The Winfield-Mt. Union Girls’ Team Falls in the Quarterfinals to North Linn

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 at 3:45 pm CDT

Des Moines, IA- The Winfield-Mt. Union girls enjoyed quite the season; unfortunately, it came to an end last night at the Wells Fargo Arena in the quarterfinals to North Linn. After a close first quarter, the Lynx heavily pressured the Wolves and took advantage in transition to move on to play Newell-Fonda in the semifinal winning 68-36.

North Linn was enjoying their 5th straight trip to the state tournament, while Winfield-Mt. Union was making their first trip back since their 2nd place finish in 1998 when now Head Coach Mendy McCreight was a player for the team. The first quarter could be characterized by both teams trying to settle their nerves. Turnovers and missed shots kept the game close at a 14 to 12 advantage for North Linn.

Coach McCreight would mention after the game that the Wolves knew they were coming with the press, but it is tough to come up with an answer against a defense that averaged nearly 20 steals per game coming into the contest. The Lynx had 11 steals by the time the first half was over and converted that to 10 fast break points. The Wolves were drubbing the Lynx on the offensive glass, but the shots were simply not falling as Winfield-Mt. Union had just three players scored in the first half (Melina Oepping with 11, Bradie Buffington with 8, and Josie Nelson with 2). North Linn, on the other hand, had 8 players with a least two points, which contributed to their 33 to 21 heading into halftime.

The Lynx would only tighten up defensively, forcing 12 more turnovers in the second half and finishing the game with 20 fast break points. The Wolves only shot 29.5% from the field including 0 for 5 from three-point range. Despite the outcome, Coach McCreight’s pride was beaming after the game for her team,

“They didn’t give up and they played to the end and I got to play my whole bench to make sure that they know they’re just important because if it wasn’t for them each and every day making us better we wouldn’t be where we are today, so I’m so proud of them and couldn’t be prouder.”

The Wolves will be graduating all their starters in Keetyn Townsley, Keely Malone, Buffington, Anna Anderson, and Oepping, a calming force for their team.

“Their leadership that they have on the court and off the court is just amazing,” said Coach McCreight. “They’re a fun group, we’ve had a lot of fun being here and we’re proud to have the chance to make it to state and do what we did.”

Melina Oepping led the way in scoring for the Wolves with 18 points and she collected 10 rebounds for the double-double. Bradie Buffington added 10 points, Keetyn Townsley made four free throws, and Josie Nelson and Madisen Kellogg each had two points. The Wolves finished the season with a 22-2 record and a 16-0 conference record.

Future Farmers Competing in Districts

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 at 3:43 pm CDT

District FFA competitions will be held Saturday. Area qualifying chapter members are headed for Muscatine for this round of competition. The top two from each category will move on to state!

Representing Mount Pleasant in the following categories are……

Chase VanBibber: Ag Broadcasting

Kamryn Hart: Extemporaneous Speaking

Ethan Graber: Ag Sales

Chapter Website: Jacie Campbell

Experience the Action: Alexis Francy, Tyi Alter, Ella McNammee

Welding: Mason Yocum, Carter Westfall

Chapter Program: Julie Campbell, Kaylen Hunold

WACO’s FFA will be represented by Hailey Harbison, Grace Coble, Chase Waterhouse, Junior Quiroz, Noah Rich, Natalie West, and Rhiannon Horn in the Ag Issues Contest. The Warriors also have Zoey Dennler competing in Extemporaneous Speaking, and Brendan Hudson in Individual Ag Sales.

Twelve students from Columbus Community have qualified for districts. This includes Victoria Howell in Job Interview, Mady Howell in Ag Sales, Drew Totemeier in Creed Speaking, Mason Heck in Chapter Website, Bryce Grimm in Public Speaking, and the team of Cade Storm, Claire Humphreys, Ryan Coil, Kinlee Brown, Emma Salazar, Gabe Totemeier, and Connor Heck in Conduct of Meetings.

Teresa Marie Voyles

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 at 3:19 pm CDT

Teresa Marie Voyles, 56, of Mediapolis, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, died Sunday, February 26, 2023 at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics.  She was born March 24, 1966 in Mt. Pleasant to Frank and Sharrine Loveridge Wilson.  She was a 1984 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School.

On March 23, 1985, she married Steven Gregory Voyles in New London.  She worked as a headstart teacher in Burlington and was a supervisor at the Mediapolis Care Facility.  She enjoyed cooking, watching the St. Louis Cardinals and spending time with her grandchildren when able.

Survivors include her husband of Burlington; two sons, Christopher (Amber) Voyles of New London and Jordan (Alexandra) Voyles of Burlington; two daughters, Stephanie (Dan) Housh of Mt. Pleasant and Abigail Voyles of Mediapolis; six grandchildren; and one brother Patrick Wilson of Plano, Texas.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

According to her wishes, she was an organ donor with cremation following. Inurnment will be held at a later date.  Visitation for Ms. Voyles will begin at noon on Sunday, March 5, 2023 at Elliott Chapel, New London, with the family receiving friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.  A memorial has been established for funeral expenses.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Avery Waterhouse Signs with William Penn University to Run with the Statesmen

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 at 11:14 am CDT

WACO High School- Avery Waterhouse will be running her way to William Penn University as she will be running cross country and track for  the Statesmen. She will be studying nursing.

Waterhouse has had an impressive career at WACO as she is a 4-year letter winner and ranks in the top 10 in three categories for Warrior track. In school history, she ranks 4th in the 800 meter run with a time of 2 minutes 58 seconds and 3rd in the 3,000 meter run with a time of 13 minutes 49 seconds.

The girls’ track and field season will begin on March 6th at the A.D. Dickinson Relays at the UNI-Dome.

Afternoon Fire Call

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 at 11:04 am CDT

Tuesday afternoon the Mount Pleasant Fire Department received a report of a structure fire at 1854 200th Street north of Mount Pleasant. Eight fire fighters, a brush truck, one tanker and one engine responded to find the fire already out.  The property owner was burning vegetation around a chicken coop. The crew did spray water on areas that were still smoldering.

Bonnie Lea Leyden

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 at 10:53 am CDT

Bonnie Lea Leyden 79, of Birmingham passed away on Wednesday March 1, 2023 at her home in Birmingham.  A memorial service will be on Monday March 6, 2023 at 2:00PM at Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield with Pastor Phil Campbell officiating.  Visitation with family will be from 1:00 – 2:00 PM prior to the service on Monday at the funeral home.  Private burial of cremains will be in Maple Hill Cemetery in Birmingham.  Memorials to Bonnet School House may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the family at P.O. Box 191, Birmingham, IA 52535.  Friends and family may leave online condolences and view the livestream of the service at www.cranstonfamlyfuneralhome.com.

Bonnie was born on July 13, 1943 in Rubio Iowa to Fred and Edith Pringle Schmitter.  She only lived in Rubio for a short while before her family moved to Batavia where Bonnie spent her childhood.  Bonnie loved playing basketball in school, she graduated from Batavia High School in 1961.  Shortly after graduation she married Dwayne “Moose” Leyden, together they started a family and had two daughters, Lourinda and Jeannie.  The couple was always working on a project in the garage, the projects had a wide diversity and included working on cars, semis and many home improvement projects.  Dwayne and Bonnie later divorced.  It is not too often that we get second chances in life, but Bonnie got engaged to Herb Conrad in 1998. They took care of each other and their families, they truly enjoyed each other until the end.

Bonnie had worked for several different places including Universal and the glove factory both in Fairfield and Craigs Home and Appliance in Keosauqua.  She started working for the pipeline as a mechanic, to which she was one of the first women to do this job.  Bonnie worked as a mechanic for 11 years before moving into the office from which she retired.  She never actually retired in her mind, she kept busy with what she wanted to do, together her and herb spent their gardening, canning, mowing, fishing, hunting mushrooms and spending time with family.  Her and Herb were always in competition for who caught the biggest fish and who found the most mushrooms, but they didn’t really care as long as they were spending time together.  She and Herb always had time to help around their community of Birmingham and volunteered anytime they were asked.  She was known to all that knew her as a wonderful cook and for her many crocheting projects including dresses for dolls, afghans and table clothes.

Left to cherish her memory are her fiancée, Herb Conrad, two daughter, Lori Warner and Jeannie Crafton of Birmingham, two step sons, Chris Conrad of Fairfield and Greg Conrad of Birmingham, a sister, Sherry Hunter of Iowa City,  five grandsons,  Cory Warner (Tiffany), Brandon Warner (Lizzie) and Kyle Crafton all of Birmingham, Miles Crafton (Kassie) of Eldridge, IA, Alex Conrad and Luke Conrad both of Fairfield, a granddaughter, Ellah Conrad of Keosauqua, seven great-grandchildren and many other family and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Fred and Boyd Schmitter, a sister-in-law, Dixie Schmitter and Ex-husband, Dwayne “Moose” Leyden. 

Hy-Vee Announces 100 Million Meals* Challenge to Fight Hunger with Feeding America®

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 at 8:48 am CDT

Food insecurity will also be major focus of Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race Weekend in July at Iowa Speedway
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (March 1, 2023) — Hy-Vee announces its newest initiative to help fight hunger across its
eight-state region. The supermarket chain is launching a major campaign now through the end of the year to
provide 100 million meals* to the Feeding America® network of partner food banks across the Midwest. This
collaborative campaign brings together Feeding America partner food banks, manufacturers and suppliers, as well
as Hy-Vee customers to help support people across the Midwest who are experiencing food insecurity.
The 100 Million Meals Challenge begins March 1 with a register round up across all Hy-Vee, Dollar Fresh Market
and Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh locations. Customers can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar during checkout
to donate to the Challenge. All funds collected at stores will go directly to partner food banks serving their local
community. Customers can also donate online by going to www.feedingamerica.org/hy-vee.
In addition to customer donations, Hy-Vee is working with national food manufacturers and suppliers to provide
food and funds to benefit the 18 Feeding America partner food banks that operate in its eight-state region. Those
food banks support thousands of local pantries that provide food to families every day. For every $1 donated,
Feeding America can help provide at least 10 meals* on behalf of local member food banks.
“Food insecurity remains a national crisis,” said Jeremy Gosch, CEO of Hy-Vee. “The kickoff to this campaign comes
at a crucial time as emergency SNAP benefits end around the country. By working together with our employees,
customers, partners and community leaders, we are going to do everything we can to achieve this goal and ensure
organizations in our communities have the resources they need to combat hunger.”
“With nearly 34 million people experiencing food insecurity nationwide, ending hunger is a mission that requires
strong collaboration and ambitious goals, and we’re grateful to have partners like Hy-Vee who offer just that,” said
Casey Marsh, Feeding America’s Chief Development Officer. “At a time like this, as families’ budgets continue to
tighten, it’s exciting to think about the impact that this initiative will have on communities across the Midwest.”
Over the years, Hy-Vee has supported the Feeding America network of partner food banks through several
initiatives including register round ups, food donations and disaster relief efforts. Last year’s Food Bank Fridays
initiative provided ongoing support for the 18 Feeding America partner food banks that operate in Hy-Vee
communities.
The 100 Million Meals Challenge launches in conjunction with the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. The new
season takes the green flag on Sunday, March 5, on the Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. Hy-Vee will promote the
challenge throughout the race season with prominence and special activities during its Hy-Vee INDYCAR Race
Weekend, July 21-23, at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa.
Hy-Vee, Inc. • 5820 Westown Parkway • West Des Moines, Iowa • 50266
*$1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local member food banks. Pounds of
food donated through in-store donations defines a meal as 1.2 pounds by the USDA. From March 1 – Dec. 31, 2023,
Hy-Vee guarantees a minimum donation of $250,000 through fundraising activities associated with its 100 Million
Meals Challenge campaign to support the Feeding America network.

Mount Pleasant School Board Site and Policy Committee Meetings

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, March 2nd, 2023 at 8:46 am CDT

Mt. Pleasant CSD – Central Office

1010 East Washington Street – Suite 102

Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641

The Mount Pleasant Board of Education SITE AND POLICY COMMITTEES will meet at 4:00 PM on Thursday, March 2, 2023 to review/discuss:

SITE COMMITTEE

  1. FY24 Buildings and Grounds Proposed Project List

POLICY COMMITTEE

  1. Second Reading of Board Policy 701.5 General Fund Reserves and Fund Balance Reporting
  2. First Reading School Board Policy 401.35 Employee Expression (new, mandatory policy)
  3. Open School Board Policy Series 300 Administration for Review
  4. School Board Director District Boundaries Update
  5. Grade-Alike Elementary Schools Update

The meeting is open to the public and patrons are welcome.