Mt. Pleasant Community Band Concert Summer Series

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, June 7th, 2025 at 8:32 am CDT

The Mt. Pleasant Community Band Concerts series in Mt. Pleasant’s Central Park starts on Thursday, June 12th.  Band Director Adam Creager announced this summer’s concert dates will be on Thursday June 19th, 26th and July 3rd and 10th.  The concerts begin at 7pm.  On Thursday, July 17th, a smaller ensemble will perform at the Wright Family Pavilion during the Henry County Fair.

On Thursday, June 12th, the Flannel Jammers will perform as many of the Community band members are on vacation.  MPMS Principal and guitar talent Mark Adams headlines the show.  Bring your lawn chair and enjoy music in Central Park, downtown Mt. Pleasant!

HCSO Advises Caution This Week as Tractorcade is in Mt. Pleasant

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, June 7th, 2025 at 8:30 am CDT

Mount Pleasant will host the 26th annual Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade, through Wednesday, June 11th. which will be leading caravans of 300-500 tractors through Henry, Des Moines, and other surrounding counties.  Each day’s ride will begin and end at the Old Threshers Reunion grounds south of Mt. Pleasant.  The Henry County Sheriff’s Department asks residents to use caution and be aware of the extra traffic.

  • On June 9, the tractors will ride through Washington County, with stops at Hope Lutheran Church in Brighton, the Washington County Fairground, and Wayland.
  • On June 10, the route will roll through Van Buren County, with pit stops at Hillsboro Christian Church, the Van Buren County Fairgrounds, and Harmony Center.
  • On June 11, the caravan will make its way through Henry and Des Moines County, with Yarmouth serving as the ride’s pit stop location for the day.

 

Triple A – Fuel Prices Decrease

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, June 7th, 2025 at 6:32 am CDT

Average fuel prices decreased slightly this week in Iowa after two weeks of increases according to this week’s Triple A report. Regular unleaded gasoline prices fell one cent, which is 20 cents below the national average.

Retail diesel prices also fell by one cent in Iowa, while the national average fell two cents.

Former OFD Employee Charged With Theft

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, June 7th, 2025 at 6:31 am CDT

A former Deputy Fire Chief of the Ottumwa Fire Department faces a felony charge after allegedly keeping property belonging to the City of Ottumwa for personal use.  Cory Benge, 44, has been charged with second-degree theft, a Class D felony.

Benge was employed at the Ottumwa Fire Department for 20 years, until May of 2023. According to court documents Benge came into possession of an Arson Detector Tool and an AT&T hotspot while working for the fire department. Police allege Benge did not return the items back to the city after his employment ended.  Benge is accused of keeping the two items from May 2023 to May 2025 and used them for his own personal gain. The City of Ottumwa paid the hotspot bills while it was still in use. The estimated cost of the items and the recurring monthly bills was just over $2700.00  ($2,731.97), according to court records.

A warrant for Benge’s arrest was issued on June 5th and he was taken into custody on the same day and later freed after posting bond.  Court records do not show a date for his initial court appearance.

 

Sports, June 7th

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, June 7th, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Baseball

New London 10-run ruled Danville last night 13-3 to win their second straight contest. Noah Horn totaled a two RBI double for the Bears. 

New London will tangle with Wapello on Monday, June 9th, at 5:30 pm on the road. 

Danville will compete against Van Buren County on Tuesday, June 10th, at 7:30 pm at home. 

Wapello lost 11-1 to Pekin last night.

Burlington Notre Dame smacked Van Buren County last night 10-0. The Nikes will travel to Pekin at 7:30 pm on Monday.

Van Buren County will face off against Hillcrest Academy at 5:30 pm on the road. 

Central Lee popped back into the win column last night after scoring eight unanswered runs to beat West Burlington, 10-3. Brayden Wyrick smoked the ball for the Hawks with a double, a home run, and three RBIs. Caleb Bush had an RBI-double for the Falcons. 

Central Lee will take on Fort Madison today at home at 10 am.

West Burlington will square off against Mediapolis on Tuesday, June 10th, at 5:30 pm on the road. 

Mediapolis cruised past Hillcrest Academy last night 16-1. 

Fairfield was walked-off by Mid-Prairie last night in a thrilling 12-11 final. The Trojans will host Washington for a doubleheader on Monday with game one at 5:30 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union fell to Highland last night, 4-2. Trevor Phillips and Riley Kaalberg each notched an RBI in the loss. The Wolves will compete against Central Lee on Monday at 5:30 pm at home. 

Mt. Pleasant will head to Keokuk on Monday for a doubleheader with game one at 5:30 pm. 

High School Softball

Holy Trinity Catholic has now won back-to-back games after defeating Van Buren County 7-5. The Warriors will face off against Hillcrest Academy on Monday, June 9th, at 7 pm to start off a five game road trip. 

WACO fell 26-0 to Louisa-Muscatine last night.

Mt. Pleasant and WACO will compete in the Holy Trinity Catholic tournament today.

In a battle for the top sport in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference South Division, Central Lee jumped on #15 West Burlington/Notre Dame for a 5-2 victory. Whitney Snowden finished 2 for 4 with an RBI in the loss. 

Central Lee will host Fort Madison today at 10 am.

#15 West Burlington/Notre Dame will participate in the Oskaloosa Softball Classic today. 

New London will travel to Davis County to compete in the Mustang Classic tonight.

Wapello beat Pekin last night 4-1 to end a four game skid. The Arrows will play New London on Monday at home with first pitch at 7 pm.

Mediapolis clobbered Hillcrest Academy last night 11-0. Avery Crear led the team with three RBIs, while Payton Harris slugged a two-run homer. The Bulldogs will take on Highland on Monday at 7:30 pm on the road. 

Columbus’s Jacqueline Farrier knocked home three runs in an 8-2 win over Lone Tree last night. The Wildcats will try to win their fourth straight game on Monday on the road at 7 pm.

Fairfield played two at Iowa City West yesterday for their Classic and split their matchup, losing 11-4 to Assumption and beating the hosts 5-1. Leah Helmich clubbed a triple and collected two RBIs between the two contests. The Trojans will face off against Washington at home on Monday in a doubleheader with game one at 5:30 pm.

Danville will travel to Louisa-Muscatine on Monday at 7 pm.

High School Cross Country

The Mt. Pleasant Cross Country team will be starting up their optional summer runs on June 16th. The runs are available to any 7th through 12th grader with paces and plans dependent on the level of experience. Coaches may not be present at every run as upperclassmen often lead the runs.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, the runs will begin at 6:30 am at the Old Threshers Museum Theatre. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the runs will begin at Saunders Park by the swimming pool at 7 pm. The runs will continue through mid-August until the cross country camp. If you have any questions, then contact Coach Murray at 319-850-0867. 

High School Track

Hall of Fame coach, Dave Hutchcroft, will be hosting a hurdling clinic for any girls going into 6th through 8th grades, starting on Tuesday, June 10th. The clinic will be a total of three days with the other dates being Thursday, June 12th, and the following Tuesday, June 17th. 

The clinic days will run from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at the Mapleleaf Athletic Complex. There is no cost to participate. 

High School Soccer

The 2025 boys’ state championships commenced yesterday and three of the classes featured one-goal finishes. 

In Class 1A, West Sioux and Van Meter needed overtime to decide a champion and the Falcons fired a shot that ricocheted off the top post and deflected in the net for a 2-1 victory. 

After Bishop Heelan and Gilbert traded goals in the first half, Connor Rash scored a hat trick on a penalty kick in the 71st minute to take the Class 2A championship for Gilbert.

In the Class 3A championship game, Brice Lumley notched his first goal of the season in the sixth minute to give Urbandale a 1-0 lead over Iowa City Liberty. The J-Hawk defense did the rest, shutting out the Lightning for their first state championship since 2002. 

Valley handled business in the Class 4A championship, defeating Johnston 3-0. 

The girls’ state championship matches will be played today. 

Prospect League

The Burlington Bees had their five-game win streak snapped last night in a 6-3 loss to the Clinton LumberKings last night. Jalen Martinez and James Hackett smacked home runs in the winning effort. The Bees will host the rematch tonight at 6:30 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1892 – John J. Doyle of the Cleveland Spiders is the first to pinch hit in a baseball game.

1989 – The first baseball game to start outdoors and end indoors, as the Toronto Blue Jays’ stadium closed the roof during the game. They go on to beat the Brewers 4-2.

1989 – Wayne Gretzky wins his 9th NHL Hart (MVP) Trophy in 10 years.

Early Morning Accident

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, June 7th, 2025 at 6:29 am CDT

Henry County EMS and Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a traffic accident at about 6:15 this morning on Highway 34 east of Mt. Pleasant/MM 244.  A vehicle collided with a deer.

Watch Out for Young Bicyclists

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, June 7th, 2025 at 6:28 am CDT

As bike season approaches, Iowa officials urge motorists to be vigilant for young bicyclists who are often hard to spot due to their smaller size and unpredictable riding patterns.

The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) emphasizes the importance of looking twice, especially at intersections, where most bicycle-related fatalities occur.

Since 2021, Iowa has seen 24 bicycle fatalities, highlighting the need for increased awareness and caution. Drivers are encouraged to scan intersections thoroughly, maintain safe distances, and avoid distractions to help prevent accidents.

 

MTPCSD School Board Meeting Next Week

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, June 7th, 2025 at 6:27 am CDT

The Mt. Pleasant Community School District School Board will meet in regular session on Monday, May 9th at 6pm.  This meeting is held in the High School Media Center at 2104 S. Grand Avenue.  This meeting is open to the public and the board agenda can be found at MTPCSD.org/board/meetings.