Man Arrested After Firing Shots Into Crowd

A man has been arrested after firing shots into a crowd early Sunday morning. Just before 2:00am on July 23rd, gunshots were fired at Doc’s Tavern, 1622 Aetna. Officers arrived on scene and were told by tavern patrons that Tyler Underwood had been at the tavern and fired shots into the crowd upon leaving. Officers were told Underwood then left the area on foot.

Officers located Underwood a few blocks away from the tavern. He was not in possession of a gun and was arrested for public intoxication.

Officers were then alerted that a male arrived at the hospital in Fort Madison with a gunshot wound to his shin, saying it happened at Doc’s.

Underwood, 33, was then additionally charged with willful injury, possession of a firearm by a felon, aggravated assault, reckless use of a firearm, and intimidation with a firearm.

Sports, July 24th

Reminder: Family Week for Iowa High School Sports

Recap of the Baseball State Championships

In Class 1A, Collin Homan’s 4 innings of work striking out 5 batters and two RBIs at the plate lead Remsen St. Mary’s to their 8th state championship in their 7-4 win over Lisbon. Aiden Jensen notched two RBIs for the Lions.

Beckman Catholic cruised past Underwood 7-1 to claim their 7th state championship for Class 2A. Luke Sigwarth notched 3 strikeouts in 5 innings of work.

In Class 3A, Western Dubuque is back-to-back champions after taking down North Polk 6-2. Caleb Klein tallied two RBIs in the win with Isaac Then picking up the win.

In Class 4A, Johnston claimed their 7th championship after defeating Ames 6-5 in extra innings. Adam Kayko led the team with 2 RBIs as he smacked a double in the winning effort. The Dragons have now won the past two state championships for Class 4A.

Recap of the Softball State Championships

In Class 1A, North Linn shut out Martensdale-St. Marys 6-0 to claim the championship. Skylar Benesh was unstoppable at the plate, clobbering two home runs, while Ellie Flanagan was a menace in the circle going the complete game, allowing just one hit and fanning five batters.

In Class 2A, Regina Catholic was down early but a big third inning led to the Regals taking the championship 6-2 over Van Meter. 

In Class 3A, Williamsburg allowed only one run through the tournament that culminated in a 4-0 win over Assumption to win the championship. Peyton Driscoll pitched a complete game shutout allowing only 5 hits.

Winterset had a long way to go as the 7th seed, but the Huskies outlasted North Scott 5-3 to repeat as state champions. Molly Breeding picked up the win and notched two RBIs for the Huskies.

In Class 5A, Ankeny Centennial demolished Pleasant Valley 11-0 to claim the state championship. Jordyn Kennedy and Mariah Belzer smacked home runs and finished with 3 RBIs apiece. 

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.

Prospect League

The Clinton LumberKings took down the O’Fallon Hoots on Saturday 4-3. 

The Burlington Bees swept their weekend series, defeating the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes 11-5 on Saturday then taking down the LumberKings 8-6 yesterday. 

Keanu Spenser smacked a home run in Saturday’s win with Trent Rice and Jackson Fisher leading the team with three RBIs each. 

In the win yesterday, Cedric Dunnwald stung the LumberKings for a three-run homer to help out the winning effort. Tate Gillen led the losing effort with three RBIs. 

The Bees and LumberKings will face off tomorrow, July 25th, in Burlington. 

This Day in Sports History

1908 – American Johnny Hayes wins London Olympic marathon in Games record 2:55:18.4 after Dorando Pietri of Italy disqualified for receiving assistance before the finish line.

1978 – Billy Martin resigns as Yankee manager after “one is a born liar the other a convicted one” comment about Steinbrenner and Jackson.

2005 – 92nd Tour de France: no winner; Lance Armstrong retires after winning a record seventh consecutive victory but disqualified in 2012 for doping

All God’s Creatures Yard Sale

The newest business in town is throwing another yard sale. All God’s Creatures is still accepting items for donation through July 28th, and you can message them on Facebook to arrange drop off. The last yard sale was so successful, they have decided to do it again. The business, which plans to take care of animals in need and help give them new homes, plans to open soon and is throwing an indoor garage sale at the All God’s Creatures building at 2205 E Washington St, Mt. Pleasant. They will also be giving prerenovation tours, providing info and updates, and raising funds for the future animal shelter in Henry County. This sale will take place on Saturday, July 29th from 8am-noon at the All God’s Creatures building.

Georgine Wells

Georgine Wells, 86, of Mt. Pleasant, died Saturday, July 22, 2023 at her residence.

A funeral mass for Georgine will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, July 25 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 607 S. Jackson St., Mt. Pleasant. Father Paul Connolly will celebrate the mass. Burial will be in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery. Friends may greet the family at 9am until the time of the service.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to All God’s Creatures of MT. Pleasant. On-line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com. The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant, is caring for Georgine and her family.

Mary Georgine (Sporkman) Wells was born March 10, 1937 in St. Paul, IA. She was the daughter of Leonard John and Henrietta (Helman) Sporkman. She graduated from St. James Catholic High School in 1955. On September 15, 1956 at St. James the Less Catholic Church in St. Paul, Georgine was united in marriage to Jerry Eugene Wells. Mr. Wells preceded in death on December 1, 2020 in West Burlington, IA.

Georgine had worked at the former Dream Drive-In in Mt. Pleasant. She worked for Seedorff Construction at the building of the Mt. Pleasant Correctional Institute. Georgine was the bookkeeper for the family masonry construction business, and was her husband’s assistant in construction, mixing mortar and whatever else needed to be done to complete projects. For most of her working career, Georgine was a machine operator for the former Metromail Corporation in Mt. Pleasant, from which she retired.

Georgine was baptized and confirmed at St. James the Less Catholic Church and was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. At St. Alphonsus, she had previously belonged to the Altar & Rosary Society. She served 2 years as Chair of the church’s Old Threshers Steering Committee. For many years, Georgine served as the Wedding Coordinator for St. Alphonsus Church.

Georgine loved living on the Wells family Heritage Century Farm. Jerry and she proudly accepted their farm’s recognition at the Iowa State Fair. Her happy places were mowing on the farm and mushroom hunting.

Those thankful for sharing in Georgine’s life include two daughters and their husbands – Donna & Dennis Maloney of Lake Worth, FL and Deborah & John Mascarenas of Mt. Pleasant; her siblings – Donald (Elaine) Sporkman of West Point, IA, Fra

ncine Sporkman of Mt. Pleasant, and Mary Beth (Adrian) Moeller of Houghton, IA; 7 grandchildren – Bobbie (Mark) Sieren, Jamie (Joe) Guerra, Mindie (Michael) Duke, Evan (Kadie) Johannson, Justice (Marcello) Barreto, Ayla (Dillon) Armstrong and Harley Carle and 6 great grandchildren.

Her parents, husband and a grandson – Mathew Manning, precede in death.

 

July 24th, 2023 – July 30th, 2023

07/24/23
Allison Maxwell
07/24/23
Brady Muff
07/24/23
Mary Notestein
07/24/23
Jarrett Wilson
07/25/23
Tracy Andermann
07/25/23
Ava English
07/25/23
Beckham Prough
07/25/23
Joni McArtor
07/25/23
Aaron Kimzey
07/26/23
John Barr
07/26/23
Mary Wettach
07/26/23
Rondi Smithburg
07/26/23
Jeremy Orr
07/27/23
Laci Palar
07/27/23
Amy Pullis
07/27/23
Nicholas Ridenour
07/27/23
Pat & Aaron Coe Anniversary
07/27/23
Mary Ferguson - 81
07/28/23
Doyle Dunn
07/28/23
Melvin Messer
07/28/23
John Thomas
07/28/23
Susan Gholson
07/28/23
Scott & Allyson McCarty-Anniversary
07/29/23
Pat Doak
07/29/23
Jackson Styron
07/29/23
Brianna Wibstad (turning 13 years old!)
07/30/23
Danielle Davidson
07/30/23
Macy Jones

Sports, July 22nd

High School Postseason Baseball

In Class 1A, Collin Homan’s 4 innings of work striking out 5 batters and two RBIs at the plate lead Remsen St. Mary’s to their 8th state championship in their 7-4 win over Lisbon. Aiden Jensen notched two RBIs for the Lions.

Beckman Catholic cruised past Underwood 7-1 to claim their 7th state championship for Class 2A. Luke Sigwarth notched 3 strikeouts in 5 innings of work.

In Class 3A, Western Dubuque is back-to-back champions after taking down North Polk 6-2. Caleb Klein tallied two RBIs in the winn with Isaac Then picking up the win.

In Class 4A, Johnston claimed their 7th championship after defeating Ames 6-5 in extra innings. The Dragons have now won the past two state championships for Class 4A.

High School Postseason Softball

In Class 1A, North Linn shut out Martensdale-St. Marys 6-0 to claim the championship. Wayne cruised past Clarksville 7-2 to win 3rd place.

In Class 2A, Regina Catholic was down early but a big third inning led to the Regals taking the championship 6-2 over Van Meter. Central Springs demolished Interstate 35, 10-0, to finish in 3rd place. 

In Class 3A, Williamsburg allowed only one run in the run through the tournament that culminated in a 4-0 win over Assumption to win the championship. Estherville Lincoln Central finished in 3rd place after taking down Wahlert Catholic 4-2. 

Winterset had a long way to go as the 7th seed, but the Huskies outlasted North Scott 5-3 to repeat as state champions. Norwalk shut out Fort Dodge 5-0 to capture 3rd place. 

In Class 5A, Ankeny Centennial demolished Pleasant Valley 11-0 to claim the state championship. Muscatine handled Southeast Polk 5-0 to earn 3rd place.

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.

Prospect League

The Burlington Bees fell to the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp yesterday 4-3. Tanner Holland clobbered a two run homer in the losing effort. The Bees will face off against the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes tonight. 

The Clinton LumberKings ended their losing streak against the O’Fallon Hoots last night 11-4. Tate Gillen led the LumberKings with 4 RBIs in the winning effort. The LumberKings will take on the Hoots again tonight. 

This Day in Sports History

1923 – Washington Senators future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Walter Johnson becomes 1st to reach 3,000 career strikeout milestone (en route to 3,508) with 5 K’s in 3-1 win over Cleveland.

1967 – Atlanta Braves establish MLB record for number of pitchers called upon in one inning; 5 used in 9th inning of 5-4 defeat to St. Louis Cardinals.

2019 – NFL Dallas Cowboys named most valuable sports team in the world worth $5 billion, MLB New York Yankees 2nd at $4.6 billion, Real Madrid 3rd with $4.2 billion according to Forbes.

State Baseball and Softball Scores (Friday, July 21st)

Baseball 

Class 1A

Remsen St. Mary’s 7, Lisbon 4

Class 2A

Beckman Catholic 7, Underwood 1

Class 3A

Western Dubuque 6, North Polk 2

Class 4A

Johnston 6, Ames 5

Softball

Class 1A

Championship Game

North Linn 6, Martensdale-St. Marys 0

3rd Place Game

Wayne 7, Clarksville 2

Class 2A

Championship Game 

Regina Catholic 6, Van Meter 2

3rd Place Game 

Central Springs, Interstate 35 0

Class 3A

Championship Game

Williamsburg 4, Assumption 0

3rd Place Game

Estherville Lincoln Central 4, Wahlert Catholic 2

Growing Hope Globally Offering Special Guest Presentation from Honduras

The Mt. Pleasant Growing Hope Globally has been operating in town since 2015 and has asserted themselves as a staple in the community. In just eight years, they have raised more than half a million dollars which has helped more than 10,000 people find food security in the developing world.

Growing Hope Globally in Mount Pleasant is a community of people from several congregations and businesses that empower people to have the dignity of raising their own food. They have a special guest on Wednesday, July 26th, with Fernanda Villeda (VE-YEAH-DA). She will speak about some of the work currently being done in communities in Honduras to assist people to grow their own food. Fernanda will share some of the challenges that people in these communities are facing. Hope, the stories of good work, and ways to support them, will also be shared.

She works with Mennonite Social Action Commission in partnership with Church World Service and Growing Hope Globally.

If you’d like to meet Fernanda, the First Presbyterian Church of Mount Pleasant is opening their doors on July 26th at 6pm, to ensure that those interested can hear this inspiring story and the global impact individuals and churches are making from right here in Mt. Pleasant.

 

About the Honduras Macuelizo Program

“Honduras has the highest vulnerability in the world for natural disasters such as floods, landslides, droughts and forest fires. Building on work begun in 2008 in the Honduras Nueva Frontera program, Church World Service and local partner Mennonite Social Action Commission (CASM) have started to expand into neighboring municipalities and counties as they continue to make a wide impact on food security in the Santa Barbara department. This program promotes natural resource protection and implements conservation practices to improve agricultural production and mitigate the effects of climate change. This program also promotes crop diversification to improve diet, nutrition and income. Local alliances are formed with a wide variety of groups that help to strengthen food chains, organize advocacy efforts that promote the rights of children, and reduce violence in the communities. Youth are encouraged to participate in activities that highlight the protection of the environment and natural resources.”