Jefferson Lines to Take Over Key Midwest Bus Routes Starting September 28

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, September 25th, 2025 at 12:02 pm CDT

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Jefferson Lines to Expand Midwest Bus Service Starting September 28

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Beginning Sunday, September 28, Jefferson Lines will assume operation of key intercity bus routes across the Midwest, ensuring continued service for communities previously served by Burlington Trailways.

The transition will maintain essential connections throughout the region, including cities in Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois, while preserving many existing schedules and stop locations. Jefferson Lines says the move reflects its long-standing commitment to linking Midwest communities and providing passengers with a seamless travel experience.

Travelers can expect a range of modern conveniences aboard Jefferson Lines coaches, including complimentary Wi-Fi, a real-time Bus Tracker, and the ease of booking or rebooking through a Jefferson Lines customer account. A mobile app for both iOS and Android allows passengers to plan and manage trips on the go, while a dedicated Customer Care team provides support before and during travel.

With more than 100 years of experience delivering safe and reliable transportation, Jefferson Lines says it is ready to keep the Midwest connected. Tickets for the new and continuing routes are available now at www.jeffersonlines.com

Henry County Supervisors Weigh Security, Road Projects, and Drug Task Force Funding at September 25 Meeting

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, September 25th, 2025 at 10:18 am CDT

Mount Pleasant, Iowa – The Henry County Board of Supervisors met on September 25, 2025, tackling a wide range of issues including road maintenance updates, courthouse security planning, a rural garbage contract, and funding changes for the county’s drug task force.

Rural Waste Contract Bids Opened

Supervisors then opened bids for Henry County’s rural garbage service contract. Two bids were received. The bids cover a three-year contract and included required bid bonds. After reviewing the submissions, supervisors voted to forward the bids to the county attorney for legal review before making a final decision next week.

Traffic Ordinance Could Keep Fines Local

Supervisors revisited a proposal to adopt portions of Iowa’s traffic code as a county ordinance. Sheriff Rich McNamee said such a move could generate roughly $80,000 in annual revenue by allowing Henry County to retain fines from traffic citations instead of forwarding most of the money to the state. Two neighboring counties, Lee and Wapello, have recently implemented similar ordinances. Supervisors agreed to follow up with the county attorney to draft a potential ordinance.

Drug Task Force Funding Adjustment

Sheriff McNamee also briefed supervisors on a request from the Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force to redirect quarterly payments—roughly $9,650 per year—back into the task force’s operating budget instead of distributing the funds to member agencies. Rising costs for technology, undercover operations, and equipment prompted the request. Henry County joined the Burlington-based task force in 2019, which McNamee credited with numerous successful drug trafficking investigations. Supervisors voiced support for the funding adjustment.

Courthouse Security Proposal

Courthouse safety was another major topic. Sheriff McNamee proposed hiring a part-time deputy to provide security during peak court days—Mondays, Fridays, and alternating Wednesdays—when district court sessions draw larger crowds.

  • Cost Estimate: About $18,200 annually for a deputy working 20 hours per week at $35 per hour, plus equipment costs.

  • Funding Source: Court surcharges collected in Henry County generated $22,279 in the last fiscal year, more than enough to cover the position.
    Supervisors agreed the courthouse would benefit from a dedicated security presence and directed the sheriff to begin developing a job description and policies for the new role.

Next Steps

The Board will revisit the rural waste bids after legal review and continue discussions on the traffic ordinance and courthouse security implementation in the coming weeks.

Prep Volleyball: WACO Pauses Volleyball Season

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, September 25th, 2025 at 7:43 am CDT

Wayland, IA- WACO will no longer be hosting their pool in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference Volleyball Tournament tonight; in fact, the Warriors will no longer be playing in the event tonight. In a statement to the media by the school district’s Superintendent Spencer Lueders, he explained why the season has been put on pause,

“Due to both coaches stepping away from our program, the WACO volleyball season is paused, effective immediately. While we cannot share additional details at this time, we are actively working on a solution to move our program forward. We will share updates as plans are finalized, and we are grateful for the continued support of our athletes, families, and community during this transition.”

West Burlington will now host the pod with Van Buren County, Hillcrest Academy, and Lone Tree.

WACO’s next scheduled action is a home tournament on Tuesday, September 30th. The Warriors are currently 3-13 on the season.

Sports, September 25th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, September 25th, 2025 at 6:35 am CDT

High School Volleyball

The Southeast Iowa Super Conference Tournament pool play is scheduled to start tonight with Wapello, New London, Burlington Notre Dame, and West Burlington acting as the hosts.

The Wapello pod will see Pekin, Louisa-Muscatine, and Mediapolis facing off against one another. Over in New London, the Tigers will play host to Danville, Winfield-Mt. Union, and #2 Holy Trinity Catholic. Burlington Notre Dame will be taking on Highland, Columbus, and Central Lee. Lastly, West Burlington will see Hillcrest Academy, Lone Tree, and Van Buren County.

Mt. Pleasant will get another chance at home on Tuesday, September 30th, against Burlington at 7:15 pm. 

Fairfield will head back home to host Keokuk on Tuesday at 7:15 pm.

High School Cross Country

Van Buren County, Wapello, Mediapolis, and Burlington Notre Dame will run at the Grayhound Invite tonight.

New London and Winfield-Mt. Union will make the trip to Clear Creek Amana for an invitational on Monday, September 29th. 

Mt. Pleasant and Danville will participate in the Williamsburg Invitational on Tuesday, September 30th.

WACO and Fairfield will compete at the Washington Invitational on Tuesday.

High School Football

Due to safety concerns and a lack of numbers, New London announced that they have canceled the rest of their football season. 

Mt. Pleasant will look to bounce back against Washington tomorrow, September 26th, at home at 7:30 pm for their Homecoming. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm.

West Burlington/Notre Dame and Central Lee will both be looking to get back in the win column at 7 pm tomorrow with the Hawks acting as the hosts.

Van Buren County will travel to Pekin tomorrow at 7 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will square off against Iowa Valley tomorrow at 7 pm at home. 

Mediapolis will celebrate their Homecoming tomorrow at 7 pm against Wilton.

Wapello will host North Cedar tomorrow at 7 pm.

WACO will hit the road to take on Belle Plaine tomorrow at 7 pm.

Fairfield will host Solon tomorrow at 7:30 pm.

High School Girls’ Tennis

Fairfield advanced to the Class 1A Team Regional championship last night after shutting out Camanch, 5-0. Natalie Steele and Mareyn Dunkin had to fight through some adversity, losing their first set before rallying back, while Poojita Mukadam and Ria Ross both cruised to victory without dropping a game. The Trojans will host Central DeWitt on Saturday, September 27th, with the winner advancing to the state tournament. 

Southeast Iowa Playbook

Mt. Pleasant was our school focus for last night’s episode of the Southeast Iowa Playbook as they celebrate their Homecoming week. Seniors Addison Clark and Kellen Kohorst were our special guests as they both have played pivotal roles in the success of their respective fall sports. For Clark, it’s important for her as a leader to pass along a positive attitude,

“Always being a good teammate, no matter what’s happening on the core and always working hard, I think those are some of the best traits you can have is being a good leader and always just being open to change and you know, just staying positive, I think sports are so hard to always like, keep a good mindset and if you’re able to do that, that’s going to win you the game.”

As the football team sits at 3-1 for the season, this success did not happen overnight according to Kohorst,

“I mean, staying after practice. You know, if that’s just doing positional drills, you know, doing extra conditioning, just stuff like that. I mean, practice is maybe 2 hours, 2 1/2 hours. But I mean, for some of us it’s three hours. It’s two hours and 45 minutes. You know, it’s staying after getting that extra work in. I think it has really helped us be the team we are right now.”

If you missed last night’s episode, then follow this link: Mt. Pleasant Episode

Southeastern Community College

The volleyball team fell to Hawkeye Community College last night in straight sets 25-16, 25-20, and 25-13. The Blackhawks will attempt to right the ship tomorrow, September 26, when they compete in a triangular at Illinois Central College. 

The men’s soccer team has now won four straight after taking down Marshalltown Community College last night 3-1. Louey Franks and Tomas Raposo each netted a goal in the effort. 

The men’s and women’s soccer teams will travel to Iowa Lakes Community College on Saturday, September 27th.

College Football

Iowa will look for an upset against #11 Indiana on Saturday, September 27th, at 2:30 pm at home. KILJ 105.5 FM will have the call.

#14 Iowa State will host Arizona on Saturday at 6 pm fresh off a bye week. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will be on the call.

This Day in Sports History

1926 – The NHL grants franchises to the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings.

1955 – Detroit outfielder Al Kaline, at the age of 20, is the youngest batting champ.

2000 – Vince Carter jumps over 7 foot 2 Frédéric Weis in the 2000 Summer Olympics, known in France as “le dunk de la mort” (the dunk of death).

Mount Pleasant High School Celebrates Homecoming with Pink Panther Day and BOOM Night

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, September 25th, 2025 at 6:08 am CDT

Mount Pleasant High School’s 2025 Homecoming continued Thursday with a full slate of spirited activities, highlighted by Pink Panther Day, encouraging students and staff to wear pink in a show of school spirit and support.

The evening kicks off with the Booster Club Supper at 5:30 p.m., offering a chance for the community to gather before the main events. At 6 p.m., the traditional Boom Night celebration begins, featuring the always-popular Powder Puff football game. Admission will be $1, with no activity passes accepted.

A major highlight of the night will be the announcement and crowning of the Royalty Court, including Junior Royalty and the 2025 Homecoming King and Queen.

The celebration wraps up with a spirited volleyball match inside the high school gymnasium, bringing students, families, and alumni together to cheer on the Panthers.

Tune in Friday morning (Sept 26) for your 2025 Homecoming King & Queen Royalty interviews

Iowa Gas and Diesel Prices Continue to Trend Downward

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, September 25th, 2025 at 6:04 am CDT

Iowa drivers are seeing a slight break at the pump this week. According to AAA, the average price of regular unleaded gasoline in the state was $2.91 per gallon as of Wednesday, a drop of six cents from last week and 13 cents lower than the same time a year ago. By comparison, the national average climbed to $3.16 per gallon, up four cents from last week’s price.

Diesel prices in Iowa also eased slightly. The statewide average for retail diesel fell by one cent this week to $3.50 per gallon. A year ago, diesel in Iowa averaged $3.34. The state’s current diesel price remains 19 cents below the national average of $3.69 per gallon.

For wholesale buyers, Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices on Wednesday were reported at $1.86 for U87-E10, $2.09 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.36 for ULSD#2, $2.72 for ULSD#1, and $1.99 per gallon for E-70.

With both gasoline and diesel prices remaining lower than national averages, Iowa motorists continue to benefit from relatively stable fuel costs heading into the fall season.

Henry County Health Center Diabetes Education October Events

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, September 25th, 2025 at 5:38 am CDT

Mount Pleasant, Iowa, [September 25, 2025] – Henry County Health Center’s Diabetes Education is hosting the following classes in the month of October. For more information on any of these classes or the Diabetes Education program, call 319-385-6518.

 

Thursday, October 9– Annual Review Course- Suite 25- 1-3 PM

Call HCHC Diabetes Education at 319-385-6518 by Tuesday, October 7, to RSVP.

 

Wednesday, October 15– CGM Support Group- Suite 25- 2-3 PM.

No RSVP needed.

 

Tuesday, October 28– Diabetes Group Class- Suite 25- 8:30 AM-2:30 PM

Referral is needed to attend the class.

Prep Football: Injuries, Lack of Numbers End New London’s Season

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, September 24th, 2025 at 7:30 pm CDT

New London, IA- A week removed from Highland’s decision to forfeit their season due to injuries sustained through the first two weeks of the season, New London has come to the same decision after a 20-12 loss against Wapello in their week four contest.

This decision comes a day after the program’s decision to forfeit their contest against Columbus this upcoming Friday night. New London School District Superintendent Chad Wahls stated in a Facebook post,

“This decision was not made lightly. Unfortunately, a growing number of injuries among our players has significantly reduced our roster, raising serious concerns about the health, safety, and well-being of our student-athletes. While we value competition and school spirit, ensuring student safety must remain our top priority.”

This is not the first time New London has dealt with issues pertaining to roster health. Two seasons ago in 8-player football, the Tigers forfeited their week four contest against Central City due to mounting injuries. They would go on to finish the season after giving a presentation to the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) explaining how they would safely finish the season.

In their first season playing 11-player football since 2018, the Tigers managed a roster size of just 16 players.

Superintendent Wahls stated in his post that New London will still celebrate Homecoming and honor their seniors. New London’s Homecoming is scheduled to start on Sunday, September 28th, while senior night will be October 7th.