Charles “Charlie” W. Gotsch

By Hayden Douglas · Friday, August 29th, 2025 at 6:41 am CDT

Charles “Charlie” W. Gotsch, 67, of Mount Pleasant, died unexpectedly Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at the Henry County Health Center.

Charlie was born November 28, 1957, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Edward and Evelyn (Wohlgemuth) Smith. He graduated from Carrollton, Missouri High School in 1976 and attended Northwest Missouri State. On June 21, 1980, Charlie married Laurie Anderson in Norborne, Missouri. He enjoyed working on cars, racing, golfing, fishing, bowling and coaching softball. He was a member of the local bowling league, the Moose Lodge and served on the Mount Pleasant softball board. He was also a member of the AKL Fraternity.

Charlie is survived by his wife Laurie, two daughters, Kristi (Kevin) Kenealy of Nevada, Iowa, Amanda (Jesse) McCreedy of Hills, Iowa, four grandchildren, Korin, Keaton and Kael Kenealy, Ronan McCreedy, two sisters, Sherry (Rodney) Swan of Stover, Missouri, Deb Staton of Kansas City, Missouri, a brother Clifford (Marilyn) Smith of Carrollton, Missouri, a sister-in-law, Mary Gotsch of Tulsa, Oklahoma, four brothers-in-law, Bob (Connie) Anderson of Prairie Village, Kansas, Ron (Nancy) Anderson of Fayette, Missouri, Greg (Denise) Anderson of Carrollton, Missouri, Mark (Barb) Anderson of Camdenton, Missouri, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Barry Gotsch.

Funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Olson Powell Chapel & Crematory in Mount Pleasant. Burial will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at the Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory where the family will be present from 5:00-7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Mount Pleasant Girls Softball League and Mount Pleasant Music Boosters. The Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory is caring for Charlie and his family.

Sports, August 29th

By Slaten Swords · Friday, August 29th, 2025 at 6:38 am CDT

High School Volleyball

SCC hosted a quad yesterday with Burlington, Danville, Wapello, and West Burlington playing against one another. The Arrows were led by Mila Jordan’s eight kills and Kate Lanz’s six blocks in their two-set sweep of the Falcons (21-16, 21-19). West Burlington would bounce back to beat Danville in both sets 21-13 and 21-14. The Falcons’ night would end on a loss at the hands of Burlington in a contentious battle 23-21 in set one and 21-16 in set two. 

The Arrow Tournament will take place at Wapello High School on Tuesday, September 2nd, with Burlington Notre Dame, Central Lee, Columbus, Holy Trinity Catholic, and Mediapolis participating. 

Winfield-Mt. Union gutted out a five-set thriller against Keokuk last night. After winning the second and third sets 25-21 and 25-19, the Chiefs forced a fifth set with a 25-19 victory in sets one and four. Yet, the Wolves were able to claw past Keokuk in the fifth set with a 15-11 final. The Wolves will travel to Louisa-Muscatine on Tuesday at 7:30 pm. 

Central Lee handled business last night against Fort Madison, beating the Bloodhounds in four sets (25-13, 20-25, 25-17, and 25-14). Kenna Sandoval tabbed 30 assists and two block solos as Taylor Jones tallied 10 kills and five total blocks of her own. The Hawks will host an invitational tomorrow, August 30th, with West Burlington and Van Buren County making the trip. 

Mt. Pleasant made the trip to Ottumwa last night to compete in a triangular and exited the night with a pair of victories. The Panthers snuck out with a 15-11 final in the third set to beat the Bulldogs for the first time since 2021, following that up with a sweep of Davis County (25-19, 25-19). 

Mt. Pleasant and Fairfield will participate in a tournament tomorrow at Grinnell. 

Burlington Notre Dame will take on Quincy tomorrow at 9 am on the road. 

High School Cross Country

Van Buren County put together a dominant showing at Albia last night as the boys’ team won the meet with 61 points and the girls’ team took second place with 64 points. Lincoln Bainbridge snatched the silver with a time of 16 minutes and 25 seconds, while Kayley and Adalyn Snowgren grabbed top ten finishes on the girls’ side with Kayley finishing in 5th place with a time of 21 minutes and 37 seconds. 

Van Buren County, Mediapolis, Fairfield, and New London will head to the Wildwood Meet on Thursday, September 4th. 

Danville traveled to Iowa City West for their Early Bird meet and Alaina Gourley ran away with the gold medal time of 19 minutes and 43 seconds in the girls’ 5K, beating second place by seven seconds. The boys’ team was led by Isaac Shinn as his time of 17 minutes and 36 seconds was good enough for 32nd place. 

The Bears will compete at the Williamsburg Invitational on Tuesday, September 2nd, along with Mt. Pleasant and Mediapolis. 

High School Girls’ Tennis

Fairfield shutout Keokuk last night 9-0. The Trojans allowed only eight points for the entire match. Fairfield will take on Mt. Pleasant on Thursday, September 4th, at home. 

Mt. Pleasant will square off against Burlington at home on Tuesday, September 2nd. 

High School Football

Winfield-Mt. Union scored first but ultimately fell 59-22 to Easton Valley last night. The Wolves will host WACO on Friday, September 5th, at 7 pm.

Mt. Pleasant will square off against Mediapolis tonight at 7:30 pm for their home opener. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm. Panther head coach John Bowlin is looking for his team to leave their mark throughout the entire season,

“So, just focus on our assignments and just, you know, being a physical team, I think that’s the biggest thing that our guys need to hang their hats on is we need to be the most physical team out there. I feel good about our all-around athleticism, but we may not be the fastest team, but I think I think our eleven guys will work really well together and, you know, just got to go win the line of scrimmage. So, I think that’s our biggest MO is control the line of scrimmage, control the football and play physical. So that’s what we’re going to focus on here going into Week 1 is being that team when you leave the field that somebody says, man, these guys play hard, they play tough and they’re physical.”

WACO will kick off the season with a road showdown against Central City tonight at 7 pm.

Danville will compete against West Burlington tonight at 7 pm on the road. 

Columbus will host BGM to start the season tonight at 7 pm.

Wapello will clash with Louisa-Muscatine tonight at 7 pm on the road. 

New London will ring in the new season with a home contest against Cardinal tonight at 7 pm.

Van Buren County will tangle with Central Lee tonight at 7 pm on the road. 

Southeastern Community College

The volleyball team will host the Jimmy Johns Invite through the weekend, starting today against Allen County Community College. 

The women’s soccer team will stay on the road to take on Metropolitan Community College tomorrow, August 30th, at 2 pm.

The men’s soccer team is back in action tomorrow against Metropolitan Community College at 4 pm on the road. 

College Football

#22 Iowa State will host South Dakota tomorrow, August 30th, at 2:30 pm. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will have the call.

Iowa will tangle with UAlbany tomorrow at 5:10 pm for their home opener. KILJ 105.5 FM will be on the call. 

This Day in Sports History

1885 – Boxing’s first heavyweight title fight with 3-oz gloves and 3-minute rounds was fought between American boxers John L. Sullivan and Dominick McCaffrey in Cincinnati, Ohio.

1977 – MLB St Louis Cardinal Lou Brock eclipses Ty Cobb’s 49-year-old career stolen bases record at 893 as the Padres win 4-3.

2022 – St. Louis Cardinal slugger Albert Pujols hits career home run 694 off of a major league record 450th different pitcher in 13-4 win over Reds in Cincinnati.

Southeast Iowa Fishing Report 8/29/25

By Hayden Douglas · Friday, August 29th, 2025 at 5:27 am CDT

Anglers across southeast Iowa are finding steady late-summer action on rivers and reservoirs, with catfish continuing to provide the most consistent bite.

On the Cedar River, from Cedar Rapids down to Moscow, as well as between La Porte City and Cedar Rapids, catfish remain the main draw. Channel catfish are biting fairly well on cut bait worked into brush piles, while flatheads can be found with live bait in similar areas.

At Coralville Reservoir, electronics are key for locating suspended black and white crappie around brush piles and rock walls. Channel catfish are hitting well, with anglers having success trolling rattle rigs with cut bait or soaking stink bait near cover.

The Iowa River, both from Coralville Lake to River Junction and upstream to Marshalltown, is producing fair results for multiple species. Channel and flathead catfish are steady on cut or live bait near brush and rock structure. Smallmouth bass, spotted bass, and white bass are showing up along rocky shorelines and current seams, with soft plastics working best. Wipers are also biting in current seams on similar presentations.

At Lake Macbride, the seasonal 10-horsepower motor restriction is in effect. Electronics are useful for finding suspended schools of crappie in the lake basin. Channel catfish are biting on stink bait, cut bait, and green sunfish along the rocky jetties. Flathead catfish are also active near rocks on cut or live bait. Bass anglers are finding fair success on soft plastics worked through green vegetation. Wipers are slow, but scattered suspended fish may be located around wind-blown points or shad schools.

The Wapsipinicon River, from Troy Mills to Oxford Junction, is another solid option. Channel catfish are taking cut bait in brush piles, while flatheads prefer live bait in the same areas. Smallmouth bass and walleye are biting on soft plastics fished along rocky shorelines and current seams.

For more details, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.

Midwest Old Threshers Celebrates 75 Years with Special Recognition of Founding Families

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, August 28th, 2025 at 12:33 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant, Iowa — The 75th Annual Midwest Old Threshers Reunion is officially underway, and this year’s milestone celebration brings not only a packed schedule of events, but also a heartfelt tribute to the association’s origins.

The program turned to a special presentation honoring the four men whose vision created the Midwest Old Threshers Association back in 1949: Clark Everts, W.E. “Ted” Detrich, Ray Ernst, and Herman Elgar. Inspired by a steam engine and threshers gathering in Pontiac, Illinois, the group believed Henry County’s rich agricultural history and steam power heritage made Mount Pleasant the perfect place for a reunion. Their idea became reality in 1950, when the first show featured 15 steam engines, 8 separators, and drew an estimated 10,000 visitors to McMillan Park.

Seventy-five years later, the reunion continues in the same location, now attracting crowds from across the nation. Descendants of the founding families were invited to the presentation and recognized before the crowd.

The ceremony concluded with applause for the families, who wore matching shirts bearing images of the founding fathers, before the Mount Pleasant Panther Marching Band prepared to take the stage.

As the 75th reunion continues, organizers encourage visitors to not only enjoy the steam engines, parades, music, and exhibits, but also to remember the tradition and vision that began with four men in 1949 — a tradition that continues to bring generations together in Mount Pleasant.

Henry County Supervisors Address Road Projects, Zoning Changes

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, August 28th, 2025 at 9:50 am CDT

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met Thursday morning, approving minutes, permits, and zoning updates while hearing a detailed report from County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss.

Supervisors approved two permits: one for LISCO to relocate aerial lines ahead of a bridge replacement on 235th Street, and another for a contractor to repair a broken water line on Benton Avenue.

Hotchkiss reported that crews have completed patching on Goodyear Road, are preparing for a culvert replacement on White Oak Road, and continue resurfacing rock in the Winfield area. With Old Threshers underway, county equipment will stay clear of Mount Pleasant. Penn Avenue remains closed near a 10-ton bridge due to heavy truck traffic, and additional dust control will be applied to detour routes near schools.

A delay in the county’s fuel tank replacement project was also announced, with completion now expected in late fall. Hotchkiss added that the county may pursue a RISE grant, in partnership with Mount Pleasant, to fund major improvements on Goodyear Road.

Supervisors voted to update the zoning ordinance to comply with state law, allowing two dwellings on a parcel if setback requirements are met. They waived the first two readings and adopted the measure on final reading.

The board also approved a three-lot subdivision near the Mount Pleasant Country Club, though discussion highlighted a desire for closer involvement from the Planning and Zoning Commission in future cases.

Committee updates included regional planning work, networking with Lee County officials, and follow-up from the statewide supervisors’ conference.

The meeting adjourned following public comments.

Sports, August 28th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, August 28th, 2025 at 6:37 am CDT

High School Girls’ Tennis

Mt. Pleasant will square off against Burlington at home on Tuesday, September 2nd. 

Fairfield will host Keokuk tonight.

High School Volleyball

Fairfield will host the “Steve Heisel” meet tonight at 5:45 pm with WACO competing.

Burlington, Wapello, West Burlington, and Danville will participate in a quad at SCC tonight at 5:30 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Keokuk tonight at 7:30 pm.

Central Lee will host Fort Madison tonight at 7:30 pm.

Mt. Pleasant will travel to Ottumwa tonight for a triangular. 

Burlington Notre Dame will take on Quincy on Saturday, August 30th, at 9 am on the road. 

High School Cross Country

Van Buren County will compete tonight at Albia. 

Danville will travel to compete in the Iowa City West Early Bird meet today.

High School Football

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Easton Valley tonight at 6:30 pm.

Mt. Pleasant will square off against Mediapolis tomorrow, August 29th, at 7:30 pm for their home opener. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm. 

WACO will kick off the season with a road showdown against Central City tomorrow at 7 pm.

Danville will compete against West Burlington tomorrow at 7 pm on the road. 

Columbus will host BGM to start the season tomorrow at 7 pm.

Wapello will clash with Louisa-Muscatine tomorrow at 7 pm on the road. 

New London will ring in the new season with a home contest against Cardinal tomorrow at 7 pm.

Van Buren County will tangle with Central Lee tomorrow at 7 pm on the road. 

Southeast Iowa Playbook

We had the opportunity to talk to Mediapolis’ head football coach Brian Borrison last night as he works on preparing his team for their week one matchup. Nevertheless, the veteran coach also knows that week one is a bit of an unknown,

“…So, you know, our message this week going in is like hey, we’re just going to try to get better. We’re trying to continue to improve on the things that you know from our scrimmage. It’s an opportunity for us to go play against another team and it’s a fun way to start the season. It’s fun to play more local teams when you get to the non-district portion of it. I think fans like it and we’re excited, we know that Mt. Pleasant is going to be a challenge.”

 If you missed last night’s episode, then follow this link: Mediapolis Episode

Southeastern Community College

The women’s soccer team was shutout last night against Mineral Area College, falling 4-0. The Blackhawks will stay on the road to take on Metropolitan Community College on Saturday, August 30th, at 2 pm.

The volleyball team continued their winning ways with a sweep of Marshalltown Community College last night by scores of 25-21, 25-16, and 25-14. Burlington Notre Dame graduate Aviana West led the effort with eight kills. The Blackhawks will host the Jimmy Johns Invite this weekend, starting tomorrow, August 29th, against Allen County Community College. 

The men’s soccer team and Mineral Area College ended the night snared with two goals apiece. The Blackhawks are back in action on Saturday against Metropolitan Community College at 4 pm on the road. 

College Football

#22 Iowa State will host South Dakota on Saturday, August 30th, at 2:30 pm. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will have the call.

Iowa will tangle with UAlbany on Saturday at 5:10 pm for their home opener. KILJ 105.5 FM will be on the call. 

This Day in Sports History

1990 – Cubs Ryne Sandberg is the first 2nd baseman to hit 30 home runs in a season, consecutively.

1990 – #1 seed Stefan Edberg loses in the first round to Alex Volkov in one of the biggest upsets in U.S. Open history.

2022 – A 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card sells for $12.6 million at auction, becoming the world’s most expensive piece of sporting memorabilia.

Iowa City Man Sentenced to 132 Months in Federal Prison for Receipt of Child Pornography

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, August 28th, 2025 at 5:37 am CDT

An Iowa City man was sentenced to 132 months in federal prison for Receipt of Child Pornography.

According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Heath Ashley Harmon, 49, received, uploaded, and distributed files containing child sexual abuse material. During an online investigation into the BitTorrent network, law enforcement discovered Harmon was distributing child pornography content over the internet from August 2023 through January 2024.

During a search warrant at Harmon’s Iowa City residence, law enforcement seized several electronic devices. A forensic examination showed Harmon stored child pornography on seven devices, including a laptop, two phones, SD cards, and other storage devices.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Harmon will be required to serve an eight-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Harmon was also ordered to pay $35,000 in restitution.

Mount Pleasant Mayor Issues Proclamation Honoring Southeast Iowa Symphony’s 75th Anniversary

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, August 28th, 2025 at 5:32 am CDT

Mount Pleasant Mayor Steve Brimhall has issued a proclamation celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra, recognizing the ensemble’s long-standing contributions to education, culture, and community life across the region.

The proclamation highlights the symphony’s deep roots in Mount Pleasant, where its founding story is intertwined with the area’s history and its ongoing partnerships with schools and institutions throughout southeast Iowa. For decades, the Old Main building has served as the home base for the symphony, its adult chorus, and children’s choir. Performances are often held in the historic Chapel Auditorium, now part of the Mount Pleasant Community School District, where the acoustics have long been praised as ideal for live music.

Mount Pleasant holds a special place in the orchestra’s history as the exclusive home of its cherished “Holiday Concert” each December. This anniversary season will also introduce a new Valentine’s Day concert, adding to the ensemble’s traditions.

Mayor Brimhall’s proclamation praised the symphony for providing invaluable opportunities to both professional and student musicians, while also offering world-class performances to audiences in a largely rural region. He also commended the organization’s long-standing practice of providing free admission for children, students, and those in need—an effort that reflects its values of accessibility and community service.

“As we celebrate 75 years of excellence, Mount Pleasant is proud to serve as the home base for an organization that brings world-class music to Southeast Iowa,” the proclamation reads.

The City Council approved the proclamation, formally recognizing the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra as a cultural treasure and an important partner in the region’s educational and artistic life.