Sports, December 3rd

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Basketball

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team had Cedar Rapids Washington on the ropes in their season opener last night, but the Panthers could not hold on, falling 59-55. The Panthers held a one-point lead entering the fourth quarter as they buried 10 three-pointers in the contest; however, after going 7 for 9 at the charity stripe through the first three quarters, Mt. Pleasant managed to go just 4 for 11 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter. Head coach Eric Rawson believes the team figured out their identity last night, 

“We’re gritty, not pretty. We’re gritty. So, we hung in there. We fought, you know, it was one possession game with, you know, under a minute to go and, you know, down the stretch, you know, we make some free throws, and it could be a different outcome. You know, it’s a tough place to play on the road obviously. But we saw a lot of grit and determination and, you know, coming out in the second half, our turnovers got better. We started valuing the possession a little bit more and I like what we saw.”

Ian Reid led the Panthers with 19 points on the night with Noah Lange cashing in for 14 points in the losing effort. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team escaped with a 45-40 victory against Burlington Notre Dame last night. Kynlee White had a huge second half for the Panthers, scoring all 18 of her points in the winning effort. Daisy Hazell collected 16 points for the Nikes. 

Mt. Pleasant will commence conference play on Friday, December 6th, at home against Burlington with the girls’ competing first at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm. 

The Van Buren County boys’ team handled business against Cardinal last night 74-53. The Warriors will host Burlington Notre Dame tonight with the girls’ playing first at 6 pm. 

Holy Trinity Catholic swept their home opener against WACO last night with the girls’ team winning a low scoring game 43-37 and the boys taking the win 57-35. Brenna Graber led WACO with 14 points in the girls’ game, while Luke Hellige put up 16 points for the Crusaders. 

WACO will face off against Pekin on Friday with the girls’ tipping off the night at 6 pm. 

Central Lee will start the season tonight against Holy Trinity Catholic on the road with the boys’ scheduled to follow the girls’ game at 7:30 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will square off against Louisa-Muscatine on the road tonight with the girls’ playing first at 6 pm. 

Wapello will take on Pekin in a road matchup tonight with the girls’ tipping off at 6 pm. 

Danville will face off against Mediapolis tonight at home with the boys’ playing first at 6 pm.

New London will travel to West Burlington tonight with the first game at 6 pm. 

Fairfield will compete against Oskaloosa tonight with game one at 6 pm.

Columbus will compete against Lone Tree on the road tonight with the girls’ playing first at 6 pm.

High School Wrestling

WACO will participate in the Washington County Quad meet tonight at Washington. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will host a dual against Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union tonight at 6:30 pm. 

The Mediapolis boys’ team will compete in a quad at home tonight at 6 pm.

The Wapello boys’ team will host a triangular tonight at 6 pm.

The Fairfield boys’ team will travel to Davis County on Thursday, December 5th.

The New London boys’ team will host the Jeremy Fulk Classic on Saturday, December 7th. 

The Mt. Pleasant, Mediapolis, Columbus, and WACO girls’ teams will compete in the Willard Howell Tournament on Saturday at Wapello. 

High School Bowling

Fairfield swept Washington yesterday with the girls’ winning 1,852-213 and the boys dispatching the Demons 2,654-2,103. Autumn McBride’s 258 total pins led the girls, while the boys were anchored by Ethan Cass with 417 total pins. The Trojans will take on Burlington on Friday, December 6th, on the road. 

Mt. Pleasant will duel West Burlington today at KingPins.

Southeastern Community College

The #11 men’s basketball team will host Kennedy-King College on Saturday, December 7th, at 7. 

College Football

#16 Iowa State will face off against #12 Arizona State on Saturday, December 7th, at 11 am for the Big 12 conference championship. 

Iowa will await their bowl matchup, which will be announced on Sunday, December 8th. 

College Basketball

The #6 Iowa State men’s team will host Marquette tomorrow, December 4th, at 7 pm in the Big 12/Big East battle.

The Iowa men’s team will start conference play tonight at 6 pm against Northwestern at home. 

The #20 Iowa State women’s team will compete against USC Upstate tonight at 6:30 pm at home. 

The #17 Iowa women’s team will take on Tennessee in the Women’s Championship Classic on Saturday, December 7th, at 6 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1950 – The Cleveland Browns is the last NFL team with a no-pass game as they beat the Philadelphia Eagles 13-7. 

1956 – Wilt Chamberlain makes his much anticipated varsity debut; scores 52 points and grabs 31 rebounds, breaking both all-time Kansas records in an 87–69 win against Northwestern.

2005 – First ACC Championship Game: #22 Florida State beats #5 Virginia Tech, 27-22.

Iowa Department of Education Provides “Book Packs” to Nearly 38,000 Students

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 at 5:52 am CDT

Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Education announced a statewide investment of over $3.5 million to provide book packs to all public and accredited nonpublic elementary schools & nearly 38,000 first-grade students. These Take home Books are based around Science, math, history and other core academic growth.

Gov. Reynolds said- “These book packs, based on the Science of Reading, bring parents more fully into that process by giving them a fun way to reinforce at home what their children are learning at school. It’s a powerful way to teach our kids to read—so they can spend a lifetime reading to learn.”

The Department selected “Just Right Reader” through a competitive bid process, that will now provide decodable reading packs at no cost to Iowa elementary schools and families.

Each decodable book includes a QR code with access to video lessons for active family engagement.

SCC offers FREE FAFSA Workshops in December

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, December 2nd, 2024 at 7:34 pm CDT

Southeastern Community College is offering two workshops to anyone looking to fill out the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms.

These sessions are designed to help individuals planning to start college this spring navigate the financial aid process.

The first workshop will be held on Thursday, Dec. 5, from 3 to 6 p.m. at SCC’s West Burlington campus in Room 361.

A second session is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 12, from 3 to 6 p.m. at SCC’s Keokuk campus in Room 419.

Staff members from the SCC Educational Opportunity Center will be on hand to guide students through the process of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and answering questions about financial aid.

This event is free and open to students of any age or income level, regardless of which college they plan to attend.

No pre-registration is required; staff will assist attendees on a first-come, first-served basis.

Students under age 24 should attend with at least one parent or guardian.

To complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA, students and parents should each bring the following:

  • Social Security number, driver’s license number, and date of birth
  • 2022 federal and state tax returns, including all schedules and worksheets
  • W-2 forms or other records of income earned in 2022
  • Current bank statements and records of assets and investments
  • Records of untaxed income received last year
  • A-Number if not a U.S. citizen

REVISED – Henry County Supervisors Agenda December 5th 9am

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, December 2nd, 2024 at 4:01 pm CDT

.Approve Agenda

2.Approve Minutes

3.Approve Claims

4.Department Head Meeting

5.Katie Reuter, Public Health Budget Vaccines

6.SEIRPC Resolution # 31-2024

Henry County Support the Great River Housing Trust Fund

7.SERPC, Zach James, Henry County Hershey Hall Urban Renewal Plan

Approve Resolution #32-2024fixing date for a public hearing on the proposal to enter into a Development Agreement with IWU Mt. Pleasant, LLC.

8.28E Agreement for Contribution for Emergency Medical Services

9.Public Comments

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors’ Sub-Committee Updates

Rick Lynn “Rickie” Schiller

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, December 2nd, 2024 at 3:58 pm CDT

Rick Lynn “Rickie” Schiller, 67, of Donnellson, Iowa passed away at 8:35 p.m. Saturday, November 30, 2024, near Jordan, Montana.

He was born on February 21, 1957, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Leo and Alice (Jesberg) Schiller.

Rickie is survived by his wife: Anita; daughter: Amanda Clifford of Wayland, Missouri; three grandchildren: Ashton, Shaylee, and Freya; three siblings: Joann Knisley of Donnellson, Garry Schiller of Donnellson, and Ernie (Cheryl) Schiller of Donnellson; six nieces: Dawn (Kyle) VanAusdall, LeAnn (Kevin) Rink, Tara (Jason) Farley, Alicia (Larry) Haynes, Amanda (Jason) Myhre, and Arie Schiller; two nephews: Billy Knisley and Chris (Michelle) Schiller; four great nieces: Sara (Dylan) Bruns, Kara Knisley, Payton Schiller, Lainie Zachmeyer; six great-nephews: Eric (Jenny) VanAusdall, Ryan (Miranda) VanAusdall, Christopher (Darynne) Wenger, Ethan Knisley, Levi Schiller, and Ian Schiller and a sister-in-law: Nadine Shannon.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers in infancy: Arlet and Terry.

Rickie was a 1975 graduate of Central Lee High School. He was known as the “Mayor of Charleston”. In 2024, he received an award for the Central Lee Athletic Hall of Fame. He was on the board of trustees for the Charleston Township, and he played college basketball at Indian Hills Community College on a full ride scholarship.

He enjoyed farming, mushroom hunting, elk hunting, deer hunting, fishing and socializing. He loved his family Fourth of July BBQs, fish frys, gambling, and following sports teams especially the St. Louis Cardinals. Everyone enjoyed talking to Rick and hearing his stories.

A visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 7 p.m. Friday, December 6, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, where the family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2024 at the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Donnellson with Pastor Tony Keefe officiating.

Following the funeral service, his body will be entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

Burial will be at a later date in the Charleston Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in his memory to Donnellson Fire and Rescue, Central Lee Sports Boosters or the PAW Animal Shelter.

Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Mount Pleasant Hy-Vee and Local First Responders to Give Away 200 Hams

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, December 2nd, 2024 at 12:43 pm CDT

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (Dec. 2, 2024) — As part of its annual Hams for the Holidays campaign, Hy-Vee employees will join with local first responders to distribute 200 Hormel® Cure 81® hams on Wednesday, Dec. 4 beginning at 5 p.m. while supplies last.  The event benefits families in need and will be held at the Mount Pleasant Hy-Vee, 1700 E. Washington Street.

Now in its seventh year, Hams for the Holidays is a collaborative effort with Hormel Foods to help fight food insecurity in communities served by Hy-Vee stores. This location is one of 18 stops that Hy-Vee is making across its eight-state region delivering 5,000 total hams.

The event continues until 7 p.m. or until all hams are distributed, whichever occurs first. Media is encouraged to attend the event.

“Festival of Lights” Open Now Until December 31st

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, December 2nd, 2024 at 12:05 pm CDT

Weeks of preparation, planning and setup are now done, and the joy of Christmas is shining bright for another season of the Mount Pleasant “Festival of Lights”.

You can expect to spend anywhere from a half hour to an hour to drive through the near 2 mile route. Many Families make it tradition to see Santa while he is in town for the Festival of Lights.

In the 12 years of the festival they started with 60 displays and will have over 180 lighted displays this year.

The Festival of Lights is open until December 31st, from 5:30pm-9pm. $10 a car load.

Board of Supervisors Meeting December 5, 2024 – 9:00 a.m.

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, December 2nd, 2024 at 11:02 am CDT

AGENDA

Board of Supervisors Office – December 5, 2024 – 9:00 a.m.

1.Approve Agenda

2.Approve Minutes

3.Approve Claims

4.Department Head Meeting

5.Katie Reuter, Public Health Budget Vaccines

6.SEIRPC Resolution # 31-2024

  •  Henry County Support the Great River Housing Trust Fund

7.28E Agreement for Contribution for Emergency Medical Services

8.Public Comments

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

Guidelines for Speakers

When you are called upon to speak, stand if possible, and address the Board as a whole, not an individual member.

Be concise in your comments. You have a limit of three (3) minutes.

Be civil and courteous with your comments. Profanity will not be tolerated.

Speakers may not use Public Comment to harass the Board or other elected officials or engage in disturbing behavior. Public Comment is not for asking questions of the Board members or engaging in a dialogue or debate.

Conversations with Board members should be arranged for outside of Board meetings.

Disturbances will not be tolerated and may be cause for removal.