurance, and the American Red Cross was contacted for victim assistance. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Burlington Fire Department and is not considered suspicious at this time. Eleven Burlington firefighters responded to the fire, and they were assisted by firefighters from West Burlington, Danville, and Mediapolis responding on mutual aid. Burlington Police, Alliant Energy, and Superior Ambulance also assisted at the scene. Firefighters remained on the scene until 6:25 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

No One Injured in Apartment House Fire; Police Kept Occupants Warm in Squad Cars

By Beacon Staff Six Burlington businesses were cited for selling tobacco products to underage buyers during a tobacco compliance check conducted by the Burlington Police Department Wednesday (Jan. 19) and Thursday (Jan. 20). Burlington Police conducted the compliance checks at 32 businesses in the greater Burlington area, and the employees who sold to the underage buyers were cited for supplying tobacco to minors as an employee of the establishment. The offense is a simple misdemeanor, and the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division will be notified for potential civil penalties against the tobacco license holders.&nbsp; Businesses that sold to underage buyers are: • Hot Spot Food and Liquor – 1618 Osborn Street • Aqueous Vapor – 420 North Roosevelt Suite No. 140 • Quik Stop – 1812 Osborn Street • Dollar General – 3320 Agency Street • Fareway Grocery Store – 920 Lawrence Drive • Hy Vee Grocery Store – 3140 Agency Street&nbsp; The Burlington Police Department acknowledged the 26 area businesses who were compliant and did not sell to the underage buyers in a press release issued Friday (Jan. 21). Those businesses were:&nbsp; • Beeline Mart – 1532 Osborn Street • BS Mini Mart – 1900 Summer Street • Burlington Jet Stop North – 2760 Mt. Pleasant Street • Burlington Jet Stop South – 901 South Street • Burlington Shell – 130 South Roosevelt Avenue • Casey’s General Store – 3105 West Avenue • Casey’s General Store – 2630 Summer Street • Casey’s General Store – 1911 Des Moines Avenue • Catfish Bend Casino – 3001 Winegard Drive • Circle K – 1012 Maple Street • Circle K – 333 North Roosevelt Avenue • Circle K – 421 North Main Street • Dave’s Not Here – 713 Jefferson Street Suite No. 104 • Dollar General – 1015 Division Street • Dollar General – 3025 West Avenue • Gas Land – 1703 Mt. Pleasant Street • Gas Land – 1204 North 8th Street • Gas Land – 1003 Summer Street • Hy Vee Grocery Store – 939 Angular Street • Hy Vee Gas – 3140B Agency Street • Liquorland – 624 Angular Street • Paddle Wheel – 613 Jefferson Street • River Mart – 2107 Agency Street • Smokin’ Joe’s Tobacco – 110 South Roosevelt Avenue • Walgreens – 3245 Agency Street • Walgreens – 201 South Central Avenue&nbsp;&nbsp;

By Beacon Staff Six Burlington businesses were cited for selling tobacco products to underage buyers during a tobacco compliance check conducted by the Burlington Police Department Wednesday (Jan. 19) and Thursday (Jan. 20). Burlington Police conducted the compliance checks at 32 businesses in the greater Burlington area, and the employees who sold to the underage buyers were cited for supplying tobacco to minors as an employee of the establishment. The offense is a simple misdemeanor, and the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division will be notified for potential civil penalties against the tobacco license holders.&nbsp; Businesses that sold to underage buyers are: • Hot Spot Food and Liquor – 1618 Osborn Street • Aqueous Vapor – 420 North Roosevelt Suite No. 140 • Quik Stop – 1812 Osborn Street • Dollar General – 3320 Agency Street • Fareway Grocery Store – 920 Lawrence Drive • Hy Vee Grocery Store – 3140 Agency Street&nbsp; The Burlington Police Department acknowledged the 26 area businesses who were compliant and did not sell to the underage buyers in a press release issued Friday (Jan. 21). Those businesses were:&nbsp; • Beeline Mart – 1532 Osborn Street • BS Mini Mart – 1900 Summer Street • Burlington Jet Stop North – 2760 Mt. Pleasant Street • Burlington Jet Stop South – 901 South Street • Burlington Shell – 130 South Roosevelt Avenue • Casey’s General Store – 3105 West Avenue • Casey’s General Store – 2630 Summer Street • Casey’s General Store – 1911 Des Moines Avenue • Catfish Bend Casino – 3001 Winegard Drive • Circle K – 1012 Maple Street • Circle K – 333 North Roosevelt Avenue • Circle K – 421 North Main Street • Dave’s Not Here – 713 Jefferson Street Suite No. 104 • Dollar General – 1015 Division Street • Dollar General – 3025 West Avenue • Gas Land – 1703 Mt. Pleasant Street • Gas Land – 1204 North 8th Street • Gas Land – 1003 Summer Street • Hy Vee Grocery Store – 939 Angular Street • Hy Vee Gas – 3140B Agency Street • Liquorland – 624 Angular Street • Paddle Wheel – 613 Jefferson Street • River Mart – 2107 Agency Street • Smokin’ Joe’s Tobacco – 110 South Roosevelt Avenue • Walgreens – 3245 Agency Street • Walgreens – 201 South Central Avenue&nbsp;&nbsp;

Burlington Businesses Cited for Selling Tobacco to Minors

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/e6e2cc73-9bdd-4dd9-b801-3f956667a20c">Genny Lunning</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/4423d18c-d0a3-498a-9a9c-51c434a6c8b5">Aaron Lebeck</a>

Obituaries have been published for:<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/e6e2cc73-9bdd-4dd9-b801-3f956667a20c">Genny Lunning</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/4423d18c-d0a3-498a-9a9c-51c434a6c8b5">Aaron Lebeck</a>

Recent Obituaries - Jan. 20, 2022

By Beacon Staff When the late Bob Brueck helped spearhead a seven-year campaign to renovate the Capitol Theater, he had visions of it becoming a cultural hub for Burlington. With a $1 million renovation project planned for the building that will add a black-box theater and turn the annex into a lounge area, that final vision may be coming to fruition. The Burlington City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, Jan. 18 on a resolution that will allow the theater to seek Catalyst grant funding through the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Brueck died this past Sunday, before the plans were officially approved by the council. “We lost one of our heroes, or at least one of my heroes,” Mayor Jon Billups said. According to plan presented to the city at an earlier work session, the project will fully renovate the second floor of the theater annex building, including the currently dormant elevator. The project is set to begin next year. The largest addition will be a black box theater (smaller theater) measuring 1,256 square feet and seating about 100 people. The second floor will also host a full-service bar, four designated practice rooms, one office/practice room, a full office, bathrooms, storage, and a multipurpose room. The new space will provide the theater with the ability to attract different types of shows rather than those currently offered in the theater, and executive director Tammy McCoy said the theater will start showing new releases as well as anime. The new space will also offer a venue for music, dance, theater practice, podcasting, music recording and theater programs performed through a partnership with Southeastern Community College. The college will also be able to utilize the space for other programs, such as the CBIZ class graduation ceremonies. McCoy said bringing in new live shows and movies will broaden the appeal of the theater, bringing more people downtown. If the theater is awarded Catalyst grant funds through the IEDA, the project will start in a timely manner. McCoy said that will be combined with funds from a capital campaign and further grant funding. In other business, the council denied renewing the liquor license for Hot Spot Food and Liquor (also known as Super Saver) on 1618 Osborn St. by a unanimous vote. Burlington Police Chief Marc Denney said there were 13 violations regarding the sale of alcohol and tobacco to minors – the most violations the store has racked up. Denney said the store is an extreme outlier and most businesses comply with the law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

By Beacon Staff When the late Bob Brueck helped spearhead a seven-year campaign to renovate the Capitol Theater, he had visions of it becoming a cultural hub for Burlington. With a $1 million renovation project planned for the building that will add a black-box theater and turn the annex into a lounge area, that final vision may be coming to fruition. The Burlington City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, Jan. 18 on a resolution that will allow the theater to seek Catalyst grant funding through the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Brueck died this past Sunday, before the plans were officially approved by the council. “We lost one of our heroes, or at least one of my heroes,” Mayor Jon Billups said. According to plan presented to the city at an earlier work session, the project will fully renovate the second floor of the theater annex building, including the currently dormant elevator. The project is set to begin next year. The largest addition will be a black box theater (smaller theater) measuring 1,256 square feet and seating about 100 people. The second floor will also host a full-service bar, four designated practice rooms, one office/practice room, a full office, bathrooms, storage, and a multipurpose room. The new space will provide the theater with the ability to attract different types of shows rather than those currently offered in the theater, and executive director Tammy McCoy said the theater will start showing new releases as well as anime. The new space will also offer a venue for music, dance, theater practice, podcasting, music recording and theater programs performed through a partnership with Southeastern Community College. The college will also be able to utilize the space for other programs, such as the CBIZ class graduation ceremonies. McCoy said bringing in new live shows and movies will broaden the appeal of the theater, bringing more people downtown. If the theater is awarded Catalyst grant funds through the IEDA, the project will start in a timely manner. McCoy said that will be combined with funds from a capital campaign and further grant funding. In other business, the council denied renewing the liquor license for Hot Spot Food and Liquor (also known as Super Saver) on 1618 Osborn St. by a unanimous vote. Burlington Police Chief Marc Denney said there were 13 violations regarding the sale of alcohol and tobacco to minors – the most violations the store has racked up. Denney said the store is an extreme outlier and most businesses comply with the law.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Council: Capitol Theater Will Expand, Super Saver's Liquor License Denied

Republican State Sen. Tim Goodwin, Republican State Rep. David Kerr, and Democrat State Rep. Dennis Cohoon recently shared their thoughts on Gov. Kim Reynolds’ Condition of the State Address. The three spoke during the Eggs and Issues virtual forum hosted by the Greater Burlington Partnership on Saturday, Jan. 15 and tackled a number of issues such as workforce recruitment, housing, and infrastructure. Many of those topics were covered in the governor’s speech on Jan. 11, in which she laid out her 2022 agenda. Reynolds proposed Iowans pay a 4-percent flat income tax rate with no tax on retirement income. Her speech also included a cut in taxes, cuts to the state’s unemployment system, and $1,000 retention bonuses for teachers, law enforcement, and correctional officers. She also proposed scholarships to allow parents to pay for their students to attend private schools. Reynolds spoke about the need to increase transparency for parents concerned about the materials available to their students at school and accused some school administrators of pushing their worldview onto students. Specifically, she took issue with books that “contain vulgar and sexually explicit material.” “These books are so explicit they’d be X-rated if they were movies,” she stated. Goodwin said Reynold's speech was spot-on. “Her leadership has put our state in a great position, and there is a lot of momentum going for her re-election campaign,” he said. Kerr also thought it was a strong speech. “I believe the governor has laid out an aggressive agenda to look at it. We haven’t got all the details on all the tax cuts she proposed. I believe there will be more coming on that. The devil is in the details. But I think we are in a great position as a state,” he said. Cohoon had a more mixed view of the governor’s speech. While he was happy to hear about eliminating the tax on pensions, as well as additional recruitment to stem the worker shortage and health care apprenticeships, he was not pleased by the flat tax rate of 4 percent. “The biggest problem I have with that is that it’s really going to benefit the higher income more than the lower- and middle-income people,” he said. Cohoon also took issue with the way the governor spoke about education and teachers instructing students with X-rated materials. But there was good to be taken away from the speech too, he said. “The good news is, the state is in good shape financially,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2022/1/1642627778764.jpeg" alt="State Sen. Tim Goodwin, State Rep. David Kerr, and State Rep. Dennis Cohoon spoke at the recent Eggs and Issues Forum. File photos." />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Tim Goodwin, State Rep. David Kerr, and State Rep. Dennis Cohoon spoke at the recent Eggs and Issues Forum. File photos.</figcaption>
 </figure>By Beacon Staff Republican State Sen. Tim Goodwin, Republican State Rep. David Kerr, and Democrat State Rep. Dennis Cohoon recently shared their thoughts on Gov. Kim Reynolds’ Condition of the State Address. The three spoke during the Eggs and Issues virtual forum hosted by the Greater Burlington Partnership on Saturday, Jan. 15 and tackled a number of issues such as workforce recruitment, housing, and infrastructure. Many of those topics were covered in the governor’s speech on Jan. 11, in which she laid out her 2022 agenda. Reynolds proposed Iowans pay a 4-percent flat income tax rate with no tax on retirement income. Her speech also included a cut in taxes, cuts to the state’s unemployment system, and $1,000 retention bonuses for teachers, law enforcement, and correctional officers. She also proposed scholarships to allow parents to pay for their students to attend private schools. Reynolds spoke about the need to increase transparency for parents concerned about the materials available to their students at school and accused some school administrators of pushing their worldview onto students. Specifically, she took issue with books that “contain vulgar and sexually explicit material.” “These books are so explicit they’d be X-rated if they were movies,” she stated. Goodwin said Reynold's speech was spot-on. “Her leadership has put our state in a great position, and there is a lot of momentum going for her re-election campaign,” he said. Kerr also thought it was a strong speech. “I believe the governor has laid out an aggressive agenda to look at it. We haven’t got all the details on all the tax cuts she proposed. I believe there will be more coming on that. The devil is in the details. But I think we are in a great position as a state,” he said. Cohoon had a more mixed view of the governor’s speech. While he was happy to hear about eliminating the tax on pensions, as well as additional recruitment to stem the worker shortage and health care apprenticeships, he was not pleased by the flat tax rate of 4 percent. “The biggest problem I have with that is that it’s really going to benefit the higher income more than the lower- and middle-income people,” he said. Cohoon also took issue with the way the governor spoke about education and teachers instructing students with X-rated materials. But there was good to be taken away from the speech too, he said. “The good news is, the state is in good shape financially,” he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Local Politicians Dissect Governor’s Condition of the State Speech

During their regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 18, the DMC Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in favor of a motion that would use the majority of the $7.5 million of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) funds for debt services for the county.

Supervisor Tom Broeker said putting that money toward debt wasn’t possible until a rule change issued by the U.S. Treasury earlier this month. The treasury has simplified the program for small localities seeking revenue recapture.

The board set aside $355,000 of the ARPA money for Danville Telecom’s expansion of broadband internet in the county, which it previously committed to by assisting in grant funding for the project.

Broeker said putting the money toward debt will take care of other items, such as a new record management system for the county and a new phone system.

“Every dollar we save, the taxpayer saves money. And that’s what this (ARPA) was for,” DMC Supervisor Jim Cary said.

In other news, Des Moines County Public Health Administrator Christa Poggemiller says the county has the highest COVID-19 positivity rate she’s seen since last year.&nbsp;Poggemiller reported that the county has a positivity rate of 22 percent of those tested, which equals 239 cases.

The only number she can recall that was higher for the county was 25 percent, which was sometime last year.&nbsp;

&nbsp;“Twenty-two percent. That’s not good,” Des Moines County Supervisor Jim Cary said.

Poggemiller said it is important to note that the positivity rate (which is provided by the state) is directly related to the number of tests. She pointed out that Lee County actually has 241 new cases of COVID-19, but due to higher testing, their positivity rate is only 15 percent.

She believes the numbers will come down in Des Moines County based on the reduced number of test kits that are being requested.

“I hope we are at the end of this spike,” Poggemiller said.&nbsp;

By Beacon StaffDuring their regular meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 18, the DMC Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in favor of a motion that would use the majority of the $7.5 million of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) funds for debt services for the county.Supervisor Tom Broeker said putting that money toward debt wasn’t possible until a rule change issued by the U.S. Treasury earlier this month. The treasury has simplified the program for small localities seeking revenue recapture.The board set aside $355,000 of the ARPA money for Danville Telecom’s expansion of broadband internet in the county, which it previously committed to by assisting in grant funding for the project.Broeker said putting the money toward debt will take care of other items, such as a new record management system for the county and a new phone system.“Every dollar we save, the taxpayer saves money. And that’s what this (ARPA) was for,” DMC Supervisor Jim Cary said.In other news, Des Moines County Public Health Administrator Christa Poggemiller says the county has the highest COVID-19 positivity rate she’s seen since last year.&nbsp;Poggemiller reported that the county has a positivity rate of 22 percent of those tested, which equals 239 cases.The only number she can recall that was higher for the county was 25 percent, which was sometime last year.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Twenty-two percent. That’s not good,” Des Moines County Supervisor Jim Cary said.Poggemiller said it is important to note that the positivity rate (which is provided by the state) is directly related to the number of tests. She pointed out that Lee County actually has 241 new cases of COVID-19, but due to higher testing, their positivity rate is only 15 percent.She believes the numbers will come down in Des Moines County based on the reduced number of test kits that are being requested.“I hope we are at the end of this spike,” Poggemiller said.&nbsp;

DMC Supes: ARPA funds to go toward debt, broadband

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/af9eb4c9-cd34-423f-bd68-1fc888780e78">Jacquelin Nelson</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/3adebc37-1655-4eeb-a200-1ad87cd91216">Melvin Mattoon</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/0511fa30-bad3-4dc4-9402-3a9ed7e57c1a">Michael Parrott</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/2ef4a45c-03cb-4834-a89f-1744d29a1b20">Geneva Duncan</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/8e11be8b-3112-4550-a728-5de7db5d7c52">Christopher Christofferson</a>

Obituaries have been published for:<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/af9eb4c9-cd34-423f-bd68-1fc888780e78">Jacquelin Nelson</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/3adebc37-1655-4eeb-a200-1ad87cd91216">Melvin Mattoon</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/0511fa30-bad3-4dc4-9402-3a9ed7e57c1a">Michael Parrott</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/2ef4a45c-03cb-4834-a89f-1744d29a1b20">Geneva Duncan</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/8e11be8b-3112-4550-a728-5de7db5d7c52">Christopher Christofferson</a>

Recent Obituaries - Jan. 18, 2022

by Beacon Staff Local residents, many of whom have had difficulty locating at-home COVID-19 tests, will soon have an opportunity to receive free tests sent to their homes. As of Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, the websites <a href="https://www.covidtests.gov/?fbclid=IwAR1yB7zJq3b4QlPxFw18uWHti18_KltNt_d8XQT7wri6GKcnWtOK8dEXXMo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.covidtests.gov/</a> and <a href="http://usps.com/covidtest?fbclid=IwAR318gOZ2y7OtbCmUh3LlWl0OiEqXWF8Mw7zGhQbHRCbivxCMcH2QQhcSG0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">usps.com/covidtest</a> are accepting orders for free COVID-19 testing kits. This program is part of the Biden administration's plan to distribute 500 million at-home tests via mail. The first tests will ship at the end of January; shipments are currently limited to four rapid tests per valid residential address. No credit card is needed to place an order, and health insurance coverage is not required. Due to shipping time, the public is advised to order these tests to have on hand in advance of exposure to or developing symptoms of COVID-19. In addition to these free tests, private health insurance plans are now required to cover the cost of up to eight at-home coronavirus tests per covered individual per month. This requirement went into effect on January 15, 2022. Depending on the health care plan and pharmacy, insured individuals will either have no up-front cost or will be required to submit receipts for reimbursement. Americans on Medicare won't be able to get tests reimbursed through the federal insurance plan, but Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program plans are required to fully cover the cost of at-home tests.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2022/1/1642547467820.jpeg" alt="Free at-home COVID-19 tests are now available to be ordered through government websites." />
 <figcaption>Free at-home COVID-19 tests are now available to be ordered through government websites.</figcaption>
 </figure>by Beacon Staff Local residents, many of whom have had difficulty locating at-home COVID-19 tests, will soon have an opportunity to receive free tests sent to their homes. As of Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, the websites <a href="https://www.covidtests.gov/?fbclid=IwAR1yB7zJq3b4QlPxFw18uWHti18_KltNt_d8XQT7wri6GKcnWtOK8dEXXMo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.covidtests.gov/</a> and <a href="http://usps.com/covidtest?fbclid=IwAR318gOZ2y7OtbCmUh3LlWl0OiEqXWF8Mw7zGhQbHRCbivxCMcH2QQhcSG0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">usps.com/covidtest</a> are accepting orders for free COVID-19 testing kits. This program is part of the Biden administration's plan to distribute 500 million at-home tests via mail. The first tests will ship at the end of January; shipments are currently limited to four rapid tests per valid residential address. No credit card is needed to place an order, and health insurance coverage is not required. Due to shipping time, the public is advised to order these tests to have on hand in advance of exposure to or developing symptoms of COVID-19. In addition to these free tests, private health insurance plans are now required to cover the cost of up to eight at-home coronavirus tests per covered individual per month. This requirement went into effect on January 15, 2022. Depending on the health care plan and pharmacy, insured individuals will either have no up-front cost or will be required to submit receipts for reimbursement. Americans on Medicare won't be able to get tests reimbursed through the federal insurance plan, but Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program plans are required to fully cover the cost of at-home tests.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Free At-Home Coronavirus Tests Available to Order

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/8b654d0d-9a42-486e-ac3d-2546972ff250">Wilma Sloan</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/6ae89edb-d869-46ea-9a5e-de629a8ee099">Beverly Vaughn</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/98e3f574-9a87-479c-94b0-5dd10b572108">Jeanne Stewart</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/66d93fad-908d-490c-8563-149e51f819cf">David Klaus</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/b6e03051-62d4-4c65-9034-b467cb630db9">Ron Stafford</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/9321116f-fa28-4cff-9b17-5a2fa9e4b2cb">Barbara Maus</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/d40d08f6-c142-4aad-9542-9c411c9b6fe7">Velma Kay Henry</a>

<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/ca8e7587-cf45-4bea-be94-783f593b2870">Kathleen Johns</a>

Obituaries have been published for:<a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/8b654d0d-9a42-486e-ac3d-2546972ff250">Wilma Sloan</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/6ae89edb-d869-46ea-9a5e-de629a8ee099">Beverly Vaughn</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/98e3f574-9a87-479c-94b0-5dd10b572108">Jeanne Stewart</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/66d93fad-908d-490c-8563-149e51f819cf">David Klaus</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/b6e03051-62d4-4c65-9034-b467cb630db9">Ron Stafford</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/9321116f-fa28-4cff-9b17-5a2fa9e4b2cb">Barbara Maus</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/d40d08f6-c142-4aad-9542-9c411c9b6fe7">Velma Kay Henry</a><a href="https://burlingtonbeacon.com/posts/ca8e7587-cf45-4bea-be94-783f593b2870">Kathleen Johns</a>

Recent Obituaries - Jan. 17, 2022

Each January, Americans honor the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 15, 1929, King would grow up to become one of the most influential people of the 21st century.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in January each year. Taking time to learn about some of the many notable moments in King's career is a great way to honor his legacy.

After attending segregated public schools as a child, King was accepted into Morehouse College at the age of 15. Morehouse College was the alma mater of both King's father, a pastor, and his maternal grandfather. While King studied medicine and law at Morehouse, perhaps the first major moment of his career in the ministry occurred while he was a college student. It was at Morehouse where King was mentored by the highly regarded theologian and racial equality advocate Dr. Benjamin Mays. Before his final year at Morehouse, King, now 18, chose to enter the ministry.

Montgomery, Alabama, was a highly segregated city when King and his family relocated to Alabama in the 1950s. Shortly after the King family moved to Alabama, an incident involving a 15-year-old black schoolgirl in Montgomery who refused to give up her bus seat to a white man highlighted racial tensions in the city. Those tensions escalated further nine months later, when 42-year-old Rosa Parks rejected a bus driver's plea that she give up her bus seat to a white passenger in a section designated for black people. As a result of these incidents, King organized the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which lasted for more than a year but ultimately led to the end of racial segregation on all Montgomery public buses.

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

The Montgomery Bus Boycott made King a national figure, and he capitalized on that recognition to help establish the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The SCLC was a group of civil rights activists devoted to nonviolent protest. As SCLC president, a role he held until his death, King traveled the globe promoting nonviolent protest and civil rights.

King played an integral role in the organization and execution of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in August 1963. Estimates suggest as many as 300,000 people attended the march, which is considered a watershed moment for the civil rights movement that shone a light on the injustices faced by African Americans across the country. The march culminated with King delivering his most famous address, which is often referred to as his "'I Have a Dream' speech." King delivered the speech while standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and shared his view of a future for the United States in which all people would have equal rights and opportunities.

In front of an audience at Mason Temple Church the night before he was assassinated, King closed his final speech with these prophetic words: "Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live&nbsp;– a long life; longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. So I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man.&nbsp;Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2022/1/1642459972386.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Beacon StaffEach January, Americans honor the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 15, 1929, King would grow up to become one of the most influential people of the 21st century.Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in January each year. Taking time to learn about some of the many notable moments in King's career is a great way to honor his legacy.Morehouse CollegeAfter attending segregated public schools as a child, King was accepted into Morehouse College at the age of 15. Morehouse College was the alma mater of both King's father, a pastor, and his maternal grandfather. While King studied medicine and law at Morehouse, perhaps the first major moment of his career in the ministry occurred while he was a college student. It was at Morehouse where King was mentored by the highly regarded theologian and racial equality advocate Dr. Benjamin Mays. Before his final year at Morehouse, King, now 18, chose to enter the ministry.Montgomery Bus BoycottMontgomery, Alabama, was a highly segregated city when King and his family relocated to Alabama in the 1950s. Shortly after the King family moved to Alabama, an incident involving a 15-year-old black schoolgirl in Montgomery who refused to give up her bus seat to a white man highlighted racial tensions in the city. Those tensions escalated further nine months later, when 42-year-old Rosa Parks rejected a bus driver's plea that she give up her bus seat to a white passenger in a section designated for black people. As a result of these incidents, King organized the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which lasted for more than a year but ultimately led to the end of racial segregation on all Montgomery public buses.Southern Christian Leadership ConferenceThe Montgomery Bus Boycott made King a national figure, and he capitalized on that recognition to help establish the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The SCLC was a group of civil rights activists devoted to nonviolent protest. As SCLC president, a role he held until his death, King traveled the globe promoting nonviolent protest and civil rights.March on WashingtonKing played an integral role in the organization and execution of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in August 1963. Estimates suggest as many as 300,000 people attended the march, which is considered a watershed moment for the civil rights movement that shone a light on the injustices faced by African Americans across the country. The march culminated with King delivering his most famous address, which is often referred to as his "'I Have a Dream' speech." King delivered the speech while standing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and shared his view of a future for the United States in which all people would have equal rights and opportunities."I've Been to the Mountaintop"In front of an audience at Mason Temple Church the night before he was assassinated, King closed his final speech with these prophetic words: "Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now, because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live&nbsp;– a long life; longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. So I'm happy, tonight. I'm not worried about anything. I'm not fearing any man.&nbsp;Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.

On December 31, 2021, beloved actress and comedian Betty White passed away in her sleep just 17 days before her 100th birthday. Though White was known primarily for her roles in such TV classics as "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Golden Girls," she was also a passionate animal welfare advocate. 

Not long after White's passing, a social media campaign known as the "Betty White Challenge" went viral. This challenge encourages White's fans to honor the late actress's memory by donating $5 (or more) to an animal rescue or shelter on White's birthday — Monday, January 17.

Des Moines County Humane Society, P.A.W. Animal Shelter (located in Fort Madison), and Des Moines County Wildlife Rehabilitation are three local organizations dedicated to rescuing, sheltering, and advocating for animals. To participate in the Betty White Challenge, donations may be made to any of these organizations by visiting their respective Facebook pages.

Des Moines County Humane Society P.O. Box 822 Burlington, IA 52601

P.A.W. Animal Shelter 2031 48th St. Fort Madison, IA 52627

DMC Wildlife Rehabilition 5947 Brush College Rd. Burlington, IA 52601

<figure>
 <img src="https://d2eftiauov6o73.cloudfront.net/public/2022/1/1642362778131.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>By Beacon Staff On December 31, 2021, beloved actress and comedian Betty White passed away in her sleep just 17 days before her 100th birthday. Though White was known primarily for her roles in such TV classics as "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Golden Girls," she was also a passionate animal welfare advocate. Not long after White's passing, a social media campaign known as the "Betty White Challenge" went viral. This challenge encourages White's fans to honor the late actress's memory by donating $5 (or more) to an animal rescue or shelter on White's birthday — Monday, January 17. Des Moines County Humane Society, P.A.W. Animal Shelter (located in Fort Madison), and Des Moines County Wildlife Rehabilitation are three local organizations dedicated to rescuing, sheltering, and advocating for animals. To participate in the Betty White Challenge, donations may be made to any of these organizations by visiting their respective Facebook pages.Donations may also be sent to:Des Moines County Humane Society P.O. Box 822 Burlington, IA 52601 P.A.W. Animal Shelter 2031 48th St. Fort Madison, IA 52627DMC Wildlife Rehabilition 5947 Brush College Rd. Burlington, IA 52601