The Mount Pleasant School met in regular session Monday night. A top item on the agenda was a decision on the HVAC upgrade project. The conceptual estimated budget was $1,684,930 for the entire project that involved HVAC upgrades for the High School, gym, locker rooms and vocational areas as well as the Middle School gym. However, this estimate was significantly lower than the Design and Development estimated budget of $3, 541,757. Most of the difference had to do with the discovery that the line sets are too long to use regular air conditioners at the High School. This means the chilled water option would have to be used increases the cost by about $1, 000,000. The labor and equipment estimated costs were $550,000 more than the engineer thought. Because the School Site committee felt it was important not to use more than money than the allotted federal Covid funding the recommendation was made to prioritize what parts of the project were most important to fund….move forward with the High School work and leave out the Middle School plans at an estimated cost of $2,184,000 or cool the Middle School gym only at a cost of $1,670,000. The recommendation to the full board was the High School option. However, even tho other members of the board agreed with the logic for option 1, there was still concern about having enough government funds to continue to financially support learning loss recovery efforts for two more years at about one million dollars per year. It was decided the necessary money could be carved out of the HVAC funds that in turn could be supplemented with dollars from the penny sales tax fund and/or the physical plant and equipment levy.
Evening Rotary Presents Check and Food Items to Childcare Center
-courtesy of Bitrus Gwamna
The Mount Pleasant Childcare Center director, Cairece Alan and another member of her staff were guests at Monday’s meeting of the Mount Pleasant Evening Rotary club held at the Masonic lodge. During the meeting, Alan was presented with a check for $500 in addition to food items collected by evening Rotarians following a request for this aid by the Daycare center. Presenting the checks and gifts, on behalf of the club, the governor of Rotary district 6000 Steve Wieneke commended the partnership between the two Rotary Clubs in Mount Pleasant and the Childcare Center, noting that the two clubs assembled a variety of equipment purchased with Rotary donated funds, as well as, trimming bushes, planting grass, and cleaning up the area. Alan thanked the club for its kind donations, and presented a painting and a “thank you” card to the Mount Pleasant Evening Rotary Club from the children of the daycare center. Wieneke was at the meeting to dialogue with members on strategies for growing the club and increasing their visibility within the city of Mount Pleasant and beyond. While commending evening Rotarians for the various projects executed by the club, he encouraged the club to partner with other service organizations on projects that would significantly impact the lives of the community especially the youth. Wieneke also advised the Evening Rotary President Bitrus Gwamna and his board to develop effective strategies for communicating with club members, and take advantage of the Rotary Leadership Institute to be held next month in Mount Pleasant in order to enhance the quality of club activities.
Early Morning Crash in Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant Police investigated a single vehicle crash September 10 at about 12:15 in the morning. Officers were dispatched to the intersection of East Madison Street and Harrison Street. Timothy King of Mount Pleasant was turning north from Madison onto Harrison. His vehicle hit the curb causing the passenger side front wheel, suspension and axle to break. The vehicle continued through a yard and came to rest back in the street. The driver was not injured but was arrested for OWI and cited for Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance. He was also cited for an improper turn at an intersection.
Tiger Volleyball get All-Tournament Recognition
The Iowa Wesleyan Tiger volleyball team competed in the Jimmy John’s Classic September 2nd through the 3rd and Bethany Williams was named to the All-Tournament team earlier today. She finished with 14 kills, 6 digs, 4 blocks assists, 2 block solos, and accounted for 18 points through the 4 games.
In the Tigers last match against Harris-Stowe State University, Williams had the team lead in kills tallying up 7 in the 3 sets. The Tigers will be competing in the UHSP Tournament in St. Louis starting September 16th and finishing up on the 17th, with their first match taking place at 5 pm against College of the Ozarks.
William John “Hoot” Wilson
William John “Hoot” Wilson, 57, of Mount Pleasant, died Thursday, August 4, 2022 at his home. He was born in Burlington, Iowa on July 6, 1965 to William C. and Linda J. McCleeary Wilson. He was a 1984 graduate of Mount Pleasant High School and a member of the Mount Pleasant First United Methodist Church, where he married Jodi Lynn O’Neill on December 22, 1990.
He began his work career as an iron worker in New York, then came home and helped his father with the family farm. When the WalMart Warehouse needed some upgrades in the early 90’s he began working for Rapistan as an iron worker again. He enjoyed farming and bulldozing on the family farm until his health prevented it.
He loved to hunt and fish, motocross race, was known as a “Boogie Boarder” on the Mississippi and Skunk, and enjoyed trips out west with his parents on motorcycles, with Pikes Peak, Jackson Hole and Montana being highlights. He trapped in high school and used the money to buy his guns, and his stuffed badger was his pride and joy.
Hoot is survived by his wife Jodi of Mount Pleasant; son, Clayton John and daughter, Molli Rae, both of Mount Pleasant; his mother, Linda Wilson of Mount Pleasant; sister, Debra Heitmeier (Kelly Baker) of Mount Pleasant; mother-in-law Donna O’Neill Dunn (Doyle Dunn) of Mount Pleasant; sisters-in-law, Lennie Broeg (Kurt Broeg) of Parnell, Iowa, and Melanie O’Neill of Mount Pleasant; and many nieces and nephews who knew him as “Uncle Hoot”, Blake Heitmeier (Kaitlyn), and their children, Lyla and Charlotte, Ross Heitmeier (Sammi), Cormac Broeg (Humaa), Navy Lt. Maeve Broeg and Declan Broeg; many cousins, and friends and one special cousin and friend, Mike Fisher. He was preceded in death by his father Bill, father-in-law Jim O’Neill and brother-in-law Rich O’Neill.
According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held September 17 from 5-8 PM at the Moose Lodge, Mt. Pleasant.
Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family with arrangements. A memorial has been established for Future Farmers of America, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Sports, September 13th
High School Football
The Mt. Pleasant JV football team won their first game of the season last night against Mediapolis, 35 to 14. The Panthers dominated the ground by committee utilizing six different running backs for a total of 204 yards. Carsen Andreasen led the team with 76 yards and touchdown, while Jaden Bauer tossed 3 touchdown passes and 86 passing yards. The defense forced 5 turnovers on the night, with Landen Seymoure, Kessler Whaley, and Cooper Kleinkopf each securing an interception. The JV’s next game will be at home Monday, September 26th, against Fort Madison at 6 pm.
The Mt. Pleasant Panthers are at home this Friday to face off against West Burlington, who is also 0-3 after losing to Mediapolis last Friday. Jacob Richtman is top 10 in Class 4A for every meaningful passing statistic, while the Falcons are led by Travian Donaldson, who has over 300 yards rushing through three games. Tune into KILJ for the game, kickoff scheduled for 7:30 pm, pregame at 7:15 pm.
WACO will face off with Iowa Valley this Friday, September 16th. The Warriors are led by a pair of seniors in Isaac Oswald and Simeon Reichenbach, while Iowa Valley depends on dual threat quarterback Evan Kearney, who leads 8-man football with 30 total touchdowns on the season. This game is scheduled to start at 7 pm.
Winfield-Mt. Union tries to right the ship against HLV, and New London will celebrate homecoming against English Valleys. Both games scheduled to start at 7 pm.
Fort Madison will defend their home field against Washington, while Fairfield will travel to play Knoxville. The Bloodhounds are led by Aidan Boyer, who has tossed 457 yards and four touchdowns. The Demons will lean on talented senior running back Tayven Stuart.
High School Volleyball
Mt. Pleasant will be at home tonight, September 13th, to play the 4-11, Washington Demons.
Winfield-Mt. Union plays tonight at home against Hillcrest Academy. Game is scheduled to start at 6:30pm.
New London travels to play Van Buren County at 7 pm tonight, September 13th.
Holy Trinity Catholic is on the road to face off against Mediapolis tonight at 7:30 pm.
Iowa Wesleyan Athletics
Two Tigers garnered Conference recognition yesterday as Lilly Garnsey was named Continental Athletic Conference Women’s Cross Country Runner-of-the-Week after finishing 19th with a time of 22:23, her personal best, in the 5,000-meter race at the Fighting Bee Invitational. This is her first Athlete-of-the-Week and the cross-country team’s sixth award since rejoining the NAIA.
Alexis Hafenstine nabbed Volleyball Defender of the Week for the CAC. In the four games the Tigers played last week, Hafenstine tallied 77 digs, including a 35-dig performance against Graceland. This is her first Athlete-of-the-Week in her Iowa Wesleyan career, and the first for the Tiger volleyball team since returning to the NAIA and joining the CAC.
The Tigers came up short against Harris-Stowe State University last night by scores of 25-22, 25-10, and 25-23. Bethany Williams led the Tigers in kills with 7, while Malie DaMate tallied 11 assists. The Tigers will be competing in the UHSP Tournament on Friday, September 16th, in St. Louis, starting at 5 pm against the College of the Ozarks.
Women’s soccer will travel to play Cornell College at 5 pm on Wednesday, September 14th.
The Tigers football team will be at home this Saturday, September 17th, to play Finlandia University at noon. KILJ will be on the call with pregame set to start at 11:45 am.
This Day in Sports History
1949 – The Ladies Professional Golf Association of America was formed.
1970 – The first New York City Marathon took place. The race was run entirely inside Central Park.
2003 – In Oakland, CA, Frank Francisco (Texas Rangers), a relief pitcher, threw a chair into the right field box seats. Two spectators were hit in the head. The game was delayed for 19 minutes. The Athletics won the game 7-6 in the 10th inning.
Terry L. Septer
Terry L. Septer, 73, of Lockridge passed away on Sunday, September 11, 2022, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.
Funeral arrangements are pending at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com
Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for his arrangements.
Shae Matthew McCabe
Shae Matthew McCabe, 43, of Fairfield passed away on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 from injuries sustained in an accident.
A Celebration of Shae’s Life will be held on Sunday, October 9, 2022, at 3:00 pm at the Cider House in Fairfield, Iowa. A memorial fund for Shae’s children has been established at Community 1st Credit Union in Fairfield Iowa. Checks may be taken directly to Community 1st Credit Union or mailed to 2216 256th Street, Fairfield, Iowa 52556.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com
Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for his arrangements.