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City of Muscatine Press Releases

City will assist residents in recycling live Christmas trees

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The City of Muscatine will once again assist Muscatine and Fruitland residents in the recycling of their live Christmas trees. Starting on January 4, 2023, the Solid Waste Division will be collecting live Christmas trees placed curbside as part of their yard waste collection service.

There are many types of Christmas trees including live, flocked, and artificial. Flocked trees are live trees that have been coated with a white, snow-like spray. Each type of tree has different disposal options, so please take a moment to determine how to properly dispose of your tree.

Unflocked live trees will be collected by the City of Muscatine on the resident’s refuse collection day starting on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, and continuing through Friday, January 27, 2023. The trees must be placed next to the curb for collection.

To prepare the unflocked live tree for curbside collection, remove all ornaments, wires, and decorations from the tree along with any stand or other metal objects. Do not place the tree in a plastic bag. Trees taller than five feet should be cut into two sections.

Flocked and artificial trees along with wreaths are considered garbage items and cannot be recycled. These items can be taken to the Muscatine Transfer Station for disposal or residents can call the Transfer Station to schedule a curbside pickup.

For more information on recycling Christmas trees or how to prepare the live tree for collection, contact the Transfer Station at (563) 263-9689.

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Volunteer firefighters receive Hazmat training in Muscatine

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Volunteer firefighters from Fruitland, Montpelier, Buffalo, and Blue Grass received Hazardous Material (Hazmat) training from the Muscatine Fire Department (MFD) as part of their Firefighter 1 curriculum recently. The 16-hour course on Hazmat Operations was held Saturday at Station 2 in Muscatine.

 

“This is part of the 160-hour Firefighter 1 program that they need to be certified by the State of Iowa,” Jason Vershoore, Fire Mechanic and Fire Inspector for the MFD, said.

 

Vershoore was also the lead instructor for the class and was assisted by Firefighter Craig Chelf.

 

This is the second year that the MFD has conducted the three-day class to help the volunteer firefighters earn their certification.

 

Vershoore, and other Muscatine firefighters, conduct the class on their off-days.

 

“I think they all enjoyed themselves,” Vershoore said of those attending the class.

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Fruitland couple faces 42 charges of animal neglect

MUSCATINE, Iowa – A Fruitland couple was arrested Thursday (Feb. 24) and charged with 42 counts of animal neglect following a two-week investigation that began after 42 dogs were rescued from the couples’ mobile home in Fruitland on Feb. 10.

 

Muscatine Police Department (MPD) charged both Douglas Elshoff, 65, and Karen Elshoff, 61, 150 Main Street, Fruitland, Iowa, with 42 counts of animal neglect in accordance with Iowa Code Section 717B.3.

 

Douglas and Karen Elshoff were released on a promise to appear in court, and both are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 

The Elshoff’s had previously signed over custody of all 42 dogs to the Muscatine Humane Society voluntarily. All dogs continue to be housed and treated at the Muscatine Humane Society, 920 South Houser Street, Muscatine, Iowa.

 

MPD 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. 

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