Gov. Reynolds announces $20M investment in nonprofits

By Theresa Rose · Friday, May 27th, 2022 at 5:53 am CDT

Thursday Gov. Reynolds announced a $20 million investment to help nonprofit organizations in Iowa expand to meet the needs of more Iowans.
 

The new Nonprofit Innovation Fund will provide a competitive grant opportunity to help nonprofit organizations make transformational investments in vertical infrastructure that will enable them to offer additional services or help more Iowans.

“Iowa nonprofits provide critical support to Iowans most in need,” said Gov. Reynolds. “While these organizations work around the clock to meet today’s needs, the Nonprofit Innovation Fund will provide innovative and transformational investments to help prepare Iowans for tomorrow.”

Nonprofits are encouraged to apply with shovel ready projects that expand the number of services provided to Iowans and/or projects that increase the number of Iowans served by the nonprofit. Eligible expenses for infrastructure projects include construction costs, acquisition, site development, engineering and architectural services. The program provides awards up to $3 million for infrastructure projects.

Applications will be accepted starting June 27th at iowagrants.gov. Grant recipients must have all funds obligated no later than December 31, 2024 and expended by June 30, 2026. For more information, visit iowaeda.com/nonprofit-innovation-fund/.

Funding for this grant opportunity is made available through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. 

Jerry Mabeus

By Theresa Rose · Friday, May 27th, 2022 at 5:48 am CDT

Jerry H. Mabeus, 80, of rural Mt. Pleasant, died Thursday, May 26, 2022 at Park Place Elder Living in Mt. Pleasant.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant, IA.

Ralph Hole (final arrangements)

By Theresa Rose · Friday, May 27th, 2022 at 5:46 am CDT

Ralph L. Hole, 43, of Mt. Pleasant, died Friday, May 20, 2022 at his residence of natural causes.

Visitation will be from 11 AM-1PM on Wednesday, June 1 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. A funeral procession will form at 1 PM and leave for a graveside funeral service at 2:00 at the Ollie Cemetery, Ollie, IA.

Ralph Lakin Hole was born June 24, 1978 in Iowa City, IA. He was the son of David John and Joyce Ann (Cavin) Hole, Sr. Ralph grew up in Olds, IA and graduated from Mt. Pleasant Community High School. He later attended classes in computer science at Southeastern Community College.

Ralph had a paper route for many years. He worked for Sirloin Stockade and Hy-Vee. He was a member of the Boy Scout Troop #28 where he enjoyed camping and backpacking at Philmont. For many years, Ralph assisted the Mt. Pleasant Community High School Panther Marching Band, maneuvering equipment for the pit at the football games, and for the Mt. Pleasant Marching Band Invitational. Ralph was proud to be one of the Conductors for the Midwest Center Railroad during all their events, most especially at the Old Threshers Reunion.

Those thankful for sharing in Ralph’s life include his father and his wife, John and Sharon Hole of Washington; his foster mother, Annmarie Sabel of Wapello; his brothers, Gary Hole of Florida, Roger Hole of Mt. Vernon, David Hole and Lloyd Hole, both of Cedar Rapids; his foster siblings – Jimmy Sabel of Wapello, Josh Sabel of Iowa City, Chuck Kalar and his wife Becky of Bettendorf, IA, Shane Sabel and his wife Amy of Wapello and Tasha Sabel of Wapello.

Ralph’s mother Joyce precedes him in death.

From the WMU School Board Special Meeting

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, May 26th, 2022 at 3:07 pm CDT

The Winfield Mt. Union School Board met in Special Session Wednesday night.  The board awarded the Industrial Tech Building addition project to Odessa Mechanical. Odessa’s bid was $260,200 including contingency fees.  Substantial completion date is December 1.

The Board also voted to hire Karinda Wahls for the elementary principal’s position.

Sports, 05.26.22

By Allison Jacobs · Thursday, May 26th, 2022 at 11:49 am CDT

Iowa Wesleyan University’s Athletic Department is hosting their annual Tiger Athletics Golf Outing on July 29th at the Sheaffer Memorial Golf Course in Fort Madison, Iowa. The funds that are raised from this year’s golf outing will go directly toward the renovation and relocation of the Iowa Wesleyan weight room on campus. Individuals and/or teams of four can register for this event. Registration can be completed online by clicking visiting their website iw.edu, or in person on the day of the event. The cost for registration is $125 per individual golfer or $500 for a team of four. Online registration will close one week prior to the event. In-person registration will be held on June 6th from 9:00 to 10:00 am with the event kicking off at 10:00 am. Registration includes a golf cart, lunch, dinner, and 18 holes of golf.

 

Baseball & Softball

Due to rain received yesterday, the New London JV/Varsity Baseball and Softball games were postponed. Also, The Mount Pleasant vs. Clear Creek Amana baseball game as well as the Mount Pleasant vs. Central Lee Softball game were also cancelled last night due to rain and wet fields.

 

Golf

The 2022 High School Girls Golf Tournament kicks off today with The New London girls high school golf team competing at the American Legion Golf Course in Marshalltown, IA and the Washington girls high school golf team will be competing at the River Valley Golf Course in Adel. There will be a shotgun start at 9 o’clock this morning. We will be bringing you live reports from the girls 1A golf tournament throughout today and tomorrow made possible by Deerwood Golf Club in New London. We wish both teams the best of luck!

2022 Girls’ State Golf Tournament Class 1A Update

By Allison Jacobs · Thursday, May 26th, 2022 at 11:49 am CDT
We have another live update from the 2022 girls state golf tournament where New London is competing in Class 1A. Part of the first day of results are in and are as follows:
Taylor Phillips is currently tied for 3rd place at 11 over par and an overall score of 82.
Sophie Mallott is tied for 22nd with 21 over par and an overall score of 92.
Emma Nye is tied for 41st at 29 over par with an overall score of 100.
Saige Barron is currently placed 52nd at 33 over par and an overall score of 104.
Emma Busby is currently tied for 39th with 5 holes to go and 29 over par.
Stevey Wintermeyer is currently tied for 56th with 6 holes left and 36 over par.
New London is currently in 4th place at 90 over par. We are excited to see what the lady tigers bring to the course tomorrow. Teams will tee off at 8:30 a.m.
These live results are made possible by Deerwood Golf Club in New London.

 

Arrests Made in Connection With Meth Trafficking Investigation

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, May 26th, 2022 at 10:43 am CDT

In early 2022, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force began a methamphetamine trafficking investigation in the Henry County and Southeast Iowa area. This multi-agency investigation was conducted over several months.

The following arrests have been made in relation to this investigation:

On May 13, 2022, Mitchell Grelk, 39 of Farmington, was arrested and charged with Conspiracy to Deliver Methamphetamine over 5grams (class B felony) and Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine less than five grams (class C felony).

On May 16, 2022, Robert Krieger, 41 of Mount Pleasant, was arrested and charged with Conspiracy to Deliver Methamphetamine over 5grams (class B felony) and Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine over five grams (class B felony) and Drug Tax Stamp Violation (class D felony).

On May 26, 2022, Clinton Jesse, 38 of Mount Union, was arrested and charged with Conspiracy to Deliver Methamphetamine over 5grams (class B felony).

This investigation continues.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office has been assisted in this investigation by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Mount Pleasant Police Department, Winfield Police Department, Burlington Police Department, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office and the Ottumwa Police Department.

Fundraiser for the Children of Ukraine More Than Successful

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, May 26th, 2022 at 10:24 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Community, including students, stepped up to help the Retired Teachers organization raise more than twice it’s goal for the War Sucks for Children effort.  The first part of the fundraising project was to put vacuums in the yards of community members who, in turn, donated to have the appliances moved to someone else’s yard.  Vacuums were placed in 94 yards around town. Wednesday evening a fundraiser was held at the Union Block. The group began raising money with a goal of $10,000. Going into the event Wednesday night over $11, 000 had been raised and at the end of the evening the grand total was $26,000! Of that total the Mount Pleasant High School raised over $400 total. The Middle School raised over $600. Van Allen Elementary is donating the remainder of the money they collected in their “Change for Change” campaign at an assembly Thursday morning but that total will top $600 as well. Addington Place in Mount Pleasant is also donating the proceeds of their Lunch for a Cause. The project organizers extend many thanks to the community of Mt Pleasant.