Brad G. Ford

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, April 14th, 2025 at 5:28 am CDT

Brad Ford, 75, of Mount Pleasant, died unexpectedly Thursday, April 10, 2025, at his home.

Brad was born February 8, 1950, in Mount Pleasant the son of Robert and Margaret (Grey) Ford. He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School. Brad continued his education at Southeastern Community College studying tool and die. He served in the Iowa National Guard. On September 25, 1971,Brad was united in marriage to Sherry Housh in Kahoka, Missouri. He has lived in the Mount Pleasant community his entire life. He worked as a welder for Alliant Energy for many years, retiring in 2014. In his free time, Brad enjoyed working on vehicles, he could weld and fabricate anything. He was an avid race fan, and you could find Brad racing modifieds at 34 Raceway in West Burlington and Lee County Speedway in Donnellson.

Brad is survived by his wife Sherry; son David and wife Stefanie Ford of Mount Pleasant and their children Ethan and Natalie, daughter Angie and husband Justin Stover of Mediapolis, and their son Brock. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother.

Brad’s family requests no flowers or memorials. They would like anyone that knew and liked Brad, to know those memories are sufficient. For anyone that knew Brad and didn’t like him, rest assured the feeling was mutual.

According to Brad’s wishes he has been cremated and there will be no service. The Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory is caring for Brad and his family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

April 14, 2025 – April 20, 2025

By Allison Jacobs · Sunday, April 13th, 2025 at 11:35 am CDT
04/14/25
Lydia Pullis
04/14/25
Benjamin Olson
04/15/25
Steve Brimhall
04/15/25
Zachery Smith - 15 (Golden birthday)
04/16/25
Chloe Haffarnan
04/16/25
Mary Shy
04/17/25
Jerry Barker
04/17/25
Janis Rankin
04/18/25
Nikole Keaster
04/18/25
Wyatt Schroeder (14)
04/19/25
Heather Cole
04/19/25
Ruth Hagist
04/19/24
Anders Horn
04/19/25
Kynlee White
04/19/25
Sue Kingery
04/19/25
Avery Evans - 1
04/20/25
Carson Bagles
04/20/25
Miah Phelps - 11
04/20/25
Hayden Duffy - 14
04/20/25
Stelma Smittey - 80

Weekly Drought Monitor

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, April 12th, 2025 at 6:42 am CDT

According to the National Drought Monitor this week, nearly 30% of Iowa is in moderate drought, which is an improvement from last week’s report.  About 50% of the state is abnormally dry.  However, Henry, Lee & Jefferson counties in Southeast Iowa remain untouched by drought.  The drought monitor information shows that the month of March is Henry County is the 53rd wettest March ove the past 131 years, while Jan.-March has been the driest.

MPCSD Board Meeting 4/14/25

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, April 12th, 2025 at 6:38 am CDT

The Mt. Pleasant Community School District School Board will hold a Special Session Meeting just before the Regular Session Meeting on Monday, April 14th starting at 6:01pm.  The Special Session meeting is a Fiscal Year 26 Certified Budget Public Hearing and public comments will be take.  Immediately following the Special Session, the MP School Board will call to order for their regular meeting in the Mt. Pleasant High School Media Center, 2104 S. Grand Avenue.  For a look at the agenda, please visit mtpcsd.org/board/meetings.

U.S. Senator Grassley in Lee County 4/15/25

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, April 12th, 2025 at 6:38 am CDT

U.S. Senator Charles Grassley is holding a Town Hall meeting in Lee County on Tuesday, April 15th.  The town hall is being held in the Council Chambers 811 Avenue E. in Ft. Madison from 11:45am – 12:45pm.  This is Grassley’s 45th year of holding question and answer sessions in each of Iowa’s 99 counties and Iowans set the agenda.  Senator Grassley’s goal is staying in touch with Iowans for better representation in Washington D.C.

 

NWS: Gusting Winds this Weekend

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, April 12th, 2025 at 6:34 am CDT

The National Weather Service is advising that warmer temperatures and dry vegetation elevate fire danger.  In the KILJ listening area, we will see gusting winds at about 25-30 MPH this weekend and temperatures will reach 65 degrees today and 78 on Sunday.

 

Friday Fires in SE Iowa

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, April 12th, 2025 at 6:33 am CDT

The New London, Mt. Pleasant and Winfield FD responded to an out-of-control field fire at 4:45pm Friday off Nebraska Avenue at 270th Street.

In Louisa County, the Columbus Junction and Conesville FD were on scene Friday afternoon for a mobile home fire in Columbus Junction.

Sports, April 12th

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, April 12th, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Track

Columbus, Danville, and Mediapolis will travel to compete in the Eastern Iowa Track and Field Festival today at Iowa City West High School.

The Mt. Pleasant, New London, Danville, Mediapolis, Van Buren County, Winfield-Mt. Union, Fairfield, West Burlington/Notre Dame and Central Lee girls’ teams will participate in the Pen City Relays on Tuesday, April 15th.

The Wapello boys’ team will host their own relays on Tuesday with Danville, Mediapolis, West Burlington/Notre Dame, and Winfield-Mt. Union making the trip.

The New London boys’ team and WACO will compete in the Lisbon Opener on Tuesday. 

High School Tennis

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team had their make-up match against Maharshi last night and narrowly lost 5-4. Zoey Carlsen and Lila Cook dominated their singles matches, allowing a combined one point. The Panthers will host Fairfield on Monday, April 14th. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will square off against Burlington on Thursday, April 17th, on the road.

The Fairfield boys’ team will take on Davis County at home on Tuesday, April 15th.

High School Golf

Mediapolis swept Louisa-Muscatine last night with the girls’ team winning 250-261 and the boys’ team taking their match 170-195. Katelyn Wischmeier led the girls’ team with a round of 57, while the boys’ team had William Worrall card a 41. 

The Mediapolis boys’ team will compete in the Golden Hawk Invitational on Tuesday, April 15th, at Kalona Golf Course. 

The WACO boys’ team fell to Hillcrest Academy yesterday 166-249. The Warriors will compete against Highland on Monday at home.

Winfield-Mt. Union will tangle with Wapello on Monday, April 14th, on the road. 

Danville will host Van Buren County on Monday.

Central Lee will square off against Burlington Notre Dame on Monday at home.

The Holy Trinity Catholic girls’ team will face off against George-Little Rock on Monday on the road. 

The next boys’ SEC meet will take place in Keokuk, while the girls’ teams will travel to Fort Madison on Monday. 

New London will host Central Lee on Tuesday.

Columbus will head to New London on Wednesday, April 16th, for a tournament with Mediapolis making the trip.

High School Soccer

The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team was shutout by Fort Madison last night 10-0, while the boys’ team has won their last three games after defeating Solon last night 4-1. The Nike girls’ team will host Quincy Notre Dame on April 22nd at 7 pm and the boys’ team will continue on their road series on Tuesday, April 15th, at 5 pm against Fort Madison.

The Central Lee boys’ team kept their record unblemished last night, smacking Sigourney Keota 6-1 as Mason Sanders tabbed a goal and five assists in the win. The Central Lee girls’ team fell to Washington last night 4-0. The Hawks boys’ team will face off against Danville on Tuesday at 5 pm on the road. 

The WACO boys’ team will host Danville on Monday, April 14th, at 4:30 pm.

Mediapolis will take on Wapello at home on Monday with girls playing first at 5 pm.

Mt. Pleasant will square off against Washington on Monday with the boys at home starting at 4:30 pm and the girls on the road at 5 pm. 

Fairfield will compete against Fort Madison on Monday with the girls at home and the boys traveling to the Baxter Sports Complex.

The Columbus boys’ team will hit the road on Monday to take on Highland, while the girls’ team will have a road contest against Tipton on Tuesday with both games at 5 pm.

Southeastern Community College                                                     

The softball and baseball teams will square off against Iowa Western Community College at home today in a doubleheader with game one at 1 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1877 – With a well-earned fear of foul tips ricocheting off his head, Harvard’s Alexander Tyng wore a converted fencer’s mask for a game, becoming the first-known player to wear a catcher’s mask.

1938 – Stanley Cup Final, Chicago Stadium, Chicago, IL: Chicago Blackhawks beat the Toronto Maple Leafs, 4-1 for a 3-1 series win; one of three teams to win the Cup with a losing regular season record.

1980 – Canadian one-legged distance runner Terry Fox begins his “Marathon of Hope” attempt to cross the country at St. John’s, Newfoundland.