Time Is Running Out — Take Action on Thistles Now!

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, May 5th, 2025 at 10:36 am CDT

As spring advances, thistles are quickly becoming a bigger threat in pastures and fields — but there’s still time to act. Iowa State University Extension agronomists are urging landowners and farmers to manage thistle patches before they spread further.

“Once plants have bolted, cutting or mowing stems will reduce or perhaps prevent seed production,” said Meaghan Anderson, ISU Extension Field Agronomist.

Thistles not only choke out desirable forage but also reduce pasture productivity and can create long-term management headaches. The Extension recommends targeted strategies for control, including well-timed herbicide applications and consistent mowing practices.

Don’t wait until thistles go to seed — early intervention is key. Learn practical tips and proven methods for tackling these tough weeds by visiting the full Extension article here

Mount Pleasant Finance Committee Eyes Home school Program Expansion, District Partnerships

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, May 5th, 2025 at 10:35 am CDT

Mount Pleasant Finance Committee Eyes Home school Program Expansion, District Partnerships

MOUNT PLEASANT — The Mount Pleasant Community School District’s finance committee met Friday to explore expanding its home school assistance program (HSAP) and setting up 28E agreements with neighboring districts.

The conversation centered on how the district can meet increasing demand from families both inside and outside the district who want to access home school support while retaining connections to their home districts for activities like sports and extracurricular.

Lynn Haffner, who oversees the HSAP alongside Dr. Butler, explained that the program currently serves about 118 students, nearing its capacity. With Iowa law capping caseloads at 50 students per full-time teacher (or 25 per half-time teacher), the district has already discussed hiring an additional half-time staff member to accommodate next year’s numbers.

The committee considered formal agreements that would let students from districts like Danville, New London, and Mediapolis stay enrolled at home for sports while accessing Mount Pleasant’s HSAP. Funding would be split between the districts, with Mount Pleasant receiving about 0.3 weighting per student.

Committee members raised concerns about quickly hitting capacity, Dr. Butler urged a cautious approach. Administrators discussed drafting a template agreement, and the board will revisit the issue at a later meeting.

Walk with Ease program starts May 12

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, May 5th, 2025 at 10:34 am CDT

Henry County Public Health, in collaboration with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, invites residents to get moving and feel better this spring by joining the next Walk with Ease program starting May 12th.

This free six-week walking program meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at The REC Center in Mt. Pleasant. Developed by the Arthritis Foundation, Walk with Ease is designed to help participants safely increase their physical activity, reduce joint pain, and gain confidence in their mobility.

The program is open to all Henry County residents. Whether you’re managing arthritis, recovering from injury, or simply looking to become more active, Walk with Ease provides the support and structure to help you get moving—safely and comfortably.

Space is limited! Call Public Health at 319-385-0779 to sign up today.

NOTICE OF ELECTION FOR THE MT. PLEASANT COMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 2 VACANCY

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, May 5th, 2025 at 10:26 am CDT

NOTICE OF ELECTION

TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE MT. PLEASANT COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT:

On Tuesday May 13, 2025, the polls will be open between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 8:00 P.M., the regular municipal election for the Mt. Pleasant Community School District will be held to elect a School Board Member.

A public test of all voting equipment for this election will be held on THURSDAY, May 8, 2025, at 10:00 AM.

The polling places for electors will be as follows:

All MT PLEASANT SCHOOL DISTRICT ELECTORS   – St. Alphonsus Church Manning Hall
607 S Jackson St, Mt Pleasant

This notice is given pursuant to Section 49.53 Code of Iowa and dated this 5th day of May 2025.

Prep Boys’ Tennis: IHSAA Releases Team Assignments for Postseason Play

By Slaten Swords · Monday, May 5th, 2025 at 9:54 am CDT

Prep Tennis- Boys’ high school tennis for the 2025 season is slowly coming to an end with postseason play scheduled to start next Wednesday, May 14th, for District singles and doubles play and Substate set for Saturday, May 17th. Aptly, the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) released the postseason assignments.

Class 1A-Districts

Fairfield will be hosting three other Southeast Conference (SEC) schools in Fort Madison, Keokuk, and Mt. Pleasant. Assumption, Ballard, Camanche, and Central DeWitt will also be making the trip. If Wednesday’s event gets rained out, it will be rescheduled for Thursday, May 15th.

For a full look at the Class 1A District assignments, follow this link: Class 1A District Team Assignments

Class 2A-Districts

Burlington will be tasked with a road trip for their District showdown as Ottumwa will be hosting the Grayhounds, along with Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Iowa City West, and Muscatine.

For a full look at the Class 2A District assignments, follow this link: Class 2A District Team Assignments

Class 1A-Substate

Mt. Pleasant will be placed in Substate #7 with fellow SEC foes in Fort Madison and Keokuk in the grouping. Assumption, Camanche, Grinnell, Oskaloosa, and Xavier will also join the fray.

Fairfield will compete in Substate #8, along with Albia, Centerville, Chariton, Clarke, Knoxville, and Pella.

The first and second round will take place on Saturday, May 17th, with the finals scheduled for Wednesday, May 21st.

For a full look at the Class 1A Substate assignments, follow this link: Class 1A Substate Team Assignments

Class 2A-Substate

Burlington will be participating in Substate #7. Cedar Rapids Jefferson, Iowa City West, Muscatine, North Scott, and Ottumwa will also be in the grouping.

For a full look at the Class 2A Substate assignments, follow this link: Class 2A Substate Team Assignments

Mount Pleasant Kicks Off Small Business Week at Family Medicine

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, May 5th, 2025 at 8:34 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce launched its Small Business Week celebrations today, May 5, with a gathering at Family Medicine of Mount Pleasant, located at 501 S. White Street.

The event, held at 1:30 p.m., marks the first stop on a week long schedule spotlighting local businesses and their contributions to the community. Chamber members, local leaders, and supporters will gather to recognize the clinic’s role in providing essential healthcare services and supporting the well-being of area residents.

This kickoff event sets the tone for several more celebrations throughout the week, each highlighting the importance of small businesses in driving local economic growth, creating jobs, and fostering community connections.

Chamber officials encourage the public to join in upcoming events, including stops at CrossFit Teo, American Hair Academy, Capstone Pharmacy, and Quality Equipment Inc., culminating with a ribbon cutting at LuLu’s Dam Grill on Friday.

PareSetta L. Sammons

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, May 5th, 2025 at 8:24 am CDT

PareSetta L. Sammons, 54, of Rome passed away on Friday, May 2, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. 

Setta was the New Year’s baby born on January 6, 1971 at the Henry County Hospital, the daughter of Dennis E. and Georgia (Calhoun) Sammons.  She graduated from the Mount Pleasant High School in 1989.  Setta worked for the Mount Pleasant Community Schools in the cafeteria and later alongside her parents Dennis and Georgia and her brother Dean at Deano’s Restaurant for 23 years.  She enjoyed sewing, puzzles, movies and baking cookies with her mother.   Setta loved her nieces and nephews and enjoyed making their Halloween costumes and trick or treat bags.   Setta had a wonderful smile, laugh and a heart of gold. She loved to watch football, racing and wrestling and listening to country music.   

 

Those thankful for sharing in her life include her mother, Georgia of Rome and her brothers, Edward (Brenda) Sammons of Rome, Dean (Susan) Sammons of Rome, and her sister, Annette (Carey) Hawk of Mt. Pleasant and her nieces and nephews,  Brock, Tyler, Cameron, Clayton, Grace, Chelsea, Jessica, Jamie, Jacquelyn and Jalyn and her 19 great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Dennis.

 Funeral Services will be held on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Rome Baptist Church with words of comfort by Jeff Murphy.  Burial will follow in the Grant Cemetery.  Friends may call after 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant where the family will be present from 4 to 6 p.m. that evening.  Memorials may be directed to the Rome Baptist Church and to the Grant Cemetery in her memory.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant is caring for her arrangements.

Sports, May 5th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, May 5th, 2025 at 6:26 am CDT

High School Track

Mt. Pleasant and West Burlington/Notre Dame will participate in the Brookhart-Crew Relays at Fairfield tonight.

Columbus will host the Wildcat relays at Louisa-Muscatine, due to their field renovation, tonight with Wapello in attendance. 

The Van Buren County Co-Ed meet is scheduled for tonight with New London and Central Lee making the trip.

WACO and Danville will travel to Highland for an Invitational tonight.

High School Tennis

Mt. Pleasant will square off against Burlington tonight with the girls’ team on the road and the boys’ team at home.

The Fairfield boys’ team participated in the Ottumwa Invitational over the weekend and finished in 1st place. The Trojans handled the 2nd place Bulldogs 6-3 in their showdown. The Trojans will take on Keokuk tonight with the boys’ team at home and the girls’ team hitting the road.

High School Golf

The Mediapolis and Danville girls’ teams will compete in the Washington Invitational today.

The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team will face off against WACO today at home.

The Mt. Pleasant, Central Lee, New London, and Holy Trinity Catholic girls’ teams will compete in the Keokuk Invite today.

The Mt. Pleasant, Danville, Mediapolis, New London, and Fairfield boys’ teams will compete in the Washington Invitational today at Blue Top Ridge Golf Course.

The Southeast Iowa Super Conference boys’ tournament is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7th. 

High School Soccer

The #4 Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team traveled to Assumption over the weekend and dropped both of their games. Wahlert Catholic managed just four shots on goal compared to the Nikes’ nine, but the Golden Eagles were the only ones to find the back of the net in a 1-0 loss for Notre Dame.

Game two pinned the Nikes against Class 1A’s #5 St. Albert and the Falcons had the offense firing on all cylinders in the 6-2 win. Alessandro Markomichelakis and Carson Kuechmann each notched a goal in the loss. 

Mediapolis will take on Burlington Notre Dame on the road tonight with the girls playing first at 5 pm and the boys’ game to follow.

The Central Lee girls’ team will face off against Canton on the road tonight at 5 pm, while the boys’ team will play on Thursday, May 8th, against Albia on the road at 5:30 pm.

The Wapello girls’ team will travel to Benton at 5 pm tonight. 

The Columbus boys’ team will compete against Danville tonight at 7 pm at home and the girls’ team will battle Centerville tomorrow, May 6th, at 5:30 pm on the road.

Fairfield will compete against Washington tonight with the girls’ team on the road and the boys’ team at home.

Mt. Pleasant will face off against Keokuk tonight with the girls on the road at 5 pm.

The WACO boys’ team is back in action tomorrow against Sigourney Keota at 5 pm on the road.

Southeastern Community College                                                     

The baseball team bounced back to win the series against Indian Hills Community College to wrap up their regular season over the weekend. Game one of the weekend doubleheader saw the offense jump on the Warriors immediately with four runs in the top of the first inning, eventually going on to take it 9-3. Joey Ward led the way with four RBIs. 

Game two needed some heroics as the Blackhawks found themselves trailing 3 to 2 entering the 8th inning, despite Owen Sikkink smacking a solo home run earlier in the game. Jace Figuereo, as a pinch hitter, collected a clutch two-RBI single to push SCC to a 4-3 victory. 

SCC received the #1-seed and a first-round bye for the ICCAC Region 11 tournament. The Blackhawks will face off against the winner between Ellsworth and Des Moines Area Community College on Friday, May 9th, at 3:30 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1904 – Cy Young pitches the first perfect game in “modern” baseball as the Boston Americans beat Philadelphia Athletics, 3-0.

1973 – 99th Kentucky Derby: Ron Turcotte aboard Secretariat wins in 1:59.4 – fastest Kentucky Derby ever.

1995 – Last basketball game at Boston Garden; Celtics eliminated from playoffs by Orlando Magic, 95-92.