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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Street trees create urban forest, help beautify Muscatine

MUSCATINE, Iowa – For more than 30 years, the City of Muscatine has received the Tree City USA designation for its efforts in the area of sound urban forestry management. The Parks and Recreation Department works diligently to manage street trees in public rights-of-way, care for trees in city parks, and to diversify the urban canopy. 

Citizens of Muscatine have the opportunity to assist with these efforts by complying with the ordinances found in the Weeds and Vegetation Management chapter of the City Code of Muscatine (Title 16, Chapter 8).

Street trees consist of trees located within the public right-of-way. The maintenance of these trees is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner including trimming at heights of ten feet (10’) above sidewalks and fourteen feet (14’) above streets. A nuisance may be issued for trees that are not in compliance. 

If a citizen wishes to plant a new tree or remove an existing street tree, a permit must be obtained from the Parks and Recreation Department office. While street tree permits are free to obtain, costs associated with planting new street trees or the removal of healthy street trees are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. 

New street trees must be a species found on the Right-of-Way Tree Planting List.

Any street tree that is diseased, dead, or otherwise poses an immediate threat to the public health and welfare shall be the responsibility of the City. If a citizen would like to request the Parks and Recreation Department to evaluate a street tree adjacent to their property, a Street Tree Request Form may be submitted on the City website.

For more information, please contact the Muscatine Parks and Recreation Department at (563) 263-0241.

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

Police respond to, investigating false threat to high school

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine Joint Emergency Communication Center received a 911 call from an unknown individual at approximately 8:25 a.m. Monday (March 21) who reported there was a shooting that had just occurred at the Muscatine High School. 

This same type of “swatting call” was received at several other emergency communication centers across eastern and central Iowa around the same time.  A “swatting call” is a false report made to law enforcement to elicit a large response from authorities.

Members from Muscatine Police and Muscatine Fire departments along with the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Department responded to the Muscatine High School. 

It was quickly determined that the 911 call had been a hoax and that there was no armed threat at the school, nor was there any threat to students or staff. The Muscatine High school and some surrounding schools were placed on a temporary lockdown while the incident was being resolved and a thorough check of the campus was being conducted. 

Additional police presence remained at the high school in an effort to ease safety concerns of students and staff. 

The incident remains under investigation and the Muscatine Police Department is working with outside agencies in an effort to identify those responsible. Anyone who may have information about this incident is asked to contact Sgt. Jeff DeVrieze at (563) 263 – 9922, ext. 629.

Muscatine Community School District Superintendent Clint Christopher and Muscatine Police Chief Tony Kies issued a statement late this morning regarding the incident.

“Our high school was ‘swatted’ this morning,” the statement read. “That means that a fake threat was called into the Muscatine Police Department from outside of the state of Iowa. Muscatine Police responded accordingly, swept the entire building, and once they informed us that there was no credible threat, we resumed the school day.”

Similar ‘swatting’ calls happened to other school districts across the state of Iowa, and have been occurring across the country for the past several months.

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Muscatine Police K9 Dexter receives body armor

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Muscatine Police K9 Dexter has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Dexter’s vest was sponsored by Don and Misty Fike of Galesburg, Ill., and is embroidered with the sentiment “Born to Love-Trained to Serve-Loyal Always”. 

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 4,845 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations. 

The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. 

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $960 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1,744-$2,283, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty. 

For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.

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City of Muscatine Press Releases

No injuries as Muscatine Fire battles two fires Monday night

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine Joint Communications Center (MUSCOM) received a 911 call at approximately 6:30 p.m. Monday (Jan. 16) for a possible electrical fire in a room at Addington Place, 3515 Diana Queen Drive. This is a nursing facility in Muscatine.

“All of our first responders did a great job,” Battalion Chief Ted Hillard said. “I just cannot say enough about them along with the great support we received from the Fruitland firefighters especially since we had to break off some of our crew to answer other calls.”

Upon arrival at Addington Place, fire crews found smoke in a resident’s room with smoke starting to fill up the hallway. The fire sprinkler system activated when fire crews entered the room and the fire was extinguished. The resident was checked for any injuries and the firefighters on scene ensured that the fire was completely out.

All residents were evacuated and accounted for during the fire suppression effort.

The sprinkler system for that hallway of the facility was shut down until the sprinkler company was able to respond and make needed repairs to the system. A recovery company was on scene to mitigate water damage. 

The fire was contained to a heating unit and the area directly above.  

Because the sprinkler system responded exactly as designed there were no injuries and the damage was limited to that one residential unit.

The on scene investigation is complete. A final cause has yet to be determined but it does appear to be an accidental fire. The initial fire loss estimate is $10,000. The resident in that room was moved to another room in the facility and was not externally displaced. 

The Muscatine Police Department and Muscatine County EMA responded with the initial call. The Muscatine Fire Department was also assisted by fire crews from the Fruitland Fire Department. Approximately 20 firefighters responded to the fire. There were no injuries to any of the responders.

It was a busy evening for the fire department starting with a medical call before the response to Addington Place. Just 20 minutes after arriving at the fire scene, the Muscatine Station Two engine and firefighters were cut loose from Addington Place to a vehicle fire in the 2100 block of Hershey Avenue.

About the Muscatine Fire Department: 

The Muscatine Fire Department provides fire and emergency medical services, rescues (high angle, rope, water, etc.), building inspections, and public education for the City of Muscatine, and the surrounding unincorporated areas of Muscatine County with a combined population of 43,000 across 145 square miles while also providing HAZMAT for Muscatine, Louisa, Washington, Keokuk, and Henry counties. MFD firefighters and paramedics responded to 5,027 calls in 2018. The Muscatine Fire Department began as a volunteer fire company on January 7, 1875 and was established as a full-time department in January 1916. The Muscatine Fire Department ambulance service received the 2012 Career Ambulance service of the Year Award from Iowa Emergency Medical Services.

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Public Works crews keep pushing back snow

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Snow plows were back on the streets early Wednesday and received some help from the rising temperatures. Crews worked to pushed back snow to the curb in all areas of Muscatine to allow for the melting snow to filter into the storm inlets.

Public Works officials said that this was a difficult storm to move snow due to the extreme cold and wind that accompanied a total of nearly five inches of snow. However, crews were able to make at least one pass through every street and alley in Muscatine before the temperatures climbed above freezing to aid in the snow removal effort.

Public Works crews will continue to monitor street conditions and will add salt and/or sand as needed due to the temperature fluctuations.

If you have a question, comment, or request, visit Muscatine Connect, or download the app from the AppStore or GooglePlay. 

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Man charged after school parking lot argument

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The Muscatine County Joint Communications Center (MUSCOM) received multiple 911 calls at approximately 2:38 p.m. today (Sept. 19), of a subject who was creating a disturbance in the parking lot of McKinley Elementary School. There were also reports that the subject was claiming to have a weapon. 

Officers from the Muscatine Police Department responded to the scene and advised both McKinley Elementary School and Susan Clark Junior High School to go into lockdown until the situation was resolved.

When the Muscatine Police arrived, the individual was located sitting in his truck within the school parking lot. He was identified as Gabriel L Bishop, 40, (DOB 04/05/82).  

Bishop had entered the parking lot behind another vehicle who he was upset with over an incident that had happened on the roadway prior to the vehicles entering the parking lot. Once the vehicles came to a stop, Bishop stepped out of his truck and began arguing with the occupants of the vehicle he had followed. 

During that confrontation, Bishop made a statement that indicated he could be in possession of a weapon. Several people who overheard this disturbance then called 911. No weapon was immediately found on Bishop. 

Bishop was taken into custody and has been charged with Harassment in the 2nd Degree and Disorderly Conduct. 

The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

PD RELEASE

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Improved wetlands area to help mitigate flooding issues

MUSCATINE, Iowa – The wetlands area surrounding the Muscatine Slough received a face lift of sorts recently with the clearing of trees and removal of some sediment that had accumulated causing flooding problems.

 

Problems with flooding and ponding in the area around the Kent Stein Park Lift Station prompted the City of Muscatine to reach out to an engineer specializing in wetlands to examine the area between Houser Street and the Pollinator Park area, and from the Soccer West Complex to the Muscatine Transfer Station.

 

“We had significant issues maintaining the equipment at the Kent Stein Park lift station after flooding events,” Jon Koch, Water Resource and Recovery Facility director, said. “We eventually had to relocate most of the equipment from the underground facility to a new above ground facility.”

 

The wetlands area is a gathering point for storm water running down ditches and creeks from Muscatine’s higher elevations in the southern end of town, and that created a dam of sediment that prevented water from flowing down the slough. The build up of sediment needed to be removed to allow the water to flow and not back up into Kent Stein Park, Soccer West, or businesses located nearby.

 

“This was a great opportunity to restore the wetlands area and assist with mitigating flooding of low-lying areas near this location,” Koch said.

 

The wetlands engineer identified what trees could be cut down to open the area up along with brush that could be cleared.

 

“You have to leave the stumps but just removing some of the trees and cleaning up the sediment deposits has already improved the wetlands area,” Koch said. “It will be a great addition to the Pollinator Park area.”

 

The Pollinator Park trail is a one-mile loop that runs from the Kent Stein Park trailhead around the Pollinator Park and follows the slough around the Muscatine Transfer Station back towards the trailhead.

 

“The additional wetlands will create an even better experience for those who walk the trail,” Koch said. “There will be plenty of wildlife and flowering plants for people to see and appreciate. Our pollinators will also love the improved wetland area.”

 

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Anonymous tip leads to rescue of 42 dogs from trailer

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. 

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