Henry County Heritage Museum Presents “Voices from the Past”

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, October 1st, 2025 at 7:50 am CDT

The Henry County Heritage Center Museum in Mount Pleasant will continue its “Voices from the Past” program this weekend, offering the community a chance to hear powerful local stories preserved through recorded interviews. 

On Saturday, October 4th, the museum will feature a video interview with Caroline Schaffner at 1:30 p.m., followed by an interview with Glenwood Tolson at 2:30 p.m. Both presentations will be shown at the museum, located at 403 W. Madison Street in Mount Pleasant. 

The “Voices from the Past” series showcases first-hand accounts and memories from Henry County residents, preserving personal histories and community heritage for future generations. Each installment highlights unique perspectives and experiences, providing an intimate look into the lives of those who helped shape the area. 

The museum invites the public to attend, learn, and reflect on the stories of their neighbors and ancestors. Admission details and additional program information are available by contacting the Henry County Heritage Center Museum. 

Henry County Supervisors Set to Review Waste Disposal Contract, Hear Department Updates

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, October 1st, 2025 at 7:49 am CDT

The Henry County Board of Supervisors will convene for their regular weekly meeting on Thursday, October 2, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Henry County Courthouse, 100 E. Washington St., Mount Pleasant. 

The session will open moving into a Department Head meeting, which allows county officials to provide updates on their offices and services. 

County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss is scheduled to deliver his weekly report on roads, bridges, and ongoing infrastructure projects. Hotchkiss’ updates typically cover maintenance work, construction progress, and any challenges facing the Secondary Roads Department. 

A key item on the agenda is the approval of the Henry County waste disposal contract. This agreement governs how the county manages solid waste, ensuring compliance with environmental standards and maintaining services for residents. 

The supervisors will also provide reports from their sub-committee assignments, offering insight into ongoing work in areas such as public health, finance, and community services. 

Meetings are open to the public, and residents are encouraged to attend to stay informed on decisions impacting the community. 

Two-Vehicle Collision Reported on River Road in Henry County

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, October 1st, 2025 at 7:48 am CDT

On the morning of September 30, 2025, at approximately 8:16 a.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision in the 2600 grid of River Road. 

According to the investigation, a 2010 Mack semi-truck driven by Michael Francy of Mount Pleasant was turning into a field drive when it was struck by a 2016 Jeep Cherokee. The Jeep was driven by Sherrie Brewer, also of Mount Pleasant. 

Authorities reported minor damage to both vehicles. Fortunately, no injuries occurred in the crash. Brewer was cited for Unsafe Passing. 

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office reminds drivers to use extra caution when navigating rural roads and field entrances, especially during harvest season when large farm machinery and trucks frequently enter and exit fields. 

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office encourages its citizens to download the HCSO app to stay informed. 

It can be downloaded by following these links: 

Android Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ocv.a1427 

iOS Link: https://apps.apple.com/…/henry-county…/id6746723082 

Sports, October 1st

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, October 1st, 2025 at 6:33 am CDT

High School Cross Country

Mt. Pleasant and Danville competed at the Williamsburg Invitational last night and the Panthers girls’ team finished in 16th place, while the boys’ team finished one spot ahead of Danville in the team scores in 17th with the Bears taking 18th place.

On the girls’ side, Mt. Pleasant’s Avery Fedler took home the bronze medal with a time of 18 minutes and 55 seconds, while Quintrie Lee grabbed 16th place with a mark of 20 minutes and 17 seconds. Alaina Gourley of Danville snatched a time of 20 minutes and 20 seconds for 17th place. 

On the boys’ side, Mt. Pleasant’s Silas Hulett put together a solid time of 17 minutes and 13 seconds, nearly breaking into the top 10, ultimately claiming 12th place. Isaac Shinn of Danville took home 49th place with a time of 18 minutes and 33 seconds. 

Van Buren County swept their Invitational last night to put an exclamation mark on their senior night. Lincoln Bainbridge and Kayley Snowgren each finished in 1st place for the Warriors. 

Fairfield and WACO participated in the Washington Invitational last night and the WACO boys’ team snatched 2nd place as a team with 59 points, while Fort Madison swept the team titles.

The WACO boys’ team was paced by Jude Dykstra as he captured 2nd place with a time of 16 minutes and 26 seconds, while Garrett Landau and Locken Henderson’s top 10 finishes helped the Warrior team score. 

Brice Boatright and John Miller of Fairfield finished in 20th and 21st place, respectively, to lead the Trojans as they finished in 6th place as a team.

On the girls’ side, WACO had two runners claim a spot in the top 10 as Josie Dykstra clocked a 5th place time of 19 minutes and 51 seconds, while Macie Carter finished in 7th place with a time of 20 minutes and 44 seconds. 

Fairfield’s Alex Jo Steward’s 14th place time of 22 minutes and 13 seconds aided the Trojans’ 5th place team finish with 100 points. 

WACO will run at the Bud and Bonnie Williams Invitational tomorrow, October 2nd, in Iowa City.

Winfield-Mt. Union will host their Invitational tomorrow with Notre Dame/West Burlington, Central Lee, Danville, Holy Trinity Catholic, Mediapolis, and Wapello participating.  

Columbus will run at the Steve Johnson Invite on Saturday, October 4th. 

High School Volleyball

Mt. Pleasant fell in their senior night contest with Burlington in straight sets (14-25, 19-25, and 23-25). The Panthers will look to regroup for the Southeast Conference Tournament with day one slated to start on Monday, October 6th.

Fairfield collected their fourth conference victory of the season last night in a dominant sweep of Keokuk by scores of 25-10, 25-18, and 25-12. Leah Helmick and Natalie Steele were unstoppable at the net, combining for 23 kills, while Faith Jones stuffed the stat sheet with 42 assists, two blocks, and an ace. 

Burlington Notre Dame will host a rematch against Holy Trinity Catholic tomorrow, October 2nd, at 7:30 pm.

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

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Columbus tomorrow at 7:30 pm.

Wapello will head to Highland tomorrow at 7:30 pm. 

New London will host Mediapolis tomorrow at 7:30 pm.

West Burlington will square off against Central Lee tomorrow at 7:30 pm at home. 

High School Girls’ Tennis

Fairfield will be sending four Trojans to the Class 1A State Singles and Doubles tournament slated to start today in Iowa City. 

Poojita Mukadam will start her day at 10 am with a matchup against Charlotte Schwabe of Kuemper Catholic, while Natalie Steele will take on North Polk’s Harika Cakinberk.

The team of Ria Ross and Sriya Yammanur will compete against Annie Elbert and Claire King of Wahlert Catholic for their first round showdown.

High School Football

Mt. Pleasant will clash with Fort Madison on Friday, October 3rd, at 7:30 pm on the road. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm.

Fairfield will travel to Washington on Friday at 7:30 pm.

West Burlington/Notre Dame will host Wilton at 7 pm on Friday. 

Central Lee will square off against Mid-Prairie at home at 7 pm on Friday. 

Mediapolis will take on West Liberty on Friday at 7 pm at home. 

Wapello will host Columbus on Friday at 7 pm.

WACO will attempt to get back in the win column on Friday at 7 pm in a home showdown against English Valleys. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to HLV/TC on Friday at 7 pm.

Southeastern Community College

The volleyball team picked up a sweep over conference foe Southwestern Community College last night in convincing fashion: 25-20, 25-11, and 25-16.  The Blackhawks will get another conference showdown tomorrow, October 2nd, in a road matchup against Des Moines Area Community College at 7 pm.

The men’s and women’s soccer teams will take on Hawkeye Community College today at home. 

The men’s basketball team will be traveling to Waukee for the ICCAC Men’s JUCO Jam on Sunday, October 5th. The Blackhawks will take on Lake Region State at 11 am to start their day.

College Football

#14 Iowa State will take on Cincinnati on Saturday at 11 am on the road. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will be on the call.

Iowa is on a bye week. 

This Day in Sports History

1903 – First Baseball World Series game ever played; the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Boston Americans 7-3 at Huntington Avenue; Jimmy Sebring hit the first home run and Cy Young was the losing pitcher.

1932 – Babe Ruth called his shot in the 5th inning of Game three of the World Series against the Chicago Cubs. Yankees go on to win the game 7-5. 

2004 – Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki gets his 258th hit of the season, breaking George Sisler’s 84-year-old MLB single-season record; Ichiro ends the season with 262 hits.

Emmie Mae Hudson,

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, October 1st, 2025 at 5:05 am CDT
Emmie Mae Hudson, became our guardian angel at 8:20 p.m.. Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Emmie gave us a lifetime of love in just one hour.

Emmie will be forever loved and remembered by her parents: Brandon and Jamee (Boyer) Hudson; siblings: Colt and Bailee; grandparents: Brad and Tammy Boyer and Brad and Tracy Hudson; great grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Cremation has been entrusted to Schmitz Funeral Homes.

No formal services will be held.

A memorial has been established in her memory.

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

Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory Begins New Chapter in Mount Pleasant

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 at 12:54 pm CDT

Funeral Home Logo

After five years of partnership, a new era has begun for one of Mount Pleasant’s most trusted names in funeral service. Charles Yoder and his daughter, Morgan Yoder—both licensed funeral directors—have purchased the Powell interest in Olson-Powell Chapel. The family-owned business will now move forward as Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory.

While the name is changing, the Yoders emphasize that the heart of their mission remains the same: “Respecting Tradition. Embracing Every Story.” Their commitment to compassion, dignity, and care continues to guide every service and interaction with families during life’s most difficult moments.

“We are sincerely grateful for the trust and support of the Mount Pleasant community and surrounding areas,” the Yoders shared. “It has been an honor to walk alongside families, and we look forward to continuing to serve with the same heartfelt dedication in this exciting new chapter.”

The Yoders invite the community to learn more and stay connected by visiting their updated website at www.olsonyoderfh.com

Carson D. Ryan

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 at 12:49 pm CDT

Carson D. Ryan, 17, of Washington, died September 28, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, as a result of a hunting accident.

Funeral Service for Carson will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 6, 2025, at the Old Washington Middle School Gymnasium.

Burial will follow in the Tipton Masonic Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be held 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, October 5, at the United Presbyterian Church in Washington.

The family will be present to greet friends from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. The family requests everyone dress casually or wear Washington Demon gear.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Washington Community School District Foundation for a scholarship to be given in Carson’s name.

The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home & Crematory is caring for Carson and his family. Condolences may be made at www.olsonyoderfh.com.

Karl Adrian Messer

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, September 30th, 2025 at 12:44 pm CDT
Karl Adrian Messer, of Mount Pleasant, age 97 passed the morning of September 27, 2025, at Park Place Elder Living.

Born July 27, 1928, in rural Henry County, Iowa the son of Sheridan Messer, Jr. and Walcom (McMurren) the fifth of eight children.

After graduating from Mount Pleasant High School, Karl enlisted with the Iowa National Guard. He began his Henry and Washington county farming career in 1948. Karl married Murriel Joan Schoonover of Washington on September 26, 1948. The couple raised three daughters; Connie (John) Rich, Barbara (Robert) Miller and Karla Dougherty. Murriel died on August 7, 1993. Returning to Mount Pleasant he formed Messer Feed and Supply in 1964. After retiring in 1988, Karl purchased and operated a saw mill for five years. He married Patti Kelley in 1995, and she preceded him in death on July 2, 2019.

Beginning in 1996, Karl established Cedar Ridge and purchased a cedar log milling machine. Harvesting the timber from their Stockport property he built their cedar log home moving there in 1999. Karl enjoyed wood working and operating his bull dozer. While his many ventures and careers required long hours he made time for his family. He loved bank pole fishing with family and friends, fitting in many hours playing his favorite card game “35”.

Karl was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Mount Pleasant and Pheasants Forever.

Karl is survived by his three daughters; six grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; brother Melvin (Barb) Messer and sister-in-law, Carol Messer.

In addition to his wives, he was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, four sisters and a granddaughter.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Olson-Yoder Funeral Home & Crematory. Burial will follow in the Forest Home Cemetery. Visitation will be 2:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, October 3, at the Olson-Yoder Funeral Home & Crematory, where the family will be present to greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Every Step Hospice, White Oak Cemetery or Green Mound Cemetery. Condolences may be made at www.olsonyoderfh.com.