Jónquil Genevieve Kessel, 42, of Fairfield, IA passed away on Friday, April 17, 2026, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, IA. As were her wishes, cremation has taken place. As she requested, a FUNeral will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Fairfield Golf and Country Club in Fairfield, IA. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
A full obituary will follow when completed.
Regular Meeting:
1:00 P.M. Tuesday
April 21st, 2026
(MPMU Conference Room located at 509 N. Adams St.)
AGENDA
OTHER BUSINESS.
Wholesale Power Supply – RPGI Litigation Update (Roll call vote to go into closed session).
Next Regular Board Meeting: 1:00 p.m. May 19th, 2026
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jim Carlin is outlining his vision for strengthening rural Iowa, as he campaigns for the seat currently held by Joni Ernst. Carlin is facing Congresswoman Ashley Hinson in the Republican primary.
During a meet-and-greet in Mount Pleasant Monday morning, Carlin focused on challenges facing Iowans including rising costs and access to healthcare while prioritizing the protection of people.
Carlin proposed expanding telehealth and telepharmacy services as one way to address gaps in rural healthcare. He suggested a system where EMTs could assist residents locally using digital tools, connecting patients to doctors remotely.
On broadband access—an ongoing concern in southeast Iowa—Carlin acknowledged the high cost of expanding fiber networks but pointed to alternatives like satellite-based internet. He said federal support for emerging technologies could help make rural communities more attractive for remote workers.
Carlin also emphasized the potential for rural Iowa to market itself as a destination for those seeking lower costs of living and a higher quality of life, especially as more jobs move online.
When asked about financial pressures facing rural schools, Carlin said federal funding is already significant, but suggested the focus should also include how students are learning. He highlighted legislation he worked on in Iowa to study the impact of screen use on early childhood development, arguing that student outcomes may be influenced by more than just funding levels.
And on the issue of retaining young people, Carlin pointed to what he called the strengths of rural Iowa – community, values, and quality of life. He said while many young people leave to explore opportunities, many ultimately return.
Carlin continues to campaign across the state ahead of the Republican primary.
Barbara Jean Ledbetter, 90, of Salem died Sunday, December 28, 2025, at her home.
Barbara was born February 14, 1935, in Henry County, the daughter of Jack and Eva (O’Conner) Vicker. On June 14, 1953, she was united in marriage to Walter Ledbetter. She served as a military wife living in Washington, Iowa, Fort Riley Kansas, Germany, Georgia, Illinois and Texas before moving to Salem in 1974. Barbara worked as a Dietary Supervisor for Southeast Iowa Area Agency of Aging for many years. She was a member of the Salem Auxiliary. Family was very important to Barbara, and her grandchildren were the love of her life. She enjoyed quilting, dancing, and being outdoors fishing and camping.
Barbara is survived by her eight children, Michael (Carol) Ledbetter of Mount Pleasant, Ronald “Tony” Ledbetter of Edwardsville, Kansas, Randy (Tracy) Ledbetter of Mount Pleasant, Kathy (Kenny) Hawkins of Salem, Rhonda (Mumbles) Foss of Salem, Robert (Diane) Ledbetter of Salem, Connie (Scott) Young of Mount Pleasant, Gail Ledbetter of Lone Tree; 27 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren, 10 great great grandchildren; and five siblings, Jack Vicker of Fort Madison, Jerry Vicker of Mount Pleasant, Ronald (Barb) Vicker of Omaha, NE, Susan (Steve) Gholson of Mount Pleasant, and Holly (Rick) Stewart of Coal Valley, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters Kay Hudson, Linda Thabus and two grandsons Aaron Anderson and Evan Ledbetter.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 – 4:00 pm Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Mount Pleasant Golf and Country Club, 2275 Hickory Ave, Mount Pleasant. Inurnment will be in the Salem East Cemetery. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Barbara and her family. Messages may be sent to the family at www.olsonyoderfh.com.
High School Track and Field
Central Lee competed in the Grayhound Invite over the weekend and the girls’ and boys’ teams both finished in 4th place with the girls’ team picking up 55 points and the boys’ team collecting 58 points.
The girls’ team had a pair of victories as Allison Gruntmeir glided to the win in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1 minute and 20 seconds, while the Hawks took the 4×100 meter shuttle hurdle relay with a time of 1 minute and 19 seconds.
On the boys’ side, Evan Fogarty claimed the 100-meter dash by one-hundred of a second and Brett Cook won the 400-meter dash with a mark of 55.55 seconds.
Central Lee will hold their Hawk Relays tonight with Van Buren County, New London, and the Danville boys’ team participating.
Mt. Pleasant will get another chance to host tomorrow, April 21st, with Danville, Mediapolis, Washington, and the Central Lee, New London, WACO, Wapello, West Burlington/Notre Dame, and Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ teams competing.
Fairfield will travel to the Ottumwa Don Newell Classic tomorrow.
The Drake Relays are set to start on Thursday, April 23rd, for our local high athletes with Eli Zillman of Fairfield competing in the boys’ high jump and Washington’s Greyson Hartman throwing the boys’ discus. For a full look at the slate for our local athletes, follow this link: Start List for 116th Drake Relays
High School Soccer
The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team traveled to Assumption over the weekend and left without scoring a goal, losing to the hosts 7-0 and tying Wahlert Catholic, 0-0. The Nikes will stay on the road to play Quincy Notre Dame tomorrow, April 21st, at 5 pm.
The Mediapolis boys’ team participated in the Fort Madison Invite and lost both of their matchups, falling 3-1 to Davenport West and getting shutout by the Bloodhounds 10-0.
Central Lee will hit the road to play Mediapolis tomorrow with the girls’ teams leading off the night at 5 pm.
Mt. Pleasant will face off against Fort Madison tonight with the boys at home starting at 4:30 pm and the girls on the road at 6:30 pm.
Washington will square off against Fairfield tonight with the boys’ team on the road and the girls’ team at home with both games starting at 5 pm.
The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team will host Hillcrest Academy tomorrow at 5 pm.
The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will square off against Highland tomorrow on the road at 5:30 pm.
The Danville boys’ team will take on Wapello at home tomorrow at 6 pm.
The WACO boys’ team will travel to Hillcrest Academy on Friday, April 24th, at 5 pm.
High School Golf
The Washington boys’ team competed in the Dutch Masters in Pella this past weekend and the team finished in 11th place, while Rajan Roth’s score of 82 was good enough to tie for 9th place. The Demons will get back to conference golf on April 27th in Keokuk.
The Southeast Conference girls’ teams will have their fifth conference meet of the season today with Mt. Pleasant acting as the hosts.
Mediapolis will square off against Holy Trinity Catholic today on the road.
New London will travel to Central Lee today.
Winfield-Mt. Union will take on Louisa-Muscatine today at home.
Burlington Notre Dame will host a triangular today with Danville and Van Buren County making the trip.
WACO will face off against Columbus on the road today.
The Fairfield boys’ will hold an invitational on Friday, April 24th, with Mt. Pleasant participating.
High School Boys’ Tennis
Mt. Pleasant will face off against Keokuk on Thursday, April 23rd, on the road.
Fairfield will host Fort Madison today.
Southeastern Community College
The baseball team swept Des Moines Area Community College over the weekend, winning game one 20-2 and taking the doubleheader yesterday, 6-5 and 8-4. The Blackhawks will square off against Kirkwood Community College on Wednesday, April 22nd.
The softball team struggled over the weekend as their 8-game win streak was snapped as they went 1-3, losing both of their games to Iowa Western Community College, 8-2 and 6-4, before splitting their doubleheader to Southwestern Community College yesterday, winning game one 10-0 and losing game two 9-8. The Blackhawks will look to bounce back at home on Saturday, April 25th, in a doubleheader against Marshalltown Community College at 1 pm.
College Baseball and Softball
The Iowa baseball team claimed their series against Maryland, taking the first two games 14-4 and 5-2, before losing the finale, 16-5. Kooper Schulte had an RBI double in game two. The Hawkeyes will stay at home to take on Western Illinois tomorrow, April 21st, at 6 pm.
The Iowa State softball team claimed the rubber match on Saturday against BYU, 9-6. McKenna Andrews swatted a two-run homer in the victory.
The Iowa softball team dropped a contentious series to Indiana over the weekend, sneaking away with the finale 4-2 after losing the first two bouts 2-1 and 9-7. The Hawkeyes will travel to Iowa State tomorrow with first pitch at 4 pm.
This Day in Sports History
1916 – Chicago Cubs play their first game at Weeghman Park (now Wrigley Field) and beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-6.
1943 – Braves manager Casey Stengel is struck by a taxi, fractures a leg.
1988 – Baltimore Orioles set the record for the worst start to a season: 0-14 (will go 0-21).
Barbara E. Raymond, 86, of Gig Harbor, Washington and formerly of Mt. Pleasant and Fairfield, died Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at Gig Harbor Court in Gig Harbor.
Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.
