Prep Volleyball: Rankings Released and Holy Trinity Catholic and West Burlington Move a Spot Up the List

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, September 7th, 2023 at 4:28 pm CDT

Prep Volleyball- The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released this week’s volleyball rankings and all the #1 teams stayed put, but this was not the week to be ranked #2 as a couple of them tumbled down the rankings.

In Class 1A, Ankeny Christian is still on top of the rankings followed by North Tama, who moved one spot up, and Holy Trinity Catholic after the Crusaders ripped off six straight wins, five of those matches the Crusaders did not lose a set. #5 Boyden-Hull and #9 Stanton tied for the highest climb up the rankings at six spots. Riverside was undefeated and ranked #2 just a week ago, now the Bulldogs are 7-4 after four straight losses and cling on to the bottom of the rankings in 15th. No team was dropped from the top 15.

Class 2A had three big movements to the top 15; beyond that Dike-New Hartford is still the favorite with a 15-0 record. The first one was Denver’s loss to Sumner-Fredericksburg last week resulted in the two teams flipping spots as the Cyclones now rank 5th and the Cougars are now in 4th. The second one was Wapsie Valley falling from 12th to 14th with Aplington-#12 Parkersburg and #13 West Burlington each moving one spot up the list. Lastly, Wilton replaced Hudson for the #15 slot in the rankings.

Class 3A was simply a mess. Western Christian still holds the top spot but Assumption’s three game losing streak saw the Knights tumble from #2 down to #7 in the rankings. Mount Vernon vaulted up the rankings from 6th to 2nd. Center Point-Urbana went from unranked to #6 after defeating Assumption two sets to one and #10 Wahlert Catholic two sets to one over the weekend at the Shirley Ryan Invitational. Solon fell five spots from 7th to 12th. Osage also entered the rankings at the #15 spot with a 5-2 record. Red Oak and Mid-Prairie fell from the rankings after a turbulent week in Class 3A.

Class 4A is similar to Class 2A in terms of relative calm in the rankings. Clear Creek-Amana and Indianola remain undefeated and ranked #1 and #2, respectively. ADM leaped from 9th to 3rd with an undefeated record of 10-0 and the Tigers have been tested as they took down formerly 6th ranked Nevada, newly ranked #6 Norwalk and #11 Ballard. North Scott fell from 3rd to 5th after falling to Des Moines Christian over the past weekend. Knoxville is now ranked 14th after being ranked 10th last week. Lastly, Bishop Heelan jumps into the top 15 at #15 after Charles City was knocked out of the rankings.

Dowling Catholic still rules Class 5A followed by Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny. Pleasant Valley provides the first movement in the rankings as they switched spots with Sioux City East, going from 9th to 7th. Iowa City Liberty is still in the top 10 despite a 4-8 record. Cedar Rapids Kennedy was exiled out of the top 15 with Dubuque Hempstead providing the replacement to round out the top 15.

Update on IW “Community Day” Free Items

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, September 7th, 2023 at 11:21 am CDT

If you’re driving around Mt. Pleasant, you may notice people coming out of the Iowa Wesleyan dorm buildings with all sorts of items. Do not call the cops, they aren’t looting. Instead, the buildings are open to the public on Thursday and Friday.

The buildings currently open are Sheaffer-Trieschmann (ST) Residence Hall and Hershey Hall. I have been told that other buildings might be open at a different time, depending on how many community members show up this week. The George B McKibbin Residence Hall should be open by tomorrow.

Remember that there are rules to this treasure hunt, albeit not many. You can take anything in the buildings except for items that are bolted into the wall. Air conditioning units are off limits as well.

You are permitted to bring a wagon or dolly to help lift whatever you find. There are mattresses, filing cabinets, counters, dressers, and much more in these buildings.

You will be required to sign a liability form before entering, as there are dangers scattered throughout the buildings. The third floor of Hershey Hall is almost entirely demolished.

You are welcome to park in the parking lots around campus, and bring a truck because you will find many treasures that you didn’t know you needed.

Police Pursuit in Mt. Pleasant – Man With Active Warrant Still at Large

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, September 7th, 2023 at 11:05 am CDT

A vehicle pursuit swept through Mt. Pleasant on Wednesday afternoon as officers from the Mt. Pleasant Police Department attempted to stop a man with active warrants. At approximately 3:49pm, David Hudnall, age 33 of Mt. Pleasant, was observed driving a black truck in the Casey’s parking lot in the 400 block of W Washington St.

Officers attempted to halt Hudnall but he took off at a high rate of speed. This pursuit was pushed south through town and into the county reaching speeds of over 100mph. For safety reasons, officers backed off and lost sight of the vehicle.

Later, the vehicle was located on S. Adams St. It was determined that Hudnall took off on foot and was last seen driving a motorcycle south on Oakland Mills Road.

Hudnall has numerous warrants for his arrest and anyone with any information on his whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Mt Pleasant Police Department or Henry County Sheriff’s Office.

More charges are being filed as a result of the pursuit. The Mt Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa State Patrol.

Anyone who sees suspicious activity is encouraged to contact the Mt Pleasant Police Department at 319 385-1450.

*A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

MPCSD Site and Policy Committee Meeting Today

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, September 7th, 2023 at 8:20 am CDT

Mount Pleasant Community School District 

SITE AND POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING 

Mt. Pleasant CSD – Central Office

1010 East Washington Street – Suite 102

Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641

 

 The Mount Pleasant Board of Education SITE AND POLICY COMMITTEES will meet at 4:00PM on Thursday, September 7, 2023 to review/discuss:

Site Committee Agenda Items:

  1. South Grand/East Harvest Drive Traffic Controls
  2. HVAC Phase 1 Update
  3. HVAC Phase 2 Update and Change Order – Insulated Trunk Duct
  4. Iowa Wesleyan Property Update
    1. Utilities
    2. Due Diligence Inspections
    3. Phase 1 Environmental Study
  5. Emergency Radio Installation

Policy Committee Agenda Items

  1. Review FY24 Proposed Fundraisers
  2. Second Reading of Board Policies:
    1. Board Policy 103 Anti-Bullying/Harassment
    2. Board Policy 103 R(1) Anti-Bullying/Harassment Procedures
  • Board Policy 201.5 Membership
  1. Open School Board Policy Series 400, Staff Personnel
  2. Overnight Trip Request – FFA National Convention, Nov. 1-4, Indianapolis

The meeting is open to the public and patrons are welcome

Weekly Fuel Report September 7th

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, September 7th, 2023 at 7:52 am CDT
Weekly Fuel Report

DES MOINES, Iowa (Sept. 6, 2023) – The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 2 cents, averaging $3.58 across Iowa according to AAA.

Crude Oil Summary

  • The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $5.30 per barrel over last week, currently priced at $86.37.
  • Brent crude oil rose $4.26 and is currently priced at $89.52.
  • One year ago, WTI crude sold for $86.88 and Brent crude was at $91.43.

Motor Fuels

  • As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.58 across Iowa according to AAA.
    • Prices fell 2 cents from last week’s price and are up 15 cents from a year ago.
    • The national average on Wednesday was $3.80, down 3 cents from last week’s price.
  • Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 1 cent this week with a statewide average of $4.26.
    • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $4.93 in Iowa.
    • The current Iowa diesel price is 19 cents less than the national average of $4.45.
  • Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
  • The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.76 for U87-E10, $3.23 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $3.31 for ULSD#2, $3.81 for ULSD#1, and $2.56 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

  • Natural gas prices fell 21 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.53/MMbtu
  • We will continue reporting retail heating oil and propane prices in Iowa in September.

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

Sports, September 7th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, September 7th, 2023 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Football

Mt. Pleasant will hit the road to face off against Tipton tomorrow, September 8th, 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, Burlington will host Keokuk, Washington will travel to Fairfield for a matchup against the Trojans, and Fort Madison will take on Centerville.

Mediapolis will host Regina Catholic tomorrow.

Columbus Community will look to make it a two game winning streak as the Wildcats take on Lisbon at home. 

Central Lee will hit the road to compete against Durant tomorrow as the Hawks look to move to 3-0 on the season. 

Van Buren County will travel to take on Highland at 7 pm.  

Danville will take on Pekin at 7 pm. 

New London will face off against Iowa Valley in a road matchup tomorrow at 7 pm. 

#2 Winfield-Mt. Union is set to host #5 WACO tomorrow in a top five 8-man matchup at 7 pm. Head Coach Chad Edeker will be hanging his hat on the Warrior defense. 

High School Volleyball

Mt. Pleasant will compete at the Wilton tournament on Saturday, September 9th. 

New London will get an opportunity for a rematch with Burlington Notre Dame tonight.

Holy Trinity Catholic will take on Mediapolis on September 12th. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will face off against Highland tonight in their home opener. 

WACO will face off against Louisa-Muscatine tonight at home. 

Central Lee will face off against West Burlington tonight on the road. 

Danville takes on Mediapolis today in a road matchup. 

Van Buren County’s next match will be September 12th at New London. 

Cross Country

Mt. Pleasant, Danville, Van Buren County, Winfield-Mt. Union, and Mediapolis will participate in the Fairfield Cross Country Invitational tonight.

Southeast Iowa Playbook

Payton Walker and Emma Starr joined us yesterday for the Southeast Iowa Playbook and Walker is ready to get the Panthers their first win of the season. Moreover, Starr talked about her leadership style for the Panther volleyball team. 

College Football

The University of Iowa travels to Ames this Saturday, September 9th, to take on Iowa State University with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 pm. 

For the Hawkeye broadcast, tune into KILJ 105.5 FM and the Cyclone broadcast will be on 98.5 FM and 1130 AM. 

Iowa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers, offensive lineman Jake Remsburg, former Cyclone Dodge Sauser, former Iowa kicker Aaron Blom, and former Iowa baseball player Gehrig Christensen have all pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of underage gambling; a penalty that carries a $645 fine but no prison time. 

This Day in Sports History

1953 – Maureen Connolly defeated Doris Hart 6-2, 6-4 for the third time that year in a major final, to win the US National Championships. Thanks to this win, she became the first woman in tennis history to complete the calendar-year Grand Slam.

1979 – The Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN) makes its debut.

1986 – The Cleveland Browns become the first team in NFL history to have a play reviewed by instant replay, Chicago 41, Browns 31.

Second Suspect in Armed Robbery Caught and Arrested

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, September 7th, 2023 at 6:09 am CDT

At approximately 11:21PM Tuesday September 5th, 2023 an armed robbery took place in Mount Pleasant, IA at the Best Western Motel. Witnesses helped identify the suspects and suspects vehicle as our agency was notified of direction of travel. Louisa County Sergeant Parker would intercept the vehicle and conduct a felony stop in Columbus Junction at 11:48PM. The driver, Marquise Rushin, 28, Chicago was taken into custody and a firearm was seized. Later identified Calvin Williams, 34, Chicago took off on foot fleeing the scene during the stop. Marquise was handed over to the Mount Pleasant Police Department and charged with Class B Felony 1st Degree Armed Robbery.

Louisa County Deputies would continue to search for the fleeing suspect. September 6th, at approximately 6:10AM the suspect was seen in the 200 block of Main St. in Columbus Junction. Deputies would see the suspect and chase him into a back of a business, believing he was barricaded, but the suspect would continue to flee the area through a back door. Agencies to include the Columbus Junction Police Department, Iowa State Patrol, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, Muscatine Police Department, Louisa County Emergency Management and Louisa County Ambulance all conducted hours of searching with K9’s, drones and home to home searches. All supported by LCSO dispatch.
At approximately 12:46PM a resident near the Columbus Junction Post Office viewed Williams on their porch asking for them to open a door to “sign for a package”, there was although no package and he would then flee to an apartment building in the 100 block of Walnut St.. Deputies and Officers would then search the apartment to find Williams hiding in a closet. Medical attention was given to the suspect for a minor cut from breaking a window. Williams was transported to the Louisa County Sheriff’s Office, charged with (2) counts of interference, criminal mischief and trespassing, he is also on Federal Probation. Williams will be transferred to the Mount Pleasant Police Department for their robbery investigation and likely further felony charges from multiple agencies.
The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office wishes to sincerely thank the multiple agencies on scene, our amazing Dispatchers that assisted, as well as the amazing response from citizens who were vigilant in apprehending these suspects and keeping their communities safe.

Shirley Ann Brown

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, September 6th, 2023 at 2:10 pm CDT

Shirley Ann Brown, 84 of Wayland, died Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at the Parkview Home in Wayland.

A celebration of her life will be 11:00AM, Saturday, September 9, 2023 at the Eicher Mennonite Church. Burial of her cremains will follow at the Eicher Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00PM, Friday, September 8, 2023 at the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington. A general memorial has been established.

Shirley was born July 22, 1939, in Kahoka, Missouri, the daughter of George and Betsey (Owens) Morris. She graduated from Kahoka High School and was united in marriage to Luther Edward Brown in Kahoka on December 15, 1955.

She was a member of the Eicher Mennonite Church. Employed at Wing’s Café, Washington County Hospital, sold AVON and was a homemaker. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, cake decorating, her fruit trees and attending her children’s baseball and scouting events.

Survivors include sons, Steve Brown of Washington, Curt (Carla) Brown of Durant, IA and Barton Brown of Bloomfield; sister Marilyn Latch of Georgia; grandchildren Jeremiah, Christin, Mitchel, Sam, Rebecca, Brittney and Seth; twelve great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Husband Luther in 2008, brothers, Alvin, Dick and Leo, and grandson Benjamin.