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Intersection Change Coming to Mediapolis December 3
Mediapolis, IA — Motorists traveling through Mediapolis will soon notice a change at a key intersection. The Iowa Department of Transportation’s District 5 Office has announced that beginning Wednesday, December 3, the intersection of old U.S. 61/Wapello Street and Main Street will be converted from a two-way stop to a four-way stop.
The DOT says the change is being made to improve both safety and traffic operations at the busy junction. Drivers are encouraged to stay alert and be prepared to stop in all directions once the new signs are in place.
The department reminds motorists to use extra caution during the first few days of the transition as drivers adjust to the new traffic pattern.
Sports, November 12th
Postseason High School Football
The UNI-Dome will house the semifinals of the State Playoffs starting today with Eight-Player leading off the path to the championships. Here’s the matchups.
For the Eight-Player semifinals, #4 Audubon will take on #1 Bishop Garrigan at 10 am, while #2 Woodbine will take on #3 Gladbrook-Reinbeck at the conclusion of game one.
Class A will feature three undefeated teams as Saint Ansgar will compete against Wapsie Valley at 10 am. MMCRU will tangle with West Sioux at 1 pm tomorrow, November 13th.
Class 1A will play on Friday, November 14th, with Grundy Center taking on Regina Catholic at 10 am and West Lyon facing off against South Hardin at 1 pm.
The Class 2A semifinals will lead off Saturday, November, 15th, with Osage and Van Meter playing at 10 am and Kuemper Catholic squaring off against Wilton at 1 pm. The Class 3A semifinals will follow with Bishop Heelan kicking off against Wahlert Catholic at 4 pm and Solon taking on Nevada at 7 pm.
The Class 4A semifinals will round out the slate tomorrow with Sergeant Bluff-Luton competing with Pella at 4 pm and Xavier squaring off against Newton at 7 pm.
Lastly, the Class 5A semifinals are set for Friday with Dowling Catholic facing off against Valley at 4 pm and Waukee Northwest dueling with Iowa City Liberty at 7 pm.
High School Girls’ Basketball
Mediapolis will travel to Burlington on Friday, November 14th, for a scrimmage.
Mt. Pleasant will host their jamboree on Monday, November 17th, with Columbus, Mediapolis, and Winfield-Mt. Union also participating.
New London will scrimmage against Fairfield and Van Buren County will take on Sigourney at a jamboree held by Cardinal on Tuesday, November 18th.
Southeastern Community College
The women’s basketball team will host Black Hawk College at 5 pm tonight.
The men’s basketball team will tangle with Highland Community College tonight at home at 7 pm.
The Iowa Community College Athletic Conference released their Athletes of the Week for November 3rd through the 9th yesterday and SCC had two wrestlers earn the honor in Will Muniz and Evelyn Phillips.
Muniz went 5-1 over the last week in the 174-pound weight class, which included a 3rd place finish at the Maverick Open after defeating Cameron Braswell by a 5-3 decision.
Phillips made her name known to the rest of the state in a home meet against Indian Hills, when she pinned the #2-ranked wrestler Olivia Stean. Both teams will be wrestling tonight with the men’s team hosting and the women’s team traveling to dual North Iowa Area Community College.
College Football
#21 Iowa returns to action on Saturday, November 15th, in a road showdown against #17 USC at 2:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM will be on the call.
Iowa State is now on a bye week.
College Basketball
The #21 Iowa women’s team will take on Drake tomorrow, November 13th, at 7:30 pm at home.
The Iowa men’s team will host Xavier on Friday, November 14th, at 7 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM will be on the call.
The #16 Iowa State women’s team will face off against Valparaiso tonight at 6:30 pm at home.
The #16 Iowa State men’s team will compete at home against Stonehill College on Monday, November 17th, at 7 pm. KILJ 98.5 FM and Am 1130 will be on the call.
This Day in Sports History
1892 – Pudge Heffelfinger receives $500 to become the first professional football player in the Allegheny Athletic Association’s 4-0 win over the Pittsburgh Athletic Club.
1990 – “The Body Bag Game.” After Eagles coach Buddy Ryan threatened to beat Washington so badly “they’ll have to be carted off in body bags” the Eagles defense scored two touchdowns winning 28–14, knocking six players out of the game.
2019 – Former Houston Astros MLB pitcher Mike Fiers reveals the team secretly “stole signs” via camera from visiting teams during the 2015-17 seasons; communication between opposing pitchers and catchers were intercepted and relayed to Astros batters.
Christina Hixson Award Available to Class of 2026
The Christina Hixson Opportunity Award provides awards to high school seniors from each of Iowa’s counties. These awards are designed to demonstrate Iowa State University’s commitment to the student potential that exists in various ways beyond the measures of class rank or standardized test scores. The Christina Hixson program provides each recipient with a half-tuition grants (estimated value of more than $20,000 over eight semesters) to be used at Iowa State University.
Applications can be found and submitted online at https://hixson.dso.iastate.edu/ Applications must be submitted online for the Christina Hixson Opportunity Award by January 6, 2026.
Rep. Collins Releases Statement on the Selection of Iowa State University’s Next President
MEDIAPOLIS — Today, Rep. Taylor Collins, Chair of the House Committee on Higher Education, released the following statement following the selection of David Cook to be the next President of Iowa State University.
“As an Iowa State Alumni, I’m excited to see a fellow Cyclone has been selected as Iowa State’s next President,” said Rep. Collins. “This coming session I look forward to working with President Cook to continue to reform Iowa’s higher education system.”
“While I believe the right candidate was ultimately selected, glaring issues in the presidential selection process have once again emerged. Not only did two of the four finalists drop out before even coming to campus, but the other finalist was a self proclaimed climate advocate, and a proponent of lab grown meat. As a result, this coming session the Higher Education Committee will seek to make additional reforms to the university president selection process.”
Ronald Lee Hamann
Ronald Lee Hamann, 64, of Mount Pleasant and formerly of Morning Sun passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Park Place Elder Living Center in Mount Pleasant.
Ron was born on July 3, 1961, in Burlington, the son of Edward and Helen (Kenney) Hamann. Ron had various jobs throughout his life and was a very talented artist and enjoyed reading. He was an avid Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and Iowa Hawkeye fan
.
Those thankful for sharing in his life include his children, Alicia Parker and her children, Daryl and Aubry, of Lockridge, Nathan Hamann and his family and Mason Hamann of Cedar Rapids, his sister, Sharon Calvin of Texas, along with several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his life partner, Audrey Dilks and one brother, Scott Hamann.
According to his wishes cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant and no services are planned at this time.
The Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant is honored to serve the family with love, comfort and dignity as we celebrate the life of Ron Hamann.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com
Glen Scheffel Miller
Glen Scheffel Miller, 95, of Mount Pleasant passed away on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Park Place Elder Living Center in Mount Pleasant.
A Celebration of Glen’s life will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Trenton United Methodist Church with Reverend Jeffrey McPheron officiating. Burial will follow in the White Oak Cemetery north of Rome. Friends may call from 2 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant. The family will not be present. Memorials may be directed to the White Oak Cemetery or to the Trenton United Methodist Church in his memory.
The Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant is honored to serve the family with love, comfort and dignity as we celebrate the life of Glen Miller.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com
MPCSD Student Spotlight Honors English Learners’ Success in Mount Pleasant
The Mount Pleasant Community School Board meeting opened Monday night with a celebration of students who have officially exited the district’s English Learner (EL) program after demonstrating proficiency on the state English assessment.
“This is a huge achievement,” said EL instructor. “These students aren’t just learning basic conversation—they’re reading textbooks, writing essays, and solving math problems in a new language.”
Teachers from Van Allen, the Middle School, and the High School joined to recognize the teamwork behind the program’s success, highlighting bilingual staff, family partnerships, and the resilience of the students. The district currently serves about 150 English Learners representing 9 different languages.
Students shared their own stories and goals; A first grader hopes to become a nurse, One student wants to be a soccer player, and an eighth grader spoke about gaining confidence through the program and now serves as a Council President.
Teachers explained that after exiting, students are monitored for two years to ensure continued success. As the board congratulated the group, families and staff gathered afterward in the cafeteria to celebrate.
“We’re not just celebrating English proficiency,” one teacher said. “We’re celebrating future leaders and global citizens who have already shown resilience, intelligence, and determination.”