Henry County Supervisors Address Roads, Budget Timeline, and America 250 Plans

By Shelbi Swinscoe · Thursday, February 26th, 2026 at 11:19 am CDT

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met Thursday morning, February 26, approving the agenda and addressing a range of infrastructure projects, funding matters, and upcoming community initiatives. Supervisor Steven Detrick reported on the Assessor’s Conference Board meeting held Tuesday evening, where pay adjustments were approved of up to five percent for the deputy assessor and up to three percent for office staff. The assessor’s office operates under its own levy and is governed by the conference board. County Engineer Jake Hotchkiss presented a RISE grant application to the Iowa Department of Transportation for improvements at the Goodyear Road and Washington Street intersection along Business Highway 34. The project would rework the intersection and add turn lanes to better accommodate heavy truck traffic. Henry County is partnering with the City of Mount Pleasant on the project, and both entities agreed the county would take the lead due to the recent loss of the city administrator and the city’s ongoing hiring process to fill that position. Supervisors approved the application unanimously.

Supervisors approved a contract awarding quarry crushing services to Preston Ready Mix at $7.05 per ton, totaling $775,500, compared to last year’s rate of $6.93 per ton. The secondary roads department reported three utility permits, including one for utilities along Winfield Avenue in preparation for an upcoming City of Mount Pleasant reconstruction project, with bids expected to be let in April, according to the City’s engineer. Two additional permits were presented for Windstream. Culvert replacements on Fremont Street have been completed, and crews are now backfilling and shaping the banks. Contractors are moving equipment into position on Lexington Avenue, while work continues on 235th Street with the removal of the west pier. In personnel news, county mechanic Bruce Breuer has submitted his resignation as he plans to retire.

Paul Katsion appeared before the board on behalf of the America 250 committee to discuss plans to open a time capsule buried on the courthouse lawn in 1976, which was intended to be opened 50 years later in 2026. The committee proposes opening the original capsule during anniversary celebrations and then burying a new time capsule filled with items representing life in 2026, to be opened in 2076. Supervisors made a motion to allow the America 250 committee to uncover the time capsule. Supervisors also set the fiscal year 2027 budget hearing for March 26, with the proposed tax levy hearing to follow the same day. Detrick expressed concern about the timeline and suggested holding the hearing at 6 p.m. to improve public accessibility. The Supervisors will work to accommodate a evening time so that Henry County Residents can attend the hearing.

Tonya Scott of Alcohol and Drug Services spoke about prevention programs offered in Henry County, including GenRx and prescription drug abuse education in local schools, and warned the organization will operate at a deficit if county funding is not secured. She noted opioid settlement funds are used to support ADS services in Lee County and suggested Henry County explore whether similar funding could be applied locally. Supervisors agreed to review the eligibility of those funds and plan to consult with the County Attorney’s Office regarding contract details and work with the Sheriff’s Office to better understand whether opioid settlement dollars could be used to support ADS prevention services in Henry County. County salary discussions are scheduled for March 4 at 10 a.m., after which the meeting adjourned.

The County Auditor, Robin Detrick told supervisors she needs to know the proposed raise rates for county employees so her office can prepare the necessary documentation for the upcoming budget hearing. Supervisors plan to meet March 4 at 10 a.m. to compile pay rates and finalize 2026–2027 wage increases for the Auditor’s Office.

Representative Collins Leads 5-Year Tuition Freeze Through the Iowa House

By Kadie Johannson · Thursday, February 26th, 2026 at 7:35 am CDT

On Tuesday, February 24, 2026 State Representative Taylor Collins guided House File 2242 through the Iowa House. The measure would freeze tuition and mandatory fees at the state’s three regent institutions for the next five years, aiming to address what he calls a college affordability crisis impacting Iowa students.

Collins says the state already appropriates more than 600 million dollars annually to the universities governed by the Iowa Board of Regents. He argues that despite that funding, administrative costs continue to grow.

According to Collins, the total regent enterprise budget — excluding the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics — now exceeds five billion dollars, which he says is more than half the size of Iowa’s overall state budget. He also noted that roughly one-third of regent expenditures currently go toward academic instruction.

Collins says the primary mission of the institutions is to educate students and prepare the workforce, adding that students deserve predictability when it comes to tuition costs.

House File 2242 passed the Iowa House with bipartisan support on an 86-to-5 vote. The bill now moves to the Iowa Senate for consideration.

Southeast Iowa Band’s “Musical Passport” Concert Takes Audience on Global Journey in Mount Pleasant Sunday, March 8

By Kadie Johannson · Thursday, February 26th, 2026 at 7:21 am CDT

The Southeast Iowa Band is inviting the public to take a musical journey around the world — no passport required.

The group’s spring concert, titled “Musical Passport,” will be held Sunday, March 8th at 3 p.m. inside Chapel Auditorium in Mount Pleasant. Admission is free, with support provided through free-will donations. The performance will last about 90 minutes, include an intermission, and conclude with a reception in the lobby.

Music Director Robert McConnell says the program is designed to appeal to all ages, especially families with students who may be considering joining band. During the concert, musicians will introduce their instruments by playing short musical excerpts, giving young audience members a chance to hear the unique sounds that come together to form the full ensemble.

The afternoon’s repertoire will span the globe — from South America to Armenia to Latin America — and even into outer space. The concert opens with John Williams’ iconic “Superman” theme. Other featured works include “Armenian Dances” by Alfred Reed, the familiar “Light Cavalry Overture,” and a high-energy Latin finale.

Horn player Amanda Stout will be featured as soloist on “Cape Horn,” a piece inspired by the dramatic waters off southern Chile where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet. Stout says the work is filled with powerful horn calls and driving energy, balanced by a lyrical middle section reminiscent of rolling ocean waves.

The 50-member ensemble includes band directors, music educators, professional musicians, and advanced student performers from across southeast Iowa. The group rehearses for five weeks before presenting fall and spring concerts, with a mission of challenging performers while promoting music education in the region.

Again, the Southeast Iowa Band’s “Musical Passport” concert is set for 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8th at Chapel Auditorium in Mount Pleasant. Admission is free.

Great River Health Honors Two Local Nurses with 2026 DAISY Awards

By Kadie Johannson · Thursday, February 26th, 2026 at 7:16 am CDT

The Great River Health system recently presented its latest DAISY Foundation Awards for Extraordinary Nurses of 2026. The national award honors nurses who demonstrate outstanding compassion and dedication to patients and families.

Among the recipients is Adrene Garcia, a registered nurse on the Medical-Surgical Unit at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington. She was nominated by the girlfriend of a patient recovering from hip replacement surgery. In the nomination, Garcia was praised for her warmth, empathy, attentiveness, and professionalism, as well as her encouragement during therapy and detailed communication during doctor visits.

Also honored was Amber Larkin, a registered nurse in the Women and Family Center at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington. She was nominated by a patient for her compassionate care during labor and delivery. The patient highlighted Larkin’s attentiveness, supportive bedside manner, and thoughtful gesture of writing “Have a Birthday Party” on the room’s whiteboard under the day’s care plan. The mother described the experience as the best of her childbirths and credited Larkin’s care as a major reason why.

Both nurses were recognized during special ceremonies attended by colleagues, family members, and patients. Each received a certificate, a DAISY Award pin, and a hand-carved sculpture titled “A Healer’s Touch.”

Great River Health employs more than 800 nurses across its campuses in West Burlington, Fort Madison, and at Henry County Health Center in Mount Pleasant. Nurses can be nominated for the DAISY Award on an ongoing basis by patients, families, and coworkers.

Sports, February 26th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, February 26th, 2026 at 6:37 am CDT

Boys’ District Basketball

In Class 1A Substate 5, #4 Burlington Notre Dame and Calamus-Wheatland will face off for the Substate Championship on Saturday, February 28th, at 4 pm at Iowa City High. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 3:45 pm.

In Class 3A Substate 5, #5 Washington will travel to #1 Pella tonight at 7 pm.

#3 Keokuk will tangle with #2 Center Point-Urbana tonight at 7 pm on the road. 

Girls’ Postseason Basketball

For the Class 3A state tournament, #7 Mediapolis will square off against #2 Maquoketa for the state quarterfinals on Monday, March 2nd, at 8:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 8:15 pm.

The other Class 3A matchups include #1 Mt. Vernon taking on #8 Cherokee Washington, #4 Wahlert Catholic will face off against #5 Williamsburg, and #3 Des Moines Christian will tangle with #6 Forest City.

High School Bowling

At the Class 2A State Individual Tournament yesterday, Keokuk’s Chase Hemann snuck into the final eight after totaling 695 pins in his three games, which included a game of 258. 

In the finals, he would be bumped to the 7th place match where he would take down Western Dubuque’s Devon Rubner 234-189 for 7th place. ADM’s Cole Darling won the individual title with a game of 237 for the championship match.

Waukee would rally past Waterloo West for the Class 3A team title, winning the best-of-five series, 235-216, in the final game.

College Signing

Mt. Pleasant’s Kynlee White will be sprinting her way to Southeastern Community College after signing her letter of intent to join the women’s track and field program yesterday.

As a member of the Panther program, she is a three-time state qualifier, two-time Drake Relay Qualifier, and helped Mt. Pleasant reclaim their 11th conference title in the past 13 years after winning the last event of the night last season. For White, competing at the next level realized a dream that has been ongoing since middle school,

“Well, growing up, all I ever heard was you’re so fast, like all this, and it all kind of just came to me. Yes, I put in a lot of work to get to where I am today, but I would like to say I was born fast, whatever. So field day in elementary school, I always won those races, and I was like, maybe I should do track in high school, and I did middle school and had great experiences, and fell in love with it, and the team, if you have been on the team, which it’s not too late to join track if you’re listening and you can still go [out], but we just have so much fun, and I’m really glad I chose track.”

The 4×200 meter relay team broke the school record and managed to claim 10th at the state track meet last year. With the season starting on March 12th with the Indoor State Meet at Iowa State University, White is ready to roll into the spring season,

“Just do what Mount Pleasant Track does best, and go kick butt out there, and make it to Drake, make it to state, but that’s anyone’s goals, so just have fun…”

Southeastern Community College

The women’s basketball team finished the regular season with a dominant 68-34 victory over Southwestern Community College last night, snapping an 11-game losing streak. 

The men’s basketball team will travel to Marshalltown Community College on Saturday, February 28th, at 7 pm for their regular season finale. 

College Basketball

The Iowa State women’s team dropped their senior night contest to Oklahoma State last night, 88-77. Jada Williams tabbed a 19 point and 10 assist double-double in the loss. The Cyclones will square off against Kansas State on Sunday, March 1st, on the road at 1 pm.

The #9 Iowa women’s team will host Illinois tonight at 8 pm.

The Iowa men’s team breezed past Ohio State last night, 74-57. Bennett Stirtz led the charge with 22 points. The Hawkeyes have won 20 games in a year for the first time since the 2020-21 season. Iowa will travel to Penn State on Saturday, February 28th, with tip-off at 11 am.

The #4 Iowa State men’s team will face off against #16 Texas Tech on Saturday at 3 pm. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will have the call.

This Day in Sports History

1967 – 9th Daytona 500: Mario Andretti wins his first and only NASCAR Grand National event; the only time a driver born outside the US has ever won the Great American Race.

1981 – 84 penalties (406 mins) assessed for a brawl between the NHL’s Minnesota North Stars and the Boston Bruins. Boston won 5-1.

2017 – 59th Daytona 500: Kurt Busch wins after Kyle Larson runs out of gas on the last lap; Jeffrey Earnhardt makes NASCAR history as the first ever 4th generation driver to compete in the Daytona 500.

Mount Pleasant City Council Hears Updates, Approves Routine Business

By Shelbi Swinscoe · Thursday, February 26th, 2026 at 6:24 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant City Council met in regular session Wednesday evening, February 25th, approving the consent agenda unanimously. Routine items included minutes, bills, and reports, all passed with all ayes.

During communications, Alan Buckert, Vice President of the Midwest Old Threshers Board of Directors, thanked the city for its continued partnership and provided updates on improvements at the grounds. Buckert said work is underway to replace a restroom west of the office, noting it is one of the first facilities visitors see when arriving by bus. Plans also include a new restroom near the EMS building by the carousel and a permanent structure for the steam engine prints east of Museum B.

Buckert also promoted the upcoming Alive After 5 event on March 11th, where this year’s entertainment lineup will be announced. He added that school tours will soon begin, giving students hands-on opportunities to learn about local heritage. Buckert reported strong attendance at the Festival of Lights, with approximately 6,500 vehicles visiting this past season.

Joy Lapp of the Historic Preservation Commission also thanked the city for its partnership. Joined by Deb Savage and Lea Bradley, Lapp explained that restoration bids for the historic Second Baptist Church came in far beyond what the group can afford. As a result, organizers are forming an independent nonprofit to facilitate the transfer and preservation of the building.

In other business, the council considered routine agenda items and scheduled its next regular meeting for Wednesday, March 11th at 5:30 p.m.

Mt. Pleasant’s Kynlee White Ready to Sprint Onto Southeastern Community College’s Track and Field Program

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, February 25th, 2026 at 8:34 pm CDT

Mt. Pleasant, IA- The Mt. Pleasant Girls’ Track and Field program has been nearly unstoppable in southeast Iowa over the past decade after taking back the Southeast Conference (SEC) championship from Washington for their 11th title in 13 years.

A big reason for that success has been Kynlee White, leading to the speedster signing her letter of intent to continue her Track and Field career at Southeastern Community College. White discussed what went into the decision,

“Yeah, it’s actually started a while back in the summer. I went all the way to Wisconsin and visited two huge schools there, and I was like, yeah, maybe I want to be far away and do that, and then I stayed in touch with those schools, but I came back, went to some smaller D3 schools, and I loved them, but then I realized maybe I don’t want to be far away in those schools. I don’t want to go to a big school either. Also, if you know any of my teachers or any of my coaches, I like to say I’m an athlete-student. I don’t like school at all, so maybe going to a four-year school wouldn’t be the route for me, so I’d rather go to a two-year, smaller school and keep it close.”

The senior has put together quite the resume through her three years as a Panther, setting a new school record in the 4×200 meter relay with Alex Scott, Kiyah Sanders, and Ellie Freeman, which was also an SEC meet record helping the Panthers take back the conference title. A moment she would put at the top of the list of memories,

“You know, it was down to the last race. I was in that race, the 4×400, which I don’t always run that, but I like to do what’s, I’m a very team [oriented] player. I like to do what our team needs, and I actually wasn’t the anchor of that, but it was between two teams, and we had to get that to win, and I put everything I had out there to get it to win, and it was a really surreal moment.”

Additionally, she is a three-time state qualifier—three times for the 4×200, twice for the 4×100, and once in the 200-meter dash and sprint medley—and two-time Drake Relays qualifier. Even though White has done just about every other sport the school offers, the spring season can never come around quick enough,

“Me and my friend Ella, that’s all we ever talk about. If you’re ever around us, it’s always, oh, track’s this many days away, or this many days away, and I’ve been distracted by playing other sports, but always, I’m always ready to be back on the track doing what I love.”

At last year’s State Track Meet, White took 6th in the 4×100 meter relay and 10th in the 4×200 meter relay with the team’s 5th place finish in the 4×100 meter relay in her sophomore campaign being her best finish. With the gift of speed, the thought process on the oval is simple,

“Coach [Scot] Lamm always tells me not to think, just go,” said Kynlee White. “He says that I’m an athlete, and just go. There’s nothing, so you can’t really think about anything. Once you’re out on there, you literally can’t be in your head. Just go, do it.”

With the track season looming, it is nice to have the dream finalized for White,

“I always wanted to be a college athlete and specifically running track. You know, I participate in other sports, volleyball, basketball, but I like to say I just do those to stay in shape, and I’ve really enjoyed them the last basketball season, but running track has always been my favorite, and I’ve always wanted to continue doing it.”

White is looking at enjoying her senior season with her friends and coaches with the expectation to get back to the Blue Oval twice this season. More than anything it’s an opportunity to keep the tradition of Mt. Pleasant track rolling,

“Just do what Mount Pleasant Track does best, and go kick butt out there…”

In terms of studies, White has narrowed down her choice but has not officially decided,

“I haven’t really thought too much into it. That’s what, one of the hardest decisions was, was thinking about what I’m gonna do. I originally thought I was gonna do kinesiology, but then I realized I don’t want any of the careers that come out of that, so I think business administration, there’s, it’s very versatile, and there’s a lot that I can, a lot of different pathways I can go with that.”

The season will get underway with the Indoor State Meet scheduled for March 12th at Iowa State University.

Prep Boys’ Basketball: #4 Burlington Notre Dame Outlasts Holy Trinity Catholic to Claim Back-to-Back District Championships

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, February 25th, 2026 at 1:17 pm CDT

Burlington, IA- In a rematch of last year’s District Championship, #4 Burlington Notre Dame was able to squash a late rally by Holy Trinity Catholic to advance to their second consecutive Substate Championship in a 64-51 final.

(From Burlington Notre Dame Athletics Facebook Page)

The battle of the Catholics has become a classic as of late with the two recently going against one another in important postseason matchups for both volleyball and basketball. This series has reclaimed its knack for a thriller that was present during the late 2000s and early 2010s, which saw eight of nine matchups decided by two possessions or less.

Although, much like the mid-2010s, the Nikes have generated some separation from the Crusaders, now racking up five straight victories over Holy Trinity Catholic. While last night’s final depicts a contest that was never close, Notre Dame watched their lead dwindle to just three with less than two minutes on the clock in the 4th quarter.

When talking about preparation that goes into playing a Southeast Iowa Super Conference South rival for the third time in a season, Nike head coach Dan Kies knew it would be a clash of competing identities trying to gain superiority,

“Yeah, I mean, gotta prepare just like we did both times we saw them. They played much better against us the first time we saw them. Their second time, they were a little flat to start out. But that’s a team that’s got guys that can play it. They play with discipline. They try to play their style of game. They’re gonna try and play a certain way. We’re gonna try and play a certain way. But both teams know each other, so yeah, gotta get ready and just see if we can’t take care of business. But it’s gonna be a tough matchup.”

In the first quarter at Father Minnett Gymnasium of the Class 1A Substate 5 District 9 Championship contest—at least for the first several minutes—neither team was backing down from the challenge. Holy Trinity Catholic’s defense opted to go with a zone look that collapsed in on the lane, hoping to minimize Shay Stephens, while the Nike defense looked for their man-to-man defense to lead to steals in transition.

Both offenses were ready for these looks. For the Crusaders, Layne Rung, who had averaged just 9.3 points against Notre Dame through his four years, took the challenge head-on, knocking down tough shots and notching 11 points in the first quarter.

On the other end of the floor, the Nikes played inside-out with quick drives leading to kickout three-pointers. Notre Dame hit five of them in the opening frame, including three from Griffin Kies as he went for 11 points of his own. Still, the extra help from beyond the arc gave Notre Dame the 23 to 15 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Despite the offensive output, the teams held on to their gameplans and neither team could buy a basket in the second quarter. Combining for just eight made field goals in the second quarter, the lead remained eight heading into the halftime break, 33 to 25.

The big surprise of the half was Stephens scoring just five points and for most of the first half struggled to get open against the defense of freshman Jack Ragar. For Crusader head coach John Hellige, the first half went exactly to plan defensively,

“Yeah, just really wanted to kind of try to slow him down as much as we could. Kind of limiting the transition and trying to control the defensive boards and limit our live ball turnovers is really what we tried to do tonight. For the most part, I thought the boys did a good job with the game plan.”

While the defense was doing their job, both teams struggled on offense in the third quarter. Rung continued his one-man show for the Crusaders with a pair of threes and a bucket inside the arc putting him at 24 points for the game and cutting the lead to seven, 45 to 38, to start the 4th quarter.

“Amazing player, amazing player, amazing young man” said Coach Hellige of his senior Rung. “He did everything this season we needed him to do. He’s kind of played behind a couple guys the last few years, and this year it was his turn to step into the spotlight, and boy did he ever. Had a great senior year, and just super proud of him.”

Mid-way through the 4th quarter, a Kellen Porter takeaway and transition basket for Stephens gave Notre Dame an eight-point lead, 54 to 46, causing coach Hellige to call a timeout. The Crusaders answered the call to action, much like coach Hellige did at the onset of the season.

The Holy Trinity Catholic seniors urged Hellige to stay on and coach the team and out of the break it was senior Corbin Van Niewaal that collected the in-bounds pass and plugged it in for the old-fashion three-point play. Lead down to five. A subsequent miss by the Nikes and a transition lay-up by Ragar cut the lead to three, 54-51 with two-and-a-half minutes to go.

After trading misses, Stephens took the ball himself and drove to low block and got one to go off the glass to move the lead back to two possessions and from there the Crusaders were unable to get a stop, while the Nikes went 5 for 6 from the free throw line in the quarter to escape with the 13-point win.

After starting the year 4-5, Holy Trinity Catholic had ventured their way back to their third consecutive District Championship. A standard that coach Hellige has come to expect from the program,

“Yeah, yeah, we did a really good job. For a team that really was counted out this year, they said we didn’t have a lot returning and we were able to finish 16-8 season, third straight district final appearance. So just proud of the seniors, their hard work. And my seniors year over year set the example for these younger guys, and this year was no exception.”

Despite all the odds, coach Hellige never lost faith in his squad,

“I mean, I always believe in my guys, and I felt like we had a chance to get back to the district final, or even a little further. I mean, we wouldn’t have showed up tonight if we didn’t think we could stand toe to toe with Notre Dame.”

For Burlington Notre Dame, the Nikes improve to 23-2 on the season with all of their losses coming against higher class teams. They now are set to return to the Substate Championship—a year after falling to North Linn, 56-52, in the same spot—to face off against Calamus-Wheatland as they look for their first trip to the state tournament since 2009.

Calamus-Wheatland also enters the game with a 23-2 record with both losses coming against #9 Marquette Catholic, a team Notre Dame beat 85-71 back in mid-January. The game is scheduled for Saturday, February 28th, at Iowa City High with tip-off at 4 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 3:45 pm.

Holy Trinity Catholic Scorers: Layne Rung 26 points, Jack Ragar 11 points, Corbin Van Niewaal 7 points, Graeme Meredith 3 points, Jay Ellison and Nathan Box 2 points.

Burlington Notre Dame Scorers: Griffin Kies 22 points, Shay Stephens 13 points, LJ Harris and Eli Oleson 8 points, Tatum Warner 7 points, Payne Prottsman and Garrison Reid 3 points.