Trunks raided for treats
More than 200 attend annual Halloween community event
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Warm weather and sunny skies helped Wellness Coalition of Rural Linn County’s Trunk or Treat event draw a crowd of more than 460 people this year.
Themes for trunks this year included “Where’s Waldo?”, “I Spy”, Dungeons and Dragons-esque adventures, Olympic Games, family movie night and more. Plus, the ever popular ambulance, fire department and sheriff department booths.
Kassy Rice with Wellness Coalition of Rural Linn County said the anonymous judge voted for LBC’s family movie night decorated trunk as their favorite, but there were many good participants this year.
Among the sounds of the event, youth were excited to take part in the dice games at the Dungeons and Dragons event. David Hanson was so excited at his chance to slay the dragon that when he rolled the oversized 20 sided die, it rolled under an adjacent vehicle.
Other opportunities like seeing the inside of a fire truck were highlights for other kids.
The family friendly trick or treating alternative in Mount Vernon continues to grow in popularity each year.
Aside from the events on the exterior parking lots of Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center, there were
Above: Steady crowds line up to the Trunk or Treat event Sunday, Oct. 27.
Right: Etta is a little tuckered out at the Trunk or Treat event Sunday, Oct. 27.
also games and activities inside the center for kids to take part in after collecting candy and other prizes outside.
The Wellness Coalition of Rural Linn County was taking an impromptu survey of adults as well during the event of the dangerous drugs facing teenagers at the moment, with alcohol and vaping being the two who were getting the highest number of votes at roughly 3 p.m.
PHOTOS | 8 & 9
Moratorium extended on vape, smoke shops
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
The Mount Vernon City Council extended a moratorium on new smoke or vape shops in the community of Mount Vernon for another six months.
The previous moratorium concluded in September after six months had elapsed.
Council member Mark Andresen agreed with the extension of the moratorium for the next six months.
“This will give us time to vote and look at the ordinances we are tweaking,” Andresen said. “I think it’s a good idea to have this in
place while we deal with those ordinances.” Andresen asked other council members to look at the language of the proposed ordinances coming before the council Monday, Nov. 4.
Council member Paul Tuerler provided a dissenting opinion. Council member Stephanie West was absent from the meeting. The moratorium passed 3-1.
An ordinance on defining minors and restrictions on vape or smoke shops will be on the agenda for the Monday, Nov. 4 meeting.
MV receives additional grant
Joe Jennison, grant writer for the City of
Mount Vernon, said the fire station revamp by MV Brews was the recipient of an additional $195,0000 in tax credits.
Those credits are on top of the previous matching grant that the project received in 2023.
Jennison said the project started under his previous job as community development director.
City administrator Chris Nosbisch said that Jennison’s work as a grant writer is there to help all businesses and groups in the community.
“We understand Joe is a great grant writer, but businesses also have to contribute to these projects,” Nosbisch said.
There are forms available on the city website to help with the grant writing process and getting a request to Jennison to help with a project as well.
Pool work remains on track
The repairs to the pool are ongoing and should remain on target for completion this
spring.
City administrator Chris Nosbisch said the key is the next two weeks and if concrete and decking work is completed before the first freeze happens this fall.
“If that work is completed in the next two weeks, then it is promising the pool will be open by next May on time,” Nosbisch said. “If that doesn’t happen, and the concrete work isn’t finished ahead of winter, it will impact opening for next spring.”
Nosbisch said they had already discovered the pool was not grounded electrically, and that will be corrected this fall.
There are a few other improvements Nosbisch wants made once the concrete work is completed to the deck, including work on lighting at the bottom of the pool and work on the toilets in the restrooms that may add more to future change orders.
The project, however, remains currently on track and scheduled to be completed this fall, and the city approved the first pay application for work that has been completed.
Photos by Nathan Countryman Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Centaur yearbook named yearbook of year for third year in a row
The Centaur, Mount Vernon High School’s yearbook, won Iowa High School Press Association’s
yearbook of the year for the third year in a row. The yearbook also won several individual awards for staff
of the yearbook.
Earning first place were: cover by Lily Rechkemmer; feature photo with caption / student life- outof-school related “Loads of Snow” by Susanella Daugherty; feature photo with caption / student life- school related “Tugof-War” by Kade Kaiser; infograph /mod “Favorite Trending Movie” by Cassidy Olberding; photo illustration “Senior Superlatives” by Cassidy Olberding and Lily Rechkemmer; sports action photo / caption “Twooo!” by Jayce Pendergrass; sports feature photo/ caption “Celebration and Devastation” by Jayce Pendergrass; total package “Volleyball” by Jayce Pendergrass.
Earning second place were: sports action photo / caption “’Stang Shove” by Lily Rechkemmer; feature photo/caption “All in the Family” by Jayce Pendergrass; theme “Hear the Herd” by Lily Rechkemmer.
Earning third place
Washington Elementary students podcast honorable mention by NPR
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Mount Vernon students
Afton Weaver, Lucy Cook and Tenley Ryant were named an honorable mention in the National Public Radio’s Student Podcast Challenge. Their podcast, the Super S’s, was recorded in spring 2024 for the fourth grade competition with the help of Cornell College as part of a unit on podcasting developed by teacher Heather Bauer and Cornell College instructors.
From the reporting on the story in the April 18 edition of the Sun - Erin Lane at Cornell College had seen the Student Podcast Challenge by National Public Radio was being offered for fourth graders to participate in.
“I knew my daughter’s class has focused on learning about different writing styles, and this seemed like it would be a good fit,” Lane said.
Teacher Heather Bauer, when approached about the idea, was a little hesitant,
Contributed photo
Members of the 2024-25 yearbook staff include - Emily Giel, Kade Kaiser, Lydia Marshall, Rylee Gerber. (middle, from left) Audrey Vaughn, adviser JoAnn Gage, (back, from left) Renee Vig, Avery Thurn, Caroline Rupe, Izabella Nelson, and Lucy Wischmeyer.
were: feature photo with caption / student life- outof-school related “Paint the Town” by Jayce Pendergrass; sports action photo / caption “State Star” by Renae Woods; sports feature photo/caption “Extremely Excited Coaches” by Jayce Pendergrass; total package “Jobs and Internships” by Lily Rechkemmer, Susanella Daugherty and Adam Zehms.
Honorable mentions went to: Infograph /
mod “Kierstan Swart” by Jayce Pendergrass; infograph /mod “Commencement Speakers” by Lydia Marshall and Kade Kaiser; photo illustration “MVHS” by Lily Rechkemmer; photo illustration “Lillian Bishop” by Lily Rechkemmer; sports story “Different Strategies Lead to State Success” by Cassidy Olberding; story/ student life- school related “Martha Parsons Family and Activity Complex Opens” by Colin Bentley.
as she’d never taught a unit like this.
“Erin and Matt Zhorne made this process so smooth and easy,” Bauer said. “They put together a wonderful lesson to help students understand the process and the desired outcome.”
This year NPR received nearly 2,000 entries from all around the country for the challenge. It was also the first year that fourth grade students were allowed to
record podcasts for the contest.
This year’s winners in fourth grade podcasts included subjects on the Montauk lighthouse, a school mural, a trampoline accident, a forced migration, and the Quartering Act of 1765.
Tenley Ryant, Afton Weaver and Lucy Cook record the Super S podcast back in April. The podcast was an honorable mention for NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge.
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Official Newspaper: Mount Vernon, Lisbon, Bertram, Linn County, Mount Vernon Community School District, Lisbon Community School District The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun (USPS 367-520), a division of The Daily Iowan, is published weekly every Thursday by Student Publications, Inc., 100 Adler Journalism Building, Room E131, Iowa City, Iowa 52242. Periodicals Postage Paid at the Mount Vernon Post Office and additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun, 108 1st St SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314. Subscriptions: Contact Rochelle Ferguson at 319-895-6216 or rochelle.ferguson@mvlsun.com for additional information. Subscription rates: Linn and adjoining counties – $55 annually; elsewhere in Iowa – $75 annually; out of state – $85 annually. Copyright 2024 Mount VernonLisbon Sun, a division of The Daily Iowan and Student Publications, Inc. All articles, photographs and graphics, both in print and online editions, are the property of Student Publications, Inc., and may not be reproduced or republished without written permission.
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Sun file photo
Tenley Ryant, Afton Weaver and Lucy Cook record the Super S podcast back in April. The podcast was an honorable mention for NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge.
Contributed photo
The current editor-in-chief Kade Kaiser, and the design editor for the yearbook Lydia Marshall.
Lisbon hosting oneact plays this fall
Writer’s Bloc and We
Are Chickens have multiple chances to catch the shows
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Lisbon High School will be performing multiple one-act plays as their shows this fall, with two different shows offered.
Writer’s Bloc will be the featured show Thursday, Nov. 7, Saturday, Nov. 9, Thursday, Nov. 14, and Saturday, Nov. 16.
We’re All Chickens will be performed Friday, Nov. 8, Sunday, Nov. 10, Friday, Nov. 15, and Sunday, Nov. 17.
Director Grant Freeman said there could be some shows impacted as the Lisbon football team advances in the postseason. If the Lions advance, the shows that conflict with those games will be canceled.
Sundays will be a 2 p.m. matinee, with all other showtimes being 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for each show at the door.
Director Grant Freeman said this fall’s show had to happen because the auditorium is currently a shared space for Amanda Zenisek’s business classes this fall while construction is completed on the new career and technical education wing of the Lisbon Schools.
“We had a different show we were looking to do, but with the classroom needs of the auditorium, we wouldn’t be able to construct the set that show would require,” Freeman said. “At that point, my goal was to present a show without royalties to get my students acting opportunities in front of an audience and utilize minimal staging.”
Freeman has taken several one-act plays he has previously written, as well as a few from Devon Crawford and Amy White, to present as the show.
The pivot to one act and multiple casts
has given an opportunity for football and volleyball players to participate in the show.
“When I had more than 16 students audition, I knew I had to make things work for the cast,” Freeman said. “I have several actors who haven’t acted on stage before, or maybe just been behind the scenes. I want them to have the opportunity to be part of the plays.”
Freeman said he has loved watching many of his students have the opportunity to get out and act on stage.
“I love watching many of these students also get out of the boxes they construct of ‘I am known for these things,’” Freeman said. “These plays do give them opportunities to do a lot of different things.”
Hrabak act in a scene from Writer’s Bloc.
Freeman is the first to admit that there are some similarities in the one-act shows he has written and collected for this showcase.
“Several of them have been performed for speech contests in the past, and they work extremely well for the 15 to 20 minutes students perform them there,”
Shop Small Saturdays set
for Nov. 9 and Nov. 30
The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group (CDG) Shop Small Committee has announced two community-wide shopping events: Saturday, Nov. 9, and Saturday, Nov. 30.
Holiday Open House on Nov. 9
On Saturday, Nov. 9, participating businesses will host their Holiday Open House during their regular business hours. Each business will have a doorbuster, treat, or unique reason for shoppers to visit.
CDG Volunteers will host an information booth in Hilltop Pocket Park located at 110 First St W in Mount Vernon. New this year will be live trivia for the chance to win giveaways. Volunteers will test shoppers’ knowledge throughout the day with lucky participants able to win $25 in Community Cash or sponsored gifts from local retailers. The trivia will happen every 30 minutes throughout the day.
Freeman said. “When multiple are collected together, though, you start to see my writing formula and they’re all variations of the same type of play.”
He also notes it’s hard to both write and direct your own plays.
Actress Payton Curtis said what she has loved most about the multiple parts and roles she plays in the one-act shows has been meeting the other cast members she works alongside.
“This has also been an opportunity for me to play multiple different characters in one show,” Curtis said.
Playing multiple characters has also been one of her minor challenges, especially remembering characters between the different one-act shows she is part of.
“People should come see this show because it’s funny and we’ve worked hard as casts on these productions,” Curtis said. “It is definitely not like other shows we’ve done before, and you have multiple chances to see the shows.”
Freshman Gracie Cummings has loved the opportunity to play multiple parts in the show as well.
“I’ve probably learned the most from this theater opportunity, as I’ve been able to play multiple roles,” Cummings said. “It’s one of my first experiences being the lead of a show as well.”
Lines—especially for being a lead— are one of the minor challenges for Cummings. And some blocking as the cast is working to figure out staging.
“There are a whole bunch of new actors
Local businesses are also supporting Shop Small with Mount Vernon Bank & Trust sponsoring $1,000 in Community Cash giveaways and Lynch Ford-Chevrolet sponsoring $500 in Community Cash to their customers.
Shop Small Saturday on Nov. 30
On Saturday, Nov. 30, participating businesses will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Shop Small Saturday.
CDG Volunteers will again host an information booth in Hilltop Pocket Park located at 110 First St W in Mount Vernon and the first 50 shoppers who stop by will receive a swag bag filled with items sponsored by local businesses. CDG Volunteers will again test shoppers’ knowledge throughout the day with lucky
in these shows, and it would be great to see our community coming out to support us in these shows,” Cummings said.
“It’s just a fun, silly group of shows,” Freeman said. “And we could all use that in the month of November when our country is tense in more ways than one. High school is community theater done with high schoolers as a cast, and they still need the support of their community. There’s also several opportunities to catch multiple different shows and casts.”
Writer’s
Bloc and Other Plays
Cast List: Joey Watson
Caroline Morris
Gavin Lord
Aubrey Ford
Jacob Montgomery
Lucas Curtis
Kaitlyn Silver
Gracie Cummings
We’re All Chickens and Other Plays By Grant Freeman
Cast List:
Gracie Cummings
Peyton Appel
Payton Curtis
Riley Clark
Hermione Chalupa
Alyssa Hrabak
Kendall Hartelt
participants able to win $25 in Community Cash or sponsored gifts from local retailers. The trivia will happen every 30 minutes throughout the day.
Contributed photo
Caroline Morris, Joey Watson and Aubrey Ford act in a scene from We’re All Chickens.
Contributed photo
Gracie Cummings, Peyton Appel, and Alyssa
There is nothing to fear but... nothing really
Living in Iowa
Dan Brawner
Sure, there are real dangers in the world—hurricanes, floods, wars, famines, pandemics. But isn’t it funny how we take perverse pleasure in scaring ourselves—over nothing? Take Halloween. It used to be a religious holiday. Now it’s all about kids dressing up like monsters and ghouls, wandering the streets at night, demanding candy from strangers. Nobody is really scared. Except maybe—dentists.
Last week, there were screaming headlines that four killer asteroids were hurtling toward Earth—one as big as a 50-story skyscraper! We’re doomed. There’s no time to get our affairs in order. Don’t buy green bananas. Don’t bother setting out the recycling. This is the end. Then, the article mentions that the planet-killer asteroid will miss Earth by 2.8 million miles. Whew! That was close!
“Only in Iowa” is a website dedicated to presenting charming and interesting places and events in Iowa. But lest we get too comfortable and complacent about our home state, Michaela Kendall’s article, “Here Are the 9 Biggest Risks of Living in Iowa” gives us some good reasons to be afraid.
Like deer. Yeah, they seem so sweet and gentle, grazing in the park, sometimes accompanied by a couple of darling little spotted fauns. Speaking from experience, I can honestly report that I’ve never been hit by a 77,000 mile-an-hour asteroid. But twice, my truck has been smashed up by deer slowly meandering across Highway 1. New York City and Los Angeles might have terrifying traffic jams and road rage, but Iowa has tractors. This time of year, Iowa drivers need to be on high alert while traveling secondary roads as traffic suddenly slows to a crawl for farm tractors, combines and hay wagons.
If you’re not afraid of tractors, then how about a 4,000-foot-tall tornado, shooting lightning bolts and gobbling up mobile homes like M&M’s? As natural disasters go, there is hardly anything so cinematically frightening as an Iowa tornado.
The article also warns Iowans about ticks and mosquitoes. Iowans have little to fear from malaria or dengue fever but it’s still creepy to have small creatures ravenously nibbling your lifeblood. Mosquitoes are annoying, but finding a swollen wood tick in your hair is enough to turn your stomach.
A story about another scary Iowa bug surfaced recently when Michelle Wiegand, a Johnson County Conservation specialist found a rare, “rusty patched bumblebee” in her own back yard. It is believed that this is the first nest found in Iowa since the bee was placed on the federally endangered list in 2017.
Iowa State University entomologists were able to excavate the nest to learn more about this dwindling little stinger. (Like don’t stick your hand in a bee’s nest.) Researchers will gently extract the bee’s DNA to learn more about its genetic vulnerabilities and to train dogs to find these rare nests in the future. (Dog: You want me to hunt rabbits? Fine. Squirrels? Fine. Badgers? Well, okay. But bumble bees? You’re on your own, pal.) Real terror is a personal thing. A bumble bee on your ear is scarier than a giant asteroid two million miles from Earth.
Consider the diversification of trees when replanting
Almost five years later, Mount Vernon’s tree canopy has replaced almost as many trees as were taken down from the city’s right of ways following the derecho in 2020.
That recovery didn’t happen overnight, but has taken plantings over the span of four years to get back to a point to bring the trees back to the number taken down.
And with the replanting of so many trees comes a reminder from the city for all citizens — if you’re replanting trees, please think about tree diversity as you’re planting.
Prior to the derecho, Mount Vernon’s and Lisbon’s tree canopies, like many in Iowa, were seeing a number of trees that needed to come down because of the emerald ash borer.
As the Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported this week, the bug was now found in all 99 counties in the state. It was a matter of when that would happen, not if.
Many communities had ash trees in their canopies because they were a hardy and long-lived tree that provided great shade.
With the ash borer, however, that started weakening those trees who didn’t have a defense against the insect, and removing those sick or dying trees hit a lot of communities before the derecho. Lisbon’s beautification budget routinely has been spent to remove sick or dying ash trees
League of Women Voters hear about voter registration efforts, community building
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
The Mount Vernon-Lisbon unit of the League of Women Voters heard about voter registration efforts and community-building efforts throughout the state.
Shannon Brisbois, director of strategic community partnerships for VisionLeads, spoke about the efforts to increase voter registration and voting in districts in Iowa.
“The main goal for our organization is to build community,” Brisbois said. “We’ve been focusing on registering and getting precincts with less than 40 percent of turnout to increase voter turnout.”
Brisbois said a part of that is getting people comfortable talking about politics again.
Part of that effort is that VisionLeads continues to show up in precincts multiple times during the year, so it wasn’t just an appearance there for a month to register.
Brisbois said the effort has helped in several Cedar Rapids and Des Moines communities, and they are looking to expand to communities like Sioux City in 2025.
“The hope is we get back to what we’ve done years ago, which is build communities,” Brisbois said.
Brisbois said the goal is to have communities realize the power of their vote and voice in their community.
VisionLeads trains volunteers on how to talk to people who are not registered to vote.
VisionLeads has seen hundreds of registered voters in Cedar Rapids and 400 in Des Moines since July of this year.
The next step is getting people rides to the polls if they need assistance.
The League said they would be interested in knowing the unregistered numbers in Mount Vernon and Lisbon, but League member Marti Hurst noted the communities have great voter turnout in these communities.
Megan Goldberg spoke about her recent efforts to increase voter registration and turnout at Cornell College.
as they can allow, especially if they are near high traffic areas. Following the derecho, many of the ash trees in both communities were removed as well.
As trees get replanted, city administrator Chris Nosbisch said the city is trying to maintain a more diverse tree canopy to avoid an illness that impacts the same species of trees and would be just as devastating as the emerald ash borer or Dutch elm disease.
At the moment, Mount Vernon’s tree canopy has a very high number of maple trees, which leads to worries if a disease impacts maples, that it would be highly devastating to trees in the right of ways and in the community. So new trees planted tend to shy away from being a maple.
As Nosbisch said to citizens —if you are looking to replant trees in your own yard, look at the guidance from the tree commission for the city and approved species and continue to help with diversification of tree species in the community. Many of the trees on the approved list are native to Iowa and would make great replacement trees. The city is looking to maintain that diversity in the canopy of the trees in the right-of-way moving forward.
Use the resources available from the city and Department of Natural Resources to find the correct trees to plant if you are replacing any.
“The college is legally obligated to help students register to vote,” Goldberg said.
While Cornell College has a high voter turnout for college students, Cornell’s turnout wasn’t as high.
One of the challenges for students voting is determining where they want to vote.
“College students are one of the individuals who can choose either to vote at their home state or where the college is,” Goldberg said. “Many students prefer to vote at home.”
There are challenges for some absentee voting in other states that Goldberg said students are working to find solutions to in the next year.
College students are most likely to take part in other forms of political activity, like protests, but are less likely to participate in voting.
Part of that is one of the minor challenges for college students. One of those is knowing the address for their dorm rooms to register as a residence if they are voting in Iowa.
“These are also students learning life skills like how to mail something for the first time,” Goldberg said.
Voter I.D. laws also provide a potential barrier to entry for college students, as they don’t usually have pieces of mail that come to their college mailing address for proof of residence or a driver’s license with their dorm room on it.
“Those extra steps can be enough to derail college students,” Goldberg said.
The biggest issue is getting students to follow through on
Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun Shannon Brisbois of VisionLeads speaks about the efforts to get out the vote by VisionLeads across the state.
plans to vote.
“We are doing all we can to give students support on election day and get students out to actively vote,” Goldberg said.
Goldberg said she is discovering the best solution for all of this is to have college students organize fellow college students to vote.
This year, Goldberg’s class has taken 15 minutes of class time in 47 classes, which has led to 200 updated or new voter registrations.
There is also an on-campus voting location Wednesday, Oct. 30, from noon to 6 p.m.
“Students will not have class that day, so that removes a barrier to voting,” Goldberg said.
Goldberg is working with residence life to get the appropriate forms to help students establish their proof of residency to eliminate that barrier to
participation. For students who don’t vote at the satellite voting location, having their polling location be the Mount Vernon City Hall is beneficial for students, as it is a walkable distance.
Goldberg said some of the efforts that helped with organizing students prior to COVID-19 have not returned since the pandemic, like active democratic or republican affiliated organizations. When it came to what the community can do to help, Goldberg said that advocating for items like same-day voter registration in Iowa or having student I.D.s be a recognizable form of voter identification at polls.
An idea that students have is the possibility of a community party location on voting nights to have something to encourage civic engagement with the civic action of voting.
Bryant work site additional work approved
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
The Mount Vernon City Council approved a contract with Spahn and Rose for the construction of a bathroom and mezzanine storage space for the Bryant work site.
City administrator Chris Nosbisch said the city only got one bid back for the work on the bathroom at the work site.
“It’s a good bid, it’s just unfortunate we didn’t have any local bidders for this project,” Nosbisch said. “Spahn and Rose has done quality work and materials, and is very responsive to changes or requests to be made.”
That also comes with the work on the water main that was approved and completed in early October. That work on the water main came in under the engineer’s estimate.
Nosbisch said the main uses a four-inch line and added two additional hydrants.
“We know that if we have to utilize those hydrants, there is a chance we’ll see some dropping water pressure,” Nosbisch said. “The goal would be more development coming to that area and we’ll be able to loop that water main back to others.”
Red Ribbon Week: A Time to Remember, A Time to Teach
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division will join with millions of Americans October 23, to kick off Red Ribbon Week, the nation’s oldest and largest drug misuse prevention awareness program. Over the course of nine days, members of DEA will provide drug education presentations to communities across the five state Division, landmarks will be lit red and proclamations will be signed declaring Red Ribbon Week as a time for citizens to demonstrate their commitment to a drug-free lifestyle.
Red Ribbon Week is an annual event dating back to 1985. A native of Calexico, California, DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was investigating members of a drug cartel in Mexico when he was kidnapped, tortured and murdered. Shortly after Camarena’s death, students in his hometown began wearing red ribbons,
Trees this year now surpass those lost in derecho
Almost five years later, the City of Mount Vernon has now replaced more trees than were lost during the derecho.
City administrator Chris Nosbisch said more than 200 trees have been planted in the road right- of-ways in the past four years, surpassing the numbers lost in the derecho.
Nosbisch said the city is working to continue to diversify tree species, highlighting the more than 100 ash trees lost in the community over the past several years as well. Several of the recent ash tree losses came from the apartment complex across from Lynch Ford-Chevrolet.
“Our fear is if we have a disease that impacts maple trees, that will hurt a lot of our remaining tree canopy,” Nosbisch said.
Council member Paul Tuerler said it’s important for homeowners to look at the tree ordinance as well as other options when they’re replacing trees.
“Find out details about the trees you’re going to replace, and discover if they have smelly leaves or other items,” Tuerler said. “Use the resources like the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and what is natural to Iowa.”
pledging to lead drug-free lives to honor the sacrifices made by Camarena and others. Thirty-nine years later, the efforts of those students have multiplied, with communities across the nation taking time each October to promote the importance of drug education while raising awareness to the consequences of drug use.
“Kiki’s murder was felt nationwide,” DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Steven T. Bell said. “The tragedy of his death set a community in motion and their work still resonates today. With fentanyl pills, pink cocaine and the resurgence of methamphetamine making headlines, it’s important that families begin or continue conversations on the lethality of drugs and the destruction they cause in our communities.”
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation declaring October 23-31, as Red Ribbon Week across the Hawkeye State. Governors in Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota have done the same. Altogether, 10 landmarks across the Division will be lit red, including the Sioux City, City Hall clock tower and Alliant Energy Tower in Cedar Rapids.
Through the first nine months of 2024, DEA investigators noted a slight increase in methamphetamine and fentanyl seizures across the five-state division. Agents have removed nearly 3,000 pounds of methamphetamine and approximately 3.5 million lethal doses of fentanyl both in pill and powder form. Nationally, DEA has removed more than 286 million lethal doses of fentanyl, including close to 40 million pills.
Linn County Public Health releases annual report for fiscal year 2024
Linn County Board of Health Chair Dr. Dustin Arnold, along with fellow board members, the Linn County Board of Supervisors and Chair Kirsten Running-Marquardt, and Linn County Public Health staff released the Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report Wednesday, Oct. 23.
“If I were to summarize the past year for Linn County Public Health, it would be marked by our continuous progress toward our mission of fostering a healthy Linn County,” said Dr. Pramod Dwivedi, Linn County Public Health Director. “As we develop new initiatives, we always keep you – the residents – at the center of our efforts, ensuring that our programs are designed with your well-being in mind and that they make a tangible difference in your overall health.”
Some highlights from the Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report include:
• Collaborating with the Substance Misuse Committee of Linn County to implement seven Naloxone vending machines into the community
• Working on an Environmental Justice (EJ) project to deploy low-cost PurpleAir sensors in places where air quality may be a concern
• Launching the Chain Reaction Bike Hub, which has grown to over 900 volunteer hours, 100 active volunteers, 73 bikes sold, and over 700 bikes donated to the hub
• Starting to use the Mobile Health Clinic for outreach activities, such as vaccinations and sports physicals
• Administering 6,737 vaccines to 2,424 clients
• Completing 1,152 food safety inspections, 105 routine aquatic inspections, 49 tattoo safety inspections, and 18 tanning safety inspections
• Implementing a Safe Home Program, which provided the community with assistance for lead remediation, pest control, domestic hygiene, radon, and mold/moisture issues
• Updating the Lead-Based Paint Ordinance to allow Linn County Public Health to intervene prior to a child becoming an elevated blood lead level case
• Overseeing the permitting and installation of 93 septic systems, as well as 22 water wells
• Ongoing support and implementation of the Iowa Private Well Grants program
• Assisting with distribution of over 300 STOP THE BLEED® kits to participating Linn County schools
• Developing and implementing the agency’s firstever Communications Plan and Office of Health Equity Strategic Plan
Learn more about Linn County Public Health’s Fiscal Year 2024 accomplishments in the annual report.
Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Megan Goldberg talks about the Cornell College getting out the vote efforts, including a satellite voting location at Cornell College Wednesday, Oct. 30.
Spots
SELCC sign up
Sign up is open for Southeast Linn Community Center’s holiday assistance programs, including November and December holiday food boxes and Adopt-a-Family gifts for children.
These programs are open to anyone who uses the SELCC food pantry or who lives, works or goes to school in Lisbon or Mount Vernon. Sign-up deadline for all holiday assistance is Friday, Nov. 1. Register online at selinn. org or in-person at 108 S. Washington St. Call 319-4552844 or email info@selinn.org with any questions.
After Halloween party
Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center will be hosting an after Halloween party Friday, Nov. 1, from noon to 3 p.m. There is no school for Mount Vernon Schools during the day. Video gaming systems, VR headsets will be set up in the community room, a rock wall challenge, a scavenger hunt and a craft for kids to complete. Daily admission for non-members, free admission for members. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by a person 16-years or older to attend.
Lisbon Veterans Day assembly
The Lisbon Veterans Day Assembly will be held Monday, Nov. 11, in the Lions’ Den at 10 a.m. If you are interested in putting a picture of a family member or acquaintance in the slide show, please email the picture and family information (name of your veteran and who they are related to and how) to veterans@lisbon.k12. ia.us. The school makes a new slide show each year, so if you have had a veteran in it previously we would like for you to resend the picture again so we can keep things as up to date as possible. Deadline for turning in your picture is Monday, Nov. 4.
Palisades Kepler fall clean-up
The Palisades Kepler State Park will have its annual fall clean-up 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 9. Meet in the campgrounds at the park. This is the group’s annual “Help Shut Down the Season” event. Plan to meet in the campground and job tasks will be assigned. The Friends need rakers, cabin cleaners, trash picker-uppers, and lodge winterizers. The Friends of Palisades Keplar State Park Facebook page (@FriendsofPalisadesKepler) will have a sign-up genius set up prior to the date.
The Friends will host this event unless it’s storming: please dress for the weather. Bring work gloves, rakes, water. There will be a fire in one of the campground sites.
In Longing and Hope
The congregations of United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon, First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon and Seeds of Faith Lutheran Church will be holding a service of community before the election Monday, Nov. 4, at Seeds of Faith Lutheran Church. The service begins at 6:30 p.m. A special offering will be collected for Southeast Linn Community Center. A time of fellowship and light refreshments will follow. The three pastors came together after noticing the rise of hateful and violent rhetoric during this election cycle and planned this evening worship in the hopes of gathering not just members of their congregations, but the whole community, around peace, love, and our shared humanity.
MV native Phil Heywood performing Nov. 8
Concert supports MVAAC’s 20-year anniversary
Guitarist and Mount Vernon native Phil Heywood will give a concert 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8, in the First Street Community Center theatre, 221 First Street NE. The performance -- sponsored by the Mount Vernon Area Arts Council (MVAAC) and the Mount Vernon/ Lisbon Community Development Group – is free and open to the public. A 6 p.m. reception prior to the concert celebrating MVAAC’s 20-year anniversary is also free and open to the public.
Heywood has been a fixture in the Twin Cities scene since the mid-1980s when he moved to the Cities on the heels of a tour with internationally renowned guitarist Leo Kottke. His lucid playing expresses a natural affinity for the down-home grooves of a Mississippi John Hurt, the melodic flair of contemporary fingerstyle pioneers such as Kottke, and the nuanced right hand attack of a classical player. Lyrical, soul-satisfying guitar instrumentals are his stock-in-trade, yet he draws listeners in with his voice as well, singing in a warm, plainspoken baritone that blends seamlessly with his rock-solid guitar work.
Established in 2004, the Mount Vernon Area Arts Council supports area arts & culture programs and projects including the Lincoln Highway Arts Festival, Chalk the Walk, public murals, and the Mount Vernon Sculpture Trail. For more information go to www. mvaac.org or the MVAAC Facebook page.
MV CITY COUNCIL BRIEFS
Work on Glenn Street paving coming this week
The plan is for the paving of the Glenn Street and Minish Street extensions to be completed this fall.
Crews are looking to pour concrete for that roadway this fall before winter hits. Work is continuing on the construction of the apartment complex in southeast Mount Vernon by the contractor, with the elevator shaft currently being constructed for the building.
Urban renewal plan approved
The City also agreed to an urban renewal plan for the Rachel Street improvements.
City administrator Chris Nosbisch said he could not guarantee what the top cost of the project was, but any improvements made to that intersection can be recouped as a Tax Increment Financing as an urban renewal project for the city.
While the agreement needs to move forward to continue discussions with Kwik Trip coming to Mount Vernon, Nosbisch had reminded the council that this was a necessary development project along the Business 30 corridor, regardless if that business comes to Mount Vernon or not.
Water meter project progressing
Water meters continue getting replaced, with 272 appointments now on the books for the replacement radio water meters, with 550 customers still waiting for an appointment.
Council member Paul Tuerler said the crews did a fabulous job replacing his radio water meter.
“We couldn’t have asked for better help on this project,” Tuerler said. “They were very well organized and ready to go.”
City administrator Chris Nosbisch said the biggest challenge for the city is switching from cubic feet to gallons used to help consumers know the water they are using. The change has meant more work for city crew, but will benefit the project.
Contributed photo
Mount Vernon native Phil Heywood will be playing a concert Friday, Nov. 8, at First Street Community Center Theater. Admission is free to the concert.
Lisbon Public Library celebrating Day of the Dead
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Lisbon Public Library invites the community to come to a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) event Saturday, Nov. 2, at Lisbon Public Library. The event goes from 5-7 p.m.
The idea was one Lisbon resident Samantha Phillips approached new library director Elizabeth Hoover de Galvez about being a possibility at Lisbon.
“Being new faces in the community, we have enjoyed learning about the fun traditions and activities that the area has to offer,” Phillips said. “When one moves to a new place, it’s not only important to learn about the community but to also share a part of yourself with the people around you. So, this was a great opportunity for me to share this beautiful tradition of celebrating Día de los Muertos with others and to simultaneously teach our own children about honoring our loved ones through this cultural tradition.”
“I was so excited when Samantha reached out and offered to help make this event happen--she’s shared so many great ideas,” said Elizabeth Hoover de Galvez, Lisbon Library director.
“The Friends of the Library funded all of the crafts, treats, and decorations so I really appreciate their support to make this program possible. I hope people will
make plans to attend--even if they’ve already seen ‘Coco,’ we’ll be adding some extra details to make the experience magical--special lighting and of course the homemade hot chocolate and fresh sweet bread.”
Attendees at the event will watch the Pixar film “Coco,” and enjoy foods like pan de muerto (a traditional sweet bread) and hot chocolate. Crafts will include making papel picado (or cut paper) and tissue paper flowers, typical elements of a Day of the Dead altar and coloring pages for younger kids. The event is free and open to the public.
Phillips said she hopes members of the community look forward to remembering their loved ones as a community, as the stories of those who came before us
are a part of how people live and share their lives.
“Día de los Muertos is not a somber holiday, but rather a beautiful time in the year to celebrate the lives lived by those we miss,” Phillips said. “It is a time to share their story by celebrating all they did to make that story memorable.”
“I hope that this event gives people a new way to remember the people they have lost and maybe even a new way of thinking about death,” Hoover de Galvez said.
Phillips said she has loved getting to know how active the Lisbon Library is in the community.
“Libraries in general connect our communities to so much of the world we don’t see, and our very own Lisbon Public Library has so
much available for everyone,” Phillips said.
Phillips said this will hopefully be the first of many celebrations, for years to come.
“We’re all part of a story, and no matter where we’re from, every opportunity to share and learn about your culture, and the cultures of those around us, is a gift,” Phillips said.
Hoover de Galvez also encourages those in Lisbon to share their skills, tradi tions or passions for possible future programs as well. to learn that the skills that come naturally to you, may be something that the community would love to learn about,” Hoover de Galvez said. “I want to light your interests at the Library--we could do some thing as simple as putting together a book display or something more involved, like planning a program.”
interests to share, contact Hoover de Galvez at lisbon publiclib@gmail.com.
Day of the
will be at the Day of the Dead
Author holds book signing in Mount Vernon
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Author Ann Marie Kraus held a book signing for her children’s book “When I See Through My Eyes” at Wren and Purl Saturday, Oct. 26.
Kraus, a former elementary librarian, said the idea for the book came about sometime roughly two years ago. As she was starting the writing process, she worked with the Society of Childrens Book Authors and Illustrators in the process.
Kraus stated that she had this idea for approaching looking at other’s differences through children’s eyes in the writing process.
As she started the writing process, she said she kept thinking the book would work best with something like the watercolors of Jo Myers-Walker.
“At one of the next meetings I attended, I bumped into Jo,” Kraus said.
The duo worked on the book over the span of two years from conception to self publishing.
Kraus also thought it would be fun to take this book, which was written in most of a poem and set that to music.
The book has a link to the Iowa City Children’s Choir performing “When I See Through My Eyes.”
During Saturday’s reading, however, her grandchildren Abby, 11, and Emmy, 8, sang the book as Kraus flipped the pages.
Kraus said that the self publishing route was faster than
New book group starting at Cole Library
Do you like the idea of a book group, but can’t (or don’t
If you’re looking for a relaxed community of bibliophiles without pressure to read collaboratively, Cole Library is starting a new book group for you! Led by long-time library patron, Susan Gates, the Trading Titles Book Group is an informal gathering for readers to share, recommend, and discuss books. Starting Wednesday, Nov. 13, the group will meet on the second Wednesday of the month from 1-2
Just bring yourself and a book recommendation, and be
Thursday, October 31: 8am-10pm Friday, November 1: 8am-5pm Saturday, November 2: 10am-4pm Sunday, November 3: 12pm-10pm Monday, November 4: 8am-10pm Tuesday, November 5: 8am-10pm Wednesday, November 6: 8am-10pm Thursday, November 7: 8am-10pm
Countryman | Mount
Abby and Emmy, granddaughters of author Ann
sing “When I See Through My Eyes”
traditional publishing of a children’s book.
“Even that is a scary route that if you don’t know what you are doing, is fraught with potential danger,” Kraus said. “Working with others who have went through that process, we were able to find the right publisher to work with and allow me to do the ala carte process.”
Kraus said she hasn’t put as much effort into self-promoting the book to schools, libraries and other areas as she should. Libraries she is worried about the cost of making sure the book is bound in hardcover, as she chose to self-publish in soft cover.
Mandy Farber-Moellering, who teaches at a preschool, said that this book is one of the children’s favorite. The child who speaks Spanish and is learning English has items she can easily identify on pages and has shown her development in learning English through repeated readings.
Copies of “When I See Through My Eyes” are available at Wren and Purl.
STUDENT BRIEFS
Kirkwood dean’s list
Kirkwood Community College has released its dean’s list for the summer 2024 semester. These students have achieved a 3.3 grade point average or higher after completing 12 or more credit hours at the college. Local students on the list include: Lisbon - Kaden Caspers, Tanner Frank, Amber Herboldsheimer, Joe Hrabak, Jayna Koffron, Brenda Morillo, Chase Rutledge, Gavin Wollum Mechanicsville - Mercedes Brown, Starr Brown, Marisa Herring, Grace Kern, Jaime McFarlane, Nora Weiland Mount Vernon - Lance Eriksen, Mira Gehrke, Mundo Guardado Alfaro, Alec Hancock, Abby Jones, Josey Kosman, Madison Schnipkoweit, Jesse Schwiebert, Cora Wheeler, Danielle Zwanziger
Stanwood - Olivia Carr, Hazel Giebelstein
POLICE CALLS
Oct. 21 – Animal control, 200 blk Grant Ave Cir, Lisbon
Oct. 22 – Medical, 600 blk First St SW, Mount Vernon
Oct. 22 – Welfare check, 600 blk First St SW, Mount Vernon
Oct. 22 – Agency assist- accident, Cedar Co
Oct. 22 – Accident, 200 blk business 30 SW, Mount Vernon
Oct. 22 – Suspicious activity, 380 Old Lincoln Hwy, Mount Vernon
Oct. 22 – Domestic, 100 blk E. Main St, Lisbon
Oct. 22 – Medical, 900 blk Willow Lane, Lisbon
Oct. 23 – Welfare check, 1200 blk Palisades Rd SW, Mount Vernon
Oct. 23 – Disturbance, 1225 blk First Ave NW, Mount Vernon
Oct. 24 – Suspicious vehicle, S. Jackson St, Lisbon
Oct. 25 – Car unlock, 100 blk W. First St, Mount Vernon
Oct. 25 – Theft, 700 blk S. First Ave, Mount Vernon
Oct.
Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Dead cutline - Samantha Phillips demonstrates one of the paper crafts that
event at Lisbon Public Library Saturday, Nov. 2.
Nathan
Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Marie Kraus (right)
at the book signing event in Mount Vernon.
Above left: Ivy explores the inside of a fire truck Sunday, Oct. 27. Above: The continual wave of crowds at the Southeast Linn Community Center trunk or treat. Below left: Emma and Ellie pick out candy from Center booth at Trunk or Treat. Below center: Jen Stanerson helps guide some youth on what they’re trunk Sunday, Oct. 27. Below right: Judah and Magdalena get some candy from a trunk Sunday, Oct. 27.
Photos by Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun I have one of these- do you know what breed of cat does not have any hair?
the Trunk
event
Above top: Cruella (Violet) and her dalmatian (Elliot) wander to the next booth at Trunk or Treat Sunday, Oct. 27.
Above bottom: Oliver lands a candy in his first attempt at the I Spy interactive game. At the booth, kids wager a piece of their candy for the chance to win multiple pieces of candy if they were able to land a piece in one of the cups.
Above right: Youth pick a candy prize from the University of Iowa Addiction Recovery booth, while adults are presented with options of naloxone to have on hand in case it was needed.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
KIDS’ CORNER BROUGHT TO YOU
ELITE STONE FABRICATIONS
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
CHURCHES
MOUNT VERNON
St. Paul Lutheran Church L.C.M.S.
600 Fifth Avenue South
Pastor: Rev. Sean Hansen www.splcmv.org; send e-mail to info@splcmv.org
Sun.: 9:30 a.m. In-person worship
Please refer to our website or contact the church directly for additional worship information.
First Presbyterian Church 301 1st St. N.W. www.firstpresmv.com 319-895-6060
Pastor: Rev. Lori Wunder
Sun.: 9:30 a.m. in-person worship.
Online services stream beginning at 9:20 a.m. on Facebook
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Rev. Andrew Awotwe-Mensah, parish priest Sun.: 8 a.m. Mass
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Justus Hallam, Bishop
Meeting at: 4300 Trailridge Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids Sun.: 11:30 a.m. in person services. Also an option for digital worship services.
United Methodist Church
Pastor Vicki Fisher www.umcmv.com
Sun.: 8:30 a.m. Praise Worship
11 a.m. Traditional worship
Both worships available online at UMCMV.com
An LGBTQ affirming congregation
Community Bible Church
940 W. Mount Vernon Rd. www.mvcbc.org, 895-6269
Teaching Pastor Brandon Glaza
Discipleship Pastor Dennis Fulkerson
Youth Pastor Stephen Thomas Sun.: 9:30 a.m. In-Person Worship Service
Wed. - 6 p.m. Encounter and Youth Group
Linn Grove Presbyterian
2000 Linn Grove Rd., Mt. Vernon
Pastor Carla Burge
Sun: 9 a.m. in-person worship, masks requested Also, weekly readings, prayers and sermons are posted on the church’s Facebook page.
Baha’i Faith
Nina Scott, Group Secretary, 319-270-9230
CrossLife Community Church
Pastor Erik Bennett Sun.: 10:30 a.m. – In-person worship service. Services also livestream on Facebook page.
LISBON
Living Hope Global Methodist Church 200 E. Market St., 455-2000
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Thursday, Oct. 31
Story Time, Cornell Public Library Byerly Room, 9:30 a.m.
Fiber Friends, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10:30 a.m.
LBC Adult Speaker Series “Keith Haring and Iowa City: Exhibiting a Book Full of Fun” by Lauren Lessing, Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center, 1 p.m.
Halloweentown, downtown Lisbon, 5-7 p.m.
Trick or treating Mount Vernon and Lisbon, 5-8 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 1
No school Mount Vernon Schools.
Bingo, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10-11:30 a.m.
Linn Lunch Bunch, Southeast Linn Community Center, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2
Lisbon Library’s Day of the Dead, Lisbon Public Library, 5-7 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 3
Uptown Theater Honors Gala, First Street Community Center Auditorium, 2 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 4
Mount Vernon City Council, Mount Vernon City Hall, 6:30 p.m.
Washington Elementary Teachers and Parents meeting, Washington Elementary Room 201, 6 p.m.
CALENDAR & PUZZLES
livinghopegmc.org
Interim Pastors
Services live streamed at Living Hope Global Methodist Church’s YouTube page Sundays at 9:45 a.m. Sun.: 9:45 a.m. — In-person worship.
Seeds of Faith Lutheran Church, ELCA
798 Brenneman Lane, 455-2599
(Off Hwy. 30 on eastern edge of Lisbon) www.seedsoffaithlutheran.org/
Pastor Erika Uthe
9 a.m. — In-person worship. Services also livestream via Seeds’ Facebook Page.
BERTRAM
United Methodist Church
319-365-8077
Rev. Darwin Moore, Pastor Sun.: 10 a.m. — In-person worship service
MARTELLE
Christian Church Sun.: 10:30 a.m. — in person worship service
Services also stream online at Martelle Christian Church’s YouTube page.
United Methodist Church Sun.: 10:30 a.m. Worship service. No Sunday school.
SPRINGVILLE
United Methodist Church Sun.: 9 a.m. Worship service. Wed.: 6:30 p.m. Praise service
Faith Christian Fellowship
Pastor Jack Ray Sun.: 9:30 a.m. worship at Springville Memorial Library, in the Buresh Room (264 Broadway Street)
St. Isidore Catholic Church Sat.: 6 p.m. Mass
MECHANICSVILLE
Living Hope Bible Church
Mechanicsville Memorial Building
First Presbyterian Church 408 E. First Street.
Christian Community Church of Mechanicsville
307 East First Street
563-432-7716
Sun: Sunday School 10-11am and in-person Worship Services at 11:15am with Fellowship to follow.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
Pastor: Father James Flattery
Wed.: 8:30 a.m. — mass Sun.: 8 a.m. Mass
Across 1 Wonder drug 8 Have the final turn
Scolding 15 Prominent feature of Hello Kitty
16 Julian who founded WikiLeaks
17 Intractable situation
18 Some hormonal flare-ups
19 Crowd
21 Like hotel checkouts that may cost extra
22 Civil rights leader ___ B. Wells
23 Maximum
25 Something found near a trap
26 Currency of 20 countries
28 Got the word out?
30 Bygone Apple products
32 Command to a getaway driver
34 Reality TV staple
35 Three-time nominee for Best Director (1994, 2009, 2019)
37 Nation to which the island of Tortuga belongs
39 Rescues
43 What has posts all around a site
44 Band dates
45 Impose, as a tax
46 Foundation, e.g., for short
47 Bareilles of Broadway
49 Palindromic family nickname
50 Smell
52 Period preceding a big event
1 Kooks
Tuesday, Nov. 5
Election day. Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Lego Club, Cornell college Room 108, 3:30 p.m.
Yarn squad, Cornell College Cole Library Room 326, 6:30 p.m.
Learn to play Bridge, Cornell College Cole Library room 108, 7-9 p.m.
Mount Vernon Fine Arts Association meeting, Mount Vernon High School, 7 p.m. Mount Vernon Middle School Parent Teacher Organization Meeting, Mount Vernon Middle school library, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 6 Cards, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10-11:30 a.m.
Linn Lunch Bunch, Southeast Linn Community Center, 11:30 a.m.
Learn to play Bridge, Cornell College Cole Library room 108, 1-3 p.m.
Mount Vernon Booster Club meeting, Mount Vernon High School, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 7
Story Time, Cornell Public Library Byerly Room, 9:30 a.m.
Fiber Friends, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10:30 a.m.
LBC Adult Speaker Series “DeWolf Innovation Center - A Place to Reframe Aging & Dementia” by Kathy Good, Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center, 1 p.m.
Lisbon Fall Play “Writer’s Bloc,” Lisbon School Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
55 Name suffix that can combine with “Henri”
56 Unit of explosive power
58 Final circuit in a track race
60 One whose mentality begins with M-E?
61 They take marks off at school
62 With 63-Across, tricky football play ... as represented by this puzzle’s shaded squares?
2 Film that lasts a while?
3 Sudden riser in status
4 Civil War and Reconstruction, e.g.
5 Longtime college basketball coach Kruger
6 Makes a note of
7 Not many
8 Kind of radiation
9 Body part just below the philtrum
10 ___ exam
11 Biblical figure whose name is repeated in a Faulkner title
12 Dish with a crispy tortilla shell
13 They’re often sugarcoated
15 Like some goons
20 Advanced H.S. course taught by a professoressa, say
24 Russian ballet company
27 Related to vision
28 “Wake word” for an Apple device
29 Raggedy ___
31 Group of cable news talking heads
33 Author Joyce Carol ___
34 Burn, so to speak
36 Playground game
37 Announcement before taking a leap
38 She recited her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” at Clinton’s first inauguration
40 More forgiving
41 Game faces?
42 Point of contact between neurons
43 Like lightning and some tongues
44 Powerlifter’s sound
48 Materialized
51 Hoda of morning TV
63 See 62-Across Down
53 Transportation app banned in Denmark, Hungary and Thailand
54 Parisian patriarch
55 Conditional word in programming
57 Up to, briefly
59 Loo
SUDOKU
To play: Complete the grid so that every row, column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9. There is no guessing or math involved, just use logic to solve.
pened yesterday like the lights went out on second floor and the elevator went out the first day. These are things that have never failed before but failed. 14 days and counting.
Motion by Running-Marquardt, seconded by Rogers to approve minutes of October 21, 2024 as printed.
The Board received updates from the following Department Heads: David Thielen, LCCS Exec. Dir. - budget on target; General Assistance continues to work on winter shelter (opens Nov. 15); working on General Assistance ordinance changes; landlord/tenant initiative; census is increasing at the Juvenile Detention Center (putting stress on staff); additional security issues are being addressed at Juvenile Detention Cener; busy month with Ryan White program (high number of intakes); Mental Health Access is working on withdrawal licensing; Vision Clinic held at the Child Center (500 attendees with 90% receiving glasses that day); playground continues to be vandalized; Family Transformation Program served 96 families; East Central Region is in the middle of behavioral health realignment (the nine counties in the current region will grow to 14); Options is working on increasing volunteer opportunities back to pre-pandemic levels. There are 10-15 on the waiting list; Home Health is fully staffed and 63 clients. Thielen explained the funding (Medicaid, Board of Supervisors and State Public Health).
Chairperson Running-Marquardt asked if there are more ways for the Board to support the program more (financially).
Pramod Dwivedi, Health Dept. Dir.
– identified an air monitoring site within Viola Gibson Park; patient/client visits statistics; Community Health Assessment identified key emerging themes; collaborating with the University of Iowa’s Inst. for Public Health Practice; starting Learning Institute; focusing on immunization education for the farming community; wastewater surveillance (monitoring COVID, influenza and RSV); had one foodborne illness outbreak; Racial Equity Inst. Workshop (22 participants); Research Project working with Coe College; and looking forward to joint session with the Board of Health tomorrow.
Jon Gallagher, Soil Conservation Dept. Head – Watershed Collaboration efforts were explained in detail. He stated that the Linn Soil & Water Conservation Dist. Commissioners will be hosting a Conversation about Conservation Efforts in Linn County on November 14th in the Mt. Vernon area. A lengthy discussion continued regarding the pros and cons of cover crops. Cover crops help with soil erosion but at the same time it requires chemicals.
Chairperson Running-Marquardt asked Gallagher to look for resources that they can pull down from the State or Federal government (from larger watersheds in the state).
Dustin Peterson, Veteran Services Dir. – Budget on target; assisted 4 families in September; discharged outreach (mailed information of services available to 20 vets); speaking engagements including Central City American Legion with several Legions present; Cedar Valley Veterans Network; name change has been a smooth process; meetings attended; he thanked Chairperson Running-Marquardt for attending their Fall School last week (they were 1 of 4 counties that sent a Supervisor). It showed the level of support that Linn County has for veterans; Iowa counties list of recently discharged veterans has been suspended for the next few months; veteran benefits received in September 2024; Proclamation next week for Operation Green Light Nov. 4-11; veteran appointment reminders are sent out via text message including a customer satisfaction survey. Adjusting with those that do not have smart phones. The Veterans Day ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Vets Memorial Bldg. on November 11th. All veterans and their families are welcome.
Chairperson Running-Marquardt stated that the State of Iowa is 47th in veterans utilizing benefits. The job that Peterson and his staff at Linn County Veteran Services is doing is amazing and others across the state look to Linn County for leadership. She is proud to be from Linn County and heard about struggles other Veteran Service Commissions have with their Board of Supervisors. The two gentlemen that she serves with and the previous Boards have for decades worked really hard to do what they can to support veterans in the community. People were excited to see a Supervisor from Linn County there and building those relationships is an important piece and she thanked Peterson for his work and the ripple effect it as for the entire state. Phil Lowder, I.T. Dir. – budget on track. One staff vacancy struggling to fill. KPI’s are tracking within normal range limits; 79 vulnerabilities in the last patch, October is National Cybersecurity awareness month and their theme is staying safe on line; the Fall 2024 aerial imagery collection will be starting in November.
Charles Struck, I.T. Development Mgr. stated that I.T. and Elections are working together to make sure that they have communication. They have a schedule established (started Monday). The hours for this week are 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. and next week will be 6 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday –Saturday. The day before the election is 6 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Election Day is 5 a.m. –10 p.m. Staff is scheduled for all that time to make sure they have coverage. All vendors are on a quick call (individuals that can be contacted) where they can escalate tickets quicker with faster results. The afterhours calls also get routed to management (Lowder, Struck & Siebrecht).
Supervisor Zumbach asked about yesterday’s phone outage.
Lowder explained that it was a brief outage (up within five minutes). It was an internal issue, but they don’t know what happened. It could have been a carrier issue that manifested it down to the software or it could have been a recent patch that was applied that could have caused the system to lock up (there are a lot of moving pieces). They have an immediate reaction to that and that is to restart the phone service (quickest path to being online).
Chairperson Running-Marquardt stated that Auditor Miller spoke during Public Comment and really appreciates the extended I.T. hours. She also really appreciates them working with Election and
others during this critical time to make it work so that they are truly doing the best they can for voters to exercise their right to vote.
Chairperson Running-Marquardt stated that Auditor Miller brought up in Public Comment that they are dealing with software access afterhours in the City Assessor’s Office. She asked if there was any way where they can make it more user friendly or more accessible for them after hours.
Lowder responded that he was out of the office last week and not fully up to speed yet. He will, however, make a generalized comment. The City Assessor’s Office is coming in remotely and two-thirds of all breaches are from remote software which is a significant concern. The longer the front door is left unlocked, the more chances there are to have an issue. They try to balance that and go with best practices. He and Charles will have a conversation on what was discussed but generally they follow best practices and that is to limit that exposure. He stated that there was a very notable breach in September from United Health whereby hundreds of millions of social security numbers and information were released. That came through a remote access breach.
Struck stated that they have started that conversation and will continue. They have a security committee which is made up of members of I.T. staff and they talk about these things to determine what is the best course of action.
Chairperson Running-Marquardt stated that issue is not as critical right now as services and the strength of I.T. and phone systems are taken care of now during this critical time of voting. The election work is top priority and way more important right now than finding an easier way for software access afterhours.
Lowder noted that they did offer to the City Assessor that if they need additional late-night access to call the I.T. Helpdesk and they will make provisions for the time period they request. The Board expressed their gratitude to Lowder and his team for doing the best they can as a team to move the county forward and it is duly noted. They try to balance managing expectations, emerging issues while a Department Head is on vacation. Struck did a really good job helping to field a lot of those calls. The Board also noted that I.T. is in the business of getting little thanks but get a lot of calls when things are not going right. They apologized for calling Lowder on vacation.
Adjournment at 10:31 a.m.
Respectfully submitted, JOEL D. MILLER, Linn County Auditor By: Rebecca Shoop, Deputy Auditor APPROVED BY:
KIRSTEN RUNNING-MARQUARDT, Chairperson Board of Supervisors Published in the Sun October 31, 2024.
NOTICE OF CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATION FOR VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION OF PROPERTY WITHIN URBANIZED AREA OF THE CITY OF LISBON IOWA (Within two miles of the City of Lisbon) Please be advised that at 6:30 p.m. on November 18, 2024, at 213 First Street in Mount Vernon, Iowa, pursuant to Chapter 368 of the Code of Iowa, the City Council of Mount Vernon, Iowa intends to consider the voluntary annexation of the following described property, all lying just outside of and adjoining the current city limits of the City of Mount Vernon Iowa: CTM Holdings, LLC parcels: 170417600200000; 170415100100000; 170410100100000; 170412600200000 NE Frl. ¼ of Section 4-82-5, Linn County, Iowa, except therefrom that part described as follows: Beginning at the East ¼ corner of said Section 4; thence due North along the East line of said NE Frl. ¼, 1060 feet to the point of beginning; thence due North 390 feet; thence due West 446.77 feet; thence due South 390 feet; thence due East 446.77 feet to the point of beginning. And also excepting the following described tract: Commencing at the NW corner of the NE ¼ said Section 4; thence due East 467.45 feet along the North line of the NE¼ to the point of beginning; thence due East 1212.68 feet along the North line of the NE¼; thence South 35°10’00” West 590.20 feet; thence South 54°55’40” West 518.85 feet; thence South 86°25’10” West 360.32 feet; thence North 6°17’16” West 807.98 feet to the point of beginning. Subject to public highway. Troy R. and Tracey A. Louwagie parcel: 170440100100000 (Partial portion) The west fifty feet (50’) of the following described real estate: NE¼ SE¼ Section 4-82-5, Linn County, Iowa, excepting therefrom the South 250 feet North 754 feet East 565 feet SE¼ said Section 4 and further except all Public Highways, with reservation in favor of Granters, their heirs, successors and assigns a perpetual unimproved agricultural easement twenty-five (25) feet in width abutting the south boundary of the property conveyed allowing ingress and egress to the Granters’ abutting agricultural parcel on the west.
The proposed Annexation would include one-half (1/2) of the right of way (ROW) of Springville Road (A/K/A County Road X20), and Abbe Hills Road, adjacent to the CTM Holding, LLC parcel. The owners of the property have presented the property for annexation, the City Council has given preliminary approval to the proposed annexation and agreed to proceed with the annexation of said property subject to and in consideration of public comment, said property being contiguous to the existing City limits and appearing otherwise eligible to be annexed consistent with the Iowa Code, subject to final consideration and approval by the City Development Board. The Council will not consider final approval of the proposed Annexation until more than ten (10) business days has passed after publication of this Notice and other Code mandated timelines have also been satisfied. Any interested person may file written objections or comments and may be heard orally with respect to the proposed annexation. Questions or comments may be directed to Chris Nosbisch, Mount Vernon City Administrator, at 213 First Street NW, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, 52134 by phone at 319.895.8742, or directed to the following email cnosbisch@cityofmtvernon-ia.gov Published in the Sun October 31, 2024.
CLASSIFIEDS
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For Sale
Going out of candle business. Selling everything to do with candles. Also selling porcelain dolls. Downsizing. Oct. 31 through Nov. 4, 10:00AM - 4:00PM. 316 First Ave SE, Mt. Vernon
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Fire pits installed
Volunteers helped Palisades-Kepler State Park ranger install grills and new fire pits at campgrounds in the park Monday, Oct. 21.
The installation was made possible by grant monies received by Friends of Palisades-Kepler State Park throughout the year. Supplies were purchased locally for the grants, and volunteers scheduled Monday, Oct. 21, as the installation day.
MVLXC
a
girls’, boys’ teams state bound
Fourth straight year for girls’, 24th appearance in 26 years for boys’
Ryan Suchomel Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
Mount Vernon-Lisbon cross country coach Kory Swart called it “a night to remember.”
MVL won both the boys’ and girls’ races at the Class 3A State Qualifying Meet on Wednesday, Oct. 23 in Waverly.
The Mustang girls qualified for state for the fourth straight year, and the boys made it for the 24th time in the last 26 years.
“They are taking this program to another level,” Swart said.
The girls finished with 47 team points, easily outpacing second-place Decorah (89) and third-place Clear Lake (98).
A big part of that can be attributed to Evelyn Moeller, who was the meet medalist in 18:31.1.
The sophomore continues the journey she started mid-season when she took a minute off her personal best and started contending for medalist honors every race.
“She just took over halfway through,” Swart said. “She is really doing a great job racing smart. Her confidence is super high right now.”
Her time of 18 minutes, 31.1 second was a new personal best. She beat Addison Doughan of Clear Lake by 22 seconds.
“We both know how hard it is to chop seconds off when you get your time
down this low,” Swart said.
While her story is amazing, the rest of the Mustangs delivered, as well.
The rest of the team all finished in the Top 20. Kiersten Swart was fourth, followed by Edith Dawson (8), Miranda Sellner (16), Rose Pisarik (18). Even the unscored runners were right behind, with Cora Smith (19) and Sam Schoff (20).
“Seven in the Top 20 is incredible,” Swart said. “Our pack has tightened up a little bit.”
The boys had to sweat it out a little bit, finishing with 64 team points to edge second-place Decorah (72) and third-place Clear Creek Amana (76).
“They ran great,” Swart
SPORTS BRIEF
said. “Our spread was about as low as we’ve had it all year.”
That spread is the time between when the first MVL runner hits the finish line to the fifth runner. In this case it was Grady Olberding finish in second place overall, in 15 minutes, 32.2 seconds, to freshman Danny Dye finishing in 16 minutes, 58.5 seconds.
That is less than 90 seconds.
“Grady kind of messes with the lowest time,” Swart said.
Olberding finished five seconds behind the medalist, Austin Soldwisch of Waverly-Shell Rock.
“He ran a nice race on his home course,” Swart said. “Grady was just cruising
MV swimmers participate in Mississippi Valley Conference Championships
Two local swimmers who compete for Cedar Rapids Washington were in the water Saturday, Oct. 26, at Mercer Park in Iowa City for the 2024 Mississippi Valley Conference Championships.
Jada Ripke, a freshman from Mount Vernon, was seventh in the 100-yard freestyle (56.59) and seventh in the 200 individual medley (2:21.26).
Payton Feldermann, a freshman from Lisbon, finished 22nd in the 100 butterly (1:16.38) and was 23rd in the 200 individual medley (2:38.02).
Washington finished seventh with 147 points at the 11-team event. Cedar Falls took the title.
along behind him.”
Dawson Scheil finished fifth, and was followed by Seamus O’Connor (14), Chasen Caskey (20) and Dye (23).
Now it all comes down to one final race. The Class 3A State Meet is Friday, Nov. 1, in Fort Dodge. The girls run at 10:30 a.m., followed by the boys at 11:15.
Both have massive hills to climb, metaphorically. Pella is a heavy favorite to win on the girls side, and Gilbert is expected to win the 3A boys race.
“It may take something otherworldly to beat them,” Swart said. “But we’ll run smart and give it our best shot. We want to finish on the podium (top 3) and bring a trophy home.”
Class 3A State Qualifier Max Championship Cross Country Course, Waverly Girls team scores – 1. Mount Vernon-Lisbon 47; 2. Decorah 89; 3. Clear Lake 98; 4. Clear Creek Amana 103; 5. Williamsburg 110; 6. Dubuque Wahlert 119; 7. Iowa Falls-Alden 171; 8. Waverly-Shell Rock 208; 9. Hampton-Dumont-CAL 284; 10. Belmond-Klemme 295; 11. Webster City 322.
Medalist – 1. Evelyn Moeller (MVL) 18:31.1.
MVL – 1. Moeller; 4. Kiersten Swart 19:04.4; 8. Edith Dawson 19:36.0; 16. Miranda Sellner 20:03.2; 18. Rose Pisarik 20:05.2. Also: 19. Cora Smith 20:06.1; 20. Sam Schoff 20:21.7. Boys team scores – 1. Mount Vernon-Lisbon 64; 2. Decorah 72; 3. Clear Creek Amana 76; 4. Clear Lake 148; 5. Williamsburg 148; 6. Dubuque Wahlert 160; 7. Charles City 180; 9. Webster City 251; 10. South Tama County 280; 11. Belmond-Klemme 325; 12. Iowa Falls-Alden 332; 13. Hampton-Dumont-CAL 361.
Medalist – 1. Austin Soldwisch (WSR) 15:27.2
MVL – 2. Grady Olberding 15:32.2; 5. Dawson Scheil 16:16.2; 14. Seamus O’Connor 16:41.4; 20. Chasen Caskey 16:57.2; 23. Danny Dye 16:58.5. Also: 24. Anthony Armstrong 16:58.9; 29. Wesley Sadler 17:17.5.
Photos by Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Above: Kara Humphrey and park ranger Lucas Wegner move a fire pit into location to be secured at
campground site at PalisadesKepler State park Monday, Oct. 21. Far left: Palisades Kepler State Park ranger Lucas Wagner and volunteer Patrick Bonnett work at stirring up some concrete for a grill to be installed at a site along the Cedar River.
Left: Patrick Bonnett (left), Bryce Connelly (center), and Andy Pasker (right) work at clearing a hole to secure a fire pit at a campground at Palisades-Kepler State Park Monday, Oct. 21.
Lisbon advances further into post-season
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
When things got tough in a Class 2A regional quarterfinal Wednesday, Oct. 23, against Durant, Lisbon volleyball found another gear.
They advanced with a 25-19, 30-28, 19-25, 25-21 win.
“We’ve won 14, now 15, matches in a row,” Lisbon coach Lance Kamaus said. “The last match we lost was on Sept. 28. We have that closing and finishing ability.”
Durant, a lower-tier team from the River Valley who finished 14-13, came into the Lions Den with a pair of 6-foot-2 sisters, Katelynn and Allison Toft.
That didn’t bother the Lions.
“That’s short,” Lisbon outside hitter, the 5-foot-5 Mykala Luzum-Selmon, joked. “We just know that our hitters can hit. We’re a team with confidence; we’re a team with sass. We see a team, and we say we
can beat them.”
The first set was tied 18-18 when LuzumSelmon delivered a big kill off a Wildcat block. The Lions closed it out with two kills by Kamryn Kahl, one kill by Sarah Dietsch, and an ace serve by Presley Studt.
In the second set, the Lions trailed 22-19 but tied it up at 24-24. LuzumSelmon had some big kills to extend the match and Lisbon finally won it with a kill by Kahl down the line and a quick-set to middle hitter Dietsch.
“(The quick set) requires a lot of quick response,” Dietsch said. “It is super fun and it often takes teams off their balance, and ups the level of intensity.”
The smaller Lions had to contend with the big Durant block, but either hit through it or around it.
“It starts with recognizing who is on the other side of the net and if it is a double block,” Dietsch said. “Then identifying where their weaker passers are. And then kind of
hunting from there.”
Dietsch led the team with 16 kills, followed by Kahl with 15 and Luzum-Selmon with 15.
Kaitlynn Hasselbusch had 47 assists.
The defense was led by Luzum-Selmon with 24
MV smashes PCM
Advances in post-season play
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
Early in the third set
Thursday, Oct. 24, in a Class 3A Region 1 semifinal win over PCM, Mount Vernon senior Chloe
Meester smashed one of her floor-denting kills. And immediately afterward, you could hear the sound of thunder boom outside the gym.
Mount Vernon went on to win, 25-14, 25-15, 25-14 and move one step closer to a return to the state tournament.
Meester -- who earlier in the week surpassed 2,000 kills for her career in a regional quarterfinal win over West Marshall (25-15, 25-16, 25-10) on Tuesday, Oct. 22 – took another step towards repeating as the 3A Player
digs. Hasselbusch had 20 digs, Studt had 19 and Keira Bergmann added 15.
After losing the third set, the Lions never trailed in the fourth set.
The Wildcats cut the lead to one, 20-19, late before Lisbon closed it out.
of the Year.
And while the weather outside has been pretty dry most of the fall, Meester has brought the thunder inside.
“We’ve had some pretty prolific players,” Mount Vernon coach Maggie Willems said. “She truly is probably the best to ever come through our program. And she is an even better kid and teammate.”
Her kill total now sits at 2,015 and she long ago broke the school career mark.
She ranks third in the state, all classes, with 519 kills, but is only 36th in kill attempts (883). So, she does more with fewer swings, and has a kill efficiency of .472.
And, in addition to being a feared hitter, Meester has worked hard to become a back-row player.
“She’s worked on it a lot,” senior setter Sydney Huber said. “She’s improved a lot. She’s as great as some liberos. She can be such a great hitter and also such a great passer.”
“My freshman year, I was really scared (to play back row),” Meester said. “I didn’t know how to read or play defense. Now, I’m better at reading. And I’m lengthy enough I can get to more balls.”
Her coach said having a 6-foot-3 player in the back row has its advantages.
“Her range is bonkers,” Willems said. “She is long and lean and she
“The kids played well and they persevered,” Kamaus said. If the Lions advance to the state tournament for the first time in school history, they’ll have earned it. They traveled to No. 14 West Burlington (36-6) on
has enough quick-twitch muscles that she can get from baseline to baseline and get a lot of touches on balls.”
Opponents sometimes target Meester in the back row, either to test her defensive chops, or throw off her offensive game.
“I think there’s that narrative … we’re just bringing this kid around (the rotation) so she can take swings out of the back row,” Willems said. “No, we’re bringing this kid around because we want her to touch the ball. So please do send the ball her way.”
“If you want to come at me, you can,” Meester said. “At the end of the day, I’m doing to give it my all.”
Against PCM, senior libero Eryn Jackson led the Mustangs with 10 digs, but Meester was second on the team with seven. She also led the team with three ace serves.
Mount Vernon (41-4) is ranked No. 1 in 3A and is the only ranked team in its region.
“We know there is pressure on us,” Huber said. “We are the No. 1 team. Everyone wants our best, and we want to give them our best.”
And for the seniors, the clock is running out on their season.
“We only have a max of … I guess four games now, left,” Meester said.
“If you lose, you’re done.
So just have fun and enjoy it while you can.”
Monday, Oct. 28, if they pass that test, more than like faced No. 3 Dyersville Beckman (34-6) in a 2A regional final Wednesday, Oct. 30.
“Be ready for an upset,” Dietsch said. “That’s our goal.”
PCM (16-11) certainly didn’t roll over, but just weren’t on the same level as Mount Vernon.
The Mustangs hit .558 as a team against, well, the Mustangs (of PCM). Sydney Maue led the team with 13 kills and Meester added 12 kills. Cali Whitaker had nine kills, Sophia Meester had six and Paige Schurbon added five. Huber had 40 assists and added two kills. The senior setter has added more offensive “dump” attacks, where she uses her set as a sneak attack to try and send the ball to an open spot in the defense rather that up to a hitter.
“So, Syd Huber is pretty judicious, you would say,” Willems said. “We truly most matches are like, Syd, dump some more. Because even if it doesn’t score, it makes the defense uncomfortable.
“We’ve encouraged her to be more aggressive with her dump in the postseason.”
It is just another thing opponents have to prepare for.
Mount Vernon faced Nevada (30-11) in a 3A regional final on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
The state tournament would begin with a morning or noon match on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
The 3A semifinals are at 2 or 2:25 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, and the championship is 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7. All matches are at Xtream Arena in Coralville, for those making plans.
Rachel Bierman | For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
The Mustangs celebrate a point on the court at play at home last week.
Sydney Goldberg | For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
The Lions team including Mykala Luzum-Selmon, Sarah Dietsch, Kaitlynn Hasselbusch, Keira Bergmann and Presley Studt celebrate a point in the regional matchup.
SPORTS
Mount Vernon beats Keokuk 62-7
Team prepares to take on Carroll this friday
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
Mount Vernon fans are familiar with their Hwy. 1 rivalry.
But how about a Hwy. 30 rivalry?
Carroll (6-3) rolls into town Friday for a Class 3A Round of 16 playoff game. The Tigers are making the 182-mile trek, almost entirely on Hwy. 30, from Western Iowa.
“The coaches talked about it a million times and had a thousand thoughts on who we’d get,” Mount Vernon coach Brad Meester said. “Not a single person thought Carroll.”
Meester has seen the film. The Tigers are going to be a problem.
“They are big up front and run the ball well,” Meester said. “We’re looking forward to it.”
No. 4 Mount Vernon got put in a four-team pod with Harlan (6-3) and No. 6 Algona (8-1), both also on the other side of the state. Meester
Lions slash Stars 49-0
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
Lisbon has a simple formula for when the opponent puts the ball on the ground.
“We call them country fumbles and city fumbles,” Lisbon coach Dylan Hastings said. “The players know, if the ball is on the ground, and no one is around them, scoop it up and try to score.
“If it is in traffic, fall on it, and let our offense do its thing.
“We have smart kids making smart plays.”
No. 4 Lisbon had two returns for touchdowns (on country fumbles) in the first half against Starmont on Friday, Oct. 25, and those big plays helped deliver a 49-0 Class A first-round playoff win at Walmer Field.
The first one was a 28-yard return by Tiernan Boots with 4:21 left in the first quarter. The next was just three plays later, when senior Evan Coleman scooped it up and took it in from two yards out to make it 21-0.
“The same kind of play happened my sophomore year at North Cedar, and I got ankle bit at the 1,” Coleman said. “So, I was
happy I was able to not get tripped up.”
The touchdown was the first of his football career.
“It couldn’t have happened at a better time,” Coleman said. “First round of the playoffs ain’t too bad.”
If that wasn’t enough, the Lions added another defensive touchdown when senior Riley Stone came up with a 35-yard interception return in the second quarter.
Starmont was punting on 4th-and-4 from their own 48, but the snap was off, and punter Jass Tommasin tried to salvage the play by passing it downfield rather than take the sack.
Stone, a nose guard, came up with it, and returned it to the house.
“It was a surreal experience,” Stone said. “It happened so fast, and I just wasn’t expecting that to happen.
“Just lucky, I guess. Right place, right time.”
Add on to those three turnovers for touchdowns a fumbled punt return — recovered by Quinn Coleman — that led to a 34-yard TD pass from Clark to Coleman … and a Clark interception that led to a 34-yard TD run by Boots.
By halftime it was 42-0.
“Kudos to the kids,” Hastings said. “One day a week we’re working on tackles, and another we’re working on turnovers. The guys have bought in and give it 100 percent. It shows up on Friday nights.”
“We do a lot of turnover drills in practice,” Evan Coleman said. “We practice punching the ball, ripping the ball.”
Lisbon (9-0) added a final touchdown on its first drive of the second half.
Clark sprinted 61 yards to the end zone to make it 49-0. Gage Holub was 7-for-7 on extra points.
In addition to the turnovers, the Lions kept the shutout.
“Coach always tells us to keep a goose egg on the board,” Stone said. “A big ole zero. And we try our best every time.”
Lisbon has posted five shutouts this season and has given up 34 total points over nine games.
“We pride ourselves in our defense being good,” Coleman said. “It is good to see another zero on the board.”
The offense was efficient Friday against the Stars. Clark was 3-for-4 passing with two touchdowns. The 34-yard toss to Coleman, plus a 43-yard strike to Grayson Wollum. Holub
said if Harlan wins, Mount Vernon will get another home game in the quarterfinals. But if Algona wins … it will be a 210-mile road trip next week.
“We’ve talked from day one, we’ll play anywhere at any time,” Meester said. “If we have to travel, the kids will embrace that.”
Mount Vernon (9-0) closed out the regular season with a 62-7 rout of Keokuk on Friday, Oct. 25, at the Martha Parsons Activities Complex.
That first quarter included a 19-yard scoop-and-score fumble recovery by Tyler Williams on the first play of the game. There was also a safety on high punt snap that went out the back of the end zone, and Michael Ryan had a 14-yard return off a shanked punt for a score.
Mix in a 21-yard scoring pass from Kellen Haverback to Jase Jaspers and an 8-yard rushing TD by Cooper Hird, and it was 31-0 after one quarter.
“I’m still excited about
how we came out ready to go,” Meester said. “The team was locked in and ready to go from the start, and got after it right away.”
Hird added another rushing TD to start the second quarter, and Haverback connected with Ryan (32 yards) and Cole Thurn (54 yards) on scoring passes to make it 52-7 at halftime.
The Chiefs (3-6) scored on a 91-yard pass from Brenton Hoard to Malachi Allison.
But unlike the previous week, when the second team got a little wobblily against Washington, they held firm Friday, maintaining the shutout and added 10 more points –a 42-yard Bennett Harp field goal and a 29-yard TD pass from Tommy Rhomberg to Gabriel Portillo.
“It was great to see,” Meester said of the improved play of the reserves. “We pushed them, and they responded so well. We played a great four quarters and it was exciting to see a lot of guys get in.”
Lisbon’s Dakota Clark (No.
had the third catch for 20 yards.
Clark had 93 rushing yards on just five carries, and Boots finished with 101 yards on 19 totes.
“This is such a special group,” Hastings said. “We are so explosive offensively. The defensive side of the ball is a mentality thing. Just pursuing the ball; being relentless.”
The Lions earned another game at Walmer Field. They host Bellevue (7-2) on Friday, Nov. 1. The Comets beat Danville 43-7 in the first round.
Lisbon beat Danville in district play, 50-7, in Week 7.
“We feel pretty good,”
catches a punt for the Lions under the defense of
Stone said. “We can go all the way. I have faith in our team.”
“We’re ready for the next team that comes our way,” Coleman said.
– Starmont: Avery Vaske 20-128, Nick Willfong 5-(-17), Jase Tommason 1-5, team 1-(-3). Lisbon: Tiernan Boots 19-101, Dakota Clark 5-93, team 1-(-1). Passing – Starmont: Nick Willfong 9-16-36-1, Jase Tommeson 0-1-0-1,
Jennifer Tischer | Contributed photo
1)
Starmont.
Jose Tommasin
Lisbon: Grayson Wollum 1-43, Quinn Coleman 1-34, Gage Holub 1-20.
Photo by Jami Martin-Trainor | For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Members of the Mount Vernon football team enter the field before a game against Keokuk at Mount Vernon High School on Oct. 25, 2024. The Mount Vernon Mustangs beat the Keokuk Chiefs, 62-7.