Mount Pleasant Man Jailed After Pulling Gun on Female

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, April 4th, 2022 at 8:23 pm CDT

Sunday at approximately 7:53 p.m. the Mount Pleasant police department responded to 709 S Main Street for a report of a male subject who pulled a gun on a female subject.

It was determined that Edward Easley, 23, of Mount Pleasant, was in a verbal argument with the victim.

After displaying the gun, Easley fled the area and went to Salem. On the way he hit a deer with his vehicle.

He was located at 310 N Jefferson St in Salem and was taken into custody by Henry County Deputies.

He is a known felon.

The weapon was recovered at the scene.

Easley was charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon. He was transported to the Henry County Jail.

Prep Track: Mount Pleasant Runs Well at Home Co-Ed

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, April 4th, 2022 at 1:01 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant — The Mount Pleasant track team ran well at their home coed relays event on Friday at Mapleleaf Athletic Complex.

Kenna Lamm showed out well in the hurdles, winning the event in 17.56 while Iowa State recruit Jadan Brumbaugh continued her red-hot start to the season with yet another shot put gold with a heave of 45 feet, 3.5 inches.

Allie Westercamp, Jenna Gilmore, Thanh Phung and Lamm won the shuttle hurdle relay, clocking in a time of 1:13.25.

The Panther boys’ performed well, with Bryce Wilson — a state place winner last year — winning the 110m hurdles with a time of 15.58. He and teammate Will Davidson will be neck and neck all year. Davidson finished in second in 15.68.

Davidson claimed another victory in the long jump with a leap of 20 feet, 6.25 inches. Davidson also helped guide the shuttle hurdle relay team to a win in 1:04.09.

He was joined on that quartet with Morgan Van Nyhuis, Avin Truong and Bryce Wilson.

Mediapolis won the 4×400 Friday, as well.

The Bulldogs ran 3:32 even and the team comprised of Kadin Salek, Logan Rosas, Anthony Isley and Levi Arnold.

Girls’ Tennis: Mount Pleasant Beaten by Davis County

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, April 4th, 2022 at 12:57 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant — The Mount Pleasant girls’ tennis team fell in their spring opener Friday, dropping and 7-2 decision to Davis County.

Savana Walls beat Maddie Warning in No. 1 singles 8-5, but the Mustangs swept Mount Pleasant in each of the remaining singles bouts.

Walls and Melanie Olivas won No. 1 doubled 8-4.

That duo dispatched Davis County’s Jenna Marlow and Jada Will 8-4.

Boys’ Tennis: Panthers Sweep Davis County

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, April 4th, 2022 at 12:55 pm CDT

Bloomfield — Owen Van Sickel started the day with an 8-0 win in No. 1 singles over Dean Bragg as Mount Pleasant swept Davis County 9-0 in their opener on Friday.

Phoenix Watson followed up Van Sickel’s win with an 8-2 win over Jaxson lee while Jake Ensminger made short work of Syrus Benge, 8-1, in No. 3 singles.

In doubles play, Van Sickel teamed up with Elliot Cook for an easy 8-3 win, while Ensminger paired with Tim Cam for an 8-3 winner.

Both the Panther boys’ and girls’ tennis teams are back in action tonight for a home-and-home with Keokuk.

Both matches will begin at 4:30 p.m. with the girls’ in Keokuk and the boys’ playing at East Lake Park.

College Wrestling: Wesleyan Names Kadel Head Coach

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, April 4th, 2022 at 12:51 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant — Jake Kadel has officially been named the head coach of the Iowa Wesleyan wrestling program, the institution has announced.

Kadel, a New London, Iowa native, led the Iowa Wesleyan women to a 13th place finish at the NAIA Women’s Wrestling National Invitational earlier this year.

Under his watch, the Tigers also earned their first individual national champion in Adaugo Nwachukwu — who won the 136-pound national title.

Kadel spent last year as an assistant coach, subsequently earning the interim tag following the departure of Shawn Contos.

Before Iowa Wesleyan, Kadel spent one year as an assistant at St. John’s Jesuit High School and Academy in Toledo, Ohio.

Prior to that, he was a wrestling instructor for the Hard Drive Performance Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Women’s College Golf: Kirchner Wins, Wesleyan Places Second at Carl Sandburg Invite

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, April 4th, 2022 at 12:50 pm CDT

Galesburg (Ill.) — Karli Kirchner took home medalist honors as the Iowa Wesleyan women’s golf team placed second at this weekend’s Carl Sandburg Invite in Galesburg.

Kirchner, who hails from Montrose, shot an 81 on the second day of the tournament to earn the win — carding a 164 over two days.

Aubrey Duncan, a freshman from Columbus Junction, placed in a tie for second overall with a 168.

Her day two 80 put her in contention for the top of the leaderboard.

The Tigers will be back in action tomorrow when they travel to Galena, Illinois for the Clarke Spring Invite.

Tee time will be 10:00 a.m.

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, April 4th, 2022 at 11:24 am CDT

Prep Track: Mount Pleasant Runs Well at Home Co-Ed

The Mount Pleasant track team ran well at their home coed relays event on Friday at Mapleleaf Athletic Complex.

Kenna Lamm showed out well in the hurdles, winning the event in 17.56 while Iowa State recruit Jadan Brumbaugh continued her red-hot start to the season with yet another shot put gold with a heave of 45 feet, 3.5 inches.

Allie Westercamp, Jenna Gilmore, Thanh Phung and Lamm won the shuttle hurdle relay, clocking in a time of 1:13.25.

The Panther boys’ performed well, with Bryce Wilson — a state place winner last year — winning the 110m hurdles with a time of 15.58. He and teammate Will Davidson will be neck and neck all year. Davidson finished in second in 15.68.

Davidson claimed another victory in the long jump with a leap of 20 feet, 6.25 inches. Davidson also helped guide the shuttle hurdle relay team to a win in 1:04.09.

He was joined on that quartet with Morgan Van Nyhuis, Avin Truong and Bryce Wilson.

Mediapolis won the 4×400 Friday, as well.

The Bulldogs ran 3:32 even and the team comprised of Kadin Salek, Logan Rosas, Anthony Isley and Levi Arnold.

Girls’ Tennis: Mount Pleasant Beaten by Davis County

The Mount Pleasant girls’ tennis team fell in their spring opener Friday, dropping and 7-2 decision to Davis County.

Savana Walls beat Maddie Warning in No. 1 singles 8-5, but the Mustangs swept Mount Pleasant in each of the remaining singles bouts.

Walls and Melanie Olivas won No. 1 doubled 8-4.

That duo dispatched Davis County’s Jenna Marlow and Jada Will 8-4.

Boys’ Tennis: Panthers Sweep Davis County

Owen Van Sickel started the day with an 8-0 win in No. 1 singles over Dean Bragg as Mount Pleasant swept Davis County 9-0 in their opener on Friday.

Phoenix Watson followed up Van Sickel’s win with an 8-2 win over Jaxson lee while Jake Ensminger made short work of Syrus Benge, 8-1, in No. 3 singles.

In doubles play, Van Sickel teamed up with Elliot Cook for an easy 8-3 win, while Ensminger paired with Tim Cam for an 8-3 winner.

Both the Panther boys’ and girls’ tennis teams are back in action tonight for a home-and-home with Keokuk.

Both matches will begin at 4:30 p.m. with the girls’ in Keokuk and the boys’ playing at East Lake Park.

College Wrestling: Wesleyan Names Kadel Head Coach

Jake Kadel has officially been named the head coach of the Iowa Wesleyan wrestling program, the institution has announced.

Kadel, a New London, Iowa native, led the Iowa Wesleyan women to a 13th place finish at the NAIA Women’s Wrestling National Invitational earlier this year.

Under his watch, the Tigers also earned their first individual national champion in Adaugo Nwachukwu — who won the 136-pound national title.

Kadel spent last year as an assistant coach, subsequently earning the interim tag following the departure of Shawn Contos.

Before Iowa Wesleyan, Kadel spent one year as an assistant at St. John’s Jesuit High School and Academy in Toledo, Ohio.

Prior to that, he was a wrestling instructor for the Hard Drive Performance Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Women’s College Golf: Kirchner Wins, Wesleyan Places Second at Carl Sandburg Invite

Karli Kirchner took home medalist honors as the Iowa Wesleyan women’s golf team placed second at this weekend’s Carl Sandburg Invite in Galesburg.

Kirchner, who hails from Montrose, shot an 81 on the second day of the tournament to earn the win — carding a 164 over two days.

Aubrey Duncan, a freshman from Columbus Junction, placed in a tie for second overall with a 168.

Her day two 80 put her in contention for the top of the leaderboard.

The Tigers will be back in action tomorrow when they travel to Galena, Illinois for the Clarke Spring Invite.

Tee time will be 10:00 a.m.

Dorothy “Joanne” Taeger

By Theresa Rose · Sunday, April 3rd, 2022 at 4:45 pm CDT

Dorothy “Joanne” Taeger, 82 of Stockport passed away April 1 at 4:43PM at her home.  Visitation will be on Thursday April 7, 2022 from 10:00AM to 11:00AM at Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua one hour prior to the service.  Funeral services will be at 11:00AM Thursday April 7, 2022 at Pedrick Funeral home with Pastor Mark Caston officiating.  Burial will be in Spences Cemetery, Stockport.  Memorials to Spencer Cemetery may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the family at 29606 130th Street, Stockport, IA 52651.

Joanne was born on October 1, 1939 on her grandparent’s farm near Hillsboro to Mandel Rudolph and Dorothy Almond Watson.  She graduated in 1959 from Hillsboro High School and was the last class to attend there.  She worked for a short time in a telephone office in Mount Pleasant and also on the family’s cattle farm.  She married Ervin Taeger on January 10, 1968 at the Keosauqua Methodist Church.  The couple moved into Ervin’s grandparent’s house east of Stockport where they still currently live.  Joanne spent her days working around the home and helping Ervin on the farm.  She loved gardening and canning what the garden produced, sew and embroidering and also the monthly trips to the Dutchman’s Store in Cantril for her supplies that kept her hobbies going.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Ervin, a sister, Joyce Holly of Burlington, a brother-in-law Eldon Taeger (Jane) of Hillsboro and a nephew, Marcus Taeger (Mercedes) of Stockport.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister Jane Hudson and a brother-in-law Jay Holley.