Sports, September 9th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 at 6:29 am CDT

High School Volleyball

Danville battled last night against Keokuk, evening the match at one set apiece after a 25-22 set two victory, but it was not enough as they fell in four sets to the Chiefs by scores of 17-25, 25-22, 20-25, and 10-25. The Bears will make the trip to Holy Trinity Catholic tonight at 7:30 pm.

New London was swept by Fort Madison last night (25-15, 25-16, 25-13). Van Buren County will take on New London tonight at 7:30 pm on the road. 

Burlington Notre Dame will stay at home to face off against West Burlington tonight at 7:30 pm. 

WACO will travel to Wapello tonight at 7:30 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will host Pekin tonight at 7:30 pm.

Mt. Pleasant will have their conference home opener tonight when they face off against Keokuk at 7:15 pm.

Columbus will host Louisa-Muscatine tonight at 7:30 pm.

Central Lee will travel to Mediapolis tonight at 7:30 pm. 

Fairfield will compete against Washington tonight at 7:15 pm on the road. 

High School Girls’ Tennis

Mt. Pleasant snuck out with one last regular season conference victory last night, defeating Keokuk 5-4. Katana Phangchanthong, Bella Dodds, Lianah Phangchanthong, and Shaye Barbee cruised to wins in their singles matches, while the pair of Barbee and Lianah Phangchanthong won their doubles match 8-1. The Panthers finished with a 3-5 record in conference play.

Fairfield repeated their results from the first time they played Burlington, leashing the Grayhounds for a 7-2 victory. The closest match of the night took place in the #2 doubles court as Burlington’s team of Leah Sieren and Ruby Orr gave the squad of Poojita Mukadam and Tula Sorflaten all they could handle, forcing a tiebreaker that the Trojans managed to come out on top of 12-10. 

The Southeast Conference will meet up in Burlington tomorrow, September 10th, for their conference tournament. 

High School Cross Country

Van Buren County will host their invite tonight at the Riverview Club with Danville, Winfield-Mt. Union, Holy Trinity Catholic, and Mediapolis making the trip.

New London, Columbus, and WACO will compete in the Sigourney Invitational tonight. 

Wapello will travel to Tipton tonight for a meet. 

Fairfield will host the “Ron Hunerdosse” Invite on Thursday, September 11th with Mt. Pleasant, Notre Dame/West Burlington, Van Buren County, New London, Wapello, and Winfield-Mt. Union joining the meet. 

Central Lee will run at the Mustang Invitational on Thursday.

High School Cross Country Rankings

The Iowa Association of Track Coaches released their third week of individual and team rankings, which introduced some new teams and faces to the top 20.

The girls’ teams of the Southeast Conference will be competitive this season with three girls ranked in top 20 individually for Class 3A. Mt. Pleasant’s Avery Fedler, with a season best time of 18 minutes and 49 seconds, entered this week’s rankings at #4, followed by #16 Iris Dahl of Washington and #18 Avery Rump of Fort Madison. The Bloodhounds are ranked 9th as a team.

On the boys’ side, Washington’s Andrew Rees landed at #16, but it is Fort Madison who is ranked as a team, sitting at 17th.

In Class 2A, Mediapolis is anchored by #15 Simon Wendel, but a pair of 5th place team finishes to start the year still has the squad ranked just inside the top 20 at #19.

Van Buren County put both their boys’ and girls’ teams in the Class 1A top 10 with the boys’ team sitting directly behind Columbus at #9, while the girls’ team rests at #8. Helping the boys’ team is the individual ranking of Lincoln Bainbridge as the senior was placed at #17. 

Lastly, WACO’s Jude Dykstra entered the week ranked 10th, aiding the Warriors claim to be ranked 14th heading into the new week.

High School Football

Mt. Pleasant gets back to work as they stay on the road to face off against Oskaloosa on Friday, September 12th, at 7:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm. The Panther defense lived in the backfield last week against Knoxville, racking up 9 sacks and 14 tackles for loss; head coach John Bowlin appreciated that six different players got to the quarterback in the winning effort,

“Yeah, cause those guys are playing on both sides of the ball too, so being able to rotate them and don’t we don’t miss a beat. Whoever is in there, they’re all doing their job at a high level. So, a lot of fun to watch those guys …”

New London will attempt to bounce back against Highland on Friday at 7 pm on the road. 

Wapello will square off against Pekin at 7 pm on the road on Friday. 

Van Buren County will face off against Cardinal on Friday at 7 pm at home.

WACO will host HLV/TC on Friday at 7 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will hit the road to square off against English Valleys on Friday at 7 pm. 

West Burlington/Notre Dame will compete on the road against Keokuk on Friday at 7:30 pm.

Mediapolis will head to Fairfield on Friday at 7:30 pm.

Danville will host Columbus on Friday at 7 pm.

Central Lee will make the trip to Fort Madison on Friday at 7:30 pm.

Southeastern Community College

The volleyball team will travel to Western Iowa Tech Community College tonight at 6 pm.

The men’s soccer team will take on State Fair Community College at 3 pm on Saturday, September 13th.

The women’s soccer team will host John Wood Community College tonight for their first home contest of the season.

College Football

#14 Iowa State will travel to Arkansas State on Saturday, September 13th, at 3 pm. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will have the call.

Iowa is hoping for a get-right game against UMass on Saturday at home with kickoff at 6:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM will be on the call.

This Day in Sports History

1960 – The Denver Broncos beat the Boston Patriots, 13-10, in the American Football League’s first game before 21,597 fans at Nickerson Field in Boston.

2002 – MLB Arizona Diamondbacks’ left handed pitcher Randy Johnson reaches 300 strikeouts for the fifth consecutive season, extending his major league record.

2018 – Green Bay Packers start 100th season with historic 24-23 comeback win over Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field; first ever Packer recovery from a 17-plus point deficit after three quarters of play.

Survivorship 101 Program to Support Cancer Survivors and Caregivers

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 at 5:51 am CDT

A new program aimed at helping cancer survivors and their caregivers navigate life during and after treatment will soon be available in West Burlington. Survivorship 101, a free nine-week program, begins Tuesday, September 17, and will meet weekly through November 12. Sessions will be held every Tuesday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Wellness Plaza’s Indian Room on the West Burlington Campus.

Led by specially trained facilitators, Survivorship 101 provides a safe, supportive environment for participants to connect with others who understand the cancer journey.

The program focuses on five key areas of support:

  • Emotional Support – Sharing experiences with peers who face similar challenges can help reduce isolation and loneliness.

  • Practical Guidance – Learn coping strategies, treatment recommendations, and tips for managing side effects and daily life.

  • Information Sharing – Gain evidence-based advice on nutrition, exercise, intimacy, and reducing anxiety.

  • Perspective and Hope – Hear stories and insights from others who have overcome similar challenges.

  • Community Building – Build lasting connections with a supportive network of survivors and caregivers.

Anyone interested in participating can reserve a spot by calling the Survivorship Program Coordinator at 319-768-4248.

Mount Pleasant Personnel & Finance Committee to Meet Tuesday

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 at 5:44 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Personnel & Finance Committee will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. The meeting will take place in the City Administrator’s Conference Room at City Hall.

The agenda includes several key items of discussion, beginning with construction project bids for the Second Baptist Church. Committee members will also review the release of a non-sufficient funds (NSF) check and consider needed repairs to a Public Works backhoe.

In addition, the committee will discuss upgrades to city computers used in Public Works and the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). An open forum will be available for public input before the meeting concludes with adjournment.

The meeting is open to the public.

Mount Pleasant Ordinance Committee to Meet Tuesday Morning September 9

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 at 5:44 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Ordinance Committee will hold a meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. The session will take place in the City Administrators’ Conference Room at City Hall.

The agenda includes discussion of regulations regarding amplified sound under Chapter 14-69, ongoing nuisance issues, and the city’s loitering and panhandling ordinance. Following these items, the committee will open the floor for public comment during the Open Forum portion of the meeting.

The meeting is open to the public.

Deputy Cleared in Fatal Shooting of Burlington-Area Man

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 at 5:40 am CDT

The Iowa Attorney General’s Office has ruled that a Des Moines County sheriff’s deputy was legally justified in the fatal shooting of David Leonard Maupin during a domestic disturbance on August 5.

The decision, announced Monday, follows an investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

Deputies were called at 9:09 p.m. to a rural Burlington home after a woman reported that her boyfriend, Maupin, was intoxicated, destroying property, and had displayed a shotgun in front of her and her 3-year-old child.

Deputy Brett Haubrich responded and found Maupin in a detached garage. Investigators said Maupin threatened to shoot the deputy, retreated inside, and then reemerged with a rifle. Maupin ordered Haubrich to leave, advanced toward him, and ignored repeated commands to drop the weapon. When Maupin allegedly raised the rifle toward the deputy, Haubrich fired, killing him.

A fully loaded Ruger .22 caliber rifle with a round in the chamber was recovered at the scene, along with two other rifles, two shotguns, and numerous beer cans. An autopsy determined Maupin’s blood-alcohol concentration was .30, more than three times the legal limit.

The Attorney General’s Office said Haubrich acted lawfully in response to an immediate and life-threatening danger.

4-H Adult Award Nominations Due

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 at 5:38 am CDT

 Washington County 4-H would like to recognize volunteers who have had a large impact on 4-H this year and in the past.  These adult awards will be presented at the 4-H Award Celebration on November 2.

Five awards will be given out: Friend of 4-H, Partner in 4-H, 4-H Volunteer of the Year, 4-H Alumni, and 4-H Family of the Year. 

Nominations for these awards can come from anyone in Washington County or a part of the 4-H program; this includes those involved in 4-H or others who simply have witnessed the volunteer in action.  For descriptions of these awards and nomination forms visit https://tinyurl.com/washcoadultawards visit the Extension Office.

Nominations are due to the Washington County Extension Office by October 1.

Arthur Daniel Pugh

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 8th, 2025 at 5:43 pm CDT

Arthur Daniel Pugh, 98, passed peacefully on Sunday, September 7, 2025.

Arthur was born December 14, 1926, to Lewis and Sclenia (Peters) Pugh, and he often spoke with pride of his Welsh heritage. Art was united in marriage to E. Ann (Zaruba) Pugh in Kahoka, Missouri, and together they welcomed three children: Terry (Janice) Pugh, Sheila (Craig) Helmick, and Patsy (Bobby) Taylor.

He was a devoted grandfather to Troy and Tara Pugh, Augusta and Nate Boulton, and Jesse and Samantha Taylor. His joy only grew with the arrival of his ten great-grandchildren: Mariah, Kendal, and Owen Pugh; Taylor, Victoria, Madeleine, and Cael Howell; Gwyneth and Alys Boulton; and Brendyn Taylor.

Arthur, better known as Art, was an 85-year member of the United Presbyterian Church, over 70-year member of the American Legion, and Columbus City Masonic Lodge #107.  Art proudly served his country in the United States Army Reserves.  A lifelong resident of Columbus City, he worked at multiple General Motors car dealerships where he built many lasting friendships, and he also served his community for many years as a city council member.

Art was an avid traveler with Ann, and together they cherished adventures both near and far. On weekends, they could often be found enjoying block parties with neighbors or boating on the river. He loved watching nearly any sport, listening to what he fondly called “Country & Western” music, and most of all, supporting his children and grandchildren. He beamed with pride at every livestock show, musical performance, or athletic event they took part in. In later years, he continued to enjoy outings with assistance, and at home could often be found watching reruns of Gunsmoke and indulging in anything chocolate.

Art’s steady presence, kind spirit, and deep love for his family will be forever remembered.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Sclenia Pugh; his wife, Ann; daughter, Sheila Helmick; brother and sister-in-law, Dick and Sally Pugh; sister and brother-in-law, Marian and Clem Cecil; brother and sister-in-law, Lee, Mike, and Jeanie Zaruba; sister-in-law, Dottie Pugh; and brother-in-law, Rex Shafer.

He is survived by his children, Terry (Janice) Pugh and Patsy (Bobby) Taylor; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; his brother, Jack Pugh; his sister, Doris Shafer; sister-in-law, Roberta Zaruba; and many nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved.

Visitation for Art will be from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at the United Presbyterian Church in Columbus Junction.  A Masonic Service will begin at 1:00 p.m. with funeral services to follow.  Following the services, committal with Military Rites will be held at the Columbus City Cemetery, followed by a celebration of life at the American Legion in Columbus Junction.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left in Art’s honor for the following: Columbus Junction Fire Department, Columbus Junction Ambulance/First Responders, Louisa County 4-H or the United Presbyterian Church.   Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.  Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Columbus Junction is caring for Art’s arrangements.

Lorna Payne

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, September 8th, 2025 at 4:06 pm CDT

Lorna Payne, 94, of Mount Pleasant died unexpectedly Sunday, September 7, 2025, at the Henry County Health Center.

Memorial services are pending at the Olson-Powell Chapel and Crematory.