The Mount Pleasant Personnel & Finance Committee will meet Thursday, January 25, 2024, at 10:00 AM at City Hall in the City Administrators’ Conference Room.
AGENDA
On the first of the year just after 2 in the morning, Police Officers were dispatched to Lucky’s Irish Pub and Grub, in reference to a large fight in progress. The first officer arrived less than 60 seconds after being dispatched, with three more officers arriving on scene in less than three minutes.
While officers were on scene, they discovered a male victim who received multiple stab wounds during an altercation. The stabbing took place just outside of the establishment. One of the officers immediately rendered aid, placing a tourniquet on the subject, and requesting medical assistance through the dispatch center.
The victim was transported via Lee County Ambulance Service to a designated landing location for an air evacuation. The victim was then taken by helicopter to a medical facility, where they received treatment and would be released several days later.
Officers secured and processed the scene, collecting evidence, taking photographs, and speaking with possible witnesses. It was determined that this was an isolated incident and there was not an ongoing threat to the public.
This investigation was transferred to the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) on January 2, 2024. The CID continued conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and following up on information received. A search warrant was served in connection with this investigation, where additional evidence was collected. Some of the evidence has been delivered to the Department of Criminal Investigations crime lab in Ankeny, Iowa, for further analysis.
This is an ongoing investigation, and the KPD encourages the public to contact our police department with any additional information regarding this event. The community plays a large role in helping their department suppress crime and keeping our community safe. You can reach our department through our social media (Facebook Messenger), the LeeComm dispatch center (319-372-1310), Lee County Crime Stoppers, calling our department directly (319-524-2741), or coming to the police department in person (1222 Johnson Street, Keokuk).
The Mt. Pleasant Community School board met for a work session on Monday evening. Although three new faces joined the board just two months ago, big changes are being discussed.
The world of social media is alive and well. Many businesses, churches, organizations, and school districts utilize popular apps such as Facebook and Instagram to reach the public. The school board watched through a presentation last night regarding the use of social media for the district. It is no easy task for all teachers and staff members district wide to get on the same page, which is where MonkeyThis comes in. This group boosts social media output in the form of an app.
Through this, staff can snap a picture of what is happening in the classroom, on the field, in the hallways, and then write a short caption about what is taking place. Then, the professionals edit the photo and caption, and then it is posted. The goal is to share what is happening to the whole community, not just those who have kids in school.
The board seemingly agreed that this is a great idea, as an app can bring great ease to what can be a large task. This would help get all schools in the district on the same page.
Superintendent Henriksen mentioned how the district is ready to get started with a district social media page and place someone in charge of the website and the page.
As this was a board work session, no decision was made, but there will be more conversation on this at a later time.
Regarding repairs to the Chapel, stress-fractures have been revealed in two of the three trusses. 325,000 to 375,000 dollars is on the high end for repairs, but the board is prepared for the worst case scenario.
Henriksen would like to begin the discussion into central office design in February, and open up the HOWE activity center in April for school use. It seems that the Chapel repairs will be completed in June. This is a rough estimate schedule, however, and certain items might be completed much sooner or later.
High School Basketball
Mt. Pleasant’s matchup against Mid-Prairie last night was canceled. The Panthers will host Washington on Friday, January 26th, with the girls playing at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will have the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm.
Mediapolis and Danville’s games last night were postponed. The Bulldogs will take on New London tonight at home with the girls playing at 6 pm.
Van Buren County will square off against Danville in a road matchup with the girls playing at 6 pm tonight.
WACO versus New London last night was postponed. The Warriors will travel to Highland tonight with the girls leading off the night at 6 pm.
The Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team had their matchup against West Burlington canceled last night. The Wolves will face off against WACO on Thursday, January 25th, with game one at 6 pm.
Central Lee versus Burlington Notre Dame was canceled last night. The Hawks will host West Burlington tonight with game one at 6 pm.
Holy Trinity Catholic will compete against Burlington Notre Dame tonight with the girls scheduled to play at 6 pm.
High School Boys’ Basketball Rankings
The Iowa High School Athletic Association released their third edition of the boys’ basketball rankings and Winfield-Mt. Union stayed locked in at #3. The Wolves sit behind Marquette Catholic and North Linn, respectively. The team sits at 12-1 on the season with Abram Edwards averaging a double-double with 15.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. Cam Buffington leads the team, averaging 18.7 points per game.
High School Wrestling
The WACO boys’ team will compete in a triangular today at home.
The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will host a triangular today against Louisa-Muscatine and Pekin.
New London will host a quad on Thursday.
The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will compete in a dual on Thursday at Burlington.
The Mt. Pleasant, Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union, and WACO girls’ teams will compete at Alliant Energy Power House for Super Regionals on Friday, January 26th.
High School Bowling
Mt. Pleasant will host Burlington on Thursday, January 25th.
University of Northern Iowa
The Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame 2024 class will feature two former members of the UNI wrestling program. Shawn Kelly Sr. wrestled for the Panthers from 1979 to 1983 and he will be receiving the Russ Smith Community Impact Award after allowing UNI to transform his facility, USA Mat Club, into their temporary training facility.
The second member is Steve Hamilton, a former assistant coach for the Panthers. Hamilton also claimed two high school state championships and was a four-time All-American at Iowa State. He joined Mark Manning’s staff at UNI in 1997 and stayed until 2000. He helped coach All-Americans Eric Keller, Randy Pugh, and an NCAA champion in Tony Davis.
The ceremony will be held in Waverly, Iowa, on June 21st.
College Basketball
The #5 Iowa women’s team will look to get back in the win column on Saturday, January 27th, at 1 pm in a home matchup against Nebraska.
The Iowa State women’s team will look to rebound tomorrow, January 24th, against Kansas in a road matchup at 6:30 pm.
The #23 Iowa State men’s team will host Kansas State tomorrow at 8 pm.
The Iowa men’s team will take on Maryland at home tomorrow at 6 pm.
This Day in Sports History
1950 – The Associated Press picks “Miracle Braves” of 1914 as the greatest sports upset.
1984 – The Buffalo Sabres become the first team in NHL history to win 10 straight road games with a 5-3 victory at Boston.
2015 – Golden State guard Klay Thompson scores the most NBA points in a quarter (37) and most three-pointers in a quarter (9) in a Warrior’s 126-101 win over the Sacramento Kings.
IHSAA- After taking a week off due to the weather, the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) has issued out the third edition of the boys’ basketball rankings for all the classifications. Despite the extra time for teams to make a move, there was only one #1 team dethroned.
Cedar Rapids Kennedy is still on top in Class 4A as they boast the only undefeated record in the class. Iowa City West and Waukee hold on to the 2nd and 3rd spots, respectively. North Scott fell from the #4 slot down to #7 after going 3-1 since the January 8th rankings.
For Class 3A, Clear Lake sits on top of the rankings with an 11-0 record. Solon ranks 4th in the rankings, despite being the only other team in the top ten with an undefeated record. Assumption rounds out the top ten with a 7-5 mark.
Class 2A saw Regina Catholic sneak in to the top ten with a 12-2 record, but West Lyon and Western Christian retained the top two spots on the list, respectively. Monticello slid down the list from the #3 spot all the way to #7 on the list as Hudson took over the free #3 slot.
This leaves Class 1A having the new #1 team as North Linn suffered their first loss of the season to Alburnett, resulting in Marquette Catholic and the Lynx flipping spots. Winfield-Mt. Union remained ranked at #3, followed by Madrid and Keota, respectively.
For a full look at the list, follow this link: Boys’ Basketball Rankings
Gary Meth, Jr., 53, of Mount Pleasant, died Sunday, January 21, 2024, at Park Place Elder Living.
Gary was born April 5, 1970, in California, the son of Gary and Geraldine (May) Meth, Sr. He held a few general labor jobs, and most recently worked at Walmart. Gary loved his family and enjoyed spending quality time with them, as well as his dogs.
Gary is survived by his son Chaz Meth; special friend Jennifer Hopkins; two sisters Sherry (Randy) Carver, Terry Carver; brother Jerry Meth; two nephews Zach Carver, Spencer Carver; niece Stormy Carver; and a great niece Sommer Carver.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
According to his wishes his body has been cremated and no services are planned at this time. The Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory is caring for Gary and his family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com
