The third quarter of 2021 kicked off with one of the year’s most highly anticipated events…the opening of the Mount Pleasant Childcare Center. The community supported project meant the addition of desperately need childcare availability for the town. Doors opened July 6 serving 50 children to start with.
In July County Fair goers were happy to be able to attend in person this year after events were cancelled and the livestock shows held on-line the year before.
Congratulations to 17 year old Maddie Wellman! She was crowned as this year’s Lee County Fair Queen. This year’s First Runner Up was Sidney Jones and Second Runner Up is Brianna Gruntmeir. Brianna is also Miss Congeniality. The Junior Fair Queen at the Lee County Fair is Allison Gruntmeir. First Runner Up is Kayla Winnke and Second Runner Up is Madison Hassman.
Winfield-Mount Union senior Madie Anderson was named Henry County Fair Queen!
First Runner-Up and Miss Congeniality was Alexandra Farley. The 2021 Junior Queen was Ashlynn Beauchamp and First Runner-up was Jacie Campbell.
The Fair Princess was Bella Tedrow and the First Runner-up was Addyson Newton.
In July the Iowa Board of Corrections approved the Department’s selection of three new wardens. Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility’s Deputy Warden, Marcy Stroud, became that facility’s new warden. Chris Tripp was approved as the Warden of the Iowa State Penitentiary and Shawn Howard as the Warden of the Newton Correctional Facility. Stroud has worked with the Department of Corrections since she started her career as a Correctional Officer in 1989 since then holding many positions within the department including Activities Specialist, Counselor, Treatment Director, and Forensic Hospital Director as well as Deputy Warden.
At the end of July local and state law enforcement agencies closed the case regarding the fatal house fire in Mount Pleasant that occurred early in May. Mount Pleasant Police officially confirmed that Keith and Khay Baccam died in the May 3 blaze. The bodies of the couple were found inside their home at 1004 Redbud Lane. However, at the request of the family authorities did not release any further information, other than to say there was never a threat to the community. Mount Pleasant Fire Department responded at about 3:30 am to the scene. Because two bodies were discovered and because the fire appeared suspicious the State Fire Marshall’s investigator and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation were called in.
At the end of July the Mount Pleasant School Board officially approved a contract for Chad Venghaus as the district’s new Director of Buildings and Grounds. Chad previously worked for the City of Winfield Public Works Department. He would go on to work for two months with long time director Mark Porth who would officially resign this fall.
The Sweet 16 program is always a highlight of the annual Old Threshers Reunion. 2021 was made extra special with the addition of the Sweet 17’s. These young ladies signed on in 2020 as 16 year olds but as with so many other events that year’s Reunion was cancelled. The girls were invited to participate in this year’s reunion and that meant there was a Sweet 16 and a Sweet 17. The 2021 Old Threshers Miss Sweet 16 was Kalayana Durr of New London. First Runner-Up was Everlee Harvey. Second Runner -Up was Tristian Shull and Miss Volunteer was Sydney McElhinney. Ava Fisher of Altoona, Iowa was crowned Miss Sweet 17. The First Runner-Up was Kaitlyn Lee of New London. Second Runner-Up was Abby Blint. Miss Volunteer honors went to Emma Harvey of Argyle.
This fall, Iowa Wesleyan University continued to see significant enrollment growth, posting its highest overall enrollment in over a decade and the largest number of new students in 86 years.
The University’s fall census boasted a total undergraduate enrollment of 669, a 13% increase over last fall. This enrollment growth is also a 20% increase over the past three years and a 41% increase over the past five years.
The overall enrollment of 835, a 15% increase over last fall, reflects growth in the University’s graduate and online programs and the undergraduate program. This growth is a 58% increase over the past five years.
This growth in students has also pushed campus housing to its capacity. As the University expects to continue to experience enrollment growth for the future, campus housing and facilities have been a focus of discussions throughout their strategic planning process that is currently underway.
The new partnership with Southeastern Community College (the Southeast Iowa Higher Education Alliance) also provided an immediate enrollment impact, with fifteen students transferring through the Alliance this fall. The regional awareness has also increased the number of new Iowa students by 42% from last fall.
This fall, nearly 100 international students are on campus representing 34 countries.
September 14 both New London and Winfield Mt. Union School Districts held bond referendum. The proposition put before the New London voters passed by 68%. Voters were asked to approve general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $5,375,000. The funds are to be used to turn the Clark Elementary gym/multipurpose room into classrooms and then to construct a gym addition to the High School building.
The WMU proposition did not succeed. A total of 371 votes were cast…210 no votes and 161 yes votes. WMU district residents were asked to approve $3,255,000 to provide funds for a combination performing arts/athletic competition facility as well as additions to the Industrial Tech building and the High School.