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.

Mt. Pleasant High School to Host a Basketball Camp Featuring Iowa Wesleyan Alumni and Coaches from June 5th through the 7th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, May 5th, 2025 at 6:07 am CDT

Mt. Pleasant, IA- “The Great Ones Adjust” is the calling card for a basketball camp taking place next month, June 5th through the 7th, at Mt. Pleasant High School for boys and girls, ages 5 to 18. The camp will also feature some notable Iowa Wesleyan University alumni players and coaches.

The three day camp, which is scheduled to run from 8 am to 12 pm, will work on basic fundamentals, footwork, ball handling, and mental toughness. Helping cement those pillars of competition will be former IWC players Marquise Lewis, Joseph Evans, and Jeff Harper, who also played professionally.

Additionally, Alan Magnani, the all-time winningest coach in IWC men’s basketball history, will also be supplying his services to the camp.

For information and to register, you can contact Coach Harper at 208-890-4172 or go to this link: Camp Registration. The camp will cost $150 per person.

Time Is Running Out — Take Action on Thistles Now!

By Hayden Douglas · Sunday, May 4th, 2025 at 6:27 pm 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

Jackie LeRoy Mettler,

By Hayden Douglas · Sunday, May 4th, 2025 at 6:11 pm CDT

Jackie LeRoy Mettler, 75, of New London, died Wednesday, April 30, 2025 in the Emergency Department of Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, West Burlington.  He was born June 20, 1949 to Theodore Frederick, Jr and Estella Ann Chewning Mettler.  On January 26, 1971 he married Patricia Ann Hinshaw in Oquawka, Illinois.  She died July 21, 2021.

He served in the Marines during Vietnam, then served in the Air Force.  Jackie worked for “Gales” in Galesburg, then after moving to New London, he worked as a maintenance mechanic at Metromail until retiring.  He and Patricia owned and operated J&P Diecast in New London.  He was an avid race car fan and used to race at 34 Raceways.  He was a huge fan of NASCAR and the Chicago Bears.

Survivors include his children Jacqueline (Casey) Mettler Drew and Shane (Mindy) Mettler both of New London; and Angie (Gary) Bell of San Tan Valley, Arizona; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his sister Linda Groves.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; brothers Jeff and Ted; and granddaughter Valerie.

The family will greet friends from 10:00 am – noon Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Elliott Chapel, New London with military rites at 10:00 by The Henry County Honor Guard.  A reception will immediately follow at the New London VFW Post #7641.  Inurnment of his cremains will be at a later date at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, rural Danville.  A memorial has been established for Southeast Iowa Renal Dialysis.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Ronald Ervin Miller

By Hayden Douglas · Sunday, May 4th, 2025 at 6:09 pm CDT

Ronald Ervin Miller, 78, of New London, died Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington.  He was born January 17, 1947 in Maynard, Iowa to Howard T. and Elsie Henrietta Fischer Miller.  On June 19, 1966 he married Nancy Wanda Riepe in New London.  She died August 19, 2023.

Ron was a 1965 graduate of New London High School, then graduated from Southeastern Community College and Iowa State University.  He taught and coached at New London High School for ten years. Then he began farming and working with Riepe Electric alongside his father-in-law, Wally Riepe, while also doing contracting work with Kirby Moon.  Ron loved his cattle; going to Canada on fishing trips; and supporting his children and grandchildren in all their sports and activities.  Through the years, he served on the New London School Board, New London Utility Board, the Prairie Ag Coop Board, and was a member of the Ruritans. He was a member of the Trinity Cemetery Board and Black and Gold Backers. He especially enjoyed attending Mardi Gras in New Orleans with his brother, Evan.

Ron is survived by his daughters, Lena (Michael) Jones of New London and Rachel (Jason) Huegel of Ankeny; four grandchildren, Tate and Morgan Jones and Ev and Jayden Huegel; sisters Susan (Jerry) Prottsman and Cynde (Bob) Lemley both of New London; brother Evan (Ellen) Miller of Valdosta, Georgia; sister-in-law Carol (Don) Miller of Washington, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

A funeral service for Mr. Miller will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, May 9, 2025 at Elliott Chapel, New London with burial following at Trinity Cemetery, rural Mt. Union.  Visitation will begin at noon on Thursday, May 8, at Elliott Chapel with the family greeting friends from 4:00 – 7:00 pm.  A memorial has been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Steven D. Swailes

By Hayden Douglas · Sunday, May 4th, 2025 at 6:08 pm CDT

Steven D. Swailes, 64, of Mount Pleasant passed away on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the Mayo Clinics and Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, with his wife and children by his side.

Steven was born on September 25, 1960, in Mount Pleasant the son of Roger D. and Rama (Giberson) Swailes.  Steven was united in marriage to Judy Kobs on June 4, 1983, in Mount Pleasant.  He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, hiking and just exploring the outdoors.  Even in his early childhood years, Steven was a part of Swailes Auto in Mount Pleasant until his health prevented him from being there.  He enjoyed watching the Iowa Hawkeyes. Most of all, the special part of his life was spending time with his family.  

Those thankful in sharing in his life include his wife, Judy of 42 years, and their children, Steven Tyler Swailes and Katie (Tristan) Harder, his mother, Rama (Richard) Dorothy,  his brother, Charles D. (Carol) Swailes, and his brother, Andrew W. Swailes, and his sister, Susan (Jerry) Kron, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Roger Swailes and his grandparents.

Friends may call on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant.  The family will not be present.  Memorials may be directed to the family.  Private graveside services will be held and burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery in Mount Pleasant.

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

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for his arrangements.