Quilts of Valor Presented to Kent White, Mt. Pleasant & Warren Woepking, Riverside

By Slaten Swords · Friday, December 19th, 2025 at 4:55 pm CDT

Two area veterans were honored with Quilts of Valor at the Mt. Pleasant Veteran’s Breakfast on Friday, December 19th.  Kent White of Mt. Pleasant, a U.S. Navy Veteran who gave 20 years of service as a naval aviator was honored.  Warren Woepking of Riverside, Iowa, served from 1970-1976 in the Iowa National Guard, was also honored with a Quilt of Valor.   Jane Messer of Mt. Pleasant heads up the area organization, Iowa Patriotic Stitchers and explains the history:

The breakfast is hosted for veterans and the public every 3rd Friday of the month, according to Messer.

The Quilts of Valor that are presented are more than just a blanket; they mean so much more…

Thus far, over 600 Quilts of Valor have been stitched and presented to area veterans and Jane Messer says their group is far from finished!

 

Joyce Long

By Slaten Swords · Friday, December 19th, 2025 at 2:52 pm CDT

Joyce Long, 87, of Mt. Pleasant, went home to be with her Lord and Savior at 3AM  on Thursday, December 18th, 2025 at Park Place Elder Living in Mt. Pleasant, IA.

Joyce was born June 1, 1938 in Linby, Iowa to Charles “Chuck” Clayton and Hazel Lela (Johnston) Nicholson, the eldest of nine children.

Joyce attended Winfield High School. On October 2, 1955, Joyce was united in marriage to Donald Eugene Long in Lockridge, Iowa. They were blessed with two daughters, Teri Lu in 1957 and Melanie Dawn in 1962.

Joyce was employed for 12 years at Martha Brown and Henry County Credit Union, both in Mt. Pleasant. For 20 years, she served the Lord as Secretary of Calvary Baptist Church, retiring in 2004.

Joyce made the most important decision of her life at the age of 18 when she received Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. Her life verse was Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast”.

She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed sewing clothes for her grandchildren. She was an avid reader, oved shopping, traveling, trips to Branson, collecting cookbooks and received great joy spending time with family and friends.

She had a great love for music and played the trumpet and hand bells, and sang in the church choir for many years. She had a special fondness of hearts and was a collector of P. Buckley Moss prints.

Her faith was very strong. She was a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant where she served as Sunday School Teacher, VBS worker, missionary committee and other ministries through the years.

She was a volunteer at Midwest Old Threshers Information Booth for many years and attended Silver Sneakers at the Mt. Pleasant REC Center. She enjoyed attending Sunday evening after-church fellowship groups and the Winfield Class of 1956 trips and get togethers.

Those thankful for sharing in Joyce’s life include her 2 daughters – Teri Long of Muscatine and Melanie (Jim) Housel of Mt. Pleasant; 4 grandchildren – Mitch (Theresa Meeker, Molly (Cory Bachman, Kelly (Matt) Lord and Jeff (Audrey) Housel; 10 great grandchildren – Audrey, Myra, Jordan, Owen, Ivy, Lily, Philip, Brinley, Malia and Teegan; 6 siblings – James (Wanda) Nicholson of Blowing Rock, NC, Janet (Richard) Eggenberger of West Burlington, Judy (David) Rixe of Bennett, Jill Hoover of Burlington, Joan (David) Exline of West Branch and Jewel Schultz of Mt. Pleasant.

Her parents, husband Don (who died Sept. 5, 2019 in Mt. Pleasant), 2 brothers – William Robert “Bob” Nicholson and Charles Edwin “Ed” Nicholson, and 2 grandsons – David Allan Glasgow and Brian Eugene Glasgow precede Joyce in death.

Friends may call from 2-7 PM on Sunday, Dec. 21 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 3-5 PM Sunday at the funeral home and again on Monday from 10-11 AM at the church.

The funeral service for Joyce will be 11:00 AM on Monday, December 22nd at the Calvary Baptist Church, 801 East Mapleleaf Drive, Mt. Pleasant. The Rev. Dr. David Strope, Pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Trinity Cemetery, rural Mt. Union.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to Calvary Baptist Church. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

Mount Pleasant Board of Education Names Dr. Sharon Dentlinger as Next District Superintendent

By Kadie Johannson · Friday, December 19th, 2025 at 8:04 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Community School District Board of Education has named Dr. Sharon Dentlinger as the district’s next superintendent.

Dr. Dentlinger is the current assistant professor of practice and superintendent program coordinator at the University of Northern Iowa. She also has over 20 years of experience serving as a principal at Kuemper Catholic Schools, superintendent and curriculum director for the Interstate 35 Community School District, and director of special education at Heartland Area Education Agency (AEA).

Throughout her time as an educator and administrator, Dr. Dentlinger has been known for her strategic leadership and expertise in providing professional development opportunities for educators. This reflects her commitment to student growth and achievement in the classroom.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Sharon Dentlinger as our next superintendent,” said Board President Angie Blint. “Her deep passion for education, coupled with a commitment to supporting both students and staff, makes her the right choice for our district. Sharon understands that every decision must center around the well-being and success of our students and the professional growth of our educators. We are confident that under her leadership, our district will continue to thrive, and our students will receive the best possible education. We will work together to ensure the path ahead is clear: a district united, a community inspired and our students empowered to achieve without limits.“

Dr. Dentlinger also has experience teaching early childhood and special education in communities across Iowa. She is a Rural School Advocates of Iowa (RSAI) legislative team member and an active member of Lions Club International and Rotary International.

“I am honored and excited to work with the students, staff, board and community of the Mount Pleasant Community School District as we engage in the work that focuses on continuing to “empower students to achieve without limits.” The foundation for learning is strong and I look forward to being a part of the journey.” Dr. Dentlinger said.

Board members worked with staff at Grundmeyer Leader Services to find the district’s superintendent. The board’s goal was to conduct the search as early as possible to provide ample time for a transition.

Dr. Dentlinger will officially begin leading the Mount Pleasant Community School District effective July 1, 2026.

Holiday Hours for Henry County Courthouse Offices

By Kadie Johannson · Friday, December 19th, 2025 at 7:59 am CDT

Here are the holiday hours for the offices at the Henry County courthouse:

On Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, 2025, the Henry County Clerk of court is closed, while the Henry County Treasurer’s office is open 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Henry County Auditors, Henry County Recorders, and the Henry County Assessors offices are all open 8:00 a.m. – noon.

On Christmas Day, Thursday, Decemer 25, 2025 all courthouse offices will be closed.

On Friday, December 26, 2025 the Auditors, Treasurers, Recorders, Attorneys, and Accessors Offices will be closed. The Henry County Clerk of Court will be open from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For assistance, please call 319-385-2632 ext. 5.

Garbage Collection Schedule in Mount Pleasant for Christmas Holiday

By Kadie Johannson · Friday, December 19th, 2025 at 7:33 am CDT

The City of Mount Pleasant will be closed on Christmas Day, Thursday, December 24, 2025.

Trash pickup in the city of Mount Pleasant for Lance Refuse and WEMIGA will be moved one day later. If your pickup day normally falls on Thursday, it will now be picked up on Friday. Garbage collection for Wednesday, December 23, 2025 will carry on as scheduled.

Similarly, garbage collection on New Years Day will be moved one day later as New Years Day also falls on a Thursday.

The City of Mount Pleasant offices are closed on New Years Day, Thursday, January 1, 2026.

O’Donnell seeks Iowa House Seat in District 87

By Kadie Johannson · Friday, December 19th, 2025 at 7:20 am CDT

A rural Keosauqua man is running for the Iowa House of Representatives in the coming year.

Tom O’Donnell is seeking the seat in House District 87, which covers Van Buren County and parts of Henry and Jefferson counties, including Mt. Pleasant and Fairfield.

O’Donnell said he’s running to help keep the rural lifestyle residents love, working across the entire district to address costs and improve education, health care, economic opportunities, natural resources and more.

“We prize our children, want them to succeed and thrive, and hopefully, remain or return to help our area grow,” O’Donnell said. “We’re a community that helps each other, where we’re safe, where we can enjoy natural beauty and resources like forests, rivers, lakes and fields full of wildlife. We care for and respect our elderly and veterans. We love our small towns and want them to succeed and offer things that make them even better places to live.”

But “we can feel our rural life and special people and places slipping away,” O’Donnell said. Food, housing and utilities costs are rising. Wages aren’t keeping up. Population and school enrollment are falling. Hospitals are struggling. Seniors risk injury or death in poorly monitored care centers. Family, friends and neighbors die too young from preventable diseases, especially cancer.

“We can preserve and improve our unique and wonderful rural lifestyle and places,” O’Donnell said. “It takes all of us, working together.”

O’Donnell, is a retired reporter and editor and lives in the unincorporated town of Vernon with his wife, Paula Mohr. He has two grown children who live out of state. O’Donnell ran for the House seat in 2024, losing to Republican Jeff Shipley.

The campaign will formally launch in February.

Sports, December 19th

By Slaten Swords · Friday, December 19th, 2025 at 6:45 am CDT

High School Basketball

Central Lee competed in the Rumble on the River last night and split their night with the girls’ team falling 53-27 and the boys’ team winning 52-38. 

West Burlington will square off on the road against Central Lee tonight with the boys’ game following the girls at 7:30 pm.

The WACO girls’ team held close with Highland last night but ultimately lost 52-43 behind Kamryn Fink’s 20 points. The Warriors now head into winter break.

The #10 Mediapolis girls’ team clobbered Winfield-Mt. Union last night, 81-29. Grace Holsteen and Madden Thie each chipped in 17 points to the winning effort. The Bulldogs will host New London tonight with tip-off at 6 pm.

Columbus split their evening against Pekin last night with the girls’ team winning 41-37 and the boys’ team losing 66-60. Wapello will compete against Columbus at home tonight with game one at 6 pm.

Holy Trinity Catholic will travel to Burlington Notre Dame tonight with game one at 6 pm.

Danville will host Van Buren County tonight with the night starting at 6 pm.

Mt. Pleasant will travel to Washington tonight with game one at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm.

Fairfield will face off against Keokuk tonight at home with game one at 6 pm.

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will compete in a quad in Burlington tonight with Central Lee also in attendance. 

High School Wrestling

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team celebrated their senior night with a pair of dominant victories at their home meet last night, taking down Mediapolis 64-18 and WACO 61-18. Kohen Dietzenbach and Ian Maize participated in one of the most dramatic matches of the night with the Nike narrowly defeating the Warrior by a 1-0 decision. Jared and Joey Glendening and Kael Cook each finished the night undefeated, while WACO’s Braxton Stauffer and Kyler Crow of Mediapolis finished the night 2-0. 

Mt. Pleasant traveled to Fort Madison for their duel and split the night with the girls’ team losing 54-18 and the boys’ sneaking out with a 45-35 victory. In the girls’ match, Paris Phosy and Quintrie Lee picked up wins by fall. For the Panthers’ boys’ team, Aven Beauchamp, Levi Evans, Charlie Bohenkamp, Kolbein Ostby, Keegan Birdsell, and Juan Lopez all pinned their opponents, while Ramzy Davis defeated Eric Cornelis by a 4-1 decision.

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team hosted a quad last night and finished the meet with a 2-1 record, defeating Van Buren County 60-24 and Wapello 48-27, while losing to Iowa Valley 55-24. Bowen Thomson, Ronaldo Villegas, and Angel Ineichen finished the night undefeated. 

Van Buren County smacked Wapello 51-29 as Leo Jirak finished the night unblemished. Wapello was led by Cohen Wolford as he left the mat without a loss. 

The Fairfield boys’ team upended Burlington in a thrilling 42-41 finish. Alex Hudson, Noah Patel, and Aiden Holthus each collected victories by fall. The Fairfield girls’ team fell to the Grayhounds 60-24. Samantha Lyons, June Connor, Kensley Fligg, and Bailey Belzer each pinned their opponents. 

The Fairfield boys’ team will compete at the Pella Invitational tomorrow, December 20th.

The New London, Mt. Pleasant, Van Buren County, Mediapolis, and Burlington Notre Dame boys’ teams will wrestle at the Fort Madison Invitational tonight.

The WACO and Wapello boys’ teams will participate in the Regina Invitational tomorrow.

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will wrestle at the North Linn Invitational tomorrow. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will travel to Prairie tomorrow for an invite.

The WACO and Wapello girls’ teams will compete in the Warhorse Invitational tomorrow.

College Football

#23 Iowa will take on #14 Vanderbilt on December 31st at 11 am for the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa, Florida. 

College Basketball

The #10 Iowa State women’s team will prepare to host their first conference game of the season against Kansas on Sunday, December 21st, at 1 pm.

The #11 Iowa women’s team will face off against #1 UConn in the Shark Beauty Women’s Champions Classic tomorrow, December 20th, at 12:30 pm. 

The Iowa men’s team will travel to play Bucknell tomorrow at 5 pm.

The #4 Iowa State men’s team will stay at home to take on Long Beach State on Sunday at 5 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1904 – The Dawson City hockey team begins their 9 day walk to get a boat to Seattle to catch a train to Ottawa to play in the Stanley Cup. 

1984 – Wayne Gretzky, at the age of 23, is the 18th and youngest NHL player to score 1,000 points. 

2010 – “Miracle at the New Meadowlands”, the Philadelphia Eagles trail the New York Giants by 21 points with eight minutes to play, before scoring four touchdowns in the final seven minutes, including a dramatic walk-off punt return for a touchdown by DeSean Jackson.

Henry County Supervisors Approve Quarry Lease, Revolving Loan Plan Updates

By Kadie Johannson · Thursday, December 18th, 2025 at 3:38 pm CDT

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met Thursday, December 18th at the Henry County Courthouse to conduct regular business, hear department updates, and take action on several agenda items.

County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss provided an update from Secondary Roads and discussed ongoing projects across the county. Supervisors approved a lease agreement with ITC Midwest LLC to lease 10.1 acres of the county quarry for storage. The lease will run from October 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028, with the county receiving a lump sum payment of $136,350, calculated at $500 per acre per month. Hotchkiss explained that the funds from the lease will go directly toward the cost of crushing rock at the quarry in 2026. Crews plan to build a three-year stockpile of crushed rock to carry the county through the duration of the lease. Secondary Roads will still have access to its stockpiles during the lease period.

Hotchkiss also reported that crews continue work on the bridge replacement project on 235th Street west of Mount Pleasant. Crews have been removing the bridge deck and are working on ramps to access the channel below for additional work.

Supervisors and Hotchkiss discussed potential changes to the county’s dust control fees. Supervisors requested that Hotchkiss return with additional information at a future meeting, including data on the number of residents who submit late applications for dust control.

Zach James with Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission presented updates to the Henry County Revolving Loan Plan. James explained that eligibility requirements have expanded. Previously, applicants were required to live in Henry County but outside city limits. The updated plan now allows applicants from anywhere within Henry County. Additionally, the program has been expanded beyond for-profit businesses to include nonprofit organizations. Supervisors voted to approve the resolution updating the Henry County Revolving Loan Plan.

Steve and Marcy Davis provided an update on Preservation of Oakland Mills. The group requested permission to sign an engineering contract to re-evaluate the bridge and assess its structural integrity. Supervisors requested a copy of the proposed engineering agreement for review before taking further action.

During supervisors’ subcommittee updates, each supervisor shared reports from committees they serve on. Supervisor Chad White also addressed an ongoing issue regarding a request from Deputy Lopez for reimbursement of legal fees related to his removal from the Brady Giglio list. White reported that after consulting with an attorney provided through the Iowa Communities Assurance Pool, he was advised that Henry County does not have a legal basis to reimburse those fees. White noted that the board has reached out to Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird for additional guidance but has not yet received a response. No official decision was made during the meeting.

The meeting concluded following additional discussion and routine business.