The Mt. Pleasant City Council met yesterday evening for a regular meeting. With a smaller than usual board, thanks to the absence of Steve Engberg and the ward 4 council seat empty after the resignation of Jeff Batty, there was still business to be done. A resolution was approved yesterday approving the appointment of Kevin Glaha to fill the vacant seat on the board, his term will expire in December 2025. Gary Grunow, with the Parks and Rec department, reminded the room that the public pool is open for business this Monday!
Sports, May 23rd
High School Soccer
In the boys’ Class 1A Substate 6 postseason bracket, Mediapolis lost to West Branch in decisive fashion 6-0. The Bulldogs ended the season with a 12-4 record and as SEISC champions.
In the girls’ Class 1A Region 1 bracket, Central Lee was unable to contain Assumption last night, falling 8-0. The Hawks finished the season with a 6-5 record.
In the girls’ Class 2A Region 8 backet, Burlington Notre Dame was shutout by Iowa City Liberty 3-0 last night. The Nikes ended the season with a 7-9 record.
In the bottom half of the bracket, Burlington and Fort Madison battled back-and-forth last night and the Grayhound defense prevailed, keeping the Bloodhounds off the board in the second half to win 2-1. Fort Madison finished the season with an 11-4 record.
Burlington will take on Iowa City Liberty tonight at 5:30 pm on the road for the region 8 championship.
High School Tennis
Jana Isanta of Mt. Pleasant will participate in the girls’ Class 1A State Singles tournament tomorrow, May 24th, in Iowa City.
The boys’ Class 1A state singles tournament got underway yesterday and Fairfield’s Rumin Luo started off his tournament run with a first round victory over Christian Jensen of Lewis Central 6-3 in both sets. Pella’s Jack Briggs defeated Luo in the quarterfinals 6-2 and 6-1, sending Luo to the consolation bracket.
In the second round of the consolation bracket, Luo defeated Pella’s Ben Van Gorp with ease 6-2 in set one and a shutout in set two. Luo will face off against Mason Reicks of Kuemper Catholic today in the consolation semifinals.
High School Golf.
The girls’ Class 1A state meet will take place at the American Legion Golf Course in Marshalltown today continuing into tomorrow, May 24th, with New London eyeing a team title.
The Class 2A state meet will take place at Cedar Pointe Golf Course in Boone today with Olivia Hines of Mediapolis competing as an individual and Mid-Prairie participating as a team.
High School Baseball
Mt. Pleasant struggled against Clear Creek Amana last night, losing 10-0. Carson Andreasen and Cooper Coleman both singled in the loss. The Panthers will travel to play Muscatine tomorrow, May 24th, at 7 pm.
New London fell to Burlington last night 17-3. Logan Messer led the offense with four RBIs for the Grayhounds, while Noah Krieger picked up the complete game win after tallying eight strikeouts. The Tigers will hit the road to face off against Van Buren County tomorrow at 5:30 pm.
Mediapolis bested Wilton last night 5-2. Grady Gunn and Jackson Hutcheson led the offense for the Bulldogs with two RBIs apiece. Kyler Crow worked 5.1 innings and tallied 10 strikeouts in the win. Mediapolis will compete against Danville tomorrow on the road at 5:30 pm.
West Burlington will host Burlington Notre Dame tomorrow at 5:30 pm.
Central Lee will compete against Louisa-Muscatine tonight at 5:30 pm.
Winfield-Mt. Union will host Hillcrest Academy tonight at 5:30 pm.
High School Softball
Central Lee defeated Mt. Pleasant last night 14-4. Elaina Barlow pitched the complete game and registered a game high three RBIs as the freshman slapped a double. The Hawks will host Louisa-Muscatine tonight at 7 pm.
Mt. Pleasant will hit the road to face off against Mid-Prairie tomorrow at 7 pm.
Van Buren County will travel to take on New London at 7 pm tomorrow.
West Burlington will participate in a tournament on Saturday, May 25th, at Louisa-Muscatine.
Winfield-Mt. Union will compete against Hillcrest Academy tonight at 7 pm at home.
Mediapolis will face off against Danville tomorrow at 7 pm on the road.
Southeast Iowa Playbook
Last night was our season finale of the Southeast Iowa Playbook and Winfield-Mt. Union’s Kohlby Newsom was our special guest. The junior had three top ten finishes in last week’s state track meet. Through the trials of improving, Newsom talked about the biggest lesson he’s learned through athletics,
“You’re not going to get what you want unless you actually go out and look for it. Like, yes, you have the practices that you have to go to, but you also got to focus more outside of just those practices you got to make sure you’re getting the right food in you and you make sure you are doing the right recovery so you can be as good as you were yesterday, the next day.”
The Southeast Iowa Playbook will be back for the 2024-2025 school year. You can listen to last night’s episode following this link: Southeast Iowa Playbook Episodes
Southeastern Community College
SCC baseball will head to Oklahoma to compete in the 2024 NJCAA Division II Baseball World Series on Saturday, May 25th. The Blackhawks earned the #7-seed and will face off against #10 South Arkansas Community College in the first round at 4 pm.
This Day in Sports History
1873 – First Preakness Stakes: George Barbee aboard Survivor wins in 2:43 at Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland.
2001 – Marco Siffredi becomes the first person to snowboard down Mount Everest via the Norton Couloir (some share record accreditation with Stefan Gatt).
2021 – PGA Championship Men’s Golf, Ocean Course Kiawah Island: Phil Mickelson becomes the oldest major winner in history (50); wins his 6th major by 2 strokes over Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen.
Beverly Jean Lamansky
Beverly Jean (Dory) Lamansky of Fairfield, passed away at the age of 91, May 21, 2024. 
Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 24, 2024 with the family present from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. Funeral service and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Pleasant Plain, Iowa. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Fairfield Community School District and directed to the family at 2946-122nd Blvd. Brighton, IA 52540.
Beverly was born in Cumberland, Iowa November 21, 1932, to Clark and Valera Dory.
Beverly graduated from Cumberland High School, Ottumwa Heights College, and Iowa
Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa and had over 25 hours of post graduate coursework.
She taught elementary school in Anita, Pleasant Plain, Brighton, Washington, and Fairfield.
Beverly was honored as Reading Teacher of the Year in 1988 and Teacher of the Year in 1996
in Fairfield.
Beverly was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. For many years after retiring from her career in education, Beverly and her husband of almost 66 years, Harry Roy Lamansky, enjoyed traveling and camping frequently with Beverly’s older sister, Marilyn and Marilyn’s husband, Richard, often going to Texas for weeks at a time and often to Branson, Missouri. Beverly especially loved spending time with and attending the school events of her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was always willing to babysit and help out in any way she could. She also enjoyed reading and attending sporting events.
Beverly belonged to several organizations over the years including the 95 Club, American
Association of University Women, Delta Kappa Gamma, Jefferson County Retired School
Personnel, Fairfield Women’s Club (Garden Department), Jefferson County Hospital Auxiliary,
Jefferson County Reading Association, and the Flexibles. She was also a member of St.
Mary Catholic Church in Fairfield.
Beverly was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Roy Lamansky, of Fairfield, Iowa; her mother, Valera Mae Edwards Dory of Cumberland, Iowa; her stepmother, Anna (Paasch) Dory and father, Clark Dory of Atlantic, Iowa; her daughter, RoAnne Larson of Fairfield, Iowa; her
Sisters, Nancy Copher of Joplin, Missouri, Margaret Hardy of Red Oak, Iowa, Marilyn Bernhardt
of Kansas City, Missouri; her only brother, Clark Dory of Perry, Iowa; and her aunt, Evelyn
Edwards Hemphill of Cumberland, Iowa.
Beverly is survived by her sons, Joseph (Brenda) Lamansky of Brighton, Iowa, Daniel Lamansky of Brighton, Iowa, and Ronald (Christe) Lamansky of Pleasant Plain, Iowa; her daughters, Lieutenant Colonel U.S. Army (Ret.) Jane Nefores (Chief Warrant Officer 3, U.S. Army, Ret. David Nefores) of Baltimore, Maryland, Barbara (Daniel) Mottet of Brighton, Iowa, and Karen (Heath) Foreman of Batavia, Iowa. Beverly’s surviving sisters are Rosemary Schrier of Atlantic, Iowa, Shirley (Richard) Ruge of Bellevue, Nebraska, and Sandra (Donald) Schlotzhouer of Atlantic, Iowa.
Beverly is survived by her grandchildren, Chad (significant other, Micheala Warren) Lamansky of Richland, Iowa, Thomas (Jennifer) Lamansky of Eldon, Iowa, Alison Connelly of Richland, Iowa, Abby (John) Utech of Agency, Iowa, April (Sergeant Ross Donelson, U.S. Army National Guard, Ret.) Donelson of Wayland, Iowa, Father John Lamansky (priest at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church) Iowa City, Iowa, Andrew (Kathleen) Lamansky of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, James (Michel) Lamansky of Columbus, Ohio, Nathaniel (fiancée Natalia Rodriguez) Lamansky of Darby, Montana, Cady (Richard) McCarty of Richland, Iowa, Cara (Josh) Beck of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Cala (Jerred) Leonard of Fairfield, Iowa, Cody (Kimberly) McCoy of Ottumwa, Iowa, Dr. Carissa (Dr. Kylan) Sojka-DeVries, Ryan (Whitney) Larson of Marion, Iowa, Specialist Four Kyle Larson, U.S. Army National Guard of Fairfield, Iowa, Bethany Larson of Tempe, Arizona, Dorian (fiancé Austin Carlson) Larson of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Andrea (Technical Sergeant Michael Warren, U.S. Air Force) Warren of Fairfax, Virginia, Erik (Tori) Nefores of Millers, Maryland, Dana (William) Elam of Kirksville, Missouri, Curtis Mottet of Brighton, Iowa, and Jennifer (Scott) Krause of Birmingham, Iowa.
Beverly is survived by her great-grandchildren, Quinn, Kaelyn and Kinnick McCoy of Ottumwa, Iowa, Cody Mitchell, Levi, Hunter, Mitchell, and Rowan Connelly of Richland, Iowa, Brody, Liam and Myra Donelson of Wayland, Iowa, Bailey, Joseph, Isabelle and Tate Lamansky, of
Richland, Iowa and Joseph, Emma, Joshua, and Jacob Warren of Richland, Blake, Knox,
Aleigha and Brielle Lamansky of Eldon, Iowa, Sylvia Lamansky of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania,
Michael James Lamansky of Columbus, Ohio, Madilyn and Ellie McCarty of Richland, Iowa,
Lincoln Leonard of Fairfield, Iowa, Owen, June and Willem Beck of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Waverly and Wendelin Sojka-DeVries of Ashland, Oregon, Emma Larson of Fairfield, Iowa, Evie Larson of
Marion, Iowa, Liam and Bodhi Nefores of Millers, Maryland, Brogan, Avanley and Phaelan
Mottet of Fairfield, Iowa, Bria Elam of Kirksville, Missouri, Skye Krause of Ames, Iowa, and Rory
Krause of Birmingham, Iowa.
Jean Hepker
Jean I. Hepker, age 74, of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of Marengo, passed away peacefully Monday, May 20, 2024, at Arbor Court Nursing Home in Mt. Pleasant. Funeral service: 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 24, 2024, at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo with Roy Libby officiating. Burial will be at Dunkard Cemetery in Toddville, Iowa. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m., until service time at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 24, 2024. In lieu of flowers memorials may be contributed to the American Diabetes Association for diabetic research.
Jean is survived by her daughter Tonya (Joe) Campbell-Golding, of TN; two grandchildren Melanie Campbell, of FL and Gabriel Whaley, of Mt. Pleasant; two sisters Ellen (Dave) Ewing, of NC and Janice (Jim) Hoylman, of Webster.
She is preceded in death by her parents Warren and Virginia; two sisters LaVonne Hinkle and Carol Jean Hepker, in infancy; and a brother Kenneth Hepker.
Jean Irene Hepker was born August 10, 1949, in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Warren and Virginia Lee Hepker. She graduated from Iowa Valley High School in 1968. Jean was united in marriage to Donald Campbell and to this union Tonya was born. The couple later divorced. She was a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Marengo until she moved to Iowa City. Jean loved being an active member of the church, helping with mission projects and teaching Sunday school. Jean worked at Oral B and also provided childcare in her home for many years until she moved to Chatham Oaks in Iowa City. Jean enjoyed working on activity books, reading, doing word searches, and watching the Iowa Hawkeyes. She moved to Arbor Court Nursing Home in Mt. Pleasant where she liked to contribute to the activities there and also attended Wellspring Evangelical Free Church.
Online condolences: www.klosterfuneralhome.com
Iowa Outdoors – Busy Memorial Day Weekend Ahead!
Iowa state parks and forests are gearing up for a busy Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the outdoor summer recreation season.
“Park visitors are excited to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather after a long winter inside,” said Sherry Arntzen, chief of the DNR’s State Parks, Forests and Preserves Bureau. “Our parks offer a variety of activities for all enthusiasts from hiking the trails to picnicking, fishing and swimming. There’s something for everyone while enjoying the outdoors.”
Campers are urged to plan ahead when visiting Iowa state parks and forests for Memorial Day weekend. Most electrical and full hookup sites in busy parks are already reserved, so campers may want to consider non-electric sites or at “hidden gem” parks a little further away from home. Additionally, Iowa state parks and forests offer around 950 non-reservable sites available on a first-come, first-served basis, with most people choosing to stay Thursday through the weekend.
To find site availability and make a reservation, go to https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/ For an up-to-date list of park and trail closures due to renovations or weather-related alerts, visit: http://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Alerts-and-Closures
Park visitors can help take care of the parks by cleaning up trash after themselves, and carrying out what they brought in. Please park vehicles in designated parking lots and not along roadways. If visiting beaches, be aware that most swimming areas do not have a lifeguard on duty, and pets must be kept off beaches and be on a leash.
“We hope that campers enjoy their time and make memories while staying in our parks and recreational areas, and do so safely and return again,” Arntzen said.
Tips
- Keep track of the weather and have a plan in case of severe weather
- Pack bug spray, sun screen and a basic first-aid kit
- Check the registration kiosk for activities in the area
- Don’t burn trash
- Don’t bring fireworks
- Be a good neighbor. Observe quiet hours and pick up after yourself
Here is the link to the full Iowa Outdoors: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/IACIO/bulletins/39dd0ae
Flags at Half-Staff Tomorrow
Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, May 23, 2024, in honor of Matthew Dickerson, an employee of the Iowa Department of Transportation who was killed on May 16 while working on I-80 near Council Bluffs.
“We honor the memory of Matthew Dickerson and his service to the state of Iowa as he is laid to rest this week,” said Gov. Kim Reynolds. “Kevin and I pray for his wife, daughters, parents, and extended family during this difficult time.
“This senseless tragedy never should have happened. I urge all drivers to be alert when approaching any work area at any time. The workers on our interstates and roadways deserve our full attention and respect. Please be vigilant and reduce your speed whenever you’re near work areas to keep everyone safe on Iowa’s roads.”
Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state.
Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties, and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flags at half-staff for the same length of time.
New Agricultural Science Center Coming to WACO Thanks to Eichelberger Farms
Eichelberger Farms has announced plans to construct an Agricultural Science Center for the WACO Ag program and FFA Chapter. The new facility will feature two classrooms, two locker rooms, a kitchen, specialized rooms for rabbits, poultry, and swine, pens for other large animals, as well as a greenhouse. There will also be a conference room to facilitate meetings with community partners who provide valuable real-world experience to the students. This would include guest speakers, land lab partners, and volunteers to train FFA contest teams.
The goal and vision of the facility is to create realistic workprelated opportunities for students that are not present in a typical school setting. The new ag center will allow the program to continue its education of agriculturally related topics with industry standard lab spaces and experiences.
Plans are to start construction in the fall of 2024 or spring of 2025, and the building will be located on the current High School campus in Wayland.