The Importance of Knowing Your Neighbors

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, September 4th, 2024 at 11:27 am CDT

The start of the school year often means children are making new friends. The unfortunate reality is that some children and parent’s don’t truly know who these so called friends are. There are 27 registered sex offenders just within 10 miles of Mt. Pleasant alone.

Whether you live in the city surrounded by neighbors or in the country with no ones for miles, it’s important to know who your neighbors are. It is completely normal to want to keep your children safe, and one way you can keep up on it is by knowing who is in your neighborhood.

The Iowa Sex Offender website provides a search engine that shows every registered offender in the state. The website has a series of frequently asked questions, such as “Am I supposed to be notified by my Sheriff’s Office or Police Department when a sex offender moves near my house?”

They go on to explain that “this type of notification is not required under Iowa law.” However, there is a helpful email notification service on the website which allows you to sign up to receive email notices. You will receive an email every time a registered sex offender moves into or out of the area that you have specified.

Help protect your family by being informed.

Continue reading “The Importance of Knowing Your Neighbors”

Evelyn “Johnny” Cox

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, September 4th, 2024 at 9:51 am CDT

Evelyn “Johnny” W. Cox, 94, of Keosauqua, IA passed away on Monday, September 2, 2024 at the Keosauqua Health Care Center in Keosauqua, IA. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 9, 2024 at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Keosauqua, IA with Pastor Mary Kathryn Hart officiating. Burial will be held in the Fellows Cemetery immediately following the service. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Evelyn’s honor may be directed to the Riverview Country Club Keosauqua or to the Fellows Cemetery Association. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Farmers Making Harvest Preparations – Weekly Crop Report

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, September 4th, 2024 at 8:00 am CDT

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“September is always a busy month as farmers are beginning to make harvest preparations while also seeding cover crops and chopping silage,” said Secretary Naig. “As this year’s crop heads toward maturity, the outlook for the first half of September indicates the continuation of warm and dry conditions.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

The State experienced hot conditions and scattered rain this past week. Iowa farmers averaged 5.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 1, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Activities included preparing for the fall harvest and hay cutting.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 20 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 19 percent short, 75 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus.

Corn in the dough stage or beyond reached 94 percent this week. Sixty-one percent of the corn crop reached the dent stage, 5 days behind last year and 1 day behind the five-year average. Corn mature reached 10 percent, 2 days behind last year but 1 day ahead of the five-year average. Corn condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. Soybeans setting pods reached 95 percent. Soybeans coloring reached 18 percent, 4 days behind last year and 2 days behind the five-year average. Soybean dropping leaves began at 2 percent. Soybean condition was 77 percent good to excellent.

The State’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 88 percent, 1 week behind last year but 1 week ahead of the five-year average. Pasture condition rated 64 percent good to excellent.

Sports, September 4th

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, September 4th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Football

WACO will travel to Iowa Valley on Friday, September 6th, at 7 pm for their first district game of the season.

Fairfield will stay at home to take on Fort Madison on Friday at 7:30 pm.

Mt. Pleasant will have their home opener on Friday against West Burlington/Notre Dame at 7:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm. 

Danville will travel to take on Highland on Friday at 7 pm. 

New London will square off against Winfield-Mt. Union on Friday at 7 pm on the road. 

Van Buren County will face off against Pekin on Friday at 7 pm on the road. 

Central Lee will travel to Cardinal on Friday at 7 pm.

Mediapolis will compete against Sigourney-Keota on Friday at 7 pm at home.

Columbus will look to get back on track against Wapello on Friday at 7 pm at home. 

High School Volleyball

The Southeast Conference (SEC) opened up their conference play last night with the visiting teams spoiling home openers. Keokuk made the trip to Mt. Pleasant last night and after taking a back-and-forth set one 25-22, the Chiefs dominated in set two to the tune of a 25-12 victory as Keokuk’s Camryn Atterberg had nine kills through two sets. 

The tide changed in the third set as Mt. Pleasant outscored Keokuk 11 to 2 down the final stretch to force a fourth set. Again, the Panthers shook off a rough start to lead 20-14 late in the set; however, Atterberg continued her dominance with a couple of kills and an ace, helping the Chiefs go on a 9 to 0 run. Nevertheless, Addison Peck helped seal the fourth set with an ace to send the game to a fifth set.

Unfortunately, the Panthers ran out of steam as the Chiefs cruised to a 15-4 final to win the match 3-2. Alex Scott led Mt. Pleasant with 14 kills followed by Addison Clark with 10, while Sonya Simon had five aces. Atterberg finished the night with 17 kills, three aces, and seven blocks (six solo). Despite the loss, Panthers head coach Logan Wall saw some positives to build upon for the rest of the season,

“I think we just capitalized on some of the open spots on the other court. #7 had a great game, so we were trying to avoid her as much as possible. So, we’ll know that for next time. I know my girls showed a lot of grit and a lot of toughness and I haven’t seen that in Panther volleyball for a long time. So, I’m just proud of how they came back.”

Mt. Pleasant will host Albia tomorrow, September 5th, at 7 pm.

Washington crunched Fort Madison on the road with a sweep. 

Wapello hosted their invite last night and here’s how our local teams fared. Central Lee split their games, falling to Burlington Notre Dame in close sets (25-19 and 27-25) and Wilton (21-14 and 21-8), while defeating Holy Trinity Catholic (21-11 and 21-16) and Columbus (21-16 and 21-17) in straight sets. The Hawks had 16 aces between their two wins with Taylor Jones notching four against the Crusaders and Kenna Sandoval tallying eight between the two games.

Holy Trinity Catholic picked up a victory against Columbus handily, 21-9 in both sets, but also fell to Wilton 21-14 and 22-20. 

Burlington Notre Dame dominated most of their competition as the Nikes claimed third place at the invitational, with their only loss coming against Mediapolis in a third set 15-8 final. The Nikes defeated Wapello in straight sets to claim the bronze. 

Lastly, Mediapolis gutted out another victory over Wapello with a 15-10 final in the third set before sweeping English Valleys 21-11 and 21-8, leading to a matchup against Wilton for the championship; unfortunately, the Beavers proved to be too much, putting away the Bulldogs 25-15 and 25-10 in two sets. Bryn Wright finished with 58 assists and three aces for the invite with Ellah Wagenbach notching 33 kills in their four games. 

Mediapolis will travel to Washington tomorrow at 7 pm.

Danville will compete in a tournament at Burlington Notre Dame on Saturday, September 7th.

Central Lee will square off against Keokuk tomorrow at 7:15 pm on the road. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will look to right the ship on September 10th against Danville at 7:30 pm on the road. 

Winfield-Mt. Union swept Louisa-Muscatine last night with two dominating set wins 25-14 and 25-11 and snuck their way to a 26-24 win in set three. Kellee Milks led the team with 10 kills, while Madisen Kellogg dished out 25 assists, and Kaelyn Townsley notched five aces in the win. The Wolves will participate in a quad at Lisbon tomorrow. 

WACO will face off against Cardinal tomorrow at 5:30 pm at WACO in the first game of a quad with New London and Fairfield making the trip.

Van Buren County will participate in a tournament tomorrow at 4:30 pm at Pella Christian. 

High School Cross Country

Van Buren County, Danville, New London, and Fairfield will travel to Ottumwa to compete in a meet tomorrow, September 5th, at 5:30 pm. 

Mt. Pleasant, Burlington Notre Dame, Central Lee, Holy Trinity Catholic, and WACO will run at Elks Fairview Golf Course in Keokuk tomorrow at 4:30 pm.

Southeastern Community College

The volleyball team will hit the road to take on Southwestern Community College tonight at 7 pm.

College Football

#21 Iowa is set to host this year’s rendition of the Cy-Hawk Series on Saturday, September 7th, at 2:30 pm. The Iowa broadcast will be on 105.5 FM and the Iowa State broadcast will be on 98.5 FM and AM 1130.

University of Northern Iowa’s Blake Anderson was awarded the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s Offensive Lineman of the Week as he helped pave the way for the Panthers to rush the ball for 365 yards in their win over Valparaiso. The Panthers will face off against St. Thomas on Saturday at 1 pm on the road. 

This Day in Sports History

1937 – 15-year-old cyclist Doris Kopsky becomes the first Amateur Bicycle League of America women’s national champion in 4:22.4 in Buffalo, NY.

1950 – NASCAR’s first paved super speedway, Darlington Raceway hosted the Southern 500, first 500-mile event in NASCAR history; the winner was Johnny Mantz in a Plymouth.

1994 – Tom Tupa scores the first 2-point conversion in NFL history, running in a fake extra point attempt for the Cleveland Browns in a 28-20 win at Cincinnati.

Wayland City Council Meeting Agenda 09/04

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024 at 3:35 pm CDT

Regular Meeting Agenda
Wayland City Hall @ 7:30 P.M.
September 4, 2024
City Hall/Council Chambers
PO Box 155
218 W Main St
Wayland, IA 52654
Phone: 319-256-3276
Fax: 319-256-3279

Council/Staff – Tour City Buildings & Property/Equipment at 6:30 (no action taken)
Roll Call @ 7:30 – City Hall Council Room

Consent Agenda
Note: These are routine items and will be enacted by one motion without separate discussion unless a Council member requests an item be removed for separate consideration.

Minutes of August 21, 2024

Bills for Payment/CD Renewals

Treas. Report

Clerks Budgetary Report

Utility Dept. Report

Police Dept. Report

Firefighter Dept. Report – Roster Update

Building Permits

Citizen Forum
The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public for items not listed on the agenda. You are asked to state your name and address for the record and to limit your remarks in order that others may be given the opportunity to speak. The Order of Business is at the discretion of the Chair. No action will be taken.

Unfinished Business

Quotes for Computer Upgrade and Replace Trenton Battery Back Up

New Business

Review/Acknowledge RUT Report FY24

Review/Acknowledge Annual Financial Report FY24

North Plains Estates 2024 Project – Pay Application No. 1

Flashing Light Beacons (E/W on Hwy 78) – Replace, Repair, or Remove

USDI Proposal – Engineering Model for Wayland Natural Gas System Capacity

Adjournment

MAYOR: Travis Shelman
COUNCIL: Caylon DeVaul, Kathie Grimm, Jamie Roth, Chad Rohe, Mike Miller
CLERK: Beverly Conrad
TREAS: Terry Kaufman
ATTORNEY: Lynch Dallas

Jerry Phillips

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024 at 3:11 pm CDT

Jerry L. Phillips, 70, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics surrounded by his loving family.

Jerry was born on December 22, 1953, in Fairfield the son of Clarence E. (Phil) and Frances Mae (Simmons) Phillips.  Jerry was united in marriage to Patti Garmoe on June 11, 1977, at Oakland Mills.  He was an avid outdoorsman.  He played softball, coached little league and enjoyed camping.  Jerry became a pastor in 1999 and was the pastor at Bloomington Muscatine Friends Church in Muscatine for a number of years.  While he was in Muscatine he played Santa Claus for a number of years.   Jerry retired and moved to Mt. Pleasant, only to become the pastor of Grace Community Friends Church in Mt. Pleasant where he was serving at the time of his death.  The most important things in his life were his faith and his family.  

Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Patti of 47 years, his children, Amber (Jon) Robertson of Mt. Pleasant, Justin (Jennifer) Phillips of Farmington, Bethany (Seth) McShane of Mt. Pleasant,   his eleven grandchildren, Tyler, Logan, Sam, Clayton, Will, Audrey, Owen, Camden, Jackson, Mason and Payton, his three great grandchildren, Kinsley, Noah and Alyvia, his two sisters, Ruth Ann McMeins and Lin Sammons both of Mt. Pleasant.  

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Carlene Phillips.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Murphy Funeral home in Mt. Pleasant with Pastor Ron Bryant and Pastor Tom Palmer officiating.  Burial will follow in the Forest Home Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant.  Friends may call after 2 p.m. on Friday at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant where the family will be present from 4 to 7 p.m. that evening.   A memorial has been established in his memory.

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

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for his arrangements.

 

Jack Webster

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024 at 3:05 pm CDT

Jack LeRoy Webster, 67, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Monday, September 2, 2024 at his home.

There will be no services held at this time. Memorials may be made to the family and directed to 1602 Southview Cir, Fairfield, Iowa 52556. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family.

Jack was born July 20, 1957 in Belvidere, Illinois, the son of Roy “Bill” and Helen (Zwer) Webster. He married Linda Sue Williams in Sigourney, Iowa. They shared 48 years together. She preceded him in death February 14, 2019.

Jack was a driver for Ideal Ready Mix. He enjoyed his job at Ideal, working on his cars and he loved his dogs. Jack was a devoted and loving husband, father, and son.

Those left to honor his memory include his children, Jack J. Webster and Marie Webster, both of Fairfield.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, and son, Danny.

Wayland Man Arrested for Interference with Official Acts

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024 at 3:03 pm CDT

On August 29, 2024, at approximately 11:36AM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of suspicious activity in the 1800 block of Courtland Avenue, Mount Pleasant, Iowa. During the investigation, Clarence Lewis, 51 of Wayland, was arrested for interference with official acts (simple misdemeanor) and transported to the Henry County Jail.