Sports, May 9th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, May 9th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Track and Field

Mt. Pleasant will host the state qualifying meet tonight with Washington, Keokuk, Fort Madison, and Fairfield making the trip.

Danville, New London, WACO, Columbus, and Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Sigourney for their state qualifying meet, while Mediapolis, West Burlington, Van Buren County, and Central Lee will head west to Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont for their meet today.

High School Soccer

The Mediapolis girls’ team will face off against Keokuk tonight.

Hillcrest Academy will face off against Burlington Notre Dame and Danville will take on Mediapolis in the boys’ Southeast Iowa Super Conference semifinals tomorrow, May 10th, at WACO.

The WACO boys’ team will host Central Lee on Monday, May 13th, at 5 pm for the first round of the Class 1A District 6 postseason bracket, while Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union will face off against Danville on the road at 5 pm.

Mt. Pleasant will take on Burlington Notre Dame tonight with the boys’ team on the road and the girls’ team at home. 

High School Tennis

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will travel to Central DeWitt for team regionals tomorrow, May 10th.

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team traveled to Fairfield for their singles and doubles district meets and here’s how the Panthers performed. For singles, Gavin Ross defeated Gavin Klaus of Davis County in the first round two games to one after winning 6-2 and 6-4 in the final two games, but fell to Bradey Johnson of Xavier in the second round, the eventual third place finisher. Beckham Prough fell in his first round matchup.

The Panthers struggled in the doubles bracket with Phoenix Watson and Lou Schimmelpennig and Sawyer Fulton and Dane Cook falling in their opening round matchups. 

Ruimin Luo of Fairfield took the crown in singles play to advance to state on May 21st in Iowa City.

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will take on Albia to begin their team substate bracket journey on Saturday, May 11th, at Fairfield. 

High School Golf. 

The New London boys’ team hosted their sectional meet yesterday and the two teams advancing to districts were English Valleys who finished in first place with a team score of 336 and Winfield-Mt. Union who followed just ten strokes behind at 346. The Wolves saw standout performances from Carter Loyd, Justin Knipfer, and Cody Milks as they each carded an 86 (+14)–the fourth, fifth, and sixth best scores–for the 18-hole course with Konner Kinneberg shooting an 88.

Wapello grabbed third place with a team score of 380 as Zach Harbison punched his ticket to districts with the seventh best score of the course and the top individual score outside of the two advancing teams, tallying a 90. 

New London was led by Coen Fitzpatrick, who carded a 92, as he also advanced to districts as an individual. The Tigers shot a 405 as a team, which placed them in fourth.

Holy Trinity Catholic (426), Danville (428), and WACO (500) rounded out the card. Andy Mehmert led the Crusaders with a 103 for the course. Mattix Furnald carded a 96 for the Bears and WACO’s Malachi Rinner paced the Warriors with a score of 113. 

Wapello will host districts on Monday, May 13th, at Heritage Oaks with Winfield-Mt. Union and New London’s Coen Fitzpatrick traveling to compete. 

The girls first round of regionals will take place tomorrow, May 10th, with Columbus, Danville, Holy Trinity Catholic, WACO, and Winfield-Mt. Union traveling to New London at Deerwood Golf Course. Van Buren County, West Burlington/Notre Dame, Central Lee, and Mediapolis will make the trip to Kalona Golf Course hosted by Mid-Prairie. 

The SEC boys’ teams met up at Mt. Pleasant for their sectional and Washington took first place with a team score of 302, but the other team to advance was Albia with a score of 319. Roman Roth continued his dominant season, finishing with an 18-hole score of 69 for the Demons.

Fairfield and Mt. Pleasant each shot a 341, earning them fourth and fifth place, respectively. The Panthers were led by seniors Reece Coffman (79) and Nate Dismang (80). Fairfield’s Sam Weaton carded an 82. Burlington Notre Dame finished with a 368, Fort Madison a 369, and Keokuk rounded out the card with a team score of 404.

The district meet will take place on Monday at Stone Creek Golf Course hosted by Williamsburg.

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team competed in their conference meet yesterday and the Panthers grabbed fourth place with a team score of 422, while Keokuk clinched the crown with a score of 358. Heidi Rose led the Chiefs with a score of 82. Burlington and Fort Madison took second and third place, respectively, while Fairfield and Washington finished in fifth and sixth, respectively.

The girls’ teams of Mt. Pleasant, Fairfield, Fort Madison, Keokuk, and Washington will travel to Solon for their regional meet scheduled for Wednesday, May 15th.

Southeast Iowa Playbook

Danville track and field seniors Carter Fesler and Kamryn Sherwood were our special guests for last night’s episode of the Southeast Iowa Playbook. For Fesler, accountability is his main lesson for leadership. 

“Yeah, I’d say I use a little bit of a stronger leadership type. We try and hold everybody accountable if everybody’s putting in the right work. Because at the end of the day, the determination, and the hard work that you put into this sport will come right back towards you. So, we try to sing everyone’s praises. When they do good, but when they do bad, we try and let them know and how to fix that and how to push forward.”

Long distance running is just as much mental preparation as it is physical, an aspect of the sport that Sherwood delved into,

“I would definitely say from my personal experience, the mental part is a lot harder for me because. At the end of the day, like when you step up on the track and you’re getting ready to race those long distances, it doesn’t matter. Like the workouts you skip the runs you cut short. It really matters like in your mind, if you believe in yourself and if you tell yourself you can, and if you just know like I’m going to run my race. I think that’s a lot bigger than any run… or any workout cut short.”

If you missed last night’s episode you can follow this link and also see our complete collection of the Southeast Iowa Playbook: Southeast Iowa Playbook

Southeastern Community College

SCC baseball will face off against the winner of Iowa Central versus NIACC tomorrow, May 10th.

This Day in Sports History

1901 – Cleveland’s Earl Moore no-hits the Chicago White Stockings for 9 innings but loses it and the game in the 10th inning 4-2.

1984 – The Chicago White Sox beat the Milwaukee Brewers, 7-6, in 25 innings. The game started on May 8th but action was suspended in the 17th inning at 1 am due to a city curfew.

1987 – Eddie Murray of the Baltimore Orioles became the first player to switch-hit homers in two consecutive games.

Single Vehicle Accident on Wednesday Morning Near Westwood

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, May 9th, 2024 at 6:04 am CDT

On May 8th at approximately 6:40 a.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a single commercial motor vehicle rollover collision near mile marker 229 of Highway 34 outside of Westwood, Iowa.  Upon arrival, an enclosed van trailer was observed laying in the inside lane of east bound Highway 34.

An investigation, into the overturn, determined Joshua Hoagland, 35 of Keokuk, was driving a commercial motor vehicle with dual trailers eastbound on Highway 34 when the vehicle left the roadway.  Mr. Hoagland overcorrected, upon doing so the rear trailer tipped onto its side.  The trailer came skidding to a stop on the median side shoulder.

No injuries were reported.  Damage to the trailer and contents was estimated at $20,000.  Mr. Hoagland was cited for Failure to Maintain Control of a Motor Vehicle.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Iowa Department of Transportation Maintenance Division and Breuer Towing.

 

***A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendants are

presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.***

Not Much Change for Gas Prices This Week – Weekly Fuel Report

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, May 9th, 2024 at 5:57 am CDT

The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 2 cents, averaging $3.28 across Iowa according to AAA.

Crude Oil Summary

  • The price of global crude oil fell this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $2.99 per barrel over last week, currently priced at $78.40.
  • Brent crude oil fell by $2.64 and is currently priced at $83.07.
  • One year ago, WTI crude sold for $73.16 and Brent crude was at $77.76.

Motor Fuels

  • As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.28 across Iowa according to AAA.
    • Prices fell 2 cents from last week’s price and are down 2 cents from a year ago.
    • The national average on Wednesday was $3.64, down 2 cents from last week’s price.
  • Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 3 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.69.
    • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.79 in Iowa.
    • The current Iowa diesel price is 28 cents lower than the national average of $3.97.
  • Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
  • The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.31 for U87-E10, $2.63 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.49 for ULSD#2, $2.76 for ULSD#1, and $1.99 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

  • Natural gas prices rose 29 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently prices at $2.21/MMbtu.
  • Continuing throughout the summer months, we will only report retail heating oil and propane prices in Iowa once a month.

Carl Miller

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, May 9th, 2024 at 5:47 am CDT

Carl Edward Miller, 83, died Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at his home in New London.  He was born May 7, 2024 in Burlington, the son of Carl Henry and Doris Louise Dadisman Miller.  He was a graduate of New London High School.

Eddie worked mostly in the custodial field for several local businesses including Bluebird Midwest, Walmart Distribution, Burlington Hospital, and was a favorite custodian at New London High School.  He was a Burlington Hawkeye paper carrier for many years.  He enjoyed cards, fishing, playing poker on the computer, listening to tapes, and he loved going to New London wrestling meets and was awarded Fan of the Year.

Eddie is survived by his brothers and sisters: June (Don) Angstead of Mt. Pleasant, Carolyn Christner of Wayland, Dr. Don (Carol) Miller of Washington, Robert Miller of Cedar Rapids, Jack Miller of Mt. Pleasant, David (Hazel) Miller of New London, and Sherri Miller of Tulsa, Oklahoma; nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Lloyd Miller.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at Elliott Chapel, New London.  Pastor David Mixon will officiate.  Burial will be in Burge Cemetery, New London.  Visitation will begin after 9:00 AM on Tuesday and the family will receive friends from 10:00 to time of the service.  A memorial has been established to EveryStep Hospice.

Katie Reuter Announced as New Public Health Director

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 at 4:06 pm CDT

Henry County Public Health is pleased to announce that Katie Reuter, NP-C, CDE has accepted the position of Public Health Director and will start June 6th. Reuter states, “I’m incredibly humbled and honored to serve our Henry County community! My aim is to look at our community holistically; the mental, physical, spiritual and environmental, when assessing its needs. I’m excited to help develop programs and provide services to empower our friends and neighbors to find ways to improve their own health and to make our community a safe and welcoming place to live.”

The position became available when current director Shelley Van Dorin, RN, BSN announced that she will be retiring on July 3rd. Lois E Roth, Chair of the Board of Health, reports, “Shelley Van Dorin has been an amazing Director of Henry County Public Health. Public Health was outstanding during the COVID pandemic and that was through Shelley’s leadership. I’m excited for Katie to become our Director and for Shelley to enjoy her well-earned retirement. Shelley will be missed by myself, the Board members, past Board members, staff, and the community she has cared for so well.”

If you have any questions during the transition, please call the office at 319-385-0779. Henry County Public Health is a county department that provides many programs and services including immunizations, lead testing, car seat checks, newborn home visits, and much more. Public Health staff also coordinates the Healthy Henry County Communities wellness coalition and provides community education on a variety of health topics. Learn more at HealthyHenryCounty.org/PublicHealth.

Conceal Carry Class Coming to Lee County in June

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 at 3:19 pm CDT

The Lee County Sheriff’s Department is again holding a free Conceal Carry Class on June 25th, 2024 at 5 pm through 7 pm at the Lee County Sheriff’s Department at 2530 255th St. Montrose. This will be a classroom presentation without any firearms or live fire practical’s. This training meets the Iowa requirements to apply for a permit to carry weapons.

Seating is limited and pre-registration will be required. In order to request to be registered for this training, or any other questions, please contact Detective Chad Donaldson at chaddonaldson@leecounty.org.

Although Iowa no longer requires a permit to carry weapons as of July 1st of 2021, there are several benefits to having a permit to carry weapons that include reciprocity of other states.

Kathryn Francis – Pending

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 at 3:18 pm CDT

Kathryn Ann (Kathy) Francis, 78, died Tuesday May 7, 2024 at her home in New London.  Arrangements are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London.

Recommendation Made! Belle Center One Step Closer to Business Incubator

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 at 6:54 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Planning and Zoning Commission met in regular session yesterday evening in what was their first meeting since December 12th. The large talking point was about flexible business spaces at the Belle Center. In March, the Board of Adjustment denied the request of the Board of the Belle Center to occupy the building for multiple uses, such as a business incubator and co-working space. Last night, however, the P&Z Commission made the recommendation to the city council concerning the ordinance to allow flexible business space in that building.

This will be done by adding those terms “business incubator” and “co-working space” into the R3 Multiple Family Dwelling District. Brent Schleisman, the City Administrator, mentioned that this will help expand offerings to the community.

Also passed yesterday evening was the recommendation to the City Council concerning the Mt. Pleasant Community School District site plan for their bus barn/central receiving/building and grounds facility. This will be constructed at 1515 E Monroe St if all goes according to plan. Essentially, this brings all of the support services to one site, according to Superintendent Henriksen, which affords greater efficiency.