Sports, August 25th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, August 25th, 2025 at 6:29 am CDT

High School Girls’ Tennis

Mt. Pleasant will stay on the road to face off against Fort Madison tonight.

Fairfield traveled to Pella for an invitational over the weekend and finished in 3rd place with 86.5 points. Poojita Mukadam led the Trojans with a 4-1 record in her singles matches to finish third overall, while Natalie Steele finished 10th in singles with a 4-2 record. The Trojans will travel to Davis County tonight for the Mustangs’ senior night. 

High School Volleyball

The season will officially get underway tonight around the state of Iowa and WACO will ring in the new season by hosting a tournament with Columbus, Van Buren County, and Burlington Notre Dame making the trip.

Mt. Pleasant will head over to Mediapolis tonight for a scrimmage.

Fairfield will host the “Steve Heisel” meet on Thursday, August 28th, with WACO competing.

Wapello, West Burlington, Burlington, and Danville will participate in a quad at SCC on Thursday at 5:30 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Keokuk on Thursday at 7:15 pm.

Central Lee will host Fort Madison on Thursday at 7:30 pm.

High School Cross Country

Van Buren County will compete on Thursday, August 28th, at Albia. 

The Danville girls’ team will travel to compete in the Iowa City West Early Bird meet on Thursday.  

High School Football

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Easton Valley on Thursday, August 28th, at 6 pm.

Mt. Pleasant will square off against Mediapolis on Friday, August 29th, at 7:30 pm for their home opener. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm. Panther head coach John Bowlin believes his team has the speed to break games open this year,

“Overall, our team speed is quite a bit better this year. You know, we obviously missed the guys that we graduated. We had some pretty good dudes last year that we graduated, but I think on an overall team level we definitely have a little more skill set as far as speed and ability to catch the ball. We have some kids, I think, that can really make a play out there in the open field and I believe in our line. I think we can still pound the rock. We got a couple running backs that are going to get us the yards. You know, I don’t think Ramzy [Davis] will get negative plays very often this year, he’s just a go-getter, hard worker, you know, and obviously [Griffen] Jones, the sophomore, he’s our fastest kid on the team, so trying to get him the ability to get the ball in open space is going to be big for us this year.”

WACO will kick off the season with a road showdown against Central City on Friday at 7 pm.

Danville will compete against West Burlington on Friday at 7 pm on the road. 

Columbus will host BGM to start the season on Friday at 7 pm.

Wapello will clash with Louisa-Muscatine on Friday at 7 pm on the road. 

New London will ring in the new season with a home contest against Cardinal on Friday at 7 pm.

Van Buren County will tangle with Central Lee on Friday at 7 pm on the road. 

Southeastern Community College

The women’s soccer team will look to bounce back on Wednesday, August 27th, against Mineral Area College on the road. 

The volleyball team finished the Opening Weekend Tournament with an impressive 5-1 record, sweeping three of their six opponents and coming away with two victories in the fifth set. The Blackhawks will look to continue that success when they travel to Marshalltown Community College on Wednesday at 7 pm.

The men’s soccer team will compete on the road against Mineral Area College on Wednesday at 5 pm.

College Football

On a water-logged field in Dublin, Ireland, #22 Iowa State was able to survive a turnover riddled game against #17 Kansas State, coming out on top 24-21 over the weekend for Matt Campbell’s 100th career victory. Rocco Becht delivered in the clutch, tossing for 183 yards and two touchdowns and hitting Carson Hansen in the flat for a 15-yard gain on fourth-and-three, allowing the Cyclones to ice the game. Iowa State will host South Dakota on Saturday, August 30th, at 2:30 pm. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will have the call.

Iowa will tangle with UAlbany on Saturday at 5:10 pm for their home opener. KILJ 105.5 FM will be on the call. 

This Day in Sports History

1922 – Cubs beat the Phillies 26-23 in highest scoring major-league game.

1968 – Arthur Ashe becomes 1st African American to win the US singles championship.

1985 – Met Dwight Gooden becomes youngest pitcher to win 20 games (20y 9m 9d).

Help Pack the Pantry with Canned Fruit

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, August 25th, 2025 at 6:21 am CDT

MOUNT PLEASANT—The Fellowship Cup is asking for the community’s help to restock its pantry shelves with canned fruit.

Donations are welcome from individuals, churches, businesses, youth groups, schools, and anyone who would like to lend a hand in supporting local families. Items may be dropped off at The Fellowship Cup, 203 N. Jefferson Street, Mount Pleasant, on Mondays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For drop-offs on other days, please call ahead at (319) 385-3242 to ensure the pantry is open.

All donated canned fruit will be distributed directly to clients, helping supplement groceries and providing much-needed support as families work toward self-sufficiency.

Entry Level Quilting Workshop for Grades 4–12

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, August 25th, 2025 at 5:45 am CDT

Students in grades 4 through 12 will have the opportunity to learn quilting skills this fall through an Entry Level Quilting Workshop, hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Van Buren County.

The program will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Farm Bureau Room at the Fair View Barn on the third Monday of each month, beginning September 15.

Participants will start by constructing a rag quilt. Members may purchase their own materials or select from supplies available through the Extension Office. Before the first session, instructor LaTisha will meet individually with members in August or early September to discuss quilt layouts and determine fabric needs.

Once the rag quilts are completed, the workshop will introduce additional beginner projects, such as a quilted tote bag, quilted table runner, and—if time allows—a pieced lap quilt.

Sewing machines are provided by the Van Buren Extension Council, and two machines are available for checkout with a $25 deposit.

While attendance at every session is not required, members are encouraged to participate as much as possible, as skills will build from one month to the next.

There are only eight spots available, and pre-registration is required. To register, email latishas@iastate.edu

Arlene A. Bonar

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, August 25th, 2025 at 5:22 am CDT

Arlene A. Bonar, 89, of Mount Pleasant, formerly of Burlington and Fort Madison passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, August 23, 2025, at Park Place Elder Living Center.

Arlene was born on August 28, 1935, in Davenport, Iowa, the daughter of Clarence and Sophie (Beine) Henschen.  The family later moved to Fort Madison where she was a student at Sacred Heart Elementary School and Central Catholic High School.  She was involved in many clubs and organizations.  Arlene was a cheerleader and was the homecoming queen of 1953.

Arlene was united in marriage to Robert Dean “Bob” Bonar on August 19, 1953, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ft. Madison. He preceded her in death on April 10, 2014. She worked at Sheaffer Pen in the office.  In 1959, they moved to Burlington, there she was a stay at home mom.  She always said her greatest accomplishments and joy were her children.  She never missed a football or basketball game or school function.  

In 1976 they moved to Mount Pleasant, and she decided to go back to work.  Starting at Martha Browns, then moving to Spurgeons Department Store where she was one of the “Candy Ladies.”  Arlene loved watching the Iowa Hawkeye Basketball games with her sons and son-in-law, her sense of humor always kept us guessing.  Arlene was a member of the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church along with the Altar and Rosary Society.  

Arlene will be missed by her children, Pam (Tom) Tipton, Steve (Jackie) Bonar, and Scott (Leigh Weisshaupt) Bonar, her loving grandchildren, Jennifer, David, Morgan, Chase and Brande and her great-grandsons, Jackson, Nathan, Carter, Miles, Benton and Carter. She was the best mother ever and we all have a hole in our hearts.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bob Bonar, her son, Mike Bonar, her sister, Annette Lockwood, along with many aunts and uncles.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant with Father Ross Epping officiating.   Burial will be in the St. Alphonsus Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 until 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant. The family will not be present.  The family will receive friends on Friday at the church from 10 until service time.  Memorials may be directed in her memory to EveryStep Hospice of Mount Pleasant or to the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.

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

Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant is caring for her arrangements.

Irene Boyer Stagers

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, August 25th, 2025 at 5:20 am CDT

Irene Boyer Stagers passed away at Savannah Heights, Mt. Pleasant, at the age of 95.

Memorial Services celebrating her life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 30, 2025 at First United Methodist Church in Fairfield with luncheon to follow. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Private burial will be at Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Douds. Memorials made be made to First United Methodist Church, Mt. Moriah Cemetery, or Fairfield Community Center and mailed to Bev Nelson P.O. Box 87, Libertyville, Iowa 52567. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family.

Irene was born November 30, 1929 near Pittsburg, Van Buren County, Iowa to Lawrence and Selma (Clemens) Boyer. She attended Van Buren Schools, playing basketball on several winning teams. On August 3, 1946 in Memphis, Missouri she married Warren Edward Stagers from Douds, Iowa.

Irene and Warren lived in Douds for many years then bought a farm northwest of Fairfield in 1959. Irene was a farm wife and worked various part-time jobs in Fairfield such as at the Tastee Freeze (where she memorized many of the regular’s orders), many years at Gimbel’s Jewelry, then retiring from Washington School.

Irene was actively involved in volunteer work over the years especially for the VFW Auxiliary, where she was past president, First United Methodist Church, and JCHC Auxiliary, working at the Bargain Box as needed. She was a lifetime member of the neighborhood Victory Club.

She enjoyed reading, puzzles, naps, bingo, playing cards, socializing, tractor rides with Warren, dancing and going to the casino. While living on the farm she raised vegetables in two gardens, canning and freezing most of the produce. She enjoyed her flower gardens with cut flowers on her table to enjoy.

Together they raised five children: Linda Stagers Simpson, Charlotte, North Carolina; Shirley Stagers (Ron Shy), Cape Fair, Missouri; Bev Stagers Nelson (Rod Nelson), Libertyville; Lori Stagers Boyer (Jay Martinez), Thorton, Colorado; and daughter-in-law, Becky (Fry) Stagers, Bettendorf, Iowa.

Her cherished grandchildren: Alissa Simpson (Forrest) King of Charlotte, North Carolina, Amanda Stagers (Adam) Creighton of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Trenton Nelson of Libertyville.

Her dear great grandchildren: Ahriyana Creighton (Tyler) Timmerman of Galesburg, Illinois, Alex Creighton of Bettendorf, Iowa, Ronin King and Irie King of Charlotte, North Carolina.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren Stagers; son, Jim Stagers; granddaughter, Lindsay Stagers; son-in-law, Jim Simpson, and her parents.

Irene was the last of her eight brothers and sisters: Dorothy Wood, John Boyer, Wilma McVey, Wayne Boyer, Harold Boyer, Marilyn Nelson, and Esther Lancaster preceded her in death.

 

 

Mount Pleasant CSD Board Work Session Set for August 25

By Hayden Douglas · Sunday, August 24th, 2025 at 4:29 pm CDT

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa – The Mount Pleasant Community School District Board of Directors will hold a Board Work Session on Monday, August 25, at 6:00 p.m. in the High School Media Center.

The session will include updates and discussions on several key district matters. Agenda items include:

  • Superintendent Search Process – presented by Grundmeyer Leader Services

  • Transfer Student Athletic Eligibility Process – presented by Activities Director Scot Lamm

  • Buildings and Grounds Projects Update

  • Facilities Master Plan Ad Hoc Committee Update

Community members may view the full agenda by visiting the district website at www.mtpcsd.org

August 25, 2025 – August 31, 2025

By Allison Jacobs · Sunday, August 24th, 2025 at 11:58 am CDT
08/25/25
Joyce Dennison
08/25/25
Janet Roth
08/25/25
Debi and Steve Sammons
08/26/25
Sue Gray
08/26/25
Joy Lap
08/27/25
Larry & Patty Ford *Anniversary
08/28/25
Marcia Millspaugh
08/28/25
Aiden Lee
08/28/25
Jason Hill
08/29/25
Jill Kirby
08/29/25
Dennis Ebersole
08/29/25
Mark Overberg
08/31/25
Pat Coe
08/31/25
Doris Apalara
08/31/25
Katie Westphal

MPCSD Board Work Session on Monday

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, August 23rd, 2025 at 6:35 am CDT

The Mt. Pleasant Community School District School Board will meet for a board work session at 6pm on Monday, August 25th in the High School Media Center, 2104 S. Grand Avenue.  Items on the agenda include a report from Grundmeyer Leader Services on the superintendent search progress, transfer student athletic eligibility, and a facilities master plan update.  This meeting is open to the public.