Prep Cross Country: Danville-New London Boys, Winfield Boys Win

By Nathan Bloechl · Wednesday, September 15th, 2021 at 3:09 pm CDT

KILJ — The No. 1 Danville-New London got a huge race from Ty Carr, as they rolled to a team championship in Oskaloosa last night.

Carr was the medalist while Alexander Julian placed third.

Rylan Martin placed fifth, Seth Bailey finished eighth.

The Bears took first out of 12 teams.

The girls placed ninth.

Carissa Mackey was the top finisher at 35th overall.

Meanwhile in Donnellson, Winfield-Mount Union’s Gabe Hemsworth went 18:58.28 to lead the Wolves to a boys championship.

The Wolves finished with 45 points while Louisa-Muscatine and Keokuk rounded out the top-three.

Kohlby Newsom finished third for the Wolves.

On the girls side of things, Cardinal was the team champion. Winfield-Mount Union was paced by Olivia Martinez’s 19th place finish.

College Football: Iowa’s Taylor Named Special Teams POW

By Nathan Bloechl · Wednesday, September 15th, 2021 at 3:08 pm CDT

Iowa City — Iowa punter Tory Taylor has been named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week, the league announced yesterday.

Taylor was terrific in the Hawkeyes win at Iowa State, averaging 51.1 yards per punt, consistently flipping field position.

Five of his punts were downed inside the 20, while Iowa State had just one punt return.

The returning conference punter of the year, Taylor was also selected to the Ray Guy Award preseason watch list, given annually to the nation’s top punter.

College Basketball: MVC Announces Conference Schedule

By Nathan Bloechl · Wednesday, September 15th, 2021 at 3:07 pm CDT

KILJ — The Missouri Valley Conference has released their upcoming conference basketball slate for the 2021-22 season.

The conference season will begin on December 1st, when Northern Iowa travels to Peoria, Illinois to scrap with Bradley.

Drake opens their season on the road the following night at Valparaiso.

UNI and Drake are both among the clear crop of favorites to take the Missouri Valley crown.

Drake was ousted in the NCAA Tournament first round last year by USC.

Fellowship Cup to Celebrate 40 Years

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, September 15th, 2021 at 2:15 pm CDT

In 1981, several community members were led by the Holy Spirit to open a space for non-denominational Christian fellowship. Initially a social gathering with coffee and music, the mission soon turned to acts of service and outreach. “Offering a Little Help Along the Way” became the adopted motto, and The Fellowship Cup, located in Mount Pleasant, was born. Support quickly grew as contributions began to flow from local churches, businesses, and individuals to finance the vision. Through a great volunteer effort, The Fellowship Cup grew to be the hands and feet of Christ, distributing food, clothing, and offering shelter to individuals and families in need. On Saturday, October 23rd we will celebrate 40 years of service to the community.

 

 

 

Sports, Wednesday, September 15th

By Nathan Bloechl · Wednesday, September 15th, 2021 at 11:43 am CDT

Prep Volleyball: No. 1 Notre Dame Flexes Muscles, Sweeps Holy Trinity, Mount Pleasant Wins:

Notre Dame 3, Holy Trinity 0 

If the No. 1 (1A) ranked Notre Dame Nikes needed to give a reminder that they were the favorites to win it all again this year, last night might have been just that.

The Nikes swept No. 4 Holy Trinity last night 25-19, 25-19, 25-23 earning a massive South Division win yesterday.

Josie Bentz led the way with 17 kills, while Gabby Derry added 14.

Jenna Bentz had 38 assists.

Natalie Randolph and Kassi Randolph paced Holy Trinity’s attack with 15 and 11 kills respectively.

The win moved Notre Dame to 19-6, while remaining undefeated in Super Conference action.

Holy Trinity fell to 5-2.

Winfield-Mount Union 3, Columbus 0 

Winfield-Mount Union rolled to a sweep win yesterday over Columbus, 25-16, 25-9, 25-10.

Bradie Buffington and Lily Freeman had eight kills, while Keetyn Townsley and Audrie Gipple chipped in with six.

Keely Malone had 27 assists.

Winfield-Mount Union moved to 9-4, while Columbus slipped to 2-12.

Other area finals:

  • Mount Pleasant 3, Washington 0
  • No. 7 West Burlington 3, Cardinal 0
  • Fairfield 3, Keokuk 0
  • Wapello 3, Highland 0
  • COLLEGE: Waldorf 3, Iowa Wesleyan 0
    • Iowa Wesleyan: 0-10

Prep Cross Country: Danville-New London Boys, Winfield Boys Win: 

The No. 1 Danville-New London got a huge race from Ty Carr, as they rolled to a team championship in Oskaloosa last night.

Carr was the medalist while Alexander Julian placed third.

Rylan Martin placed fifth, Seth Bailey finished eighth.

The Bears took first out of 12 teams.

The girls placed ninth.

Carissa Mackey was the top finisher at 35th overall.

Meanwhile in Donnellson, Winfield-Mount Union’s Gabe Hemsworth went 18:58.28 to lead the Wolves to a boys championship.

The Wolves finished with 45 points while Louisa-Muscatine and Keokuk rounded out the top-three.

Kohlby Newsom finished third for the Wolves.

On the girls side of things, Cardinal was the team champion. Winfield-Mount Union was paced by Olivia Martinez’s 19th place finish. .

College Football: Iowa’s Taylor Named Special Teams POW:

Iowa punter Tory Taylor has been named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week, the league announced yesterday.

Taylor was terrific in the Hawkeyes win at Iowa State, averaging 51.1 yards per punt, consistently flipping field position.

Five of his punts were downed inside the 20, while Iowa State had just one punt return.

The returning conference punter of the year, Taylor was also selected to the Ray Guy Award preseason watch list, given annually to the nation’s top punter.

College Basketball: MVC Announces Conference Schedule:

The Missouri Valley Conference has released their upcoming conference basketball slate for the 2021-22 season.

The conference season will begin on December 1st, when Northern Iowa travels to Peoria, Illinois to scrap with Bradley.

Drake opens their season on the road the following night at Valparaiso.

UNI and Drake are both among the clear crop of favorites to take the Missouri Valley crown.

Drake was ousted in the NCAA Tournament first round last year by USC.

 

 

Unofficial Results from Bond Votes in WMU and New London School Districts

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, September 15th, 2021 at 1:46 am CDT

Both New London and Winfield Mt. Union School Districts held bond referendum votes Tuesday.  Unofficially the proposition put before the New London voters passed by 68%. 485 votes were cast…328 yes and 157 no.  Voters were asked to approve general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $5,375,000. The funds are to be used to turn the Clark Elementary gym/multipurpose room into classrooms and then to construct a gym addition to the High School building.

The WMU proposition does not appear to have succeeded. A total of 371 votes were cast…210 no votes and 161 yes votes.  WMU district residents were asked to approve $3,255,000 to provide funds for a combination performing arts/athletic competition facility as well as additions to the Industrial Tech building and the High School.

John L. Clark

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, September 14th, 2021 at 9:51 pm CDT

John L. Clark, 78, of Mt. Pleasant, died Monday, September 13, 2021 at his residence.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com.

Governor Reynolds announces broadband grant recipients of $100M investment 

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, September 14th, 2021 at 9:50 pm CDT

DES MOINES –  Today (Tuesday), Governor Reynolds and the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) are proud to announce the recipients of the State of Iowa Broadband Grants Program. Two local companies are included in the recipients.

Thirty-nine applicants have been awarded a total of $97,500,000 for broadband infrastructure as part of the latest Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program. OCIO received 178 applications from broadband providers for the Grant Program with requests nearing $300 million.

Danville Mutual Telephone Company is receiving a total of $5,220,175.00 for two projects. Farmers and Merchants Mutual Telephone of Wayland will receive $717,011 for a project near Pekin.

“Expanding broadband across our state continues to be a top priority,” said Gov. Reynolds. “It is clear by the shear volume and scope of applications that the need is there. Today’s award announcement will go a long way toward meeting that need, and we won’t stop here.”

Due to the overwhelming amount of interest and success of this program, the State of Iowa will expedite a new grant opportunity utilizing ARPA federal funds to build upon the $100 million in state funding for this grant program. Details on this new grant opportunity will be released in the near future.