Prep Girls’ Basketball: Shawn Hopper Set to Lead Holy Trinity Catholic

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, August 6th, 2024 at 3:01 pm CDT

Fort Madison, IA- The Holy Trinity Catholic girls’ basketball team had one of their best seasons in their program’s history this past winter, an exclamation mark to former head coach Tony Johnson’s career. Stepping up this season will be Shawn Hopper.

Johnson stepped down in March after contemplating if he had the time to both tend to his business and coach the team. After nine years, he decided that he did not have the energy to continue coaching.

Hopper, aged 52, was coaching the junior high basketball teams two years ago before catapulting his way to an assistant coach for Johnson this last season. Now, he takes over the program that has seen great success under Johnson’s rule.

In his nine seasons at the helm, Johnson collected a 134-96 record with six winning seasons, which tripled the program’s amount.

Last year, with the help of Mary Kate Bendlage’s record-breaking senior season, the Crusaders finished as the SEISC South Division and Shootout champions with a 20-3 record, falling to Montezuma in the regional semifinal.

Hopper inherits a team that graduated three starters: Bendlage, Natalie Randolph, and Reagan Holvoet. The trio provided an average of nearly 39 points and 17 rebounds per game.

Nevertheless, the team has plenty of experience returning in starters Anna Bendlage and Teagen Snaadt, who will be seniors, along with Presley Myers and Adalyn Kruse.

Hopper does not plan on changing the philosophy of the team with a pressure defense leading into quick buckets in transition. The transition has certainly been quick for Hopper, but he knows Johnson will be there if he needs him,

“…I’m sure I’ll have Tony on speed dial in case I have any questions.”

The regular season will start on December 3rd for the Crusaders with a home matchup against Central Lee.

Hang up the Phone! New Policy in Place for New London Students

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, August 6th, 2024 at 12:04 pm CDT
Below is a statement from the New London Community School district ahead of the upcoming school year…
The New London Middle and High School has seen an increase in issues regarding cell phones/personal electronics around social media, student focus, student mental health, and student behaviors. Therefore, during the upcoming school year, the New London Community School District will be moving to a policy where we will not allow cell phones/personal electronics during the school day. We do recognize that cell phones can be a safety measure in getting to and from school, so we are providing the following plan:
1. Phones and all personal electronics must be turned off during the day and placed in the student’s bag or locker. At no time is a device allowed to be out or used during the school day.
2. Students will only be able to use their cell phones and other personal electronic devices (headphones, tablets, smart watches, etc) before the first bell of the school day and after the final bell of the school day.
3. This policy will not limit the use of a personal computer that is needed for coursework.
It is our goal that this plan will ensure that students will have access to the benefits of a phone/electronic device while walking, driving, or riding the bus to and from school. In addition, they will have their phone when school is dismissed in the case they need to stay after school for an event.
If a student does need to communicate with parents during the school day, a phone is available to them outside the office in the main hall.
To help accomplish this goal, please remind your students to have your phone numbers memorized or written down so that they can contact you during the day if needed. If parents need to communicate with students, they can call the office or send an email to their child, which the student can return at an appropriate time.
The consequences of bringing a cell phone/electronic device to school and having it out/using it will be as follows:
1. For the first offense, the cell phone/electronic device will be confiscated and turned in at the MSHS office until the end of the school day.
2. For the second offense, the cell phone/electronic device will be confiscated and turned in to the MSHS office until a parent/guardian claims it from the office.
3. For the third violation the cell phone/electronic device will be confiscated and turned in to the MSHS office until a parent/guardian claims it from the office and a one-day out-of-school suspension will be assigned. For each subsequent violation, the number of days of suspension will increase by 2 days.
*Failure by the student to relinquish their cell phone/electronic device at any time will result in an automatic out-of-school suspension. For the first offense it will be one day out-of-school suspension. For each subsequent offense it will increase by two days.
*Administration reserves the right to accelerate consequences/levels of offense if it is determined that the violation is severe enough.
As always, our focus is supporting students by using practices that foster a safe and nurturing environment where all students learn at high levels. Your support and understanding is appreciated.
Clark Elementary’s Handbook
Cell Phone Policy
New London Community School District’s cell phone policy states that cell phones/personal electronics are prohibited during the school day. If students need to communicate with parents during the school day, they should come to the office to contact them, during non-instructional times. Should parents need to communicate with students, they can call the office, and school staff will pass along the information. As always, our focus is supporting students by using practices that foster a safe and nurturing environment where all students learn at high levels. Your support and understanding are appreciated.
1. Any cell phone seen or heard, during the instructional day (8:15-3:30) will be taken and kept at the office. The phone will be returned to the student at the end of the day.
2. A second violation will result in school-administered consequences and the phone will be kept at the office until a parent comes in to pick it up. The student is required to turn their phone/electronic device to the office each morning for 15 school days.
3. A third violation will result in school-administered consequences and the phone will be kept at the office until a parent comes in to pick it up. The student is required to turn their phone/electronic device to the office each morning for 30 school days.
4. A fourth violation will result in the cell phone being confiscated and turned in to the office until a parent claims it from the office. and a one-day suspension will be assigned. The student is required to turn their phone/electronic device to the office each morning for the rest of the school year.

School Supply Distribution Thanks to the Fellowship Cup

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, August 6th, 2024 at 11:57 am CDT

The Henry County school supply distribution will take place on August 19th. Mark your calendars for that Monday at the Fellowship Cup in Mount Pleasant, located at 203 N Jefferson St. If you have any questions, please call 319 385 3242.

Henry County Board of Supervisors Meeting Agenda 08/08

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, August 6th, 2024 at 9:21 am CDT

Henry County Supervisors

100 E Washington St  Ste 202

Mt Pleasant IA  52641

Fax:  319-385-3601

 

Chad White, Member            Marc Lindeen, Vice-Chairman        Greg Moeller, Chairman    

           319-385-0759                                 319-385-0760                                  319-385-0761________                       

 

AGENDA

 

August 8, 2024

1.Approve Agenda

2.Approve Minutes

3.Approve Claims

4.Monthly Department Head Meeting

5.Jake Hotchkiss Engineer Weekly Update

Resolution to Approve Application for Transportation Safety Improvement

W55 (Franklin Avenue) Oakland Mills to Old Hwy 34

Motion – Promote Employee to Equipment Operator II

  1. Joe Buffington, P & Z Monthly Update

  1. Approve Resolution Between City of Mt Pleasant & Henry County Treasurer
  2. Approve 28E Agreement with City of Mt Pleasant for General Fines

  1. Approve Homestead and Military Applications for Assessor

10.Public Comments

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

Robert Hoaglin

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, August 6th, 2024 at 8:55 am CDT

Robert J. Hoaglin, 70, of Iowa City, formerly of Hillsboro, died Monday, August 5, 2024, at Iowa City Rehab and Health Center.

Graveside service will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 7, 2024, in the Hillsboro Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family. The Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory is caring for Robert and his family.

Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report Reveals Corn, Soybeans, Alfalfa Hay Behind Last Year

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, August 6th, 2024 at 7:02 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.

“Before flipping the calendar into a warm first weekend of August, we finished up a particularly wet July for parts of Iowa with several rounds of thunderstorms. With the start of the Iowa State Fair this week, fairgoers can expect much more pleasant weather and temperatures.”

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

Crop Report
Most of the State received rain showers and experienced above average temperatures. These conditions allowed Iowa farmers 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending August 4, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included harvesting oats for grain, cutting and baling hay, and applying fungicides.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 12 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 10 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus.

Corn silking hit 92 percent this week, 5 days behind last year but equal to the five-year average. Fifty-one percent of the corn crop has reached dough stage or beyond, 3 days ahead of the five-year average. Eight percent of the corn crop has reached the dent state. Corn condition was rated at 77 percent good to excellent. Ninety percent of soybeans were blooming, one week behind last year but 1 day ahead of the normal. Soybeans setting pods reached 58 percent, 5 days behind last year and 3 days behind the five-year average. Soybean condition was 76 percent good to excellent. Eighty-five percent of oats have been harvested, 5 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the five-year average.

The State’s second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 92 percent complete, 6 days behind last year but equal to the five-year average. The State’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 27 percent, 8 days behind last year but 1 day ahead of the five-year average. Hay condition rated 72 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 62 percent good to excellent.

Sports, August 6th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, August 6th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Football

Winfield-Mt. Union will be continuing their youth football camp tonight that runs through tomorrow, August 7th, from 7:15 to 8 pm for 1st through 6th graders. 7th through 12th graders will practice from 5 to 7 pm tonight through Friday, August 9th.

WACO will have their football practice starting at 5 pm. 

Fairfield will begin their 5th through 8th grade football camp tonight from 6 to 8 pm. Walk ups will be accepted but are not guaranteed a shirt as the camp will cost $30. The high school camp will continue through Thursday, August 8th, from 4 to 6 pm with all camps being held at the high school practice fields.

Mt. Pleasant will continue hosting their morning football camp for the high schoolers and head coach John Bowlin reported a good turnout from the kids. 

“So, we’re at approximately we’re pretty close on like a dozen to 15 seniors, we’re in that 10 to 15 range basically going from senior on down, down, through, sophomore. So, when you round out our numbers, we’re at like 34 sophomores through seniors and you can we our sophomore class probably at that that 15 range and then our junior seniors are at that range. And then we’ve got 28 to 30 freshmen right now…”

The Panthers will host West Liberty for a scrimmage tomorrow and then the team will travel to West Liberty on Friday for another scrimmage at 5:30 pm. 

High School Volleyball

Mt. Pleasant will be hosting their volleyball camp tonight with 5th through 8th graders practicing from 4 to 5:30 pm and high school players going from 6 to 8:30 pm at the high school gym.

High School Cross Country

New London will be hosting a parent and runner informational meeting tonight at 6 pm at the school cafeteria. Practice is scheduled to start on Monday, August 12th, at 9 am and runners must have a current physical and signed concussion form.

Junior high runners are encouraged to join the high school practices for extra conditioning as their first practice is scheduled for Friday, August 23rd, at 4 pm.

If you are unable to attend the informational meeting tonight, please contact Coach Bridget Swailes at bridget.swailes@nlcsd.org.

Danville will be having an informational meeting on Thursday, August 8th, at 6:30 pm at the high school chorus room about the upcoming season. You will get to meet the coaches, learn about the team expectations, and get details about a practice schedule.

If you are unable to attend, then you can email Coach Gourley at lucas.gourley@danvillecsd.org.

Fairfield’s team camp has gotten underway and will continue through Wednesday, August 7th, with departure at 7 am at the high school. There will be voluntary practices on Thursday and Friday at 8 am at the high school.

Practices will officially get underway at 7:45 am on August 12th at Waterworks.

Iowa State Football

The Iowa State Fair will be exhibiting a new feature called “Catch the Cyclone Vision.” Visitors will get to pick from a couple different unique campus experiences that feature a series of 360-degree videos highlighting the event. One of the experiences includes being in the huddle of an Iowa State football spring game; all visitors have to do is scan the QR code displayed with the information about the experience with their smartphone.

The exhibit will be open in the Varied Industries Building from 9 am to 8 pm every day of the fair starting on Thursday, August 8th.

Prospect League

The Prospect League Championship started off with a bang as the two teams combined for 21 runs as the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp took game one 13-8 over REX. The two teams traded six runs between the first two innings but a Pambos Nicoloudes grand slam for the Pistol Shrimp in the 4th inning broke the game open. 

Illinois Valley finished the game with five extra base hits as Daniel Castro got credit for the win, going seven innings in relief, allowing only one run on four hits while striking out five. 

Game two will take place tomorrow, August 7th, at 7:05 pm with the Pistol Shrimp acting as the home team.

This Day in Sports History

1890 – Future Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young throws 3-hit ball in his MLB debut for the Cleveland Spiders in 8-1 win vs the Chicago Colts.

1963 – Philadelphia NBA franchise changes name from ‘Nationals’ to the ’76ers’, based on US Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia in 1776.

1972 – Hank Aaron hits his 660th and 661st home runs for the Atlanta Braves, breaking Babe Ruth’s MLB record of home runs for one team.

Upcoming Informational High School Cross Country Meetings

By Slaten Swords · Monday, August 5th, 2024 at 4:48 pm CDT

Prep Cross Country- Family week has come and gone and with all fall sports practices set to officially start next Monday, August 12th, there are some upcoming informational meetings to add to the schedule about cross country.

New London

Tomorrow, August 6th, at the school cafeteria, there will be a parent and runner informational meeting at 6 pm. Practice is scheduled to start on August 12th at 9 am and runners must have a current physical and signed concussion form.

Junior high runners are encouraged to join the high school practices for extra conditioning as their first practice is scheduled for Friday, August 23rd, at 4 pm.

If you are unable to attend the informational meeting tomorrow, please contact Coach Bridget Swailes at bridget.swailes@nlcsd.org.

Danville

Danville will be having an informational meeting on Thursday, August 8th, at 6:30 pm at the high school chorus room about the upcoming season. You will get to meet the coaches, learn about the team expectations, and get details about a practice schedule.

If you are unable to attend, then you can email Coach Gourley at lucas.gourley@danvillecsd.org.

Fairfield

Team camp has gotten underway and will continue through Wednesday, the 7th, with departure at 7 am at the high school. There will be voluntary practices on Thursday and Friday at 8 am at the high school.

Practices will officially get underway at 7:45 am on August 12th at Waterworks.