Slower growth of housing in MV, Lisbon Learning about Bees at Cole Library
ECICOG housing study highlights slow growth rates for these communities
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
The East Central Iowa Council of Governments presented a housing report for Linn County —which included Lisbon —at the Lisbon City Council meeting Monday, July 22.
Tracey Achenbach, housing director with ECICOG, explained the organization received American Rescue Plan Act funding from Linn County to conduct the housing study. ECICOG completed housing studies of all communities, excluding Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha and Marion. Those towns were excluded because they had conducted their own housing studies in recent years.
In the report on Lisbon, ECICOG identified Lisbon’s population growth has slowed since 2010. The rate now sits at roughly 3.8 percent.
The elderly population in the community has also increased, with a 49 percent rise in the population over age 65 since 2010.
Lisbon’s housing market is fairly balanced, with 33 percent of homes priced below $170,000, 27 percent between $170,000 and $225,000 and 40 percent priced above $225,000. According to the National Association of Realtors, 66 percent of listings should be available to buyers earning $75,000 in a balanced market. In Lisbon, 60 percent of homes were within this range.
Fifty-two percent of the homes built in Lisbon were constructed prior to 1979, and 36 percent of those homes need major repairs. The probability of encountering lead-based paints in those homes is 40 percent for homeowners and 50 percent for renters.
Lisbon’s affordability gauge is 2.34, highlighting that many of Lisbon’s homes and housing are affordable for residents.
“That 2.5 is the sweet spot for growth in communities, highlighting communities where it’s affordable for community development,” said Deanna Robinson, planner and housing specialist with ECICOG. “People are looking for active communities, where they have room to be engaged and items in walking or biking distance.”
There is still a small population of residents who are paying more than 30 percent of their income
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Julie Rice, beekeeper at Indian Creek Nature Center, delivered a presentation on honey bees at Cole Library, Tuesday, July 23. The event was part of Cole Library’s summer reading program and geared towards families. Rice said there are numerous types of bees, including mason, sweat and other bees that are pollinators, but her
work has focused on the honeybee.
Rice explained the difference between queen bees, drones and worker bees.
Queen bees are responsible for laying the eggs for the hive, laying up to 2,000 eggs in a day.
As Rice pointed out the larva in the honey cells, Jill said “I know about those, I’ve learned about eggs before!”
Drones are important to a honeybee nest, as they are responsible for mating with the queen once in her life. They are a little larger and fatter than others in the hives.
“If you are ever scared of seeing a bee because you will be stung, have someone show you a drone bee, as they are the bees who do not have a stinger,” Rice said.
Worker bees are responsible for a lot of the work in the hive. They collect nectar, keep hive cool, clean the hive from dead bees or debris. A hive can have upwards of 50,000 bees or more at any one time.
They also have the shortest life span, roughly just a few weeks in the entirety.
Honeybees wings stroke 11,400 times
per minute.
“That’s what makes the sound of the buzz they are known for, is the speed of their wings flapping,” Rice said. From an egg, it takes roughly three minutes for a larva to develop.
When honeybees are first born, they are responsible for cleaning the cell for the queen to lay new eggs. As they get older, they are responsible for feeding the new bees. As they get older, they are responsible for building the beeswax that protects the honey and the bee larva inside.
Cathy Boggs asked why honeycombs are hexagonal in shape.
“It’s one of the structurally strong shapes with the least amount of energy to construct,” Rice said. They also eventually get old
Vernon-Lisbon
Photos by Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
The Morris family is given a sampling of honey produced from Indian Creek Nature Center’s hives.
Top to bottom: Stephanie Rice delvers some bee facts during her presentation Tuesday, July 23. Stephanie Rice shows off some honeycomb hat bees had built up to members of the Brehm family Tuesday, July 23. Rice shows off the bee suit she uses when working on the hive. Bee puppets were among the items on display at the event.
enough to help protect the hive from attackers like people.
“Or bears,” Calvin said. “Because bears like honey.”
Rice explained that if the attacker is smaller, honeybees will cover the attacker to generate heat to basically cook that attacker. When it comes to items like bears or humans, they will attack and sting to try and thwart the attacker.
She explained that bees do not sting unless it is extremely necessary, because the process of doing so will eventually kill those bees.
Bees eventually will be responsible for collecting the nectar and pollen from flowers responsible for the honey needed for hive.
“Honey is one of the foodstuffs that will never spoil,” Rice said.
Jill explained that honey is one of the remedies she has been given for a cold.
“Honey is great for allergies,” Rice said.
Rice explained how she uses some of her tools
towards their mortgage or rental costs. That income disparity is larger among those making less than $23,706 a year, with 40 households paying more than 30 percent of their monthly income to mortgage and 60 paying more than 35 percent of their income on rent.
One of the strengths for Lisbon is so much of the population works at Cornell and the area school districts.
“That offers Lisbon the opportunity to partner with the school district to do what they can to help new teachers moving to the community to find housing,” Robinson said.
Lisbon’s housing market is unbalanced, with a shortage of 43 affordable homes and rental options. More homes could also be constructed that would be priced at the $200,000 to $399,999 threshold.
ECICOG offers a number of programs that could help LMI individuals make necessary improvements to their homes, and Lisbon has participated in that program in the past.
Lisbon mayor Doug O’Connor asked if there is a way to encourage more people to apply for
to do work on hives, including using a smoker and bee suit.
Smoke helps to make bees more complacent by hiding the pheromones they send warning of an attacker or the bees will collect honey in case there is a fire they are running from, making them more complacent as well.
She explained that it is important to keep the frames in a hive clear to allow the bees to continue to grow the hive. If a hive gets too large for the space they have, bees may swarm to find a new location to build a hive.
One of the last tools she uses is a brush, which allows her to move several bees off a frame and back into the hive.
Rice said one of her jobs is to inspect the hives throughout the spring and summer, especially to make sure that mites are not infesting the nest, which can contribute to colony collapse disorder.
During the fall, she reserves a good chunk of honey for the bees to help the hive weather the cold winter. She may also give supplemental resources.
Kirsten and Scott Morris and their children
those grants.
Achenbach said getting people to sign up has been an issue for ECICOG as well.
“It’s hard to get homeowners to participate in the program, even though there is money available,” Achenbach said.
The group tries to bring information about the programs to where people would see it.
ECICOG also maintains a fund to help those on the poverty line of low to moderate income guidelines to make emergency repairs to items like heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems or damaged roofs.
Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon’s report indicates housing growth in the community has been almost stagnant, with only a 0.5 percent growth in population from 2010 to 2020. In 2000 to 2010, Mount Vernon had a 28 percent growth trend.
Mount Vernon has also seen a 29 percent increase in the population over age 65 since 2010.
Mount Vernon’s value to income has also climbed from 2.59 in 2015 to 3.21 in 2020. Ratios above 3 percent indicate homes are relatively expensive compared to the median income.
were among the attendees. The Morris family recently moved to the area from South Korea. Kirsten and Scott originally met on a lecture on honeybees 12 years ago.
Facts about honey bees:
• It takes two million flowers to make a pound of honey.
• Honeybees fly 15 miles per hour.
• Honeybees make an 1/12 of a teaspoon in the course of their life.
• 55,000 miles is the amount of distance that bees will fly in their lifetime back and forth from hive to flowers.
• They have a 5 mile radius they will fly locate flowers for the nest.
The housing study indicates Mount Vernon has a problem with catering to individuals making below the $25,000 income range. The study also indicated there is a problem with having homes in the $200,000 to $249,999 valued range, as well as in the $400,000 or more valued range.
Six percent of homes sold in Mount Vernon were priced below $170,000 and affordable to households with income below $50,000. Thirty percent were priced between $170,000 and $255,000 and 60% were priced above $255,000.
According to the National Association of Realtors, 66 percent of listings should be available to buyers earning $75,000 in a balanced market. In Mount Vernon, 39 percent of homes were within this range.
An estimated 22 percent of homeowners and 40 percent of renters in Mount Vernon are cost-burdened, paying 30 percent or more of their income to mortgage or rent.
Forty percent of the homes in Mount Vernon require major repairs, as indicated in the housing condition survey.
The findings of the study indicate more homes at the low to moderate income levels and at the $170,000 to $250,000 value are needed.
Sparrow Massage Therapy opens doors at First Street Community Center
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun nathan.countryman@mvlsun.
A massage therapy office in First Street Community Center just a few blocks away from her home is giving Stephanie Turner a chance for flexibility around client’s busy lives.
Sparrow Massage Therapy opened in late June at the First Street Community Center, nestled among School House Antiques space on the second floor of the building.
“I have to thank Rick and Trude Elliott for offering me space for this massage therapy clinic,” Turner said. “I know the one minor downfall for the space is having to climb a set of stairs to get here, but none of my clients have been upset about that.”
Turner is a 2023 graduate of Carlson Chiropractic in Anamosa, and has been practicing massage therapy since she was allowed to do clinics as part of her education.
“I read the book ‘The Body Keeps Score’ which outlined a number of
options for healing the body that sparked my interest in being a massage therapist,” Turner said. “The relief and help massage therapy can do to help a person on their healing journey was something I wanted to be part of.”
Turner studied in a variety of massage therapy modals and offers those treatments, including
Swedish massage, reflexology, deep tissue massage, craniosacral massage and Reiki as well.
To book a massage at Sparrow Massage Therapy, Turner recommends visiting her website https:// sparrowmassagetherapy. com/ or messaging her on her businesses Facebook page to help line up
appointments. Her business number is 319-669-2049.
“I’m currently offering availability from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday as I find what works best for the needs of this community,” Turner said.
Turner and her family have lived in Mount Vernon for the past six years, and if she isn’t at her studio for massage therapy, you may
Correction
see her taking advantage of the many trails in the area to walk on, at the dog park with her pups, or cheering on her children in their sporting activities at Mount Vernon.
“I love having a business here in the First Street Community Center, as I’m surrounded by a good number of community focused businesses,” Turner said.
In the story on the pool renovations being made in the July 25 Sun, a decimal in the amount of safety renovations being made was inaccurately reported. The amount of repairs is $1.26 million, not $126 million. The Sun apologizes for the error.
Volume 155 I Issue 31
108 First Street S.W, Mount Vernon, IA 52314
Phone: 319-895-6216
news@mvlsun.com
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
STAFF
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Editor Nathan Countryman nathan.countryman @mvlsun.com
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Official Newspaper: Mount Vernon, Lisbon, Bertram, Linn County, Mount Vernon Community School District, Lisbon Community School District The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun (USPS 367-520), a division of The Daily Iowan, is published weekly every Thursday by Student Publications, Inc., 100 Adler Journalism Building, Room E131, Iowa City, Iowa 52242. Periodicals Postage Paid at the Mount Vernon Post Office and additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun, 108 First Street W., Mount Vernon, IA 52314. Subscriptions: Contact Rochelle Ferguson at 319-895-6216 or rochelle.ferguson@mvlsun.com for additional information. Subscription rates: Linn and adjoining counties – $55 annually; elsewhere in Iowa – $75 annually; out of state – $85 annually.
Copyright 2024 Mount VernonLisbon Sun, a division of The Daily Iowan and Student Publications, Inc. All articles, photographs and graphics, both in print and online editions, are the property of Student Publications, Inc., and may not be reproduced or republished without written permission. mvlsun.com
MV superintendent Matt Leeman ready to lead school district
Focusing on issues impacting district important for first years
Joel Kellar
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
joel-keller@uiowa.edu
Matt Leeman has education in his blood. His parents were each teachers, so naturally, Leeman would follow in their footsteps. After spending time teaching many grades and holding different administrative positions with various school districts in eastern Iowa, Leeman will now be the superintendent of the Mount Vernon School District.
Leeman grew up in Postville, a small town in Northeast Iowa. He admired the small-town community and felt the need to go back to that lifestyle. “I have two little boys,” said Leeman, “Mount Vernon is half the size [as CCA] so there is just more opportunities for the kids. The fine arts, academics, and athletics; all those things are wonderful here.”
Leeman is a graduate of Northern Iowa and has various roles in school districts – kindergarten, first-grade, and fourth-grade teacher, then, Dean of Students, principal at elementary, middle, and high school. Before taking the job as superintendent at Mount Vernon, Leeman worked in the Cleer Creek Amana school district as the associate superintendent.
Leeman started his new job on July 1 of this year. He has had a lot to get done and more to learn about the community and school district.
“First and foremost, I just need to get to building relationships with everybody,” Leeman said. “I serve the staff, I serve the kids, I serve the families, I serve the community. So being able to be visible and be out there and learn names, that will be my first priority.”
He does not want to come into the new job and change everything. Leeman explained he wanted to step back and assess what is working and what is not and take action from there.
“I’ll do that through working with our staff and the feedback from staff and community members and get the lay of the land,” Leeman said.
The district finances are an issue that Leeman says he needs to focus on. Last spring, the district changed its
Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Matt Leeman is the new superintendent for the Mount Vernon Community School District. Leeman has had a long journey through the education system as he has taken on many roles.
insurance plan to make sure they are competitive with surrounding districts. Leeman also found a downward trend in the general budget. He will look to slow down this trend and even reverse it.
Leeman also noticed Mount Vernon has a declining residential population, but a very large open-enrollment population. He wants to find a way to balance the residential population and maintain the open-enrollment population. That can help put money back into the district.
“That goes back to the partnership with the city,” Leeman said. “How much affordable housing are we creating? How many opportunities are we creating for families to move here? That benefits the city but also benefits the school.”
This job with Mount Vernon offers Leeman a more intimate relationship with the community than his past job with CCA.
“I’m going from about 3,100 students to about 1,450,” Leeman said. “There’s less staff, so you get to know more people, more quickly.”
An added benefit of a smaller school is a smaller campus. Especially in the case of Mount Vernon because all the schools are on one walkable campus.
“I love the fact that all of our buildings are on just one big campus,” Leeman said. “I think just having everything on one campus makes for stronger ties and stronger relationships.”
Leeman plans to be around all of the buildings and staff during the first week of school coming up. He wants to meet as many people as he can and help out wherever is needed. Once school gets underway, he will finalize the move to Mount Vernon by moving into a house with his family in the town.
“This year it’s just settling in, getting to know people and the place that I’m leading,” he said.
Leeman looks forward to beginning this new chapter of his career.
“The opportunity to lead this district and be a part of this community, that’s not lost upon me,” Leeman said. “I’m really excited I was chosen for this opportunity and look forward to serving people and hoping I can do the best job possible.”
Conservation Field Day to be held Aug.
8 in Cedar Rapids
Presentations will focus on conservation practices Iowa farmers have implemented
Crop farmers and anyone involved with on-farm conservation practices will get an in-person demonstration of some of the latest conservation efforts happening in Iowa during a special field day Aug. 8 being held in Cedar Rapids.
Agronomists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach are partnering with Cargill to hold a half-day event with Kirkwood Community College.
Presentations will focus on conservation practices Iowa farmers have already implemented and options for the future, according to Rebecca Vittetoe, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach.
“We want to show how farmers have overcome some of the challenges of implementing in-field conservation practices, the impact they can have to our soils, and also look at the return on investment these practices can have over time ” said Vittetoe “In addition to session speakers, we have a panel of farmers who will speak about their own experiences in various landscapes and soils across Iowa.”
The panel will follow lunch and will include a discussion of how farmers got started with conservation and what they’ve learned along the way.
Participants will also get an update on Cargill RegenConnect, the brand’s regenerative effort to promote sustainability and environmental outcomes within agriculture.
The day begins at 8:30 a.m. with registration and check-in, an official welcome address at 9 a.m. and lunch around noon. The day will conclude around 1:30 p.m., following presentations by a panel of farmers engaged in conservation.
Session topics will include Mark Licht, extension cropping systems specialist, who will discuss cover crop seeding and how to achieve success. Lee Burras, Morrill Professor in agronomy at Iowa State University, will focus on how conservation practices impact our soils, and Ben Covington, agricultural and biosystems engineering program specialist, will provide expertise on how to be successful with strip-till.
Register online at (https://go.iastate.edu/L6OUNU). Attendees should register at least a week in advance, to help with planning materials and lunch.
The field day will be held at Kirkwood Community College in Washington Hall, which is located at 7225 Washington View Parkway SW, Cedar Rapids.
OPINIONS
Dog
sitting: the test of true friendship
Living in Iowa
Dan Brawner
I am beginning to wonder how anybody has the courage for dog sitting. It’s not as if we had never met Sophie, our friend’s sevenyear-old Jack Russel mix. She’s a sweet dog and it’s so cute the way she prances across the linoleum like a tiny Lipizzaner horse, making little munching sounds with her toenails. And the way she snuggles under her favorite blanket whenever the temperature falls below 70 degrees. Who knew that looking after her for a week would be a fulltime job?
Annie, Sophie’s owner is—I’m not saying “controlling”—just, you know, conscientious, protective. Before she entrusted us with her dog (or as she says, her “child”), she gave us a detailed schedule for Sophie’s day—when she goes to bed, when she wakes up in the morning, what and how much she eats. She left us with home-made meals sealed in color-coded Tupperware. Sophie will tell you when she needs to, um, “go out.” Okay. Say no more. And when she comes back in, she always gets a treat (also homemade). Sure. Sounds good. And if the grass is wet, you need to dry thoroughly between her toes. Seriously? Absolutely.
As we were reviewing our instructions with Annie, Sophie, who is very curious and fast (I mean lightning fast like those world class athlete obstacle course dogs at the Westminster Dog Show) pushed open the basement door and disappeared down the steps. Annie looked stricken. “Is there anything dangerous down there?” she asked, a slight quaver in her voice.
Was she kidding? I am the only one allowed to go into our basement. There are shelves of paint and solvents, piles of tools, a partially disassembled air compressor and a dark, ragged opening in the limestone wall, to prevent the interior plumbing from freezing that looks like it ought to conceal a skeleton in chains. Last fall, we had a guy go down the basement to check out the furnace and we haven’t seen him since. I cleared my throat. “I’m sure she’s fine.”
The thing about Sophie is that she doesn’t play. “Go get the ball, Sophie!” She just looks at you through her long eyelashes like, “Why would I do that?” Since no human has thought to give her a job, she gave herself one. Sophie is fiercely dedicated to chasing chipmunks. She can hear one from a block away—which sends her into a desperate whimpering frenzy, running in circles, demanding one of us open the door immediately to let her out so she can save the world from chipmunks. It would be amusing if it weren’t so frightening. She launches herself through the door, flying off the porch, her feet barely touching the ground.
Little as she is, Sophie could slip between the pickets in the fence, chasing a chipmunk and disappear over the horizon. Perhaps fearing this, Annie requested daily photos of her dog while she is away. All these little brown dogs look alike to me. I could just see myself going to every animal shelter in town and sending Annie photos of likely candidates. “This is your dog, right?”
SUN EDITORIAL
Enforcing nuisances takes time, resources from cities
We get it. Life gets busy. There are countless things that are happening in everyday life that just keep piling on top of one another.
A few weeks go by, and the lawn which you had planned to mow has now got to be an unruly jungle. Especially with all of the rain we’ve been getting this summer. After all, it takes rain, sunlight and time for things to grow.
But we also get if you are a property owner, there are certain expectations that the cities and communities have that need to be followed for public safety.
One of them is the length of grass on a property. In Mount Vernon the past few years, there has been some leniency on enforcement of that ordinance for those who are participating in efforts like No Mow May to help the pollinators, part of the city’s sustainability efforts and supporting the
Bee City designation that Mount Vernon has. But after that month has allotted, it is the responsibility of homeowners to make sure their lawns are properly mowed.
For both cities, enforcing nuisances is not what they want to be spending time doing. It’s time consuming, and as Siggins indicated, some of the nuisances are repeat offenders. With lawns, reminding citizens every couple of weeks for the same issue does take time, especially if there are multiple chances to avoid having city crews avoid the lawn mowing.
Again, we get this spring and summer have seen more rain than the past five years have seen, which contributes to the growing grass. But it is property owner’s responsibility to take care of nuisances when they are pointed out or pay the penalties, infractions and work needed to abate the nuisance.
Driving and long days with family
minutes to Muscatine on Thursday.
ny side
Nathan Countryman Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
It’s been a long week, what with rolling out our new website and other items at work.
I’ve been splitting time between being here in the Mount Vernon and Lisbon communities and spending time with family in the Tipton area, it has meant there have been days where a lot of driving was on my plate. Like Thursday, when my sister and dad decided “you know what sounds good for a family dinner we haven’t had in a while? Happy Joe’s Pizza.”
And for them, the drive was 20 ish
For me, it was an hour, no matter which route I took. I had been on Interstate 80 for a stretch of a few miles Wednesday between Atalissa and Tipton exits and semis still tried to kill me by putting on hazards or signaling they were trying to get back into traffic when the route for them to do that was not clear... The backroads during the afternoon and rush hour traffic seemed the safer option.
And of course there is arguing with Google’s GPS when it tries to force me on the detour it wants to take me in around Tipton’s road construction down their main street. “I lived here for more than 18 years. I know what roads I’ll detour on, thank you! I have never gotten lost in this town!”
There was also the stink eye I gave my sister and dad hearing “we were just over at Palisades-Kepler State Park Tuesday with Elysia and Daijon to
run off more steam.” You couldn’t give the guy who lives roughly seven minutes away from that park some heads up that we’re at a park near you after asking what I was up to a day before and knew my schedule was flexible? To which they answered “we were only there for maybe 30 minutes…”
It was good family time, though. Got to watch my niece and nephew learn how to play hangman because of a product advertised on the television Elysia saw and said “oh, I need that!” Every adult at the table in almost unison said, you really don’t to play hangman. All you need’s pen and paper and a modicum of spelling. Of course, when mom went to spell a word she almost forgot the second vowel in her three words that would help the youth figure out the puzzle. And the Canadian bacon, sauerkraut and pineapple pizza is as good as I remember it.
Politicians in Iowa also avoid tough questions
Stray Thoughts
Randy Evans
Iowa Freedom of Information Council
For the past couple of years, Republicans often accused Joe Biden of dodging the media — refusing to sit for extended interviews, declining to be questioned in regular White House press conferences, depriving the public of the opportunity to see how he thinks on his feet and articulates his views. In his critics’ opinion, the reason Biden and his staff avoided these unscripted events was the awareness he was not mentally agile enough to keep up with the demands pointed questions bring. The president’s supporters brushed aside those assertions — although Biden’s performance during the recent debate confirmed their worst anxieties.
I am not here to re-plow that political ground. Instead, I wonder why other political leaders much younger than the 81-year-old president are so reluctant to stand in front of their constituents, and journalists, and answer questions on a variety of topics.
Take, for example, Congressman Zach Nunn, 45, who represents Iowa’s 3rd District in the U.S. House.
Iowa’s longest-tenured public official, Senator Charles Grassley (who, at age 90, is nine years older than Biden), has made it his signature political strategy to visit Iowa’s 99 counties every year and take questions in each one.
Not all those events are open to the public, however, especially in the bigger cities. The progressive advocacy group Progress Iowa tallied several years ago that true public “town hall” events were held in less than half the counties. In most places, Grassley’s events were invitation-only events hosted by businesses, service clubs and other groups.
But Grassley seems fearless with compared with Nunn. Progress Iowa recently counted that since Nunn took office in January 2023, he has never held a town hall event that was
open to all comers in any of the 21 counties making up the 3rd Congressional District.
Nunn has met with constituents in those counties, of course. But meeting with a select group, whether invited by the congressman’s staff or a local host, is not the same as having an open-door event where anyone can attend and ask Nunn about his views and his votes.
Nunn’s approach differs somewhat from the other members of Iowa’s U.S. House delegation. Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Ashley Hinson and Randy Feenstra each have held at least one public town hall forum since their current House terms began in 2023.
Nunn’s avoidance of these public Q&A events is baffling. Elected officials should want to hear from their constituents. It is an important part of the job.
Town hall events give the officeholder the opportunity to explain their views on an assortment of issues.
That was why such public access to elected officials used to be more common than now. Governors Robert Ray and Terry Branstad met at least once a week with reporters and took questions on any topic the journalists asked about. Ray believed the sessions were an important way for him to stay plugged in on the wide range of concerns Iowans had, regardless of whether they supported him or not.
Branstad reveled in the give-and-take when he sat down with a group of Iowans. He was not naive enough to think he would avoid pointed questions. But he believed such sessions gave him the chance to directly explain himself and his positions to citizens.
Nunn must not understand this — or maybe he is not concerned about this aspect of public service.
A public town hall gathering where anyone can attend produces different questions, and a politician gains different insights than occurs at a private Q&A event. A host at a private event is not likely to invite someone whose questions might make Nunn uncomfortable. And if the private event is at a business, it is unlikely an employee would risk embarrassing the guest — and the boss — with a touchy question.
While Grassley set the standard by visiting every county every year, State Auditor Rob Sand has gold-plated the Grassley standard by holding public town hall events in all 99 counties every year.
A few weeks ago, Sand released a sched-
ule of 100 public town halls he will hold in the coming months. There is no guessing if Sand will visit a certain county. It’s on the schedule on his office website. There is no question when, where and at what time he will meet with the public. It’s on the schedule. And there is no question who can attend. Anyone can.
Rob Sand understands what Zach Nunn does not:
Even if some questions make Sand squirm, or if some force him to quickly gather his thoughts, or if someone from the other party pounces with an embarrassing question, Sand knows this is part of being an elected official. It just goes with the territory.
Randy Evans can be reached at DMRevans2810@gmail.com.
Treasurer Smith highlights College Savings Iowa as savings vehicle for K-12 education
As families plan for the upcoming school year, State Treasurer Roby Smith is reminding Iowans how the College Savings Iowa 529 plan can be used to achieve a variety of education savings goals, including K-12. “College Savings Iowa continues to expand the mindset that 529 plans can only be used for traditional two- and fouryear college,” Smith said. “For families that want to put money aside to pay for K-12 tuition at a public or private school, while also receiving all the tax benefits 529 plans provide, College Savings Iowa could be the answer.”
Up to $10,000 per year per student can be withdrawn from a College Savings Iowa account to pay for tuition
Plan for Backto-School Shopping during Iowa Sales Tax-free Weekend
Consumers can save some money for back-to-school expenses despite inflation by planning for Iowa’s sales tax-free weekend, Aug. 2-3.
This once-a-year event the first Friday and Saturday of August provides an opportunity to expand student wardrobes without paying state and local sales tax. This means consumers will save at least $6 on every $100 they spend for clothing and shoes.
“With the average family spending $864 on back-toschool items, that’s almost as much as people spend for the winter holidays,” says Carol Ehlers, a human sciences specialist in family wellbeing with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “Many households set aside money year-round to help cover their holiday expenses and the same should be for back-to-school purchases. This should not be a surprise and needs a spending plan.”
Iowa’s annual sales tax holiday kicks off at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Aug. 2 and runs through midnight Saturday, Aug. 3. Although the two-day event falls during the back-to-school shopping season, the exemption applies only to certain apparel and footwear priced less than $100. For a full list of Iowa’s tax-free items for the hol -
expenses in connection with enrollment at a K-12 institution. “We’re here to help support families in their education savings journey, whatever that may be for them and their student,” continued Smith. “It’s what College Savings Iowa is all about.”
In addition to K-12 tuition, money invested in College Savings Iowa can be used to pay for tuition; room and board; computers; textbooks and other qualified education expenses at any eligible higher education institution in the U.S. or abroad. This includes colleges, universities, trade schools and apprenticeship programs. Additionally, up to $10,000 can be used for repayment on any
iday go to the Iowa Department of Revenue’s website. Exemptions do not apply to the prices of an item selling for over $100. Waived on such items are the state sales tax of 6% and any local option sales tax. Many municipalities have a separate 1% sales tax for the city and school district. During the sales tax holiday, a shopper could save between 6%-7% depending on location, or approximately $7 on an item that costs less than $100.
The tax-exempt savings applies only to:
• Clothing under $100
• Shoes under $100
Examples of a few items exempt from Iowa’s sales tax-free weekend include:
• Jewelry
• Watches and watchbands
• Umbrellas
• Sports equipment (such as skis, swim fins, roller blades and skates, as well as clothing or footwear designed specifically for athletic use)
Smart shopping tips for Iowa’s sales tax-free weekend
“Back-to-school shopping can be a great beginning to an exciting new school year for students. With good planning, families can purchase what they need without breaking the bank,” Ehlers said. “Take full advantage of Iowa’s tax-free weekend by applying the following tips.”
1. Plan ahead
Plan for major clothing and shoe purchases before you go shopping during Iowa’s sales tax-free weekend event.
“Giving each student a chance to inventory what they can start school with and share their expectations, allows family members to better plan,” said Ehlers. “Everyone may not get exactly what they want but talking about it in advance will help set a positive tone.”
Ehlers also suggests discussing what your family can realistically afford. Parents should decide how much the family can set aside for school shopping. Consider using the tax-free holiday time to purchase not just what you need right now, but what your children will need over the next several months. She also recommends avoiding the temptation to use credit cards unless you are able to pay them off in full each month.
qualified education loan of the Beneficiary or a sibling of the Beneficiary.
As a 529 plan, College Savings Iowa also offers tax advantages such as tax-deferred earnings and tax-free qualified withdrawals. Plus, there is an added tax benefit of deducting up to $5,500 in contributions per Beneficiary account from 2024 Iowa income taxes.
To learn more about the Plan, visit CollegeSavingsIowa. com or call (888) 672-9116. Connect with College Savings Iowa on Facebook, Instagram and X to stay informed on current events and updates. For additional details about the Plan, read the Program Description.
2. Set a budget and stick to it
Be careful not to overspend just because the taxfree weekend is occurring. According to the National Retail Federation, the average family with students in kindergarten through 12th grade spent $890 in 2023 on electronics, apparel and other school items. Review what you spent last year for clothing and shoes to create your own spending plan.
“Let students make decisions within the amount of money they are allotted. If they have more ‘wants’ than the family budget can afford, they may need to use some of their own money or earn money from odd jobs to make up the difference,” explained Ehlers. “Allowing students to be a part of these decisions gives them a chance to learn to manage money wisely.”
3. Compare prices
Use the sales circulars from your newspaper to compare prices on the items you wish to buy. Visit websites of several stores where you usually shop. If you tend to buy your kids’ jeans or sneakers at national retail outlets, visit their websites during tax-free weekend to find out which store is offering the better deal.
“Some stores may be willing to match the price offered in a competitor’s advertisement. Be sure to keep your receipts in case you need to return something or until the warranty expires for more expensive items,” Ehlers said.
4. Know the rules and expect a busy shopping weekend
The Iowa Legislature approved the tax holiday in 2000 to help boost the economy and give consumers a break. Previous tax-free holidays have shown to pump up sales for everyone from big-box retailers to mom-and-pop shops. Some merchants report double-digit increases in sales, compared to a typical August weekend.
Stores have been stocking back-to-school items for nearly a month, but this tax-exempt weekend will be the busiest. Know the rules to make the most of your purchase decisions, Ehlers stressed.
• No sales tax, including local option sales tax, will be collected on sales of an article of clothing or footwear having a selling price less than $100.
• The exemption does not apply in any way to the price of an item selling for $100 or more.
• The exemption applies to each article priced under $100 regardless of how many items are sold on the same invoice to a customer.
• For more information and a complete list of what’s included in the tax holiday, visit the state’s website at https://tax.iowa.gov/iowas-annual-sales-tax-holiday
Spots
Lisbon Parks and Recreation is looking for two-year sponsors for July 2024 to July 2026
Lisbon Parks & Recreation holds a long tradition of recreation programs for children. The purpose of these programs is to encourage teamwork, friendship, sportsmanship and fundamental instruction through a variety of different activities. Last year over 500 children participated thanks to the help and support of all of you!
The department would like to continue these traditions and diversify our activities. Lisbon Parks & Recreation’s goal is to make improvements to parks and green space, provide citizens with new events and programs, and partner with existing organizations. The department is also excited about the new land purchase that the City of Lisbon has made to develop a sports complex. Work on this project has already started.
Anyone who is interested can access the sponsorship form on the city website under pdf’s. This is located on the front page. Red sponsorships and above will get a logo on all of our youth t-shirts, social media exposure, newsletter expo-
sure, and shout outs at our events. Questions or concerns please email lisbonparkandrecdir@gmail.com or call/text 319-213-4991.
Backpacks needed for school supply event
Southeast Linn Community Center is looking for donations of backpacks for their school supply distribution event. Staff and volunteers with SELCC will be able to package the supply bags for students, but is in desperate need of backpacks.
If you’d like to donate backpacks, drop them off at SELCC during open hours before Monday, Aug. 5.
SELCC’s school supply distribution event is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 7.
Immunizations, vision screenings required forms for area schools
Back to school time is just around the corner, and the department of education has a recommended list of screenings or immunization forms that must be provided to schools at different grade levels.
For preschool students, a list of completed immunizations is required.
City of Mount Vernon to host open house for Uptown Streetscape
City of Mount Vernon invites the community to attend a public open house as part of its Uptown Streetscape Master Plan project. The open house will be held at the First Street Community Center (221 First Street NE) Wednesday, Aug. 7, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
All members of the public are invited to participate in the meeting. No formal presentation will be made, and attendees may drop in anytime.
The City kicked-off its Uptown Streetscape Master Plan project earlier this year. The final plan document is being put together and will be shared with the community in early fall 2024. Once adopted by the Mount Vernon City Council, this plan will serve as a vision for the future design of Uptown for First Street from Third Avenue SW to B Avenue SE, as well as the adjoining North Alley area.
When completed, the Streetscape Master Plan document will provide a set of design guidelines for future improvements to the area, as well as concepts that
illustrate these improvements. The recommendations of the Streetscape Master Plan document will be based on community and stakeholder feedback to ensure their values and needs are reflected in the final plan. This will include informed designs and improvements that accurately reflect how people and vehicles get around Uptown, parking, landscaping, furnishings, public art, event space, and more.
Public and stakeholder input is extremely important to the project, and all residents, users, and business owners of the community are encouraged to attend this meeting to provide their input on what they would like the future use and design of Uptown Mount Vernon to look like. For more information about the project or to share your feedback with the planning team, please contact assistant city administrator Lori Boren at lboren@cityofmtvernon-ia. gov or (319) 895-8742.
Visit the project website for more information: https:// cityofmtvernon-ia.gov/uptown-streetscapes/
Linn County and Cedar Rapids announce new Homelessness Systems Manager
This collaboration will address homelessness in the community
Linn County and the City of Cedar Rapids are excited to announce
J’nae Peterman is now serving as the community’s homelessness systems manager, a position jointly funded by Linn County and the City of Cedar Rapids for up to three years.
Peterman, who has served as Housing Services Director for Waypoint since 2015, began her new role June 25. This new position is not a County or City employee, but is housed within the Housing Fund for Linn County and can report on activities to both the Linn County Board of Supervisors and the Cedar Rapids City Council.
The Linn County Board of Supervisors and the City of Cedar Rapids will each contribute $75,000 per year for up to three years for a total of $225,000 per agency. The County’s funding source is the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the City’s through its general fund.
In the summer of 2023, the
City of Cedar Rapids brought in a national homelessness consulting firm, the National Alliance to End Homelessness, to assess and review the community’s homelessness response systems, including nonprofit infrastructure and resources available for individuals experiencing homelessness. One of the Alliance’s top recommendations was creating a homelessness systems manager.
The homelessness systems manager will not provide direct social service support to individuals who are experiencing homelessness. Instead, this position will collaborate with community nonprofit organizations that provide direct services and will be responsible for reviewing data; monitoring local, state, and federal grants; and creating systems that assist individuals in getting the right service from the right provider at the right time. This effort will also include the creation of a local oversight board that will help establish key performance indicators, priority initiatives, expectations, and deadlines for tasks.
“This collaboration is a great example of the City and the County working together to try to address
Kindergarten students need an updated list of their completed immunizations, as well as a dental screening and a vision screening form.
Third grade students need a vision screening form.
Seventh grade students need a Tdap vaccination booster, meningoccal vaccination. Families need to submit a copy of an immunization, immunization exemption (medical or religious), or provisional form to the school.
Ninth grade students need to submit a dental screening record.
Twelfth grade students need to have either their second dose of meningoccal vaccinaton or one does if their first was received when 16 years or older.
If you have any questions on these requirements, contact (at Lisbon) Nurse Julie Light at 455-3500 ext 126 or jlight@ lisbon.k12.ia.us and (at Washington Elementary) Jenna Wear at jwear@mvcsd.org or 319-895-6251 or (MV Middle and High School) Megan Krpafl at mkrapfl@mvcsd.org or 319-895-6254.
Meet and greet candidates
Candidates Molly Donahue and Sarah Corkery will be hosting a meet and greet event Sunday, Aug. 18, from 2-5 p.m. at The Plantiful Pantry.
ENTERTAINMENT
an issue that’s becoming increasingly more visible and challenging for individuals. It shows the seriousness with which both Linn County and the City of Cedar Rapids are approaching homelessness and is an example of how government works best when it works together,” Linn County board of supervisor Ben Rogers said.
“Addressing homelessness is a top priority for the city council,” said Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell. “We recognize the importance of supporting our friends and neighbors in need. This complex issue requires a multi-faceted approach, and filling this position marks the beginning of significantly improving service coordination and delivery.”
Linn County and the City of Cedar Rapids are committed to reducing the number of on-the-street homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless, specifically in the Cedar Rapids metro area. In addition to jointly funding the homeless systems manager for up to three years, Linn County and the City of Cedar Rapids also partner to fund the cold weather overflow shelter located in a building owned by Linn County and operated by Willis Dady Homeless Services.
Peterman
John Lee Arians, 24, of Sioux City, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Aug. 10, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Mount Vernon Community Bible Church, Mount Vernon, Iowa. Family visitation and reflection time at 9:30 a.m. with the service starting at 11 a.m. A lunch will be provided afterwards allowing for a time of fellowship.
John Lee Arians was born Feb. 22, 1999, to Craig Alan Arians and Karen Marie Arians of Mount Vernon. John graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 2017, served in the US Army: 2017-2018, graduated from Midwest Welding School in 2019 and worked as a Maintenance Technician at Purdue Premium Meat Processing in Sioux Center. He was a member of Mount Vernon Community Bible Church.
John loved singing and started out in the Metholarks at MV United Methodist Church and then in choirs in the MV Schools, was in scouts and archery, enjoyed hunting pheasants and fishing. He was an avid reader, gamer and really enjoyed time with his close friends gaming. He loved cooking and baking. He was active in youth groups at both the United Methodist Church and Community Bible Church. He went on several mission trips and volunteered at Habitat for Humanity and Mathew 21, both in Cedar Rapids.
He is survived by his parents, Craig of Nong Khai Thailand and Karen (Dan) of Henry, Ill.; his great grandmother, Evelyn Houzenga of Bettendorf; brothers, Mathew (girlfriend, Sammi) of Miles City, Mont., Luke (Cassie) of Cedar Rapids, Harry (Nikie) of Old Town, Fla., Joshua (Brandy) of Washington Courthouse, Ohio, Travis ( Jennifer) of Washington Court House, Ohio, Matt of Mount Sterling, Ohio; and sisters, Kim (Alex) of UAE and Tiffany (Melvin) of Batesville, S. C.; and multiple aunts, uncles, nephews, and nieces.
John was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents of both parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be directed to Foundation 2 Crisis Services of Cedar Rapids at https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_ button_id=E5BDCYQRYRC5A. In the note section please write endowment fund in memory of John Arians.
Mary Clare (Davidson) Coulter passed away July 22, 2024, in Cedar Rapids, at the age of 87. Private Graveside service will be held at a later date in St. Paul, Minn.
She was born in Wayne, Neb., Feb. 7, 1937, grew up in Jasper, Minn., and graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn. Mary Clare married Jerry Coulter in 1960. After Jerry passed away in 1998, Mary Clare became a longtime resident of Mount Vernon to be closer to her two children.
Mary Clare was a stay-at-home mom and later worked in the medical technology field. She enjoyed volunteering for many community organizations. She had a passion for music and taking long walks in nature. Most of all, she loved being with her family, who are her pride and joy. She is a gentle, kind, generous soul.
She is survived by her daughter, Cindy Coulter of Cedar Rapids; son, David (Amy) Coulter of White Bear Lake, Minn.; grandchildren, Kelsey (Ryan) Manseau, Seth (Mary) Coulter, and Camron Woodley; brother, Paul Davidson of Atlanta, Ga.; and many extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry; and her parents, John and Clare Davidson. Please share your support and memories with Mary Clare’s family on her Tribute Wall at www. stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries.
Tuesday Morning Book Club discusses ‘The Churchill Sisters’
The Tuesday Morning Book Club at Cole Library will meet Tuesday, Aug. 20, from 9:30 - 11 a.m. The group meets in Room 108, which is the large meeting room on the First Floor of the Library.
All are welcome to join the Book Club.
You can email Sherene Player at Sherene1968@ gmail.com if you have any questions.
At the August Meeting, the group will be reading and discussing the book The Churchill Sisters: The Extraordinary Lives of Winston and Clementine’s Daughters by Rachel Trethewey. Christine Lawler will review the book and lead the discussion.
From the publisher comes this summary of the book: “As complex in their own way as their Mitford cousins, Winston and Clementine Churchill’s daughters each had a unique relationship with their famous father. Rachel Trethewey’s biography, The Churchill Sisters, tells their story.
“Bright, attractive and well-connected, in any other family the Churchill girls – Diana, Sarah, Marigold and Mary – would have shone. But they were not in another family, they were Churchills, and neither they nor anyone else could ever forget it. From their father – ‘the greatest Englishman’ – to their brother, golden boy Randolph, to their eccentric and exciting cousins, the Mitford Girls, they were surrounded by a clan of larger-than-life characters which often saw them overlooked. While Marigold died too young to achieve her potential, the other daughters lived lives full of passion, drama and tragedy.
“Diana, intense and diffident; Sarah, glamorous and stubborn; Mary, dependable yet determined – each so different but each imbued with a sense of responsibility toward each other and their country. Far from being cosseted debutantes, these women were eyewitnesses at some of the most important events in world history, at Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam. Yet this is not a story set on the battlefields or in Parliament; it is an intimate saga that sheds light on the complex dynamics of family set against the backdrop of a tumultuous century.
“Drawing on previously unpublished family letters from the Churchill archives, The Churchill Sisters brings Winston’s daughters out of the shadows and tells their remarkable stories for the first time.”
Mount Vernon and Lisbon’s care centers have new owners
Hallmark, Cherry ridge and Rehabilitation Center of Lisbon owned by new parent company
Hallmark Care Center, Cherry Ridge independent Living and Rehabilitation Center of Lisbon will be purchased by Legacy Healthcare, based out of Illinois.
“Legacy is a well respected provider, and we are pleased that they have expressed interest in our center,” said Jessica Vanderploeg, administrator at Rehabilitation Center of Lisbon. “During the transfer of operations, we do not expect there to be any disruptions to the quality care our team delivers to patients.”
“We expect our current contracts and relations to remain in place until the transfer of operations takes place. Until the new operator for the centers is in place, we will continue to follow the same processes that are currently in place.”
The finalization of the transition is expected in the next few weeks after it clears the Iowa Department of Health.
Matinee Monday will be “The Boys in the Boat”
Here at Cole Public Library, we love a movie based on a book. If you do too, you don’t want to miss August’s Matinee Movie.
On Monday, Aug. 12, at 1 p.m. in Room 108, we’ll screen the movie The Boys in the Boat (PG-13). Directed by George Clooney, The Boys in the Boat is based on the best-selling non-fiction book of the same name by Daniel James Brown. Set against the backdrop of both the United States’ Great Depression and the Nazi Regime in Germany, the film follows the University of Washington rowing team as they train for and compete in 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. If you prefer to read the book before watching the movie, Cole Public Library has copies of the book available in both regular and large print. Matinee Movies are held the second Monday of the month, feature films geared to adults, and include free popcorn and a drink.
POLICE CALLS
July 22 – Welfare check, 200 blk business 30, Mount Vernon
July 22 – Agency assist- welfare check, Linn Co
July 22 – Medical, 900 blk W. Main St, Lisbon
July 23 – Medical, 200 blk E. Market St, Lisbon
July 24 – Disturbance, 500 blk S. Franklin St, Lisbon
July 24 – Medical, 200 blk Walnut St, Lisbon
July 25 – Medical, 200 blk Walnut St, Lisbon
July 25 – Welfare check, 100 blk Fourth St SW, Mount Vernon
July 26 – Citizen assist, 400 blk S. Franklin St, Lisbon
July 26 – Motorist assist, 700 blk Palisades Rd SW, Mount Vernon
July 26 – Agency assist- attempt to locate, Linn Co
July 26 – Suspicious person, 100 blk E. business 30, Lisbon
July 26 – Trespassing, 1225 blk First Ave NW, Mount Vernon
July 26 – Alarm, 700 blk S. First Ave, Mount Vernon
July 26 – Agency assist- disturbance, Linn Co
July 27 – Citizen assist, E. South St, Lisbon
July 27 – Welfare check, 300 blk W. South St, Lisbon
July 27 – Agency assist- car unlock, Linn Co
July 29 – Agency assist- welfare check, Linn Co
John Arians
Mary Coulter
Lions SB season ends at state
Lose to East Marshall, win against West Fork
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
If you get to play in Fort Dodge in the middle of July, you had a pretty good season.
That goes for the other teams there, too. And No. 8 Lisbon ran into a pretty good team that put together a pretty good inning, as No. 6 East Marshall topped them 8-1 in a Class 2A state quarterfinal on Tuesday, July 23 on the Iowa Central Field at the Harlan Rogers Sports Complex.
“I think we felt good, but were a little tight,” Lisbon coach Abbey Shultz said. “And that showed up throughout the day. They wanted to win the first game, Lisbon hasn’t done that in a few years (since 2021).
“They really wanted it.”
The Mustangs scored seven runs in the bottom of the second inning, a nightmare scenario for a young Lion team.
“It was a little bit frustrating,” senior Addi Petersen said.
The second inning was difficult for a number of reasons. With one out, Bailey Grant hit a double.
That was followed by three straight singles. The second, hit by No. 8 hitter Libby Atcher, was an infield hit that Lisbon third baseman Chloe Clausen dove for and
snagged, keeping it from going into left field, but she didn’t have time to get a throw off. The third hit was a high pop up that landed between three Lion defenders in left field.
Down 1-0 with the bases loaded, Lisbon pitcher Kyla Kahl walked both leadoff hitter Morgan Neuroth and No. 2 hitter Vaeda Bryan to make it 3-0.
“She was struggling to find the strike zone,” Shultz said. “As a pitcher, if you try harder to throw strikes, it ends up working against you.”
The Lions got the second out, but then Peyton Grobenbauer smashed a grand slam over the left field fence to complete the 7-run inning.
“It was kind of devastating,” Clausen said. “I mean, when they scored the first couple, I was like, okay, we can come back from this. When the girl hit the grand slam, my heart kind of sunk.
“We just had to find a way to fight back, somehow.”
East Marshall (34-5) manufactured another run in the fourth inning off a hit batter, an error and a fielder’s choice.
The Lions kept the faith.
“It was one of those things,” Shultz said. “The wheels are falling off, but this is a young team. Let’s see how we come back from that.
“We got down on ourselves a bit because we could have
battled back.”
Lisbon finally got on the scoreboard in the fifth inning. No. 9 hitter Lillian Gaiser walked and was hit in by Petersen.
“We’ve come back from eight or more runs before,” Clausen said. “We did believe. … Unfortunately, it didn’t happen.”
The Lions only had four hits off Mustang pitcher Neuroth, who struck out seven.
Lisbon pitcher Kyla Kahl was pulled after giving up the grand slam. Addi Petersen took over and pitched the final three-and-a-third innings. She only allowed two hits, one walk, and hit two batters.
“I was ready for it. I had warmed up just in case, but I was not hoping to go in,” Petersen said. “I had confidence in my defense get outs and hold them.”
The next day, East Marshall lost to No. 1 Van Meter in the semifinals, 4-3, in eight innings. Van Meter went on to beat No. 5 Audubon, 5-3, in the 2A championship. East Marshall lost, 14-2, to No. 13 Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont for third place.
Lisbon bounced back the next day and defeated West Fork in a consolation game, 4-0.
“We talked that this was for the seniors, now,” Shultz said. “This is the last time they get to do this. Two girls that sacrificed a lot of summers to be here.”
Kerry Kahl | Contributed photo
The Lisbon Lions hold their state trophy aloft following the game.
Clausen, a senior, led the way with two hits, including a home run, and three RBIs. Kyla Kahl pitched a one-hitter, striking out four and walking two.
“We wanted to go out and have fun,” Clausen said. “We tried really hard to do that, and we did. That pitch was right down the pipe and I put a good poke on it. It felt good to do that in my last game.”
Addie Clark also had two hits against the Warhawks (18-9).
Lisbon finished 28-13 and qualified for state for the seventh year in a row.
“It means so much,” Petersen said of keeping the streak going. “As a senior, the pressure was on us.”
“It was a very successful season,” Shultz said. “They did things no one thought they’d do. With a new coaching staff, they showed an amazing ability to buy-in, trust the process and do the things.”
Clausen and Petersen, who plans to play softball at Mount Mercy, are going to be tough to replace, but the Lions bring back the other eight starters.
“I’m excited for them,” Petersen said. “There are a lot of good girls on the team, and a lot of good middle schoolers coming up. I’m excited for Lisbon softball. I can’t wait to continue watching it.”
“Now the table is set,” Shultz said. “Everyone has experienced that high pressure, so now what are you going to do? Are you going to rise or fall?”
Kerry Kahl | Contributed photo
Kamryn Kahl, Addie Clark and Kaitlynn Hasselbusch celebrated the final out of the season.
Kyla Kahl, Addi Petersen (3) and Emma Dietsch; Morgan Neuroth and Bailey Grant. W – Neuroth. L – Kahl. 2B – Addi Petersen (L), Bailey Grant (EM). HR – Peyton Grobenbauer (EM).
Joel Kellar | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
The Lions walk off the field after getting beat by East Marshall in the quarterfinals. The team will only lose two starters for next year and look to be back competing at Fort Dodge.
Andrea Hasselbusch | Contributed photo
Right: The Lisbon Lions softball team poses with their trophy and banner from the state softball tournament last week.
Joel Kellar | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Left: Gretchen Moehlman looks at the ump with confusion after she was called out attempting to steal second base. Right: Alexa Roos catches a ball thrown by third baseman Chloe Clausen for an out. The Lion defense turned it around after the second inning and only allowed one run the rest of the game.
Joel Kellar | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Left: Addi Peterson hits a single in the fifth inning. This hit brought home the only run of the game for the Lions. Center: Addi Peterson rounds third during the first inning of the state quarterfinal game against East Marshall. Peterson went 2-3 at the plate with a double and an RBI single. Right: Brianna Turkington fouls off a pitch against East Marshall. Turkington struggled at the plate with the rest of the Lions, she went 0-3 with a strikeout.
MV, Lisbon baseball earn post-season honors
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
Junior Dakota Clark led Lisbon all season and was honored as the only first-team Tri-Rivers East pick for the Lions.
Clark, the center fielder and leadoff hitter, hit .366 with three triples and a 20 RBIs. He scored 24 runs and stole 16 bases. He was a unanimous pick.
He was also sharp defensively in center field, recording 58 putouts in 12 conference games.
“Dakota was truly a game changer in center field for us in 2024,” coach Lance Kamaus said. “Dakota is a dynamic ball player, and one with all-state potential.”
Clark also earned second team Class 1A All-District (Northeast Region).
Three more Lions made the second team in the Tri-Rivers East. Sophomore catcher Carew Kamaus (.227, 9 RBI), junior infielder Ethan Hoekstra (.256, 18 RBI) and sophomore utility Ian Whittenbaugh (.262, 15 RBI plus a 3.74 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 43 innings pitched).
“Carew was arguably the top defensive catcher in the league, with only one error in conference play,” Coach Kamaus said. “His ability to block, call a game, and impact the game behind the
plate was evident league-wide.
“Ethan was a very pleasant surprise, serving as the classic power hitter in our order. Ian was one of the top offensive players in the Eastern Division.”
Senior Ryan Ross (12 runs, 7 RBI) earned honorable mention.
“Ryan provided a steadying influence to a very young team, and his contributions went well beyond the stat sheet.”
Lisbon finished 5-24 but return most of the roster for 2025, saying goodbye to just three seniors – Ross, Aiden Jensen and Benjamin Jubeck.
Mount Vernon
It was also a stepping stone season for the Mount Vernon Mustangs, who finished 19-18.
Junior infielder Colin Bentley (.305, 26 runs, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 12 SB) and sophomore outfielder Mikey Ryan (.354, 26 runs, 8 2B, 25 RBI, 19 SB) earned second-team WaMaC East honors.
“We’re in a good conference,” Mount Vernon coach Charles Chatman said. “And the way it sets up makes it difficult to get a guy on the first team.”
Two teams from the WaMaC East made the state tournament – Marion and Center Point-Urbana.
The Mustangs lose two senior starters – Tait Rentschler and Miles Francois – so the arrow is pointing up for 2025.
“We return every inning the mound,” Chatman said. “We have balance, if we can keep guys healthy.”
Reiling, Brase play in Shrine Bowl
Lisbon senior Johnah Reiling (6-4, 295) played on the North Team, and Mount Vernon senior Evan Brase (6-4, 195) played on the South Team at the Iowa Shrine Bowl on July 20 at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The North won, 49-28. Brynn Lynner, Emily Patten, and Nora Weiland of Mount Vernon were on the cheer squad.
Reiling is playing college football for the University of North Dakota.
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
10:15 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, Aug. 1
Story Time, Cornell Public Library Byerly Room, 9:30 a.m.
Fiber Friends, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10:30 a.m.
Free summer lunch, Southeast Linn Community Center, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Summer movies for kids, Southeast Linn Community Center, 1 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 2
Bingo, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10-11:30 a.m.
Lisbon Library Storytime, Lincoln Park Gazebo, 10 a.m.
Linn Lunch Bunch, Southeast Linn Community Center, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Iowa sales tax weekend, sidewalk sales at uptown businesses.
Saturday, Aug. 3
Lisbon and Cole Library’s Storytime on the Farm, Morning Glory Farms, 10 a.m. Iowa sales tax weekend, sidewalk sales at uptown businesses.
200 E. Market St., 455-2000 livinghopegmc.org
Pastor: the Rev. Josh Swaim
Services live streamed at Living Hope Global Methodist Church’s YouTube page
Sundays at 9:45 a.m. Sun.: 9:45 a.m. — In-person worship.
Seeds of Faith Lutheran Church, ELCA 798 Brenneman Lane, 455-2599
(Off Hwy. 30 on eastern edge of Lisbon) www.seedsoffaithlutheran.org/
Pastor Erika Uthe
9 a.m. — In-person worship. Services also livestream via Seeds’ Facebook Page.
BERTRAM
United Methodist Church
319-365-8077
Rev. Darwin Moore, Pastor Sun.: 10 a.m. — In-person worship service
MARTELLE
Christian Church Sun.: 10:30 a.m. — in person worship service Services also stream online at Martelle Christian Church’s YouTube page.
United Methodist Church Sun.: 10:30 a.m. Worship service. No Sunday school.
SPRINGVILLE
United Methodist Church Sun.: 9 a.m. Worship service. Wed.: 6:30 p.m. Praise service
Faith Christian Fellowship
Pastor Jack Ray Sun.: 9:30 a.m. worship at Springville Memorial Library, in the Buresh Room
(264 Broadway Street)
St. Isidore Catholic Church Sat.: 6 p.m. Mass
MECHANICSVILLE
Living Hope Bible Church
Mechanicsville Memorial Building
First Presbyterian Church
408 E. First Street.
Christian Community Church of Mechanicsville
307 East First Street
563-432-7716
Sun: Sunday School 10-11am and in-person Worship Services at 11:15am with Fellowship to follow.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
Pastor: Father James Flattery
Wed.: 8:30 a.m. — mass Sun.: 8 a.m. Mass
Across
1 Château : France :: ___ : Spain
5 Llama relative with prized wool
8 Steve of “The Office”
9 ___ Inn, “flowery” setting for a Nancy Drew mystery
11 Closely monitor
12 Parting words
14 Part of a row that might have a rho
16 Secret infatuation
18 Sounds from fans
19 Potential goal for a unicorn, in brief
20 Lose every last penny
22 Exude, as charisma
23 Thereabouts
25 Chop up, as ingredients
26 Pepperoni, mushroom or green pepper … or what each cluster of black squares represents in this puzzle
31 Jazz singer James
32 Certain spa treatment, informally
33 “That one’s mine!”
36 Laundry challenge for a mountain biker
39 Pet shampoo target
40 Hard to find
41 Feature of a deluxe pie … and of this puzzle?
47 Currency replaced by the euro
48 Flavoring in purple bubble tea
49 Morgenstern who wrote “The Night Circus”
50 Rough houses?
53 “___ Kapital”
55 Losing water by the minute
56 Pulsate
57 Sources of gossip
60 Spanish grandmother
Monday, Aug. 5
Mount Vernon City Council, Mount Vernon City Hall, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 7
Cards, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10-11:30 a.m.
Linn Lunch Bunch, Southeast Linn Community Center, 11:30 a.m.
SELCC Youth Enrichment Class, Southeast Linn Community Center, 1 p.m. and 2:30 pm. (registration required)
SELCC school supply distribution event, Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center, 4-6 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 8
Story Time, Cornell Public Library Byerly Room, 9:30 a.m.
Fiber Friends, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10:30 a.m.
Free summer lunch, Southeast Linn Community Center, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Summer movies for kids, Southeast Linn Community Center, 1 p.m.
Lisbon Library board meeting, Lisbon Library, 7 p.m.
62 Made noise after being stepped on, perhaps
63 First name of three lead actors playing Marvel superheroes
64 Gave one’s blessing to
65 Outdoes
66 Vixen, e.g. Down
1 Prepare, as a Thanksgiving turkey
2 Navigate
3 College team whose name is its home state minus two letters
4 Sucker
5 Assuage, as fears
Settled
Patchy cat
Supermarket lineup
Biting
Uruguayan soccer star Luis
Took by force
Become unruly, as hair
Singer Amos 17 One of two heard in “This Kiss” 18 “Sister Act” star, familiarly 20 Stare in amazement 21 Closely monitor, with “on” 24 [Is this still good?] 27 Apropos 28 Mixed bag?
29 Sappho and others
30 In 1492, it sailed the ocean blue
34 Set of books once awarded to winners of Britain’s “Countdown” game show, for short
35 Washington’s Sea-___ Airport
36 Artist whose work has a wide reach?
37 Famed sex therapist, familiarly 38 Prey for a moray eel
42 One of the official languages of Uttar Pradesh
43 Material for some trifold display boards
44 Reacted to a staggering blow 45 Russian range 46 Foul
51 Place to veg out
52 King of the fairies in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
54 Screenwriter of “Steve Jobs” and “The Social Network”
55 Double-tapped on Instagram, e.g.
57 Coarse files
58 Duane ___ (pharmacy chain)
59 Noted name with an Oscar?
61 Place
SUDOKU
To play: Complete the grid so that every row, column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9. There is no guessing or math involved, just use logic to solve.
President Caspers called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Members present: Caspers, Baker, Mallie, Prasil, Richey
Members absent: None
Motion by Baker, second by Mallie to approve the Agenda. All ayes motion carried (5-0).
Motion by Richey, second by Prasil to approve a three-month extension of the current School Business Official contract.
All ayes motion carried (5-0).
Motion by Prasil, second by Mallie to approve the First Reading of Board Policies 203, 405.02, 504.5, 504.5R1, 508.08R1, 704.01, 704.06, 704.06R1, 706.01, 706.02, 706.03, 706.03R1, 707.01, 707.02, 707.03, 707.04. All ayes motion carried (5-0).
Motion by Baker, second by Prasil to approve the GWAEA Mentoring and Induction Consortium Agreement. All ayes motion carried (5-0).
Motion by Richey, second by Prasil to approve the GWAEA PowerSchool Agreement. All ayes motion carried (5-0).
Motion by Richey, second by Mallie to approve the Kirkwood Workplace Learning Connection Agreement. All ayes motion carried (5-0).
Motion by Baker, second by Richey to approve the FY25 Fee Schedule as presented. All ayes motion carried (5-0).
Motion by Richey, second by Prasil to approve the 2024 – 25 LECC Handbook. All ayes motion carried (5-0).
Motion by Mallie, second by Baker to approve the 2024 – 25 Preschool Handbook. All ayes motion carried (5-0).
Motion by Mallie, second by Prasil to approve the 2024 – 25 Elementary Handbook. All ayes motion carried (5-0).
Motion by Baker, second by Richey to approve the 2024 – 25 Secondary Handbook. All ayes motion carried (5-0).
Motion by Prasil, second by Mallie to approve the donation of a Baseball scoreboard by Casey’s General Store in the amount of $30,000. All ayes motion carried (5-0).
Motion by Prasil, second by Baker to approve 17 open enrollment requests into the District. All ayes motion carried (5-0).
Board Member Baker gave a Facilities update to include the construction schedule, which has been delayed, and some areas will not be completed by the time school starts. Also discussed was glazing in the weightroom addition and additional engineering work on the CTE addition. Additional discussion took place regarding the old gym floor, District Office common space, and work on the playground that is being donated by some community members.
IASB Legislative Priorities were discussed and will be acted on at next month’s meeting.
Secondary Principal Leighty discussed summer school, handbook changes, and facilities updates.
Elementary Principal Brown discussed summer school which has over 100 kids, “First Day School Supplies” signup, master scheduling, and working with new Secretary Julie Hendricks. Superintendent Pino discussed Sauerkraut Days on August 17th, the need for a new bus, and summer relocation of the District Office to the Secondary office due to construction Upcoming Board Meetings are as follows: August 14, 2024 - 6:00 p.m. Regular School Board Meeting September 11, 2024 – 6:00 p.m.
Mayor Pro Temp Jim Unzeitig presided over the meeting. Council members present were Louise Hall, John Klimek and Bill Mulholland. Absent Mayor Scott Flaherty and Council member Chris Price. City Attorney Kevin Shea present. Hall made a motion to approve the agenda as posted. MSB: Mulholland. Aye: Hall, Mulholland, Klimek. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
Sheriff’s Report – 9 calls of service minutes met. Prior Meeting Minutes: June 5, 2024. Bills/Warrants for Payment.
Treasurer’s Report.
Payee Purpose Amount Alliant Energy High Point $20.54,Alliant Energy City Well $156.47,Alliant Energy City Hall
$45.00,Alliant Energy City Park $20.54,Alliant Energy Streetlights $504.08,Anthony Vislisel P&K Midwest Tractor Parts
$167.78,Casey Business Mastercard Fuel
$199.24,IA DNR Annual Water Supply Fee
FY25 $25.00,IA League of Cities Annual Membership Dues $386.00,Jared J. Vogeler Operations $480.00,Keystone Labs Water Testing $17.50,Orkin Pest Control
$52.00,SolutionWorks INC Cloud Server: June/July, July backup Fix QuickBooks
$442.50,Student Publication Publication
$119.70,Thomas Schmitt Reimbursement Westside tire-mower, chainsaw oil, trimmer
$216.05,Verizon Wireless Internet/Phone
$87.92,Visa-Berry Payroll Zoom annual fee
$209.61,Visa-Kuehl Envelopes water billing
$900. R4C Bertram St by Four Oaks,Cedar Rapids Tree Service: $275,That Girl Tree Service: $550,Franks Tree Service: $600. Hall makes a motion to approve That Girl Tree Service for: R4D $550, R4C at $895 and Franks Tree Service for: R$B at $3,000. MSB Klimek. Aye: Hall, Klimek, Mulholland. Motion passes by unanimous vote. Leo Bonifazi: Surveyor for the City of Bertram: Leo has completed his survey and wants to know if it is adequate. Will be available for any issues that arise. Leo pointed out everything in Bertram fits well except a few points, where they are out of sync about 3 feet into the driving right of way.
Email Service Purchase: Tabled to next meeting.
City Council Meeting Recording: Tabled to next meeting. Nuisance Property Update: Hines is pending. Court order given to cleanup. Correspondence: Open to public: Chad Dummermuth: Wants to understand the cities feeling about bike path. Owns considerable amount of land the path will go through and will not allow on his property. Believes going through town is not a great idea due to street size/ speed and lighting. There will be more trash. Bike trails have no limit on when they are open. Cedar Rapids has a lot of homelessness on the trails. Klimek stated he did ask Tom Peffer to come to start talking to the citizens. Chad suggested to avoid Bertram that
has no businesses and go Indian Creek Trail and by the water treatment plant. Would like to know if City supports this trail? Klimek and Unzeitig are also concerned about the trail using city streets and lighting and where the trailhead will be. Dave: Same concerns with the trail. Added the Security threat to the town and the access into Bertram hills, curves and not a clean spot to come out. Speeding in town is already a problem and will not be safe for cyclists. Janet Reasoner slightly outside of Bertram, property is on the trail route and is not happy about the trail going through and the possibility of people feeding her horses or pitching a tent. Bike Trails are great but doesn’t want it in her yard. John Shebteka: Not wanting
For Rent
Apartment for Rent uptown Mt. Vernon. 2 bedrooms. No Smoking. No Pets. 319-2708600
Miscellaneous
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$22.21,Visa-Wilson Credit -$15.33,IPERS Payroll IPERS $531.76,United States Treasury Federal taxes
$1,394.24,IA Dept of Revenue State Taxes $54.14,Berry, Lisa Payroll
$463.72,Kuehl, Raven Payroll
$170.05,Kula, Doug Payroll $21.62,Schmidtt, Thomas F Payroll
$764.13, Visilsel, Stephanie Payroll
$1,511.12,Vislisel, Anthony Payroll
$99.68,Total Bills
$47.34,Visilsel, Zachary Payroll
$8,214.61 Presentation Thomas Peffer: Interurban Trail System: Interurban Trail was following the Tolley line that was put in from Beaver Park to Lisbon, trolley ran for 8 years then was abandoned but the power corridor remains. In 1992 Alliant decided not to allow Linn County to purchase the property. In 2019 Alliant enter into an agreement with Linn County to place the rail. Nature trails have been a positive in recent years. Alliant sold the land to City of Cedar Rapids and Linn County Conversation, while maintaining 13 miles of power lines. Advocates for trails raise monthly for Trails, they work with NPO and cities to fund trails. Trails are 10 ft wide hard surface. The plan is to come down Bertram St across Ely Street then get back to right of way. Needs City to help identify possible citizens that would be willing to help. Needs a 30 ft easement on property to get back to the trail. Unzeitig Stated that the trail would go through town and the city streets are not designed for it and does not have proper lighting. Klimek is also concerned with the roads and lighting. Tom Peffer stated they are currently working on Mount Vernon to Bertram and will need a trailhead. Kelsey Cooper-Green Iowa AmeriCorps (Sustainability): Event is taking place Friday July 12 at 2 pm at Bertram Township Hall. Linn County Coop Oil Contract: Annual Contract Mulholland makes a motion to accept the contract. MSB: Hall. Aye: Hall, Klimek, Mulholland. Tree Removal Bids:R4B Bertram St and Ely St,Cedar Rapids Tree Service: $5,000,That Girl Tree Service: $5,500,Franks Tree Service: $3,000.R4C Angle Street Alley between 2nd St and 3rd St,Cedar Rapids Tree Service: $900,That Girl Tree Service: $895,Franks Tree Service:
American Pickers to film in Iowa
Meredith Ball Producer, American Pickers
The American Pickers are excited to return to Iowa! They plan to film episodes of The History Channel hit television series throughout your area in September 2024.
American Pickers is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique ‘picking’ on The History Channel. The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find historically significant or rare items, in addition to unforgettable characters and their collections.
As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, the Pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics.
Along the way, they want to meet characters with amazing stories and fun items. They hope to give historically significant objects a new lease on life while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way. The Pickers have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something they’ve never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them.
The American Pickers TV show is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasure. If you or someone you know has a unique item, story to tell, and is ready to sell…we would love to hear from you! Please note, the Pickers DO NOT pick stores, flea markets, malls, auction businesses, museums, or anything open to the public.
Main Street challenge grant request for proposals deadline
Friday, Aug. 2
One-page summary due to CDG by 5 p.m.
The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group (CDG) is excited to help one business in the Main Street District prepare an application for a Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant. This grant is made possible through Main Street Iowa and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA). Main Street Iowa has a proven track record of success administering numerous HUD Challenge Grants including the grant awarded locally to Chameleons in 2010, the Video Village building in 2014, the Broulik building in 2017, the Bauman building in 2019, the Mount Vernon Family Counseling building in 2020, the Right Frame
American Pickers will be filming in Iowa. If you have a unique item to feature on the program, reach out to the company.
If interested, pleas send us your name, phone number, location, and description of the collection with photos to: americanpickers@cineflix.com or call (646) 493-2184. Contact us on Facebook: @GotAPick.
of Mind building in 2021, and the Old Fire Station in 2023.
Only one application can be submitted for the Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant through the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group. With that in mind, CDG is asking for a “Request for Proposals” for projects within the 12-block designated Main Street District.
To respond to this request, please submit a one-page summary of the proposed project, and any accompanying renderings, estimates, contracts or bids. Minimum items to include in the summary are address of the property, anticipated scope of work, sources of funding, and stated impact to the community. The onepage summary should be submitted to the CDG office at the Mount Vernon Visitor Center, P.O. Box 31 -- 311 First St. NW, or by email to director@visitmvl.com by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 2, 2024. Three proposals will be selected by Monday, Aug. 12. The main representative associated with those three projects will have an opportunity to come in and speak with the volunteer committee at a to be determined date. Only one project from Mount Vernon can be submitted to the state Challenge Grant committee.
All proposals will be judged locally using the state level criteria of project impact in the designated Main Street district, design appropriateness, innovation and utilization of the Iowa Green Streets approach. The winning proposal will be submitted from our community to the Main Street Iowa Challenge Grant program.
Eligible projects include:
• Building Rehabilitation and/or restoration, including, but not limited to: – Façade improvements (front, rear and side)
• Interior Rehabilitation (first floor commercial and upper story housing)
• Structural repairs and building system improvements
• Single specific phase of a large rehab. The project
must have a specific defined focus and clearly identified scope of work, with commitment to future phases demonstrated.
Ineligible projects:
• Projects involving public government buildings or religious facilities
• Projects involving building demolition or deconstruction
The dollar amount to be awarded will be $25,000 to $100,000. A 100-percent, dollar-for-dollar, cash match is required, meaning the project must be between $50,000 and $200,000. Other federal or state grant program awards may not be used to satisfy the cash match for the project/property. The match requirement may include necessary project costs for professional service, i.e. architectural or engineering studies. Award announcement is scheduled for Nov. 6. Only the Main Street organization, known locally as the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group (CDG), may submit applications on behalf of local project. Award of the challenge grant will be dispersed to chosen beneficiaries through the local Main Street organization (CDG).
Any further questions can be addressed to Jessie Thurn at director@visitmvl.com or via phone 319210-9935.
Cineflix Productions photo
Work on exterior of city
hall close to finishing
The work on the exterior siding of Lisbon City Hall repairing storm damage is still wrapping up.
According to Lisbon city administrator Brandon Siggins, the contractor was short roughly 30 panels to be able to complete the siding to the exterior of Lisbon City Hall. Those panels are on order and will be installed when they arrive.
The new electronic sign for Lisbon City Hall was also installed recently. Siggins has been trained on adding messages to the sign but will cross-train other employees on how to utilize it. If there are community events that should be promoted on the sign, Siggins asks people to inform him and city hall know the pertinent details – where the event is being held, when the event is being held and a brief description of the event.
Discussion held on nuisance policies
The Lisbon city council also discussed the nuisance policies for the city and how best to enforce or police those items.
Council member Ricky Scott brought the issue up after city administrator Brandon Siggins explained he has a growing number of nuisances he is handling.
Among those issues of nuisances are a number of grass issues that flare up every few weeks. Siggins said he usually gives people a few days after the notice is posted to mow their grass, with a final notice giving residents 24 hours to complete the mowing.
Siggins said when it comes to mowing, the reminders usually cuts down on the number city crews need to do themselves, but for areas like vacant lots that need constant reminders and no easy way to contact the owner, that takes more time to constantly remind someone to clean up their property.
There are a number of vehicle nuisances Siggins and the city attorney are waiting for the requisite number of days to pass before advancing to the next step. After that, certified letters will go out and then proceed to court proceedings.
Scott was wondering if it would be easier for Siggins to post the 24-hour notices after reaching out to citizens once per year instead of continually offering grace periods.
“It just seems to be eating a lot of time of Brandon’s time,” Scott said.
New SUV in service with LMVAS
Jacob Lindauer
Lisbon Mount Vernon Ambulance Service director
The Lisbon-Mt. Vernon Ambulance Service has placed a new response vehicle in service!
The new 2023 Tahoe Special Services Vehicle is not for patient transport, however.
In 2020, LMVAS had the opportunity to try an ALS response program thanks to donation of a retired police vehicle from the City of Mount Vernon. This program was to evaluate if EMS could be provided in a more efficient manner with increased paramedic availability, as well as decrease response times. Because of the volunteer nature of the ambulance service, volunteers oftentimes respond from home to the station to then drive to the scene of the call when their pagers alert. This means that it can take approximately 10 minutes for the ambulance to arrive on scene for an in town call out, even more if the call is in our rural district.
With the ALS response program, on-call paramedics will be assigned to
the SUV and able to take the vehicle home, meaning they can respond directly to the scene. Oftentimes this means time savings of five to seven minutes to have a responder at the patient’s side.
This provides several benefits such as in cases of cardiac arrest, where we know for every minute that passes without CPR, we can estimate a 10 percent decrease in survival. On car accidents, the first arriving EMS unit can determine what resources are needed and give an accident report to responding rescue and EMS units.
The other benefit of a two-vehicle response is increasing the availability and flexibility of our paramedic responders. Paramedics are becoming more and more difficult to find, especially in a volunteer capacity, which means LMVAS relies on the limited number of paramedics to obtain as close to 24/7 paramedic staffing as possible. This means we also need our Advanced EMTs, EMTs,
and drivers to be thoroughly engaged and ready to operate at their full scope of practice when called upon.
While not every call out requires a paramedic, the paramedic is able to triage patients and make the determination if they are required to accompany the AEMT or EMT crew
to the hospital. If they are not needed, the paramedic can be available for a second call out while allowing other EMS provider lev-
els to use their full scope of practice to care for patients.
This purchase was possible thanks to strong
Contributed photo
community donor support and thoughtful financial planning by the Lisbon-Mt Vernon Ambulance Board of Directors.
A new SUV was added to the Lisbon-Mount Vernon ambulance fleet thanks to donations from the community.
Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
The siding is nearly complete to the exterior of Lisbon City Hall, while the new electronic sign has been properly installed at Lisbon City Hall. Additional siding is on backorder and will be installed when it arrives.
Summer training for EMS, emergency personnel
Grants help bring in specialized training for local first responders
Lisbon and Mount Vernon EMS providers have been busy with summer training. EMTs, AEMTs, and paramedics from Mount Vernon Fire Department, Lisbon Fire Department, and Lisbon - Mt Vernon Ambulance have spent many hours training to be able to provide high quality emergency care to our communities. At normal monthly training, EMS providers had the opportunity to practice summer emergencies at Palisades Kepler State Park with Ranger Wagner who was rotated into stations to better enhance interagency cooperation in the event of an emergency at the park.
Additional training during the month of June was made possible by a private donation to bring to town Simulation in Motion (SIM-IA), a statewide grant and donation funded program that brings high fidelity simulation training to rural areas. Area EMTs were able to practice delivering a baby in an emergency setting as well as treating a severe asthma patient with lifelike responses to EMS interventions.
To round out the month, Lisbon-Mt Vernon Ambulance was able to host FlightBridgeED for an advanced pediatric course thanks to donations from Casey’s General Store, Hills Bank, and Cornell College. FlightBridgeEd is known for educating EMS providers in advanced and critical care topics.
As a system, Mount Vernon and Lisbon EMS agencies recognize the importance of continuing education to ensure all providers are at the ready for your emergencies. Many times specialized speakers and training is only possible thanks to our committed donors who believe having high quality, local EMS is essential for the health and safety of our community. To those that have helped bring this education to our community, thank you!
TRIVIA QUESTION!
Jacob Lindauer
Lisbon Mount Vernon Ambulance Service director
One of the scenarios for first responders to train this summer was in assisting in delivering an infant in an emergency setting.
The Simulation in Motion (SIM-IA) training was made possible by a private donation for first responders in the area.
Contributed photos
EMS crews work on treating a patient at the Palisades-Kepler State Park as one of the training exercises this summer.