Mount Pleasant School Board Discusses Dual Enrollment Classes, Central Campus, Graduation, at Monday Meeting

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 at 7:51 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Community School Board met on Monday evening for their last regular session before students are let out for the summer.

Superintendent Henriksen showed his appreciation to his board by presenting certificates of appreciation. May is school board appreciation month, and Henriksen shared some information, such as how there are 1845 school board seats in Iowa. Seven of those are in Mount Pleasant.

Afterwards, the dual credit classes with Southeastern Community College were discussed, which sees students at the high school able to take classes for college credit free to them. All board members seemed to agree that the price tag for the district, around $116,000 this year, is totally worth it, as it can save students years off their degrees, ultimately saving them a lot of money. Superintendent Henriksen mentioned that Mount Pleasant far outpaces regional schools in dual credit courses by hundreds of credits.

Aaron Moeller, a student at the high school, recently won the Skills US State Competition for Automotive Technician. He shared his experience with the board last night ahead of his competing in Georgia for the national competition in late June.

Central Campus was discussed briefly, with a walk through scheduled for next week for the board. This Central Campus would see all elementary schools in Mount Pleasant join in one shared area on the former Iowa Wesleyan campus. They are continuing to work on the logistics and design of the Central Campus.

Graduation is set for 2:30pm this Sunday in the High School gym, and as Henriksen has said, there will be air conditioning!

Henry County Supervisors Meeting Agenda 05/16

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 at 7:49 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

May 16, 2024

Approve Agenda

Approve Minutes

9:00 Jake Hotchkiss, Engineer Weekly Update

10:00 1st Reading Consideration of EMS Essential Service Resolution

Other County Business as time allows

 Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

Sports, May 14th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Track and Field

The State Track and Field meet will start on Thursday, May 16th, and run through Saturday, May 18th, in Des Moines. KILJ will bring updates throughout the three day event.

Some headlines to look out for:

The Mediapolis boys’ team will be competing in 12 events as the Bulldogs attempt to defend their state championship from last season.

The Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team could have two individual champions as Kohlby Newsom, in the 800-meter run, and Gabriel Hemsworth, in the 400-meter hurdles, enter with top-four times. 

The field events for Mt. Pleasant will be a category to look out for with six competitors between the boys’ and girls’ teams.

Lastly, the girls’ 4×100 meter relay will consist of a couple different teams from the area as Mt. Pleasant boasts the sixth best time entering the meet in Class 3A and Burlington has a talented squad for Class 4A. 

High School Soccer

In the boys’ Class 1A Substate 6 postseason bracket last night, Central Lee pulled off the upset against WACO, winning 3-1. Landan Lowenberg, Zach Estrada, and Landon Crank each scored a goal for Central Lee. The Hawks will have their hands full when they travel to #1 West Branch on Monday, May 20th, at 7 pm. 

In the bottom half of the bracket, Danville’s first half offense was enough to put Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union down last night to the tune of a 3-1 victory. The Bears will face off against Mediapolis in the semifinal on May 20th. 

In the Class 2A Substate 5 bracket, Keokuk shocked Mt. Pleasant last night 4-3. The Chiefs outscored the Panthers 3 to 1 in the second half to come away with the victory. Dylan White notched a hat trick for the Panthers. Keokuk will take on Williamsburg on the road on May 20th at 7 pm. 

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team whacked Wapello 10-0 last night. Bobby Willdrick led the offense with a hat trick as Bryson Sadler, Ashton West, and Caeden Ott each tallied two goals for the Nikes. Griffin Kies scored the final goal for Notre Dame. The Nikes will compete against Assumption on May 20th at 7 pm on the road. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team fell to Ottumwa last night 4-2 to end the regular season with a 7-6 record. 

The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team will travel to Mt. Pleasant on Friday, May 17th, for the Class 2A Region 8 quarterfinal at 5:30 pm.

The Mediapolis girls’ team will host Central Lee tomorrow, May 15th, at 7 pm for the Class 1A Region 1 quarterfinal. 

High School Tennis

Jana Isanta of Mt. Pleasant will participate in the girls’ Class 1A State Singles tournament on May 24th in Iowa City. 

The Fairfield boys’ team will make the trip up to Xavier High School tomorrow, May 15th, to see who will advance to the state tournament scheduled in Iowa City for Class 1A.

High School Golf. 

Due to weather yesterday, the district meet at Heritage Oaks in Wapello was postponed. The meet was rescheduled for today with Winfield-Mt. Union and New London’s Coen Fitzpatrick teeing off. 

The Williamsburg district meet took place yesterday and Washington clinched a spot in the Class 3A state meet with a team score of 295. Roman Roth and Rajan Roth tied for the best score of the course with a 68. Teague Mayer carded a 78 for the Demons, the fifth best score. The boys’ state meet is set to begin on May 20th in Ames. 

The girls’ Class 1A Region 5 Final will take place at Honey Creek Resort in Moravia tomorrow, May 15th, with New London competing as a team.

The West Liberty Country Club will host the girls’ Class 2A Region 5 final tomorrow with Olivia Hines of Mediapolis competing as an individual.

The girls’ teams of Mt. Pleasant, Fairfield, Fort Madison, Keokuk, and Washington will travel to Solon for their regional meet scheduled for tomorrow.

High School Baseball

Mt. Pleasant clobbered Van Buren County in their home opener last night, winning 16-4 in five innings. Ben Newton picked up the win on the mound, going 4.1 innings allowing two earned runs on six hits, while striking out six batters. The Panthers will stay at home to face off against West Burlington tomorrow, May 15th, at 7 pm. 

Van Buren County will attempt to get their first win of the season against Keokuk on Thursday, May 16th, at home at 7:30 pm. 

Central Lee will start their season on May 20th on the road against Fort Madison at 7 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will take on New London on May 21st at 5:30 pm.

Mediapolis will square off against Fort Madison tonight at 7:30 pm at home.

Burlington Notre Dame had their doubleheader against Cascade last night canceled due to weather. The Nikes will travel to Don Bosco on Saturday, May 18th, for an invitational. 

High School Softball

Central Lee will travel to Fort Madison on May 20th at 7 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will hit the road to face off against New London at 7 pm on May 21st.

Mt. Pleasant will scrimmage Holy Trinity Catholic on Thursday, May 16th, at home at 6:15 pm.

Mediapolis will square off against Lone Tree on May 21st at 7 pm at home.

Van Buren County will travel to take on Fairfield at 7:30 pm on May 20th.

West Burlington will face off against Keokuk at home on May 20th at 7 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1906 – The flagpole at the White Sox ballpark breaks during the pennant-raising.

1995 – At 43 years, 162 days Manchester City goalkeeper John Burridge becomes the oldest player to appear in an English Premier League match, a 3-2 home defeat to Queens Park Rangers.

2016 – Gabriel Medina becomes the first surfer ever to land the move “Backflip” in competition.

Wet Conditions Delay Planting – Weekly Crop Progress and Condition Report

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, May 14th, 2024 at 6:07 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.

“Planters continue to be parked across much of the state. Widespread wet conditions last week have delayed planting progress and it’s certainly weighing on the minds of farmers,” said Secretary Naig. “We need sunshine and light breeze to get back into the field. Although chances of thunderstorms remain in the forecast, conditions are trending warmer and quieter mid to late week. Once the conditions are right, farmers will get back to planting.”

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

Rain across Iowa early in the week held farmers to just 1.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 12, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Iowa farmers reported planting corn, soybeans, and applying pesticides late in the week.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 21 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 17 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 12 percent surplus.

Fifty-seven percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop has been planted, 1 week behind last year and 5 days behind the 5-year average. Twenty-six percent of the corn crop has emerged. Iowa’s farmers have planted 39 percent of Iowa’s expected soybean crop, 1 week behind last year and 4 days behind the normal. Thirteen percent of the soybean crop has emerged. Ninety-eight percent of the expected oat crop has been planted while emergence reached 81 percent, 2 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the 5-year average. There were reports of oats headed in isolated areas of the State.

Hay condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. There were a few reports of producers beginning their first cutting of hay. Pasture condition rated 67 percent good to excellent. Cattle feedlots were muddy due to rain received over the past four-week period.

Oren Shaffer

By Yorke Prough · Monday, May 13th, 2024 at 3:52 pm CDT

Oren G. Shaffer age 90, of Fairfield, Iowa changed his address to his Heavenly home May 7, 2024.

A private family funeral service was held at Forest Home Cemetery in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

Old Gym Demolition Has Begun

By Yorke Prough · Monday, May 13th, 2024 at 3:28 pm CDT

If you’re driving in the area of the former Iowa Wesleyan Old Gym, you may see something peculiar. The City of Mount Pleasant authorized the mayor to sign a nuisance property and abandoned building remediation assistance loan program agreement for the Iowa Wesleyan Old Gymnasium in April. Subsequently, the demolition of the building has begun.

Henry County Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees Meeting Agenda 05/15

By Yorke Prough · Monday, May 13th, 2024 at 2:52 pm CDT

MEETING OF HENRY COUNTY SOLDIERS’ & SAILORS’ MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Time:  7:30am

HCHC Board Room

 

Mission:  To enhance the health of individuals and communities through high quality, effective and efficient services

 

Vision:  To be the healthcare provider and employer of choice

 

Values:  Quality, Service, Teamwork, Accountability, Respect and Trust

I.               CALL TO ORDER

 

II.             ROLL CALL

  1. Mr. Prottsman ____ 4. Mrs. Bender            ____              7. Mr. Welcher ___
  2. Mrs. Olson ____                5. Mrs. McNamee       ____
  3. Mrs. Heaton ____                6. Mr. Blake                            ____

 

 

III.           CONSENT AGENDA

  1. Minutes of previous meeting and committees
  2. Administrative memo and EMS report

 

IV.           OLD BUSINESS

  1. Financial Update ♦ □
  2. Capital Update ♦ □
  3. Budget FY25 ♦ □
  4. Nominating Committee – Member recommendation ♦ □ *
  5. GRH Update ♦ □

 

V.    HOSPITAL INSPECTION:  Rebecca Bender

                

 

VI.           NEW BUSINESS      

  1. Friends of HCHC update □ ♦
  2. Hospital Week Meal, Friday, May 17th □
  3. Presentation of Hobbie print

 

 

VII.         EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE

Closed session pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 21.5 to discuss strategic objectives, quality, and legal matter. □

 

 

VIII.       ADJOURNMENT

HR Committee Meeting – Monday, June 3rd

Executive Committee Meeting – Tuesday, June 11th

BOT Meeting – Wednesday, June 19th

90 Year Old Man Ejected from Vehicle Following Collision Near Wever

By Yorke Prough · Monday, May 13th, 2024 at 10:28 am CDT

A 90-year old man died as a result of a two-vehicle accident on Friday. Allen Heisel from Burlington was driving a pickup truck Northbound on US61 near 165th St. His vehicle was then struck from behind by a teenage driver in an SUV, causing Heisel to eject from his vehicle around 5:31pm. Allen was not wearing a seatbelt. He was then transported to the Lunning Funeral Chapel. The teenage driver was transported to the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center with injuries.

This accident remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol. The Iowa State Patrol was assisted by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Donnellson-West Point Police Department, Wever Fire Department, and Lee County EMS.