Iowa State Representatives Taylor Collins & Jeff Shipley Are Sworn In For Additional Terms

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 at 9:25 am CDT
Rep. Jeff Shipley (R-Fairfield) took the oath of office in the Iowa House Chamber on January 13, 2025

Rep. Jeff Shipley (R-Fairfield) was sworn into the Iowa House of Representatives on the first day of the 91st General Assembly. This is Rep. Shipley’s fourth term in the Iowa House of Representatives. He currently serves as the Vice Chair of the High Education and Government Oversight Committees. He also serves on the Education and Judiciary Committees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rep. Taylor Collins (R-Mediapolis) took the oath of office in the Iowa House Chamber on January 13, 2025.

On Monday, January 13th, Rep. Taylor Collins (R-Mediapolis) was sworn into the Iowa House of Representatives on the first day of the 91st General Assembly. This is Rep. Collins’ second term in the Iowa House of Representatives.  He serves as the Chair of the Higher Education Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations, Government Oversight, Natural Resources, and State Government Committees.

MPCSD Presents Central Campus Master Plan During School Board Meeting

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 at 8:27 am CDT

Mount pleasant Community school district held their monthly board meeting on Monday night. First on the agenda was the student spotlight. Kali Barnett & Abby Blint gave the school board an update on their experience taking the Foundation of Education course with Mr. Rogers. As graduates from MPCSD now, they both operate as student teachers within the district. Next, Instructors of the Talented and Gifted Program, Samantha Freeman and Jeremy Klopfenstein spoke about their program.

 

Samantha and Jeremy talked to the board about the course work, the strategies for individual learning, benefits the students are seeing from the talented and gifted program, and some need that the program has.

The main discussion of the board meeting was the Central Campus master plan. Superintendent John Henriksen talks to the school board about some of that plan.

Several parents and staff from Salem elementary were in attendance as there is talk to close Salem elementary school once a central campus is built.

 

 

The entire master plan for the mount pleasant school district can be found on the district website. The school board continued until 8pm, covering some school-based issues that are taking place in the Iowa legislative session in Des Moines; a four day school week is a topic of discussion for state representatives, with many parts for and against it.

Also, the school start date is becoming a concern based on when the start date falls in certain years.

Lastly during the School Board Meeting, it was announced and approved to adopt an early retirement plan within the district. Teachers can qualify if they have worked at least fifteen (15) contracted years (of which ten (10) must be consecutive) for the Mount Pleasant Community School District.

Licensed employees can be paid $70 & Classified Employees can be paid $50 a day for the number of accumulated sick leave days the employee has at the end of that year up to 125 days. if the application for retirement is received by the first business day in March as that is the deadline to submit their application for retirement.

Sports, January 14th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Basketball

The Van Buren County girls’ team collected a 50-41 victory over Fairfield last night as Callie Kracht cashed in for 18 points on 10 of 13 shooting from the free throw line. 

Fairfield will compete against Pekin on Thursday, January 16th, with the doubleheader starting at 6 pm. 

New London will host Van Buren County tonight with the girls tipping off at 6 pm.

WACO will hit the road to take on Pekin tonight with game one at 6 pm. 

Mediapolis will play at home tonight against West Burlington with game time at 6 pm for the doubleheader. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will face off against Danville tonight at home for Teacher Appreciation Night with the boys starting off the night at 6 pm followed by the girls game. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will stay at home tonight to compete against Lone Tree with the night starting at 6 pm. 

Burlington Notre Dame will travel to Central Lee tonight with the doubleheader starting at 6 pm.

Wapello will host Louisa-Muscatine tonight with the night starting at 6 pm. 

Columbus will face off against Hillcrest Academy tonight with game one at 6 pm. 

Mt. Pleasant will face off against Burlington on the road on Friday, January 17th, with game one at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm.

High School Boys’ Basketball Rankings

The Iowa High school Athletic Association (IHSAA) released their second edition of the boys’ basketball rankings and one of our local teams kept their spot in the top ten.

In Class 2A, Western Christian and Kuemper Catholic remained in the top two spots, respectively, and despite West Lyon not losing a game since the last rankings, Grand View Christian jumped them to be the #3 team this week. 

West Burlington kept their position at #6 in the rankings, rocking an 11-0 record. The Falcons are averaging an other-worldly 80.4 points per game, while keeping their opponents under 50 points per game for the season. Add in a defense that can cancel out their 10 turnovers per game with 10 steals.

Over in Class 1A, Holy Trinity Catholic was ranked #6 last week before a narrow loss to Central Lee last Friday knocked the Crusaders out of the top ten. 

High School Wrestling

The Van Buren County boys’ team will take on Highland on Thursday, January 16th, for a dual. 

The Fairfield boys’ team will compete in a triangular on Thursday at home. 

Mt. Pleasant will duel Washington on Thursday on the road. 

The WACO boys’ team will host Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union and New London on Thursday for a double dual. 

The Wapello boys’ team will host a meet on Thursday at 6 pm with Mediapolis making the trip. 

The WACO girls’ team will host a meet with Mediapolis, Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union, and Van Buren County making the trip on Thursday. 

The Wapello girls’ team will participate in the Cascade Tournament on Thursday.

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team will travel to Lone Tree on Thursday for a triangular. 

High School Bowling

The Fairfield boys’ team defeated Davis County last night 2,739-2,508. Ian Aplara led the Trojans with 400 total pins. The Trojans will host Burlington on Thursday, January 16th.

Mt. Pleasant will take on Fairfield on January 23rd at home. 

Southeastern Community College

The men’s basketball team will stay at home to take on Harry S. Truman College tonight at 7 pm. 

College Basketball

The #2 Iowa State men’s team will face another test tomorrow, January 15th, at home at 6 pm against #9 Kansas. KILJ AM 1130 and 98.5 FM will have the call. The Cyclones will be led by Big 12 Player of the Week in Curtis Jones and Newcomer of the Week Joshua Jefferson.

The Iowa men’s team will travel to USC tonight for a 9:30 pm showdown against the Trojans. KILJ 105.5 FM will have the broadcast. Co-Big Ten Player of the Week Payton Sandfort will look to have another big game for the Hawkeyes. 

The Iowa women’s team will take on Nebraska at home on Thursday, January 16th, at 6 pm. 

The Iowa State women’s team will host Texas Tech tonight with tip-off at 6:30 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1943 – Montreal Canadiens’ left wing Alex Smart becomes the first NHL rookie to score a hat trick in his first NHL game, a 5-1 win at home over the Chicago Blackhawks.

1951 – First NFL Pro Bowl, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: the American Conference beats the National Conference, 28-27; MVP: Otto Graham, Cleveland Browns, QB.

1993 – Utah Jazz center Mark Eaton blocks two shots in a 96-89 win over the Seattle SuperSonics; becomes only the second player in NBA history (along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) to record 3,000 career blocks.

Jerry Hite

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 at 6:12 am CDT

Jerry Wm. Hite, 79, of Danville, died Saturday, January 11, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington.  He was born January 6, 1946 in Freeport, Illinois to George R. and Bernadine E. Carpenter Hite.  On December 4, 1971, he married Cheryl “Sherri” Garrels in Burlington.

He was a 1964 graduate of Burlington High School and earned a robotics degree from Indian Hills Community College.  He was a skilled tradesman working for J.I. Case Company in the Experimental Department from June 1974 until June 2008.  He was a member of New London Christian Church.

Jerry loved hunting and being outdoors; was a voracious reader; loved John Wayne and watching old westerns; working on computers; was a black belt in karate; and especially enjoyed visiting with his many friends.

Besides his wife, Jerry is survived by his daughter Allison (Dusty) Furnald of Danville; and his grandchildren Alexis Hite and Kenna and Karlee Furnald.  He was preceded in death by his parents; son Travis Hite; his father and mother-in-law Earl and Doris Garrels; and brothers-in-law David Garrels and Darrell Becker.

A memorial service will be at 11:00 February 1, 2025 at Elliott Chapel, New London, with Pastor Rod Cooper officiating.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 am with the family receiving friends from 10:00 until the time of the service.  According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and inurnment will be held at a later date.  Memorials have been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice and the Danville Fire Department.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Regular Meeting Agenda Wayland City Hall @ 7:30 P.M. January 15, 2025

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 at 6:11 am CDT
  1. Roll Call
  1. Consent Agenda

Note:  These are routine items and will be enacted by one motion without separate discussion unless a Council member requests an item be removed for separate consideration.

  1. Minutes of January 2, 2025
  2. Bills for Payment/ Calendar Year Wages/IRS 2024 Mileage Rate (.70)
  3. CD Renewals
  4. Building Permits
  5. Citizen Forum

The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public for items not listed on the agenda.  You are asked to state your name and address for the record and to limit your remarks in order that others may be given the opportunity to speak.  The Order of Business is at the discretion of the Chair.  No action will be taken. 

  1. Unfinished Business

 New Business

    1. Discussion with Fire Department Building Committee – Zach Jepson
    2. 2025-02 Resolution Approving The Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan Henry County, Iowa 2024
    3. 2025-03 Alliant Energy Street Lighting Resolution
    4. 2025 Training – IMFOA Conference-Des Moines-April 9-11 & October 15-17, Clerk’s Academy-Ames-June 9-11
  1. Adjournment

Robert Merle “Bob” “Eagle” Scarff

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 at 5:50 am CDT

Robert Merle “Bob” “Eagle” Scarff, 88, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids.

Bob was born on October 16, 1936, in Mt. Pleasant, the son of Merle Otto and Mary Marie (Todd) Scarff.  He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School.  Bob was united in marriage to Phyllis McClure on January 14, 1958, at the First Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant.  Bob worked for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad as a foreman for 43 and half years. After his retirement he worked for several years at the Super Wash Car Wash. He served on the White Oak Cemetery Board for several years.  In early 2000, Bob and Ralph Ericson led the events of the removal of the old White Oak Church and with the help of family and friends built the new White Oak Chapel.  He enjoyed spending time in the great outdoors in his garden or helping area farmers with planting and harvesting. He was a former member of the Richwoods Church and attended the Trenton Missionary Church.  

Those thankful for sharing in Bob’s life include his wife, Phyllis, of 66 years and their children, Debra (Jeff) Lyon and David Scarff all of Mt. Pleasant and Carol (Brad) Beam of Lincolnton, North Carolina, his grandchildren, Josh, Kathryn, Casey, Marissa, Cassidy, Blake, Mindy and Nick, his great grandchildren, Joshua, Ezra, Eden, Margaret, Drew, Layla, Levi, Evelyn, Axel, Isabel and Bella Rose and his sister, Patty Kerr.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Thomas Robert Scarff, his grandsons, Wyatt and Waylan Ellenberg and his sisters, Ruth VanTrump, Helen Perrott, Rosemary Smith and his twin sister, Roberta Calloway.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at the Trenton Missionary Church with Pastor Dave Forrester officiating.  Burial will be held at the White Oak Cemetery.  Friends may call after 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Murphy Funeral Home where the family will be present from 4 to 7 p.m. that evening.  Memorials may be directed to the White Oak Cemetery in his memory.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for his arrangements.

Overtime Victories Yield Conference Honors for the Iowa and Iowa State Men’s Basketball Programs

By Slaten Swords · Monday, January 13th, 2025 at 4:25 pm CDT

College Basketball- The men’s basketball teams for Iowa and Iowa State have certainly enjoyed the spoils of last week’s matchups with both squads earning wins in overtime and now the Cyclones being ranked 2nd in the top 25. For their trouble, a couple players earned Conference Player of the Week Honors.

Big Ten

Payton Sandfort, who also eared the Dick Vitale National Player of the Week, will have to share the spotlight with Michigan’s Vladislav Goldin as Co-Big Ten Player of the Week, but the Waukee native will certainly enjoy his second weekly honor of his career.

The Hawkeyes played Nebraska last Tuesday under the theme of Superhero Night and Iowa clearly needed a hero as the squad trailed by 15 points in the second half. That’s when Sandfort took over the game, scoring 30 points between the second half and overtime to score the 97-87 win.

He followed that performance with 23 points in a dominant 85-60 win over Indiana. It was his sixth 20-point game of the season.

The Hawkeyes will face off against USC on the road tomorrow, January 14th, with the game scheduled to start at 9:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM will have the call.

Big 12

The #2 Cyclones had two players earn Big 12 weekly awards as Curtis Jones was named Player of the Week and Joshua Jefferson took home Newcomer of the Week.

The duo helped Iowa State produce two wins as Jones averaged 24.5 points per game for their two contests without turning over the ball, while Jefferson netted 17 points in each game, including the layup to send their contest against Texas Tech into overtime and the eventual game-winning free throws.

The Cyclones will need the duo to show up against #9 Kansas on Wednesday, January 15th, in front of the home crowd with tip-off scheduled for 6 pm. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will have the broadcast.