Sports, August 16th

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, August 16th, 2023 at 6:31 am CDT

Preview for High School Football

Mt. Pleasant will be hosting Fairfield to begin the season on August 25th with John Bowlin leading the squad in his first season with the Panthers. 

Danville and Van Buren County will be competing in the same district in Class A with the Bears taking on Lynnville-Sully and the Warriors facing off against Central Lee.

In 8-man football, Winfield-Mt. Union begins their season against Central City. New London will travel to take on Easton Valley. Lastly, WACO’s week one matchup will be Fremont-Mills on the road. 

Preview for High School Volleyball

Mt. Pleasant’s first game of the season will be a road trip to Burlington on August 21st. Head Coach Logan Wall has some talented sophomores on the squad this year to help the returning seniors.

New London’s first game of the season will be a home matchup against Holy Trinity Catholic on August 31st. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will host Keokuk to start the season on August 24th. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will be participating in a tournament on August 26th hosted by Bondurant-Farrar to start their season. Head Coach Melissa Freesmeier may have lost some great senior experience from last year’s team, but she’s confident in this squad of veterans.

WACO will host their own tournament on August 21st. Van Buren County will also be competing in the tournament. 

Central Lee will begin their season on August 26th with their own tournament starting at 9 am.

Upcoming Meet the Player Nights

Mt. Pleasant will be hosting their “Meet the Panthers Night” on August 18th at the Mapleleaf Athletic Complex; the only exception being the volleyball team will scrimmage at the high school at 4 pm. Introductions will begin at 7:15 pm starting with the Cheerleaders followed by Cross Country, Volleyball, and then Football. A cheer performance will lead into a run-through for the Panther football team.

Winfield-Mt. Union’s “Meet the Players” night will be August 21st at 7 pm.

ESPN’s Top 100 NCAAF Players

ESPN released their preseason rankings of the best 100 players entering the upcoming college football season. Caleb Williams, USC’s starting quarterback, is atop the list after ending last season with an impressive 52 total touchdowns.

No player from Iowa State cracked the list while only one Hawkeye was listed. Cooper DeJean was ranked 46th after he registered 75 tackles last season with five interceptions. Additionally, he was named the 2022 TransPerfect Music City Bowl MVP after Iowa shutout Kentucky 21-0.

This Day in Sports History

1743 – Champion of England titleholder Jack Broughton publishes ‘Rules of the Ring’ – earliest boxing code.

1954 – American brand management company Authentic Brands Group–then owned by Time Inc.–first published sports magazine “Sports Illustrated.”

2015 – PGA Championship Men’s Golf, Whistling Straits GC: Australian Jason Day wins by setting a major championship record of 20-under-par; beats Jordan Spieth by three shots.

Operator of mower life flighted after accident in Lee County

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, August 16th, 2023 at 6:28 am CDT

Saturday at about 4:30 in the afternoon Lee County Deputies were dispatched to the 1900 block of 150th avenue in response to a two-vehicle accident involving a truck and a residential mower tractor. While en route dispatch advised a life flight helicopter was on the way for Steven Schau, the operator of the mower. Lee County Ambulance and firefighters were already on the scene when deputies arrived. Daniel Sallen was identified as the driver of the pickup truck involved in the accident. It was determined Sallen had his license suspended the week before due to vision impairment. Schau was transported by life flight to the Quincy Medical Center.

Lee County Accident results in arrest

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, August 16th, 2023 at 6:27 am CDT

Saturday in Lee County a single vehicle roll over collision resulted in an arrest. The driver Angel Tarre Valderrama of Montrose stated he was turning northbound on 250th avenue when he lost control. Driver stated he was travel at 30-35 mph. Three occupants in the vehicle stated they were making a turn and lost control. Tarre Valderrama was arrested for OWI, no license, no insurance, and failure to maintain control.

Tate Riley

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, August 15th, 2023 at 4:47 pm CDT

Tate Riley, age 53, of Brighton, died unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, August 15, 2023.

Tate was born on February 14, 1970, in Mount Pleasant, the son of Norma Taylor and Gary L. Riley. Tate moved to Lafayette, Colorado, where he attended college and began working. He worked as a carpenter and construction worker. In June of 1991, Tate married Kim Lovett, the couple later divorced.  Tate returned to Iowa in 2006. He enjoyed playing the guitar and his heart was full of kindness.

Tate is survived by his mother Norma Taylor of Mount Pleasant; three children, Aleesha Riley, Ian Riley, Paige Riley, all of Colorado; three grandchildren; sister Cherity Wibben of Mount Pleasant; and brother Jesiah Riley of West Chester.

He was preceded in death by his father, maternal grandparents Everett and Doris Taylor, and paternal grandparents Virgil and Joan Riley.

According to Tate’s wishes, his body has been cremated and no formal services will be held. The Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory is caring for Tate and his family.  www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Henry County Engineering & Road Department Weekly Update

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, August 15th, 2023 at 2:03 pm CDT

Construction work continues South of the bridge on Lowell Hill. Norris Asphalt placed part of the base last week but was shut off due to weather. Paving continues today with completion of the base planned for tomorrow which will be followed by intermediate. It is estimated it will be another full week before Lowell Hill will be open, but it is dependent on weather.

The Henry County Maintenance Crew is working on a short stretch of BASE ONE from 170th South a quarter mile to dial in the equipment and placement method. Work will continue until 200th street. During the day sections of the road will be closed to thru traffic. After the equipment is dialed in and the placement method is established it is estimated a half mile or more will be completed a day.

J20 East of Lexington Avenue will have one lane traffic August 17th and the 18th while the bridge is under construction. Traffic Lights will be up directing traffic. Work is scheduled to take 2 days to complete the project.

Roberta Louise Ball

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, August 15th, 2023 at 6:46 am CDT

Roberta Louise Ball, 88, of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of New London, died Monday, August 14, 2023 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington.  She was born in Mt. Pleasant July 20, 1935 to Wilbur and Harriett Elizabeth Waddle Hillard.  On June 26, 1955, she married Dwight L. Ball in New London.  He died December 8, 2005.

She was a 1953 graduate of New London High School.  Roberta was a homemaker and was a member of New London United Methodist Church.  She was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes and St. Louis Cardinals fan; loved visiting with family, friends and neighbors; and enjoyed walking her dog, Scooter.

Survivors include three daughters, Deb (Jim) Shull and Sherri Ball of New London and Cindy Culbertson of Ankeny; one son Ron (Dorrie) Ball of Bethalto, Illinois; two grandchildren, Josh (Jenni) Thomas and Ali (Pookie) Johnson; eight great-grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; two step-great grandchildren; two brothers, Ben Hillard of Seattle, Washington and Marvin (Cecilia) Hillard of Phoenix, Arizona; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her grandson Kaleb Ball, and two sisters, Shirley Benge and Mary Feeney.

The funeral service for Mrs. Ball will be at 2:00 PM, Friday, August 18, 2023 at Elliott Chapel, New London, with Pastor Kathleen Moore officiating.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 am with the family receiving friends from 1:00 until the time of the service.  Roberta will be buried next to her beloved husband, Dwight, at Burge Cemetery following the service.  Memorials have been established for New London United Methodist Church and the Kaleb Ball Children’s Trust.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Sports, August 15th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, August 15th, 2023 at 6:30 am CDT

Preview for High School Football

Mt. Pleasant will be hosting Fairfield to begin the season on August 25th with John Bowlin leading the squad in his first season with the Panthers. 

Danville and Van Buren County will be competing in the same district in Class A with the Bears taking on Lynnville-Sully and the Warriors facing off against Central Lee.

In 8-man football, Winfield-Mt. Union begins their season against Central City. New London will travel to take on Easton Valley. Lastly, WACO’s week one matchup will be Fremont-Mills on the road. 

Preview for High School Volleyball

Mt. Pleasant’s first game of the season will be a road trip to Burlington on August 21st. Head Coach Logan Wall is looking for her squad to take care of the little things with a passion that overwhelms their opponents.

New London’s first game of the season will be a home matchup against Holy Trinity Catholic on August 31st. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will host Keokuk to start the season on August 24th. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will be participating in a tournament on August 26th hosted by Bondurant-Farrar to start their season. Head Coach Melissa Freesmeier expects her attackers to lead the charge this season for the Crusaders.

WACO will host their own tournament on August 21st. Van Buren County will also be competing in the tournament. 

Central Lee will begin their season on August 26th with their own tournament starting at 9 am.

Upcoming Meet the Player Nights

Mt. Pleasant will be hosting their “Meet the Panthers Night” on August 18th at the Mapleleaf Athletic Complex; the only exception being the volleyball team will scrimmage at the high school at 4 pm. Introductions will begin at 7:15 pm starting with the Cheerleaders followed by Cross Country, Volleyball, and then Football. A cheer performance will lead into a run-through for the Panther football team.

Winfield-Mt. Union’s “Meet the Players” night will be August 21st at 7 pm.

Hawkeye Football

The Associated Press released their top 25 rankings yesterday and while the coaches decided to keep the University of Iowa outside the rankings in their list, the press put them at the #25 spot. 

The Hawkeyes have a talented defense led by defensive back Cooper DeJean, who set Iowa’s pick-six mark in last year’s season; additionally, Cade McNamara is expected to provide a spark to an offense that had none last season.

Georgia is the favorite heading into the season with Michigan, Ohio State, and Alabama rounding out the top four. The SEC leads all conferences with six teams in the top 25.

Hawkeye Athletics

For the first time in school history, the women’s basketball team has sold out their season tickets for Carver-Hawkeye Arena for the upcoming season. Before this, Iowa had sold out just three regular season games in their program’s history.  

The Hawkeyes have high expectations after making it to the championship game last year for the first time in program history and winning a school-record 31 games. Caitlin Clark, a senior, will look to replicate her 27.8 points, 8.6 assist, and 7.1 rebound per game stat line from her National Player of the Year performance last season. 

This Day in Sports History

1964 – Mayor Richard M. Daley declares “Ernie Banks Day” in Chicago.

1993 – Nolan Ryan tallies his 324th and final victory.

2012 – Seattle Mariners’ Felix Hernandez becomes just the 23rd pitcher to throw a perfect game.

IWU Purchase Agreements Approved at MPCSD Board Meeting

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, August 15th, 2023 at 6:19 am CDT

The purchase agreement for the Iowa Wesleyan University Practice Fields and Central Campus were under consideration at the Mount Pleasant Community School Board Meeting last night. The School Board decided to approve both purchase agreements, the Practice Fields will be purchased for $115,000 while the Central Campus will be purchased for $1.135 million. The Mount Pleasant Community School District has 60 days to complete inspections with a possible extension of 30 days bringing the total time for inspections to 90 days.

There will also be two rounds of School Elections this year. September 12th will hold a vote to fill Melinda Huisinga’s position which is up for election under the old district rules of 5 in district seats with 2 at large seats. Since the school district is being redistricted to include 2 seats in district 1, 2 seats in district 2, and 3 at large seats another election will need to be held November 7th for ALL positions including the seat to be filled September 12th.