By Beacon Staff



RiverFest 2020 rocked Fort Madison and provided an escape for music lovers. As one of the few music festivals that has managed to survive the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, organizers put safeguards in place to create a safe environment. The four-day music fest at Riverview Park featured a variety of musical acts.



Photo by Anthony Dewitt



Legendary rockers Quiet Riot takes to the stage on Friday night.

Rocking Fort Madison

By Beacon Staff



Another Burlington restaurant has temporarily closed its doors due to coronavirus exposure.



La Tavola Italian Eatery owners Carlo and Cheryl Falcone reported Thursday night (Aug. 13) via Facebook that they had to abruptly close the restaurant Saturday, Aug. 8.



“We were notified of being directly exposed to the coronavirus,” reads the Facebook statement from the Falcones. “Rest assured we have taken all appropriate steps to sanitize and disinfect. This week has given everyone time to get tested and quarantine.”



Cheryl Falcone said anyone who has eaten at La Tavola in the past week shouldn’t have to worry about exposure, relaying the information she received from the Des Moines County Health Department. She did advise that those who have may want to consult their physician for a more informed answer.



The Falcones plans to reopen next week with new safety measures, including mandatory masks for employees and customers.

La Tavola Temporarily Closes Doors Due To Coronavirus Exposure; Will Require Masks Upon Reopening

By Beacon Staff



Martini’s Grille has temporarily closed its doors after one of its employees came into contact with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).



Restaurant owner Peter Harman reported the closure Thursday afternoon (Aug. 13) on Facebook, noting that Martini’s will reopen after his team can deep clean the dining establishment. In a written statement, Harman said Martini’s will take all appropriate measures dictated by Great River Medical Center and Des Moines County Public Health.



Also, Harman is requiring all employees to get tested for COVID-19 before returning to work.



Harman said the temporary closure and subsequent safety measures are “a precaution to keep Burlington and surrounding communities, our employees and beloved customers safe.”



“See you soon,” Harman said.

Martini’s Employee Exposed to Coronvirus, Leading To Temporary Closure

By Beacon Staff



When Burlington students return to school Aug. 24, they will be required to wear masks — except when they are six feet away from other people.



The Burlington School Board approved the second and final reading of board policy 903.8 (which partially mandates masks Monday night (Aug. 10) with a 4-3 vote. School board member Darven Kendell expressed concern that the policy is too vague concerning when students have to wear their masks, which is why he voted against it. Board president Dean Vickstorm and board vice-president Tom Courtney also voted against the policy.



The policy was passed in time to go into effect before new teachers began orientation and preparation on Wednesday (Aug. 12). The policy does not require masks at sporting events, but the school board recommends them.



The policy reads (in part) as follows:



“All staff and students are required to wear a shield and/or mask in any area outside of a classroom where social distancing of 6 feet or more cannot be maintained during the school day. In classrooms, masks are required if social distancing of 6 feet or more cannot be maintained. Masks are required of students on all school buses where social distancing of 6 feet or more cannot be maintained.



Non-medical-grade face masks are encouraged to be worn by all individuals on school grounds, including students, employees, and volunteers throughout the entirety of the day or visit. Masks will be provided to individuals who request them or you may bring your own mask.



Face masks should not be placed on young children under the age of 2, anyone who has trouble breathing or who is unconscious, anyone who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the face mask without assistance.”



In addition to masks, other planned mitigation strategies include:



• Hand sanitizer in all classrooms and common areas and explicit teaching of handwashing and hygiene. • Water fountains will be turned off and students must use individual water bottles or disposable cups. • A hybrid A/B Day schedule to limit class size and bus occupancy, allowing for social distancing in the classroom. • Keeping the same groups of students together to limit the mixing of groups. • Limiting visitors to school buildings. • Modified arrival/dismissal, lunch, and hallway routines to limit hallway congestion.

Burlington School Board Approves (Mostly) Mandatory Mask Policy

By Beacon Staff



The upcoming Tri-State Rodeo in Fort Madison announced earlier this week that its Sept. 10 headliner, the country musician Hardy, would not be able to perform during the four-day rodeo festival.



Instead, the world’s fourth best selling rap artist of all time, Nelly, will be taking the stage that night. Country music star Mark Chesnutt still is scheduled to headline Sept. 11, with Trace Adkins closing the four-day rodeo Sept. 12.



The Tri-State Rodeo has been an annual Lee County event since 1948, attracting thousands of people from throughout the country who set up tents and RVs in the campground right next to the rodeo arena.



The Lee County Board of Health, backed by the Lee County Board of Supervisors, issued a public statement several weeks ago recommending the event be canceled due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.



Rodeo organizers said to be safe, they have canceled all the pre-rodeo festivities from Sept. 5-8. There will be social distancing markers, and masks (which are encouraged), and will be handed out at the event. All rodeo staff and participants will undergo temperature checks.



The Tri-State Rodeo itself runs Sept. 9 through Sept. 12, and tickets can be purchased at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.tristaterodeo.org/?fbclid=IwAR35VjOt_2suEZ9Y00sEa4JyQrb8tXiiGrAATi983NE-QDT7Wf8Br9x1_HU" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.tristaterodeo.org</a>

Nelly Is Coming to the Tri-State Rodeo In September

By Beacon Staff



The Iowa State Patrol’s tactical team was called in to help arrest a Mount Pleasant man Thursday (Aug. 13) evening during an assault involving a firearm.



Dustin Kindig, 31, was arrested and charged with going armed with intent, four counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, first-degree burglary, two counts of assault while displaying a dangerous weapon and violation of a protective order.



The Henry County Sheriff’s office received the call about 5:50 p.m., responding to the 2200 grid of Dakota Avenue. Aside from the Iowa State Patrol, they were assisted by the Des Moines County Sheriff’s office, Henry County Sheriff’s Reserves, and Henry County Health Center Ambulance.

State Patrol Tactical Team Called to Henry County For Armed Assault; No Shots Fired

By Beacon Staff



An Iowa State Penitentiary correctional officer was assaulted by two inmates at approximately 6:30 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 13), suffering lacerations that were treated at Fort Madison Community Hospital.



The officer, who was released from the hospital after his treatment, was conducting rounds on a unit when two inmates began assaulting him with closed-fist punches and kicks. The officer utilized defensive techniques as additional staff quickly responded to the assault and took control of the situation by using a combination of pepper spray and physical restraining techniques.

Two Inmates Assault Iowa State Penitentiary Guard

By Beacon Staff



Another Lee County resident has died of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).



The Lee County Health Department reported the news on Friday (Aug. 14). This makes the fifth coronavirus related death in Lee County. The fourth was reported Wednesday (Aug. 12), and the third death was reported two weeks ago July 31.



As of Friday, Des Moines County still had only two reported coronavirus deaths.



The Iowa Department of Health also, on Friday, identified six additional cases of COVID-19 in Lee County, consisting of two adults, three middle-aged people, and one older adult.



Eleven new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Lee County Thursday (Aug. 13), and 40 cases have been reported in the county since the third death was announced July 31.



That makes 139 confirmed cases in Lee County as of Friday, with 57 having recovered.



In Des Moines County, 209 cases of COVID-19 have been reported, and 111 of those have recovered. Seventeen new cases have been reported in Des Moines County since Wednesday (Aug. 12), as well as four recoveries in that same time-frame.



Statewide, 50,943 people have tested positive for the virus. Of that number, 39,943 have recovered, and 967 have died. A total of 546,288 Iowans have been tested, breaking down to about one in every six Iowans. A total of 9.3 percent of those who tested came back positive for the virus.

Lee County Suffers Fifth Coronavirus Death, Two Days After Fourth Death Reported

Burlington Police Arrest Men Who Allegedly Stole Guns and Money During A Strong Arm Robbery



By Beacon Staff



Two Burlington men have been arrested for a strong-arm robbery (robbery at weapon point) that occurred last month in the 1100 block of Summer Street.



Jonathan Robert Harian, 28, and Tevin Devontaye Cross, 28, have both been charged with first-degree robbery and possession of a firearm by a felon.



The Burlington Police Department received a complaint about the robbery on July 20. The robbery didn’t result in injuries, but police were informed that multiple firearms and an undisclosed amount of cash were stolen.



Burlington detectives and officers from the department’s Problem-Oriented Policing division investigated the incident, identifying the two suspects.



Lt. Wayne Thomson of the Burlington police said in a press release on Friday (Aug. 14) that Harian and Cross are being held at the Des Moines County jail in Burlington on a no-bond pending a court appearance.

Police Arrest Men Who Allegedly Stole Guns and Money During A Strong-Arm Robbery

By Beacon Staff



As Broom Closet owner Lydia Gittings has said repeatedly over the years, pagans don’t worship the devil.



Their goal is not sinister, and not nearly as dramatic.



“We just like to have fun,” Gittings said.



“It’s kind of a hippie thing,” she said in a previous interview. “We believe in the spirit of the trees and stones, and it is very similar to Native American spirituality.”



Saturday’s seventh annual Pagan Fest in Dankwardt Park in Burlington was open to people of all beliefs. Gittings and her fellow volunteers made everyone feel welcome.



“We want to have it out in the open so the public can see that we’re your neighbors,” Gittings said.



The event celebrated the upcoming Autumn Equinox, which is a time of thanksgiving in the pagan tradition.



Photo By William Smith



 Broom Closet owner and Pagan Fest organizer Lydia Gittings of Burlington welcomes those who formed a ritual circle Saturday in Dankwardt Park to kick off the seventh annual Pagan Fest.

Pagan Fest Casts A Successful Spell

Photo by Anthony Dewitt



A view of the Great River Bridge in Burlington as seen at sunset from the Carmen blacktop in Illinois.

Bridge At Sunset

By Beacon Staff



More than 200 bikers braved a 100-degree heat advisory Saturday afternoon (July 18), lending their tires to a good time and an even better cause.



Sponsored by District 18 of ABATE (A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education) of Iowa, the roughly 100-mile ride raised money for Great River Hospice in West Burlington and Lee County Hospice in Fort Madison.



“It (the ride) keeps getting bigger,” said Randy Hiland, ABATE district events coordinator said in a previous interview.



Hiland said the event got its start through the late Edward Scott of Burlington, who lost his wife while in hospice care. Scott was a regular volunteer for the Great River Hospice House.



“We were looking for a ride to do, and he came to us and explained what hospice is about,” Hiland said.



Saturday's ride started at Doris’ Tavern and ended at the Eagles Club in Fort Madison. In previous years, the ride has raised as much as $15,000.



The hospice house is not funded by Great River Health Systems in West Burlington. It operates on money from donations and fundraisers.



Photo by William Smith

Biking For Those Who Can’t

By Beacon Staff



The roar of engines could be heard throughout downtown Burlington on Friday evening (July 17) during the Jefferson Street Cruise Night. The monthly event attracts all make and models of vehicles.



Photos by Anthony Dewitt

Cruising Through Downtown Burlington

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Improve Your Life With 	FF Massage

By Beacon Staff



Two Burlington projects were among 15 historic preservation projects throughout Iowa receiving nearly $22 million in Iowa Economic Development Authority tax credits.



McConnell Lofts LLC received $3.6 million for its market-rate housing development at Fourth and Valley streets.



Y&amp;J Properties received $7.7 million to renovate the historic Baul grocery warehouse at the corner of Fifth and Valley streets. It, too, is for market-rate housing.



Besides the two Burlington projects, ventures in Brooklyn, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Dubuque, Indianola, Muscatine, Red Oak, Sioux City, Toledo, and Waterloo also received grants.



Officials said they received 23 applications seeking $33 million in tax credits. About $22 million was available in this registration round. According to IEDA, projects are scored based on readiness, financing, local support, and participation.



The Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program provides a state income tax credit to projects for rehabilitation of historic buildings. The program promotes the retention of unique, character-defining buildings and building features that contribute to a community and neighborhood. Rehabilitation must meet the federal Department of Interior standards.

Two Burlington Projects Get State Tax Credits

By Beacon Staff



The Heritage Trust's Garden Tour featured seven properties in Burlington, each a botanical wonder to behold.



The event held Saturday attracted an enthusiastic group who were treated to a variety of unique and colorful gardens. The properties toured included Mike and Joni Bence, 719 Lewis St.; Mack and Nancy McKee, 1121 S. 12th St.; Jim and Penny Sudbeck, 2616 West Ave.; Darlene Troute, 400 North St.; Dustin and Kage Evans, 616 Columbia St.; Susan and Dick Hoisington, 1015 N. Fifth St.; and Kim Mercer, 1024 N. Fourth St.



Photo by William Smith



Penny Sudbeck's dog, Dot, takes stock of his owner's garden on Saturday at 2612 West Ave. in Burlington.

Touring Burlington's Garden Beauty

By Beacon Staff



The Snake Alley Festival of Film, scheduled for July 30 through Aug. 2, has been postponed with no set replacement date. The four-day event showcases the best short films from around the world.



Festival organizer Tadd Good made the announcement during a live stream on the festival’s Facebook page at 8 p.m. Sunday (July 12). He said the festival committee will keep an eye on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) numbers, and the 125-film marathon will take place on a safer weekend. Right now, COVID-19 cases are continually rising across the country.



Good said the same movies that were scheduled for the end of July will still play at the delayed festival, whenever that may be.



“The festival is not canceled,” he said. “Even if it’s early next year, we will have it.”



Though the awards have been crafted and the T-shirts printed for sale, Good said it’s simply not safe to have filmmakers travel cross country right now. He also said some volunteers did not feel comfortable working at the festival.



“We have the best volunteers. They still wanted to help in any they could, but I just couldn’t put that on them,” he said.



Though Good had made modifications to the festival to accommodate for social distancing, including requiring masks, it would be too reckless to put groups of people in a theater, he said. Seating, which is normally around 400 inside the Capitol Theater, would be reduced to 75 with proper social distancing in place.



Good said many of the filmmakers would have to be excluded if the festival was held in three weeks since Iowa is on the COVID-19 hotspot list. Those who live on the East Coast would have to quarantine for two weeks when they returned home from Iowa.



The festival was already delayed once this year because of the virus, and Good said he hates doing it a second time.



“We would be having the festival just to have it and get it over with, and we don’t want to do that,” he said. “We want to give the filmmakers the festival they deserve.”

Snake Alley Festival of Film Delayed Until Further Notice Due To Coronavirus Concerns

By William Smith



A practical farmgirl with a passion for acrylics and charcoal, Mount Pleasant artist Jerilyn Horn has accomplished something many painters spend a lifetime striving to achieve.



She’s a full-time artist. No nine-to-five job pushing her passion to the periphery. No monthly stipend to support her during the slow months.



Just paintbrushes, time, and a long list of clients who adore her earthy, artistic take on Midwest life.



“People want paintings of their kids, their pets. I get really busy around Christmas time,” she said.



But Horn is more than an artist for hire. That was evident in the pieces hanging on the gallery walls Sunday afternoon at The Art Center on Jefferson Street.



“A lot of these are childhood memories for me,” she said, pointing to a painting of an old chicken coop framed by a patch of rhubarb in the foreground. “My grandma made great rhubarb pie.”



Horn’s grandfather bred and raised quarter horses on that farm. Looking through that self-created portrait of memory in her first solo art exhibit was equal parts real and surreal.



“This finally feels real,” she said, her family perusing the walls of the gallery.



One of her paintings, "Chores,” recalls another familiar site for farm kids —an old water pump emerging from the ground and a gate to hold the horses behind it. For Horn, the painting carries emotional heft.



“My grandpa used to get up at the crack of dawn and feed and water the horses,” she said, recalling a rather horrific incident while speaking during Sunday’s artist reception.



One day while he was weaning a colt, the mother horse panicked and ran, trampling Horn’s grandfather in the process.



“It actually crushed his kneecap,” she said. “He had to get surgery and get his knee replaced.”



Horn’s grandfather could barely bend his knee after that and had to get a specially designed shoe with a taller sole to make up for a leg that shortened in surgery. He walked with a pronounced limp.



Yet he still went back to the farm when he recovered, never afraid, never soured on his life’s work and passion. That was one lesson Horn took from her grandparents.



Many of the rest came from her grandmother, the late Barbara Garrels. A gifted artist who served as Horn’s inspiration, Barbara worked primarily in the medium of oil paintings. She taught adult painting and drawing classes at both Southeastern Community College in West Burlington and the Burlington Art Center.



Horn never took formal lessons. She just watched her grandma, developing her own painting style without the pressure of repudiation.



“I was just naturally able to draw when I was a kid,” she said.



Until a year ago, Horn made a living as an interior designer, her art in the background as a lifelong hobby. Then she suddenly declared it her new career in July of 2019, casting away the stability of an hourly wage.



“I was a little scared,” she said. “But I have a 3-year-old and 7-year-old, so I could spend more time with them.”



Horn has sold roughly 90 pieces since she started a year ago (30 of those non-commissioned), yet she still finds time to paint for herself during the slow months.



It’s a practical confluence of artistic talent, shared interests by her clients, and overlapping nostalgia. Horn, who grew up in Mount Pleasant, paints what she sees, and what she remembers seeing as a child.



Those unfamiliar with the Midwest might dismiss it as kitsch. Those who grew up here recognize its nostalgic importance.



“My niche is Midwest art,” Horn said.



Horn’s show will be at the Art Center Gallery until the end of July.



Photo by William Smith



Jerilyn Horn of Mount Pleasant shows off her paintings in a solo exhibit Sunday afternoon at The Art Center on Jefferson Street.

Artist For Hire Captures Midwest Beauty At Art Center

By Beacon Staff



The days of shopping without a mask are seemingly coming to an end.



Walmart announced today that customers in all 9,000 of its U.S. stores will be required to wear a mask starting Monday, July 20. The measure is being put into effect to stem the spread of novel coronavirus.



Locally, Menards in West Burlington started requiring customers to wear masks this past Monday (July, 13). Panera Bread in Burlington, which is open for dine-in, started requiring masks of customers July 15.



Kohl’s policy will go into effect on Monday (July 13). Target announced July 16 that it will require masks starting Aug. 1



On Friday (July 17), Lowe's announced in a press release it would require all customers to wear masks or face coverings. The new policy will go into effect on July 20, and Lowe's will also offer free masks to customers who need them.



Starting on July 27, ALDI will begin mandating that all customers will require face coverings in order to enter its stores.

Walmart, Kohls, ALDI, Lowe's, Target and Other Chain Stores Will Require Customers Wear Masks

By Beacon Staff



The old ADM grain elevator along the Burlington riverfront, which has been empty since it was torn in half more 33 years ago, is being demolished.



Burlington Community Development and Parks Director Eric Tysland said Burlington River Termincal Inc./Merschman Fertilizer received a demolition permit for removal of the old grain elevator on July 10.



He said the owner has not indicated what the company plans to do with the site, if anything, as of yet. A company spokesman with Merschman Fertilizer confirmed the planned demolition but told The Beacon that no further information would be provided.



An orange fence surrounds the structure, and demolition equipment employed by Keokuk Contractors has been active for the past few days. No timeline was provided as to when the grain silo will be brought down, and Keokuk Contractors did not reply with a comment.



A Short, Traumatic History Of The Historic Grain Elevator



The grain elevator explosion more than three decades ago shattered nearly every window within 25 blocks. Glass rained from the sky, and debris from the wooden elevator still was falling five minutes after the blast. Gaping window holes left by the shock wave had to be filled, starting a mad rush for plywood.



No one was killed when the 127-year-old wooden elevator and the attached concrete silos exploded at 10:43 a.m. April 3, 1987. However, five were injured — one seriously.



The heat could be felt on Main Street, and downtown Burlington was temporarily evacuated.



The fire burned for five days.



The explosion blew the tops out of six, 10-story silos in the 12-silo complex. The 12-story elevator itself was half gone, nearby train cars caught fire, a barge was sunk and a thick cloud of smoke created by the fire and explosion was detected on National Weather Service radar 75 miles northeast in Moline, Ill.



The fire report indicated 2-inch-thick grain dust had caked onto pillars inside the facility. In the unfilled areas of the silos, dust floated in the air. The explosion was triggered by a bearing that overheated and caught fire. Grain dust is one of the most volatile particles once suspended in the air.



The fire traveled along a conveyor belt and up the last silo. When it reached dust in the top half of the southern-most silo, the place blew.



Photos by Anthony Dewitt



The demolition of the old ADM grain elevator has begun along Burlington's riverfront.

Old ADM Elevator, Which Exploded 33 Years Ago, Is Finally Being Demolished

By Beacon Staff



Their purple robes popping against the bright green field of Bracewell Stadium, nearly 200 graduating Burlington High School seniors took their final walk out of childhood Saturday night (July 18).



Like most high schools across America, the BHS graduation was severely delayed by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Some seniors had left for basic training and couldn’t be there, while others had a variety of reasons for not attending.



“It’s kind of different, but I’m glad they’re having it. They just could have easily not had it,” said Spencer Brown, 18.



His neck draped with colorful cords designating everything from his Eagle Scout accomplishments to his executive status in the National Honor Society, Brown already has the next decade of life mapped out. Two years at Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, a civil engineering degree at Iowa State University, and career putting that degree to good use.



“It (civil engineering) is just something I’ve always been interested in,” he said.



A heat advisory was in effect, but with back-to-back graduation ceremonies (the students were divided alphabetically to ensure social distancing), the brevity of each commencement was appreciated.



Burlington School District Superintendent Pat Coen joked during his address that it was likely the shortest speech he has ever made.



“No matter where you are, the challenges that you face, you will overcome them as long as you show up, you work hard, and you’re respectful,” he said.



A hand sanitizing station was mounted on the graduation stage, the empty diploma case in the center cleaned after each student held it.



Many graduates wore mass while all the school staff and board members did, save for when they spoke at the podium. Social distancing was a reality on the field, though not beforehand as classmates greeted each other and posed for pictures.



“Just be smart about it,” said graduating senior Dru Farran, his face covered by a mask as he pined about his plans to become a chemical engineer.



About six months into the pandemic, none of the new measures seemed that unusual to the graduates. Reminders of the unprecedented were woven into the fabric of everyday life.



“Don’t let COVID undermine your accomplishments,” valedictorian Katie Kannan said during an abbreviated version of her commencement speech.



Kannan had already read her full 10-minute speech during the BHS virtual commencement that aired May 31. So had salutatorian Peighton Davis, who was unable to make it to Saturday’s live graduation.



In her televised speech, Davis paid tribute to the late Jackson Gipe, who would have graduated with the class of 2020. Gipe died of cancer at the age of 12, and the senior class has continued to honor his memory.



“He was my best friend,” she said.



Photo 1 by Joy Mack



The 2020 Burlington High School graduating seniors walk onto the field at Bracewell Stadium on Saturday for their delayed commencement ceremony.



Photo by William Smith



Valedictorian Katie Kannan delivers her speech Saturday during the 2020 Burlington High School commencement ceremony.

Delayed But Not Forgotten: BHS Graduates Get Their Day

By Beacon Staff



The days of shopping without a mask are seemingly coming to an end.



Walmart announced today that customers in all 9,000 of its U.S. stores will be required to wear a mask starting Monday, July 20. The measure is being put into effect to stem the spread of novel coronavirus.



Locally, Menards in West Burlington started requiring customers to wear masks this past Monday, July, 13. Panera Bread in West Burlington, which is open for dine-in, started requiring masks of customers starting today, July 15. Kohl’s policy will go into effect on Monday,

Walmart and Other Chain Stores Will Require Customers Wear Masks

By Beacon Staff



Sometimes, good things do happen to good people.



Although they would never talk about it, Burlington residents Matt and Betty Burns had a history of giving rides to local people with no reliable transportation of their own.



Until they were without a vehicle themselves.



That’s why Mona Ash, program director for Building Bridges, encouraged the couple to apply for the Recycled Rides program hosted by the National Auto Body Council.



On Tuesday, Matt and Betty drove away from Deery Collision Center in a repaired 2011 Chevy Malibu, free of charge. Deery Collision manager Justin Club officially gifted the vehicle during a short presentation, and Deery Brothers owner Brad Deery stopped by to congratulate the couple.



The total loss vehicle, which had suffered front end damage before being given away, was provided by State Farm Insurance. Deery Collision workers repaired it ahead of the giveaway and even fitted the car with a giant bow on top.



“You only see that (a car with a bow on it) on TV,” an excited Betty Burns said.



Photo by William Smith

An Unexpected, Much Needed Gift

By Beacon Staff



Despite a 25-year history of helping new and expecting mothers with everything from diapers to child care lessons, state funding for The Nest of Des Moines County has continually traveled one direction — downward.



As The Nest’s program coordinator Karen Erickson acknowledged, that’s the unfortunate funding trend for most non-profit organizations.



Erickson celebrated her 20th anniversary at The Nest and has spent much of that time drumming-up community donations to replace lost grant dollars. She hesitated to name all the local entities that donate, fearful she would leave one out.



“We have some amazing churches,” she said.



The latest cut, which was the elimination of a $40,000 Early Childhood Iowa Grant, won’t be deep enough to shutter The Nest. However, it will force the board of directors to readjust its programs.



“This is not our first time making adjustments,” Erickson said. “We’ll see what they can come up with this time.”



The Nest, which offers weekly classes for new and expecting parents in its Burlington office, taught classes in Danville and Mediapolis. Extension learning was cut three years ago due to the loss of a $15,000 grant.



“We’re doing more fundraisers. A lot more fundraisers,” Erickson said.



This past fiscal year, The Nest provided aid to 126 local mothers. They were either referred to the program, court-ordered to be there or simply found out about it on their own. Parents and expecting mothers can attend weekly classes until their child is in kindergarten, earning points to purchase essentials such as diapers and baby food.



“Diapers are not cheap,” said expecting mother Sarah Herrington, who recently moved back to Burlington from Michigan.



Through The Nest and her family, Herrington has found the kind of support she simply didn’t get in Michigan. Giving birth during a pandemic is daunting enough, but doing so without support is a nightmare.



“I grew up here. I really like it here,” she said.



Several years ago, Herrington would have had access to free child care through The Nest. That service is gone too — another casualty of funding cuts.



Aside from grants and community donations, The Nest survives entirely on annual funding from The United Way and The Community Foundation of Des Moines County. Even during the beginning of the pandemic, The Nest continued to serve.



“We never shut down,” Erickson said.



Without The Nest, Burlington resident Nina Kelley might not have been able to save her child’s life. Her son was about a year old at the time, choking on a McDonald’s french fry. No one in the restaurant offered help, she said.



Kelley’s motherly instinct kicked in, and she immediately moved to help him. Thanks to her CPR training, she knew exactly what to do, using the baby Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the french fry.



Kelley is grateful to her doctor for recommending The Nest.



“He (Kelley’s son) was able to breathe after that. He didn’t even cry. Then he turned around and ate the fry anyways,” she said with a laugh.



The parents who attend the program are like family to staff members. Kelley was in tears during her interview because she had just graduated from the program. She didn’t get a ceremony due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, but she did get a certificate.



“I’m going to miss everyone so much,” she said.



The babies often come to class with their mothers. And Erickson is now seeing some of those babies come back 20 years later with babies of their own.



“It’s amazing,” she said.



For more information on how to donate or how to enroll in the program, visit The Nest of Des Moines County at&nbsp;<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdmcnest.weebly.com%2Findex.html%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR29bbzDj3qy_JDWfEZOwARs5kDwiAez9dd2r7RsT2-0vGbaU0LZ4ABJvH8&amp;h=AT0r2v4lpJR6RFB4gKSyFwlD6xdv-jG-zmPqmgmA4zVU9fFs-JIebULyVLlSLxnd_tEa80Mtam8LPMGHF3xX9MR6xwh96upaPdRsFDaSCc1w7fhQFBlsMX0hxMS-A2nY-UZClyjU0h4EeW_VaYwuBQfAXTITAPMYIhySFKzRxo17o_QAiMoklGt6IJxBMKhX5xBdQLxRnZ8yGGsXJpsxQeJC4l8Z-o1BcJA69hY_n0pu16dR9McJCHm8oeXqCYvSuGORM0Ci_XRi0gOcQnc138TL2sY3ZF3Q5wgfxcnlNpsfIcQCCYLbwNf9CHu10S2czwi1tx-jhmrPC6J0A1THXqhUQdnNCjpMSQ7vpOpiXfR2KcZa-VZUhimL0JGTDejgKS3M6oIHxEz5Dpv55M69uqCeCJ2P5k_kPsGjJ_U85KyoJAkPHu3mADLg14kVhoAumDQrGaFytQGNEdSYDFFA5HWVgczawyoLWBlLaVVVeCM0K9ect3P_LRQD3XVndkltQZlJVBNsFuvwmw7pdt7gAczklQ8MVNF0oWodRtiI_mErCVcHryv6BXwWpMT6QmvCndK1h_TsV3GrNCPKjaOJqc7_SWQ_qhDTOvJKkKl78Ut6SMvC2LmRXQc_uZ3aE4lC4s9hBv0WFxzl9qi1ftxl-U8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://dmcnest.weebly.com/index.html</a>.



You can also call The Nest at (319) 753-3150 or visit at 214 N. Fourth St. Suite 3C in Burlington.



Photo by Joy Mack



Nellie Ancelet of Burlington holds up her daughter Millie during a recent parenting class at The Nest of Des Moines County. The agency is dedicated to helping new and expecting mothers.

Despite Funding Cuts, The Nest of Des Moines County Perseveres

By Beacon Staff



New footage was released on Monday (July 6) in the police shooting of Marquis Jones on Monday, July 6.



The shooting occurred on Oct. 1, 2017. The video was released by Dave O’Brien Law on YouTube. The law firm is representing Jones’ children and his mother Altovese Williams in a wrongful death civil lawsuit against the city and police. That trial is set for March 2021.



The Burlington Police Department released the new footage Monday in response to an order from the chief U.S. magistrate judge overseeing the case.



The video is extremely graphic, showing the shooting and the final moments of Jones’ life after he was shot by Burlington police officer Chris Chiprez during a foot chase. The video is age-restricted on YouTube by request from the law office representing Jones’ family, which means you must sign in to a Google account to view it.



The video, which is just over 12 minutes long, is an extension of Chiprez’s bodycam footage that was released by the BPD over two years ago. The original bodycam video released by police was about one minute in length and stops after Chiprez’s final shot, which hits Jones in the chest.



The incident began when Chiprez and officer Joshua Riffell pulled Marquis Jones over for loud music on October 1, 2017.



In the bodycam footage, the other officer, Joshua Riffel, yells when he sees Jones with a gun saying, “He’s got a gun Chip!” Jones can be seen running ahead while Chiprez yells at him to drop his weapon.



The Iowa Attorney General, who has access to the full footage, ruled the shooting was justified.



"The city does not comment on pending litigation, however, it is the city’s policy to follow the law, including court orders, concerning which records it releases to the public,” the Burlington Police Department said in a statement.