MPCSD Receives News on Bus Barn, Master Plan Meeting on July 22

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024 at 8:23 am CDT

We are officially halfway through the year and by this time next year, there will be a new bus barn in Mount Pleasant for the school district, according to Superintendent John Henriksen, with the Mount Pleasant Community School District. During a radio interview, he spoke about future plans for the site at 1515 E Monroe. He believes that the building will be ready for move in by March 2025, although he is unsure if the district will immediately utilize it or wait until the summer.

After the school district purchased many properties formerly belonging to the Iowa Wesleyan University, questions and concerns were raised from community members. There will be a meeting at the end of July to discuss the master plan. That will be at 6:00pm on July 22nd at the Mount Pleasant High School Media Center.

Corn Condition Falls as Field Activities Limited Due to Rain – Crop Report

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024 at 8:14 am CDT

Much of Iowa received heavy rains which only allowed farmers 3.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 30, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities were limited due to rain and flooding throughout much of the State.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 10 percent short, 75 percent adequate and 14 percent surplus.

Corn silking reached 4 percent, 1 day ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the 5-year average. Corn condition fell 4 percentage points to 73 percent good to excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 19 percent, 1 day behind of last year but 2 days ahead of average. The condition of the soybean crop was 72 percent good to excellent. Ninety-three percent of the oat crop has headed. Oats turning color reached 43 percent, 6 days ahead of the average. Oat condition rated 72 percent good to excellent.

The State’s second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 17 percent complete, equal to the 5-year average. Hay condition rated 78 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 73 percent good to excellent. Many feedlots remain muddy due to excess moisture.

You can find this weekly report on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov

Henry County Supervisors Meeting Agenda 07/03

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024 at 8:11 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

July 3, 2024

1.Approve Agenda

2.Approve Minutes

 3. Public Comments

4.Monthly Department Head Meeting

5.Jake Hotchkiss Engineer Weekly Update

    Resolution to Approve Fuel Contract

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

Burlington Public Works Installing Panels in Flood Wall Today Ahead of Predicted Flooding

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024 at 7:01 am CDT

Heavy rainfall along with severe thunderstorms are expected today. Flash flooding is possible from these storms. The severe thunderstorms will be capable of all hazards. The best timing for severe thunderstorms will be from 3 PM to 10 PM tonight.

Thunderstorms are possible on the 4th of July. Currently it looks like the best chance for severe storms will remain south of Mount Pleasant.

There is a flood watch in effect this afternoon through late tonight in our area, including Henry, Des Moines, Lee, Keokuk, and Louisa counties.

The current river projections have Burlington reaching a river crest of 20.1 feet on Sunday, July 7th.  In order to prepare, Burlington Public Works will begin installing temporary panels in the flood wall today. Access will be restricted at both the north and south drives. Cones and barricades will block off areas as staff install the flood wall. Future updates will be made as needed.

 

Sports, July 2nd

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Baseball

Mediapolis’ pitching staff has continued delivering gems as the Bulldogs shutout Central Lee 2-0 for their fourth consecutive victory last night. Bo Herdrich led the Hawks with a double. 

Mt. Pleasant will face off against Mediapolis tonight at 5:30 pm on the road. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:15 pm.

Central Lee will start their Class 2A playoff journey on Saturday, July 6th, at home against Centerville at 7 pm.

Van Buren County defeated Danville last night 7-4. Isaiah Meek went 2 for 2 with three RBIs to lead the Warriors. Van Buren County will face off against Cardinal tonight on the road at 5:30 pm. 

Danville will host Burlington Notre Dame tonight at 5:30 pm. 

Burlington Notre Dame’s eight-run first inning was too much for New London to overcome as the Nikes defeated the Tigers 15-4 last night. Tate Welcher and Sullivan Barron each picked up an RBI for the Tigers.

Winfield-Mt. Union will compete against New London tonight at 5:30 pm. 

Fairfield will take on Washington in a makeup game from June 13th at home at 2:30 pm, the time change is due to the threat of weather. 

West Burlington will square off against Burlington tonight at 7 pm at the Grayhounds’ home stadium. 

High School Baseball Rankings

The Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association released their final Class 1A rankings for the 2024 season and Burlington Notre Dame finished the regular season ranked 2nd. 

The Nikes claimed the Southeast Iowa Super Conference south regular season title with a perfect conference record and an overall record of 24-3. The offense has been elite as their team batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging ranks 4th, 7th, and 3rd in the state. Additionally, their team ERA of 1.84 ranks 8th in the state. 

High School Softball

New London had their senior night spoiled last night in a back-and-forth affair that ended with Mt. Pleasant coming out on top 11-8. Errors vexed New London for the entire contest with their sixth error leading to a two-out rally in the 6th inning that saw Izzy Sloat, Keagyn Coleman, Abigail Shelangowski, and Kynlee White each slap a single to eventually give the Panthers an 11 to 5 lead. 

However, New London would not go down without a fight as Lena Nelson, Ruby Myers, and Lillie Gallup each tabbed an RBI in the bottom of the 7th inning, but Myah Starr put an end to the rally as she finished with four strikeouts in the complete game win. Chaley Cook led the Panthers with three RBIs. 

Mt. Pleasant will take on Holy Trinity Catholic tonight at 5:30 pm at home. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will take on New London tonight at 5:30 pm on the road. 

Danville fell to Van Buren County last night 10-2. Callie Kracht and Addison Brauns each finished with two RBIs for the Warriors. 

Van Buren County will travel to Cardinal tonight at 5:30 pm. 

Payton Harris started off the scoring with a two-RBI double for Mediapolis, but Central Lee’s stout offense crushed the Bulldogs last night 12-2. The Hawks will travel to Burlington tomorrow, June 3rd, for a doubleheader with game one at 5 pm. 

Mediapolis will compete in a doubleheader on Monday, July 8th, against Davis County on the road with game one at 5:30 pm. 

West Burlington competed against Van Buren County and Holy Trinity Catholic last night and swept the night with a 7-6 win against the Warriors and a 10-0 shellacking of the Crusaders. 

Lyndsey Kelley swatted a three-run homer for the Falcons against Van Buren County, while Ali Pedretti smacked a double for three RBIs for the Warriors. Shona Andersen and Lacie Felkins each grabbed two RBIs against the Crusaders. 

West Burlington will square off against Fort Madison tonight at 5:30 pm on the road. 

Fairfield gave Cardinal all they had, but fell short last night 4-2. The Trojans will face off against Albia tomorrow at 7:30 pm on the road. 

WACO will compete against Keota tonight at 5:30 pm on the road. 

High School Cross Country

Mt. Pleasant’s optional summer runs, available for 7th through 12th graders, are scheduled Monday through Thursday. The runs will often be led by upperclassmen as coaches may not be present for every run.

On Mondays and Wednesdays the runs will start at 6:30 am at the Old Threshers Museum Theatre and on Tuesdays and Thursdays they will be at Saunders Park by the swimming pool at 7 pm. 

If you have any questions, contact Coach Murray at 319-850-0867. 

Prospect League

The Burlington Bees will face off against the O’Fallon Hoots tonight at 6:30 pm at home.

The Clinton LumberKings will travel to the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes tonight at 6:30 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1903 – Pitcher Jack Doscher, debuts for the Chicago Cubs, the first son of a major leaguer (Herm played from 1882-92) to play in the MLB. 

1941 – Joe DiMaggio hits a 3-run homer off Boston’s Dick Newsome to pass Willie Keeler’s MLB record 44 game hitting streak. The streak lasts 56 games. 

1989 – Jockey Steve Cauthen wins the Irish Derby on Old Vic to become the first rider in history to sweep the world’s four major Derbies (Kentucky, Epsom, French, Irish).

Nellie Oosthoek

By Yorke Prough · Monday, July 1st, 2024 at 3:53 pm CDT

Nellie W. Oosthoek, 93, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Sunday, June 30, 2024 at Prestige Care Center in Fairfield.

Friends may call after 12:00 p.m. Thursday, July 4, 2024 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield with the family present from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Funeral services celebrating her life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 5th at Behner Funeral Home. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery.

Nellie was born April 3, 1931 in Fairfield, the daughter of Lester and Marguerite (Linnell) Fishel. She married Harold D. Oosthoek, June 26, 1953 in Fairfield. He preceded her in death November 19, 2019.

Nellie was a 1949 graduate of Fairfield High School. She worked for Universal Producing and later for Agape Land as a teacher’s aide. With Nellie’s husband, Dean, they were active members of the Fairfield Foursquare Church where she taught Sunday School and served as the choir director. Besides maintaining their love of flowers in their garden, the Foursquare Church and service to its pastors and members were their greatest priority.

Those left to honor her memory include her children, Debra (Richard) Foreman of Birmingham and Terry (Betty) Oosthoek of Colorado Springs, Colorado; grandchildren, Nicholas (Casey) Wilburn, Travis Oosthoek and Tara Oosthoek; great-grandchildren, Caitlin Crutsinger, Landon Wilburn, Braxton Wilburn, Mason Wilburn, Teegen Oosthoek, Tyler Oosthoek; sisters, Lesta Rowland of Knoxville, Iowa and Miriam Thompson of Winston Salem, North Carolina.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Marie Baker and John Fishel; brothers-in-law, James Rowland and Kenneth Baker; and son-in-law, Dan Watson.

Online condolences may be made to Nellie’s family by viewing her obituary at www.behnerfh.com.

New London Municipal Utilities Meeting Agenda 07/02

By Yorke Prough · Monday, July 1st, 2024 at 9:49 am CDT

NEW LONDON MUNICIPAL UTILITIES – AGENDA FOR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
JULY 2ND, 2024 – TUESDAY AFTERNOON – 1:00 PM – NEW LONDON CITY OFFICE

1. CALL TO ORDER REGULAR MEETING Chairman Robert Byczek

2. ROLL CALL: Jerry Wilhelm, Dan Heater, Jodi Jackson, Jean Westerbeck, and Robert Byczek

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

4. OPEN FORUM

5. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
a. Approve minutes of the previous meetings (1-5)
b. Accept Treasurer’s report (6-13)
c. Approve payment of claims (Handout)

6. OLD BUSINESS
a. Discuss the rebates offered to customers by New London Municipal Utilities (14-17)

7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Approve emergency action hiring WES Engineering to complete the necessary repairs replacing bolts and wiring harnesses in the wind turbine (18)
b. Approve Resolution #154 Authorizing the City Clerk to Transfer Funds for Fiscal Year
2025 (19)
c. Discuss and take action on renewing the Wellmark employee health insurance policy and setting a new renewal date (20-22)
d. Discuss sending requests for proposals for a fuel provider (23-24)
f. Utility Board Meeting, August 1st, 2024 at 1:00 PM, City Office
g. Resale Power Group of Iowa, August 22nd, 2024 at 10:00 AM, Community Center

8. REPORTS
a. Foreman’s Report – Dave Ford (Handout)
b. Council Minutes (25-30)

9. ADJOURNMENT