Back to school time brings excitement and nerves to school age children, and a few headaches to their parents. Henry County Public Health is looking to make this time as easy as possible on everyone involved. This coming Tuesday, August 8th from 4-7 p.m. there will be a Back to School Health Fair in Manning Hall at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 607 S. Jackson Street in Mount Pleasant. This health fair will include back to school immunizations which are required for kindergarten, 7th graders and high school seniors, dental screenings required for kindergarten and high school freshmen, lead testing required for kindergarten, vision screenings required for kindergarten and 3rd graders, and sports physicals for $25 cash only. There will also be language translation available, community resource tables, kids activities, giveaways, and food trucks. Physicals and most screenings have paperwork that will need to be filled out, these are available at the event as well as online at healthyhenrycounty.org/publichealth. The Henry County Public Health Back to School Health Fair is this Tuesday, August 8th from 4-7 p.m. in Manning Hall at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant. If you have kids headed back to school, this is the perfect event to ensure they have everything they need before the school year begins.
Sports, August 2nd
Preview for High School Football
Mt. Pleasant will be in a new classification this year as the Panthers will now be competing in Class 3A. Under new direction this season in Head Coach John Bowlin, the Panthers will start the season on August 25th against Fairfield at Mapleleaf.
After being dormant for six years, football is coming back to Danville with Cody Thompson at the helm. The Bears will take on Lynnville-Sully to start the season.
Van Buren County will take on Central Lee to begin the season for Class A.
In 8-man football, WACO’s week one matchup will be Fremont-Mills on the road. New London, with Darrin Loyd leading the Tigers, will travel to take on Easton Valley. Lastly, Winfield-Mt. Union will begin their hopeful season at Central City to start the year.
Mt. Pleasant Cross Country
On Mondays and Wednesdays, runs will begin at the Old Threshers Museum Theatre at 6:30 am.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, runs will start at 7 pm at Saunders Park by the swimming pool.
The runs will continue throughout the summer until the middle of August. If you have any questions, reach out to Coach Murray at 319-850-0867.
College Football Award Watches
Iowa and Iowa State both have a player in the 2023 Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list. The award goes to the best defensive player in college football.
For the Hawkeyes, Cooper DeJean, a junior defensive back, is the name to watch out for in the secondary after receiving a first-team All-Big Ten selection from the media and a second-team nomination from the coaches for his play last year. He finished with 75 tackles and five interceptions, including three pick-sixes, a single season record for Iowa.
The Cyclones tout their own talented defensive back in senior T.J. Tampa. After earning All-Big 12 Second Team honors last season, there are high expectations for the senior. He collected 40 tackles last season, which included five for a loss, and snatched his first career interception.
Iowa State’s senior offensive lineman Jarrod Hufford is also receiving some praise after being put on the Outland Trophy watch list, the award for the top interior lineman on offense or defense. He helped the Cyclones gain 1,625 yards on the ground last season.
Lastly, Cade McNamara is on the Maxwell Award watch list for Iowa as the award goes to the most outstanding player in college football. McNamara transferred from Michigan after tossing for 2,576 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Wolverines last season.
Iowa State Football
The Cyclones have a different quarterback controversy brewing this offseason after Hunter Dekkers, last year’s starter and this year’s expected starter, was accused of betting on 26 Iowa State sporting events including a Big 12 football game back in 2021 that he did not participate in.
The affidavit stated that Dekkers was under 21, the legal betting age in Iowa, but skirted around the issue with the help of his parents on DraftKings.
Dekkers’ attorney released a statement saying the quarterback will be stepping away from the team and plead not guilty to the charge. This stems from the investigation launched in May after school officials for Iowa State and the University of Iowa suspected a total of 41 student-athletes violated gambling rules.
Prospect League
The Clinton LumberKings have now won three straight after exploding for 7 runs in the 6th inning to win 12-5 against the Normal CornBelters. Jeremy Conforti had a 3-RBI double in the inning as he led the team with 4 RBIs on the night. Brandon Vicko capped off the night with a 3-run moonshot as Drew Dykstra picked up the win on the mound.
The LumberKings and Burlington Bees begin a three game series tonight with Clinton playing host for tonight’s contest.
This Day in Sports History
1921 – After 3 hours of deliberation a Chicago jury acquits 8 Chicago White Sox accused in the Black Sox scandal; the next day they are banned from organized baseball for life.
1968 – Ron Hansen (Washington Senators) and Tim Cullen (Chicago White Sox) become the first MLB players to be traded for each other twice in the same season; they had been traded in February in opposite directions.
1982 – Oakland outfielder Rickey Henderson steals his 100th MLB base of the season in 6-5 win vs Seattle, first to steal 100 bases twice in modern era.
YMCA to close childcare centers in Donnellson, IA
Access to childcare in Southeast Iowa is always a concern. On Friday, the Fort Madison YMCA informed families of children under their care at the Donnellson facilities that both facilities will be closing at the end of the workday this coming Friday, August 4th.This includes both The Fort Madison Family YMCA Early Learning Center and the Fort Madison Family YMCA Learning Center.
Ryan Wilson, the Fort Madison YMCA Executive Director, said the YMCA is looking at different avenues for the childcare centers and they have no reopening date set. He said more staff is needed along with necessary training before any reopening could occur.
The center had recently closed an investigation by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services over a complaint filed with the department on June 23. The complaint is the fifth at the two centers since 2022. The YMCA purchased the centers in the spring of 2020.
The most recent complaint was around a 4-year-old boy who was left unattended for anywhere from three to seven minutes. The boy had been sequestered due to an illness waiting for a parent to pick him up.
According to a report filed by HHS, staff took two different groups for walks and forgot the boy was sleeping at the time. When he awoke, no one was in the building. The center was assessed two violations for not being aware of the children in the center, and not following procedures for a sick child.
Through the investigations, no licensure changes were administered by the state, but the center was cautioned that additional violations could result in licensure status changes.
Wilson said the issue was resolved and staff training was initiated, but the board had already decided to close the centers due to staffing shortages.
Wilson said anyone with questions concerning the closures can contact him at 319-372-2403 ext. 5 or at ryan.wilson@fortmadisony.org.
2023 Access Energy Cooperative Annual Meeting “Navigating Change”
Members were welcomed to the Access Energy Cooperative annual meeting of members last night, August 1, 2023, and the weather was perfect at McMillan Park in Mount Pleasant for the celebration. The theme for this year’s Access Energy Cooperative annual meeting was “Navigating Change.”
A parachuter with the help of the US Army dropped in with the American Flag as “God Bless America” played over the speakers to kick off the annual business meeting.
Speakers of the evening included President of Access Energy Cooperative Marvin Newton, CEO of the cooperative’s power supplier Northeast Power Doug Aeilts, General Manager of Access Energy Cooperative Kevin Wheeler, and 2023 Youth Tour Award recipient Alexis Wagner of Mount Pleasant who shared about her experience traveling to Washington D.C. for one week with student leaders from around Iowa and the country.
Highlights of the event included an outstanding performance by Jake McVey and a great meal served by Mount Pleasant Hy-Vee. Homemade Ice Cream from Hinterland Dairy of Donnellson was served for dessert. Members enjoyed drive-a-tractor by the Proennecke brothers and Dick McGohan, inflatable activities for the kids from Fields of Fun, pony rides by Windy Acres, various other lawn games, refreshing sno cones, a live line demonstration on being safe around electricity by Access Energy Cooperative employees, and information from Henry County Public Health and the Henry County Sheriff. Access Energy Cooperative appreciates their participation and everyone else who helped make the event a success for the members.
The Grand Prize of a $500 bill credit was drawn along with many other prizes. Dividend checks for 2023 were available for members to pick up at the meeting. For those who were unable to make it to the meeting, checks will be mailed out in the next few weeks.
Access Energy Cooperative is an electric distribution cooperative, owned by the members who use the services, located in and serving over 9,000 meters in ten counties in southeast Iowa.
Cyclones’ Quarterback Accused of Violating Gambling Rules
Ames, IA- The Cyclones have a different quarterback controversy brewing this offseason after Hunter Dekkers, last year’s starter and this year’s expected starter, was accused of betting on 26 Iowa State sporting events including a Big 12 football game back in 2021 that he did not participate in.
The affidavit stated that Dekkers was under 21, the legal betting age in Iowa, but skirted around the issue with the help of his parents on DraftKings.
Dekkers’ attorney released a statement saying the quarterback will be stepping away from the team and plead not guilty to the charge. This stems from the investigation launched in May after school officials for Iowa State and the University of Iowa suspected a total of 41 student-athletes violated gambling rules.
According to the newly updated NCAA penalties, student-athletes who violate their gambling process by gambling on their own games or other other sports at their own school could face permanent loss of their eligibility in collegiate sports.
Evelyn “Peggy” Calvert
Evelyn Lucille “Peggy” Calvert, 68, of Argyle, Iowa, passed away at 4:34 a.m. Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington, Iowa.
She was born on December 22, 1954, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa the daughter of Willard P., Sr. and Lucille (Thompson) Garmoe. On August 9, 1975, she married Gary Calvert in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
She is survived by her husband: Gary; brother: Russell (Sabine) Garmoe of Temple, Texas; two sisters: Debra Garmoe of Fort Madison, Iowa, Cheryl Baumgart of Hockley, Texas and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother: Willard, Jr.; nephew; Patrick.
Peggy served in the United States Army for ten years as a LPN. She enjoyed quilting, attending quilt shows, especially the International Quilt Show in Houston, Texas. She also enjoyed traveling.
Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Homes for cremation.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 4, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 4, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson with Pastor Dean Graber officiating.
Burial will be at a later date. A memorial has been established in her memory. Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
John Carl Dean Beaumont
John Carl Dean Beaumont, 73, of West Point, Iowa, passed away at 8:46 p.m. Monday, July 31, 2023 at the West Point Care Center.
Born on December 25, 1949 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, the son of Carl E. and Carma (Drake) Beaumont. He married Barbara Goerlich in Berlin, Germany, she preceded him in death on June 18, 1995.
He is survived by two brothers-in law: Raymond “Red” Wellman of West Point and Peter Goerlich of Berlin, Germany. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara; three brothers: Alan, Roger, and Donald; one sister Carla; one sister-in-law Eva Wellman; and one brother-in-law Walter.
John retired from the United Staes Army after 25 years of service. After retirement he moved to West Point and worked security for Securitas.
His body has been entrusted to Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.
A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, August 4, 2023 at Calvary Cemetery in West Point with full Military Rites by the Holtz-Geers American Legion Post #668.
Memorials may be made to the West Point Fire and Rescue and can be mailed to Schmitz Funeral Home P.O. Box 22, West Point, Iowa 52656.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
Doris Mae Wellington
Doris Mae Wellington, 80, died Monday, July 31, 2023 at her home in Mount Pleasant.
Doris was born December 19, 1942 in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, the daughter of Carl and Mae (Simkin) Register. She graduated from Mount Pleasant High School. In her later years, Doris was fond of traveling. She loved to play cards and was a member of CRS Card Club. Doris was a long-time pianist at Oakland Mills Church and was active in Oakland Mills Ladies Aid. She enjoyed watching Iowa Hawkeye football and men’s basketball.
Doris is survived by two sons, Walter “Butch” (Dianna) Wellington; Kevin (Peggy) Wellington all of Mount Pleasant; two granddaughters, Mallory (Aaron) Cottrell, Randi (Nicholas) Ettinger; two grandsons, Justis (Danielle) Wellington, Cody (Chanda) Timmerman; several foster grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; a sister, Donna Jean Smoot of Laramie, Wyoming; and three nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Janet Mannen, brother-in-law Robert Smoot, and a great niece Cassidy Flowers.
Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 7, 2023, at Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory. Pastor Steve English will officiate. Private family burial will be held in the Forest Home Cemetery. Visitation will be held 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. Sunday, August 6, at Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory. The family will be present to greet friends beginning at 4:00 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for Oakland Mills Ladies Aid. www.powellfuneralhomes.com
