The Henry County Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners
will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 25th at 3.30.
at the USDA Office, 709 S. Iris Street, Mt Pleasant. Tentative agenda
items include approve minutes & cover crop applications, watershed report,
and cost share payments and other district business.
Those needing special accommodations should call the office @ 319-385-2824 ext. 3.
Mount Pleasant, Iowa — The Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that this year’s Holiday on Main Parade will be led by Grand Marshal Pat White, Mount Pleasant’s Citizen of the Year. White’s long-standing dedication to service and her deep impact on the community make her a fitting choice to help usher in the holiday season.
The festive celebration returns Thursday, December 4 at 5:15 PM, bringing a “Storybook Christmas” to life in downtown Mount Pleasant. This year’s theme invites families to experience the magic of childhood classics through twinkling lights, creative floats, beloved characters, and the warm small-town charm that defines the event.
No holiday parade is complete without Santa Claus, who will make his much-anticipated arrival at the end of the procession. Following the parade, Santa will greet children at Santa’s House for about an hour to listen to Christmas wishes and help officially launch the season.
Community groups, businesses, churches, and organizations are encouraged to take part. Those wishing to participate in the parade can register by contacting Erica Martin at the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce at 319-385-3101.
Residents are encouraged to bundle up, bring the whole family, and enjoy one of Mount Pleasant’s most beloved traditions. With Pat White leading the way, this year’s Holiday on Main aims to be a heartwarming celebration of community and Christmas spirit.
Columbus, IA- The Iowa Association of Track Coaches (IATC) released their Iowa High School Cross Country Coach of the Year and At-Large Coach of the Year honors and one of our local coaches earned the recognition.
The Columbus boys’ team did not have a superstar on their team, but they ran as a unit, resulting in head coach Steve Riley garnering At-Large Coach of the Year honors for Class 1A in his 12th season at the helm.
The Wildcats finished in 6th place as a team at the state meet with 227 points, which was an improvement of three spots for their actual state ranking. Ryan Villa led the team for most of the season as he posted a time of 17 minutes and 34 seconds, which was good enough for 50th place.
The team also consisted of Cade Storm, Victor Tovar, Kevin Villa, Drake Marin, Elias Gonzalez Bravo, and Elias Duran. Riley also took home Class 1A At-Large Coach of the Year along with Scott Dennler for the Columbus’ boys’ team success during the 2025 track season.
Prep Volleyball- The Iowa Girls Coaches Association (IGCA) released their All-State volleyball selections for the 2025 season and southeast Iowa had five names find their way onto their respective lists.
Class 3A
Washington’s Leighton Messinger was placed on the All-State 4th Team after her second consecutive Southeast Iowa Conference (SEC) Player of the Year season. The senior led the SEC in kills with 320 and finished second in efficiency with a mark of 0.271. Messinger finished her career with 1,142 kills.
Class 1A
Holy Trinity Catholic’s Presley Myers has found a spot on the All-State team each year of her incredible career as a Crusader and for the second year in a row she was placed on the 1st Team.
Myers will conclude her career at Holy Trinity Catholic with three state tournament appearances, a state runner-up finish, over 1,300 career kills, over 370 blocks, and a career kill efficiency nearly at 0.350. She also earned Co-Southeast Iowa Super Conference (SEISC) South Division Player of the Year.
Also finding a spot on the 1st Team was Wapello’s Mya Wagner. The junior led the team with 639 digs as the squad’s libero. Wagner also produced 29 aces.
Addi Brockway of Burlington Notre Dame collected 3rd Team honors, the first All-State selection of her career. Brockway put together a solid senior season with 342 kills on a kill efficiency of 0.248. Brockway also roofed 28 shots and tabbed 25 aces. Brockway finished her career with 704 kills.
The other half of the dynamic duo for Holy Trinity Catholic, Adalyn Kruse, was put on the All-State 4th Team. Kruse led the team with nearly 400 kills, as she also produced 42 aces and 30 blocks. The back-to-back SEISC-South Player of the Year will be looking for her 1,000th career kill in her senior campaign.
Prep Volleyball- The Iowa Girls Coaches Association (IGCA) released their All-District volleyball teams for the 2025 season and southeast Iowa put 18 names on the list with Burlington Notre Dame and Wapello leading the pack with four players each.
Class 3A
Helping lead Washington to their first 20-plus win season in the past two decades was Leighton Messinger, as the two-time Southeast Conference (SEC) Player of the Year earned All-District honors. The senior led the conference in kills with 320 and finished second in efficiency with a mark of 0.271. Messinger finished her career with 1,142 kills.
Jayden Mueller of Central Lee also found a spot on the All-District team. Mueller led the Southeast Iowa Super Conference South division in digs with 566 for the season. She also added 49 assists and 12 aces. The senior finished her career with 1,684 digs.
Class 2A
West Burlington had a pair of Falcons make the All-District team in Kyleigh Applegate and Baylee Woodsmall. Applegate was all over the court, accumulating 167 kills, 207 digs, and 26 aces for the season. Woodsmall was a distributor with 794 assists, and she finished second on the team in digs and aces.
The libero for Columbus Jocelyn Hernandez tabbed a team leading 325 digs to go along with 28 aces for the Wildcats.
Lastly, Ashlynn Huff of Van Buren County claimed a spot on the All-District Team behind 326 kills and a kill efficiency of 0.272. Huff also added 284 digs and 27 aces to the season’s effort. Huff finished her career with nearly 600 kills.
Class 1A
Class 1A for southeast Iowa was packed with local talent as Burlington Notre Dame and Wapello each put four players on the All-District list, while Holy Trinity Catholic took four spots.
For Burlington Notre Dame, Addi Brockway collected a solid senior season with 342 kills on a kill efficiency of 0.248. Brockway also roofed 28 shots and tabbed 25 aces. Brockway finished her career with 704 kills. Another year and another freshman setter for the Nikes, Ainsley Conrad put together 739 assists and 60 kills in her first high school season.
Emma Elmore was in charge of setting last year but was moved to libero this year and took over like she had played there her entire career. The sophomore led the team with 450 digs and finished second on the team in aces with 39.
Lastly, Chloe Wenzel found a spot on the All-District Team for the Nikes. Wenzel put up 262 kills and for the third straight season led the team in blocks with 91. Moreover, she compiled 48 aces to lead the team. Wenzel finished her career with 460 kills and 239 blocks.
Wapello nearly pulled off the upset in the regional semifinal, coming back from down two sets to zero, but the Arrows were able to win the SEISC-North for the third straight season thanks, in large part, to a quartet of players.
Annaka Greiner dished out 357 assists and generated 77 kills in the two-setter offense. The junior also added 230 digs and 20 aces. Helping Greiner out was freshman Taeya Wagner, who actually led the team with 411 assists as she tabbed 87 kills and 34 aces for the Arrows.
Mila Jordan already showed her metal in her freshman campaign, yet she improved in just about every category in her sophomore season. Jordan put up 308 kills with an efficiency of 0.209. She was nearly unstoppable from the service line with a team leading 72 aces.
Lastly, Mya Wagner, a junior, led the team with 639 digs as the squad’s libero. Wagner also produced 29 aces.
It was an injury plagued season for Winfield-Mt. Union, the Wolves still managed to win 17 games for their seventh consecutive above 0.500 season. Quin Smith, despite missing five games herself, led the team in kills with 132 for the year with a congruent efficiency of 0.132. Smith also blocked 36 attacks and nabbed 42 aces.
To round it out, Holy Trinity Catholic saw their four-year streak of making the state tournament come to an end against Dunkerton in the regional championship in a five-set thriller. The Crusaders were led by their main three attackers.
Co-SEISC-South Players of the Year Adalyn Kruse and Presley Myers combined for 725 kills this season as Myers collected efficiencies north of 0.300 each year of her career with the Crusaders. Lastly, Olivia Bendlage whacked 215 kills for the season and led the team with 48 aces.
For the third year in a row, Holy Trinity Catholic’s Melissa Freesmeier was named District Coach of the Year.
The Henry County Board of Supervisors convened on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, addressing a range of administrative, financial, and operational topics.
Road Department Updates and Projects
The Board received updates on ongoing maintenance and construction projects. Road crews have been blading, hauling spot rock, and completing ditching projects. Notably, a tile was installed near Oakland Mills by the dam to address ponding issues, and new fuel system installation at the county facility is underway, with final calibration expected after a fire marshal inspection.
The board was also briefed on bridge closures, including the upcoming 235th Street Bridge closure starting December 1st, with a detour planned. Additionally, the county submitted a grant application for safety improvements at a local intersection through the RISE program.
The Board recognized two Secondary Roads employees for their years of service, presenting certificates for five and twenty years of dedication. Plans are underway to transition to quarterly recognition to ensure timely acknowledgment of county staff.
School Election Canvassing and Legal Support
County auditor Robin Detrick presented the second-tier canvassing results for surrounding counties in the school district elections, confirming corrected totals.
The Board also approved a $500 contribution to the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) to support a legal brief concerning CO2 pipeline issues and local control authority. This action aligns with efforts to protect county home rule and address potential eminent domain concerns.
Financial Requests and ARP Fund Oversight
The Board reviewed a request for financial support for legal fees from Carlos Lopez. The board also discussed ongoing oversight of ARP funds.
Supervisors emphasized the importance of ensuring all allocated funds are properly tracked, substantiated, and reported to the U.S. Treasury.
Additionally, ongoing efforts to engage local financial institutions in the county’s revolving loan and microloan programs were highlighted, with participation from all major lenders confirmed.
Public Comment and Closing
The meeting concluded with updates on county committees, upcoming board openings, and continued coordination with Southeast Iowa Regional Planning for grants and other county projects.
Henry County Deputy Carlos Lopez appeared before the Board of Supervisors this week to formally request reimbursement for legal expenses he incurred while fighting the county attorney’s decision to place him on the Brady-Giglio list—an action a district judge has since ruled improper.
Lopez, who has served with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office since 2020, read from a prepared statement to ensure accuracy in recounting what he described as nearly two years of damage to his career, reputation, and family.
In late 2023, County Attorney Darin R. Stater accused Lopez of making false statements in an affidavit and placed his name on the Brady-Giglio list, which identifies officers prosecutors deem to be unreliable witnesses. Lopez said he was never disciplined during his tenure and had served honorably, including as the only deputy in recent history involved in an officer-involved shooting that was deemed appropriate.
On September 29, 2025, District Judge Thomas Rydell ruled that placing Lopez on the list was improper and constituted an abuse of discretion. The court ordered that his name be removed.
Lopez told supervisors that despite the ruling, the consequences have been severe. He described damage to his professional standing, termination from his role as School Resource Officer in the New London Community School District, and a shift to overnight work to limit his involvement in active cases while prosecutors dismissed cases in which his name appeared.
He also said confidential transcripts and statements were released to media outlets in violation of Iowa Code 80F, which protects such information unless an officer gives written consent. Lopez said he did not give that consent.
Lopez and his wife, who support a family of six, have paid significant legal fees in the effort to clear his name. He presented the Board with documentation showing total legal expenses of $28,405. Of that amount, he noted approximately $7,200 had been covered by donations from friends, family, and community members. He is requesting the county reimburse the remaining $21,105.
“This ordeal has taken a mental, emotional, and financial toll on my family,” Lopez said. “I am not seeking retaliation or further division. I seek fairness, closure, and the opportunity for healing. It is time for county employees to refocus their energy on serving our community and restoring trust in our local government.”
He thanked those who supported him throughout the process, particularly his wife. “I’m not a perfect man…but I will continue to serve to the best of my abilities,” Lopez said.
Supervisors acknowledged the gravity and complexity of the issue as they reviewed his request. Supervisor Chad White read a prepared statement of his own, noting that while supervisors rely heavily on the county attorney for legal guidance, this case puts them in a difficult position.
White pointed to the judge’s ruling as an important factor. “Considering an impartial, out-of-the-area district court judge reviewed the facts and arguments, then ruled to reverse the Brady-Giglio listing, it would seem the process may have been flawed,” White said. He questioned whether the county has a moral obligation to make Lopez financially whole.
“I’m not fond of the idea of the county having to pay additional money out, but I think it’s the right thing to do,” White said.
Supervisor Steve Detrick agreed, saying the situation has caused a “great deal of strife” throughout the county. “Somebody needs to be responsible for the continued grief and financial burden,” Detrick said. “Working for the county should not put employees in a financial hardship.”
Because one supervisor will be absent next week, a vote on Lopez’s reimbursement request is expected to take at least two weeks.
High School Football
Class 3A District 4 released their Most Valuable Players and All-District Teams yesterday and Mt. Pleasant yielded 21 All-District honors and shared multiple MVP awards.
Carter Myers shared Offensive Line MVP with Washington’s Greyson Hartman. Myers tallied 15 pancakes as the Panthers ran for an average of over 200 yards in district games.
Isaiah Lange and Solon’s James Thomsen were Co-Defensive Line MVPs as Lange racked up 13 sacks for the season, which is more than the Panthers tallied as a team in 11 of the past 14 seasons.
Dylan White took home Co-Specialist MVP honors after going 7 for 11 in field goals this year, including a career long 43-yarder. He was instrumental in the kickoff game, leading to multiple onside recoveries.
Joining this trio on the First Team was Ramzy Davis at running back, as he found the endzone 13 times this season, Kellen Kohorst, Merrick Lamm, Jack Newman, Max Sloat, Brody Clark, and Griffen Jones.
Garnering Second Team honors was Lathan Novak-Watson, Jaymisen Rich, Colton Syfert, Tate Dorothy, Ryan Helling, and Kaden Schadt. Getting named All-District Honorable Mentions was Kale Housh, Gavin Kerr, Keegan Heaton, Grayson Walker, and Asa Rose.
Lastly, in his third season at the helm, Panther head coach John Bowlin claimed Co-Coach of the Year honors for the district with Lucas Stanton of Solon. Coach Bowlin talked about what the award meant to him and what this means for the program moving forward,
Yeah, I think just the, you know it’s obviously, you know, humbling to get that and get our team there. You know, hopefully our guys expect, you know I know the first year we started we didn’t have any wins, but I think the work we put in and kind of the expectations of what it takes. They’ve bought into that and I think they’ll continue to do that, so, you know, I’m obviously excited about the kids we have and what’s coming back and you know, I think it’s just I always tell the kids, it’s amazing how much you can grow from one year to the next to as long as you buy into the process and you know they have and they see it. So, anything if you’re willing to put the work in and good things are happening. We just got a lot of good kids that are doing that right now. So, we’re pretty fortunate to have some really good kids here that put the work in and now it’s paying off for them.
Fairfield supplied four First Team players in running backs Ethan Bisgard and Zandrik Allison, along with Nolan Smith on the offensive line and Voss Richardson as a utility.
For a full breakdown of the All-District Teams, follow this link: Class 3A All-District 4 Teams
High School Wrestling
The Van Buren County girls’ team wrestled at the Cardinal Dual tournament last night and picked up victories over Keokuk (72-12) and the hosts (60-24), but fell to Fort Madison (48-35). Amony Adams and Lexie Wiley exited the night without a loss for the Warriors.
The Wapello, WACO, and Columbus girls’ teams will participate in a meet at Sigourney tonight.
The Mt. Pleasant, Mediapolis, and Van Buren County girls’ teams will compete at the Burlington Grayhound Invite on Saturday, November 22nd.
The Fairfield girls’ team will head to Wilton for a tournament on Saturday.
High School Basketball
The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team held their jamboree last night with the Southeast Conference dueling members of the Southeast Iowa Super Conference. Fort Madison’s pressure defense shut down Lone Tree, while a cold night of shooting led to a 25-25 tie between Mediapolis and Keokuk.
Against a tough Burlington squad, Winfield-Mt. Union hung in for a half, but was outscored 23 to 5 in the second half to fall 39-19. Wolves head coach Mendy McCreight knows these types of nights before a season helps the team’s development,
“Yeah, I think it’s really important, especially when it comes to what we really need to work on and practice. I can actually see it and coach it against a different team. One of the things we need to really pick up is our defense, but that comes as we go. It’s just a whole new learning ball game for us.”
In the final game of the night, Mt. Pleasant’s speed and tenacious defense held Columbus in check for a 30-15 final in favor of the Panthers. Despite a tough first game to open up the schedule next week, Panther head coach Curt Watson and his staff are ready to get off and running,
“I’m really excited. Probably wish we didn’t play Pella first, but it is what it is and we’re going to go up there and perform and we’re going to try to play our best basketball and we’re going to see what we can do against them. But our coaching staff is really, really excited this year with the girls we got and the team chemistry’s great and it’s just been really fun.”
The Columbus girls’ and boys’ teams will scrimmage English Valleys on the road on Friday, November 21st, at 6 pm.
The Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will tip off the season on Friday at home against New London at 6 pm.
The New London girls’ team will scrimmage against Fairfield and Van Buren County will take on Sigourney at a jamboree held by Cardinal tonight.
The Wapello girls’ team will face off against Washington on Friday at 6 pm for a scrimmage.
The Van Buren County girls’ and boys’ teams will host WACO for a scrimmage on Friday.
The West Burlington boys’ and girls’ teams will take on Fort Madison on Saturday, November 22nd, for a scrimmage.
High School Bowling
The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will host an invite on Thursday, November 20th, with Central Lee and West Burlington in attendance.
Postseason High School Football
#1 Bishop Garrigan and #2 Woodbine will meet on Thursday, November 20th, at 9:30 am for the Eight-Player state championship.
The Class A championship contest is set for Thursday at 1 pm between Saint Ansgar and MMCRU.
The Class 1A state title game between West Lyon and Regina Catholic is slated for Thursday at 4 pm.
Pella and Xavier will meet at 7 pm on Thursday for the Class 4A state title.
The Class 2A championship is set for Friday, November 21st, at 10 am between #6 Van Meter and #1 Kuemper Catholic.
The Class 3A championship will be played on Friday at 1 pm between #7 Nevada and #4 Bishop Heelan.
The Class 5A championship will wrap up action on Friday with kickoff at 7 pm between Dowling Catholic and Iowa City Liberty.
Southeastern Community College
The women’s basketball team will host a tournament starting on Friday, November 21st, at 5 pm against Spoon River College.
The men’s basketball team will travel to Moberly Area Community College on Saturday, November 22nd, at 7 pm.
The men’s and women’s wrestling teams will host Hawkeye Community College tomorrow, November 19th, at 6 pm.
College Football
Iowa will look to bounce back at home on Saturday, November 22nd, at 2:30 pm against Michigan State. KILJ 105.5 FM will have the call.
Iowa State will host Kansas on Saturday at 11 am. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will have the call.
College Basketball
The #19 Iowa women’s team will compete in the WBCA Showcase on Thursday, November 20th, at 8 pm against Baylor.
The Iowa men’s team will square off against Southeast Missouri State tonight at 7:30 pm at home.
The #12 Iowa State women’s team will face off against Drake on the road on Thursday at 6 pm.
The #16 Iowa State men’s team throttled Stonehill College last night 96-57. Tamin Lipsey and Joshua Jefferson each poured in 23 points, while Jefferson added nine rebounds, seven assists, and four steals in the all-around effort. The Cyclones will play in the Players Era Men’s Championship tournament starting on Monday, November 24th, against #14 St. John’s at 3:30 pm.
This Day in Sports History
1949 – Brooklyn Dodgers infielder Jackie Robinson was named the National League MVP. Robinson became the first African-American player to win the Award.
1979 – Richard Petty won the 29th NASCAR Winston Cup Series, becoming the first driver to win seven Cup championships.
1987 – Cubs Andre Dawson is the first player from a last-place club to win an MVP.
