MOUNT PLEASANT MUNICIPAL UTILITIES MEETING Sept 16th

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, September 16th, 2025 at 5:17 am CDT

MOUNT PLEASANT MUNICIPAL UTILITIES                                              Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

                                                                                                                                                                            

 

Board of Trustees:                                                                                                          Regular Meeting:

Dan McCabe, Chairman                                                                                                   1:00 P.M. Tuesday

Harvey Ungerman                                                                                                              September 16, 2025

David George                                                                                                                      (MPMU Conference Room

Michelle Rosell                                                                                                                     located at 509 N. Adams St.)

Mike Tometich

                          

                                                                       AGENDA

 

  1. CALL TO ORDER.
  2. Roll call.
  3. Approval of Agenda.

 

  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS.
  2. Regular Board Meeting August 12, 2025 – (Action).

 

  •                                                                                                                                
  1. Approval of Warrants (Action).
  2. Treasurer’s Report – Jody Fuller (Action).
  3. LEGAL COUNSEL.                                                                        
  4. Attorney – Timothy J. Whipple (Ahlers & Cooney P.C.) – (Informational).

                             

  2. Nate Lucas – General Manager                                                                                                                           
  3. Cedar Lane Well #7 and Water Distribution System Project – Litigation Update – (Roll call vote to go into closed session)
  4. Closed session with Ahlers & Cooney pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(c) to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation.
  5. No action expected
  6. AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) Status Update – (Informational)
    1. Discussion of the replacement metering project.
  7. Water Treatment Maintenance Project Status Update (Informational)
  8. a) Board discussion of the maintenance project.
  9. Hoaglin Dr. Overhead to Underground Improvement Project Status Update – (Informational)
    1. Board review of the Hoaglin Dr. overhead to underground improvement project.
  10. Transmission System Power Supply Project Status Update – (Informational & Action)
  11. Status update of the associated 69 kV transmission system power supply work – (Roll call vote to go into closed session).
  12. Closed session with Ahlers & Cooney pursuant to Iowa Code section 388.9 to discuss marketing and pricing strategies or proprietary information relating to electric transmission planning and construction contracts with third-parties.
  13. Approve investment nomination amount with IPPA. (Action)
  14. Monthly Activities.
    1. Discussion of the scope of utility board and staff roles in governance and operations – (Informational).                                                                   

 

  1. OTHER BUSINESS.
  2. Wholesale Power Supply – RPGI Litigation Update (Roll call vote to go into closed session).
    1. Closed Session with Ahlers & Cooney pursuant to Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(c) to discuss matters presently in litigation.
      • No action expected.
    2. Employee Handbook Update Discussion – (Informational).

 

                                                                             Next Regular Board Meeting: 1:00 p.m. October 21, 2025

Dennis Aloysious Menke

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 1:09 pm CDT

Dennis Aloysious Menke, 81, of West Point, Iowa, passed away at 9:31 p.m. Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospital in Fort Madison.

Dennis graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in 1961. He married the love of his life, Kate Geers, in 1963. They started their life together moving to Chicago so that Dennis could take a job as a diesel mechanic with the Santa Fe Railroad. No stranger to work, he also took a job with American Asphalt Paving Company while in Chicago. After starting their family, a move back to West Point was in order.  In 1967, Dennis continued his work as a diesel mechanic with J.J. Nichting Co. until he purchased a tank wagon business from his father-in-law, Ed Geers, in 1971. Menke Oil merged with Bentler Oil in 1976 to form Jet Gas.

With Kate at his side, they started another business – Crystal Ice – in 1978. Little did they know this was the start of something big. Over the course of his 35 years in the ice industry, Dennis had national influence in improving production and delivery efficiencies. His innovative methods were widely recognized and duplicated resulting in his induction to the International Packaged Ice Association Hall of Fame in 2006. After the sale of the Arctic Glacier ice plant in 2013, Dennis continued to be a mentor to both the ice industry and leaders in his local community.

Besides his family, whom he fiercely loved, Dennis was passionate about his Catholic faith, Catholic education, and his community. This passion was evident throughout his life. In 1970, along with Jim Bendlage, he was instrumental in organizing the first St. Mary’s Fall Festival. Dennis was a member of the Marquette School Board in the late-80’s, serving several years as president. Generosity was taught around the kitchen table. This was never more evident than when it became obvious that Holy Trinity Catholic School needed a new grade school building. Dennis and Kate personally funded the marketing efforts for the capital campaign. His daily job through every phase of the project was seeing to every detail. Seeing those children, the future of our Catholic faith, enter that building, always made him smile. His final dream, still in the planning process, was to see the completion of the second phase of construction of the Holy Trinity Catholic grade school in West Point. His efforts to this end continued with his involvement in the Holy Trinity Education Foundation.

Dennis also left his fingerprints on St. Marys of the Assumption parish – raising funds necessary to build the gathering space, continuously working in the cemetery, and serving on the cemetery board.

To say Dennis enjoyed life is an understatement. When the work was finished, it was time for fun. No bottle of Crown was safe when Dennis was around. Hours and hours on the boat and at the cabin – raising his family on the river. Skiing, tubing, or just going for a boat ride. Watching the next generation grow to love the river as he did was one of the greatest joys of his life. Also an avid rodeo fan, he joined two of the things he loved most by hosting the Tr-State Rodeo cowboys and committee at an annual “river day” each year during rodeo week.

Wherever he was, whatever he was doing, regardless of the “busy”, there was always time for a drink with a friend.

Dennis is survived by his loving wife: Kate; daughters: Ann Menke, Shelly (Craig) Pieper, and Deina (Dale) Merschbrock, and son: Doug (Cindy Lawson) Menke; sisters: Kathy (Mo) Jham and Nancy Franklin and brother: Keith (Cheryl) Menke. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents: Linus and Mary Bentler Menke; in-laws: Edward and Babe Schroeder Geers; daughter-in-law: Lori Wust Menke; sisters: Diane Menke and Janice Driscoll; brothers: Martin Menke and Tommy Menke; sisters-in-law: Mary, Martha, and Edwarda Geers and Jo Farrington and brothers-in-law: Jim Franklin, Paul Walker and Keith Klemmt.

His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

A memorial Mass will be held Friday, September 19, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point. A celebration of Dennis’ life will be held immediately following Mass at the American Legion in West Point.

Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 20, 2025. All are welcome to attend either service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you continue Dennis’ legacy by considering a memorial to Holy Trinity Catholic Schools.

“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost: that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them.”  Henry David Thoreau

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

Prep Cross Country: The IATC’s Week Four Team Rankings Vaults the Columbus Boys’ Team into the Top 5

By Slaten Swords · Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 1:08 pm CDT

Prep Cross Country- The Iowa Association of Track Coaches released their fourth edition of the team rankings for the season and seven of our local teams found spot in the top 20, including a pair of teams from the same programs.

Class 3A

The boys’ and girls’ teams of Fort Madison remained in the top 20 after each team put three runners in the top 10 at the Ron Hunerdosse Invite in Fairfield. The Bloodhounds on the girls’ side even have two runners ranked in the top 25 (Avery Rump at #13 and Addison Rump at #21).

Yet, Fort Madison had both teams fall in the rankings as the boys’ team reeled back from #17 to #18 and the girls’ team moved to #11, which was two spots back from their ranking last week.

Class 2A

A win at the Van Buren County Invite did neither to hurt or help Mediapolis’ position as they stood still at #19. The Bulldogs did add a new runner into the top 30 to join Simon Wendel in Will Schmidgall.

Class 1A

The boys’ division of the Southeast Iowa Super Conference continues to be competitive as Columbus vaulted up three spots in the rankings to #5 after winning the Sigourney Invitational, scoring a mere 34 points.

For the race, the Wildcats had five runners place within the top 10 at the meet, with each of their top six runners clocking a time sound of 18 minutes and 50 second mark. Ryan Villa anchors the squad as he has seen time within the top 30 individual rankings.

Van Buren County stumbled back to #11 after taking second at their own invite and WACO and Pekin kept their position at #14 and #15 in the rankings.

On the girls’ side, Van Buren County did move back in the rankings from a top 10 spot to #11 in this week’s rankings. The Warriors had a nice week, winning their own invite and the Ron Hunerdosse Invite after putting runners 5th through 8th place.

Up Next

The meet to circle on your calendar will be the Timm Lamb Invitational on Thursday, September 18th, as the Southeast Conference and most of the Southeast Iowa Super Conference get ready to run against one another at Rodeo Park Trail.

Prep Cross Country: WACO’s Dykstras Both Find a Spot in the Top 30 of the IATC’s Individual Rankings

By Slaten Swords · Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 12:03 pm CDT

Prep Cross Country- The Iowa Association of Track Coaches released their fourth edition of the individual rankings and despite a star powered meet at the Ron Hunerdosse Invite and Fairfield, one runner was moved back in the rankings.

Class 3A

The Ron Hunerdosse Invite was the first time this season that the Southeast Conference had the opportunity to run against one another and the meet featured three runners ranked within the top 30 on the girls’ side. Well, three runners from the SEC still remain in the top 30 but there was a switch.

#5 Avery Fedler of Mt. Pleasant actually fell a spot in the rankings despite winning the meet with a time of 19 minutes and 11 seconds. Her season best time is sub-19 minutes, yet the freshman is still trying to find her pace that will be sustainable for the entire season.

It should also be mentioned that she is one of four freshmen ranked within the top 30 for Class 3A and the only one ranked in the top 15.

Last week, I was surprised that Fort Madison’s Avery Rump was ranked below Washington’s Iris Dahl at #18 and #16, respectively. This last meet changed those rankings as Avery Rump’s 2nd place time of 19 minutes and 30 seconds blew Iris Dahl’s time of 20 minutes and 56 seconds out of the water. Avery is now ranked #13 in the rankings.

Unfortunately for Dahl, Fort Madison’s Addison Rump beat her to the finish line with a time of 20 minutes and 44 seconds, resulting in Rump going from unranked to #21 Addison Rump and Dahl going from #16 to unranked.

On the boys’ side, Washington’s Andrew Rees was knocked out of the top 30 after finishing in 3rd place with a time of 17 minutes and 27 seconds.

Class 2A

Mediapolis’ opportunities have been far and few between with only two races under their belt, yet, it has left an impression, especially with a 1st place team finish at the Van Buren County Invite.

Simon Wendel climbed up five spots in the rankings to #10 after notching a time of 15 minutes and 29 seconds, beating Van Buren County’s Lincoln Bainbridge by over 30 seconds. Will Schmidgall finished in 3rd place with a time of 16 minutes and 12 seconds and that result levitated him from unranked to #28 in this week’s rankings.

Class 1A

They say that sometimes absence makes the heart grow fonder and that appears to be the case for WACO’s #7 Jude Dykstra as the Warrior did not run at the Sigourney Invitational. Nevertheless, Dykstra moved up three spots in the rankings from last year.

Van Buren County’s Lincoln Bainbridge also propelled in the rankings after taking 2nd place at his home invite, then following it up with a 1st place finish at the Ron Hunerdosse Invite with a time of 17 minutes and 1 second. The Warrior climbed five spots in the rankings to #12.

WACO had another member join the top 30, but on the girls’ side. Sophomore Josie Dykstra was slotted in at #22 for the first time in her career after taking 1st place at the Sigourney Invite with a time of 20 minutes and 12 seconds.

Up Next

The meet to circle on your calendar will be the Timm Lamb Invitational on Thursday, September 18th, as the Southeast Conference and most of the Southeast Iowa Super Conference get ready to run against one another at Rodeo Park Trail.

Sports, September 15th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 6:39 am CDT

High School Volleyball

#1 Holy Trinity Catholic and Van Buren County competed in the Redette Tournament over the weekend and the two met in the championship match, where the Crusaders swept the Warriors 21-8 and 21-16. Van Buren County picked up victories over Murray and Keokuk to earn a spot in the championship match. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will travel to Mediapolis tomorrow, September 16th, at 7:30 pm.

Van Buren County will square off against West Burlington tomorrow at 7:30 pm at home.

Mt. Pleasant, Winfield-Mt. Union, and Mediapolis competed in the Wilton Tournament over the weekend, here’s how the trio fared. The Panthers swept Highland 21-14 and 21-19 and the Wolves 21-11 and 21-15, but otherwise struggled, getting swept by Wilton, Mediapolis, and Burlington.

Winfield-Mt. Union picked up wins over Mediapolis (21-16, 21-15) and Highland (21-7, 21-6) but fell to Wilton in straight sets and Burlington in three sets, losing 15-8 in the tiebreaker. 

Mediapolis took down Highland in straight sets, but fell to Burlington and Wilton. Ellah Wagenbach finished the tournament with 17 kills. 

Mt. Pleasant will travel to Fort Madison tomorrow at 7:15 pm.

Fairfield finished the Williamsburg Tournament with a 1-3 record, besting Des Moines Lincoln in straight sets (22-20, 21-15). Natalie Steele tallied 17 kills and five aces through the four matches. 

West Burlington finished the weekend 4-1 with sweeps of Des Moines Lincoln, Columbus, and #13 Williamsburg. Kaylee Webb dominated the net with 57 kills, while Baylee Woodsmall assisted on 93 kills with both notching three aces.

Fairfield will square off against Burlington at home tomorrow at 7:15 pm.

Danville will travel to New London tomorrow at 7:30 pm. 

Burlington Notre Dame will host Central Lee tomorrow at 7:30 pm.

WACO will make the trip to Columbus tomorrow at 7:30 pm.

Wapello will square off against Winfield-Mt. Union at 7:30 pm on the road tomorrow.

High School Cross Country

New London will head to Oskaloosa for a meet tomorrow, September 16th.

Wapello will compete in the English Valleys Invite tomorrow.

Central Lee will host their Invitational tomorrow with Winfield-Mt. Union and Van Buren County competing. 

WACO, Mt. Pleasant, Mediapolis, Danville, Fairfield, Holy Trinity Catholic, and West Burlington/Notre Dame will travel to Rodeo Park Trail for the Timm Lamb Invitational on Thursday, September 18th.

High School Girls’ Tennis

Mt. Pleasant will celebrate their senior night tonight against Davis County.

Fairfield prepares to host the Class 1A Region 6 Individual tournament on Wednesday, September 17th.

High School Football

Mt. Pleasant will square off against fellow undefeated Central DeWitt on Friday, September 19th, at 7:30 pm at home. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm.

New London will face off against Wapello on Friday at 7 pm at home.

WACO will host Fremont-Mills on Friday at 7 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will host Wayne for their Homecoming on Friday at 7 pm.

West Burlington/Notre Dame will welcome Mediapolis on Friday at 7 pm for their Homecoming. 

Fairfield will hit the road on Friday at 7:30 pm to play Knoxville. 

Danville will take on Van Buren County in a road showdown on Friday at 7 pm.

Columbus will compete on Friday at 7 pm against North Linn. 

Central Lee will travel to West Liberty on Friday with kickoff at 7 pm.

Southeastern Community College

The women’s soccer team split their weekend slate, defeating State Fair Community College 3-1 but falling to St. Charles Community College yesterday 4-0. Servane Veyrac scored two of the three goals with Hunter Pender netting the third. The Blackhawks will host Northwest Iowa Community College on Saturday, September 20th, at 1 pm.

The men’s soccer team finished the weekend 2-0 after clobbering State Fair Community College 4-0 and St. Charles Community College 5-1. Tomas Raposo and Gregory Zuniga each scored two goals over the weekend. The Blackhawks will face off against Northwest Iowa Community College at 3:30 pm on Saturday at home.

The volleyball team will travel to Northeast Community College tomorrow, September 16th, at 6:30 pm.

College Football

#12 Iowa State was on upset alert for most of the afternoon, but just like for most of the Rocco Becht era, the Cyclones found a way to win and put down Arkansas State, 24-16. Becht finished with 265 yards and two total touchdowns, while Abu Sama III rushed for 69 yards and put the final touchdown on the board. The Cyclones will enjoy a much needed bye week.

Iowa got back into the win column after destroying UMASS over the weekend 47-7. The Hawkeyes were able to do anything they wanted on offense with 201 rushing yards and 234 passing yards as Mark Gronowski tossed for two touchdowns and ran in for another score. Iowa will travel to Rutgers on Friday, September 19th, at 7 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1938 – Lloyd and Paul Waner became the first brothers to hit back-to-back home runs in a major league game. It was Lloyd’s last home run.

1946 – A Brooklyn Dodgers-Chicago Cubs game was called when players, umpires and fans were attacked by gnats.

1978 – Muhammad Ali defeated Leon Spinks to win his 3rd World Heavyweight Boxing title.

Noon Optimist Club Plans September 16 Meeting in Mount Pleasant

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 5:27 am CDT

The Noon Optimist Club will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, September 16, at the RIA Advisory Group, located on the south end of Holtkamp Auto in Mount Pleasant.

Members are encouraged to bring a lunch, while the host will provide drinks for everyone attending. In addition to regular club business, the meeting will feature special membership items for discussion.

All members and prospective members are invited to attend and take part in the conversation as the club continues its mission of community service and youth support.

Farmington Teen Killed in Early Morning Motorcycle Crash

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 5:10 am CDT

An 18-year-old Farmington man was killed Saturday morning in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash in Lee County.

According to the Iowa State Patrol, the crash occurred around 7:41 a.m. on September 13 in the 1900 block of County Road 103, just east of Pilot Grove Road. Investigators said a westbound 1983 Yamaha motorcycle, driven by Lucas Timothy Johnson, failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway, and entered the north ditch, where it struck a utility pole.

Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office by Schmidt Family Funeral Home. No other vehicles were involved.

The crash remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol, with assistance from Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

Washington County 4-H Youth Compete in 2025 State Shooting Sports Competition

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 15th, 2025 at 5:09 am CDT

Washington County 4-H Youth Compete in 2025 State Shooting Sports Competition

September 9, 2025, 2:35 pm | Sydney Peterson, Celine Beggs-Shoemaker 

AMES, Iowa – More than 130 youth from 22 counties participated in the 2025 Iowa 4-H Safety and Education in Shooting Sports State Shooting Competition on Aug. 23 at Brownell’s Big Springs Shooting Complex in Searsboro.  Washington County’s 4-H Bows and Bullets club sent nine members to compete.

“I’m so impressed with these members and their dedication,” said Amy Green, Washington County 4-H and Youth Coordinator.  “I know their leaders are so proud of the time the kids put in and how much they want to grow.  It’s a group of positive kids who have went to the event with big goals for themselves.”

Iowa 4-H members competed at the state level in six disciplines: archery, air rifle, shotgun, smallbore rifle, muzzleloader and wildlife. Youth competed in compound, recurve and Genesis archery subcategories, and in Junior (grades 4–6), Intermediate (grades 7–8) and Senior (grades 9–12) age divisions for awards. Competition results for Washington County 4-H members include:

Archery – Genesis

Junior Division.  Third – Nolan Rose, Washington County

Intermediate Division

  • First – Brayden Rundell, Washington County
  • Second – Cooper Boman, Washington County
  • Third – Dean Rose, Washington County

Smallbore Rifle

Intermediate Division – Second – Lovella Peiffer, Washington County

Senior Division – Second – Justin Moore, Washington County

Each discipline’s four top-scoring individuals will be contacted and invited to compete in the 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships, scheduled for June 21–26, 2026, in Grand Island, Nebraska. Participants may only attend a National 4-H Shooting Sports Championship Invitational once per discipline and can only compete in one discipline per year.

Sponsors for the event included Brownell’s, the Iowa 4-H Foundation, and the Nebraska and Western Iowa VA Suicide Prevention Program. The Nebraska and Western Iowa VA supported the event by donating 200 gun cable locks to give to families and clubs who attended the event. Kimberly Cavalier, health and human sciences educator with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, passed out the gun cable locks and shared information about suicide awareness, suicide prevention and safe gun storage.

For more information on how to get involved as a participant, volunteer or sponsor of the  Washington County 4-H shooting sports activities please contact the Washington County Extension Office at 319-653-4811.  Follow “Washington County 4-H – Iowa” on Facebook for up to date 4-H event news.