Sashae Alter was crowned KILJ Radio’s 2026 Mother of the Year! KILJ’s Allison Jacobs spoke with Shae on balancing everything, motivation, and “showing up”.
MP Community Band Series Announced – Looking for Members!
The Mt. Pleasant Community Summer Band Series kicks off in June and continues through July! Performances will be held in Mt. Pleasant’s Central Park at 7pm On Thursday evenings: June 11th and 25th, and on July 2nd. Pie will be available at all concerts courtesy of P.E.O.! Director Adam Creager is encouraging community members and students to join the group. The Community Band welcomes returning members and new members. Rehearsals are held at the middle school, and instruments are available if you need to borrow one. Contact Adam Creager at the Middle School 319-385-7730 or adam.creager@mtpcsd.org.
Rehearsals:
- Tuesday, June 9, 2026
- Tuesday, June 23, 2026
- Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Early Voting for June 2, 2026 Primary Election Begins Next Week
The primary election is less than a month away and early voting begins next week. Early voting and absentee ballot mailings will begin on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. Friday, May 18 is the deadline for voter registration and the last day to submit absentee ballot requests. The Henry County Auditor’s Office is open Monday through Friday from 8am – 4:30pm. Follow this LINK for more information. The primary election will be held on Tuesday, June 2nd and the polls will be open from 7am – 8pm. Absentee ballots must be received by 8pm. KILJ has resources available for you to locate your polling place. Access KILJ.com and find this story under the news tab: Click HERE To find your polling location.
MPCSD School Board Regular Session Meeting on Monday
The Mt. Pleasant Community School District Board of Education will meet in regular session on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 6pm in the High School Media Center, 2104 S. Grand Avenue. Items on the agenda include the superintendent report, and several motions under consideration including student registration fees, hot lunch/breakfast prices, and substitute teacher pay. The complete board agenda can be found HERE. This meeting is open to the public.
Sports, May 9th
High School Track and Field
Danville, New London, WACO, Wapello, Van Buren County, and Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Sigourney for the Class 1A Region 10 State Qualifying meet on Thursday, May 14th.
West Burlington/Notre Dame, Mediapolis, Columbus, and Central Lee will contend at Tipton for the Class 2A Region 7 State Qualifying meet on Thursday.
Mt. Pleasant will host the Class 3A Region 5 State Qualifying meet on Thursday with Fairfield and Washington making the trip.
High School Soccer
Mediapolis split their evening with the girls’ team losing 4-0 to Fort Madison and the boys’ team trouncing Highland, 8-1. Hadley Wolfe netted a hat trick for the Bloodhounds. The Bulldogs will travel to Hillcrest Academy on Monday, May 11th, at 5 pm.
The Wapello boys’ team dropped their contest to Hillcrest Academy last night, 9-0. Wapello will host Highland on Tuesday, May 12th, with the boys leading off the night at 5 pm.
The Danville boys’ team fell to Central Lee last night, 6-0. Colton Taft nabbed two goals in the winning effort.
Central Lee will compete at home on Tuesday with the girls’ team playing Canton at 5 pm and the boys’ game to follow at 7 pm against Hillcrest Academy.
The Mt. Pleasant and Danville boys’ teams will travel to Centerville for the Big Red Classic today.
The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team will travel to Wapello today at 10 am, while the boys’ team will host Williamsburg today at 10:30 am.
Washington will take on Keokuk on Monday with the boys’ team at home and the girls’ team hitting the road with kickoff at 5 pm.
Fairfield will face off against Fort Madison on Monday with the boys playing at 4:30 pm at home, while the girls will travel for a 5 pm start time.
Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union will celebrate senior night on Monday with the girls’ team leading off the night at 5 pm against Centerville.
The WACO boys’ team will travel to Columbus on Tuesday at 5 pm.
High School Golf
The Washington boys’ team competed in the Elite Showdown yesterday and claimed 11th place with a team score of 322, just 16 strokes behind the winner Humboldt. Rajan Roth was the lone Demon to finish inside the top 10 with a 6th place card of 74.
The Mt. Pleasant and Washington boys’ teams will gear up for their Class 3A Sectional Qualifier in Fairfield on Wednesday, May 13th.
The Washington girls’ team snatched 5th place at the Tigerette Invite yesterday, taking a team score of 394. Adalyn Long turned in a silver medalist performance for the Demons, carding an 82.
The girls’ Southeast Conference tournament is slated for Wednesday in Washington.
The WACO girls’ team participated in the English Valleys tournament yesterday and had two top 10 finishers. Reese Roth turned in a round of 94 for 8th place, while Morgan Meyer rounded out the top 10 with a card of 95.
The Southeast Iowa Super Conference girls’ teams will compete in their conference meet on Monday, May 11th.
The Central Lee boys’ team will host a tournament today with Van Buren County and Holy Trinity Catholic competing.
The Fairfield girls’ team will participate in the Centerville Triangular on Monday.
The Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will host the Class 1A Sectional qualifier for Danville, Holy Trinity Catholic, New London, WACO, and Wapello on Wednesday.
The Mediapolis, Central Lee, and Columbus boys’ teams will meet in Tipton for the Class 2A Sectional Qualifier on Wednesday.
High School Boys’ Tennis
Fairfield will host the Class 1A District 4 Singles and Doubles competition on Saturday, May 16th, with Mt. Pleasant making the trip.
Southeastern Community College
The baseball team advanced to the Region 11 semifinals after holding off Des Moines Area Community College yesterday, 10-7. Gavin Awbrey clobbered two home runs for six RBIs in the winning effort. The Blackhawks will take on #16 Iowa Central Community College today at 3:30 pm with the winner moving on to the championship game.
The softball team will take on Iowa Western Community College in a best of three-game series tomorrow, May 10th, at noon on the road for the Region 11 championship.
College Baseball
The Iowa baseball team fell to #25 Nebraska last night, 10-0. The Hawkeyes will look to win the series with games at 2 pm today and tomorrow, May 10th.
This Day in Sports History
1901 – Cleveland’s Earl Moore no-hits the Chicago White Stockings for 9 innings but loses it and the game in the 10th inning, 4-2.
1984 – The Chicago White Sox beat the Milwaukee Brewers, 7-6, in 25 innings. The game started on May 8th but action was suspended in the 17th inning at 1 am due to a city curfew.
1987 – Eddie Murray of the Baltimore Orioles became the first player to switch-hit homers in two consecutive games.
New London City Council Meeting 5/11/26
Central Lee School District Names New Superintendent
The Central Lee Community School District School Board announced Friday night that Stacey Schmidt has been selected as the district’s next superintendent, pending board approval. Schmidt holds a master’s degree in education from Southwest Minnesota State University and an education specialist degree and superintendent endorsement from the University of Sioux Falls.
Schmidt currently serves as director of student services for the Atlantic Community School District, where she oversees programming, including special education, gifted and talented, Section 504, and at-risk services. She also leads efforts in fiscal planning and compliance. According to a press release, Schmidt’s previous experience includes serving as a PK-12 principal in the Whiting Community School District, where she oversaw school operations, instructional leadership, and staff evaluation.
“Stacey brings a strong background in student-centered leadership, instructional improvement, and district operations,” said Board President Bill Young. “Her experience aligns well with Central Lee’s priorities, and we look forward to the impact she will have on our students and community.”
“I am so excited to be joining the team.,” Schmidt said. “I was not just looking to be the next Superintendent; I was looking to be the right Superintendent for the next chapter of success for Central Lee.”
Schmidt is expected to begin her role on July 1, 2026.
MP Public Improvement Committee Meeting, May 12th
The Mount Pleasant Public Improvement Committee will meet Tuesday, May 12th, 2026, at 3:00PM in the City Administrators’ Conference Room.
AGENDA
1. Call to order
2. Discuss an agreement with the Mount Pleasant Childcare Center for use of the Council Chambers
3. Discuss Building Plan for Building Located at 401 E Monroe Street with Architect
4. Discuss Plan for United Thru Play Playground
5. Open Forum
6. Adjourn