MVL Sun – 11.21.24

Mount Vernon-Lisbon

Nutrition director highlights changes implemented at schools

More from scratch recipes, new meal options

Nathan Countryman

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com

Mount Vernon Schools nutrition director Mallory Gerber outlined some of the new changes for the nutrition department this school year, and other possible improvements to come for the kitchens.

One of the new additions to breakfast was a yogurt bar at the high school level, allowing students to make their own parfaits as a breakfast option. Smoothies were also a new option for high school and middle school students.

Gerber said that the district has also implemented share tubs, where people can return unopened food items they have purchased but not plan on eating for others to use.

“That has helped greatly reduce our food waste,” Gerber said.

Gerber is also working on rolling out some new made from scratch recipes to lunch menus. One of those items that has been favorably received is the rock and roll wrap, a Philly cheesesteak inspired menu item. The kitchens also work on having homemade cookies or desserts available every Friday afternoon.

Gerber said she is looking to have more local farm participation and partnerships with the school. On Wednesday, Oct. 9, the district partnered with Buffalo Ridge Orchard to take place in the Great Apple Crunch, where students were able to enjoy an apple as a snack at noon. Leftover apples were used to make an apple crisp for a local dessert.

Objections overruled

Mock trial regional held at Cornell College Friday, Nov. 15

Nathan Countryman

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com

Cornell College was the hosting site for a regional mock trial competition Friday, Nov. 15, with 19 teams participating at the event.

That included two teams from Lisbon Middle School coached by Abbe Stensland.

The eighth grade team provided a defense of Hawkins House of Horrors in a case on the accidental death of Will Byers.

The defense attorneys asked questions, raised objections and pleaded their recounting of events to the

three judges in the event. Some of the defense’s arguments were that Byers had entered the haunted house possibly inebriated, after signing an affidavit that said no one who consumed alcohol should be present on site.

The three judges from Cornell gave critiques to both teams after the trial, noting that the attorneys should not be afraid to use the “well,” the area between the judges and witnesses to make their testimony more exciting to listen to and drive points home.

Baylor Boots said she signed up for mock trial because she was friends with Ella and Abbe Stensland, and it sounded like fun.

She said the memorization of the facts of the case were definitely hard to do, but she had fun preparing with friends for this.

Gavin Lord said he loved the opportunity to be part of mock trial, because it helped him stretch his acting

abilities.

“As well as being part of the one act plays for Lisbon High School this year, this has given me opportunities to be dramatic around my friends,” Lord said.

On the sixth-grade side, Urijah Helmer said his favorite part has been working with the friends he has made on the team.

“I’ve really loved getting to learn something about how trials work,” said Addison Bauer.

“I’ve enjoyed working through some of the challenges, like learning the scripts,” said Kenley Siggins.

Ryleigh McLaughlin and Hannha Jamison said they’ve enjoyed spending time with friends.

Talia Hartelt said that learning the script for the part she plays as a witness has been a minor but fun challenge.

Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

Urijah Helmer presents Ryleigh McLaughlin an exhibit during the mock trial. McLaughlin was a witness for the prosecution in the trial.

Gerber said she is looking to engage the elementary schools in helping to have some choice in what from scratch recipes that will be rolled out for their school, with students getting to vote between two lunch options and one of them appearing in the next month’s school menu.

She is also investigating options in both the high school and middle school kitchens for possible improvements that will allow more from scratch recipe cooking to happen for the district.

“I’m looking at ways to make things more efficient in both kitchens,” Gerber said. “We’re measuring the dimensions and looking at things like our water and drain lines. I have a few pieces of equipment in mind, like a nicer steamer and a tilt skillet that will help us cook more efficiently.”

Board member Tim Keegan asked about

efforts to address negative balances.

Gerber said if a student has a negative balance, they are not allowed to purchase additional ala carte items, but still able to get a meal at the district.

“That corrects for some students the issue of their negative lunch balance in the next few days,” Gerber said.

Gerber said the goal of having more from scratch menu options is to help reduce the cost to the district, as items cooked from scratch cost less overall.

Board member Lance Schoff asked about if there was difficulty in finding positions to cook at the schools, and Gerber said she has had a successful job finding people who wanted to cook and filling the positions.

Gerber said the choice to add more hands at the high school cafeteria was made as that’s where a majority of meals are cooked for the district, and having more hands available there to cook was beneficial.

Lisbon holds Veterans Day ceremony

Aaron Helmrich is guest speaker

Nathan Countryman Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com

Lisbon hosted a Veterans Day ceremony Monday, Nov. 11 at the Lions Den. More than 20 veterans were in attendance for the ceremony.

Guest speaker this year was Aaron Helmrich.

Helmrich spoke about how he joined the military originally, as well as detailed what he could share of his service.

“I was 19 and in a college economics class when I watched the second plane flying into the World Trade Center,” Helmrich said. “At that moment, I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself and do what I could to help.”

Helmrich enlisted in the military, doing his basic training at Fort Knox, Ky., in 2002.

“What helped me through my basic training was the strength I developed on sports teams,” Helmrich said.

He was trained as a calvary scout in the United States Army. He was then sent to work at Fort Hood, Texas. He resided in Fort

Hood for five years, and completed two tours of duty to Iraq.

“In my first deployment to Iraq, I was part of the group that caught Saddam Hussein,” Helmrich said. “I never expected we’d have been able to do that.”

After returning to the states from his second tour, Helmrich was responsible for training soldiers how to shoot back at Fort Knox.

It’s also where he got involved in coaching wrestling at the local high school.

Helmrich was then stationed to Fort Riley, Kansas, where he was part of the

MV resident injured in single vehicle crash

Cayden Noehl, 17, Mount Vernon was injured in a single vehicle rollover Wednesday, Nov. 17. He was transported to Saint Luke’s Hospital by Anamosa Ambulance with minor injuries following the crash.

According to Sgt. Devin Rinderknecht of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were paged to a vehicle crash along Springville Road near Elbow Creek Road at 2:03 p.m.

Upon arrival, emergency responders located a black Honda Accord in the field adjacent to this location. The Accord had sustained significant damage and rolled several times.

Noehl was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident, and was cited for failure to maintain control.

Others assisting at the scene of the crash include Linn County Sheriff Rescue 57 and Springville Fire Department.

Aaron Helmrich delivers his speech at the Lisbon Veterans Day assembly.

First Infantry Division. He was then stationed overseas along the Syria/Iraq border for a deployment. He was wounded Nov. 15, 2012, and returned stateside.

After recovering from injuries, he was stationed in Sioux City, where he was in charge of recruiting for the military. He also coached wrestling at Sgt. Bluff Luton at that time.

He next served at Fort Carson, Colo. He was sent overseas to Germany on his next deployment.

“Seeing some of the locations that were in World

War I and World War II in Europe was a highlight of that tour,” Helmrich said.

He was promoted to first sergeant and deployed to serve in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, where he was responsible for work on air defense systems at those locations.

He ended his career in the military back where he started in Feb. 2022, eight years before his 39th birthday.

“Not everyone can live the military life, but it was something I recommend to those who can,” Helmrich said.

He thanked his family for their support, as well as his wife and their six children.

He encouraged all stu-

dents to thank a veteran they might encounter for their service to the country.

“Veterans Day means more for me each year, and I hope that never changes,” Helmrich said.

The ceremony was started with the Lisbon sixth graders leading everyone in reciting the pledge of allegiance before the band performed the National Anthem.

The Lisbon choir performed the song “Words Like Freedom.”

Madison Flockhart and Kolsie Bixler presented the history of Veterans Day, and a video of veterans with connections to Lisbon students, teachers and staff was presented. Volume

Countryman

The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun strives for accuracy and fairness in reporting news. If we’ve made an error or a report is misleading, let us know about it: news@mvlsun.com

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Photos by Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

Members of the Lisbon Cyclops Post march the colors into place at Lisbon Monday, Nov. 11, ahead of the Veterans Day ceremony.

Madison Flockhart and Kolsie Bixler present the history of Veterans Day at the assembly.

Center: Coach Abbe Stensland checks that her sixth grade team has all the items they need ahead of their mock trial.

Mount Vernon Middle Schoolers reflect on career day

Nathan Countryman

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com

Mount Vernon middle school counselor Kori Leighty highlighted what students had learned during the recent career day held at Mount Vernon Middle School.

Leighty explained that the career day is built to help increase exposure to students of the jobs and career pathways open to them after graduation.

“Businesses present a talk roughly 30 minutes long to five different sections that students are able to choose from,” Leighty said.

Students were able to engage in learning about ag and natural resources, city government, health care, science technology engineering and math (STEM) and other career opportunities this year. Speakers were organized by Kirkwood Community College for the day, and presenters gave a hands on presentation.

“This helps increase the students exposure to professionals and what they do in our community,” Leighty said. “It also helps them understand their local opportunities.”

In a video, students spoke about their favorite things they learned during career day.

The presentation by the Mount Vernon Fire Department, Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department and Lisbon-Mount Vernon Ambulance services were very

popular presenters.

Items like how the cots get into the ambulance, tools firefighters use or the tools and training it takes to be a police officer were shared in the video by middle school students.

Another session that was interesting to students was the presentation by city administrator Chris Nosbisch, outlining the process of budgeting for a project like a new pool and the decisions he and city council make while weighing other needs of the city.

Middle school principal Bob Haugse explained that one presenter was not able to make the career day, so teacher Lori Moss presented on the many jobs that she has had over the years, and that was another highlight for many students.

Mount Vernon Schools finance report approved

General fund, PPEL have deficits already known

Nathan Countryman

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com

Mount Vernon Schools approved the finance report of the district presented by business manager Michael Marshall at the November school board meeting.

Marshall said that there were only two funds that showed downward trends for the district in the past year, the general fund and physical plant and equipment levy.

The general fund’s downward trend is what the district was looking to help curb in the budget cuts made in April and May’s meetings. Those cuts were also targeted to help the district’s unspent authority improve.

Marshall said the district’s solvency ratio has decreased over the past five years, but there are ways to make improvements to that ratio in a more quick manner.

Looking at the five-year history of the general fund, in fiscal year 2022 is the first year that a deficit was seen, which continued in 2023 and 2024. The largest increase to the general fund is salaries and benefits for employees, amounting to roughly 80 percent of the district’s budget.

Marshall said that the general fund is being impacted by the declining enrollment trend for the district. While the district has a good number of students who open enroll into the district, the number of students who reside in the district but do not attend Mount Vernon Schools is still declining, which impacts revenues of the school.

Another number that Marshall said the district should keep an eye on is the number of residents who are taking education savings accounts from the district. In 2025, that number was a 11 students. In fiscal year 2026, that increased to 21.

“If that number continues increasing, our enrollment count for resident students is likely dropping, which impacts the general fund,” Marshall said.

Mount Vernon’s certified enrollment for the next fiscal year is 1080.3, which is 14 students less than fiscal year 2025 with 1097.6. Certified enrollment is what generates revenue for the district.

Mount Vernon remains a district of choice, however, as the district has 392.6 students who open enroll into the district, up from 369.4 in fiscal year 2025, an increase of roughly 25 students.

Superintendent Matt Leeman explained that the differ-

ence between certified enrollment and open enrollment is that the district can’t bond against open enrollment numbers.

“That gets you into a situation where you may have hundreds of more students you’re teaching, but you can’t bond to build a new building because your certified enrollment numbers have dropped so low,” Leeman said.

Marshall later outlined how state supplemental aid and declining enrollment can impact the district’s budget, with projections of losing 10 students per year and only receiving 2.5 percent in state supplemental aid. By fiscal year 2027, the district was seeing a change in unspent balance authority, and by fiscal year 2029 that fund balance was below 3.5 percent, when the target was to keep the fund above 7 percent.

In a projection of 5 percent SSA this year and then 2.5 percent all other years through fiscal year 30, the fund remains above 7 percent.

In a projection of 1 percent SSA for fiscal year 2026, the unspent balance is below 7 percent by fiscal year 2027.

“Just small changes in the amount of funding from the state can have huge impacts on school districts,” Leeman said.

School board member Lance Schoff wanted citizens to remember when they hear these numbers being discussed, that they have a big impact to local school districts.

As for the physical plant and equipment levy, the decrease there was due to the expenditures of building the new activity complex. That led to a deficit of roughly $1.874 million, but it was money the district had on hand for the project, having raised $3 million for the project in fiscal year 2023 and holding a portion of that amount over from that year until the project was completed.

The activities fund showed an increase in revenue for the year, a portion of which Marshall said came from the new activities complex opening last September.

The management fund is slated to see increases in the next fiscal year. Marshall reminded the school that they will be paying for gas costs from that fund in the next year, a choice made to get that off of the general fund expenditures, which could see 10 to 15 percent more in expenses to the fund in coming years.

“The only other item this fund is used for is offering early retirement plans if they’re needed,” Marshall said.

The SAVE fund had 1.298 million in expenditures and $1.622 million in revenues. The fund is used for technology, building repairs not covered by the PPEL fund, vehicle purchases and other unexpected expenses.

The district’s debt service fund generated $2.514 mil-

lion in revenue and $2.44 million in expenses.

Marshall said that revenues in the nutrition fund for the district were slightly decreased in the last fiscal year.

“The district had been seeing more federal funding for the fund in prior years we’re not seeing now,” Marshall said.

The daycare fund was in the positive this year, and that balance has been growing since the COVID-19 pandemic years.

The board approved the financial report for the district.

Left: Kenley Siggins, Addison Bauer, and Urijah Helmer work at getting their binders and other items ready for their second mock trial of the day as the prosecution.

Photos by Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

Left: Ella Stensland prepares to cross examine a suspect in regional mock trial competition at Cornell College Friday, Nov. 15. Lisbon had two teams competing at the regional event.

OPINIONS

That’s no ordinary

pig—

that’s my

therapist

Living in Iowa

Dan Brawner

Christy Reed isn’t counting her chickens. But Orange City, a tidy little Dutch town of 6,267, is counting and they are not happy about it. As Ms. Reed’s flock increased to 25, it got the authority’s attention and she was informed it was not legal to keep livestock within city limits. Get rid of the chickens, they said or pay the fine.

But Reed insists her chickens are not livestock. They all have names and personalities. They are her friends. Most importantly, her chickens are her therapists. Reed has suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, since the death of her husband in 2008. To help ease her condition, Reed acquired a few chickens and had them officially certified as “emotional support animals”.

Under Iowa’s disability law and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, people diagnosed with disabilities have a right to be accompanied by a service animal (like a seeing eye dog) or an emotional support animal as long as it meets certain requirements and is certified by a medical professional. Iowa law requires landlords to allow a tenant’s emotional support animal (ESA) regardless of their “no pets” rule in a rental agreement and landlords must wave any customary pet deposit. Disability Rights Legal Advocate Dominick J. Latino states that emotional support animals are “a life-saving asset for hundreds of thousands of Americans,” with anxiety and depression, making it easier for them to perform everyday tasks.

What kinds of ESA’s are there? How about a miniature horse? In 2020, Ronica Froese of Croton, Michigan took her 26-inch-tall horse named Fred on a TSA flight to Ontario, California. Froese, who suffers from Crohn’s disease, sometimes struggles to walk. “So if I drop something, Fred will pick it up and hand it to me.” She practiced giving Fred rides in her truck, accompanied by loud jet recordings to prepare him for the flight. “Everybody loved him,” she said. “Lots of passengers were amazed how well he behaved.”

In 2016, Carla Fitzgerald, who suffers from PTSD, took her ESA duck, known by Daniel Turducken on a short flight from Charlotte, NC to Asheville without incident. “Everybody just took notice of him and fell in love,” she reported. “I think his little red shoes and Captain America diaper were also really well received.” (Especially that last part, I bet.)

Not every ESA-accompanied flight goes well. Delta Airlines reports that in the past few years, incidents of ESAs biting, urinating and defecating has spiked 84 percent. On a Delta flight to Atlanta in 2017, a passenger was trapped against his window seat and mauled by a 70-pound emotional support dog, requiring 28 stitches.

I sympathize with an airline passenger needing their ESA. But, speaking as a person who gets airsick very easily, I’m not sure I could handle an emotional support kangaroo hopping up and down the aisle as we hit air pockets over Denver.

It would seem Orange City needs to determine if only Ms. Reed’s original chickens are genuine emotional support animals or if her hatchlings are entitled to a kind of birthright citizenship and become automatic ESA’s.

Every May, Orange City’s tulip festival features children in traditional Dutch outfits with brooms sweeping the streets. It’s unpleasant enough they have to sweep up soggy cigarette butts and candy wrappers--without having to clean up after Christy Reed’s incontinent therapists.

Continuing PPEL is a smart move

Lisbon will be going to a special election in March 4 to continue the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy they have.

As superintendent Autumn Pino stated, the special election is not a new tax, and no tax rates will be increasing. It’s a continuation of a levy rate that Lisbon voted into place nearly a decade ago to make sure that funding stream doesn’t sunset on the district and can be continued to be used for building projects within the school room.

PPEL is one funding stream that Lisbon Schools uses to help with building projects and other expenses at the school. It’s a fund that schools will look to use for improve-

ments to their buildings before touching the general fund, which is usually reserved for students and education.

PPEL funds can not be used for employee salaries or travel, supplies, printing costs or media services.

Both Mount Vernon and Lisbon utilize PPEL funds for numerous projects in their districts, and if you attend board meetings of either, you will hear about those projects.

Continuing this levy helps to benefit area schools and making sure that appropriate funds are utilized to maintain buildings for expected and unexpected repairs, instead of hitting the general fund, which usually is reserved for staff and educating students.

School board learns important lesson on secrecy

Stray

Thoughts

Randy Evans Iowa Freedom of Information Council

Last week, I bumped into an Appanoose County woman I have known for several years. She thanked me and the nonprofit organization I manage for shining the spotlight on the actions of Centerville Community School District leaders.

This mother told me I was responsible for her spending part of a recent evening listening to the recording of a closed meeting of the Centerville school board that had just been made public by order of a judge.

The purpose for the 2023 closed session supposedly was to discuss the job performance of Ryan Hodges, the guidance counselor at Centerville High School. But Hodges submitted his resignation two days before the meeting.

The Appanoose County mother was troubled by what she heard on the recording. It bothered her that school board members and Superintendent Mark Taylor did NOT talk about the actions of Hodges, who has been accused of predatory behavior toward a 17-year-old female student the school was responsible for protecting.

Instead, what the mom heard were board members and superintendent expressing more concern about how the findings by an outside investigator had leaked to the public, rather than Hodges’ sexual “grooming” of the girl. She heard school officials agreeing to make sure their public statements did not imply Hodges was forced to resign. She heard discussion about board members’ concerns about how the resignation would affect Hodges’ own children in elementary school.

There was more. The mom also did NOT hear board members discuss the superintendent’s comment that another Centerville High School teacher may have allowed harassing talk in the classroom about the teen girl. As described in another lawsuit, that classroom chatter included accusations the girl was “a homewrecker.”

This closed-door meeting was at the center of a lawsuit the Iowa Freedom of Information Council and I filed against the school board in 2023 over its handling of the closed meeting. Hodges had already resigned. No one believed the school board would refuse to accept his resignation after he had been on paid leave for two months while outside investigations proceeded.

I told reporters the people in the Centerville district deserved to know what the investigators learned. Were the allegations founded or not? If they were not founded, why was he still on administrative leave? And if the allegations were founded, was the school board prepared to terminate him?

The Iowa FOI Council and I were not motivated by some prurient interest in the allegations against Hodges. Instead, our interest came from the belief that people

who pay the taxes to operate the Centerville schools and send their kids and grandkids there deserve to know what went on at Centerville High School involving a supposedly trusted employee who had access to every student.

“The public needs information, not more secrecy,” I told the Ottumwa Courier at the time.

District Judge Mark Kruse of Burlington presided over a two-day trial of our lawsuit back in June. He issued his 28-page ruling three months later, finding the school board violated the open meetings law by failing to comply with the statute’s requirements for closed sessions.

The judge had access to the same audio recording my Appanoose County friend listened to. The judge wrote, “It is difficult to find any consistent, or meaningful, discussion evaluating the professional competency of Mr. Hodges.”

The judge added, “From the words used, it was obvious that Mr. Hodges would not be retained. The initial discussion in the closed meeting clearly did not reference an allegation, but a belief that an improper act had occurred.”

The judge’s conclusion was a stinging rebuke of the school leaders.

“The closed meeting was superfluous in that whether there was a closed meeting or not, the result was going to be the same,” the judge wrote. “For these reasons, the court does find that the requirements of the open meetings statute were not met, and this was shown by a preponderance of the evidence.”

Our lawsuit will be back in the news this week when the school district’s insurance provider issues a check, as ordered by Judge Kruse, to reimburse the Iowa FOI Council and our attorneys for $113,258 in legal expenses incurred in bringing the lawsuit.

The school district has already agreed to pay the family of the girl $79,000 to settle a lawsuit they brought against the district. That brings the total cost to the district to $192,000.

That is an expensive lesson for the Centerville schools. The lesson is one government boards and councils across Iowa should learn from, too, if they use the “professional evaluation” exemption in the open meetings law as a legal charade to justify excluding the public when a range of topics not involving an employee’s job performance are discussed.

Other boards, under the guise of conducting a “professional evaluation,” have used the secrecy to talk about gender questions involving school bathrooms or questions about controversial library books. Some boards have kicked out taxpayers when officials discussed entering into a six-figure “separation agreement” with a superintendent. Other boards have discussed in secret allowing an administrator to leave immediately while continuing to pay the person through the end of the school year.

The Centerville school board is not the first to retreat into secrecy to avoid having to let the public listen in. But the lesson Centerville learned should be heard loud and clear by every government board in Iowa.

Randy Evans, executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, can be reached at IowaFOICouncil@gmail.com.

IPTV interview reflects need for newspapers

story to tell.

Kudos to crew of “26

We are extremely lucky to be able to enjoy all types of local theater in our small town.

Nathan Countryman

I’ve been thinking a lot about community these past weeks.

Part of that was because an interview I did with Iowa Public Television for a piece coming in 2025 and the question that was asked was “why do you think it’s important for people to see themselves in the newspaper?”

My answer started with “I get the opportunity every week to see my own name in this newspaper on countless stories.” As a journalist, I try to minimize my appearance in said news stories, but you can never fully remove yourself from said stories. There is always going to be a hint of your views and what you think was important from a meeting in your reporting. The goal is to minimize that as much as possible.

But for other people in a community, their stories or times they appear in a newspaper might be smaller, finite. It’s exciting to be at an event and know you might be one of the people who shows up in the pages or has a

The importance of remembering the history of this country

Last June my husband and I were able to visit Gettysburg, Penn., and walk the battlegrounds from the Civil War. To call it sobering is an understatement. The Battle of Gettysburg resulted in 51,000 casualties, the highest number of any Civil War battle. The Union had 23,049 casualties, including 3,155 killed, 14,529 wounded, and 5,365 missing or captured. The Confederacy had 28,063 casualties, including 3,903 killed, 18,735 wounded, and 5,425 missing or captured.

The Civil War is a tragic time in our country's history. We hadn't even made it to our first century when the 11 Southern states left the Union and fought against the other 23 Northern states. We had states fighting against states, families fighting against families, all because each side thought they were right and wanted to take up arms to stand by their convictions.

It is easy for some to look back on this period of time and think, "Well, that could never happen again." I wondered how easily it could actually happen again as I walked that hallowed ground in Gettysburg. Surely some who fought in the Civil War, on either side of the battle, had grandfathers who had fought in the Revolutionary War. Certainly they wondered how they had gotten to this point of another war for the soul of the country less than 100 years later.

Winston Churchill said in a 1948 speech to the

The other question that got asked in that interview that I don’t know I gave a robust answer to was “Why do you still love doing this job and in these communities?”

So here is a fuller answer than the 15 to 20 second answer I gave.

I love this job and always have because of the variety of things I get to cover or experience. Even on weeks with a returning festival, no one week is ever the same in what you might encounter in news.

But mostly, that answer keeps returning to something that comes up a lot about these communities in editorials and columns of the past – I love living in the communities I cover. You become a richer reporter because of those connections.

People always joke with me that I’m everywhere, when do I sleep? There is always something to do in these two communities.

The truth of the matter is my apartment is quiet. It’s an area of solitude after a long working day, filled with a movie or show I’ll be streaming, sure, but quiet. As an introvert, I need that solitude to recharge.

But as a journalist in these communities, being where the people and stories are is just where I’m most at home. Sure, festivals and crowds seem like an anathema to an introvert, but they’re the events my towns are hosting, and if it’s important to them, it’s important to me.

I am especially proud of the works presented by our high school thespians.

Director Tom Stephens and his crew amaze me with their professional presentations. Last weekend I was humbled to attend their latest production, 26 Pebbles. Watching the students share the story of Sandy Hook with such integrity and respect for the subject was truly inspiring. You felt as though you were hearing the story told by the Newtown community itself.

Bravo MVHS Theater!

British House of Commons, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” And in 1905 Spanish philosopher George Santayana said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." This is why we must study history; not only should we learn about the past to know what has happened, but we should learn from the mistakes that have been made so that we can make our world a better one for ourselves and for our posterity.

The last three weeks have been difficult for me. I do not understand how Donald Trump could be elected to serve for another term as President. I was concerned that if he lost, we would have another Jan. 6 on our hands, since he had never accepted his defeat in 2020. But I was also surprised that he would win the election with all of the hateful rhetoric he had spewed at his campaign events.

His vile words about immigrants are so un-American to me. We are a nation of immigrants. I am tired of hearing people say "My ancestors came here the right way." I would like to see the documentation that they claim to have. I am the product of many immigrants coming to American from the 1600s to the 1800s and all of them just got off their ships and walked right into the country. I believe that my history is shared by millions of Americans.

His plan to deport millions of immigrants back to the countries that they have come from echoes what happened during World

War II with the Japanese internment camps. During that time approximately 120,000 people were forcibly removed from their homes and placed in these camps for the duration of the war. Two-thirds of them were U.S. Citizens. In the decades following the war, we have looked back in shame on this mass incarceration. Because the immigrant population in the United States is much larger now than the Japanese population was in the 1940s, removing millions of people (many of which will invariably be naturalized U.S. citizens) will be akin to what the Nazis did to Jewish people during World War II. The emotional and financial impact will be devastating. Again, we look at what happened in Germany and other European countries and shake our heads and think, "What a tragedy! We can't ever let history repeat itself." But somehow, we have enough people in this country who are so fired up about immigration that they elected a man that wants to deport close to 13 million people? Never mind that there was a bipartisan bill ready for Congress a year ago to secure the border, but Trump persuaded Republicans to vote against it.

I spent three weeks working early voting for Linn County. I have been doing this since the 2020 Election. It's always a lot busier during the general election because voting for a President brings out many more voters. Each day our team worked very hard to process voters as quickly as we could, while following all of the rules to ensure a fair election. It broke my heart when I heard of the ballot boxes being set on fire in Oregon and Washington. That is not what democracy is about.

When Trump had the audacity to go on and on

about how rigged and unfair this election was going to be, I took that personally. At all voting locations there is always a bi-partisan team working. Steps and rules are being followed to make sure that each voter is registered and that each voter only votes once. I find it remarkable that the 2024 election "full of massive cheating" (Trump's words) handed him the presidency and that he quickly changed his tune once the results were reported. Perhaps you have read my words and have thought that I'm being worried about nothing. Maybe that will be the case. I believe that words matter and I believe that the President of the United States of America should be a woman or man of integrity and should stick by her or his words. The freedoms we enjoy in this great land have come at too great a cost to throw the Constitution aside. The landside in Gettysburg is soaked with the blood of Americans who suffered the repercussions of what happens when disagreements cannot be resolved.

Pebbles”

Amy Blackwell Mount Vernon

C. Sherene Hansen Player

MV middle school auditorium getting new sound system

The Mount Vernon District Auditorium in Mount Vernon Middle School will be purchasing a new sound system for the auditorium space.

The accepted bid for the project was $57,98039 from CTI. Superintendent Matt Leeman noted that the bid was not the lowest bid on the project, but was accepted due to the experience of staff working with them in the past.

Board member Tim Keegan asked the last time the sound system had been upgraded at the middle school, and middle school principal Bob Haugse said it was in either 2005 or 2009.

Board member Lance Schoff, who uses the auditorium with Mount Vernon football players for reviewing film and team meetings, said that the sound system is no longer working in the auditorium.

“We have to bring our own speakers in,” Schoff said. Leeman said this investment will allow the auditorium’s sound system to work for another 10 years.

The Mount Vernon Fine Arts Association has said they are willing to help contribute to the project, and will determine at the December meeting how much they are planning to contribute for the new sound system. The remaining funding will come from physical plant and equipment levy funds.

MV security upgrades approved

The Mount Vernon Community School District approved of security upgrades to the district’s buildings.

The district had received $150,000 for reimbursement for school improvements to the three buildings from the Governor’s School Safety Initiative.

The improvements for Mount Vernon Schools were on upgrades to the existing camera system.

The proposed upgrades come at a cost of $235,605 from RC Systems. The district negotiated a lower price in a previous work session to not impact the integrity of the improvements. The extra $85,605 for the project will come from Physical Plant and Equipment Levy funding.

MV district roundtable first meeting set for December

The newly formed district roundtable meeting will be held Wednesday, Dec. 4.

The district roundtable is composed of stakeholders from the community, school board, student body and school employees. The roundtable will learn more about the district through agendas they create, as well as make recommendations and provide feedback for upcoming district decisions.

“The goal is to engage more stakeholders and increase participation from our community even more than we already are,” said superintendent Matt Leeman.

The meetings are hosted and led by the Superintendent and others will join to present when topics arise that are their expertise.

Deadline to apply for being a member of the district roundtable was Monday, Nov. 18, with participants notified Friday, Nov. 22.

The plan is for the district roundtable to hold three meetings during the 2024-25 school year.

MV School board establishes goals for coming year

The Mount Vernon School Board has established it’s three main goals and areas of focus for the year.

Those goals are:

1) Being a fiscally responsible district

2) Preparing well-prepared graduates

3) Continuing to be a district of choice

The district also outlined how they would measure success in each goal.

Fiscally Sound

• Financially Sustainable

• Financially Stable to allow us to grow with the best staff.

• Fiscally run net-zero yearly, or slightly positive

Well-Prepared Graduates

• Meets the needs and advances learning of all students every year.

• All kids show improvement at all levels.

• Excellence in academics, the arts, and athletics.

• Engaged learners – invested in their learning.

• Known as a district that offers diverse opportunities for kids to succeed in the future.

• College or career-ready students.

District of Choice

• The area’s district of choice due to programs & culture.

• High expectation from top, down

Destination District

• High expectations.

• Care for all

• District of choice for both educators and students/families.

The district will also be establishing goals for each building at coming work sessions.

Waverly Shell Rock, Decorah not joining WaMaC

Waverly-Shell Rock and Decorah will not be joining the WaMaC.

Waverly-Shell Rock’s request to join WaMaC was denied by the Department of Education. Waverly-Shell Rock will now have to wait to appeal the decision. Waverly-Shell Rock, Decorah and Charles City were all part of the Northeast Iowa Conference, which is slated to disband in 2025. Those same three schools were denied entry into the Upper Iowa Conference, stating they were larger than other member schools in the conference.

Decorah’s superintendent has said he doesn’t want his district to join the WaMaC, citing the distance of Decorah from other member schools, contributing to long bus rides for students to conferences.

this table at the meeting.

Magical Night returns Dec. 5

The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group (CDG), a Main Street Iowa organization, has announced the 34th Annual Magical Night will take place Thursday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m.

The Magical Night Committee have teamed with the City of Mount Vernon, City of Mount Vernon Parks & Rec, the First Street Community Center, Mount Vernon Community School District, local churches, Cornell College Office of Intercultural Life, and uptown businesses for this annual holiday celebration. As the town comes alive with festive lights, joyful music, and spirited activities, the event highlights the incredible collaboration of the community.

Visitors to the event are invited to park at St. John’s Catholic Church, 212 Seventh St. SE, and load into the Mount Vernon Community School District bus for free transportation to and from festival grounds. NOTE: The last bus of the evening is scheduled to leave from festival grounds to St. John’s parking lot at 8 p.m.

A summary of scheduled events is below. For more information and updates, please visit the event page via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/visitmvl/

Located at First Street Community Center (FSCC) | 221 First Street NE:

• 5:00 - Mr. & Mrs. Claus Light up FSCC | Front Lawn

• 5:00 - Washington Elementary Second Grade Carolers

| Front Lawn

• 5:00-8:00 - Tractor Trolleys Running on First Street |

B Ave SE to Fourth Ave SW

• 5:00-8:00 - Crafts & Photo Opportunity | Library, second Floor

• 5:00-8:00 - Hot Cocoa | Hallway, first Floor

• 5:00-8:00 - MVCSD Art Installation | Gymnasium, first Floor

• 6:45 - Dance Arts Iowa: Holiday Dance Magic Show | Uptown Theatre, first Floor

Located in the Iowa Physical Therapy Parking Lot | 108 First St SE:

• 5-8 p.m.- Christmas Village Market & Photo Opportunity

• 5:15-6 p.m. - MVHS Marching Band

Located at Abbe Creek Gallery | 105 First St W

• 5:30 p.m. - Dance Arts Iowa: Living Window Performance

• 5:45 p.m. - Dance Arts Iowa: Living Window Performance

• 6 p.m. - Dance Arts Iowa: Living Window Performance

• 6:15 - Dance Arts Iowa: Living Window Performance

Located in Mount Vernon Bank & Trust | 206 First St W SW:

• 5:30-8 p.m. - Pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus

• 5:30-8 p.m. - Letters for Santa’s Mailbox

• 6 p.m. - MVHS Concert Choir Carolers

Located in City Hall | 213 First St W:

• 5-8 p.m. - 49th Annual Christmas Craft Bazaar & Bake Sale | Lower Level

Located at the United Methodist Church | 304 First Street W:

• 4:30-7 p.m. - Cookie Walk benefiting SELCC | Lower Level

• 5-7 p.m. - Soup Supper benefiting SELCC | Lower Level

Located at First Presbyterian Church | 301 First St W

• 5-8 p.m. - Animatronics | Main Level

• 5-8 p.m. - Cookie Decorating | Lower Level

• 5-8 p.m. - Office of Intercultural Life, Cornell College | Lower Level

Located at Memorial Park and the Visitors Center | 311 First Street W:

• 5-8 p.m. - Tractor Trolleys Running on First Street | B Ave SE to Fourth Ave SW

• 5-7:30 p.m. - Hot Cocoa & Cookies | Visitor Center

• 6 p.m. - St Paul Lutheran Church Living Nativity | Memorial Park Gazebo

The Mount Vernon School District also shared a reminder with parents what is considered a truant absence and what is not with

Carolyn Ann “Nana” Krob, 76, of Marion passed away, Nov. 14, 2024. Per Carolyn’s wishes, services will not be held. Iowa Cremation is assisting the family.

Carolyn was born April 20, 1948, in Monticello, the daughter of Howard Bernard and Mary Ann (Cole) Kurth. She married Paul Eugene Krob on August 11, 1995, in Nashua. Carolyn retired from Quaker Oats / Pepsico in 2015. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. Carolyn could often be found sitting in the front row at her grandchildren’s activities and hitting up garage sales in the area. She was a natural care giver to anyone in need. Carolyn loved hosting events and entertaining her guests.

Survivors include her husband, Paul of Cedar Rapids; children, Joshua (Ruth) Smith of Lisbon, Heidi (Grant) Whitney, and Amber (Joe) Heims of Toddville; grandchildren, Wyatt, Maci, Addi, Walker, Hadley, Lakin, and Rowan; sisters, Betty Boyles and Kathy Hankemeier; and brothers, Paul, James, Kenneth, Mike, and Ernest Kurth.

Preceding her in death were her parents; brothers, Bob, Howard, Albert, and Carl Kurth; a sister and brother in infancy; and special friends, Norma Jean Schuetzle and Lolita Stephens.

The family extends special thanks to Carolyn’s Care Group, her neighbors, and the staff of the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy for the exceptional care that was given to Carolyn.

In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy.

Online condolences are welcome at www.iowacremation.com under obituaries.

Tracking your absentee ballot results

The Linn County Elections Office has received numerous questions from voters about the status of their absentee ballot using the Iowa Secretary of State’s online absentee ballot tracker. Many voters are using the Iowa Secretary of State’s absentee ballot tracker and looking for a status of “Counted.”

The process of certifying and closing an election is labor intensive and can take up to six weeks to complete. Until the election is certified and closed, the only statuses displayed on the absentee ballot

Abbe Creek Gallery hosting Small Works Exhibit

Abbe Creek Gallery, 105 First Street NW, Mount Vernon is hosting the Small Works Exhibit, a show consisting of art works to be sold for $99 or less. A variety of unique, individually created art produced by almost 20 local and regional artists will be available.

The Small Works Exhibit opens on Nov. 21 and runs through Dec. 26. The opening reception will be held 6-8 p.m. today (Thursday, Nov. 21) at the gallery.

Featured are a variety of jewelry, paintings, photographs, fiber arts, and ceramics.

Abbe Creek Gallery opens at 11 a.m. daily except Sunday and Monday.

Jennifer Ann Donovan MD, FAAFP, a family physician in Lisbon, has achieved the Degree of Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the national medical association representing nearly 127,600 family physicians, residents and medical students.

Established in 1971, the AAFP Degree of Fellow recognizes family physicians who have distinguished themselves through service to family medicine and ongoing professional development. This year’s fellowship class brings the total number of AAFP Fellows to more than 18,000 nationwide. AAFP Fellowship entitles the physician to use the honorary designation, “Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians,” or “F.A.A.F.P.”

Criteria for receiving the AAFP Degree of Fellow consist of a minimum of six years of membership in the organization, extensive continuing medical education, participation in public service programs outside medical practice, conducting original research and serving as a teacher in family medicine.

New online gun permit application process

Effective Monday, Nov. 18, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office will transition to an online portal for accepting gun permit applications.

All gun permit applications will be required to be submitted through this online portal, which will require a valid email address to communicate the status of your application and permit. A computer tablet with internet access will be made available for use at the Sheriff’s Office during regular office hours for those members of the public who do not have internet access. Applications submitted online can be paid with a credit or debit card.

tracker tool is why a ballot has been rejected – if it was rejected. If the tracking results show a blank status, that is an indicator that the ballot was not rejected. Absentee ballots received by the Auditor’s Office are submitted to the Absentee and Special Voter Pre cinct board (ASVP). The ASVP board is comprised of bipartisan teams who review the absentee affi davit envelopes, reject those that are incomplete or defective, and process the accepted absentee affidavit envelopes. Processing involves opening of the enve lopes, extracting the secrecy folders, shuffling the secrecy folders to ensure secrecy of each voter’s vote is maintained, removing the ballot from each secrecy folder, and tabulating the votes on those ballots.

According to the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office, the absentee ballot tracker tool will indicate a status of “Accepted” once the election is closed.

For questions, please contact the Linn County Elections Office at 319-892-5300 or email Elections@LinnCountyIowa.gov.

Nov. 4 – Welfare check, 300 blk S. Jackson St, Lisbon

Nov. 4 – Disturbance, 300 blk business 30, Mount Vernon

Nov. 5 – Suspicious vehicle, 100 blk S. Hwy 1, Mount Vernon

Nov. 5 – Burglary, 400 blk S. Jackson St, Lisbon

Nov. 5 – Car unlock, 100 blk N. Washington St, Lisbon

Nov. 5 – Agency assist- accident, Linn Co

Nov. 6 – Suspicious vehicle, 300 blk N. Fourth

Nov. 6 – Disturbance, 900 blk Commercial St, Lisbon

Nov. 7 – Welfare check, 300 blk Seventh

Nov. 7 – Theft, 100 blk business 30, Mount Vernon

Nov. 7 – Welfare check, 300 blk Country Club Dr, Mount Vernon

Nov. 7 – Welfare check, 1225 blk First Ave NW, Mount Vernon

Nov. 7 – Accident, 100 blk W. Main St, Lisbon

New titles on BRIDGES for Cole Library in November

At Cole Public Library, we don’t just purchase books for our physical shelves – we also purchase them for our virtual ones. This month, we’ve added a number of new titles to our BRIDGES (Libby) library. Our patrons check out copies of ebooks and audiobooks through BRIDGES in two lanes: one shared among all Iowa public library users and another just for Cole Public Library cardholders.

New titles for November include:

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker - audiobook

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt – ebook

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston - audiobook

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorneaudiobook

Counting Miracles by Nicolas Sparks - ebook

First Lady from Plains by Rosalynn Carter - ebook

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon - ebook

Funny Story by Emily Henry – ebook and audiobook

How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin -

To register for a BRIDGES account, download the Libby app and follow the instructions on our website

Thursday, November 21: 8am-10pm

Friday, November 22: 8am-5pm

Saturday, November 23: 10am-2pm Sunday, November 24: Closed

Monday, November 25: 8am-8pm

Tuesday, November 26: 8am-8pm Wednesday, November 27: 8am-12pm

Thursday, November 28: Closed

Nov. 7 – Agency assist- accident, Linn Co

Nov. 7 – Welfare check, 1225 blk First Ave NW, Mount Vernon

Nov. 7 – Welfare check, 200 blk S. Walnut St, Lisbon

Nov. 8 – Suspicious vehicle, 300 blk business 30, Lisbon

Nov. 8 – Suspicious vehicle, 400 blk W. Main St, Lisbon

Nov. 8 – Car unlock, 900 blk Andre Rd, Lisbon

Nov. 9 – Disturbance, 200 blk W. School St, Lisbon

Nov. 9 – Welfare check, 1225 blk First Ave NW, Mount Vernon

Nov. 9 – Medical, 200 blk E. business 30, Mount Vernon

Nov. 10 – Car unlock, 700 blk 10th Ave SW, Mount Vernon

Nov. 10 – Agency assist- accident, Linn Co

Nov. 10 – Agency assist- suspicious vehicle, Cedar Co

Nov. 12 – Disturbance, 500 blk Spring Meadow Ln, Mount Vernon

Nov. 14 – Suspicious vehicle, 300 blk business 30 SW, Mount Vernon

Nov. 14 – Alarm, 100 blk W. Main St, Lisbon

Nov. 14 – Medical, 200 blk business 30 SW, Mount Vernon

Nov. 15 – Suspicious vehicle, 700 blk S. First Ave, Mount Vernon

Nov. 15 – Animal control, 400 blk business 30, Mount Vernon

Nov. 15 – Alarm, 700 blk S. First Ave, Mount Vernon

Nov. 15 – Medical, 100 blk Palisades Rd SW, Mount Vernon

Nov. 16 – Abandoned vehicle, 300 blk business 30, Lisbon

Nov. 17 – Juvenile issue, 300 blk Third St NW, Mount Vernon

Nov. 17 – Agency assist- attempt to locate, Cedar Co

Nov. 17 – Alarm, 100 blk E. First St, Mount Vernon

Nov. 17 – Suspicious activity, 100 blk E. Main St, Lisbon

Nov. 17 – Welfare check, S. Hwy 1, Mount Vernon

Nov. 18 – Suspicious person, 400 blk First Ave SW, Mount Vernon

Carolyn Krob

Physical Plant and Equipment Levy renewal set for March in Lisbon

The Lisbon Schools will be holding a special election in March to continue the physical plant and equipment levy for the district.

The special election will be March 4, 2025.

Superintendent Autumn Pino reiterated that this is not a new tax or increase of tax rates, but continuation of a fund that the school uses.

“We use this fund for building and ground improvements to the district, for bus purchases and for technology purchases,” Pino said. “It’s a vital funding stream for our district that keeps these expenses away from the general fund.”

The measure to renew the levy needs to pass at a simple majority (50 percent plus one vote).

Lisbon purchases new bus

Lisbon Schools will be purchasing a new school bus to join the fleet this winter.

Superintendent Autumn Pino said there is currently a shortage of new buses across the state, so Lisbon was getting in a bid for purchasing a new bus earlier.

Lisbon will be purchasing an 84-passenger bus, since

that works best for the number of bus routes the district has as well as transportation to activities.

Pino said a new bus can take upwards of 90 days to arrive, so by purchasing now, the new bus will be ready later this spring.

“If we waited for longer, the sooner this bus could be added to our fleet would be January 2026,” Pino said.

John Baker asked what would happen to the bus that this vehicle will replace. Pino said that bus will move to being used as transportation for activities for the district until it no longer passes inspections, as opposed to running a twice a day bus route.

Lisbon approves policy changes

Discussion on open enrollment and transportation options

The Lisbon School Board approved a number of updated school board policies from Iowa Association of School Boards primers.

One of those included updates to transportation provided by school districts for open-enrolled students.

“We have the right to come into a neighboring school district up to two miles in order to pick up a student open enrolled into our district,” said superintendent Autumn Pino. “Likewise, neighboring school districts

have the right to do the same.”

Lisbon has neighboring school districts on many of it’s borders – Mount Vernon, Anamosa and North Cedar among them, and this policy would give the district some flexibility to pick up rural students in those districts if they are open-enrolled to Lisbon Schools. Pino said it can be something the district discusses with parents when students are open enrolling, to see if they can be charted onto a bus route.

“We have to make sure our residents of our district are still served in our bus routes, and that adding an additional stop does not add too much time students are on the bus,” Pino said. “If adding someone to a route adds too much time for the students on our route, we wouldn’t add them.”

Board member Robyn Richey said it would be worth looking into on a case-by-case basis, as transportation for students to school is always a minor challenge for open enrolled students.

Board member John Prasil agreed that if the wording was the district can decide on a case-by-case basis, he would be happy to adopt the ordinance and let the transportation director decide if it is something that can be done.

“We know there is a shortage of bus drivers, and if this is a practical piece to help families in our district get to schools, we should look at it,” Pino said.

Lisbon students enjoying FFA

Roughly 40 students enrolled in program between Lisbon, Springville

Nathan Countryman

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com

Lisbon and Springville students have been enjoying the joint FFA program between the two communities this school year.

Lisbon student Caleb Ross presented at the school board meeting his takeaways from attending the national FFA Convention his October.

“Overall, it was a lot of fun,” Ross said. “I was able to meet a lot of people and been exposed to a lot of agricultural careers I had never considered.”

On the first day of the trip, students went to a number of agriculture examples, including an orchard and a fishery. Ross said he learned a lot about the ways farmers make an orchard work. The fishery was one of his least favorite parts of the trip, but he got to see the koi ponds that raise multiple fish in that area.

The first official day of the convention, students were able to engage with the speaker as well as college representatives and companies.

“I met a lot of new people at the convention,” Ross said. “People from Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Texas, Wisconsin, Ohio and other parts of Iowa. That was one of my favorite parts.”

Another highlight for Ross was seeing a tour of the Fair Oaks Farm and their dairy operation.

“Just seeing how willing these cows were to be milked two to three times a day in a mostly automated fashion,” Ross said.

Board member Allan Mallie said there were more than 70,000 students in attendance for the national convention this year.

Instructor Mikayla Larsen explained how the program has worked as a joint program for Lisbon and Springville. She has previously taught at Springville for five years, and had a few students from Lisbon who have driven to Springville to take part in classes in the past.

With Lisbon now hosting a classroom for Larsen at their building, interest in the program has grown.

FFA is more than just classroom education. Students also have the ability to participate in projects and competitions. Students also work with teachers to develop a supervised agricultural experience about something they want to learn about.

“Some of that can be just as easy as wanting to learn how to raise animals,” Larsen said. “But that’s also led to students learning the steps it would take them to raise chickens in the City of Springville.”

Larsen said that those programs help students develop their skills in agriculture.

One of the areas that Larsen said she measures as a suc cess is if students in this joint program have a project that excels at a competition.

“As a shared program, we’re fighting many of the same

challenges as other programs do, but we’re also fighting with how we are able to make schedules for two schools work together to allow students to collaborate on a project,” Larsen said. “When our students are able to step higher and make more accomplishments, I feel better because they fought so much to make that project work.”

Students at Springville and Lisbon are working on their feed a family drive for the Thanksgiving holiday. They are also building their plans for celebrating National FFA week in February 2025.

Larsen was asking the Lisbon School Board to consider adding an assistant advisor for the program. As the numbers for FFA continue to grow, she foresees an assistant being able to provide more supervision for trips students are on, an extra driver to help assist getting students to competitions, help with coaching contest teams and help with summer programming.

Larsen said that she makes sure students at Lisbon have the same opportunities that students at Springville have, and that having a second person for this new program will only strengthen the offerings of the program in the future.

The board took no action on hiring an additional staff person at November’s school board meeting.

“We have 40 members between both schools enrolled in the program, and now that there’s a classroom space at Lisbon, interest and excitement have been growing,” Larsen said.

—Holiday Specials—

Black Friday 11/28 & 11/29:

• Free training session with ALL new memberships!

• Waived activation fees on All new memberships!

Cyber Monday 12/2:

• Discounted autopay’s

• 15% OFF when paying for a full year upfront

• $20 of Resting Metabolic Rate Test

• Buy two personal training sessions, get one FREE! (limit one)

• Waived Activation fees on ALL new memberships

Day,week,and month passes available at all 24/7 locations!

Buy 3 massages get one FREE begins November 29th and continues through the end of 2024! (of equal value)

*O er valid until Dec 31, 2024

Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun Mikayla Larsen outlines the many different activities that are part of Future Farmers of America program. The program is now offered to Lisbon and Springville residents.

Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun Caleb Ross speaks about his experience at the National FFA Convention held in October.

Mustangs slashed by Wildcats 28-25

Ryan Suchomel

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com

No. 4 Mount Vernon couldn’t overcome four turnovers in a Class 3A state semifinals Saturday night at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. No. 3 Humboldt beat them 28-25 and advanced to the 3A title game.

“It was tough,” Mount Vernon coach Brad Meester said. “We knew it was going to come down to three or four plays, and unfortunately, those went against us today.

“But I was proud of how we kept fighting to the end. Nobody gave up.”

The Mustangs trailed 28-18 after Humboldt got a 23-yard scoring pass from Coen Matson to Valley Davis with 3:44 left in the fourth quarter.

Mount Vernon came right back with a four-play, 66-yard drive that took just 50 seconds. It included an 8-yard pass to Cooper Hird (and an extra 15 yards on a face mask), then passes of 22 and 21 yards from Kellen Haverback to Michael Ryan, the second of which went for a touchdown.

A Bennett Harp extra point later, and it was 28-25 with 2:54 left to play.

And Mount Vernon had three time outs.

The Mustangs tried three onside kicks – two were killed by offside penalties and one was disallowed because Mount Vernon kicked it before the referees whistled play to begin.

So instead, Harp popped it up for the Wildcats, who

bobbled it before falling on the ball at their own 33.

Mount Vernon senior Ethan Wood came up with a big sack on the second play, and two plays later, Humboldt punted it back to the Mustangs with 1:57 remaining.

Setting things up perfectly for a two-minute drill. Mount Vernon started at their own 36.

But on the very first play, Haverback stepped up and out of the pocket with his eyes downfield. A Humboldt defensive lineman, Isaiah Busick, peeled off and bear hugged Haverback from behind.

The ball came out, and Humboldt’s Syler Brown fell on top of it. Game and season, over.

Haverback finished 22-of-30 passing for 227 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 27 yards on eight carries.

“He shoulders a lot of our offense,” Meester said. “And he does a tremendous job. He leads this group.

“I’m proud of where we started the season with him to where he is now. When things happen out there, everybody looks at him, and that’s hard. But he kept fighting. A tremendous leader. And I can’t wait to see what he does in the future.”

Early on, it looked like it would be Mount Vernon’s night. The Mustangs put together a 13-play, 49-yard drive to open the game that ended in a 32-yard Harp field goal.

After forcing the Wildcats into a 3-and-out, the Mustangs took the next drive 67 yards in six plays for a touchdown. Haverback connected with Watson Krob for a 29-yard score to the back corner of the end zone, near the famous garage door in the UNI-Dome. A Jase Jaspers conversion run made it 11-0.

But Humboldt quarterback Coen Matson engineered two touchdown drives before halftime. The Wildcats led 14-11 at intermission.

And before half, the first of a handful of game-changing plays occurred. Or didn’t, depending how you look at it.

On third-and-4 from their own 26, the Mustangs got a 73-yard pass from Haverback to Krob down to the Humboldt 1. Krob made the incredible one-handed catch despite a defensive pass interference penalty … but there was also an offensive holding penalty. That made it offsetting penalties and negated the play.

The replayed down ended up an incomplete pass.

Then, about a minute later, when Humboldt had the ball back, Matson was hit in the pocket by Nova Lane and the ball squirted loose. The referees ruled it an incomplete pass. Fan can, and probably will, argue if Matson’s arm was moving forward, but there was no replay booth to check in with.

“We told the guys it was going to come down to three or four plays,” Meester said. “Unfortunately, those went against us today. It was a weird game.”

Humboldt increased its lead in the third quarter. During that touchdown drive, A.J. McDermott had an interception in his hands, but Keegan Groat ripped it away for a first down, instead. And five plays later, a 21-11 lead.

The Wildcats ended up with zero turnovers.

“We were opportunistic on defense and were able to get some turnovers, and that’s what led to our success,” Humboldt coach Derrick Elman said. “And when we can force turnovers like that, then protect ball on

offensive side … You can ride those emotional waves all the way through.”

Humboldt’s quarterback had a different take.

“We played our balls off today,” Matson said. “That was so much fun.”

Matson finished with 208 passing yards on 16-of-27 passing. Groat had seven catches for 83 yards.

“Coen just does a tremendous job leading our team,” Elman said. “Credit to Coen finding open receivers.”

Mount Vernon outgained Humboldt in yards, 324 to 279 and in first downs, 19 to 15. But the turnovers were too much to overcome.

“It is the one stat we hammer on,” Meester said. “The one stat that matters. In big games like this, you have to win the turnover battle.”

Mount Vernon finished 10-2 and adds a semifinal trophy to a crowded trophy case.

“Obviously, you always hope to get further,” Meester said. “This group, the way they played as a team, the way they fought … they will go much further beyond just the game of football.”

Meester, in his first season as head coach, said he “loved” the experience and is already looking forward to his second season.

“I love this game,” Meester said. “The game has given me a lot, and I want to be able to give a lot back.”

Humboldt (11-1) advances to face No. 1 Dubuque Wahlert (12-0) in the 3A championship at 1 p.m. Friday. All seven championships will be played Thursday and Friday.

“You’ve just got to ride the wave,” Matson said. “We had a 10-point lead with 3:45 left, but we knew (the Mustangs) were in the dome for a reason.”

Ripke, Feldermann compete at state

Mount Vernon freshman Jada Ripke swam in four events Saturday at the 2024 State Swimming Meet in Marshalltown.

Swimming with Cedar Rapids Washington, Ripke was 11th in the 100 backstroke (1:00.61) and 24th in the individual medley (2:18.03).

She was also on the Warriors’ ninth-place 200 medley relay and the 19th-place 200 freestyle relay. Lisbon freshman Payton Feldermann was part of the Washington 400 freestyle relay that finished 32nd.

The Warriors placed 22nd as a team.

Meester named WaMaC POY

Mount Vernon senior outside hitter Chloe Meester was named the WaMaC East Player of the Year. Meester finished with 4.8 kills per set and a .461 attack efficiency.

She was joined on the WaMaC East first team by classmates Sydney Huber and Sydney Maue. Huber averaged 10.9 assists per set and Maue had 3.0 kills per set.

Seniors Paige Schurbon and Eryn Jackson earned second-team WaMaC East honors and junior CaliAnn Whitaker and sophomore Mavrik Schweer were given WaMaC recognition.

Huber named Top Producer

The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) picked a player in each class to honor from the state volleyball tournament.

Mount Vernon senior Sydney Huber was named the Top Producer for Class 3A. Huber had 38 assists and six digs in the championship match.

“The Top Producer award recognizes players who were leaders as well as team players on the court. They bring extra elements of team leadership, perseverance, and sportsmanship to support the success of their teams in tournament game.”

The other winners included Abbie Staats of Pleasant Valley (5A), Maliyah Hacker of Sioux City Heelan (4A), Channing Johnson of Denver (2A), and Macey Nehring of Ankeny Christian (1A).

Meester, Maue play as All-Stars

Mount Vernon seniors Chloe Meester and Sydney Maue were selected to play in the 2024 IGCA Senior Class AllStar Volleyball, which was held Saturday in Johnston. Both also signed their letter of intent recently. Meester will play collegiately at Louisville, and Maue is heading to Arkansas. Senior Sydney Huber signed her letter to play basketball at Evansville.

Tri-Rivers honors for Lisbon volleyball

Junior Mykala Luzum-Selmon and seniors Kaitlynn Hasselbusch and Sarah Dietsch were named first-team Tri-Rivers East.

Luzum-Selmon averaged 4.8 kills per set and hit with a .298 efficiency. Dietsch had 2.3 kills per set and a .344 efficiency. Hasselbusch averaged 9.9 assists per set.

Senior Hadley Farrell of Easton Valley was named the East Player of the Year.

Lisbon junior Kamry Kahl (2.3 kills per set) was a

Opposite page: Mount Vernon’s Tyler Williams (No. 50) works at tackling a Humboldt Wildcat player at the UNIDome Saturday, Nov. 16.

Above: Mount Vernon’s Jase Jaspers (No. 9) works his way around Humboldt Wildcat defenders Saturday, Nov. 16.

Left: Mount Vernon’s Michael Ryan (No. 3) advances the ball down the field while Jase Jaspers (No. 9) provides some defense on the play.

HUMBOLDT 28, MOUNT VERNON 25 TEAM STATS MV HUM

First downs 19 15 Rushes-yds. 32-97 28-71

Cmp.-Att.-Int. 22-30-2 16-27-0 Pass yds.

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Rushing – MV: Cooper Hird 21-69, Kellen Haverback 8-27, Jase Jasper 2-2, Team 1-(-1). HUM: Cash McIntire 8-35, Jaxson Kirchhoff 2-30, Coen Matson 14-12, team 4-(-6). Passing – MV: Kellen Haverback 22-30-227-2. HUM: Coen Matson 16-27-208-0.

Receiving – MV: Michael Ryan 8-83, Watson Krob 4-69, Cole Thurn 4-29, Jase Jaspers 3-32, Cooper Hird 3-14. HUM: Keegan Groat 7-83, Chase Flaherty 5-42, Valley Davis 2-61, Mason Van Pelt 2-22.

second-team pick. And Lisbon freshman Kyla Kahl was honorable mention.

Lisbon coach Lance Kamaus was named the Tri-Rivers East Coach of the Year.

Corrections

There were a number of errors on the winter sports schedules as printed in the Nov. 14 issue of the Sun. Lisbon basketball schedule – No Dec. 19 or Feb. 8 games are on the schedule as reported. Those were carryovers from last year’s schedule missed by the editor.

Mount Vernon girls’ wrestling - Williamsburg tournament on Dec 9 time was misstated at 9 a.m. That time is at 4 p.m. The Saturday, Dec. 21, event does not exist on the girls wrestling schedule this year.

Mount Vernon boys’ wrestling – There is no Dec. 9 or Jan. 6 events on the boys’ wrestling schedules.

Mount Vernon boys’ basketball - First scrimmage is against Prairie (held at Cedar Rapids Kennedy). Game time Dec. 6 against Clinton is 7:30 p.m., not 6 p.m. as reported. C.R. Jefferson match Saturday, Dec. 7 is at 7 p.m., not 4 p.m. as reported. Friday, Feb. 7 at Marion starts at 6 p.m., not 7:15 p.m. as reported.

Mount Vernon girls’ basketball – The Dec. 10 game against Benton Community starts at 6:30 p.m., not 7:15 p.m. as reported. The Feb. 4 Independence game starts at 6 p.m., not 7:15 p.m. as reported. The Sun apologizes for the errors.

Gina Bechtold | Contributed photos

MOUNT VERNON & LISBON

FALL 2024 PARKS AND REC TEAMS

LISBON INTRO TO FOOTBALL RED (front, from left) Gunner Sawyer, Alex Gutierrez, Everly Coppess, Ellie Rundle, Gabi Gutierrez, Harrison Sporrer, Lane Macke (middle, from left) Conor Keating, Gunner Montgomery, Brody Sawyer, George Taylor, Atlas Wieseler, Carson Kruse (back, from left) Hank Davis, coach Anthony Kruse, Bower Brokel, Briggs Black, coach Kyle Sporrer, Briggs Wallace

LISBON FIRST SECOND FOOTBALL RED (front, from left) Everett Schlotterbeck, Van Gibson, Rowan Bruening, Gavin Light (back, from left) Griffin Olsen, Jaydon Olsen, Beau Berner, Graham Johnson, Will Parpart, coach Jason Salier, Cole Salier

LISBON FIRST SECOND FOOTBALL BLUE (front, from left) Grant Larson, Theo Logan, Titus Weber Middle Row: Tyson Carstensen, William Nuckolls, Owen Haas, Jett Meeks, Ethan Coppess (back, from left) coach Austin Carstensen, coach Nate Haas, Coach Eric Coppess

LISBON FIRST SECOND FOOTBALL GRAY

(front, from left) Beau Baker, Ethan Pfab, Rosie Heimer, Noah Robertson (back, from left) Connor Simpson, Teddy Nelson, Mason O’Connor, Ezra Hove, coach John Baker

LISBON THIRD FOURTH FOOTBALL BLUE

(front, from left) Koby Clark, Aaliyah Sutton, Gracie Helmrich, Ty Siggins Middle Row: Declan Flory, Nolan Wolfe, Axl Bagby, Will Feaker (back, from left) coach Aaron Helmrich, coach Jake Siggins, coach Travis Bagby

LISBON PK-AK SOCCER RED

(front, from left) Cohen O’Connor, Lachlan Flory, Easton Logan, Lane Macke (back, from left) coach Amanda Macke, coach Nick Macke, coach Megan Funke

LISBON FIFTH SIXTH FOOTBALL RED

(front, from left) Reid Englund, Tavern Roberts, Prince Kleppe, Emerson Richey (back, from left) coach Kaleb Ramsey, Brody Patterson, Wyatt Welch, Autumn Welch, coach Savannah Welch

(front, from left) Maeve Blood, Connelly Oslen, Dorothy Blythe (back, from left) Eli Labs, coach Robbie Blythe, CJ Schwennen

(front, from left) Camden Kirkpatrick, Cole Porter, Charlie Howell, Isaac Reed (back, from left) Koye Kahl, Paxton Horman, coach Brandon Horman, Nolan Blanchard, Andrew Silver

LISBON THIRD FOURTH FOOTBALL GRAY

(front, from left) Sawyer Edwards, Ryker Hall, Finn Welsh, Carson Blinks, Noah Kyle Middle Row: Felix Boddicker, Will Mollenhauer, Rodes Krall, Kamdan Poduska (back, from left) coach Seth Hall, coach Trevor Hoeppner, coach Luke Krall

LISBON THIRD FOURTH FOOTBALL RED (front, from left) Jace Brown, Noah Brus, Mason Brus, Easton Kamerling (back, from left) Judah Sanchez, Wyatt Martin, coach Phil Miksch, Elijah Boggess, Abe Kluver

LISBON FIFTH SIXTH FOOTBALL BLUE

(front, from left) Andrew Reed, Xzavier Cassavoy, Lynn Walthart, Henry Feaker (back, from left) coach Hunter Mann, Caspian Happoldt, Benjamin Reiling, coach Drayton Kamberling

MV GRADE 1-2 FOOTBALL SEAHAWKS

Team members: Henry Alger, Quinn Haverback, Harrison Hoy, Quinton Johnson, Leonard Jordan, Finn Rasmussen, Brecken Schulze, Mason Thuerauf and head coach Derrick Alger

MV GRADE 1-2 FOOTBALL CHIEFS

Team members: Orion Anderson, Hudson Giomo, Avery Nost, Owen Ritchie, Ryker Robison, Dakota Steffen, Finn Vozenilek and head coach Shaun Ritchie

MV GRADE 1-2 FOOTBALL TITANS

Team members: Lincoln Bragg, Daryn Drumeller, Ryan Drumeller, Oliver Fett, Miles Hartzler, Declan Roberts, Grisham Sniegowski and head coach Daniel Drumeller

LISBON PK-AK SOCCER GRAY

(front, from left) Clarke Whan, Callahan Whan, Blakely Wieneke (middle, from left) Agnes Poduska, Conor Keating, Harrison Sporrer (back, from left) coach Amy Poduska and coach Kyle Sporrer

from left) Brody Sawyer, Averie Blinks, coach Matt Gogel, Ben Gogel, Bower Brokel

(front, from left) Eli Owen, Josie Salier, Cole Salier, Samantha Martin, Will Parpart (back, from left) Rowan Bruening, Koby Clark, coach Jerry Dietsch, Sam Dietsch, Drew Whan, Lakelyn Gutierrez

LISBON K-1ST SOCCER GRAY

(front, from left) Lellani Phillips, Atlas Wieseler, Audi Bennett, Cora Labs, Elsie Poduska (back, from left) coach Jess Farrell, Reeson Farrell, Griffin Olsen, Grant Larson, coach Ashley Poduska

Jericho Happoldt, Liam Maschmann, Miles Duda, Beau Berner (back, from left) Noah Poduska, Lauren Donovan, coach Jason Brandt, Carter Halemeyer, Emery Brandt, Bryson Patterson

LISBON K-1ST SOCCER ORANGE (front, from left) Cole Porter, Colton Lenz, Ethan Ratliff (back, from left) Warren Koch, Emma Tuecke, coach Justin Tuecke, Josey Halemeyer, Noah Maschmann

LISBON FOURTH-SIXTH SOCCER RED (front, from left) Zoey Gobush, Elizabeth Nuckolls, Dylan Berner, Caspian Happoldt, Finn Schroeder (middle, from left) Alissa Heimer, Xzavier Cassavoy, Evie Booth, Jacob Ratiff (back, from left) coach Trevor Gobush, Corbin Kirk, coach Doug Kirk, Reid Englun

(front, from left) Colt Applegate, Tucker Simpson, Gunner Sawyer (back, from left) Inaya Foley, Maisie Williams, coach Alex Ulrich, Leno Kleinmeyer, Beau Blok

(front, from left) Hanna Macke, Everly Coppess (back, from left) Theo Logan, Briggs Black, Lincoln Owen, coach Spencer Owen, Max Duwa

MV GRADE 1-2 FOOTBALL JETS

Team members: Charlie Arends, Asher Fisher, Quincy Hyke, Henry Kelchen, Bennett Noble, Marlowe Pickett, Hudson Pitlik, Elliott Weber and head coach Bailey Noble

Team members: Beckett Anderson, Clayton Andrews, Kamdin Coleman, Hodge Davis, Caleb Marks, Kane Pierson, Grayson Taylor, Kinnick Winders and head coach Jordyn Arnold

MV GRADE 3-4 FOOTBALL BENGALS

Team members: Alistair Biondo-Gemmell, Eli Davis, Benaiah Day, Malachi Day, Caleb Loyd, Waylon Ohlfest, Jacob Studt, Will Utley and head coach Mike Loyd

Team members: Axel Anderson, Mason Berry, Lucian Biondo-Gemmell, Danel Ohlfest, Cooper Pisarik, Barrett Suckow, Rhys Suckow, Keaton Swaim, Kohen Swaim, and head coach Josh Swaim

MV GRADE 1-2 FOOTBALL VIKINGS

Team members: Mylan Beltz, Crew Hepker, Caleb Rice, Titus Robinson, Jackson White, Addison Yeater, Russell Yeater and head coach James Yeater

MV GRADE 1-2 FOOTBALL BEARS

Team members: Cam Austin, Luke Downey, Gentry Horton, Abraham Koth, Barrett Miller, Lincoln Winders, Bentleey Wood and head coach Kyle Koth

MV 4YR OLD-AK SOCCER PANTHERS

Team members: Madelyn Alger, Quinn Alger, Thomas Davis, Conner Wall, Nora Wheeler and head coach Austin Wheeler

Team members: Philip Hankemeier, Maverick Latta, Rowan Roberts, Evan Smith, Gracie Wood and head coach Nick Wood

MV 4YR OLD-AK SOCCER SHARKS

Team members: Mya Borrison, Ella Clark, Colton Gioimo, Matilda Hartzler, Maggie Stineman, Henry Wolter and head coach Kara Stineman

Team members: Emmy Austin, Harvey Kerr, Sofia Santiago, Iliza Schinstock, Josie Steffen, Ryker Strope and head coach Katy Santiago

Team members: Autumn Campagna, Myla Caskey, Annie Craig, Jude McElroy, Paul Randall, Calen Schweibert, Rowen Whan and head coach Daniel Campagna

MV K-1ST GRADE SOCCER GHOSTS

Team members: Kinzie Arp, Brody Compton, Emery Desaulty, Weston Harmss, Natalie Hines, Korbyn Leyse, Keaton Sullivan and head coach Joe Compton

MV 4YR OLD-AK SOCCER MUD DAWGS

Team members: Elvin Bostwick, Jameson Dietrich, Eleanor Hankemeier, Greyson Leclere, Zacceri Lees, Daxton Martin, Ella McLaughlin and head coach Steve Hankemeier

Team members: Anya Carl, Deacon Doyle, Henry Glesener, Claire Hamilton, Declan Roberts, Hayden Ryan, Beau Stamp, Jackson Zenisek and head coach Alexa Ryan

MV 4YR OLD-AK SOCCER TIGERS

Team members: Harold Beatty, Zeke Frost, Abel Lewis-Furrow, Alivia Osborn, Mitchell Parker, Brynn Paysen, Owen Ritchie, McKenna Wall and head coach Seth Payse

MV 4YR OLD-AK SOCCER DRAGONS

Team members: Sutton Guerber, Denali Hallam, Barett Miller, Bennett Noble, Joslyn Recker, Lillian Recker, Christian Santiago, Jackson White, head coach Michaelie Wooley-Hallam and assistant coach Trish Recker

MV 4YR OLD-AK SOCCER GATORS

Team members: Bennett Arnold, Maggie Eastburn, Quintin Edwards-Suri, Collins Karkosh, Everly Krapfl, Hayes Krapfl, Parker Rouse, Holden Wolter, head coach Nate Krapfl and assistant coach Megan Krapfl

MV 4YR OLD-AK SOCCER EARTHQUAKES

Team members: Cam Austin, Dean Becklund, Josie Doolady, Rory Kerr, Abraham Koth, Jaden Nelson, Caleb Rice and head coach Deon Nelsonson

Team members: Gwen Borrison, Atticus Bragg, Harrison Carver, Matthew Covington, Kennedy Jarr, Obadiah Juhl, Lucy Reddish, McKinleigh Sanderson, Wesson Schminke, Harper Smith, Leo Umthun, Keegan Wagner, Yates Yamanishi and head coach Steven Bragg

MV GRADES 2-3 SOCCER SCHNITZEL BITES

Team members: Rylie Boren, Elsie Cook, Declan Ford, Kyler Hotchkin, Beckett Mosier, Orlin Nelson, Macy Parker, Fritz Rodenberg, Roland Schinstock, Sterling Staab, Liam Studt, Lincoln Winders, Zoey Zenisek and head coach Dennis Rodenberg

MV GRADES 4-5-6 SOCCER SPRITES

Team members: Lucy Cook, Fitz Doyle, Adler Foreman, rowan Gillespie, Finn Hartzler, Kaelyn Haskell, Lyla Hoffert, Noria Mercer, Annaliese Miller, Kinley Plattner, Parker Schminke, Nathan Stewart, Cora Umthun and head coach Jonathan Thomas

MV GRADES 4-5-6 SOCCER DOLPHINS

Team members: Jaelynn Arnold, Faith Covington, Della Dietrich, Lukas Estrada Lona, Lillian Gioimo, Kellen Johanningmeier, Max Juszczyk, Carleigh Karkosh, Leroy Klaus, Liam Poggenpohl, Hadley Selby, Skyler Simpson, Obed Walker and head coach Kari Estrada Lon

MV GRADES 2-3 SOCCER WOLVES

Team members: Easton Arp, Brooks Compton, Lizzy Doyle, Hector Klaus, Harvey Lane, Gareth Lenhart, Nova Mercer, Katherine Stineman, Finn Vozenilek, Addison Yeater, Russell Yeater and head coach Joe Compton

MV GRADES 2-3 SOCCER GREEN DEVILS

Team members: Miles Beatty, Ethan Desaulty, Oliver Fett, Maggie Guerber, Ryker Hartman, Jase Loper, Hazel Neville, Addie Osborn, Grayson Reyna, Maeve Takes, Lucy Wolter and head coach Ashley Rubino

icy revisions, as presented.

Motion made by: Jason Clark

Motion seconded by: Suzette Kragenbrink

Voting:

Unanimously Approved

D. Board Policy First Readings

Motion for the approval of the Board Policy First Readings, as presented.

Motion made by: Jeremy Kunz

Motion seconded by: Lance Schoff

Voting:

Unanimously Approved

2. Personnel Division

A.Approval of New/Amended Contracts

Motion for the approval of the below listed contracts, as presented.

Motion made by: Tim Keegan

Motion seconded by: Jeremy Kunz

Voting:

Unanimously Approved

3. Facility Division

A.Approval of bid for Security Updates and Upgrades

Motion for the approval of the bid for RC Systems in the amount of $235,605.37, as presented.

Motion made by: Lance Schoff

Motion seconded by: Suzette Kragenbrink

Voting:

Unanimously Approved

B. Approval of Middle School Auditorium Sound System Motion for the approval of the payment to CTI for the upgrading and updating of the Middle School Auditorium sound system in the amount of $57,980.39, as presented.

Motion made by: Kristi Meyer

Motion seconded by: Jeremy Kunz

Voting:

Unanimously Approved

4. Administrative Division

A.Approval of GWAEA 1st Qtr FY25 Bill

Motion for the approval for payment in the amount of $63,185.25 to Grant Wood AEA for 1st Quarter purchased services, as presented.

Motion made by: Tim Keegan

Motion seconded by: Jason Clark

Voting:

Unanimously Approved

B.Approval of SBRC Application for EL Excess Costs Motion for the approval of the School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) application for EL Excess Costs in the amount of $30,808.04, as presented.

Motion made by: Jason Clark

Motion seconded by: Suzette Kragenbrink Voting: Unanimously Approved

VII. Board Report

1. Reports Director Meyer updated the Board on WETAP. Director Keegan updated the Board on the Booster Club.

2. Review and Approval of Board Goals Motion for the approval of the Board of Directors Goals, as presented.

Motion made by: Suzette Kragenbrink

Motion seconded by: Kristi Meyer

Voting:

Approved 3. IASB Convention Reminder

Leeman reminded the Board of the upcoming IASB Convention.

4. Unfinished Business

VIII. Consent Agenda

Motion to approve the consent agenda, as presented.

Motion made by: Jason Clark

Motion seconded by: Jeremy Kunz

Voting:

Approved

IV.

Motion made by: Jeremy Kunz

Motion seconded by: Lance Schoff

Voting:

Unanimously Approved V. Adjournment of Annual Meeting Motion for adjourment of Annual Meeting.

Motion made by: Tim Keegan

Motion seconded by: Kristi Meyer

Voting:

Unanimously Approved

Annual Meeting adjourned at 7:03 PM. VI. Call to Order - Organizational Meeting

Secretary Michael Marshall called the Organizational Meeting to order at 7:04 PM. VII. Election of Board Officials

Secretary Marshall called for nominations for President. Director Kunz nominated Director Elliott. Carried unanimously.

Secretary Marshall administered the Oath of Office to President Elliott.

President Elliott assumed control of the meeting, and called for nominations for Vice President.

Director Meyer nominated Director Kunz for Vice President. Carried unanimously.

President Elliott administered the Oath of Office to Vice President Kunz.

VIII. Adjournment of Organizational Meeting Motion for adjournment of the Organizational Meeting.

Motion made by: Tim Keegan

Motion seconded by: Jason Clark

Voting: Rick Elliott - Vote Not Recorded Jeremy Kunz - Vote Not Recorded Jason Clark - Vote Not Recorded Tim Keegan - Vote Not Recorded Suzette Kragenbrink - Vote Not Recorded Kristi Meyer - Vote Not Recorded Lance Schoff - Vote Not Recorded

Adjourned

Pyrotechnics Fireworks

homecoming game Activity 700 Fred Griffiths Basketball Official Activity 80 Fred Griffiths Football Official Activity 90.64

Groth, Scott Football Official Activity 120 HAHN, NIKOLAS Basketball Official Activity 80 Hart, Harold Football Official Activity 90 House Of Trophies Senior medals for marching band Activity 278

CITY OF BERTRAM

$1,252,682.46 $38,338.99 $4,766.92 $1,286,254.5 $1,286,254.53 Nuisance Property: Jim Santee: Hall stated that Jim Santee has been in compliance since the last time he was at a council meeting and would like to be removed from the nuisance property list. Mayor Flaherty stated will need to check with City Attorney Shea. Klimek makes motion to send letter stating in compliance with city codes and would remove from nuisance property list pending approval from City Attorney Kevin Shea. MSB: Unzeitig. Aye: Hall, Mulholland, Klimek, Unzeitig. Absent Price. Motion passed by majority vote. Snow Plowing update-Jim Santee would like to be considered for a snow plowing job. Sheldon and Sheila King plan to plow and would like their son to be considered as well.

ADA Compliance-Township Hall-Hall stated that Fehr Graham did a lot of ADA compliance for the City of Bertram. The Township Hall would like a more ADA compliant entrance, the cost to the City of Bertram would be $40,00 to $50,000. Unzeitig stated that the City of Cedar Rapids was subject to a large fine from the federal government due to not having a ADA compliance plan, which is why the City of Bertram had Fehr Graham come up with a ADA compliance plan for the City of Bertram. Dixie Long and Steph Vislisel stated that a lot of events are held at the township hall, and they need a ramp and railing. Mayor Flaherty will look into the ADA plan. Klimek would like to review the ADA Compliance plan from Fehr Graham before moving forward. Skyline Drive Tree Service Bids: Hall Franks Tree Service: $8,000 grind stumps and remove 2 trees BJ Anderson: $8,000 grind stumps and remove 2 trees D&D Tree Service: $7,600 grind stumps and remove 2 trees. Klimek makes a motion to approve D&D Tree Service to grind approximately 50 tree stumps and remove 2 trees. MSB: Unzeitig. AYE: Hall, Klimek, Mulholland, Price. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Aye: Hall, Mulholland, Klimek, Unzeitig. Absent Price. Motion passed by majority vote. Ely and Bertram Tree Franks Tree Service: $$3,000. BJ Anderson: $3,200. D&D Tree Service: $2,800. Unzeitig makes to use D&D tree Service to remove trees. MSB: Klimek. AYE: Hall, Klimek, Mulholland, Price. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Aye: Hall, Mulholland, Klimek, Unzeitig. Absent Price. Motion passed by majority vote. 2024-Bridge Closure. Hall makes motion to close Bridge from December 1, 2024, to April 1, 2025 due to weight limit. MSB: Klimek. AYE: Hall, Klimek, Mulholland, Price. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Aye: Hall, Mulholland, Klimek, Unzeitig. Absent Price. Motion passed by majority vote. Hiring Committee for new Bertram Treasurer: Bill Mulholland, Jim Unzeitig and Raven Kuehl. Board of Adjustments Reappointment: Doug Kula. Hall makes motion to reappoint Doug Kula to Board of Adjustments. MSB: Unzeitig. AYE: Hall, Klimek, Mulholland, Price. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Aye: Hall, Mulholland, Klimek, Unzeitig. Absent Price. Motion passed by majority vote. New Flags for City Hall. Mayor Flaherty stated we have the flags and take old flags to American Legion for proper disposal.

Street Financial Report: Resolution R-6-2024 Hall makes motion to approve

Street Financial Report Resolution R-62024. MSB: Unzeitig. Hall: Aye, Klimek: Aye, Mulholland: Aye, Unzeitig Aye. Price: Absent. Motion passed by majority vote.

Annual Financial Report: Resolution R-7-2024 Hall makes motion to approve Annual Financial Report Resolution R-72024. MSB: Unzeitig. Hall: Aye, Klimek: Aye, Mulholland: Aye, Unzeitig Aye. Price: Absent. Motion passed by majority vote. Correspondence: Hall: Wants to know what the pay range for city employes is. Feels like long standing city employees should be at the highest level. Hall: Where are we at with new plow truck? Unzeitig stated the city had tabled this but can reopen. Needs to be a truck that does not require a CDL. James Santee stated he is a good wrench, maintenance and plow driver. Tony stated he came into the shop in May and salt and sand were still on the truck and sander. A checklist for plowing and cleaning was suggested. Unzeitig will look into 5500 4-wheel drive trucks and have Gregs Lawncare as backup to plow. Open to public: Jason: Thanks, Lisa Berry, for everything she has done for the City of Bertram, she carried the council through the derecho and bridge and took a lot on. She will be missed!! Penny Kula: Would like to know what the calls for service from sheriffs’ office are. Mayor Flaherty stated the city gets a report. Penny stated she feels like there are a lot of speeders, would suggest the officers do not park behind city hall but in different places throughout the city and at different times of the day. Hall Makes motion to adjourn. MSB: Klimek. Aye: Hall, Mulholland, Klimek. The motion passed by unanimous vote at 8:02 pm.

More than 14 tons of medications collected at DEA Omaha Division Take Back Day Event

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division, alongside 135 state and local law enforcement partners, collected more than 28,000 pounds of unused medications at 163 sites in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota, at the 27th National Prescription Take Back Day on October 26. This marks the highest total collected across the DEA Omaha Division since April 2021, when more than 37,000 pounds was tallied.

“Across the country, people are recognizing the importance of tossing out unused prescription medications,” DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Steven T. Bell said. “Whether it’s to remove the temptation for experimentation, dispose of the medication in a way that’s environmentally safe or a combination of factors, we had a tremendous showing this fall and we’re grateful for the support of our Midwestern communities.”

Nationally, the DEA collected nearly 630,000 pounds of medications at more than 4,600 locations. Since its inception, DEA’s National Prescription Take Back Day

has removed nearly 19.2 million pounds of unneeded medications from communities across our country. This effort to empty medicine cabinets helps to prevent drug misuse before it starts.

According to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the majority of people who misuse prescription medication for a non-medical purpose got that medication from a family member or friend.

DEA continues to expand opportunities to make safe disposal of medications more accessible nationwide. There are nearly 17,000 pharmacies, hospitals, and businesses that offer safe medication disposal every single day of the year. In addition, many police departments also provide permanent drop boxes. To find a year-round drop off location, visit Every Day is Take Back Day | DEA. gov.

Complete results for DEA’s fall National Prescription Drug Take Back Day are available at Take Back Day.

CALENDAR & PUZZLES

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

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Thursday, Nov. 21

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 “Emergency Services and Disaster Preparedness” by local agencies, Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center, 1 p.m.

Jessica Monnier piano studio student recital, Cornell College Armstrong Youngker Hall Ringer Recital Studio, 7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 22

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. 23

Harvest Farmers Market, Morning Glory Farm, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 25

Lisbon City Council, Lisbon City Hall, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 26

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

200 E. Market St., 455-2000 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

Library room 108, 7-9 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 27

No school Lisbon or Mount Vernon. Thanksgiving holiday. Cole Library open half a day –Thanksgiving holiday. Cards, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10-11:30 a.m.

Linn Lunch Bunch, Southeast Linn Community Center, 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, Nov. 28

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lisbon, MV City Halls closed, Cole Library and Lisbon Library closed. SELCC closed. Fourteenth Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk, starts and ends at 405 Wolfe Lane Mount Vernon, 9 a.m. group start time.

Edited by Will Shortz | No. 1017

Across

1 Fed the kitty, perhaps

7 Salve

11 #1 pal

14 Hercule’s creator

15 One who might make a comeback?

16 Hebrew name meaning “my God”

17 Much ado about some punctuation?

19 No pro

20 It’s often gained by knocking

21 Only city that entirely surrounds a country

22 Request from Oliver Twist

23 Nutrition fig.

24 Anger over a grammatically incorrect sentence?

26 She served on the court with Antonin and Anthony

29 Silky fabrics

30 Hunting cap feature

34 1930s vice president John ___ Garner

35 Harsh words regarding the past and the present?

38 Harbor sights

39 Take off

40 Commercial success?

42 Shipmate of Capt. Kirk

46 Brawl over what to call a piece of writing?

50 Toddler’s need, maybe

51 Grassy expanses

52 Regarding

53 Build, as a relationship

55 Possibilities

56 Punny summary of the battle between editor and writer seen in 17-, 24-, 35- and 46-Across?

58 Ornamental pond fish

59 Cross paths

60 Pill bug, e.g.

61 The Middle Ages or the Renaissance

62 ___ Nublar, fictional setting of “Jurassic Park”

63 Ending point of the first marathon

Down

1 Sprinkling on a lox bagel

2 What is to be done?

3 Pattern of intersecting stripes

4 Use a spoon, say

5 What Alexander Graham Bell suggested as the standard telephone-answering greeting

6 Thomas Lincoln, familiarly

7 Industry mogul

8 Don’t you forget it!

9 Light units

10 Violent sport, for short

11 Flattering, as clothing

12 First city in Europe with paved streets (1339)

13 Touch

18 Gru’s twin brother in the “Despicable Me” franchise

22 Blue lobsters and white tigers, e.g.

24 Half-baked?

25 Drawings that might encounter problems with intellectual property law

27 Consonants articulated with the tongue against the upper teeth

28 Do some grapplin’

31 Was up

32 Big feller?

33 Drug also called “rocket fuel” or “ozone,” for short

35 Absolutely amazing

36 One side of a perpetual war in Orwell’s “Nineteen Eighty-Four”

37 “Stop right there!”

38 Tall and pointy, as ears

41 Uses TurboTax, perhaps

43 Green, say

44 Scenic spot to snorkel

45 Overturns

47 Dirt

48 Climate activist Thunberg

49 Billy Joel’s “Tell ___ About It”

53 Observe Ramadan, in a way

54 “Then again …,” in a text

56 Bon ___

57 K.G.B. rival during the Cold War

Home projects? Cleaning needs? Call Kirsten for help

When veterinary care is unavailable or unaffordable, animal healthcare products for cats, dogs, & horses. At Tractor

Miscellaneous

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Miscellaneous

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P repare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-855-954-5087 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

The Mount Vernon Community School District

The Mount Vernon Community Transportation Department is looking for substitute route drivers and activity drivers. If you are interested, please contact the Transportation Department at transportation@mvcsd.org or at (319) 895-8845 ext. 1008.

The Mount Vernon Community School District is an EEO/AA employer.