Caleb Waters with the Henry County Conservation, stopped by KILJ for his monthly update. The Dump Site project is moving forward and contractors have been selected.
The cost awarded to the Henry County Conservation Department was $241, 470 from ARPA COVID relief funds. Caleb explained what the dump site is and how it will operate.
The price to use the dump site has yet to be determined. Caleb did say there would be camera set up for twenty four hour surveillance of the dump site to ensure people use the new site properly and safely.
Mt. Pleasant, IA- The Mt. Pleasant girls’ soccer team has produced six consecutive seasons of at least 0.500 records, including three seasons of double-digit wins. One of those seasons coincided with talented midfielder Charice Auwerda, as the senior officially announced her decision to continue her collegiate career at Iowa Central Community College.
Auwerda is happy to have to decision finalized,
“I mean, it’s been a really long process. My parents and I, we’ve been like, toughing it out. This has been going on for like a year and I think that Iowa Central is honestly the best fit for my family and I, and I’m really excited to play for this team.”
The senior has been a magnet for the goal, leading the Southeast Conference (SEC) in goals and points once and assists every year. Auwerda has scored an impressive 55 career goals to go along with 53 assists, which is the Panther record.
Her sophomore season was her most impressive, tied for the conference lead in goals with fellow Panther Elly Manning with 24 goals and assisted on 18 more goals. It was also a successful season from a team perspective, collecting 11 wins and falling a game short of the Regional Championship.
The success has just been a by-product of competing in a sport she’s loved for a decade,
“[Fell in love with the sport] About 8 years old. My parents put me in the rec program, and I started playing for the Rec team and then I made a lot of friends. We were just connecting, playing soccer and everything, and then we started playing for Pink Panthers with one of my friend’s dad’s little club. And then ever since then I just started playing a lot and I really like playing it.”
The Panthers will return a strong senior class for the 2025 season, which includes Auwerda and the team’s leading goal scorer in Tori Wilson. This will be an experienced team coming off a 7-7 campaign last year. Another stat to look out for is Auwerda only needs 12 more points to set the program record as she averages 54 per season.
“I’m very excited” said Auwerda. “It’s our last time playing together. Some of the people that I play with, we’ve played together at a very young age. It’s definitely sentimental and emotional, but I’m very happy.”
The Triton women’s soccer team finished the 2024-25 season with a 9-5-3 record and dominated conference play with an 8-0-1 record. Auwerda will look to add some fire power next season while majoring in business.
With the colder weather, comes the cold and flu season. Its easy to think a quick top to the Emergency room can cover your cold with some medicine. MacKenzie Delaney, FNP, at the Henry County Health Center Mount Pleasant Clinic was able to speak to us about this cold & flu season.
To keep the ER available for true emergency efforts, we asked Kenzi what people should do or where they should go if they feel ill of a cold or flu?
MacKenzie mentions that while you might think you aren’t contagious, you very well could be, and she has some advice to combat the cold and flu season.
If someone is needing to visit one of the Rural clinics, they ask that you bring your insurance information with you. They do have cash pay and financial options for care as well.
Diane Marie Coughlin, 69, of Mt. Pleasant, died Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House.
Diane was born June 28, 1955 in Mt. Pleasant. She was the daughter of Perry and Pauline (Kitch) Cornell. Diane married Steve Sammons. To this union, two sons were born, Michael then Juston. The couple then divorced. Diane then married Jim Dugger. To this union a son, Trevor, was born. The couple later divorced.
In her free time, Diane enjoyed watching the Hallmark Channel, especially this time of year, so she could watch Christmas movies. Her favorite TV shows were Andy Griffith and I Love Lucy. Her favorite movie was Grease (she mentioned on a couple of occasions, “that John Travolta is sure a cutie”).
She also enjoyed reading books, especially devotionals and scripture from the Bible. She was extremely fond of her cats – Mr. Kitty and Oliver, and Trevor’s dog, Denver. Whenever she was still able to get out on a regular basis, she attended church every Sunday at FCOC. While running errands in her care, she would listen to Pastor Monte’s sermons on CD.
In her younger years, she had worked at the Mt. Pleasant Golf and Country Club and the Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility. With her children, Diane lived in Arizona for several years, and, during the winter months, regretted moving back to Iowa.
Survivors include two sons – Michael (Sheila) Sammons and Juston (Beth) Sammons; 2 brothers – Dennis Cornell and Danny Cornell; Grandchildren – Shawna (Weston) Schorr and Tyler (Sara) Snyder; great grandchildren – Ava, Korbin, Gryffin and Bowen. Additional survivors include her stepmother, Mary Conrad Cornell and step siblings of the Conrad family – Jeff, Tim and Amy.
Her mother and father, youngest son Trevor Coughlin and oldest brother David Cornell precede in death.
Cremation Rites have been entrusted to Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant. An open visitation will begin at 9AM on Saturday, December 14 at Kimzey Funeral Home. The family will be present to receive friends from 11 AM until the end of the visitation at 12 Noon. Burial of Diane’s ashes will occur at a later date at the Forest Home Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Diane’s memory may be directed to “The Cattery” at Vintage Raven, All God’s Creatures or the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington. On line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com
In this weeks Supervisors Meeting, It was approved that Dr Rose Schabilion, MD take over as Medical Examiner of Henry County. Dr Schabilion will also be the deputy medical examiner to Dr. Booster, for Lee and Des Moines Counties.
Dr. Schabilion is a graduate of Iowa’s Medical school program and serves as the Director of the E.R here in Mount Pleasant. . Dr. Schabilion was present at the supervisors meeting to introduce herself.
Jake Hotchkiss also gave his Weekly Update from the Engineer department. He mentioned that Plow trucks have been sent out for the season to plow, territory operators are out blading roads, the Iowa Bridge & culvert/Nebraska Avenue bridge is being cleaned up and equipment is being moved off site. Grading for the bridge will happen if a proper weather window allows.
O.Brien Kelly, 71, of Washington, Iowa, died Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at the University of Iowa Hospital.
Jones & Eden Funeral Home in Washington, Iowa is assisting with arrangements. Cremation has been accorded and graveside services will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be sent for O. Brien’s family at www.jonesfh.com.
O.Brien was born December 31, 1952 in Burlington, Iowa, to Patrick and Loyce (Smoot) Kelly. He graduated from Mount Pleasant Community High School in 1972. After some schooling, he worked as a heavy equipment operator and truck mechanic most of his life. His faith and love of children led him to be a dedicated volunteer in the bus ministry of his church, Marion Avenue Baptist, Washington, Iowa.
O.Brien is survived by sisters Karen (Steven) Brimhall of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Candace (Bruce) Huber of Danville, Iowa, and sister-in-law Julie Kelly (Eddie) Johnson of New London, Iowa, several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Mike, and step-father, Harvey Jeffrey.
Kevin Allen Sinn, 67, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at Prestige Care Center in Fairfield.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the family and sent to Kendall Sinn, 1003 W. Spaulding Ave. Fairfield, Iowa 52556. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family.
Kevin was born November 30, 1957 the son of William and Lilli (Negelan) Sinn. He married Kathryn Rae Mercer, May 29, 1976. She preceded him in death August 20, 2014.
Kevin worked as a truck driver, as well as working for S & S Excavating, Roto Fab, and Hancor in Sebring, Florida. He enjoyed playing pool, golfing in his younger years, motorcycle riding, and building model cars. He loved spending time with his grandchildren.
Those left to honor his memory include his children, Kendra Sinn of Brighton, Kendall (Jamie) Sinn of Fairfield and Angela (Jimmy) Moore of Sebring, Florida; nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild; his mother, Lilli Sinn of Burlington; sister, Heidi Voss-Howard of Burlington; and brother, Drew Christiansen of West Columbia, South Carolina.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his father; and brother, Scott.
Online condolences may be made to Kevin’s family by viewing his obituary at www.behnerfh.com.
The Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission (SEIRPC) is looking for the Mount Pleasant community to provide feedback in their new Comprehensive Safety Action Plan.
The survey will provide the city with details in how people get around in Southeast Iowa, Experiences as a pedestrian, driver, & cyclist.
This Comprehensive Safety Action Plan will also provide insight into what the community would like to see in southeast Iowa.
You can be part of the solution by taking the survey we have linked on our website at KILJ.com. https://bit.ly/SEIRPCSurvey.
