Categories
City of Muscatine Press Releases

Musser Park playground is reopened for public use

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Musser Park playground reopened for public use today (July 13) following the completion of a trail extension from the levee to Oregon Street as part of the Southend Improvement Project. The playground area was closed June 9 as construction began on the trail extension.

A sidewalk between the trail and the playground area was also added during the trail construction. Additional Musser Park improvements include erecting a new shelter located close to the right field fence of the ball diamond. The new shelter should be completed by July 22, weather permitting.

New playground equipment is planned for Musser Park, but the equipment may not arrive until next spring due to supply chain issues.

Public use of Musser Park and the playground area are at the user’s own risk. Children should be supervised at all times. Please be aware of surroundings when walking in or around construction areas, and avoid these areas if at all possible.

Categories
City of Muscatine Press Releases

Muscatine man facing additional charges following arrest July 5

MUSCATINE, Iowa – A Muscatine man was arrested Tuesday (July 5) and is facing additional charges as a result of a continuing investigation by the Muscatine Police Department (MPD).

John Robert West, 47, Muscatine, Iowa, was arrested by the MPD and charged with six counts of Sex Abuse 2nd (B Felony) and one count of Lascivious Acts (C Felony). West was previously arrested by the MPD on February 25, 2022, for Sex Abuse 3rd (C Felony), Lascivious Acts (C Felony), and False Imprisonment (Serious Misdemeanor).

These new charges stem from the continued investigation into West and his activities. MPD investigators have reason to believe that West allegedly committed several sex acts with a child under the age of 12 during 2020.

If you have any information relevant to the case please contact Lt. David O’Connor of the Muscatine Police Investigative Unit at 563-263-9922 extension 608. Callers may remain anonymous. 

West is considered to be innocent of all the aforementioned charges until proven guilty in a court of law.

MPD Release

Categories
City of Muscatine Press Releases

Traffic restrictions in place for Fourth of July activities

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Fourth of July festivities in Downtown Muscatine will mean restricted access to certain streets and changes in traffic patterns throughout the day on Monday (July 4). The weather forecast promises mostly sunny skies with a high temperature of around 90 degrees and that will mean a day filled with family fun in celebration of our Independence Day.

CHILDREN’S DRESS-UP PARADE

The day begins with the Musser Public Library and HNI Community Center’s Fourth of July Children’s Dress-up Parade.

Children, and their caregivers, can dress up as their favorite book character, wear red, white, and blue, or come as you are for this parade through Downtown Muscatine. Those participating are asked to meet in the parking lot at West 2nd and Pine streets prior to the 9 a.m. start. A colorful cast of characters will be on hand to lead the parade down 2nd Street to the Musser Public Library for a book and popsicle.

No traffic restrictions are planned for this parade but those who may be driving through Downtown Muscatine are asked to be alert and aware of the children’s parade between 9 and 10 a.m.

2022-4th-of-July-Parade-Packet_Page_4A (JPG)GMCCI COMMUNITY PARADE

The Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GMCC) Community Parade returns for the first time since 2019 with entries marching down Iowa Avenue to 2nd Street to Walnut Street, and finishing on 5th Street starting at 4 p.m. Side-street intersections with Iowa Avenue from Fulliam to 2nd Street will be closed to traffic Monday morning. Staging and check in for the parade will begin at 2 p.m. at Fulliam and Iowa (Iowa Field).

Iowa Avenue will again be open between 3rd and 4th streets but those watching the parade are asked not to congregate in this area as the west half of the block will still be blocked off due to construction at the new Stanley Center for Peace and Security (old library building).

Side-street intersections will reopen once the parade participants and citizens watching the parade have dispersed.

RIVERSIDE PARK RESTRICTIONS AND TRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGES

The downriver boat launch inside Riverside Park will be closed to the public Sunday and Monday (July 3-4). Parking will also be restricted in the downriver end of Riverside Park with Almost Fireworks Fest from 5-8 p.m., the presentation by the Honor Guard and a performance by the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra in front of Pearl City Station at 8 p.m., and then Fireworks Over the Mighty Mississippi at dusk.

The traffic pattern for those exiting Riverside Park following the fireworks display will be:

  • From the Iowa Avenue exit at the riverfront, all traffic will be directed left (west) on Mississippi Drive. Iowa Avenue will be blocked off on the town side of the intersection.
  • From the Cedar Street exit at the riverfront, all traffic will be directed straight (north) or right (east) on all intersections from Mississippi Drive through 5th Street. No left (west) turns will be permitted on Mississippi Drive, 2nd Street, 3rd Street, 4th Street, or 5th Street.
Categories
City of Muscatine Press Releases

Mark your calendars … free drop off weeks are set

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The dates are set for the two weeks in July that residents can drop off unwanted electronics and tires at the Muscatine Transfer Station according to David Popp, Solid Waste Division Manager for the City of Muscatine. The dates were approved by the Muscatine City Council on June 2.

Residents who have City of Muscatine refuse service will be able to bring unwanted electronics and tires to the Muscatine Transfer Station and drop them off without paying a fee but there are stipulations.

Tires will be accepted for free (up to four tires off the rim per residence) from July 18-23. Electronics will be accepted for free (up to three per residence) from July 25-30. Proof of residency (driver’s license) is required to participate in the free drop off week(s).

Electronics and tires are also accepted for a fee year-round at the Transfer Station (See RATE AND FEE SCHEDULE).

Curbside Collection of Bulky Waste

Electronics and tires are normally not included in the free bulky waste collection program conducted by the City of Muscatine Solid Waste Division. However, they can be included if a fee is paid for in advance of the scheduled collection day. 

Residents who are City of Muscatine refuse collection clients also have the opportunity to dispose of unwanted appliances either through a curbside bulky waste collection (two free per year). There is a fee to bring the appliances to the Transfer Station or to have the item(s) picked up curbside after the two free items.

Click here to find out more about CURBSIDE BULKY WASTE COLLECTION, how to schedule a collection, and additional requirements for a curbside collection. Call 563-264-JUNK (563-264-5865) or email bulkywaste@muscatineiowa.gov to submit a scheduling request.

Items that require a payment before curbside collection must be paid for and scheduled prior to the collection. Payments can be made at the Muscatine Transfer Station, 100 S. Houser Street, Muscatine City Hall Finance Department, 215 Sycamore Street, or the Department of Public Works, 1459 Washington Street.

All fees are collected at the Muscatine Transfer Station for items brought to the Muscatine Transfer Station once the items have been taken to the tipping floor.

The Transfer Station is open 7:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on Saturday.

Items accepted year round for a fee

These items can also be picked up with the curbside bulky waste program if the item/items are prepaid. (See above for special FREE weeks for tires and electronics).

  • Tires.
  • Electronics.
  • Appliances (after two [2] free per year per address)

Items accepted year round at no charge

Please check in at the Transfer Station office when bringing any of the following items to the Transfer Station for proper disposal instructions and locations.

  • Oil based paint
  • Batteries
  • Cleaners
  • Florescent light bulbs
  • Garden chemicals
  • Pesticides
  • Motor oil
  • Antifreeze
  • Pool chemicals
  • Sharps in an approved container.

Example of items accepted for bulky waste pickup

  • Furniture – couch, sectional, chair, recliner, table.
  • Mattresses – must be in a bag (available at Transfer Station for no charge).
  • Carpet – no longer than four (4) feet, rolled, and secured.
  • Dismantled swing sets.
  • Minimal building materials.
  • Extra trash bags – smaller items must be bagged.
  • Appliances – two (2) free per year per address.

Example of items NOT accepted for bulky waste pickup

Please contact the Muscatine Transfer Station for more information on the disposal of the following items:

  • Sheds, garages, and excessive building materials.
  • Concrete or brick (accepted at Public Works for no charge).
  • Oil based paint and household hazardous waste (accepted at Transfer Station for no charge)
  • Camper refrigerators and camper air conditioners.
  • Car bodies.
  • Tires
  • Fencing

Solid Waste Collection Rates