The 175 member Mount Pleasant High School Panther Marching Band will be among 17 bands competing Saturday in the Linn-Mar Marching Band Festival in Marion. They are scheduled to perform at 10:15 am and will be the second of 11 bands to contend for honors in Class 3A. Mount Pleasant will have two more competitions this season, traveling to Kahoka on October 9 for the 30th Clark County Parade of Champions in the evening and October 16 at the State Marching Festival in Davenport.
2021 MP Homecoming Court Announced at Boom Night!
Congratulations to the 2021 MPCHS Homecoming Court! This year’s Queen is Jenna Gilmore, the daughter of Jeff and Julie Gilmore. Her court includes Lydia Ebeling the daughter of Chad and Angie Ebeling, Marie Sitar, the daughter of Jeff and Missy Sitar, Abigail West the daughter of Phil and Lisa West and Allison Elmore the daughter of Kevin and Cheryl Elmore.
Carson Coleman is the Homecoming King. His parents are Derek and Tera Coleman. His court includes Andrew Holtkamp the son of Stan Holtkamp and Melanie Anderson, Colton Hutson the son of Chad and Angie Hutson, Reece Kempker the son of Jay and Chris Kemper and Kade Welcher the son of Jon Welcher and Jennifer Kruse.
Thomas Harden Banks
Thomas Harden Banks, 72 of Fairfield, beloved husband of Deanna (DeeDee) Banks, passed away peacefully at home on Friday September 3, 2021.
Thom was retired and previously worked at Enlightened Audio Designs and Noble Electronics in Fairfield. Before moving to Fairfield, he worked at Discovery Place Science Museum in Charlotte and was instrumental in the opening of the museum as building manager.
Thom loved music and enjoyed playing guitar, drums and percussion with several bands over the years in Charlotte and Fairfield.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, DeeDee of Fairfield, a brother, Ronn Banks of Charlotte, NC, a son Brian Banks of Phoenix, AZ, two daughters, Robin O’Donnell of Ft. Collins, CO and Melanie Banks of Charlotte, a nephew, David Banks of Charlotte, three grandchildren, loving cousins, and a great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and MaryEllen Banks.
Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com
Utilities Audit Report
TDT CPA’s and Advisors, P.C. released an audit report on the Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities. The Utilities had total revenues of $11,148,793 for the year ended June 30, 2021, a 0.41% decrease from the prior year. The revenues included $11, 105,568 of charges for services and $43,225 of non-operating revenues. Expenses totaled $10,448,828 for the year ending June 30,2021, a 3.45% increase from the prior year and included $6,460,628 for the power, pumping and treatment plan, $2,112,235 for transmission and distribution, $1,871,107 for general and administration and $4,858 for interest expense. The increase in expenses is primarily due to an increase in purchased and produced power for the year ended June30,2021 compared to the previous year. This report contains recommendations to the Commission. A copy of the audit report is available for review in the Mount Pleasant City Clerk’s office, in the Mount Pleasant Utilities office, at the Auditor of State office and on the Auditor of State’s website.
MP Student Recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program
Mount Pleasant High School Principal Mike Wilson announces that Tyler Gardner has been named a Commended Student in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program. Tyler, who is a Senior, is the only student at MPCHS to receive this award. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2022 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2022 competition by taking the 2020 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
Daily Jail Count
In the interest of keeping Henry County residents informed, the Henry County Sheriff’s office has requested KILJ post the daily jail count. During the jail referendum campaign it was publicized that the jail would be able to house additional inmates from surrounding counties and this would generate revenue for Henry County.
Henry County Jail
Date: ____09-23-2021_____
JAIL COUNT
27_ Henry County Inmates
43_ Out of County Contract Inmates
70 _ TOTAL
Jeffrey “Rodi” Rodibaugh
Jeffrey “Rodi” Rodibaugh, 62, of Rome, passed away Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at his home.
Rodi was born June 30, 1959 in Fairfield, Iowa, the son of Jerry L. and Dixie (Darling) Rodibaugh. He worked as a welder and as a truck driver. He enjoyed spending time outdoors and was especially fond of hunting, fishing, and being on the river. He was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys. Rodi loved spending time with his cat and long-time companion, Porky Pig.
Rodi is survived by his son Zach (Megan Carver) Rodibaugh of Rome, two grandchildren Tanner and Brynnlin Rodibaugh; a sister Ronda Rodibaugh of Des Moines and his cat Porky Pig.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son Luke Rodibaugh, grandparents, aunts and uncles.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 2, 2021, from 2:00-5:00 pm, at Rodi’s home, 103 West Main Street, Rome. Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Rodi and his family.
Speed Camera Ordinance Questioned
Mount Pleasant Police Chief Lyle Murray took questions from the public in attendance at Wednesday night’s City Council meeting. The questions dealt with the proposal to work with an outside company to provide Lidar speed radar equipment to detect speeding, bill the offenders and collect the fines. In answer to a question about who gets the revenues Murray said the outside company receives 40% and the rest goes into the city public safety account. One citizen expressed concern this would be a money grab like he believes it is for Cedar Rapids. Chief Murray insisted it was about deterring speeding to increase public safety. In answer to another question the Chief said he was approached by the company about providing the service. There was also discussion about setting the limits and fines which the Chief are set out in the proposed ordinance. Passage of the first reading was not unanimous. Kent White, Terry McWilliams and Bob Griffith all voted yes. Jeff Batty and Matt Crull said “no”. And Council member Steve Engberg, while he did not seem in favor still voted yes. He said he voted that way in order to see the ordinance move to the next reading and allow for more public discussion.