Mount Pleasant Seeking Volunteers to Shine at the Iowa State Fair

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, July 9th, 2025 at 8:02 am CDT

MOUNT PLEASANT, IOWA – Do you love Mount Pleasant and want to show it off to thousands of fairgoers? Now’s your chance! Organizers are calling on enthusiastic volunteers to help tell the story of Mount Pleasant at the 2025 Iowa State Fair.

Volunteers will be stationed in the air-conditioned Varied Industries Building, where they’ll hand out fun and informative materials, apply temporary tattoos to excited visitors, and share what makes Mount Pleasant one of Iowa’s standout destinations.

Each shift is just three hours long, with four volunteers needed per shift. That means plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the fair before or after working the booth.

How to Sign Up:
Those interested in volunteering can visit oldthreshers.org/fairsignup

Important Details:

  • Tickets & Parking: Volunteers are responsible for purchasing their own admission and parking. Discounted tickets are available for $11/day at Hy-Vee Food Stores starting July 1. Prices increase to $16/day after August 6.
  • Comfort & Perks: The booth is located in the air-conditioned Varied Industries Building—a welcome bonus during hot August days at the fair.

Organizers express heartfelt appreciation for everyone willing to give their time and energy. So if you’re ready to spread some hometown pride, sign up today and help make this year’s Iowa State Fair unforgettable

Fort Madison Man Arrested on Felony Drug Charges Following Search Warrant Execution

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, July 9th, 2025 at 8:00 am CDT

Fort Madison, Iowa – The Lee County Narcotics Task Force has announced the arrest of a Fort Madison man on a range of felony and misdemeanor drug charges following the execution of a search warrant at his residence.

Steven Austen Lynn, 27, of Fort Madison, is facing multiple charges stemming from a July 2025 investigation. Authorities report that Lynn was in possession of a large quantity of psilocybin mushrooms and various other controlled substances when officers searched his home.

Lynn has been charged with:

  • Possession of psilocybin mushrooms with intent to deliver, a Class C felony
  • Four counts of Iowa drug tax stamp violations, each a Class D felony
  • Possession of methamphetamine, a serious misdemeanor
  • Possession of marijuana/THC wax, a serious misdemeanor
  • Possession of MDMA (ecstasy), a serious misdemeanor
  • Possession of a weapon by an ineligible person, a serious misdemeanor
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor

The charges are part of an ongoing investigation conducted by the Lee County Narcotics Task Force. The Fort Madison Police Department assisted with the search operation. As with all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Farm Bureau Day Cookout Contest Heats Up at Lee County Fair

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, July 9th, 2025 at 7:58 am CDT

Get ready to fire up the grills—Farm Bureau Day is bringing the sizzle to the Lee County Fair on Saturday, July 12th, with its annual Cookout Contest. This mouthwatering event promises fierce competition, savory flavors, and a chance for local grill masters to shine on a bigger stage.

The action kicks off with registration at 2:00 PM, followed by judging at 4:00 PM, and public tasting to follow, giving fairgoers a delicious way to spend their afternoon.

Competitors will be showcasing their skills across a variety of categories, including: Pork, Beef, Chicken, & Turkey. Those competing will be cooking for the Combo/Specialty, Team Champion, Youth Champion, & Overall Champion award.

The winners from each category will earn more than just bragging rights—they’ll advance to compete at the Iowa State Fair, representing Lee County in the statewide showdown.

For more information on the fair or contest rules, visit the Lee County Fair’s official website.

Sports, July 9th

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, July 9th, 2025 at 6:27 am CDT

Postseason Baseball

In Class 1A Substate 5 District 10, New London rallied back with a four-run 4th inning to defeat Burlington Notre Dame last night 8-5. Tate Welcher and Gage Burden each tabbed multiple hits and two RBIs, while Gavin Menke-Bailey finished 2 for 2 at the plate with an RBI and a save on the mound, striking out two in the final two innings of relief. Jeremiah Crow, a senior, collected an RBI for the Nikes. Burlington Notre Dame finished the season with a 16-10 record.

Tiger head coach Jayden Flowers knows his team has gotten used to playing in the clutch this season,

“It’s huge because we’ve been battling that all year. Tonight, it was just, you know, if we made an error: we had one out in right field and had one at short stop. The big thing is what we did after. So, we had to get that out after we had to battle back, we couldn’t pile up error after error after error and we decided to play our cleanest 7 innings that we could and we did tonight.”

New London will take on Pekin for the District 10 Championship after the Panthers shutout Moravia 4-0 last night. The two will play on Saturday, July 12th, at 7 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.

Moving to Class 2A Substate 4 District 7, #5 Mediapolis took down West Liberty last night 4-0 behind 6.2 dominant innings from Lance Ludens, who allowed only two hits and struck out four. The Bulldogs will host Durant on Saturday at 7 pm.

Over in Class 2A Substate 5 District 9, Central Lee shut down Wilton last night 3-0 as Chase Johnson and Blake Davis allowed only two hits and combined for eight strikeouts in the winning effort. The Hawks will venture back to Chariton on Saturday to face off against the Chargers at 7 pm.

For Class 3A Substate 5, Washington will face off against Assumption on the road. 

In Substate 6, Mt. Pleasant will travel to play Fairfield for the fourth time this season. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.

Keokuk will take on Pella and Fort Madison will venture to Xavier with both games on the road. 

For Class 4A Substate 3, Burlington grabbed the #4-seed and will hit the road to compete against the #3-seed Muscatine.

Classes 3A and 4A will start postseason action on Friday, July 11th, with first pitch at 7 pm. 

High School Baseball

Mt. Pleasant fell to Mt. Vernon last night 9-6. Grayson Lowery smacked a double for an RBI in the losing effort. 

Postseason Softball

For Class 1A Region 1, Holy Trinity Catholic will host Wapello tonight at 7 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.

Over in Class 2A Region 2, Van Buren County will compete against #2 Louisa-Muscatine tonight at 7 pm on the road.

Columbus will take on Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont tonight at 7 pm in the top half of the bracket.

In Class 3A Region 2, Fairfield will face off against Davis County tomorrow at 7 pm.

For Class 3A Region 5, Mediapolis will host West Burlington/Notre Dame tomorrow, July 10th, at 7 pm.

Central Lee will compete against Monticello tomorrow at 7 pm with the winner taking on either Washington or Midland.

On the bottom half of the Class 4A Region 3 bracket, Mt. Pleasant will travel west to face off against Oskaloosa tomorrow at 7 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call.

High School Softball

Fairfield poured on five runs in the 7th inning to run away from Knoxville in a 10-7 final last night. Vanessa Kessel led the way with four RBIs with Maddy Martin contributing three RBIs of her own. 

Mediapolis swept Davis County last night in two tight contests, winning game one in walk-off fashion, 4-3, and taking game two 6-4. Maycie Thornburg collected three hits and a trio of RBIs in the winning effort. 

Prospect League

The 2025 Prospect League All-Star game was rained out last night. 

The Burlington Bees will travel to the Alton River Dragons tonight at 6:35 pm. 

The Clinton LumberKings will square off against the Quincy Doggy Paddlers tonight in a home doubleheader with game one at 5 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1877 – First ever Wimbledon tennis championship begins as it was also the first official lawn tennis tournament – men’s singles only.

1948 – Satchel Paige, 42, debuts in the majors pitching two scoreless innings for Cleveland in St. Louis.

1968 – Wilt Chamberlain becomes the first reigning NBA MVP to be traded the next season when he moves from the Philadelphia 76’ers to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Henry County Supervisors AGENDA Board of Supervisors July 10, 2025 9:00 a.m.

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, July 8th, 2025 at 3:41 pm CDT

Henry County Supervisors

100 E Washington St Ste 202

Mt Pleasant, IA  52641

Fax: 319-385-3601

 

  Chad White, Vice-Chair               Marc Lindeen, Chairman               Steven Detrick, Member    

           319-385-0759                                 319-385-0760                                     319-385-0761________                        

 

AGENDA

Board of Supervisors

July 10, 2025

9:00 a.m.

  • Agenda
  • Approve Minutes
  • Conservation Caleb Waters Monthly Updates
  • Assessor Nathan Miks Military & Homestead.
  • Discussion and Decision of School Resource Officer

SRO, New London School District 28E Agreement

  • Approve Resolution #19-2025 Cancel Outstanding Checks
  • Review Treasurers Annual Report
  • Final Reading Standard Penalties Ordinance.

The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in Regular Session on Wednesday, July 9 & 5:30 p.m.

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, July 8th, 2025 at 3:28 pm CDT

AGENDA

1. Roll Call.

2. Consent Agenda: To the Public – All items with an asterisk (*) are routine by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion and a roll call of the Council-members. There will be no separate discussion of items unless the Mayor, a Councilmember or citizen so request, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and will be considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.
3. Receive & file communications.

4. Approve agenda.

5. Approve minutes of previous meetings.

6. Approve payment of bills.

7. Receive report of Officers including Resolution No. 2025-55 approving June transfers.

8. Old Business-
a) 5:30 p.m. Public Hearing for proposed plans and specs for construction of South Adams Street pavement, sidewalk & drainage replacement project

b)Resolution awarding contract for South Adams Street pavement, sidewalk & drainage replacement project.

c) 2nd reading of Ordinance amending Chapter 12, Section 12-32 (Parking
Regulations) of the City Code of Ordinances prohibiting parking on Pear! Street from North Main Street to North Adams Street.

d) 2nd reading of an Ordinance amending Chapter 12, Section 12-6 (Stop Intersections) of the City Code of Ordinances for Harvest Drive and South Walnut Street.

e) 2nd reading of an Ordinance amending Chapter 12 Section 12-4 (Speed Limits) of the City Code of Ordinances to decrease speed to 35 mph on South Walnut Street from Harvest Drive south to city corporate limits.

f) Outdoor Amplified Sound Permit for the Henry County Fair for Saturday, July 19, 2025 from 7:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. at McMillan Park.

g) Renewal of a Class C Retail Alcohol License for Jefferson Street Grill located at
121 North Jefferson Street.

h) Renewal of a Special Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service for Tap This Concessions located at 405 East Thresher Road.

i) Renewal of a Class C Retail Alcohol License with Catering for Mi Pueblo Real located at 1106 East Baker Street.

j) Renewal of a Class C Retail Alcohol License for El Burrito Loco Jaap LLC located at 901 West Washington Street.9.

New Business:

a)Resolution in support of the Joint CHBP Grant Agreement and letter of support for the Competitive Highway Bridge Program (CHBP) Grant Project for the Walnut Street culvert project.

b) Authorize the Mayor Pro Tem to sign a 28E Cooperative Agreement with the lowa DOT and the City of Mount Pleasant for a Competitive Highway Bridge
Program (CHBP) Grant Project for the Walnut Street culvert project.

c) Resolution authorizing change of assignment of Michael J. Forbess with the Mount Pleasant Fire Department.

d) Resolution authorizing the change of assignment of Loren L. Woodruff with the Mount Pleasant Fire Department.

e) Resolution authorizing Ethan Faeth as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Mount Pleasant Fire Department.

f) Resolution authorizing Simon Phanthouvong as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Mount Pleasant Fire Department.

g) Resolution authorizing Jordan Pohren as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Mount Pleasant Fire Department.

10. Public Forum.

11. Adjourn to meet in regular session on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.

Road Work Begins on Jackson Street/Salem Road in Salem: Expect Lane Closures Over the Next Two Weeks

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, July 8th, 2025 at 8:02 am CDT

SALEM, Iowa – Drivers in Salem should be prepared for temporary changes along Jackson Street/Salem Road (J-20) as Henry County crews begin road maintenance work east of Main Street.

According to the Henry County Engineer’s Office, the project is expected to take approximately two weeks, weather permitting. While the road will remain open throughout the construction period, motorists should anticipate lane closures and possible delays.

Drivers are urged to use caution in the work zone and to watch for workers and equipment along the roadway.

For questions or additional information, contact Tracy Sammons, Office Manager at the Henry County Engineer’s Office.

Sports, July 8th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, July 8th, 2025 at 6:36 am CDT

Postseason Softball

For Class 1A Region 1, Wapello took down WACO last night 9-1 as Quinn Zwelbohmer fanned 12 in six innings of work, allowing only three hits in the winning effort. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will host Wapello tomorrow, July 9th, at 7 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.

Over in Class 2A Region 2, Van Buren County’s Addison Brauns and Danville’s Brynley Wenig engaged in a pitching duel with Wenig allowing only four runs on five hits, while Brauns dealt a complete game one-hitter with six strikeouts in the 4-0 win for the Warriors. Kayley Snowgren led the way with two RBIs.

Van Buren County will take on #2 Louisa-Muscatine tomorrow at 7 pm on the road.

Pella Christian eliminated New London/Winfield-Mt. Union 11-0. The Tigers finished the season with a record of 3-21. 

Columbus will take on Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont tomorrow at 7 pm in the top half of the bracket.

For Class 3A Region 5, Mediapolis will host West Burlington/Notre Dame on Thursday, July 10th, at 7 pm.

Central Lee will compete against Monticello on Thursday at 7 pm with the winner taking on either Washington or Midland.

On the bottom half of the Class 4A Region 3 bracket, Mt. Pleasant will travel west to face off against Oskaloosa on Thursday at 7 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call. Panther head coach Derek Coleman knows his squad needs this time off heading into the contest,

“Well, first I was thinking we needed to find a game to play so we didn’t sit for a week. But where we’re at right now, we need a break. So, it’s going to be big. Hopefully we can recharge, get healed up and head to Oskaloosa and go have a game.”

High School Softball

West Burlington/Notre Dame split their doubleheader against Mid-Prairie, winning game one 11-7 and dropping game two 10-8. The Falcons will host Fort Madison at 5:30 pm tonight. 

Central Lee had their doubleheader against Burlington canceled last night.

Fairfield will face off against Knoxville at 7 pm on the road tonight.

Mediapolis will host Davis County tonight at 5:30 pm.

Postseason Baseball

In Class 1A Substate 5 District 10, Burlington Notre Dame and New London will meet up tonight at 7 pm at New London with the winner advancing to the District Championship. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.

Moving to Class 2A Substate 4 District 7, #5 Mediapolis will host West Liberty tonight at 7 pm.

Over in Class 2A Substate 5 District 9, Louisa-Muscatine pushed a run across in the 7th inning to down West Burlington last night 8-7. Ayden Figuereo finished the night 2 for 4 at the plate with three RBIs. The Falcons ended the season with an 8-12 record. 

Winfield-Mt. Union fell to Wilton last night 15-2. The Wolves collected a 5-15 record for the season.

Central Lee will face off against Wilton tonight at 5 pm at Chariton Middle School. 

For Class 3A Substate 5, Washington will face off against Assumption on the road. In Substate 6, Mt. Pleasant will travel to play Fairfield for the fourth time this season, while Keokuk will take on Pella and Fort Madison will venture to Xavier with both games on the road. 

For Class 4A Substate 3, Burlington grabbed the #4-seed and will hit the road to compete against the #3-seed Muscatine.

Classes 3A and 4A will start postseason action on Friday, July 11th, with first pitch at 7 pm. 

High School Baseball

Fairfield fell to Mt. Vernon last night 7-3. Cason Miller knocked a double with an RBI in the losing effort. 

Mt. Pleasant will host Mt. Vernon tonight at 7 pm.

Prospect League

Burlington Bee Kooper Schulte competed in the Home Run Derby last night as the #7-seed and advanced to the second round after winning a swing off against Brady Lester, hitting a combined eight home runs between the first round and two rounds of swing offs. His night would end in the semifinals after Schulte launched seven balls out of the park, needing one more to force another swing off. 

The 2025 Prospect League All-Star game is scheduled to start tonight in Springfield, Illinois at Robin Roberts Stadium at 6:30 pm with five Bees in attendance. 

This Day in Sports History

1889 – John L. Sullivan successfully defends the last officially sanctioned, bare-knuckle world heavyweight prizefighting championship; Jake Kilrain’s trainer throws in the towel after 75 rounds in Mississippi.

1991 – Major league umpire Steve Palermo and former NFL defensive lineman Terence Mann are shot trying to help two waitresses from being robbed.

2010 – During the first round of the John Deere Classic, Paul Goydos became the 4th and oldest player in PGA Tour history to shoot 59; the round included 12 birdies and six pars.