The Mount Pleasant School Board members didn’t really hear much they didn’t already know about the condition of district facilities. The Board held a work session Monday night to go over an assessment report done by Carl A. Nelson Company. The raw data collected on each of the 10 buildings will now be used to create a master plan that will include goals, timelines and costs to help the school district prioritize and create an ongoing schedule for facility improvements and maintenance. The high school is in good shape for years to come with expected upgrades and maintenance for a 22 year old structure. The elementary buildings have many of the same issues given they were all built in the late 1950’s to the early 1960’s. Ironically the original 1909 section of the middle school is probably in the best shape of any of the facilities. The auxiliary spaces like the bus barn and wisdom quest are thought to be beyond their use.
“GNOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS”
MOUNT PLEASANT TO HOST THIRD ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE
MOUNT PLEASANT— After a one-year hiatus, the Holiday Parade is back this year! Come downtown on Thursday, December 2 at 5:15 pm to see gnomes, elves and of course Santa will arrive at the end of the parade!
“We tried to do a virtual holiday celebration last year, but it just wasn’t the same”, said Kristi Perry of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance. “This parade celebrates everything that makes Mount Pleasant special, and we are so excited to be back.”
The Grand Marshalls for this year are Paul and Joyce Dennison and the employees at KILJ Radio who just celebrated their 50th year in business. There will be student groups, community leaders and look for business entries that will light up the skies with decorated vehicles. Immediately following the parade, plan to stay downtown and enjoy Holiday on Main hosted by Main Street Mount Pleasant.
The Chamber has two important needs for this year’s parade. We are specifically looking for carolers and convertibles. If anyone can help with either of those two entries, please contact Kristi Perry at the Chamber.
The parade will begin on Jefferson behind the Methodist Church and will head south on Jefferson to Monroe Street. They will turn and go one block east to Main Street. The parade proceeds back north to the church and will end at Saunders Street. The beautiful Central Park in downtown Mount Pleasant will be the perfect place to watch for Santa to arrive!
If you would like to be in the Holiday Parade, please contact the Chamber office for details. The Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance exists to improve the quality of life for Henry County residents through economic growth.
Daily Jail Count
In the interest of keeping Henry County residents informed, the Henry County Sheriff’s office has requested KILJ post the daily jail count. During the jail referendum campaign it was publicized that the jail would be able to house additional inmates from surrounding counties and this would generate revenue for Henry County.
Date: ____10-26-2021_____
JAIL COUNT
23_ Henry County Inmates
36_ Out of County Contract Inmates
59 TOTAL
Sports, Tuesday, October 26th
Prep Volleyball: Holy Trinity, Notre Dame, Mediapolis All Within One of State:
No. 5 Holy Trinity 3, No. 13 New London 0
Holy Trinity received 12 kills from Kassie Randolph and 10 from Mary Kate Bendlage as the fifth-ranked Crusaders rode their two stars to a three-set sweep victory over No. 13 New London last night.
The win propelled Holy Trinity to the Class 1A, Region 8 finals where they will meet up with Lamoni, Wednesday night at Ottumwa.
Lamoni took down Southeast Warren 3-2 last night.
Starting wasn’t the problem for New London yesterday as the Tigers held leads in the early portions of all three sets.
Holy Trinity just had answers.
Anna Sobczak and Teagan Snaadt played big roles in the back row — Sobczak had 23 digs while Snaadt finished with 17.
New London’s Natalie Burden led all attackers with 15 kills while Emma Nye dug up a match-high 40 balls for the Tigers.
New London closes their terrific season under first year head coach Lindsey Johnson 26-14, they will graduate four seniors.
Holy Trinity improved to 31-10.
You can listen to Wednesday’s match here on FM 105.5, with first serve slated for 7:00 p.m.
No. 1 Notre Dame 3, Winfield-Mount Union 0
Melina Oepping had six kills while Bradie Buffington chipped in with five but it was No. 1 Notre Dame, Class 1A’s defending champions, pulling themselves within one match of the state tournament as they earned a sweep over the Lady Wolves last night.
Notre Dame will square off with Easton Valley (21-8) Wednesday night at Muskie Fieldhouse in Muscatine at 6:00 p.m.
Josie Bentz and Gabby Deery led the Nike front row with 14 kills apiece, while Megan Harrell added eight.
Jenna Bentz provided 41 assists.
The win improved the Nikes to 34-8.
Winfield-Mount Union closes their season 22-11.
Mediapolis 3, Danville 1
Danville took set one, but Mediapolis rebounded and won three straight, earning a four set win to advance to Wednesday night’s Class 2A, Region 8 championship.
The Bullettes will scrap with 2A’s second-ranked Wilton, who is 35-2.
Hannah Wagenbach led the Bullettes with nine kills, she also chipped in with five blocks.
Haley Steffener added eight kills.
Danville ends their season 9-17.
Mediapolis improved to 14-23.
Their match with Wilton will also be played at Muskie Fieldhouse — first serve is anticipated for shortly after 7:00 p.m. at the conclusion of Notre Dame-Easton Valley.
College Football: Hankins, Moss Named Thorpe Award Semifinalists:
University of Iowa senior defensive backs Matt Hankins and Riley Moss have been named semifinalists for the 2021 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, awarded to the best defensive back in college football.
The announcement was made Monday.
Hankins has started 34 straight games in the Iowa secondary and has recorded three interceptions and 25 tackles as a senior in 2021.
Moss is tied for second in the country and leads the Big Ten with four interceptions, despite missing Iowa’s most recent game due to injury.
Moss had two interceptions returns for touchdowns in Iowa’s opening win over Indiana.
Iowa returns to the gridiron this weekend at Wisconsin.
Kick is set for 11:00 a.m.
Women’s College Basketball: Clark Named to Nancy Lieberman Watch List:
University of Iowa sophomore All-American Caitlin Clark has been named to the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year Preseason Watch List, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Monday.
The award is presented annually to the nation’s top point guard.
Clark averaged 26.6 points, 7.1 assists and nearly six boards per game in her record-setting freshman season.
The Hawkeye women will open their season with an exhibition bout against Truman State on November 4th.
Tip is set for 6:30 p.m.
Prep Football: WACO Storms Back, New London Claws, Mount Pleasant Beaten
No. 5 (8P) WACO 39, Edgewood-Colesburg 36
Eighth-ranked WACO used a strong second half to mount a furious rally, taking down Edgewood-Colesburg 39-36 Friday night in Wayland.
WACO trailed 20-10 at halftime and took a 23-20 lead midway thru the third quarter.
Quarterback Isaac Oswald hooked up with Drew Diers for two scoring passes, while Jon Rice plunged in from one yard in the second half.
Still, however, the game came down to the final moments after Edgewood-Colesburg’s Cael Funk tied the game up at 36 with just over 1:30 to play in the game.
WACO would drive the length of the field to eventually set up a field goal opportunity.
Simeon Reichenbach would be the one to boot the game game-winning 28-yard field goal with :14 seconds left to advance WACO.
The Warriors, now 9-0, will play in Friday’s Round of 16 at Martensdale-St. Mary’s, who is 7-2 on the season.
You can listen to that game on KILJ.
Edgewood-Colesburg ends their season 5-4.
No. 1 Montezuma 36, New London 34
Eddie Burgess and the high-flying Montezuma Braves stayed unbeaten with a narrow 36-34 win over New London.
Montezuma advances to the Round of 16, while New London bows out 4-4.
Dominic Lopez was electric at quarterback for the Tigers, completing 11-of-12 passes for 131 yards and four touchdowns.
Bowen Glaha was the recipient of three of those scores, hauling in five catches for 101 yards.
Burgess finished with four touchdowns for Montezuma racking up 376 total yards of offense.
Montezuma, 9-0, will host Audubon this Friday night.
No. 1 North Scott 55, Mount Pleasant 0
Mount Pleasant trailed 35-0 at the end of the first quarter as No. 1 North Scott rolled to a 55-0 win over the Panthers last Friday at Senior Night at Mapleleaf Athletic Complex.
The Lancers end their regular season as undefeated district champions as they now embark on the quest of defending their state championship from a year ago.
Mount Pleasant ends their year 1-8.
Other finals from the area:
- North Tama 23, Wapello 22 (PLAYOFFS)
- Lynnville-Sully 40, Highland 15 (PLAYOFFS)
- West Branch 35, Cardinal 6 (PLAYOFFS)
- Pella Christian 42, Mediapolis 21 (PLAYOFFS)
- Solon 63, Keokuk 6
- Grinnell 42, Fairfield 14
- Washington 34, West Burlington Notre Dame 20
Prep Volleyball: Showdowns Tonight Between Conference Rivals
KILJ — It is crunch time in terms of prep volleyball in the area, with several big matches to be played tonight.
In our featured matchup of the night, No. 12 New London will be at No. 5 Holy Trinity in a battle of Super Conference powers.
Holy Trinity enters play tonight 30-10 while New London is 26-13.
The Tigers have swept both of their first two opponents, while Holy Trinity — who received a bye — easily got by Seymour last week.
Holy Trinity has won five straight matchups between the two schools, with New London’s last win coming on September 12th, 2019.
The winner will move into Wednesday’s Regional Championship and play either Lamoni or Southeast Warren.
Tonight’s game will start at 7:00 p.m. and can be heard on KILJ-FM.
In 1A, Region 7, top-ranked Notre Dame will try to protect their home floor when they welcome in the balanced Lady Wolves of Winfield-Mount Union.
The Nikes have been on a mission this year, racking up a 33-8 record. Winfield has been running hot of late, they’re up to 22-10.
Notre Dame took down the Lady Wolves earlier this year by sweep, 2-0.
The Nikes have won six of the last eight against Winfield.
The winner will play either Easton Valley or Central City in Wednesday night’s region championship.
Match time tonight is 7:00 p.m.
In Class 2A, Mediapolis and Danville will meet up in a regional semifinal.
The Bullettes are 13-23, while Danville is 9-16.
Danville defeated Pekin 3-1 to get tot the semis, while Mediapolis swept Van Buren County.
Top-ranked Wilton awaits on the top of the bracket, provided they get by Iowa City Regina.
Tonight’s game will be played at Mediapolis and first serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
College Football: Ferentz Named to Dodd Trophy Midseason List
Iowa City — University of Iowa Moon Family head football coach Kirk Ferentz is one 16 head coaches named to the Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List.
The award is given annually to the head coach whos team excels on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
Ferentz is in his 23rd season as Iowa’s head coach, the longest tenured head coach in college football.
Iowa will return to the field this weekend when they travel to Madison to battle with Wisconsin.
Kick is set for 11:00 a.m.
College Football: Iowa State Moves Back Into Top 25
Ames — Following their 24-21 home upset over No. 8 Oklahoma State, the Iowa State Cyclones are back inside the AP Top-25.
Iowa State checks in this week at No. 22, while the Cowboys moved to No. 15.
Ohio State and Michigan remained at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively, while Iowa — while idle — moved up two spots to No. 9.
Penn State, who was beaten by Illinois in nine overtimes, dropped down 13 spots to No. 20.
Georgia, Cincinnati and Alabama comprise the top-three.