Legislative Forum Dates Set for Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce in February and March

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 at 7:47 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce will host two upcoming legislative forums giving local residents and business leaders a chance to hear directly from state lawmakers and ask questions about issues affecting the community.

The forums will feature State Representatives Taylor Collins and Jeff Shipley, along with State Senators Adrian Dickey and Mark Lofgren. The events are hosted by the Chamber’s Government Relations Committee.

Both forums will be held at the Union Block building, 111 West Monroe Street, on the 3rd floor:

  • Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
  • Friday, March 20, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.

All Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce members are invited to attend. The forums are a benefit of Chamber membership and are designed to encourage open dialogue between elected officials and the local business community.

Henry County Public Health Reminds You of the “3 Cs” of Flu Prevention

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 at 7:30 am CDT

Henry County Public Health is reminding residents to take simple steps to stay healthy as flu season continues,  sharing guidance from Iowa Health and Human Services focused on the “3 Cs” of flu prevention:

  • Cover your cough
  • Clean your hands
  • Contain germs by staying home when sick

Officials encourage using a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing, washing hands often with soap and water or using hand sanitizer, and limiting the spread of illness by avoiding contact with others when symptoms are present.

In addition to prevention reminders, Henry County Public Health hosts immunization clinics Tuesdays 9–11 am, Wednesdays & Thursdays 1–4 pm, and 1st & 3rd Thursdays 1–6 pm at 106 North Jackson Street in Mount Pleasant. No appointment necessary. Residents are asked to bring their insurance card if they have one, but vaccines are also available for uninsured or underinsured individuals.

Anyone with questions about the clinic or available vaccines can call Henry County Public Health at 319-385-0779.

Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities Board Meeting Scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 at 7:15 am CDT

Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities board of trustees will meet this afternoon to consider several major financial and infrastructure items.

The Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. this afternoon, Tuesday, January 20th, in the Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities Conference Room at 509 North Adams Street. The meeting is also accessible by phone.

Trustees are expected to act on multiple financial items, including approval of warrants, the treasurer’s report, capital budget amendments, and several major contracts. One proposal would reallocate $250,000 within the water capital budget for upgrades to electronic deionization treatment equipment. Another item includes review of a Veolia contract totaling more than $800,000 to replace water treatment equipment.

The board will also receive legal and operational updates, including the status of the Cedar Lane Well Number Seven project, advanced metering infrastructure, water treatment maintenance, and multiple power and transmission system projects.

Trustees may enter closed session at multiple points during the meeting, as allowed under Iowa law, to discuss matters currently in litigation.

The meeting is open to the public. Please view the full agenda here. The next MPMU regular board meeting will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

Henry County Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Board Meeting Scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 7:30 a.m.

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 at 7:06 am CDT

The Henry County Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Board of Trustees will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, January 21st, beginning at 7:30 a.m. The meeting will take place in the HCHC Board Room.

The agenda includes approval of minutes and administrative reports, financial and capital updates, a Great River Health update, and the election of officers and committee assignments. Trustees will also conduct a hospital inspection.

New business includes an audit presentation, consideration of facility project funding for fiscal year twenty-seven, setting a county tax public hearing date, review of capital budget policies, the budget calendar, and conflict of interest disclosures.

The Board will also enter a closed session, as permitted under Iowa Code Chapter twenty-one point five, to discuss strategic objectives, quality matters, and legal issues.

The meeting is open to the public. To view the full agenda, please click here.

Sports, January 20th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 at 6:31 am CDT

High School Basketball

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team’s lack of offense in the second and fourth quarters buried them in their loss to Danville last night, 58-42. Abigail Shelangoski led the way for the Panthers, scoring 13 points in the effort. The story of the night was the Bears’ defense as the press led to multiple steals and huge games for Alivia Bauer (20 points) and Alaina Gourley (19 points) as they combined for 39 points. Despite the gaudy numbers, Danville head coach Matt Morris needed everyone to have their moment last night,

“I was really proud of the kids and our coaching staff made some good adjustments defensively and I thought our energy, that led to good defense and good energy and that got the tempo kind of where we wanted it. And, you know, if we can get up and down the court, you know, with Alaina and Alivia and, you know, Brynley [Wenig], Claire [Montgomery], these girls, and then start making plays. I thought it was a really good team win, really. I thought our younger kids came off the bench, made some huge shots for us defensively, they got at it, so overall, we’re very proud of our team.”

West Burlington will fly to Danville tonight with the girls’ playing first at 6 pm. Coach Morris and his team will take on two of the three teams sitting above them in the Conference standings, he knows this will be an arduous week,

“The other thing I complimented them on tonight, and we’ll continue to find it as a value, is I know we don’t have a big bench, but I really thought it took all of our girls tonight showing up and participating. Even Violet [Sowell], who was injured, you know, she was vocal on the bench and encouraging her teammates and stuff. So yeah, to me, it’s all about the team for the week and using everybody we have at the right spot, right time.”

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will take on #10 Oskaloosa tonight with tip-off at 7:30 pm on the road. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm.

Burlington Notre Dame split their senior night showdown with Wapello last night, as the Arrows scored 29 fourth quarter points to pull away with a 57-38 victory over the Nikes in the girls’ game, while the #3 Notre Dame boys’ team crushed Wapello 83-47. Macey Kuntz led the Wapello girls’ team with 20 points. 

Mediapolis will tangle with Burlington Notre Dame tonight at home with the girls’ playing first at 6 pm.

Wapello will host Hillcrest Academy tonight with game one at 6 pm.

The WACO girls’ team dominated Iowa Valley last night, 62-35, allowing only 13 points in the second half. The Warriors will take on Lone Tree tonight with the doubleheader starting at 6 pm.

Van Buren County swept Columbus last night with the girls’ team winning 47-41 and the boys’ team coming up with a 58-48 final. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will face off against Van Buren County at home tonight with game one at 6 pm.

Columbus will tangle with Winfield-Mt. Union on Friday, January 23rd, at home with the girls’ teams playing at 6 pm.

The Fairfield boys’ team will face off against Pella Christian at home tonight at 7:30 pm.

New London will compete against Central Lee tonight at home with game one at 6 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will welcome Highland tonight with the night beginning at 6 pm.

High School Boys’ Basketball Rankings

The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) released their fourth edition of the boys’ basketball rankings and only three new teams entered the rankings, while Class 1A had no movement.

Burlington Notre Dame kept their spot at #3 in the Class 1A standings after winning both of their games last week by double digits. The Nikes are winning their games by nearly 29 points, yet their points allowed per game currently ranks 32nd in the state. Nevertheless, the Notre Dame offense hits 51% of their field goals, including an insane 67% shooter from Shay Stephens, who is averaging 26 points to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists per game.

Cedar Falls for Class 4A, Ballard in Class 3A, Class 2A’s Unity Christian, and St. Edmond of Class 1A kept their top spots in their respective classes. 

High School Wrestling

The Wapello girls’ team held a quad last night and finished the night 2-1, defeating Cardinal, 35-12, and Washington, 30-24, but fell to Muscatine 66-12. Kenadee Helscher and Clara Ball finished the night undefeated. 

The WACO, Fairfield, Wapello, and Mediapolis girls’ teams will compete at the Louisa-Muscatine Invite on Saturday, January 24th.

Mt. Pleasant will travel to Fairfield on Thursday, January 22nd.

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will head to Louisa-Muscatine on Thursday for a triangular.

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team will duel Wapello on the road on Thursday.

Van Buren County will host a triangular on Thursday with WACO making the trip.

New London will welcome Mediapolis on Thursday for a triangular.

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will host Fairfield on Thursday, January 22nd.

Southeastern Community College

The women’s basketball team will square off against Iowa Central Community College at 5:30 pm tomorrow, January 21st. 

The men’s basketball team will head back home on Saturday, January 24th, to take on Marshalltown Community College at 7 pm.

The women’s wrestling team will compete at the Warrior Open on Friday, January 23rd.

The men’s wrestling team will participate in the Stormin’ Norman Tournament on Saturday.

College Basketball

The Iowa State women’s team will search for answers tomorrow, January 21st, at home at 6:30 pm against Cincinnati. 

The #10 Iowa women’s team will travel to Maryland on Thursday, January 22nd, at 5 pm.

The Iowa men’s team will host Rutgers tonight at 7:30 pm.

The #9 Iowa State men’s team will compete against UCF tonight at home at 6 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1968 – The Houston Cougars defeat the UCLA Bruins 71-69 to win basketball’s Game of the Century and end UCLA’s 47-game winning streak. 

1989 – Pittsburgh center Mario Lemieux becomes just the 2nd player in NHL history to score 50 goals in less than 50 games; #50 in the 44th game as the Penguins lose 7-3 to the Jets in Winnipeg. 

2007 – Utah coach Jerry Sloan passes Larry Brown for 4th on the NBA’s all-time win list (1,010) after the Jazz beat the Chicago Bulls 95-85 at the United Center.

MPHS InMotion Show Choir Finishes 2nd Place at First Competition of the Season

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, January 20th, 2026 at 6:10 am CDT

Mount Pleasant High School’s InMotion Show Choir earned a well-deserved second-place finish in the 1A/2A/3A category at “A Touch of Class,” the show choir competition hosted by Benton Community Schools last Saturday. The group delivered its first competitive performance of the season and finished the event pleased with its showing while looking ahead to continued improvements as the season progresses.

InMotion also received the Caption Award for Outstanding Costumes, recognizing the visual design and presentation of this year’s production.

The group is now gearing up to perform in front of a home crowd at the Music in Motion Show Choir Invitational, scheduled for Saturday, February 7, hosted at the Mount Pleasant High School.

Proud to bring you results and updates from the Mount Pleasant Music Department are Jason Smith Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, Gramrath Doyle Vens Insurance, 5 Star Community Credit Union, Standard of Beaverdale Home Center, Mount Pleasant Tire, the Kimzey Funeral Home, Your Dream Home Furniture & Floors, and Northeast Animal Hospital.

Alice L. Fitzpatrick

By Kadie Johannson · Monday, January 19th, 2026 at 3:52 pm CDT

Alice L. Fitzpatrick, 79, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at Park Place Elder Living in Mt. Pleasant.

Ms. Fitzpatrick, the former Alice Louise Donald, was born July 10, 1946 in Fairfield, IA. She was the daughter of Daniel Delano and Nola Vera (Pope) Donald. Alice grew up on the Family Century Farm northwest of Stockport, and attended school in Stockport. After consolidation of schools in Van Buren County, Alice graduated from Van Buren County Community High School in 1964. She attended the Park Vue College of Cosmetology in Fairfield, graduating in the summer of 1965.

On August 7, 1966 at the Methodist Church in Stockport, Alice was united in marriage to Leland Laverne McWilliams. To this union, 2 children were born, Terry and Tracy. The couple later divorced. On August 4, 1980 in Mt. Pleasant, Alice was united in marriage to Dennis John Fitzpatrick. To this union a son, Daniel Matthias “Ty” was born. Dennis preceded Alice in death on Sunday February 12, 2023 at the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant. After Dennis’s passing, Alice began a courtship with Michael Vance. The couple just recently became engaged to marry.

After moving to Mt. Pleasant in the mid 1960’s, Alice began a long career as a beautician. She worked at the Colonial Beauty Shop before opening Alice’s Beauty Shop in her home. Alice then moved to A Touch Above Beauty Salon and finally at Shear Advantage until her retirement on January 1, 2008.

Alice was a devoted member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. For 20 years, she served as the Chair of the Environment and Arts Committee of the church, and was a former member of the Parish Council. Alice was a member of Chapter DD of TTT. She enjoyed being with her friends in the Wine and Tappas group. Alice found great delight participating in “Old H.A.G.’s” (Home Alone Gals) who enjoyed food and fellowship while rooting for the W.N.B.A. and Iowa Hawkeye Women’s Basketball Teams.

Those thankful for sharing in Alice’s life include her 3 children – Terry (Cyndi) McWilliams of Mt. Pleasant, Tracy (John) Dingman of St. Paul, IA and Ty (Lindsey) Fitzpatrick of Kansas City, MO; her fiancé – Michael Vance of Mt. Pleasant; 8 grandchildren – Bri (Aliya) McWilliams, Nathan (Mielye Hardersen) McWilliams, Rachel McWilliams, Emily (Isaac) Moeller, Abby Dingman, Alexa (Seth Mendez) Dingman, Sydney Fitzpatrick and Ben Fitzpatrick; a great granddaughter – Avery Moeller; a brother – Doug Donald of Ainsworth, IA and a sister – Cindy (Steve) Rada of Muscatine, IA.

Her parents, husband Dennis, former husband Leland, and brother Ed Donald precede Alice in death.

The family will receive friends from 4-7 PM on Friday, January 23rd at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 607 South Jackson Street, Mt. Pleasant. A Scriptural Wake Service will be held at 7PM at the Church.

A Funeral Mass for Alice will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 24th at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Fathers Ross Epping, Ed Fitzpatrick and Nick Adam will concelebrate the Mass. Burial will be in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Midwest Old Threshers Festival of Lights.

The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, is caring for Alice and her family. Online condolences may be directed to kimzeyfh.com.

Prep Boys’ Basketball: Burlington Notre Dame Rests at #3 in Fourth Edition of IHSAA’s Top Ten Rankings

By Slaten Swords · Monday, January 19th, 2026 at 3:17 pm CDT

Prep Boys’ Basketball- The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) released their fourth edition of the official boys’ basketball top 10 rankings, and an overall quiet week of play keeps the top four of each class mostly unscathed.

Class 4A

Cedar Falls is the only team left undefeated in the class and are honored with the #1 spot for another week. Dubuque Senior went perfect last week but a more impressive two-point victory over Indianola for Ames had the Cyclones leapfrog the Rams for the #5 spot.

Muscatine had everything in front of them but a 63-61 road loss to Assumption last Friday ejected the Muskies out of the top ten and reinserted the 9-1 Council Bluffs Lincoln Lynxes after notching a pair of double-digit wins.

Class 3A

The top six remained constant in Class 3A with undefeated Ballard in the driver seat, Clear Lake in the passenger seat, and Storm Lake getting a captain’s seat at #3. The bottom four were tossed around after Xavier dropped a tough one to Class 4A’s #9 Linn-Mar to fall to #8 in the rankings.

Oskaloosa could be holding on for dear life after clinging to the #10 spot despite a 66-52 loss to Norwalk last week. Keokuk is knocking on the door and a Monday night showdown in Oskaloosa could decide who gets to keep a spot in the rankings. Amazingly, everyone kept their spot.

Class 2A

Unity Christian kept their spot on the thrown and Regina Catholic is still #2. All right, now what happened to Western Christian? The Wolfpack was #3 in the land a week ago with just one loss on the season. Since then, they have loss two in-a-row, including a 70-52 loss to Unity Christian. Now, they are #7 in Class 2A.

Kuemper Catholic continues their climb up the rankings, sitting at #3. #9 Aplington-Parkersburg and #10 Monticello are the new teams in the rankings after Denver loss to the Falcons 59-48 and Cascade dropped a game to Class 1A’s #8 Bellevue, 65-55.

Class 1A

There was no change amongst the top 10 with St. Edmond, MMCRU, and Burlington Notre Dame rounding out the top three. The Nikes continue to be a scary team, having knocked off one ranked opponent already and owning a 14-0 record.

While their strength of schedule might be lackluster, the Nikes are beating their opponents by an average of 28.4 points per game. The one part of their game that can be approved is defense. They have allowed more than 50 points in four of their games. In fact, their 47.9 points per game allowed ranks 31st in Class 1A.

Still, this is an offense shooting 51.3% from the floor and 68% from the free throw line. Add in Shay Stephens, who is pouring in 26.2 points per game and dishing out nearly seven assists per game and maybe you do not need a lockdown defense.

More Information

For a full look at the top ten of each class, follow this link: IHSAA Top Ten 4th Edition