Chamber Announces 2023 Small Business of the Year Finalists

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, April 13th, 2023 at 4:06 pm CDT

MOUNT PLEASANT – Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year.

In the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance, more than 250 businesses have less than 25 employees. Those businesses contribute over $60,000 to the Chamber annually and collectively, small business accounts for more than 1200 jobs in the community.

To showcase small business, the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance is pleased to announce that Small Business Week will be celebrated May 1-5, 2023. In conjunction, we are pleased to announce the five finalists for the 2023 Small Business of the Year award. Congratulations to Brown’s Shoe Fit, KILJ AM & FM Radio, Moutrie Trucking LLC, Wilson Distributor Service and Your Dream Home Furniture and Floors.

The 2023 Small Business of the Year will be announced at the Small Business Breakfast on May 5.

Small Business Week is made possible by these sponsors:  Platinum-Pilot Grove Savings Bank; Gold-AllenMitchell, LLP; Silver – Cornerstone Building Brands

 

Dorothy Jacobs

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, April 13th, 2023 at 3:34 pm CDT

Dorothy Jacobs, 81, of New London, died Friday, April 7, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, following a brief battle with cancer.

Dorothy Dale Walter was born December 4, 1941, in Galesburg, Illinois, to Cyrus Dale and Mildred Fay Brown Walter. She graduated from Knoxville High School. On January 1, 1960, she married Everett Martin Jacobs Jr. in Galesburg. She was a homemaker while they raised six children. She volunteered in the New London schools in many activities, such as reading with elementary students and helping fundraise for the Music Boosters as a parent and grandparent. When the youngest children were older, she provided childcare in their home for grandchildren and neighborhood children. She then worked 23 years at the H.J. Nugen Public Library in New London where she was known as “Grandma Dorothy” to many of the youth. She retired from the library in 2017. She also was Baltimore Township Clerk for many years, retiring in 2022. As a long-time member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she served in many positions where she taught children, youth, and adults about Jesus Christ.

Survivors include her husband, Martin; four daughters, Myra (Greg) Thomas of Mt. Pleasant, Martha Bell of New London, Melissa (Bob) Bence of Burlington, and Maureen Jacobs of Bettendorf; one daughter-in-law, Kathy Jacobs of Nauvoo; one son, Maurice (Marlyn) Jacobs of Ocoee, Florida; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Lyman (Linda) Walter of Maquon, Illinois, Tom (Kay) Walter of Knoxville, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; one infant daughter, Susan Jacobs; one son, Martin Dale Jacobs; two sisters, Carolyn Crouch and Nancy Bucher; and one brother, Jerry Walter.

The funeral service for Mrs. Jacobs will begin at 10:00 a.m. April 22, 2023, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2727 Cliff Road, Burlington. President Ryan Sowell will officiate. Burial will follow the service at Biggsville Cemetery. Visitation will begin at noon April 21 at Elliott Chapel, New London, with family receiving friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Aid Fund. Those who wish to donate online may do so at www.philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org . Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Two Vehicle Collision

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, April 13th, 2023 at 3:28 pm CDT

Thursday, April 13, Mount Pleasant Police investigated a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of Cherry Street and Mapleleaf Drive.  Rita Davis of Mount Pleasant was driving north on Cherry.  She stopped at the stop sign and then proceeded into the intersection where her vehicle collided with an eastbound Jeep driven by Katherine Street.  No injuries were reported.

Henry County Ban On Burning

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, April 13th, 2023 at 3:19 pm CDT

At the request of the Henry County Emergency Management Coordinator, Walt Jackson, the Office of the State Fire Marshal prohibits open burning in Henry County.  Upon investigation the Fire Marshal finds that conditions in Henry County are such that open burning constitutes a danger to life and/or property. The ban remians in place  until Jackson notifies the State Fire Marshal that the dangerous conditions no longer exist. Violation of the order is a simple misdemeanor. Jackson requested the ban on behalf of the fire departments with fire districts located in Henry County.

Prep Girls Soccer: Class 3A with a Top 3 Shakeup After New Rankings

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, April 13th, 2023 at 2:04 pm CDT

Prep Girls’ Soccer- The third edition of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union soccer rankings has been released and Class 3A has a new #1, #2, and #3 with a big shakeup.

Class 1A had the least amount of movement as no teams were dropped out of the top 15 and the only change in rankings was Denver hoping Treynor to be ranked #14 as they start the season with a 3-0 record. Des Moines Christian has allowed only one goal on the year and have the 5th best goal scorer in Jenna Roberts (10 goals) and Sami Webster who is 1st in assists with 10 on the season. Davenport Assumption is 1-2 on the season and ranked 2nd as their two loses come against Class 3A ranked opponents in Muscatine and Bettendorf. The top goal scorer for Class 1A is Eden More for 8th ranked Van Meter as she has netted 13 goals.

Dallas Center-Grimes remains atop Class 2A despite a 3-2 record. One of those loses came against Dowling Catholic—a top team in Class 3A—2-0. North Scott is 5-0 on the season and ranked 2nd with North Polk coming into this week’s ranking 3rd. Xavier has not won a game yet but fell only one spot from 5th to 6th. LeMars dropped out of the top 15 after dropping their last two games to Spirit Lake (3-2) and Sergeant Bluff-Luton (2-0). Marion replaces the Bulldogs for the 15th ranking as the Wolves have won their two games by an average of almost 10 goals.

The city of Ankeny saw their two teams tumble from the top spots after losses to ranked opponents. Ankeny Centennial faced off against then ranked 7th Dowling Catholic two days ago and fans were treated to a fierce battle that was decided by penalty kicks, the result was a Maroon 3-2 win. The win catapulted Dowling Catholic to the #2 spot in the rankings with the Jaguars falling from 1st to 3rd. Ankeny also had their own overtime contest against Johnston that was decided by penalty kicks. The Hawks suffered the same fate as the Dragons walked away with the 1-0 victory. Johnston moved from 9th to 7th and the Ankeny fell from 2nd to 8th. Waukee Northwest takes over the top spot with a 5-0 record. Iowa City West fell out of the top 15 from their #14 spot after going 1-2 in their first three games. Dubuque Hempstead rounds out the list after being unranked last week. The Mustangs are 5-0 to start the season and has only allowed one goal on the season.

Jordan Ashton is the New Men’s Head Basketball Coach at William Woods University

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, April 13th, 2023 at 1:18 pm CDT

Iowa Wesleyan- Jordan Ashton was a hot commodity for teams looking to fill a head coaching vacancy. The key word being “was” as William Woods University has announced that Ashton will be taking the helm for the Owls on April 28th.

Ashton’s first season leading Iowa Wesleyan was one for the history books as he directed the Tigers to a 27-3 overall record. This included a 20-game winning streak that included upsetting a then ranked #13 William Penn team 85-81 at Ruble Arena and an 11-0 home record, both school records. Additionally, the Tigers ranked as high as #23 in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), it was their first time being ranked since the 2010-11 season. The Tigers also took down #14 Florida College in the Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) championship game, 70-66 and qualified for the NAIA National Tournament as the 7th seed, both instances were the first time since the 2011 season.

Under his direction, Henry Shannon was named 1st Team All-Conference, Gacoby Jones and Joey Brown IV were honorable mentions, and Brown was the Champion of Character. Lastly, Ashton earned CAC Coach of the Year honors as he added 15 wins from the previous year’s total.

Ashton will be taking over a team that the Tigers defeated 62-57 last season. The Owls finished last year with a 15-13 record.

Planning for Grade-Alike Change Begins

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, April 13th, 2023 at 12:00 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant School District Superintendent John Henriksen has shared the first version of the five phase timeline for moving Harlan, Lincoln and Van Allen Elementary buildings to a grade-alike configuration. Planning will take place between now and September 1 of 2024. The Superintendent is meeting with the elementary principals today, Thursday, 4-13-2023 to add more exact dates to the action items in each phase. Between now and June 30 they hope to assign grade levels to buildings and determine any needed construction or remodeling. Other action items during this first phase include assign principals, first pass at transportation logistics, and having a discussion on technology needs.  In June the placements and schedules for the school counselors, title reading and math interventionists and the teachers for music, PE and art will be tentatively decided. Phase 2 will deal with packing dates and food service. Phase 3 focus is section numbers and room assignments, special education teacher assignments, moving logistics and calendar creation. Phase 4 from February 1 to May 31 will be the time for meetings with future building leaders and staff, special education decisions and in May teachers will begin packing. Of course, the final phase in the summer of 2024 is the actual move and then the implementation and adjustments.

Mt. Pleasant Begins Search for New Volleyball Coach

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, April 13th, 2023 at 11:44 am CDT

Mt. Pleasant, IA- The Mt. Pleasant school board has approved the resignation of Panther’s head volleyball coach David Streeter.

Streeter was at the helm for back-to-back conference championship runs in 2020 and 2021 as he accumulated a 35-32 record over the two year span.

Last year’s squad was led by All-SEC 1st team senior setter Tristian Shull and honorable mentions Andrea Lopreato and Addison Clark. The season’s crescendo appeared in the first round of the playoffs against conference foe, Burlington. In a 5-set thriller, The Panthers won the final set 15-7 to stop a 5-game skid against the Grayhounds.

Coach Streeter had a simple message at the end of the season for his team,

“I’m proud of these girls, the way they finished.”

The Panthers will be graduating five seniors as they look to improve on their 9-27 season.