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.

2023 MOUNT PLEASANT HIGH SCHOOL – HOMECOMING

Panther Homecoming Week: September 18 – 22, 2023 Theme: “Maul the Mustangs!”

Days of the Week

Monday – Monochromatic Day (Wear all one color)- Boom Day Pep at School 9:45 am

Tuesday – Twin Day (‘Rhyme without a reason’ or wear matching clothing with your friend)

Wednesday – Generation Day (Seniors – Gramps, Juniors – Parents, Sophomores – Teenagers, Freshman – Babies)

Thursday – Celebrity Day (Dress up as your favorite celebrity) – BOOM NIGHT at Mapleleaf 6 pm

Friday – Maroon and Gold Spirit Day

*(Note for all dress-up days….students must be dressed appropriately for school)*

$5.00 for Homecoming Lanyards (will be sold during lunches beginning Sept. 11th) – That gets you into the dance!

Monday – *Monochromatic Day (Wear all one color)

• Boom Day Pep at the high school 9:45 am
• Fresh/Soph Football Game vs Burlington – 6:00 pm start

Tuesday – *Twin Day (‘Rhyme without a reason’ or wear matching clothing with your friend)

• Cross Country Invitational
• 9/JV/Var – Volleyball vs Washington
• Jr/Sr Boys Volleyball – best 2 out of 3 games – following Varsity Volleyball match

Wednesday – *Generation Day (Seniors – Gramps, Juniors – Parents, Sophomores – Teenagers, Freshman – Babies)

Thursday – *Celebrity Day (Dress up as your favorite celebrity)

• Boom Night – 6 pm (Cost $1.00, no activity pass accepted)
• Booster Club Supper starts at 5:30 pm
• Powder Puff at 6 pm
• Guest Speaker: TBA
• Announcement of Royalty Court, JR Royalty, & King & Queen

Friday – *MAROON AND GOLD SPIRIT Day –        Parade 3:01 pm

• Grand Marshall: TBA
• Junior Royalty: TBA
• Varsity Football game at 7:30 pm vs Mount Vernon

Saturday – HOMECOMING DANCE – 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm

• At Mount Pleasant High School (announce JR Royalty, Royalty, & King & Queen at 9:45 pm)

Homecoming 2023 – Notes

Monday – Boom Day, 9:45 am pep rally at school. Fresh/Soph vs Burlington starting at 6:00 pm

Tuesday – HS VB & Cross Country Invitational followed by Boys Powderpuff Volleyball, best 2 of 3 games between juniors and seniors.

Wednesday – Normal Church Night

Thursday – Boom night begins at 6 pm with powder puff football followed by a guest speaker and announcing of the king and queen.

Friday – Parade at 3:01 pm (normal parade route), Friday Parade participants will line up from the WisdomQuest building to the east on Monroe St. Anyone who wants to be in the parade needs to contact Mr. Stone at the High School.

Saturday – Dance at the HS, 8:30 – 11:30. Announce JR Royalty, Royalty, and King & Queen at 9:45 pm.

There seems to be uncertainty with the former Iowa Wesleyan contents. While there were online auctions for many of the valuables left, there are still contents inside the buildings that need gone.

Rachel Lindeen with the Mt. Pleasant Chamber spoke to KILJ on Wednesday and provided an update. Everything that did not sell during the auction will be available for the community to take home. We are told that there are mainly school supplies, such as filing cabinets and desks, that are up for grabs.

This so called “community day” is actually split between Thursday September 7^th, and Friday September 8^th. If you would like to partake, certain buildings will be open starting at 10am and they will close shop at 4pm each day.

Of course, there are rules to this great opportunity. You are not allowed to take anything that is attached to a wall. So leave your power tools at home as you will not be taking home a souvenir that requires a drill. There will be some heavy filing cabinets and other items that may require a dolly, and you are more than welcome to bring one. A wagon can be used, or anything that will help relieve some physical stress on your body.

Look out for the signs on Broadway St in Mt. Pleasant as there will be arrows that will direct you. Not every building will be open for “treasure hunting”, so ensure that you are in the correct spot by checking with the signs.

It has been confirmed that three buildings will be open on Thursday and Friday for this community day, so please do not attempt to get into the other buildings around campus. George B McKibbin Residence Hall, Hershey Hall, and Sheaffer-Trieschmann (ST) Residence Hall, will all be open. Staging will be at ST and there will be a liability form for everyone to fill out if they are partaking in the event. You can park in the parking lots around campus.

Rachel Lindeen believes this is a great way to say thank you to the community, as the former college moves out. Grab yourself a dolly and head to the Iowa Wesleyan properties Thursday and Friday for your chance to bolster your home.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department was notified of an armed robbery in the evening hours of Tuesday. On September 5^th at 11:21pm, the MPPD was dispatched to the Best Western Motel located at 810 N Grand Avenue in Mt Pleasant.

A male subject wearing a mask and displaying a hand gun entered the motel and began demanding money from the staff. The suspect then fled in a vehicle northbound. Eyewitness accounts helped identify the suspects vehicle and offenders.

The suspects were located in Columbus Junction and fled the scene. Marquise Rushin, age 28 from Chicago, Illinois, was apprehended. As a result, Rushin was charged with Robbery 1^st, a class B felony.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with any information is asked to contact the Mt. Pleasant Police Department Anyone who sees suspicious activity is encouraged to contact the MPPD at 319 385 1450.

The other suspect was not located at the time and his location is still unknown as of 8:30am this morning. The Columbus Junction Community School District will not begin classes until this suspect is found and apprehended. This is a safety issue for all those in that area. The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office has urged those to lock their homes and vehicles and stay inside.

He is a black male approximately 6’ tall, wearing a blue and white shirt, blue and white shorts, and is possibly armed.

KILJ will continue to provide updates to this developing situation.

Columbus Junction School District has delayed classes until this situation is fully taken care of. The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office has not given the “go ahead” yet, so children in the area will not be going to school until then for their safety.

The Mt. Pleasant Chief of Police has confirmed that there is no threat to the Mt. Pleasant Public, and that there will be more details as this situation deescalates.

KILJ can confirm that the armed robbery in Mt. Pleasant took place at the 800 block N grand Avenue at 11:21pm on Tuesday, September 5th.

*Original Post*

“Louisa County Residents specifically in the Columbus Junction Area. Earlier this evening a traffic stop was preformed by our Department at the area of Hwy 92/Eastern Access Road in Columbus Junction. The vehicle that was pulled over was involved in a Armed Robbery that occurred in Mt. Pleasant prior to the stop. The vehicle was occupied by 2 black males. 1 male was detained and turned over to the Mt. Pleasant PD while the other male took off on foot from the scene. A perimeter was established in the area and a search for the subject was done using K9 and a drone. Unfortunately that subject was not located at this time. All citizens are to be aware he may still be in the area so please lock you homes and vehicles and if you see the said subject call it in right away do not attempt to approach. Going to be a Black Male approx. 6′ tall, wearing a blue and white shirt, blue and white shorts and could be possibly armed.”

Iowa Farm Bureau and University of Iowa are offering Hawkeye fans a chance to win four tickets and on-field sideline access to the America Needs Farmers (ANF) Game on Oct. 21 against Minnesota. The prize package also includes a Kirk Ferentz autographed football and ANF gear.

America Needs Farmers was launched by Hawkeye Coach Hayden Fry to show support for farmers during the 1980s Farm Crisis. In this same spirit, the ANF Game recognizes the hardworking men and women in agriculture whose work creates a positive impact in Iowa and across the globe.

“Through events like the ANF Game, we blend the football field and the farm field to showcase the characteristics each of the ‘players’ have in common—commitment, integrity and the drive to continuously improve upon their craft,” says Brent Johnson, Iowa Farm Bureau president. “These traits, coupled with advancements in agricultural technology and research, underline how farmers are increasing their productivity while using resources more efficiently and providing incredible levels of care for each individual animal on the farm.”

For a chance to win, go to IowaFarmBureau.com/ANFExperience and take a short, multiple-choice quiz to learn how Iowa farmers are providing nutrient-dense food while caring for the environment and their animals. The contest runs through Oct. 11.

During ANF Game Day, Iowa Farm Bureau will be present at the ANF Legends Tent at Krause Family Plaza where fans can interact with local farmers, win prizes, and get autographs from former Hawkeye greats, including this year’s ANF Wall of Honoree, Bryan Bulaga. ANF merchandise will also be for sale in ANF Plaza with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Iowa Food Bank Association. For more information, visit www.AmericaNeedsFarmers.org.