Sports, January 31st

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Basketball

Mt. Pleasant and Fairfield always make for a great matchup and last night was no exception with the Panthers girls’ team fending off the Trojans for a 56-54 victory. Free throws were the name of the game as Mt. Pleasant converted 23 from the line, 13 of which were contributed from Juliana Burns. The senior led the Panthers with a career high 23 points and was a force on the glass. Head Coach Curt Watson knows the win was a total team effort.

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team defeated Burlington last night 72-61, in large part due to the superhuman effort of Payton Hagans as he cashed in 23 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter to take down the Grayhounds. The Panthers will travel to Keokuk on Friday, February 2nd, with the girls scheduled to play at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm. 

The Danville girls’ team picked up their 14th straight victory last night against West Burlington 65-40. The Bears will face off against Van Buren County tonight with game one at 6 pm. 

Holy Trinity Catholic celebrated their senior night with a sweep of Central Lee last night with the girls winning 59-21 and the boys taking down the Hawks 64-38. Taylor Jones led the Hawks in the girls’ game with 10 points. On the boys’ side, the Crusaders saw two records fall. Conner Gehling collected his 117th career block to set a new Holy Trinity Catholic record and Adam Sobczak set the career assist mark at 346. Luke Hellige led the team with 25 points. Owen Swan led the Hawks with 11 points. 

The Holy Trinity Catholic girls’ team will take on Lone Tree at Southeastern Community College (SCC) on Saturday for the one seed game at 3:30 pm. The Holy Trinity Catholic boys’ team will face off against WACO in the two seed game on Saturday at 5 pm at SCC. 

The Central Lee girls’ team will take on Pekin tomorrow at Pekin at 7:30 pm. The Central Lee boys’ team will face off against Burlington Notre Dame tomorrow on the road at 7:30 pm. 

The WACO girls’ team picked up a 45-42 win last night against Lone Tree. The Warriors will compete against Burlington Notre Dame at Highland tomorrow, February 1st, at 6 pm in the four seed game. The WACO boys’ team will face off against Moravia tomorrow on the road at 7:30 pm.

The Mediapolis girls’ team dominated last night against Van Buren County, winning 73-23. Hanna Wagenbach scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to finish with a double-double. The Mediapolis boys’ team won 73-39. The Mediapolis girls’ team will take on Highland tomorrow at Highland at 7:30 pm. 

The Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team could not keep up with Highland last night as the Wolves lost 49-32. The boys’ team will travel to SCC on Saturday to compete against West Burlington at 6:30 pm. 

New London was swept by Burlington Notre Dame last night with the girls falling 71-27 and the boys losing 73-38. The Tigers will host Davis County tomorrow with the girls’ game scheduled for 6 pm and the boys to follow. 

High School Wrestling

#18 Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union faced off against #14 Solon in the first round of the Class 2A Regional Duals and fell 38-28. Picking up wins by fall was Ty Scorpil, Russel Coil, Dakota Aney, and Jacob Nelson. Kason Dopler scored four points with a win by major decision. Solon then loss to #2 Mt. Vernon to send the Mustangs to the state duals meet on Saturday, February 3rd. 

WACO competed in a triangular today and defeated Lone Tree, 64-11, and tied with Van Buren County, 36-36. Against Lone Tree, Deacon Bird and Louden Huisenga won by fall, while Lane Bachman took his match by major decision. In their dual against Van Buren County, Gage Samo won his match by fall. For Van Buren County, Korbin Camp, Tyler Stoltz, Kaimrin Ellingson, Maddix Kite, Ethan Lamma, and Elijah Westercamp won by fall. WACO will host a tournament on Saturday, February 3rd. 

New London, Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union, and Mt. Pleasant will compete at districts on February 10th.

The girls’ state tournament will begin tomorrow, February 1st, with the morning session starting at 10 am. KILJ will be covering 16 wrestlers at the meet and updating as the day goes on. 

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will host West Burlington tomorrow, February 1st.

Mt. Pleasant will be heading to Oskaloosa on Tuesday, February 13th, to compete in the state qualifying meet. Burlington and Keokuk will also be making the trip.

Southeast Iowa Playbook

Tune in tonight for this week’s episode of the Southeast Iowa Playbook where we focus on two of our local state bound wrestlers in Rylee Rice of WACO and Josie Nelson of Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union. The episode will be on KILJ 105.5 FM or kilj.com at 6 pm.

College Basketball

The #5 Iowa women’s team will face off against Northwestern tonight at 7 pm on the road. 

The Iowa State women’s team will compete against Oklahoma State tonight at 6:30 pm at home. 

The #12 Iowa State men’s team will travel to Baylor on Saturday, February 3rd, at 7 pm. 

The Iowa men’s team was unable to stop Indiana last night with the Hawkeyes losing 74-68. Payton Sandfort scored 26 points and Tony Perkins put up 22 points in the effort. The Hawkeyes will look for a win at home on Friday, February 2nd, at 6 pm against Ohio State. 

This Day in Sports History

1920 – Quebec Bulldogs center Joe Malone sets an NHL record with 7 goals in a 10-6 win against the Toronto St. Patricks at the Quebec Arena. 

1923 – The Montreal Canadiens beat the Hamilton Tigers 5-4 at the Mount Royal Arena, Montreal; first penalty-free game played in NHL history. 

1991 – Denver Nuggets Michael Adams becomes the shortest NBA player to get a triple-double at 5’10.

Now Accepting Nominations for Citizen of the Year

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, January 31st, 2024 at 6:06 am CDT

Each year the members of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce are invited to nominate a person for Citizen of the Year.  Nominees should be citizens living and/or working in the Mount Pleasant area who have had a significant impact on the community through their volunteer and charitable activities.

Also seeking nominations for Community Impact Award.  Nominees for the Community Impact Award should be a business, non-profit organization, or event in the Henry County area. The award will be given on the basis that made Henry County community a better place to work, live and play in the past 12 months.

Both awards will be presented at the MPACC’s Annual Banquet on March 21, 2024. If you would like to nominate someone for either award, please contact the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance office by February 15, 2024.

Last year’s recipients were Tim and Sally Olson.

Four New Directors for Harlan-Lincoln House

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 at 4:47 pm CDT

Following incorporation and re-opening last October, the Board of Directors of the Harlan-Lincoln House, Inc. 101 West Broad, Mount Pleasant held its first annual meeting January 30, 2024. The Board elected four new directors. These are Kimn Hassenfritz, Debra Rodgers, Dr. John Bennett and Amy Frantz. Continuing directors are Tricia File, Pat White, Lea Bradley, Paul Juhl, Lynn Ellsworth and Elizabeth Garrels.

One of the responsibilities of the Board of Directors is to share with the public the relevant heritage of the Senator James Harlan and President Abraham Lincoln families. With that meaningful legacy in mind, the first event of the new year will be in Mount Pleasant’s downtown Union Block (111 W Monroe) on Presidents’ Day, February 19. To accommodate attendees’ schedules, the same presentation “Conversations with a Lincoln Collector” will be at noon and 6:30 p.m. by Lincoln researcher, Ethan Afshani from Buffalo, NY. He will share Lincoln knowledge, interspersed with his experiences and artifacts as a Lincoln collector.

The Harlan-Lincoln House, Inc., P.O. Box 251, Mount Pleasant, IA is a designated 501[c](3) public charity also listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

SCC Hires Joe O’Brien to be the New Athletic Director

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 at 3:28 pm CDT

West Burlington, IA- The search for a new athletic director for Southeastern Community College (SCC) has ended as the Blackhawks will be led by a familiar name in Joe O’Brien.

O’Brien left SCC back in 2004 after he coached the men’s basketball team to three national championships during his 8 years at the helm. When he left the Blackhawks had only five sports, now the program touts 14 and according to O’Brien,

“…plans to add even more.”

O’Brien is looking to lay the groundwork for program expansion with a great possibility of adding a new men’s and women’s wrestling programs with a new multi-purpose facility set to be completed this fall.

Simply, O’Brien is ready to get to work,

“Now I have an opportunity to lead the next generation of coaches and players as we work together to build winning programs.”

There will be a welcome reception for Joe O’Brien on Thursday, February 1st, at 3 pm in the Loren Walker Arena at the West Burlington campus. The event is open to the public.

Jason Turpin

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 at 1:03 pm CDT

Jason Lee Turpin, 49, of Farmington, Iowa, passed away at 11:33 p.m. Monday, January 29, 2024, at his sister’s home in rural Revere, Missouri.

He was born on January 30, 1974, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Claude, Jr. and Sheila (Mendenhall) Turpin.

He is survived by his children: Sharraden (Daniel Price) Turpin, Dustin (Ashley) Turpin, Cheyanna Turpin; five grandchildren; his mother: Sheila Turpin and sister: Kynda (Ricky Arnold) O’Tool. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Jason worked for Chem Gro. He was a member of the Farmington American Legion. He enjoyed four wheeling, hunting, camping and being outdoors.

His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

Per his wishes there will be no services.

A memorial has been established in his memory and can be mailed to the family at: Schmitz Funeral Home, P.O. Box 56, Donnellson, Iowa 52625

Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Henry County Supervisors Meeting February 1st Agenda

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 at 12:45 pm 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

 

February 1, 2024

Approve Agenda

Approve Minutes

Approve Claims

 9:00 Monthly Department Head Meeting

Other County Business as time allows

 Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

Discussion Continues on Potential Wind Turbine Farm in Henry County

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 at 12:11 pm CDT

A public hearing was held at the Henry County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, January 30th, to discuss the ordinance discussing wind and solar energy.

Updated map detailing those who have agreed to potentially placing a wind turbine on their property

Greg Moeller, the chairman, read the entirety of Title 6, Chapter 2, Article 11-2 through 11-6 Alternative Energy Overlay District Ordinance. Afterwards, a public hearing was held where the public let their concerns known.

A citizen let the board know that he believes windmills will hurt wildlife and livestock in the area. Another mentioned how the possible 650ft tower is taller than the St. Louis Arch.

An RWE representative spoke up, revealing that the height of the windmill depends on the manufacturer. The taller the windmill, the less they will need to put in Henry County. It seems the smallest mentioned was around 500ft tall, while the largest is 650ft.

Somebody asked the question that many were thinking, “do we have any say?” It must be stated clearly that this was simply a public hearing and reading of the ordinance. Joe Buffington, the Planning and Zoning Director, said that 95% of this ordinance already exists, and that they just tweaked small things. There will be multiple meetings on this. The Planning and Zoning Commission will have many meetings, and then recommend to the Board of Supervisors if they believe it should be recommended. Then, the Board of Supervisors will hold public hearings and 3 readings for the actual approval. This is NOT a done deal.

Supervisor Chad White let the room know that he would like to see public hearings held at different times of the day, because he knows that many people interested in this work at 9:00am.

A concerned citizen made sure that the board knows he wants local labor for this potential project. If it is to go through, he wants the jobs to be open for people living in our county and surrounding area, rather than allowing the work to be given to others not in or area.

Someone who lives on the county line of Henry and Washington brought up how those who live just into Washington County will see the turbines without reaping any of the benefits. This same citizen also wanted to bring up the fact that quality of life will be impacted. She said that she wants to hear the birds, not turbines.

Moeller finished with saying that in his 11 years as a supervisor, he has never seen this many people at a meeting. The room was completely full, standing room only, while many more stood in the lobby. He urged the public to go to the public hearings. An RWE representative mentioned how they will gladly hold another town hall for this, after one was held in October of 2022.

February 15th is the date for the first reading of the ordinance.

There will be many more questions and answers provided as these discussions continue.

The public has been told they can reach out to the Henry County Supervisors, detailing how they feel about the potential wind farm project in Henry County. Their email is supervisors@henrycountyiowa.us

Additional photos of community members who have signed contracts are listed below.

Previous coverage and additional information:

Henry County Proposed Site for 50-90 Wind Turbines