Edward E. Conwell Sr. age 78 of Mount Pleasant passed away. Funeral Arrangements are pending at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant.
Thomas Judd – PENDING
Sweet Summer Support: Heartland Youth For Christ Launches 2025 Peach & Pecan Fundraiser
Heartland Youth For Christ is inviting community members to support their 2025 summer fundraiser by purchasing juicy Georgia peaches and flavorful pecans, with proceeds helping to connect local youth to the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.
Supporters can choose from:
- 15 pounds of Georgia peaches for $38
- 1 pound of pecans (either plain or cinnamon & sugar) for $18
Orders are available for pick-up the week of June 23rd at four convenient locations across Eastern and Southeastern Iowa: Cedar Rapids, Manchester, Mount Pleasant, and Ottumwa.
To participate:
- Visit the Pre-Order Form to reserve your peaches and pecans.
- After submitting your order, follow the provided link to make a secure payment online through Square.
Proceeds from the sale go directly toward Heartland Youth For Christ’s mission of reaching and mentoring teens in our region—providing faith-based guidance, community, and hope.
Mount Pleasant Woman Arrested Following Late-Night Collision and Attempted Hit-and-Run
Mount Pleasant, IA – May 21, 2025 — A Mount Pleasant woman was arrested late Saturday night following a traffic collision in the 700 block of East Cedar Lane that left two vehicles disabled and police suspecting impaired driving.
At approximately 10:43 p.m. on May 18, the Mount Pleasant Police Department responded to reports of a crash involving a vehicle that had attempted to flee the scene. Upon arrival, officers discovered a black 2005 Subaru Legacy parked on the side of the road showing signs of damage, and a gray 2012 Kia Sorento disabled in the middle of the street.
According to authorities, the Kia had been traveling eastbound when it sideswiped the parked Subaru. The driver, later identified as 28-year-old Kyndra Ramsey of Mount Pleasant, allegedly attempted to leave the scene but was unable to do so due to significant damage sustained in the crash. Both vehicles were rendered inoperable, and damages were estimated at approximately $5,000.
As Breuer’s Towing worked to remove the Kia from the roadway, officers discovered an open container of vodka inside the vehicle. Ramsey was determined to be operating under the influence of alcohol and was taken into custody at the scene.
She was transported to the Henry County Jail and charged with Operating While Under the Influence, a serious misdemeanor. Ramsey also received a citation for Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Liability in an Accident.
The Mount Pleasant Police Department continues to investigate the incident and reminds the public that a criminal charge is merely an accusation, and all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
REVISED – AGENDA Board of Supervisors May 22, 2025 9:00 a.m.
Henry County Supervisors
100 E Washington St Ste 202
Mt Pleasant IA 52641
Fax: 319-385-3601
Chad White, Vice-Chair Marc Lindeen, Chairman Steven Detrick, Member
319-385-0759 319-385-0760 319-385-0761________
REVISED – AGENDA
Board of Supervisors
May 22, 2025
9:00 a.m.
- Approve Agenda
- Approve Minutes
- Approve Claims
- Engineer, Jake Hotchkiss Weekly Updates.
- Northland Securities, Heidi Kuhl
- Sheriff, Rich McNamee Outside Counsel
- 2nd Reading on the Alternative Energy Overlay District Ordinance.
Supervisors’ Sub-Committee Updates
Hit-and-Run Reported in Brighton; Suspected Intoxicated Driver Flees Scene
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to a traffic incident Tuesday evening following multiple calls reporting a hit-and-run involving a black Dodge Charger.
Witnesses stated the Charger, bearing Iowa license plate NQJ227, struck another vehicle, swerved off the road into a yard, and lost its rear bumper before fleeing eastbound. The driver, described as a white male, was believed to be intoxicated at the time of the crash.
Deputies arrived at the scene and confirmed that while the second vehicle involved did not sustain visible damage, a yard and utility pole suffered impact. The suspect was not located, and no arrests have been made. Authorities are treating the case as documentation only at this time.
Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Sports, May 21st
High School Track
The State Track and Field meet is scheduled to start tomorrow, May 22nd, and run through Saturday, May 24th, in Des Moines. KILJ will be keeping track of 16 local teams, providing updates and results throughout the three-day event. For a full list of our local state qualifiers’ heat assignments and times, follow this link: Heat Assignments and Times
High School Tennis
The Fairfield boys’ team will square off against Pella today on the road.
The Fairfield girls’ team finished as the Regional Runner-up after narrowly defeating Central DeWitt 5-4, but then getting shutout against Xavier 5-0 in the Regional championship. The Trojans concluded the season with a 16-2 record.
High School Golf
The girls’ Region 5 final will take place at Little Bear Country Club in Midland today with Wapello, Columbus, and New London competing as teams and Elizabeth Griffin of Holy Trinity Catholic and Kellee Milks of Winfield-Mt. Union participating as individuals.
The Mt. Pleasant and Fairfield girls’ teams will compete in the Class 3A Regional today at Edmundson Golf Course.
The Class 1A state golf meet will take place at South Hills Golf Course in Waterloo on Tuesday, May 27th, and Wednesday, May 28th.
Central Lee will contend for the boys’ Class 2A state championship starting Tuesday at Gates Park Golf Course in Waterloo.
Washington’s Drew Conrad will tee off on Tuesday at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls for the boys’ Class 3A state meet.
High School Soccer
In the boys’ Class 1A Substate 5 bracket, Danville’s Colin Pealer put two goals in the back of the net to secure a 3-1 win against WACO last night. Aiden Konig was nearly lights out for the Bears, saving 17 of the 18 shots he faced. Danville will take on (14-1) West Liberty on Tuesday, May 27th, at 7 pm in a road showdown.
The Central Lee boys team advanced to the substate semifinals after handling Sigourney Keota last night 6-2. Zach Estrada nabbed a hat-trick in the winning effort. The Hawks will travel to Mediapolis on Tuesday at 7 pm.
In the boys’ Class 2A Substate 5 bracket, The Wapello boys’ team was eliminated from the postseason after getting thumped by Central DeWitt 11-0.
On the top half of the bracket, #6 Burlington Notre Dame will take on Assumption on Tuesday at 7 pm at home.
It will be a Southeast Conference battle in the boys’ Class 2A Substate 6 semifinals after Fairfield defeated Centerville last night 1-0. Mt. Pleasant will get to host the contest against the Trojans on Tuesday at 5 pm.
In the girls’ Class 1A Region 3 bracket, The Wapello girls’ team was knocked out of postseason play last night in an 8-0 shutout at the hands of Mid-Prairie. Mt. Pleasant will face off against the Golden Hawks tonight at 5:30 pm at home.
Fairfield will travel to Assumption tonight at 7 pm.
The Mediapolis girls’ team will face off against Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union tonight at 7 pm at home for postseason play.
The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team will start their postseason journey on Friday, May 23rd, on the road against Clear Creek Amana at 7 pm.
High School Baseball
Mediapolis put on a scoring clinic against Fort Madison last night, winning 12-3 in their season opener. The Bulldogs will face off against New London on the road at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, May 27th.
Central Lee had their contest against Burlington canceled last night. The Hawks will compete against Fairfield on Wednesday, May 28th, at 7:30 pm on the road.
Fairfield scored the first run of the game, but Oskaloosa sent the Trojans back home with a 12-2 loss after scoring seven runs between the first two innings. Luke Konczal nabbed an RBI-double at the plate. The Trojans will look to win their home opener tonight against Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont with first pitch at 7:30 pm.
Wapello will tangle with BGM tonight at 5:30 pm on the road.
Mt. Pleasant will make the trip to Grinnell tonight at 7:30 pm. Panther head coach Brent Broeker talked about how these first two weeks will be used as an opportunity to answer some questions from the off-season,
“We’re going to go into it, as you know, just kind of almost like a scrimmage. We’re going to see how many guys we can get on the mound, see what they can do. Our big thing is, you know, we’ve got these first two weeks, that’s how we’re going to use those. You know, obviously, we’re trying to win, but we want to put guys in positions, see how they perform. The big thing is, you know, in two weeks, on that Monday, we get Fairfield, so we got to be ready to go by then.”
Van Buren County will travel to Keokuk tomorrow, May 22nd, at 7:30 pm.
West Burlington will stay at home for their matchup against Hillcrest Academy on Friday, May 23rd, at 5:30 pm.
College Signing
Holy Trinity Catholic’s star basketball player Luke Hellige signed his National Letter of Intent yesterday to continue his career at Cornell College. The senior collected 1,792 points, 706 rebounds, and 238 three-pointers to finish his career as the all-time leader in each of those categories. Additionally, he was named to the All-Substate team three times, two 1st Team All-State nods, and invited to the 2025 Pizza Ranch All-Star Games.
Southeastern Community College
The baseball team is heading back to Enid, Oklahoma for the third straight season after nabbing the #7-seed as an at-large bid in the NJCAA DII World Series. The Blackhawks will start their postseason journey on Saturday, May 24th, at 10 am against the #10-seed Kellogg Community College, who is on a 17-game win streak after winning the Great Lakes District Championship.
This Day in Sports History
1819 – The first bicycles (swift walkers) in the US were introduced in New York City.
1943 – Fastest 9 inning American League baseball game. The Chicago White Sox beat the visiting Washington Senators, 1-0, in 89 minutes.
2006 – The Swedish ice hockey team Tre Kronor takes gold in the World Championship, becoming the first nation to hold both the World and Olympic titles in the same year.
Holy Trinity Catholic’s Luke Hellige Signs on to Play Basketball at Cornell College
Fort Madison, IA- The Holy Trinity Catholic boys’ basketball team has enjoyed a renaissance after eight consecutive seasons of 0.500 basketball or worse, as the Crusaders have gone a collective 38-11 the last two years and knocked on the door of a state tournament appearance in both seasons.
A big reason for that is Luke Hellige, who signed his National Letter of Intent at his Senior Awards Ceremony on Tuesday afternoon to continue his basketball career at Cornell College.
The Crusaders had a complete turn of fortune in Hellige’s junior season, going from 9 wins the year previous to a 19-6 record, which included a 10-4 conference record against the SEISC-South division.
The year culminated into a thrilling 70-66 victory for Holy Trinity Catholic over North Mahaska to claim the District Championship. Hellige produced his usual stat line of 24 points, knocking down three three-pointers, collecting eight rebounds, and notching three steals.
However, that game was not his most dominant showing of the season. A road game against Highland on February 6th gets that honor. The then-junior broke the single-game record for points when he cashed in for 45 points on 18 of 27 shooting, while gathering a double-double with 12 rebounds.
Entering his senior season having already reset the career scoring record at Holy Trinity Catholic, Hellige continued his reign over southeast Iowa as he averaged a career high 26.6 points per game to go along with his 8.2 rebounds.
The Crusaders’ last five wins displayed the senior’s long-range skill as he knocked down 30 threes on 59% shooting, including games where he scored 42 and 43 points, respectively, on a combined 18 of 25 shooting from three-point land.
Hellige finished his career with 1,792 points, 706 rebounds, and 238 three-pointers made to finish as the all-time leader in each of those categories. Additionally, he was named to the All-Substate team three times, two 1st Team All-State nods, and invited to the 2025 Pizza Ranch All-Star Games.
Cornell College is coming off a winning season with a 15-10 record overall and a 9-7 record in the Midwest Conference, which was not good enough for the fourth and final spot in the conference tournament.