The Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department is wrapping up yet another fun and safe summer with the Muscatine Aquatic Center adjusting operating hours in August and September to accommodate for staffing shortages leading up to the new school year.
The Muscatine Aquatic Center will reduce open hours as follows:
August 13 – August 21 Noon – 6:00 p.m.
August 22 – August 26 Closed
August 27 – August 28 Noon – 6:00 p.m.
August 29 – September 2 Closed
September 3 – September 5 Noon – 6:00 p.m.
Please contact the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department at (563) 263-0241 for more information.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the individual or individuals responsible for vandalizing Madison School.
The Muscatine Police Department and Muscatine Fire Department responded to Madison Elementary School, 1820 1st Avenue, for a fire alarm at 3:10 a.m. Friday (August 5). When officers arrived, they found the school had been entered and there was substantial damage inside the school due to vandalism.
The Criminal Investigation is continuing. Please contact Detective Jeff DeVrieze at 563-263-9922 extension 611 if you have any information about this incident. Callers may remain anonymous.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine Police Department responded to a report of gun shots fired in the 1300 block of Oak Street at approximately 11:35 p.m. Wednesday (August 3). A residence in this area was struck by gun fire but there were no reported injuries.
The residence appeared to have been targeted and it is believed this act was an isolated incident.
The Criminal Investigation is continuing. Please contact the Muscatine Street Crimes Unit, Detective Britt Jameson at 563-263-9922 ext. 256 or Detective Nicole Sink at 563-263-9922 ext. 276 if you have any information about this incident. Callers may remain anonymous.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – Six members of the Muscatine Fire Department attended a 40-hour confined space rescue class hosted by the Davenport Fire Department and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Muscatine, Davenport, and Rock Island Arsenal firefighters took part in the class.
A confined space is defined as a space that has limited or restricted means of entry, is not designed for continuous occupancy, and is large enough and configured so that a person can enter the space and maneuver well enough to perform tasks.
“Confined space rescue is a service the Muscatine Fire Department performs for our community and local businesses,” Jerry Ewers, Muscatine Fire Chief, said. “Even though confined space emergencies are low occurrences, they are high-risk incidents.”
During the five-day, 40-hour course firefighters were introduced to the hazards of confined spaces, mitigating hazards in confined spaces utilizing lock out/tag out (control of hazardous energy sources), air monitoring of confined space atmospheres, and ventilation of confined spaces.
Training for a variety of high-risk rescues is a key part of the job for firefighters and firefighter/EMTs including high-angle rescues, ice/water rescues/ trench rescues. Firefighters also train in auto extrication, fire prevention, fire suppression, hazardous materials, and ambulance transport.
“We need to be highly trained, equipped and ready for when we are called to any of these emergencies,” Ewers said.
Acting Lieutenant Spencer Ripperger led a team from Muscatine to the confined spaces training, a team that included firefighters Reece Hall, Ben Barrett, Kyle Davis, Colton Pauls, and Michael Fleming.
“During the class members performed rescues using rope rescue mechanical advantage systems,” Ripperger said.
Rope rescue mechanical advantage systems involve using a series of ropes, pulleys, anchors, and carabiners to move a heavy load over great distances with little or no strain. “Mechanical advantage” refers to the amount of assistance your rope and pulley system provides you in search and rescue situations.
Class members wore SCBAs (self-contained breathing apparatus) and SAR units (supplied air respirators) to simulate hazardous air conditions during the exercises.
“We were also taught how to make high point anchors using ladders, and different ways of packaging a victim for removal from a confined space utilizing various pieces of rescue equipment,” Ripperger said.
The instructors were professional rope rescue and confined space technicians from the IAFF.
“We are grateful for the free training offered by the Davenport Fire Department to our six members,” Ewers said.
Ripperger noted that every member from Muscatine appreciated the opportunity to take the class.
“We all had a great time, got a lot of hands-on experience, and learned a lot of new skills,” Ripperger said.
Training will continue to be an important part of the daily life for Muscatine Fire Department staff, and, no matter how rare the occasion is, Muscatine firefighters will be ready with the skills and confidence needed.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department offers an Infant and Toddler Swim Tuesday mornings at the Muscatine Aquatic Center, and for the past two years the Musser Public Library and HNI Community Center has joined the fun with a pre-swim story time session.
Children’s Librarian Betty Collins was joined this week by Junior Miss River City Peyton Jansen as the two led the children and adults in a rhyming game and a swimming song. Jansen read a short story to the children.
“This is a fun program and something different that we offer,” Collins said. “The Parks and Recreation Department invited us out last year to do a little mini story time before the swim and we said ‘sure’.”
The Musser Public Library offers the story time session at 8:45 a.m. each Tuesday at the entrance to the Aquatic Center in Weed Park. The Aquatic Center opens the gate for the infants, toddlers, and caregivers at 9 a.m. so that they may enjoy the cool waters and fountains of the pool in a less crowded atmosphere.
Everyone is welcome to come to the story time session whether they are going on into the Aquatic Center or not.
“The infant and toddler swim are a great program because it gives little children the opportunity to be in the Aquatic Center without the noise, and the hustle and bustle during regular hours,” Collins said.
The infant and toddler swim and story time is held every Tuesday morning, weather permitting. Contact the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department at (563) 263-0241 for more information.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine Police Department is asking for the public’s help following an armed robbery that occurred Monday evening.
The Muscatine Police Department (MPD) responded at 9:33 p.m. Monday (June 20) to a report of an armed robbery at Pearl City Tobacco and Liquor, 200 Green Street, Muscatine. Witnesses reported that the offender entered the store, displayed a handgun, and left with an undisclosed amount of money and merchandise.
No injuries were reported.
The MPD is asking that anyone with information regarding the robbery call Detective Adam Raisbeck at 563-263-9922, extension 665, or by submitting an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers of the Quad cities at www.qccrimestoppers.com.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine Police Department is investigating a stabbing incident that occurred Monday (June 20) night sending one individual to the hospital.
MPD officers responded at 10:40 p.m. Monday to the report of a stabbing victim laying in the yard at 808 East 8th St. When officers arrived on scene, they discovered Jeramy Hindlebaugh, 45 (dob 10/23/76), lying in the front yard with a stab wound to his leg. Officers immediately began rendering first aid to Hindlebaugh, who was subsequently transported by ambulance to Trinity Hospital of Muscatine.
As the investigation into the incident continued, officers discovered that Hindlebaugh had been involved in a previous disturbance that had taken place in the 2400 block of Park Ave, and it was during this disturbance that Hindlebaugh received his stab wound. Hindlebaugh then drove himself to the East 8th Street location.
This was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public.
A suspect has been identified; however, no charges have been filed, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing. Anyone who believes they may have information related to this incident is encouraged to call Detective Jeff DeVrieze at (563) 263-9922.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine Police Department and the Muscatine Community School District released the following statement today (May 25) in regards to the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, and the current safety efforts for Muscatine school students and staff.
Late Tuesday afternoon, the news was breaking across the country regarding a school shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. We learned that 21 people were killed, including 19 students and two teachers. The Muscatine Community School District and the Muscatine Police Department mourn the loss of the families and friends impacted by this tragedy.
It is essential for our families to know that while we may not know the “why” behind these senseless acts, the MCSD team of counselors is available to support students and staff members. We also want to communicate and update the Muscatine community on our ongoing safety efforts taken to protect our Muskie students and staff members.
We continue to work on safety and emergency operation plans for the school district with emergency response personnel, and the Muscatine Police Department. That includes a multi-layered approach to school safety including; secure entrances and classroom doors, security cameras, school resource officers on-site at the junior high and high school along with added mental health support for students.
In light of the tragic events in Uvalde, we strongly encourage all MCSD families to talk to their students and listen to their concerns. We also urge that students continue to “See Something, Say Something” and communicate with school officials when they observe things that concern them. Students should never feel intimidated or embarrassed by sharing their concerns. The Muscatine Community School District and Muscatine Police Department appreciate the continued support from families, staff members, and the entire Muscatine community. The goal is to provide a safe environment for all our students and staff members.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department and the Melon City Bike Club invite the community to join in on the fun at the Melon City Bike Rodeo and Family Trail Ride from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, weather permitting.
This event is free for all ages to attend with activities geared toward children ages 4- to 12-years-old. Pre-registration is not required.
The main parking lot of the Muscatine Soccer Complex will play host to a fun bicycle obstacle course, safe riding instruction, a bike safety check station and more. Helmets are required to participate in both the bike rodeo and trail ride. Free bike helmets will be provided to participants while supplies last.
Put your safe riding skills to the test with the whole family during the trail ride immediately following the bike rodeo. Volunteers will escort riders along City recreational trails from the Muscatine Soccer Complex to Deep Lakes Park and back.
The Melon City Bike Club and Muscatine Parks and Recreation are excited to invite the entire community to the first year of this free, fun event. For more information, please contact the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department at (563) 263-0241.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – Crews from the Department of Public Works (DPW) have been hard at work this week repairing soft spots on Robin Road, and that work will shift to East 5th Street on Thursday.
The 2021-2022 Hot Mix Asphalt Overlay Project is set to resume the week of May 16 with two street sections receiving attention this week from the DPW Street Maintenance Division ahead of receiving new asphalt.
Brandt Construction Company will resume milling and putting down an asphalt overlay four street segments and four alley segments as part of the 2021-22 project that is to be completed this spring.
The Street Maintenance Division has been repairing soft spots on Robin Road since Monday and will switch to East 5th Street Thursday. Lane restrictions on Robin Road are in place where work is being undertaken.
Meanwhile East 5th Street will be closed to all traffic starting Thursday (May 12) from Mulberry to Orange where most of the soft spots are located. Additional soft spots from Orange to Cypress Streets will also be repaired by DPW crews. Some additional closures and lane restrictions will be implemented over the next three weeks as repairs, milling, and asphalt overlay work on East 5th Street is completed. Work is tentatively scheduled to be completed by June 3, weather permitting.
A detour map is posted on the City of Muscatine website or available by clicking 5th Street Detour.
Muscatine Power & Water (MPW) has completed the replacement of a water main on Fair Acres Drive from Bidwell Road to Crestline Drive, with that section scheduled to be the first street segment to receive an asphalt overlay by Brandt Construction. The schedule for the other street segments will depend on the repairs to the soft spots on Robin Road (Bidwell Road to Sunrise Circle) and East 5th Street (Mulberry to Cypress). The other street segment that is part of the current contract is Bartlett Street (Mulberry to Cedar).
Four alley segments will also be completed in the next two months including the alley between Lincoln Boulevard and Grand Avenue (from Clay to Jackson), the alley between Lake Park Boulevard and McArthur Street (from 2nd Avenue to Lake Park Boulevard), the alley between Taylor and Clinton streets (from New Hampshire to Hershey), and the alley between Mary Place and Orchard Avenue (Orchard Avenue to the Dead End).
Lane restrictions will be in place while Brandt Construction mills the streets and alleys, and during the asphalt overlay process. Drivers are urged to use caution when in construction areas and obey traffic control devices and flaggers.
Drivers are reminded to slow down and use caution when travelling through construction zones, obey traffic control devices, and be aware of construction workers. Use an alternate route if possible.
Click on CONSTRUCTION to visit the Department of Public Works Construction Projects page where more information can be found on City of Muscatine construction projects.
An interactive map is available showing current street closures and street work.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – The newest member of the Muscatine Fire Department (MFD) ambulance fleet made its long-awaited arrival to Station 1 today (March 23) becoming the first of two 2021 Type III E450 gas ambulances that are scheduled to be delivered this year. The second Type III ambulance is scheduled to arrive mid-summer.
The recent arrival is actually the second “new” ambulance in the Muscatine Fleet following the arrival of a 2021 Type I ambulance that was a demonstration unit and went into service on February 10. Type I ambulances are built on a truck chassis while Type III are built on a van chassis.
“The two Type III ambulances are the culmination of a lot of hard work and coordination between the Muscatine Fire Ambulance Committee and Feld Fire,” Battalion Chief Ted Hillard said. “We wanted our staff to be involved with the development of these ambulances because they are the ones who really know what works and what doesn’t, and what should go where.”
Fire Mechanic Jason Verschoore was instrumental in the design of the two units along with committee members Craig Chelf, Roy Patterson, Andrew McSorley, Assistant Fire Chief Mike Hartman, and Hillard.
“We have found that it works out very well to listen to the fire crews who actually man these units,” Patrick Macke, Feld Fire representative, said. “The comfort and safety of both the crew and the passengers are high on their lists and we listened to their recommendations.”
The new units have plenty of safety options including a patient loading system that allows the crew to load and unload patients without having to physically pick up the cot. The box includes more storage room for equipment and more room in the cab.
“These units also have a new safety belt system that allows the crew to be secured but still able to get up and assist the patient as needed,” Verschoore said. “Moving forward all of our units will have these safety features in them.”
Safety of the crew and patient is one high priority for the Muscatine Fire Department as well as patient comfort.
“These units actually have mood lighting (blue lights) along the ceiling that are useful when transporting young patients, or transporting patients in high stress situations,” Hillard said. “These lights have a calming effect that makes the transport much better for both the patient and the crew.”
The 2021 Type III Ford E450 gas ambulance was ordered in December 2020 to replace a 2011 remount ambulance with nearly 300,0000 miles. The delivery date kept being pushed back due to supply chain issues.
A 2022 Type III E450 gas ambulance was ordered in September 2021 to replace a 2014 Remount Ambulance with over 260,000 miles, and that delivery is expected this summer.
“We are just waiting on a side window to come in to complete the 2022 ambulance,” Macke said. “Supply chain issues have been our biggest hurdle.”
The MFD plans to replace a 2016 ambulance in FY 2023-2024. That ambulance currently has 183,000 miles on the chassis.
The 2021 demo unit is a Type I ambulance and currently based in Station 2 (southend). This unit has most of the safety features of the two Type III ambulances but is also four wheel drive and the chassis can be lowered to make entry and exit into the box easier for patients and crew.
“One of the problems we have had with our older units is that they are not four-wheel drive and we would have to plow ahead of them during winter weather so they could reach the patient,” Hillard said.
The Type III ambulance delivered today is currently being prepped for service and will be housed in Station 1.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – Firefighters from the Muscatine Fire Department will be participating in the 2022 Corridor Heart Walk, part of the American Heart Association (AHA) national heart walk events, on May 7 in Kinnick Stadium on the campus of the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.
The firefighters are being led by this year’s captain Firefighter/Paramedic Colton Pauls who noted that in 2020 almost two-thirds of firefighter deaths were related to heart disease and complications.
Firefighters will be asking the public for help in raising money in support of the AHA Heart Walk and to support the American Heart Association staff, volunteers, and researchers who continuously supply research, statistics, and promote heart and vascular health.
For more information or to donate, visit MFD WALK or visit the Muscatine Fire Department Facebook page.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine Police Department received an anonymous tip on February 10, 2022, regarding allegations of animal neglect occurring at 150 Main Street, Fruitland, Iowa. The tip alleged that a couple were living in a mobile home with an excessive number of dogs. The overcrowded conditions in the mobile home were suspected of causing severe health issues for the dogs.
Muscatine Animal Control Officer Courtney Patel investigated the anonymous tip, and discovered that an excessive number of dogs were housed in the mobile home, and concerns of overcrowding and unsanitary conditions were identified.
In conjunction with the Muscatine Police Department, a search warrant was obtained for removal of the animals.
The Muscatine Police Department, with assistance from Muscatine Animal Control and the Muscatine Humane Society, accessed the residence and were able to rescue the animals. A total of 42 dogs were rescued from inside the mobile home. The conditions of the mobile home were considered unsafe for the animals due to the excessive amount of animal waste present, as well as a lack of access to adequate food and medical care.
In accordance with Iowa Code 717B.5, which outlines the rescue of threatened animals, the Muscatine Police Department worked with the Muscatine Humane Society to take over possession, care, and maintenance of the animals while the investigation continues. The animals will remain with the Muscatine Humane Society until dispositional proceedings can be held.
The investigation remains ongoing and any criminal charges are pending.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine Fire Department (MFD) has a new ambulance that went into service Thursday (Feb. 10), but this one becomes part of the Muscatine fleet in a different way … as a former demonstration (demo) unit.
“Our top priority is to maintain a quality fleet of ambulances for our operations,” Jerry Ewers, Muscatine Fire Chief, said. “The purchase of this demo unit will do that.”
There are few options for replacing an ambulance that has come to the end of its useful life and supply chain issues are making the wait time for new or refurbished ambulances longer and longer.
“The new addition to our fleet is a demo unit that we purchased instead of opting for the remount/refurbishment of the current ambulance,” Mike Hartman, assistant fire chief, said.
MFD originally sought to remount the 2012 ambulance box onto a new chassis but vendors were hesitant to bid on the remounting due to delays in deliver of computer chips and other supply chain issues that would impact the vendors ability to deliver the unit in a timely manner.
The Fire Department was looking at 18 months to get a chassis for the remount, but the ambulance that was planned for the remount already had over 260,000 miles on it.
“We just could not keep the old ambulance in service any longer,” Hartman said.
The 2021 demo unit is a Type I ambulance which means that the ambulance box is on a truck chassis (Ford F-450) instead of the van chassis that the department historically uses (Type III ambulances – E-450).
“We have some challenges on where equipment is kept due to the ambulance being a demo unit, but we were able to get everything on the ambulance,” Hartman said. “It is just that some things are in slightly different locations.
The benefits of purchasing the demo unit include quick delivery (within one month of the order). The demo unit is not exactly like the ambulances currently in the fleet, but will serve the community well according to Ewers.
“Given the condition of the present ambulances and the extended timeline for any remounting delivery, this is what will serve the community the best,” Ewers said.
MFD received City Council approval on Jan 6, 2022, for the purchase of the demo unit from Feld Fire for $209,313.15.
A 2021 Type III Ford E450 gas ambulance was ordered in December 2020 to replace a 2011 remount ambulance with nearly 300,0000 miles but the unit has not been delivered yet. Hartman expects delivery in March but the delivery date keeps getting pushed back due to supply chain issues.
“So that rig will have a delivery time of around 15 months versus the demo unit at around three-to-four weeks,” Hartman said. “It took us an additional week to get the demo unit ready to go into service.”
Another benefit from this purchase is that the department will be able to see how the different chassis performs.
“The ride should be better and I have heard that the truck chassis lasts a little longer,” Hartman said. “It is also a four-wheel drive, so we didn’t have to have the chain system added to the rig.”
A 2022 Type III E450 gas ambulance was ordered in September 2021 to replace a 2014 Remount Ambulance with over 260,000 miles, and that delivery also continues to be pushed back. The department plans to replace a 2016 ambulance in FY 2023-2024. That ambulance currently has 183,000 miles on the chassis.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine Fire Department and the Muscatine Police Department have released their annual reports for the calendar year 2021. These reports are available on the City of Muscatine website. The reports present an overview of the activities that each department is involved in and the various programs offered by each department.
MUSCATINE, Iowa – If you thought that the Muscatine Fire Department was busy in 2021, you were right. The Department set a record responding to 5,709 calls for service during the calendar year breaking the previous high of 5,238 calls for service in 2019.
The record call volume continues a steady upward trend in service calls with the number of calls climbing 48 percent over the last decade. The Department has seen the number of service calls top 5,000 annually in each of the last five years including 5,100 in 2017, 5,027 in 2018, 5,238 in 2019, and 5,034 in 2020.
Nearly 91 percent of the service calls in 2021 were for medical calls, down slightly from 2020 when medical calls made up 92 percent of the service calls. The Department responded to 527 fires in 2021, a 29 percent increase over 2020 (409 fire responses).
May, June, and December saw the Department respond to over 500 calls during month with June leading the way with 509 calls followed by December (503) and May (500). July had the highest fire responses at 51 while December was next at 49. July had the highest number of medical calls at 470.
MFD Fast Facts:
The 5,709 calls in 2021 was an increase of roughly 13.4 percent from 2020 (5,034)
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Class members wore SCBAs (self-contained breathing apparatus) and SAR units (supplied air respirators) to simulate hazardous air conditions during the exercises.
The Fire Department was looking at 18 months to get a chassis for the remount, but the ambulance that was planned for the remount already had over 260,000 miles on it.
