April 8, 2024 – April 14, 2024

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, April 6th, 2024 at 6:32 pm CDT
04/08/24
Jeff & Gayle Olson *Anniversary
04/08/24
Tenley Fisher
04/08/24
Missy Sitar
04/08/24
James Browne
04/08/24
Ralph Dodson
04/09/24
Tammy Shroyer
04/09/24
Marty Goodwin
04/09/24
Zeno Nichting
04/10/24
Nicholas Shelangoski
04/10/24
Angel Jacobs
04/10/24
Michael Tansey
04/10/24
Mitchell Brown
04/10/24
Tim and Sally Olson
04/11/24
Mikayla Truitt
04/11/24
Reyna Aranda
04/11/24
Dennis & Julie Wesely (37)
04/12/24
Judith Bower
04/12/24
Delaney Anderson (13)
04/12/24
Faith Kruse
04/12/24
Jason Loving
04/12/24
Zachary Brown
04/12/24
Colleen Carlson
04/12/24
Willie De La Fuente
04/12/24
Donald Halbach
04/12/24
Elizabeth Mullin
04/12/24
Dori Yoder
04/12/24
Steve & Charlene Walenczak *Anniversary *49 Years
04/13/24
Amy McLaughlin
04/13/24
Destin Miller
04/13/24
Brian Enearl
04/13/24
Beverly Haines
04/13/24
Jim and Patty French (61 Years)
04/14/24
Corbin Broeker
04/14/24
Kayden Fitzhugh
04/14/24
Benjamin Olson
04/14/24
H.T. Lensgraf - 91

MPCHS Honor Society Induction Ceremony Time Change

By Yorke Prough · Saturday, April 6th, 2024 at 8:16 am CDT

Due to the University of Iowa Women’s Basketball team making it to the final of the March Madness tournament, the Mt. Pleasant Community High School National Honor Society Induction Ceremony has been pushed from 2:00pm to 1:00pm, tomorrow, April 7th.

Sports, April 6th

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, April 6th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Track and Field

The Mt. Pleasant, Mediapolis, Central Lee, Winfield-Mt. Union, and Danville girls’ teams will travel to Fort Madison for a meet on Tuesday, April 9th. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will host a meet on Thursday, April 11th.

The WACO relays will run on Monday, April 8th, with the Van Buren County and New London boys’ and girls’ teams in attendance. 

The Mediapolis, Danville, and Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ teams will travel to Wapello for a meet on April 9th.

The Central Lee boys’ team will travel to Fairfield for a meet on April 9th. 

High School Soccer

The WACO boys’ team will face off against Danville on Monday, April 8th, at 5 pm on the road. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will take on Highland at home on Monday with the girls’ playing on Thursday, April 11th, against Mediapolis on the road. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team clobbered Fairfield last night 10-0. Charice Awuerda was unstoppable, scoring six goals and tallying an assist. Tori Wilson totaled three assists and two goals as Hailey Parrott scored the other two goals. Mt. Pleasant will take on Washington on Monday with the boys’ on the road and the girls’ at home.

The Mediapolis girls’ team took down West Liberty 2-0 last night. The Bulldogs will host Wapello on Monday with the girls’ playing first at 5 pm and the boys to follow.

The Central Lee girls’ team fell to Washington last night 3-2. The Central Lee boys’ team will face off against Hillcrest Academy on Monday on the road. The girls’ team will host Fort Madison on Tuesday, April 9th.

High School Tennis

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ and girls’ remain perfect on the year after picking up victories against Keokuk last night. In front of the home crowd, the boys’ team won 8-1 against the Chiefs with Phoenix Watson, Gavin Ross, Sawyer Fulton, Zach Johnson, Dane Cook, and Elijah Rynders each winning their singles match, while Fulton and Cook teamed up for an 8-0 win in doubles and the team of Johnson and Rynders also picked up a victory.

On the girls’ side, Mt. Pleasant picked up a 7-2 win with Jana Isanta, Mary Kate Peterson, Bethany Drury, Victoria Smith, and Zoey Carlsen each winning their singles match. The teams of Isanta and Ellie Situmeang and Drury and Hali Crane won their doubles match in convincing fashion. 

The Panthers will face off against Fairfield on Monday, April 8th, with the boys’ at home and the girls’ on the road. 

High School Golf

The Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ and girls’ teams took on Columbus yesterday and the Wolves boys’ team won 182 to 212. Carter Loyd led the team with a nine hole score of 42 (+7) followed by Max Edwards and Nick Sparrow, who each shot a 46. Cael Phillips of Columbus finished with a 48. 

On the girls’ side, Columbus’ Hailey Wellington shot the best with a 56. The Wolves were led by Afton Wilkerson, who shot a 63, and Lily Freeman, who finished with a 64. Winfield-Mt. Union will host Wapello on Monday, April 8th.

The WACO boys’ and girls’ teams will travel to face off against Highland on Monday.

Central Lee will take on Notre Dame on Monday on the road. 

New London will hit the road and compete against Mediapolis on Monday.

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will travel to Fort Madison on Monday, while the boys’ team will head to Keokuk for their meet. 

Southeastern Community College

For baseball, SCC got the offense working in full force yesterday against Iowa Lakes Community College, winning game one 9-6 and game two 14-0. The Blackhawks will compete against the Lakers today to finish up the three-game series. 

The SCC softball team will take on Marshalltown Community College on Monday, April 8th, in a road matchup.

College Basketball

The Iowa women’s team is heading back to the National Championship game after defeating UConn 71-69 in an epic in Cleveland last night. Hannah Stuelke played a huge role for the Hawkeyes with a game high 23 points on 9 of 12 shooting. Caitlin Clark followed behind with 21 points. The Hawkeyes will face off against undefeated South Carolina tomorrow, April 7th, at 2 pm. 

 March Madness

The KILJ bracket challenge, sponsored by The Press Box and Wiley’s Interior Furnishings and Design, is down to the final four and 21 of the 34 brackets still have a champion in the dance. The Final Four starts tonight at 5:09 pm.

The standings have been updated and you can follow this link to see the top ten: KILJ Bracket Challenge Standings

This Day in Sports History

1973 – Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees becomes the first designated hitter in baseball history, and he draws a bases-loaded walk on five pitches against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

1980 – Gordie Howe completes a record 26th NHL season. Now tied with Chris Chelios.

1996 – MLB player Albert Belle shows off his arm by hitting Sports Illustrated photographer Tony Tomsic in the hand prior to a game.

Mt. Pleasant Community School Board Meeting Agenda 04/08

By Yorke Prough · Friday, April 5th, 2024 at 4:06 pm CDT

PUBLISHED MEETING
4/8/2024, 6:00 PM
Regular Meeting

Meeting Agenda
1. Call To Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Citizen Comments
5. Public Hearing: FY25 Certified Budget
6. Public Hearing: 2024-2025 School Calendar
7. Science Fair Presentation
8. Approval of Minutes, Claims and Financial Report
9. Reports
a. Instructional Coaches Update
b. Superintendent’s Report
i. Prom and Graduation Update – Mr. Wilson
ii. Grade-Alike Elementary School Update
iii. IASB Summit on Student Success – June 11, Ankeny, IA
iv. Legislative Update
v. FY24 Statewide Free and Reduced Lunch Percentages
vi. FY24 Statewide Limited English Proficiency Percentages
c. Board Committee Reports
i. Finance Committee
ii. Site Committee
iii. Policy Commitee
10. Other Board Communications
11. Consent Items
a. Personnel
b. Open Enrollment
12. Unfinished Business
13. New Business
a. Consideration to Adopt FY25 Budget (Motion)
b. Consider Resolution to Approve FY25 Budget Guarantee (Motion)
c. Consideration to Approve 2024-2025 School Calendar (Motion)
d. Consideration to Approve FY25 Construction/Penny Sales Tax Spending Plan (Motion)
e. Consideration to Approve 24-25 Agreement with Four Oaks Student and Family Services (Motion)
f. First Reading of School Board Policy Series 600 Education Programs (Motion)
i. Board Policy 602.17 School Library (Motion)
ii. New Policy 602.19 Health Education (Motion)
iii. New Policy 602.20 Student Health Services (Motion)
iv. Board Policy 603.02 Objection to Instructional Materials (Motion)
v. New Policy 603.02E1 Request to Prohibit a Student from Accessing Specific Instructional Materials (Motion)
vi. New Policy 603.10 Instructional Library Materials Inspection and Display (Motion)
g. Consideration to Approve 2024-2025 Hot Lunch Prices (Motion)
h. Consideration to Approve 2024-2025 Student Registration Fees (Motion)
i. Consideration to Approve 2024-2025 Substitute Teacher Pay (Motion)
j. Consideration to Approve iJAG Fundraiser (Motion)
k. Negotiations Discussion (Exempt from Open Meetings Law)
14. Adjournment

 

 

Mark Lofgren – District 48 Update

By Yorke Prough · Friday, April 5th, 2024 at 2:25 pm CDT

This week looked very similar to previous weeks, but with an increased pace and an urgency to find common ground on the issues at hand. This included a lot of debate by the whole Senate on important legislation. We worked our way through bills that have been amended by the House and Senate, worked to find an agreement on the budget for the year, and confirmed a number of appointees by the governor.

A Unique Job for the Senate
One of the duties unique to the Senate is the confirmation of governor appointees. Each year the governor appoints people as the head of departments or to various boards and commissions. These candidates are called by senators so they can discuss their qualifications, goals, and why they want these jobs, just like any other job interview. Governor appointments require a two-thirds majority vote in the Iowa Senate, meaning Iowans who are appointed need 34 votes of support in order to be confirmed. We have been holding these phone conversations with appointees for the past several weeks and this week were able to vote on whether to confirm these appointments or not.

Valuing and Protecting Farming in Iowa

Senate File 2401 is one of the bills we debated this week. This bill is designed to help support farmers and the agriculture industry in our state. In 1986, the Grain Indemnity Fund was created during the farm crisis and acts similar to an insurance policy for the grain that farmers store at grain elevators. Currently, all grain dealers and warehouse operators are required to participate in the Grain Indemnity Fund and pay fees on purchased or stored grain. If at the end of a fiscal year the fund exceeds $8 million, the fees are waived, but if the balance of the fund falls below $3 million, the Grain Indemnity Fund Board reinstates these fees. SF 2401 adjusts those amounts to $12 million and $5 million and also extends coverage to credit sale contracts. Last year, the Grain Indemnity Fund ran out of money due to a number of circumstances and the fee had to be reinstated. This bill updates these numbers to better reflect today’s economy and hopefully prevent additional fees on farmers in the future.

Proclamation to Honor University of Iowa Women Wrestlers

On Wednesday, the University of Iowa Women’s Wrestling Team visited the Capitol to be honored for their recent first place ranking at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships in Cedar Rapids on March 9th. The governor signed a proclamation in their honor, SR 107, and the team visited both chambers of the Iowa legislature.
The University of Iowa Women’s Wrestling Team standing in the Northeast Gallery to be recognized by the Members of the Senate

On Tuesday the Senate passed HF 2487 with bipartisan support. This is an update to the law surrounding teacher-student relationships and adds a definition and prohibition against teachers grooming students. Unfortunately, these incidents do occur and the law must keep pace to ensure Iowa students are as safe as possible at school. This bill returns to the House for their approval of the updates made by the Senate.

Supporting the Perry Community

HF 2653 also passed this week in response to the tragedy in Perry earlier this year. This bill allows Perry schools to offer retention bonuses to help retain their employees for the upcoming school year. It also waives various state requirements, including required days and hours of instruction just for this year because students missed a month of school. During the opening days of session legislators expressed their support for the Perry community and this bill allows us to continue to assist this school district in their efforts to move forward from this devastation.

Stricter Fines for Trespassing in Iowa
HF 2310 raises the fines for knowingly trespassing upon the property of another, or trespassing while hunting deer. The fines will be increased as follows:
• First offense: from $260 to $500
• Second offense: from $645 to $1000
• Third or subsequent violations: from $285 to $1500
This bill passed the Senate with a vote of 38-9 and will be sent to the governor for signing.
Insurance Coverage for Breast Examinations

HF 2489 requires a health insurance plan to cover supplemental and diagnostic breast examinations on terms not less favorable than for screening mammograms. “Diagnostic breast examination” is defined as a medically necessary examination, using a diagnostic mammogram, breast magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, or other imaging, to evaluate an abnormality seen in screening or detected by another means. A “supplemental” examination is a medically necessary examination to screen for breast cancer when no abnormality is suspected, based instead on an individual’s personal or family medical history, or additional factors that may increase risk. As amended, the bill omits the original bill’s prohibition of cost-sharing requirements for these examinations. This bill passed the Senate with a 47-0 voice vote and will be sent to the governor for signing.

Faces Around the Capitol This Week
This week brought many Hawkeyes to the Capitol. As mentioned above, we were visited by the University of Iowa Women’s Wrestling Team as well as many representatives from the university. We also had visitors from the Association of Iowa Fairs this week to promote our 2024 county fairs. Click here and scroll down to see an interactive map of all county fairs with dates and locations.

April is Donate Life Month

By Yorke Prough · Friday, April 5th, 2024 at 2:22 pm CDT

Learn more about organs, tissue and eye donation during Donate Life Month in April. These donations are so important for the following reasons:

Every 10 minutes a new person is added to the national organ transplant waiting list.

An average of 17 people die each day while waiting for an organ transplant

On average, 115 transplants take place every day in the United States

In 2022, the lives of more than 42,000 Amer­i­cans were saved through organ transplants. Did you know that one donor can save up to 8 lives through organ donation and enhance between 50-300 lives through tissue donation?

The U.S. achieved its 1 mil­lionth organ trans­plant, more than any oth­er coun­try in the world and a his­tor­i­cal mile­stone in the world of transplant.

To learn how you can sign up to be a donor, go to www.iowadonornetwork.org/register

Eldon Witthoft

By Yorke Prough · Friday, April 5th, 2024 at 2:16 pm CDT

Eldon W. Witthoft, 93, of Mount Pleasant died Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois.

Eldon was born January 26, 1931, in Washington, Iowa, the son of John Frederick and Minnie Gertrude (Semler) Witthoft. He graduated from Washington High School. On January 28, 1968, Eldon married Sandra Schroeder in Washington, to this union the couple had three children. The couple made their home and farmed near Washington; Sandra died in 1981. Eldon farmed until retiring in 1993, and moving to Mount Pleasant. On August 6, 1996, Eldon married Sharon Hilbrant in Mount Pleasant and were together until Sharon’s death in 2013. Eldon enjoyed camping, wood working, fishing and working on his computer.

Eldon is survived by his three children Sara (Darin) Ladlie of Ft. Dodge, Susan (Ryan) Basye of Cedar Falls, Steven (Tina) Witthoft of Mount Pleasant; three stepdaughters Pam (Gary) Oetken of Danville, Deb (Jim Jr.) Mueller of Mount Pleasant, Christy Church of Des Moines; five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wives Sandra and Sharon, sister Ruth Maughan, two brothers Leonard and Clarence Witthoft, stepdaughter Cindy Tisdale, and stepson Ed Hiatt.

According to Eldon’s wishes his body will be cremated and a private family burial will be held at a later date in the Elm Grove Cemetery, Washington, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to the Oakland Mills Nature Center. The Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory is caring for Eldon and his family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

 

Caitlin Clark Looking to Sweep the 2024 National Player of the Year Awards

By Slaten Swords · Friday, April 5th, 2024 at 11:43 am CDT

Iowa City, IA- What more does Caitlin Clark have left to prove? It’s a question that we often ask an athlete after winning an award and at the twilight of their career; we attempt to rationalize their answer, but rationale never plays a part in their decision, it lies in their competitive nature.

If you have seen Caitlin Clark play, then you know she’s in constant motion on offense and defense. One minute she will weave her way through the defense to deliver a lay-up off the glass, the next she will take a step past the half court line and sink a three like it was a free throw.

Clark’s competitive fire has helped lead the Iowa women’s basketball team to now back-to-back Final Four appearances. It has also nabbed her ten awards for her performance this season.

After grabbing Naismith Player of the Year earlier this week, Clark has now been awarded Associated Press Player of the Year, Wade Trophy Recipient, and Honda Sport Awards Recipient. All these awards come in back-to-back seasons as well.

Clark received 34 of the 35 AP votes before the tournament began and is only the second Hawkeye and Big Ten student-athlete to receive the honor—Megan Gustafson in 2019. She is the only in conference history to do so in back-to-back seasons.

Clark took home the Wade Trophy, the most prestigious national player of the year honor in women’s basketball, for the second year in a row. She is one of six players to win the award twice—Maya Moore won it three times for UConn. She is the first Hawkeye and second Big 10 player to receive the award.

Lastly, the Honda Award goes to the “best of the best in collegiate athletics.” Clark is the reigning Honda Cup winner and is attempting to sweep all the National Player of the Year awards again.

As a senior Clark has somehow brought her game up to another level. She is averaging 32 points and nine assists per game, which leads the NCAA. She became the first player to finish first in both categories in back-to-back seasons. She also became the first Division-I player to score over 1,000 points in back-to-back season, while also holding every career scoring record in collegiate basketball history.

So, in terms of awards she has nothing left to prove. However, if I were to ask her that question, then I believe the answer I would receive is a National Championship. She’s a competitor and a competitor is not done until they win.

She will have to take on UConn tonight at 8:30 pm to earn an opportunity at that championship.