Last Thursday Mount Pleasant School Board President Jennifer Crull consulted with Supt. John Henriksen and asked for the district to conduct a survey regarding a possible mask mandate. A survey was sent to parents and staff asking the simple question, “Should the school district implement a mask mandate?” A total of 858 surveys came back by 8 am Monday. Of the 648 responses from parents 69% said no to a mandate. About 75% of the employees said no to a mask mandate and from the group of employees that are also parents 68% said no. This information was shared with the public at a board work session Monday night. The High School media center was almost half full with parents and a couple students. There were 12 parents who spoke against a mandate and five spoke in favor of a mandate. Those in favor cited health concerns for children under 12 who right now can’t be vaccinated. Other comments….the data doesn’t support a mask mandate, wearing masks isn’t the best learning environment and can cause disruption in the classroom. By far the opinion expressed the most was that this should be a parents choice. The board was also urged to rely on the collected from each building every day data to make a local decision.
Two Vehicles Involved in Lee County Accident
On September 20, at approximately 3:15 pm, Lee County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched near the area of mile marker 265 on Highway 61 in the southbound lanes to investigate a two car accident. Deputies arrived on scene and found the southbound lanes blocking traffic. There was a hay wagon that had been pulled by one of the vehicles on its side. James Walljasper of Montrose said he was driving south bound in the outermost lane on Highway 61, pulling the hay wagon. Walljsper said he saw the other vehicle quickly approaching the rear of his wagon. According to Walljasper the other driver, James Karaff of Donnellson, attempted to swerve at the last second, but that vehicle hit the wagon causing it to disconnect and then impact the side of the vehicle. Karaff was cited for following too close.
Weather Summary
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Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
The last full week of September brought a mix of unseasonably cool and warm days to Iowa. Overall average temperatures were warmer east and near-normal to cooler west. The statewide average temperature was 61.1 degrees, 1.9 degrees above normal. All of Iowa’s weather stations reported measurable precipitation, though rainfall deficits persisted with up to 0.50 inch reported at many central and southwestern gauges; above-average totals were observed in several pockets across Iowa. Strong southerly winds and sunny skies lifted daytime highs in the upper 80s and low 90s on Sunday (19th) afternoon with a statewide average high at 88 degrees, 14 degrees above normal. Clouds increased through the nighttime hours as a strong cold front entered northwestern Iowa during the early morning hours of Monday (20th). An initial line of showers formed and proceeded into central Iowa before dissipating as it moved into a drier atmosphere. With higher humidity and afternoon highs in the mid 80s in front of the boundary, a secondary line of thunderstorms fired in west-central Iowa and pushed across the state. Some of the thunderstorms became severe with several occurrences of straight-line winds producing tree damage. As the line filled in, widespread rain was reported at a majority of Iowa’s stations with general totals above 0.30 inch. Almost 60 stations measured more than an inch with several stations in Des Moines County reporting over 2.00 inches; a gauge in Burlington observed 3.00 inches. Clouds quickly cleared through the late evening hours and cooler air filtered in behind the front along with northerly winds. Overnight lows on Tuesday (21st) morning ranged from the low 40s northwest to upper 50s southeast. Pleasant conditions persisted through the day with highs in the upper 60s and low 70s under mostly sunny skies. Chilly temperatures were observed overnight with mid to upper 30s in western Iowa where starry skies were present before sunrise; slightly warmer conditions blanketed eastern Iowa with light northerly winds. Wednesday (22nd) continued the comfortable conditions with variable winds and highs hovering in the upper 60s and low 70s. Temperatures cooled into the upper 30s and 40s over much of the state with clear skies and a light, variable wind. Thursday (23rd) was a sunny and breezy day with winds shifting to a southerly direction as a high pressure center pushed into Iowa. Afternoon conditions were ideal with highs in the low to mid 70s and low relative humidity. Clear skies continued into Friday (24th) morning with upper 40s and low 50s blanketing the state. Clouds began building up in northwestern Iowa during the late morning hours as a cold front approached Iowa. Light rain showers formed along the front as it raced west to east, clearing eastern Iowa late in the evening. While the rain was widespread, totals were at or below 0.30 inch with a majority of stations reporting accumulations below 0.10 inch; Fort Dodge (Webster County) observed 0.24 inch while Lamoni (Decatur County) measured 0.30 inch. With colder air pushing in behind the front, freezing temperatures were reported for the first time this fall as lows dipped into the 30s west to mid 40s east; the statewide average low was 40 degrees, eight degrees below average. Brilliant sunshine and westerly winds were observed on Saturday (25th) as Iowa experienced near-seasonal temperatures. Winds shifted to a southerly direction overnight into Sunday (26th) with temperatures remaining in the 50s. Weekly rain totals ranged from 0.01 inch at Bedford (Taylor County) to 3.04 inches in Burlington. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.53 inch while the normal is 0.82 inch. Muscatine (Muscatine County) observed the week’s high temperature of 94 degrees on the 19th, 18 degrees above normal. Atlantic (Cass County), Audubon (Audubon County) and Guthrie Center (Guthrie County) reported the week’s low temperature of 32 degrees on the 25th, on average 14 degrees below normal. |
Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report
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Single Vehicle Accident Report
On September 25th, at approximately 4:52PM the Henry County Sheriff’s Office took a report of a motor vehicle accident that took place in the 3100 grid of Marsh Avenue. After an investigation, it was found that Michael Hoelscher of New London, Iowa, was driving a passenger vehicle and while attempting to turn onto 310th Street from Marsh Avenue lost control of the vehicle causing it to enter the ditch. The vehicle was estimated to be totaled and no injuries were reported.
Prep Volleyball: Busy Night in Volleyball
KILJ — It will be yet another big Tuesday in the area in terms of volleyball, with several keynote matchups.
Starting in the Southeast Conference, Mount Pleasant is back in action after finishing last week strong.
The Panthers enter play 13-10, winners of three straight.
Tonight they’ll hook up with Fort Madison, the Bloodhounds come in with a record of 5-13.
Kenna Lamm has been outstanding guiding Mount Pleasant’s front row. The senior is averaging 3.8 kills per set putting her squarely in the Conference Player of the Year discussion.
Tonight’s game will begin at 7:15 p.m. at the HoundDome in Fort Madison.
In the Super Conference, No. 5 Holy Trinity will be on the road against New London tonight.
This will be the schools first meeting this season, but Holy Trinity has won four straight in the matchup and 43 of the last 49.
The Crusaders are 16-4 on the year, while New London is 14-9.
Natalie Randolph paces the Holy Trinity front row with 2.4 kills per set while Natalie Burden leads New London with 2.8 kills per set.
Tonight’s tilt will begin at 7:00 p.m. at New London High School.
Other area matchups tonight:
- Danville at No. 7 West Burlington
- Burlington at Keokuk
- Fairfield at Washington
- WACO, Keota, Cardinal at Lone Tree
Prep Cross Country: Washington Cross Country Invitational Tonight
Washington — Tonight will be a big night in Washington when several area schools will be at the Demon Cross Country Invitational.
Teams there tonight include Burlington, Fairfield, Fort Madison, Highland, Keokuk, Lone Tree, Mount Pleasant, Sigourney and of course, Washington.
The race will be ran at the Washington Golf and Country Club.
The varsity girls’ race will kick off the evening at 5:15 p.m. with the boys’ to follow at 5:40 p.m.
Other cross country tonight:
- Central Lee and Holy Trinity will race at Van Buren County at Indian Lake
- Danville-New London will travel to Williamsburg for the Raider Invite
Prep Football: Radio Iowa Poll Announced, WACO Moves Up Two
KILJ — The latest Radio Iowa football poll has been announced and both WACO and Fort Madison have moved up two spots.
The Warriors are now No. 6 in eight-player, while Fort Madison is No. 6 in 4A.
8-Player
1. Montezuma (6-0), LW #1 vs Twin Cedars
2. CAM (Anita) (5-0), LW #2 vs Exira-EHK
3. Easton Valley (5-0), LW #3 vs Calamus-Wheatland
4. Remsen St. Mary’s (5-0), LW #5 vs #5 Newell-Fonda
5. Newell-Fonda (5-0), LW #6 @ #4 Remsen St. Mary’s
6. WACO (6-0), LW #8 vs Lone Tree
7. Gladbrook-Reinbeck (5-0), LW #9 vs Meskwaki
8. Turkey Valley (5-0), LW #10 vs Clarksville
9. Baxter (5-0), LW (X) vs Collins-Maxwell
10.Audubon (5-0), LW #4 @ Coon Rapids-Bayard
Class A
1. West Hancock (5-0), LW #1 vs #10 HMS
2. Woodbury Central (5-0), LW #2 vs Westwood
3. Grundy Center (4-1), LW #3 vs Nashua-Plainfield
4. North Linn (5-0), LW #4 @ Starmont
5. North Butler (5-0), LW #9 vs Saint Ansgar
6. Logan-Magnolia (4-1), LW #6 @ IKM-Manning
7. North Tama (5-0), LW #7 @ BCLUW
8. Lisbon (4-1), LW (X) @ Pekin
9. Earlham (4-1), LW #10 vs Southwest Valley
10.HMS (Hartley) (4-1), LW (X) @ #1 West Hancock
Class 1A
1. Van Meter (5-0), LW #1 vs Nodaway Valley
2. Iowa City Regina (5-0), LW #2 @ Louisa-Muscatine
3. Underwood (5-0), LW #3 @ Treynor
4. Dike-New Hartford (5-0), LW #5 vs Aplington-Parkersburg
5. Sigourney-Keota (5-0), LW #6 vs #8 Cardinal
6. West Sioux (4-1), LW #7 vs Ridge View
7. Pella Christian (4-1), LW #4 @ Pleasantville
8. Cardinal (Eldon) (5-0), LW #8 @ #5 Sigourney-Keota
9. Dyersville Beckman (5-0), LW #9 vs #10 Columbus
10.Waterloo Columbus (4-1), LW #10 @ #9 Beckman
Class 2A
1. Southeast Valley (5-0), LW #1 @ Clarion-Goldfield-Dows
2. Waukon (4-1), LW #2 vs Wahlert
3. West Marshall (4-1), LW #5 @ PCM
4. OABCIG (4-1), LW #6 @ #10 Pocahontas Area
5. Spirit Lake (4-1), LW #3 @ #6 Estherville Lincoln Central
6. Estherville Lincoln Central (3-2), LW #4 vs #5 Spirit Lake
7. West Lyon (3-2), LW #7 vs Okoboji
8. Greene County (4-1), LW #8 vs Red Oak
9. Unity Christian (4-1), LW #9 @ Central Lyon
10.Pocahontas Area (4-1), LW #10 vs #4 OABCIG
Class 3A
1. Harlan (5-0), LW #1 @ Atlantic
2. West Delaware (4-1), LW #2 vs South Tama
3. Boyden-Hull/Rock Valley (5-0), LW #3 @ Sioux Center
4. Solon (5-0), LW #4 @ Washington
5. Humboldt (5-0), LW #5 @ North Polk
6. Nevada (5-0), LW #6 vs Ballard
7. Independence (5-0), LW #7 vs Hampton-Dumont-Cal
8. Sergeant Bluff-Luton (4-1), LW #8 @ MOC-Floyd Valley
9. Davenport Assumption (3-2), LW #10 @ Mount Vernon
10.Algona (4-1), LW (X) @ Gilbert
Class 4A
1. North Scott (5-0), LW #1 @ Burlington
2. Indianola (5-0), LW #2 @ #8 Norwalk
3. Cedar Rapids Xavier (4-1), LW #3 @ Pella
4. Bondurant-Farrar (5-0), LW #4 @ Perry
5. Lewis Central (3-2), LW #5 vs DSM Hoover
6. Fort Madison (5-0), LW #7 vs Clinton
7. Waverly-Shell Rock (4-1), LW #8 vs Marion
8. Norwalk (4-1), LW #9 vs #2 Indianola
9. Clear Creek-Amana (4-1), LW (X) @ CR Washington (Thur)
10.Winterset (4-1), LW (X) vs Glenwood
Class 5A
1. Ankeny (4-1), LW #2 @ #5 Valley
2. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (5-0), LW #1 vs #7 Cedar Falls
3. Southeast Polk (4-1), (4-1), LW #3 @ #8 Linn-Mar
4. Iowa City High (5-0), LW #5 @ Davenport North (Thur)
5. WDM Valley (4-1), LW #4 vs #1 Ankeny
6. Urbandale (4-1), LW #6 @ Ankeny Centennial
7. Cedar Falls (4-1), LW #7 @ #2 Kennedy
8. Linn-Mar (5-0), LW #8 vs #3 S.E. Polk
9. Cedar Rapids Prairie (4-1), LW #9 @ Waterloo West
10.Dowling Catholic (2-3), LW #10 @ Johnston