If you’ve been driving through Mt. Pleasant recently, you will have noticed that one of the most used stop lights has not been its usual self for a while. The stop light located at Walnut and East Washington has been turned into a flashing light, and it will stay that way until a replacement light arrives. Unfortunately, due to supply and demand, this could be a while. 60-90 days is the current suggested period. Please use caution when using this intersection.
Sports, October 5th
High School Football
Mt. Pleasant will stay on the road to take on Keokuk tomorrow, October 6th, at 7:30 pm. KILJ will be on the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm.
In other Class 3A District 4 matchups, Washington will host Assumption and Fort Madison will wrestle with Mt. Vernon at home.
Fairfield will attempt to bounce back this Friday against South Tama in a road matchup.
#10 Mediapolis will host Davis County tomorrow.
Columbus will hit the road to take on Van Buren County this Friday.
Central Lee will take on Mid-Prairie at 7:30 pm for their Homecoming game.
Danville will host Lisbon tomorrow in an attempt to extend their win streak to four games.
#10 WACO will face off against English Valleys at 7 pm in a home game.
New London will compete against Moravia at 7 pm.
#1 Winfield-Mt. Union will be at home to face off against Mormon Trail tomorrow.
High School Volleyball
Mt. Pleasant will be competing in the Oskaloosa Invite on Saturday, October 7th.
New London will host Fort Madison tonight.
Winfield-Mt. Union will hit the road to take on Pekin tonight.
WACO will be at home to take on Columbus today.
#14 West Burlington will take on Van Buren County tonight on the road.
Mediapolis will compete against West Burlington on October 10th.
Central Lee will participate in the Davis County Invitational on October 7th.
Danville will take on the Crusaders for Holy Trinity Catholic’s senior night tonight.
Regional Volleyball
The pairings were released yesterday and here are some of our local matchups. Holy Trinity Catholic is the top seed in Class 1A Region 8 and they will take on Moulton-Udell in the first round. Winfield-Mt. Union will host Danville and New London will travel to face off against Burlington Notre Dame.
In Class 1A Region 7, WACO will face off against Iowa Valley.
In Class 2A Region 8, West Burlington will take on either Cardinal or Central Decatur and Van Buren County will take on Wilton on the road. Both games will take place on October 18th.
Mediapolis will compete against Tipton in the first round for Class 3A Region 8.
In Class 4A Region 8, Mt. Pleasant will travel to face off against Keokuk for the first round.
All Class 1A and 2A first round games will be played on October 16th at 7 pm and the rest of the classes will be played on October 17th at 7 pm.
Cross Country
Mt. Pleasant will be competing in the Southeast Conference (SEC) meet on October 12th.
The Southeast Iowa Super Conference (SEISC) meet will be run tonight.
Southeast Iowa Playbook
Tysann Gipple and Gavin Menke-Bailey of New London joined us last night for the Southeast Iowa Playbook and Tysann talked about her goals this season as she eyes playing volleyball at the collegiate level. Gavin discussed why the Tigers have continued to fight this season on the football field.
The entire episode can be found on kilj.com under the “Special Programming” tab.
College Football
The University of Iowa will celebrate Homecoming this Saturday, October 7th, against Purdue.
Iowa State University will take on TCU in a home game this Saturday.
For the Hawkeye broadcast, tune into KILJ 105.5 FM and the Cyclone broadcast will be on 98.5 FM and AM 1130.
This Day in Sports History
1921 – Writer Grantland Rice does the announcing as the New York Giants-New York Yankees Baseball World Series is broadcast for the first time over radio (WJZ & WGY). He is not at the game, but in the studio reading updates received by telegraph.
1932 – With new ownership the Detroit Falcons officially change their name to the Detroit Red Wings, and the Winged Wheel is introduced; previous names includes Cougars (1926-30), and Falcons (1930-32).
2004 – 7-time All-Star and 6-time NBA Champion forward Scottie Pippen announces his retirement from the NBA and the Chicago Bulls.
Henry County Public Health Now Has Updated Vaccines
The FDA and CDC have authorized an updated COVID-19 vaccine formulated to more closely target currently circulating variants and to provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. Individuals 5 years of age and older are eligible to receive a single dose of an updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months after the last dose of any COVID-19 vaccine. Unvaccinated individuals are also eligible to receive a single dose of this updated vaccine. Children 6 months through 4 years of age are eligible to receive up to three doses of the children’s formula, based on current vaccination status.
Henry County Public Health has received the updated Moderna vaccine for ages 12 and older and will give these shots during immunization clinic hours ONLY. Immunization clinics are Tuesdays 9-11am, Wednesdays and Thursdays 1-4pm, and the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month 1-6pm. No appointment is necessary, but you will need your insurance card if you have one. Uninsured and underinsured individuals can still receive the vaccine through a government funded program. Public Health is still waiting to receive the updated vaccine for kids aged 6 months through 11 years.
Flu shots are also available during clinic times for $35 unless they can bill your insurance. High dose flu shots are available for $85 unless they can bill your insurance. Everyone 6 months and older is recommended to get a flu shot. You may receive the COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same visit.
Public Health is now getting a limited supply of the new RSV vaccine for adults aged 60 and older. RSV is a common respiratory virus that can be dangerous for some high-risk adults. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if RSV vaccination is right for you.
Henry County Public Health is located at 106 N. Jackson Street in Mt. Pleasant. Language interpretation is available. If you need transportation, you can call SEIBUS at 866-753-5107 to schedule a ride for a low fee.
For the latest updates visit HealthyHenryCounty.org/covid, call 319-385-0779, or follow Facebook.com/HealthyHenryCounty.
Bob Moehle
Bob Moehle, 82, of Mediapolis, passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 2023 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Service in Mediapolis. Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 9, 2023 at Mediapolis Methodist Church. Burial will be in Kossuth Cemetery. A memorial has been established in Bob’s name. Online condolences can by left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com. 
Robert Henry Moehle was born on February 2, 1941 in Burlington, Iowa the son of Edward and Helen (Janssen) Moehle. Bob was a 1959 graduate of Mediapolis High School. On June 29, 1963, he was united in marriage to Ellen Miller in Mediapolis. Bob was a lifelong farmer who enjoyed raising livestock, growing sweet corn and going to the Iowa State Fair. He also was a rural mail carrier, past member of the Odd Fellows and Coonhunters Club. He loved visiting with friends and family. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren.
Bob will be deeply missed by his wife, Ellen of Mediapolis; sons, Mike (Beth) Moehle, Bryan (Julie) Moehle and Jeff (Rachel) Moehle, all of Mediapolis; grandchildren, Matt, Russ, Brooklyn, Austin, Keshia, Lincoln, Zoe, Dezirae, Adam, Zachary and Olivia; great-grandchildren, Eisley, Rhett, Hinleigh, Hux, Shepherd and James and brothers, William “Bill” Moehle and Edward (Molly) Moehle, all of Mediapolis.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Ben Moehle; brother, Raymond Moehle and sister, Sue Siefken.
Alley and Parking Lot Closure North of Dairy Queen
Effective October 6th at 8 am the alley and parking spaces will be closed between the North side of Dairy Queen’s parking lot to the 100 block of East Monroe. The alley and parking spaces will be opened back up for traffic on October 10th, 2023, at 8 am. This will not affect the drive-thru at First Interstate Bank as they plan to work around these drive-thru hours.
Please see highlighted area below for the area that is affected. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Ryan at 319-931-8516.
$5 Million Available Through Child Care Business Incentive Grant Program
A third round of funding for the Child Care Business Incentive Grant Program is rolling out, according to Governor Reynolds. This will encourage employers to offer childcare as a benefit to their employees.
$5 million will be made available thanks to this round of the program. Applicants can apply for up to $250,000. Funds may be used to support arrangements between employers and childcare facilities to reserve childcare slots.
The Child Care Business Incentive Grant Program will be offered by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
“Incentivizing childcare initiatives through collaboration with local businesses can help Iowans pursue opportunities that are best for their families,” said Gov. Reynolds. “Tackling this challenge requires everyone in our communities to be part of the solution and this third round of funding underscores our commitment to making childcare more accessible throughout the state.”
A Request for Proposals will be released October 4, 2023 at https://bidopportunities.iowa.gov/. Proposals are due November 2.
Those interested in learning more about this opportunity can join the Bidders’ Conference October 10, 2023 at Noon by visiting https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1606104580. Pre-registration is not required.
Good News for Iowans as Gas Prices Fall Once Again
The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 15 cents, averaging $3.52 across Iowa according to AAA.
Crude Oil Summary
- The price of global crude oil fell this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $6.49 per barrel over last week, currently priced at $86.14.
- Brent crude oil fell $7.96 and is currently priced at $87.80.
- One year ago, WTI crude sold for $86.52 and Brent crude was at $93.74.
Motor Fuels
- As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.52 across Iowa according to AAA.
- Prices fell 15 cents from last week’s price and are up 13 cents from a year ago.
- The national average on Wednesday was $3.79, down 4 cents from last week’s price.
- Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 1 cent this week with a statewide average of $4.30.
- One year ago, diesel prices averaged $4.65 in Iowa.
- The current Iowa diesel price is 26 cents less than the national average of $4.56.
- Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
- The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.45 for U87-E10, $2.82 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $3.62 for ULSD#2, $3.86 for ULSD#1, and $2.50 per gallon for E-70 prices.
Heating Fuels
- Propane prices were up 3 cents with a statewide average of $1.53 per gallon.
- Home heating oil prices rose 2 cents, with a statewide average of $3.88 per gallon.
- Natural gas prices rose 9 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $3.02/MMbtu
Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.
Prep Volleyball: Holy Trinity Catholic Holds Their Spot While West Burlington Climbs Up a Rung
Prep Volleyball- The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) has released their eleventh edition of the volleyball rankings and with less than two weeks remaining until the first round of Regional Volleyball, teams are jockeying for position.
Class 1A had minimal movement with the top three teams keeping their spot in Ankeny Christian, Boyden-Hull, and Holy Trinity Catholic, respectively. Janesville jumped three spots up the rankings from 8th to 5th with back-to-back wins including a win over newly ranked #12 Don Bosco. Central City fell out of the top 15 after going 2-2 at the Union tournament over the weekend.
Dike-New Hartford is still undefeated and on top of the rankings for Class 2A followed by Hinton and Grundy Center, respectively. Sumner-Fredericksburg fell two spots to #6 in the rankings after losing to Don Bosco two sets to one. Aplington-Parkersburg hopped up to #8 in the ranking, switching spots with South Hardin. West Burlington moved up one spot to #14 after placing second in the New London tournament behind Mid-Prairie. Beckman Catholic, who touts a 23-7 record, replaced Wilton in the top 15 at the #12 slot.
Class 3A had no movement in the top 15. Western Christian is still #1 followed by Mount Vernon and Des Moines Christian. Mid-Prairie is ranked 8th and MOC-Floyd Valley rounds out the top 15.
Clear Creek-Amana is now 35-0 and still the team to beat in Class 4A. The top six stayed the same with the only movement in the top ten being Marion leapfrogging North Polk to the #7 spot. Despite six wins in a row, Carlisle’s losses last week to #3 ADM and #11 Ballard knocked the Wildcats out of the top 15. Nevada enters the rankings at the #12 spot after previously being unranked.
In Class 5A, the top three teams are Dowling Catholic, Ankeny Centennial, and Waukee Northwest. Ankeny’s losses to Denver (#4 in Class 3A), Nevada (#12 in Class 4A), and Ankeny Centennial knocked the Hawks from #5 to #8 in the rankings. Linn-Marr has dropped three games in a row, resulting in the Lions being unranked. Iowa City Liberty went from unranked to #10 after winning six games in a row; however, the Lightning have now dropped their last two to Mount Vernon and Xavier.