Sports, Friday, October 1st

By Nathan Bloechl · Friday, October 1st, 2021 at 11:30 am CDT

Prep Football: Mount Pleasant at Liberty, WCO Looks to Stay Perfect:

District play continues on tonight as Week Six of the Iowa High School football season commences.

In our featured matchup on KILJ-FM, Mount Pleasant will be on the road to battle Iowa City Liberty.

The Lightning are coached by former Washington head coach James Harris, so it will be a familiar sideline foe for Shawn Striegel and company.

Liberty, who will be celebrating their homecoming, are coming off a 21-0 loss to the hands of North Scott, 4A’s No. 1 ranked program.

Entering 0-5, the Lightning have played the state’s most difficult schedule to this point according to BCMoore, with matchups already against Western Dubuque, Iowa City High, Linn-Mar, Clear Creek-Amana and of course North Scott.

Mount Pleasant, 1-4, is looking to rebound following a homecoming loss of their own last week to Fort Madison.

This will be the first matchup between the two teams.

Kickoff tonight is set for 7:30 p.m. you can listen on KILJ-FM beginning at 7:00 p.m. with the Panther Tailgate Show.

Other area matchups tonight:

  • Fairfield at West Burlington Notre Dame
  • North Scott at Burlington
  • Solon at Washington
  • Clinton at Fort Madison
  • Grinnell at Keokuk
  • Wapello at Highland
  • New London at Iowa Valley
  • Iowa City Regina at Louisa-Muscatine
  • Wilton at Mediapolis
  • Columbus at North Mahaska
  • Lone Tree at WACO
  • Davis County at Central Lee

College Football: Wesleyan Homecoming Saturday, Iowa Tonight:

The Iowa Wesleyan football team will be seeking win number one tomorrow when the Tigers welcome in Crown College for a nonconference tilt.

Crown enters tomorrow afternoon’s tilt 0-3, while Wesleyan is 0-5.

Tiger coach M.D. Daniels is not losing faith despite the slow start to the year.

“To tell you the truth, even though the record doesn’t show we are exactly where we’re supposed to be.” Daniels said.

“The biggest thing is the continuity, as the year continues we’ll be more complete. 

Kick from Mapleleaf Athletic Complex is set for 1:00 p.m.

You can listen on KILJ-FM, Nathan Bloechl and Mike McBeth will have the call.

Tonight on FM 98.5, the Hawkeye football team will look to stay perfect when they open Big Ten play on the road at Maryland.

Kick is set for 7:00 p.m.

Coverage on FM 98.5 and AM 1130 will begin at 5:00 p.m.

College Athletics: Wesleyan Honoring Two Tomorrow Night: 

The Iowa Wesleyan athletic department will be honoring two new inductees into their Hall of Fame tomorrow night.

Nancy Eklund and John Keitges will be the newest members of the Tiger Hall of Fame.

Eklund was the first female basketball player to score 1,000 career points, finishing with 1,186 total career points.

Keitges was a four-year member of the basketball team and a two-year member of both the baseball and men’s golf teams. Keitges remains number one in all-time career 3-point field goals made, sinking 257.

The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Social Hall of the Howe Student Activity Center tomorrow evening.

Merry Nichols Bonar

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, September 30th, 2021 at 10:10 pm CDT

Merry Nichols Bonar, 79, of Morning Sun, passed away on Thursday, September 30, 2021 at her home.  Funeral Services for Merry will be 9:00 a.m. on Monday, October 4, 2021 at the First Presbyterian Church of Morning Sun.  Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery.  Friends may call visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 3, 2021 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Morning Sun.   Memorials have been established for the First United Presbyterian Church of Morning Sun; Centenary United Methodist Church of Morning Sun or Every Step Hospice of Mount Pleasant.  Online condolences may be left at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

Merry Lea Nichols was born on December 30, 1941 in Savanna, Illinois, the daughter of Robert K. and Harriet Ann (Wolfe) Nichols.  Merry and her twin sister, Sherry Lea was born one set of the six sets of twins born to the Nichols and Wolfe families.  Merry graduated from Morning Sun Community High School.  On July 14, 1962, Merry was united in marriage to Duane C. Bonar in Morning Sun.  She worked in various industries over the years including the Morning Sun Dairy Bar and Yes Virginia.  She served on the election board for over 45 years, serving also as chairman of the board.   Merry was a member of the Centenary United Methodist Church of Morning Sun and the Morning Sun Lionesses.  She attended the First United Presbyterian Church of Morning Sun ad volunteer at the Morning Sun Care Center with the BINGO games.  She enjoyed music, baking and especially spending time with her family.

Merry will be deeply missed by her sons, Troy Bonar and Brett (Kathie) Bonar, all of Morning Sun; grandchildren, Blake Bonar of Dubuque and Brandt Bonar of Burlington; Merry’s twin sister, Sherry Lea (Richard) Robb of Kalona; brother, Robert K. (Sue) Nichols of Morning Sun; aunt, Gerri Wolfe of Morning Sun; sisters-in-laws, Glenda (Don) Heckenberg of Carmel, Indiana and Joan Delzell (Baush) of Morning Sun and a family of nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Duane Charles Bonar on April 10, 2003.

Gordon A. Franklin

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, September 30th, 2021 at 10:09 pm CDT

Gordon A. Franklin 84 of Eldon passed away on Tuesday September 28, 2021 at Van Buren County Hospital.  Funeral services will be at 2:00 PM Saturday October 2, 2021 at Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua.  Visitation with family will be from 1:00 to 2:00PM Saturday an hour prior to the service. Burial with military honors by John Hyson Reneker Post 494 American Legion, Douds will be at Harness Cemetery, Mt. Sterling. Gifts to a memorial to be designated later by the family may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the family at 420 Cornell Street, Eldon, IA 52554.

Henry County Health Center Foundation makes special announcement about Gala

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, September 30th, 2021 at 9:31 pm CDT

MOUNT PLEASANT – Since February 2019, Henry County Health Center Foundation has been planning a huge celebration in honor of the 100th Anniversary of Henry County Health Center.  A Gala event was scheduled for Saturday, November 6th, 2021.  However because of spikes in the occurrences of COVID-19, the Foundation has had to reconsider its plans.

The priority of the HCHC Foundation is, and always will be, the physical and emotional health, safety and well-being of our community.  We all should do our part to protect our loved ones, our local and global community and ourselves.

Therefore, the HCHC Foundation has decided to postpone the Gala event to November 5th, 2022.  It will be held at Iowa Wesleyan University and the Mary Carrick Collective featuring Mary Heaton Carrick is expected to be the entertainment.

HCHC Foundation wants to reassure you of our ongoing commitment to enhance the health and wellness of the people of Henry County and surrounding communities.  We truly appreciate your continued financial support.

You can expect to hear and see more about HCHC’s 100th Anniversary, and the HCHC Foundation’s Gala celebration, in the weeks and months to come.

If you have any questions, please call Mark Hempen, HCHC Foundation Director at 319-385-6541 or via email at hempenm@hchc.org.

Local Traffic Accident

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, September 30th, 2021 at 2:40 pm CDT

On Wednesday just before 3 pm Mount Pleasant Police were dispatched to a motor vehicle collision on Commerce Drive near Iris Road.

It was determined that a vehicle operated by Jacob Payne of Burlington was westbound on Commerce. A vehicle operated by Scottie Dunn of Mt Pleasant, was traveling eastbound on Commerce. Dunn attempted to enter a parking lot and turned left in front of Payne. Payne then struck Dunn broadside. The total damage was estimated at $16,498. There were no injuries.Payne was cited for No Insurance and Dunn was cited for Failure to yield on a left turn.

Sports, Thursday, September 30th

By Nathan Bloechl · Thursday, September 30th, 2021 at 11:32 am CDT

Prep Volleyball: Red-hot WACO Travels to Holy Trinity Highlighting Big Night:

Two red-hot teams will meet up tonight in Fort Madison when No. 5 Holy Trinity hosts WACO in a Super Conference bout.

The Warriors have won six straight matches to surge to 16-8 on the year, while Holy Trinity has won four of five — their lone loss to No. 1 Notre Dame.

Ellah Kissell leads WACO with 2.7 kills per set, while Natalie Randolph paces Holy Trinity’s balanced attack with 2.4 kills per set.

WACO snapped a nine-match losing skid to the Crusaders a season ago with a thrilling 3-2 win.

Tonight’s game will go at 7:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity High School.

Other matchups in the Super Conference tonight:

  • Cardinal at Central Lee
  • Columbus at Highland
  • Wapello at Lone Tree
  • Pekin at Louisa-Muscatine
  • Van Buren County at New London
  • Winfield-Mount Union at Hillcrest Academy

And in the Southeast Conference:

  • Washington at Clear Creek-Amana

College Football: Central Moves Up in Latest D3 Poll:

Coming off a monster 84-16 win over Simpson, the Central College football team has moved up two spots in the latest D3football.com Top 25 poll.

The Dutch, who feature several on their roster from Mount Pleasant, are up to No. 13.

Wartburg is receiving votes in both the D3footbal.com and AFCA Top 25 poll.

Central quarterback Blaine Hawkins, a graduate of Ankeny Centennial, was named the league’s offensive player of the week after throwing seven touchdowns last week.

The Dutch will host Wartburg this weekend in a showdown matchup in Pella.

Kick is set for 1:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

College Football: Van Valkenburg Named Campbell Trophy Semifinalist:

University of Iowa senior defensive end Zach VanValkenburg has been named a semifinalist for the 2021 William V. Campbell Trophy, which is annually awarded by the National Football Foundation to the nation’s top scholar-athlete.

The announcement was made Wednesday by the National Football Foundation.

VanValkenburg has started all four games at defensive end for the 4-0 Hawkeyes in 2021.

He has totaled six solo tackles and five assists, with 1.5 tackles for loss and three QB pressures.

Iowa continues its season Friday evening at Maryland (7:05 p.m. CT, FS1). The Hawkeyes return home to host Penn State Oct. 9 (3 p.m. CT, FOX).

College Volleyball: Wesleyan Rallies for Huge Win:

The Iowa Wesleyan volleyball team fell down 2-0 but rallied for three straight wins to defeat Southeastern Community College.

It was the Tigers’ first win of the year.

Malie DaMate paced the Wesleyan front row with 19 kills while Emily Gehring added 11.

Kyra Linkin, a New London graduate, had 24 digs to lead Iowa Wesleyan.

Now 1-15, the Tigers will take on Central College next Tuesday.

First serve is set for 7:00 p.m.

CHAMBER AWARDS CHECK TO IJAG PROGRAM

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, September 29th, 2021 at 9:22 pm CDT

MOUNT PLEASANT, IA – On Monday, October 4 at 10:00 am, the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance will be visiting the iJAG classroom at Mount Pleasant High School to award a $2,000 check to kick off a week of activities in honor of Manufacturing Week.

 

Held annually on the first week in October, MFG Week helps show the reality of modern manufacturing careers by encouraging thousands of companies and educational institutions around the nation to open their doors to students, parents, teachers and community leaders. As manufacturers seek to fill 4 million high-skill, high-tech and high-paying jobs over the next decade, MFG Week empowers manufacturers to come together to address their collective challenges so they can help their communities and future generations thrive.

 

The Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance has a week of activities planned with the annual check presentation being one of the most popular. Each year, the sponsors of MFG week choose a worthwhile organization to support. This year, the committee chose the iJAG program at Mount Pleasant High School. iJAG is the premier non-profit organization connecting business and education to provide the most cost-effective dropout prevention and school to career solutions in Iowa. Students in the iJAG program have trouble making it in a conventional classroom because of the distractions and barriers at home, outside the classroom or even inside the classroom. Relying on real-world, project-based instructional methods and an unconventional approach to personal connections with students, the iJAG teaching specialists work within conventional learning environments to help remove barriers and show students how to achieve the next step of their career or education.

 

In addition to the check presentation on Monday, the Chamber will participate in a Regional Manufacturers’ Appreciation Golf Outing on Tuesday. All Chamber members are invited to attend the monthly Alive After Five at Kinney and Sons Excavating on Wednesday. They will offer a Regional Human Resources Covid Do’s and Don’ts webinar on Thursday. The week’s activities will wrap up with a chamber members participating in a College and Career Fair at the High School on Friday.

 

The Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance exists to improve the quality of life for Henry County residents through economic growth. The Chamber consists of 348 businesses, organizations, and individual members. The Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance encompasses the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce, Mount Pleasant Area Development Commission and Henry County Tourism.

9-29-21 Henry County COVID-19 update

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, September 29th, 2021 at 9:07 pm CDT

14-day positivity rate for individuals: 14.7%

14-day positivity rate for tests taken (includes duplicate tests): 9.6%

# of cases last 3 days: 24

# of cases last 7 days: 51

# of cases last 14 days: 158

% of residents 12+ years of age fully vaccinated: 55.2%

% of all residents fully vaccinated: 47%

Think about who you interact with each day and if they are at a higher risk due to age or health concerns, please consider getting vaccinated to help protect them. This virus is continuing to spread throughout our communities. Public Health does not have the Pfizer vaccine, but continues to hold walk-in vaccine clinics for Moderna or J&J at 106 N. Jackson St. Monday – Friday 8am-3:30pm UNTIL those boosters are approved. Then we will change to all off-site appointment clinics. We will post updates here.

**We are sharing these regular updates to hopefully provide the most helpful information to keep you informed. There is a lot of data out there so we are reporting data from our local public health portal, with the exception of the vaccinated % which comes from the CDC Data Tracker since they break it out by eligible residents instead of just all residents.**