Construction delays continue for Lisbon Schools
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
The lobby space wasn’t completed on time for the start of the school year at Lisbon Schools as promised, as was discussed at the Aug. 20 Lisbon School Board meeting.
John Baker, member of the facilities committee for the school board, said the hope was that enough could be completed for the entrance that it could serve as a passthrough entrance during drop-off and pick-up for the school Friday, Aug. 23. A final completion date for the flooring and all elements of the lobby space is now looking to be in early September. Weights should be moving into the new weight room Sept. 6.
The flooring installer on the weight room was speaking about the longevity the district could see in the new weight room floor, as well as the ability for athletes to not experience injuries like shin splints on the flooring during a tour Wednesday evening.
Baker said adding the better flooring was something the district was able to do in the value engineering phase of the project when costs for the building came in under budget.
The career and technical education wing and four classroom spaces at Lisbon as part of that wing will be concluded by the middle of October to early November. The issue with the CTE space is finishing the roofing for the industrial technology classroom and then work can move to the classroom interior spaces.
According to superintendent Autumn Pino, two of the four panels in the lobby are in, they just haven’t been properly installed as the contractors are focused
School is
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Joel Kellar
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun joel-kellar@uiowa.edu
It is that time of year again. Kids are back to setting their alarm clocks early and going off to school Monday through Friday. With school starting on Friday, Aug. 23, Lisbon and Mount Vernon school districts hosted their back-to-school events on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
Washington Elementary school was bustling from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m., as preschoolers through fourth graders found their classroom, met their teachers and even said hello to former teachers. After meeting teachers, Washington Elementary Teachers and Parents held
a popsicles on the playground event, with help from the Mount Vernon Cheerleaders.
At Lisbon, kids in all grades were invited to go to school to meet their teachers and classmates. They could drop some supplies off in their lockers and desks to prepare for the new school year.
Lisbon’s parks and recreation commission also hosted a Back to School Bash at City Park. This event was staggered with the schools’ back to school night. Families were able to stop by the bash for free walking tacos and pictures with “Bluey,” the Lisbon Library mascot.
At the Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center, a back to school bash was also held. A hot dog dinner was featured, and kids had opportunities to play a number of games and try the rock climbing wall.
Cornell College first-year students also moved into dorms Wednesday, Aug. 21. An event to welcome Cornell College students was also held Saturday, Aug. 24, when Viva Mount Vernon was held in uptown Mount Vernon.
Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun Lisbon School Board members John Prasil, Allan Mallie and Robyn Richey inspect some of the work in the career and technical education wing Tuesday, Aug. 20.
Joel Kellar | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun Above left: (Left to right) Gunner Montgomery and Hazel Greiner pose for a picture with Bluey, the Lisbon Library mascot.
Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Above right: Lia finds her nametag to put with her chosen napkin and placemat in Ms. Hoppenworth’s preschool classroom. Left: A couple of students help move a fridge into Dows Hall during the move in date.
right now on the floor to try and have that finalized just before school starts.
“They understand the sense of urgency associated with this project,” Pino said. “It’s why they were getting to work on the flooring starting today so it was hopefully ready for early next week.”
One part of the project that was completed is new carpeting between the district office and high school office, which hosts the choir and band rooms and is a high-traffic connecting portion of the school building.
Even with construction slightly delayed, Pino said many teachers are appreciative and acknowledging the work that has been completed at the school over the summer.
The air conditioning unit has the ductwork installed; they are just waiting for Trane to make the proper connections to the rooftop unit.
The other part of the projects from the summer that was completed “on time and under budget” as John Prasil said was the work on the new Lisbon playground.
More than 16 tons of dirt was excavated as part of the project, new drainage added, turf installed and work on the Teeling basketball
Ross and Laura Clark’s family reunion Saturday
The Clark Family has ties to Mount Vernon’s history
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
When the Ross and Laura Clark family reunion meets this weekend at Palisades-Kepler State Park, they’ll be sharing a lot of stories of their family that family historians want to make sure get collected. As far as Josh Clark has determined, the Clark family now has more than 330 descendants.
When Oliver Clark and his family came to Iowa, that date is still hard to nail down firmly. They know Oliver Sr. first arrived here in 1837. Oliver Sr. then went back to collect his family to move to this area he discovered, which took roughly two years to happen. It’s hard to determine if that move of the entire family back to Iowa happened in 1839 or 1840. Even though the Oliver Clark family was here in the 1840s, deeds only show the purchase of the property beginning in 1844. While Oliver Clark Jr. was not old enough to stake a claim for land in 1837, he was old enough to purchase property in 1844, which they show.
Myrt Bowers is a fifth-generation member of the Oliver Clark family. Myrt discovered looking at an abstract of the land of the Bowers farm that one of the original owners of that property was the Oliver Clark family that she’s descended from. The Clarks farmed land around Lisbon and Mount Vernon and as far north as Marion over the years.
Josh said the Clark family farmed more than 300 acres of farmland in the late 1800s before tractors and plows were available.
“Those were very large farms for that time,” Josh said.
There is some family history that indicates one of the blacksmiths in the family may have produced a plow that was used in some farms, but no patent was ever made for the tool.
This is the third time the Ross and Laura Clark family is hosting an all-family reunion, and the hope is to inform younger relatives so they can understand their family’s history and the place
in the community. Josh said the Clark family has held a diversity of occupations over the years, including politicians, blacksmiths, school teachers, engineers, health care (nurses and doctors), business owners and farmers.
The Clark family had several members attend Cornell College in Mount Vernon over the years.
“And we still have some Clark family members attending Cornell today,” Josh said.
It has become increasingly difficult for the family to keep the lineage straight as the family has begun to use the same first names in recent years.
“You have to check the dates when you see names like Oliver and David to make sure which of the Clarks are being discussed,” Josh said.
Josh has to thank the work of Tim Reilly, one of the grandsons of Ross and Laura, who has done a lot of the legwork on the genealogy and research for his branch of the family in the past.
“He and I have different stories we’re more focused on in our genealogy research,” Josh said. “Without his work that I’m now digitizing, however, I’d have a lot more work I’m doing in getting our history down.”
Josh has been working on the genealogy for the past year and a half.
“I knew our family was big,” Josh said. “I just didn’t realize it was this big.”
Josh said the Linn County Genealogical Society has also been a godsend as he’s been digging into the family’s history and how much information they have on the residents of Linn County.
That’s why the Ross and Laura Clark reunion this weekend is also important. Josh and Myrt noted they’ve lost some of the oral history of the family due to members passing before that could have been put down on audio recordings or paper. They both want younger generations to know more about the family history in the future. With many of the Clark descendants together reminiscing, it will give chances for many to share their memories of the family and reflect together and get some of those memories and stories preserved.
One of the things that Josh was astounded
court, gaga ball pit, tetherball and other areas was also completed.
Drainage also works extremely fast on the new playground, which was one of the significant goals to address with that project.
Prasil thanked elementary principal Justin Brown for time and help Brown contributed to the project, as well as elementary teacher Keri Speidel for her artwork along the sidewalks.
“Those contributions of staff going above and beyond for their school are hard to express how grateful we are for them,” Pino said. “That adds so much joy to the playground for our students.”
Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Left: Bonnie Clark Keith highlights members of the Ross and Laura Clark family in a photograph.
Above: Ross and Laura Clark, the members of the family reunion will be discussing their lineage through this weekend.
by was that Ross and Laura Clark family had resided in a stone house without water or electricity in the 1900s, and many of the descendants still remember that home in the 1940s.
Myrt and Bonnie note that’s just how they lived at the time.
“Electricity didn’t come about in the United States as widespread in rural areas until after President Franklin Roosevelt made that effort,” Myrt said.
Myrt was also one of the last students who graduated from middle school at a one-room schoolhouse before the consolidation of schools happened in the county.
Jody Clark, Josh’s mother, came from a smaller family and has said marrying into the Clark family has been something she has enjoyed.
“It was something that we would always come out for a weekly dinner and play cards and you’d get to know the family that way,” Jody said.
Myrt said that was a carryover from the Clarks’ upbringing as well, as the family would travel to the grandparent’s home after church every Sunday for a large meal.
Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
A photo of the stone house the Clark family lived in for a number of years. The house still exists today, but has been sold to another family.
Volume 155 I Issue 35
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Corrections
In the Lisbon City Council briefs in the Aug. 19 edition, the 4-H Club in Lisbon working on the project with the city was misidentified. That club was the Be Original 4-H Club, not the Be Beautiful 4-H Club. The Sun apologizes for the error.
In the article on John Harp, it was misstated that Harp earned degrees from Rhodes College, Winthrop University and the University of Memphis. Harp worked at those institutions before coming to Cornell College. The Sun apologizes for the error.
Nathan
New teachers at Mount Vernon schools in 2024
Carl Barnhart High school English
Carl Barnhart is originally from New Vienna and graduated from Western Dubuque High School and the University of Northern Iowa. He lives in Cedar Rapids with his wife, Jennifer, and daughter, Kyla. Barnhart has previously taught at Center Point-Urbana High School, College Community (Prairie High School) and Linn-Mar High School.
When he’s not teaching, he enjoys reading, walking his dog, hiking, fishing and kayaking.
What do you love most about teaching? “Interacting with students and getting to share in their excitement when they master a new skill.”
What teacher influenced you growing up and what did you learn from them? “Mrs. Milbert, my fifth grade teacher. I learned perseverance from her. She helped me become a better reader by showing me that practicing was the only way to get better.”
Andy Brandt High school business class
Andy Brandt grew up in Iowa City. He graduated from Iowa City Regina High School and then received a bachelors in marketing and management from Saint Ambrose University and a master of arts in education from Morningside University. He and his wife, Molly, and their children Mazie (5), Emmitt (3) and Sadie (1) reside in Iowa City. Brandt has 13 years experience in banking and mortgage lending. This is his first year teaching.
Outside of teaching, he enjoys playing and watching sports (a fan of the Chicago teams), golf and family time which includes playing outside with his kids, tackling house projects and watching movies.
What do you love most about teaching? “The connections I can make with young people and the impact I hope to have in preparing these young people for life after high school.”
What teacher influenced you growing up and what did you learn from them? “I loved most of the teachers I had growing up, that it is almost unfair to only pick one or two. Going through this journey and reflecting on my education, I realized what these teachers had in common, they each made me feel important. To pull from Maya Angelou ‘people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’”
Donovan Eastburn Seventh grade social studies
Donovan Eastburn grew up in Monticello, graduating from Monticello High School. He earned his bachelors degree at the university of Northern Iowa. He and his wife, Lauren, and their daughter, Maggie (5) and son, David (2), reside in Mount Vernon.
Eastburn previously taught at Springville Secondary School for 11 years.
Outside of the classroom, he enjoys cycling, running and hiking, watching movies, playing sports/keeping active, and playing video games.
What do you love most about teaching? “The kids, easily. Teaching allows me to watch kids grow and develop into the people they will be. That is far and away my favorite part of the job.”
What teacher influenced you growing up and what did you learn from them? “Mr. Hospodarsky was my high school history teacher. He showed me how to blend humor into the classroom while still making it a good learning environment. I have tried to mold my classroom after his.”
Ryan Frank Washington Elementary school counselor
Ryan Frank grew up in Garner until the age of 10, when his family moved to Cedar Rapids. He graduated from Linn-Mar High School in 2016 and went on to receive his bachelor of arts in social work with a minor in music
from the University of Northern Iowa and his master of arts from the University of Iowa. He currently resides in Marion. Frank helped create the Learning is for Everyone program at the Catherine McAuley Center in Cedar Rapids during its pilot year. He also volunteered for a majority of his adolescence at the Extended School Year program in the Linn-Mar Community School District. His grad school and internship experiences were both completed at Linn-Mar schools. He also served as an AmeriCorps member for two years at different non-profits.
Outside of teaching, he enjoys singing, making pottery, cooking/baking, watching movies, traveling and enjoying nature.
What do you love most about teaching? “I consider myself a lifelong learner, and so I have a huge passion for teaching/education. I believe that K-12+ education is essential not just for personal development, but for shaping the future of our communities and society. Therefore, I find it extremely important that every child/family has access to an education that sees their strengths and helps them grow.
“What I personally love most about teaching is how we can learn just as much from our students as they do from us. It’s incredible to witness the impact we can make by creating a safe and positive learning environment, and equally amazing to see how our students inspire and help us grow as educators and human beings.”
Allison Hamm High school math
Allison Hamm is originally from Riverside. She graduated from Highland High School, and earned her bachelors degree from Cornell College and masters degree from Aurora University. She and her husband, Brent, reside in Mount Vernon with their two-year-old son and two dogs. Brent is a wrestling coach at Cornell.
Hamm has taught at Lone Tree High School for a year and seven years at Solon High School.
When she’s not teaching, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, crocheting, reading and simply being active outside.
What do you love most about teaching? “I love the relationships that come with teaching. It is amazing to see students grow as individuals throughout their four years in high school.”
What teacher influenced you growing up and what did you learn from them? “Mr. Swain was my high school science teacher. In his classroom, I always felt like I belonged and was valued. His classes were the perfect mix of working hard and having fun. He taught me that it is important to bring joy to teaching and learning.”
Kaia O’Neill
Seventh grade science
Kaia O’Neill grew up in Waukon, graduating from Waukon High School. She attended the University of Iowa, where she earned bachelor of arts in geoscience and a master of teaching in science education.
She and her husband, Tyler, reside in Mount Vernon. Tyler is a flight nurse in Davenport. The couple are expecting their first baby in early December.
O’Neill has taught two years at Alburnett Community Schools, teaching seventh and eighth grade science and ninth grade science including chemistry and physics.
Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and spending time with her family, friends and dog.
What do you love most about teaching? “What I love most about teaching are the students. I love getting to know them and building relationships.”
What teacher influenced you growing up and what did you learn from them? “I had so many amazing teachers growing up. The one who influenced me was my high school English teacher. She cared about her students academic success, but was even more invested in her students as individuals.”
Barnhart
Brandt
Eastburn
Brandt
Hamm
O’Neill
OPINIONS
Iowa’s mastodon probably wouldn’t be good eating
Living in Iowa
Dan Brawner
Recently, archeologists excavated the first well-preserved mastodon ever discovered in Iowa. The 13,000-year-old specimen was found on a farm in Wayne County about 80 miles south of Des Moines. The nearly 10-foottall, six-ton creatures roamed Iowa and much of North America during the Pleistocene (Ice Age), beginning 3.5 million years ago. They became extinct about 10,000 years ago. Why did this enormously successful species disappear? Well, apparently, we ate them.
When the Wayne County mastodon was alive, probably just a few thousand people lived in what is now North America. Reportedly, Ice Age humans had a saying: How do you eat a hairy, 6-ton mastodon? One bite at a time.
“We’re really hoping to find evidence of human interaction with this creature,” state archeologist, John Doershuk told National Public Radio. “Perhaps the projectile points and knives that were used to kill the animal and do initial butchering.”
Dr. Doershuk’s bloodthirsty fascination is understandable considering that archeologists are typically ghoulish types, professionally obsessed with ancient dead things they dig up and re-assemble for public display. But perhaps, this primal fixation with slaughtering and eating the giant tuskers suggests a leftover genetic mandate, lurking in the dark regions of our DNA. The Wayne County farmer on whose land the remains was discovered donated it to the Prairie Trails Museum in Corydon anonymously. Evidently, he didn’t want amateur bone hunters tromping over his fields, hacking up his soy beans, hoping to unearth their own morsel of mastodon.
Mastodons were ancient creatures. But they weren’t dinosaurs. There is evidence showing their cousins the woolly mammoths lived in certain remote locations as lately as 4,000 years ago. In 1804, when Thomas Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark west to document the Louisiana Purchase, he fully expected them to find live mastodon herds, numerous as bison. And unlike dinosaur bones, mastodon bones are relatively common. Periodically, frozen mammoths are still discovered in Russia or Alaska.
Now, with advances in genome mapping, couldn’t it be possible to clone a mastodon from these ancient specimens (and satisfy our primitive hunger)? Wouldn’t it be cool to see a real woolly mammoth or a long-tusked mastodon strolling through Yellowstone Park? Why dig them up when you could have a live one?
Evidently, re-creating extinct animals in a test tube isn’t that easy. Because geneticists don’t have cells complete with the nucleus to work with, they would be obliged to splice mammoth or mastodon cells with those of an Asian elephant. The clone, if any, would be different from the original. Cloned animals frequently have deformities and numerous health problems. Not to mention, a de-extinction mastodon would not be adapted to our warmer climate. Its diet would be different and, at least initially, they would have to be raised in captivity. As philosopher Heather Browning wrote in her 2019 article, “Won’t Somebody Please Think of the Mammoths?”: “The first woolly mammoths would be some of the loneliest creatures imaginable.”
So, despite any primitive desire to butcher giant extinct animals, nobody would really
SUN
EDITORIAL
What a week in Mount Vernon, Lisbon
A groundbreaking for a project that has taken several years to be developed. The first distributions from the Mount Vernon Community Betterment Funds. The Riniker Daycare continuing to break records with its summer lemonade stand. School beginning at Cornell College, Mount Vernon and Lisbon Schools.
It’s been a hectic week for the editor, bouncing from all these stories to the next.
As Mount Vernon mayor Tom Wieseler said at the community betterment fund distribution, “it’s good to be us in these communities.”
Yes, we have housing needs that reflect a need for more lower-to-moderate-income housing. That’s not just a Mount Vernon or Lisbon issue, however. That’s a nationwide issue, as noted in reporting on National Public Radio recently. Not just large cities, but rural communities are facing the same issues. And with it on Mount Vernon’s radar, more work can be done to start addressing the issue in the future for other developments. The housing that will be constructed on Glenn Street will benefit new and others to move into these apartments in the future.
We’ve spoken about the importance of the community betterment funds in the past. The editor has previously lived in Kossuth County, whose own countywide distributions to
many non-profits in the year help tackle many projects. This first distribution from the community betterment fund will help our area schools help more students in need this school year. As the mayor noted, it is exciting to see this happen, and we agree with Les Garner that it gives other communities in Linn County an example for setting up their own funds in the future.
As new superintendent Matt Leeman noted, many of us take for granted how generous this community is to the causes they believe in. The Riniker Daycare Lemonade stand is evidence of that. For the past several years, the stand continues to grow in the funds it receives and finds a cause to benefit each year.
Another school year is starting for Cornell College, Mount Vernon and Lisbon. At Lisbon, there’s some minor headaches of construction going a little bit longer than expected in some areas, but as John Baker said at the meeting “it’s short-term pain for long-term gain.” Yes, the lobby space wasn’t finished on time, but the open floor space is going to yield a better flow to that gymnasium in the future for community discussions. Classroom spaces not being completed was a known possibility, and again will require flexibility between now and October. But when it is completed, students are going to benefit from so much in that building as well.
Visiting a lifelong dream location
C. Sherene Hansen Player
Earlier this month I was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of visiting the Molly Brown house in Denver, Colo. We were wrapping up a family vacation out west and spent a few days in Denver while my husband attended a conference. After spending a week and a half visiting family, my daughter Margaret and I were able to take these days to just explore and be tourists.
I’m not sure when I first learned about Molly (Margaret) Tobin Brown, but I remember visiting Hannibal, Mo., (her birthplace) in 1980 on a family trip and already knowing about her. We visited the Tom Sawyer sites there and had fun with that, but I recall asking my parents if we could also go see where Molly Brown had lived. I purchased a postcard that day of her in her later years, dressed in a fancy gown. I marveled that a girl could grow up in this small frontier town and could go on to do so many wonderful things with her life.
I knew the story of her moving out to Colorado in her teens with her brother and working hard to support herself. She later met and married J.J. Brown and together they worked in the silver mines. When their mine struck gold, they became millionaires and moved to Denver where they built their beautiful home on “Millionaire Row.” Their neighbors didn’t quite know what to make of these two backwoods people who had just moved in; they were loud and brash, they had boisterous parties at their mansion, and they lacked the social refinement that others deemed necessary to live on Pennsylvania Avenue.
However, it was this down to earth attitude that helped Molly and J.J. see what needed to be done in Denver and Leadville (where their mine was located) and to use their new-found wealth to make changes to help those that were less fortunate. They provided for children who were made orphans when there was a mine disaster. In Denver they worked to install public baths in the courthouse and advocate for more public parks to help the well-being of those who were struggling. These were things I didn’t know about Molly Brown prior to visiting her mansion in Denver. I knew she was tough, but I didn’t realize how compassionate she was. I knew her story of being on the Titanic and how her strength and fortitude helped her to continue to row the lifeboat that she found herself in as the ship was sinking and to encourage the others in the lifeboat to help out and not give up. This is where she gained the moniker “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.”
In the musical that bears that name (written by Iowan Meredith Wilson) she makes this statement: “I hate the word ‘Down’ but I love the word ‘Up,’ cause ‘Up’ means hope and that’s just what I got.” It is this determination to keep going and never to give up that propelled her in the face of disaster to preserve not only her life but the lives of everyone else in her lifeboat. I learned something else at the mansion that was very profound. Once Molly Brown made it to the Carpathia (the ship that rescued the Titanic survivors), she didn’t sit and relax. She immediately went among the survivors from steerage to see how they were doing. Because she had traveled so extensively around the world, she knew many languages and could communicate with these passengers from so many different
countries. She discovered that they had lost everything they owned, in addition to many family members. In the face of this additional tragedy, Molly Brown decided to act. Yes, she had lost clothing and jewelry when the ship went down, but she still had possessions and a great deal of money back in the United States. She pledged $500 (around $16,000 in today’s money) and encouraged other wealthy survivors to do the same. I was impressed with a quote of hers posted on a wall in one of the rooms of the house: “God knows I can do little enough to save these poor souls around me that are out of their senses....How can you expect me to leave these suffering people when my own life has been spared?”
Touring Molly Brown’s house left me changed. I had finally done something I had always wanted to do, but I had gained something more. I learned things I had never known about Molly Brown and these things left me inspired. She never forgot where she had come from and she used her privilege to help others in need. It’s one thing to contribute to a cause, it’s far greater to be right there in the trenches (or in the lifeboat) working to bring relief to those who are suffering. People are in need all around us. Will we heed the call to help?
Contributed photo
Sherene Player and Margaret Player visit the Molly Brown house on a recent trip to Denver, Colo.
Keep honoring your library Lisbon
Last week, I had the honor of serving as the Grand Marshal of Lisbon’s Sauerkraut Days parade. This honor is given to citizens who have made a contribution to the town. After serving as Lisbon’s public librarian for 34 years, it was still a delightful surprise. Of course, I was treated like a queen and had a wonderful time riding in a Corvette, waving to friends and library patrons along the route, but I know it wasn’t all about me. By honoring me, the town is honoring itself for supporting and celebrating its library. In a time when librarians and libraries all over the country--some even in Iowa-find themselves involved in political conflicts and culture wars not of their own making, Lisbon continues to value its library and to trust those who work hard to make it what it is: a source of pride and a place of belonging. Thanks, Lisbon! You did it again. Please keep up the good work of keeping the library in the heart of the community.
Vote for Sarah Corkery
To the women of Iowa’s Second Congressional District – and to the men who care about their wives, daughters, and granddaughters. To families who care about the safety of mothers and babies and want some control over the size of their families. To all our young people who want control over their futures.
Check out Project 2025, the plan developed by our current congresswoman’s party. It includes a nationwide abortion ban, including a ban on in vitro fertilization as well as restricting access to contraception. Some supporters of this plan have gone so far as to say that states should monitor all pregnant women.
Voters have an important choice this election. A vote for Sarah Corkery is a vote for women, girls, and families. A vote for Sarah Corkery says you want safe medical care for all women and the right of doctors to use their best medical judgement. A vote for Sarah Corkery says you want families in control of families, not government control of families. A vote for Sarah Corkery says we must retain freedom for the future.
Don’t be a victim of storm-related scams
Sonya Sellmeyer Consumer Advocacy Officer for the Iowa Insurance Division
Sellmeyer
As Iowans continue to rebuild from storms, it is essential to stay vigilant about storm-related scams. Here are some common scams to watch out for:
FEMA Scams: Scammers may impersonate Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) representatives and ask for personal information and account numbers. If a FEMA representative comes to your home for an inspection, check their official FEMA identification. If FEMA benefits were applied for in your name without your knowledge, call the FEMA fraud hotline at 866-720-5721 or send an email to StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov. Remember, FEMA does not charge for assistance. If you have any questions regarding a claim with FEMA, visit your local Disaster Recovery Center.
Groundbreaking held on CHI project
Expected to be constructed in the next year
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
The ceremonial dirt has been moved and construction on the Cottonwood Trail apartment complex is underway. Community Housing Initiatives held the ceremonial groundbreaking Wednesday, Aug. 21, along 208 East Glenn Street in Mount Vernon.
CHI helped construct the Legacy Crown Townhomes in Mount Vernon previously and has been collaborating with the city on this project for more than a decade. When completed, the Cottonwood Trail Apartments will boast 15 one-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom apartment units. On-site laundry, air conditioning and storage are among the amenities that will be present in the complex that will house seniors.
Savannah Minnick, communications director for CHI, said the project would not have been possible without
Contractor Scams: After a storm, unscrupulous contractors, also known as storm chasers, may offer to repair damage but then take the payment and disappear without doing the work. To prevent these types of scams, get more than one estimate. Don’t pay large up-front payments or give into pressure tactics. Always verify the contractor’s credentials, license, and check reviews. Get a written contract that details the type of work to be done, the schedule, and the payment arrangements. Don’t pay for any services with gift cards or virtual currency. If you are suspicious of a storm chaser scam call the Iowa Attorney General’s Office at 888-777-4590. If you feel a contractor is acting as an unlicensed public adjuster contact the Iowa Insurance Division at https://iid.iowa.gov/consumers/filing-complaints. Charity Scams: Fake charities might appear after a disaster, claiming to collect donations for relief efforts. Research and donate to established and reputable organizations. Verify their legitimacy through watchdog organizations like Charity Navigator or GuideStar. Charity scams may be reported to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.
Insurance Scams: Watch out for individuals or
companies that claim they can expedite your insurance claim or promise large payouts for a fee. Always contact your insurance company directly and never share your policy details with unsolicited contacts. Remember to communicate directly with your insurance company and understand the settlement of your claim. Call the Iowa Insurance Division if you have questions at 877-955-1212 or 515-654-6600.
Phishing Phone Calls, Emails, and Texts: Scammers might call, send emails or texts pretending to be from official organizations, asking for donations or personal information such as bank or credit card account numbers. Don’t answer phone calls from unknown numbers, and don’t click on links in emails or text messages from unknown sources. Be cautious of any unsolicited communications and verify their authenticity through official channels.
Identity Theft: You may be asked to give personal information during a disaster in order to obtain assistance. Protect yourself from identity theft by freezing your credit with all three credit bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.
If something seems too good to be true, or involves being pressured to act quickly, stop and double check by verifying the information through reliable sources. The Iowa Insurance Division is here to assist at 877-955-1212 or 515-654-6600.
the contributions of the Iowa Finance Authority Housing and Urban Development grants, the City of Mount Vernon’s tax and increment financing funding contributions from the Housing Fund of Linn County and the work of the Mount Vernon Housing Commission, as well as the help of Northwest Bank and Koester as general contractor.
Mayor Tom Wieseler thanked city staff, including Chris Nosbisch, Leigh Bradbury and Lori Boren for their help in continuing persistence on this project.
“We also have to thank the Mount Vernon Housing Commission for their continued pressure and reminders
over the years,” Wieseler said. “This is the culmination of all of those recommendations and goading over the years. All these partnerships would not have been possible today without their work.”
Wieseler also thanked Dan and Ryan Stoner for the sale of the land that will comprise this project.
“I look forward to seeing everyone back here in about a year for the official grand opening,” Wieseler said.
“We’re really excited for this location,” Minnick said, speaking about it’s location to medical providers, grocery store, and a quick trip to uptown Mount Vernon. “We look forward to bringing another great housing option to Mount Vernon.”
Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Above: Kris Illg (senior vice president of assets at Community Housing and Initiatives), Sam Erickson (CEO at CHI), Dan Stoner, Nicole McAlexander of Southeast Linn Community Center, Linda Auchenbach of Eastern Central Iowa Council of Government, Chris Carlson of the Mount Vernon housing commission, Paul Daniels (business banking manager vice president at Northwest Bank), a representative from construction contractor (Koester), Chris Nosbisch (city administrator of Mount Vernon) and Tom Wieseler (mayor of Mount Vernon) at the groundbreaking for Cottonwood Trails Apartment Complex Wednesday, Aug. 21.
Left: The representatives turn over the first shovelfuls of dirt for the project.
Amy White Mount Vernon
Arlie Willems Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon City Council discusses future art trail funding
Vote places support of project on CIP
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
The Mount Vernon City Council approved a vote in support of funding the sculpture trail project until the LOSST fund sunsets in 2034 on a 3-2 vote, with council members Mark Andresen and Paul Tuerler dissenting.
The vote, city administrator Chris Nosbisch said, was mostly symbolic, as the council can not take a vote to spend future dollars if they are not borrowing money from the fund. A $50,000 commitment is not enough to tie future council’s hands or borrow against the LOSST funds. The parks and recreation commission and Mount Vernon Area Arts Council (MVAAC) would need to come to the council to make a request for $10,000 every other year.
Bob Campagna, president of the Mount Vernon parks and recreation commission, said the commission had approved language to commit $10,000 every other year until the LOSST fund sunsets to support the sculpture
Interurban trail update
Mayor Tom Wieseler gave an update on the progress of the Interurban Trail project.
Wieseler, Dennis Jordan with Alliant Energy and Dennis Goemaat of Linn County Conservation recently completed a drive of the parts of the Interurban Trail from Mount Vernon to Cedar Rapids.
“We saw the good points and bad points of the trail as it stands today,” Wieseler said.
One of those points is there is work being completed to get a quit title for four smaller tracts of land owned by Iowa Power and Light that are along that trail.
The harder part of said trail is there are a few landowners who may be opposed to ceding land for the recreational trail during their lifetimes. The City of Bertram is also opposed to the recreational bike trail. The crossing of Big Creek and getting under Hwy. 13 are also areas that need to be addressed.
“There are sections of roughly three to four miles that could be completed over time in each of these communities as a loop building to that point when the trail is finally completed,” Wieseler said.
Tuerler said as someone who rides recreational trails
Lisbon secondary, elementary set goals for year
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Lisbon High School, middle school and elementary school set their goals to achieve for the school year.
High school principal Jack Leighty said the baseline goal for the high school is to have students testing in 80 percent efficient in the new FAST testing in literacy and math. He also said the goal was to have attendance be above 90 percent for the district.
When it came to meeting the baseline, most grades are already close to the 80th percentile in math, with a few outlying classes that Leighty thinks could show improvement this year. With FAST testing, students will take part in one more test per year.
Attendance-wise, Lisbon is currently sitting at 86 percent while Grant Wood AEA schools are on average at 87 percent. Chronic absenteeism is marked as missing 10 percent or more of classes in a given quarter or semester.
“When you look at the data, it’s roughly a handful that
trail. The commission voted unanimously to support the sculpture trail.
Campagna said alongside the funds from the City of Mount Vernon, MVAAC continues to raise funds in other years to support additions of sculptures to the trail as well.
Campagna said the first trails in the sculpture trail were highly publicized, and as the trail grows, it adds another element of economic development to the city that may attract more people to the town to see the unique sculptures.
“We know we have the money in LOSST to support this over the next decade and still complete other trail projects,” Campagna said. “It isn’t draining the coffers, but continues to offer community support in this endeavor.”
Council member Paul Tuerler asked how much private fundraising would be done over that same period that the city would be committing roughly $50,000.
Campagna said that is being organized by MVAAC and he is not able to speak on what that amount is. Council member Scott Rose said the funding from the first year of the trail project helped parks and recreation and MVAAC
in areas like Marion, sometimes it’s as simple as having a spot to park the car, unload a bike and ride a trailhead into a community.
“If we could create an eight-mile little trek for people tying into the nature in our areas, that may be all we need,” Tuerler said. “There’s also interest in the Sechrist and Bass Farms areas of having a tie into a recreational trail as well.”
Tree taken down for safety
An older maple tree was taken down by Mount Vernon public works in recent weeks.
Public works director Eldon Downs said the ninefoot-wide maple tree was no longer balanced, and the branches it was losing in storms made it a public safety issue to remain standing.
Council member Paul Tuerler said it might be important to remind people that we’re still dealing with some of the impacts of the 2020 derecho on trees in the community.
“Following the storm, we saw some of the immediate damage,” Tuerler said. “But some of these older trees were injured in that storm and finally showing that damage
are really swinging the pendulum for us,” Leighty said. “It’s something we’re always battling, but the focus is to bring the rate back up to closer to 90 percent attendance for everyone”
Superintendent Autumn Pino said chronic absenteeism is something being focused on at the state level. Chronic absenteeism considers excused and unexcused absences combined in a given semester.
“You have a family vacation and an illness and you’re suddenly on the radar for missing more than 10 percent of school days in a given period of time,” Pino said.
Pino said districts across the state were looking for guidance on when county attorneys should get involved in cases.
The grey area for districts is what constitutes a medical exemption for students. There are times, for instance, when an illness like an ear infection can turn into an illness someone is hospitalized for, which would be an exemption from being absent.
As thresholds rise above 10 percent, 15 percent and 20 percent, there are intervention steps that administrators at the elementary, middle and high schools will conduct to make sure parents are aware of the issue and may involve the district contacting families weekly or more often.
At the elementary level, the goals are:
• Have 95 percent of proficient students maintain proficiency on FAST testing and have 60 percent of students who are not proficient make growth.
• Have 80 percent of students at grade level in math according to FAST testing.
• Have 90 percent of students meeting grade-level expectations according to FAST
• Have 100 percent of elementary grade level PLCS during planned professional development time.
Math is an area the elementary needs to focus more on this year and will be doing so, as they move to a new math curriculum this year as well.
raise $10,000 in grants from the state for the funding of the second year of the trail, and continued support would bolster additional grant applications.
Council member Mark Andresen said he was opposed to the funding, noting the need for other trail projects that will need work in the future.
“I hear more from constituents about a bike trail connecting Mount Vernon to Cedar Rapids than I do about the sculpture trail project,” Andresen said.
Tuerler said he was not in support of this due to not enough hard planning being in place on the project.
“I struggle with LOSST funding with this sculpture trail project as it is,” Tuerler said. “With all the other expenses we’re looking at, I’m just not there.”
Tuerler said he has become more comfortable with the ask every two years by the parks and recreation commission and MVAAC, but he would struggle putting a burden like this, even symbolic, on future council’s backs.
“The sculpture trail is a nice feature, but there’s no study for the economic windfall it brings,” Tuerler said. “We have examples of how these recreational trails impact communities like Ely, or what the impact is for more ball games in our community.”
Tuerler also asked how much work has been completed on other portions of trails to make more safe routes to schools.
Campagna said work is ongoing on some of those projects, but some logistics are hampering some of those trails, like a trail that connects to Davis Park.
“The crossing with Highway 1 is something that’s under the purview of the Iowa Department of Transportation, and we haven’t been able to address that with them,” Campagna said.
when they get to a stress point.”
Tuerler recommended citizens contact the city if they see an issue with a tree in the public right of way so the city can assess the situation and take the appropriate action in advance of other storms.
He also noted that if branches fall early after branch pick-up has happened, citizens can take them to the public works site on Bryant Road themselves if it’s between pick-up dates for the clean-up.
Generator for LBC bids rejected
The bid for a generator for the Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center was rejected, as the only bid came in at $427,000, which was $247,000 higher than the engineer’s estimate on the cost.
City administrator Chris Nosbisch said the project will be rebid with some minor modifications that were brought up by contractors in the original bid request.
Council member Scott Rose said rejecting a bid that came in close to a quarter of a million dollars over estimate was a good reason to reject the bids.
Nosbisch said several contractors also did not bid on the project when it was publicized.
Spots
Mount Vernon Community Blood Drive
Set up an appointment to donate blood at the Mount Vernon Community Blood Drive Thursday, Sept. 12 at St. John’s Catholic Church from 2:30-6:30 p.m.
To book your appointment online, visit bloodcenter.org and search for 52314 for the online sign-up.
You may also contact Libby Dix at 319-481-3130 to schedule an appointment.
Donors can choose a $20 gift card, points to shop Blood Center of Iowa’s store or make a charitable donation to Make A Wish Iowa.
Plantiful Pantry cooking class
Do you have a CSA subscription, grow your own veggies, or shop at farmers markets? Are you looking for fresh ideas on how to use everything you’re harvesting? Come get some ideas for using your local seasonal produce with Mariah from the Plantiful Pantry at a cooking class at Southeast Linn Community Center hosted by Lisbon Public Library. The class is Saturday, Sept. 7, beginning at 11 a.m.
Pre-registration is required by visiting Lisbon.lib.ia.us and clicking on events or contacting Elizabeth Hoover de Galvez at elizabeth@lisbon.lib.ia.us.
Mexican cooking class
Join Manny Galvez as he teaches to cook authentic Mexican food at a cooking class at Southeast Linn Community Center Saturday, Sept. 14. This class will teach how to make zucchini tacos.
All recipes in this series are vegetarian and feature the three sisters--corn, beans, and squash.
Pre-registration is required by visiting Lisbon.lib.ia.us and clicking on events or emailing Elizabeth Hoover de Galvez at elizabeth@lisbon.lib.ia.us.
Helen Arlene (Bernet) Burge, 93, of the Olin/ Mechanicsville area, formerly of Lisbon, passed away Thursday, Aug. 22.
Helen’s Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 29, and her funeral at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30, all at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services in Mount Vernon. The burial will be at the Lisbon Cemetery.
Helen was born Nov. 21, 1930, on a farm in Cedar County, located south of Rochester, that was owned by her maternal Grandfather Thomas Tuttle. She was the daughter of Ernest and Margaret (Tuttle) Bernet and was the oldest of three children.
She began her education in a small country school (Oakhill) south of Rochester and then attended Coon Creek School in rural Lisbon area and in 1948 she graduated from Lisbon High School.
On Feb. 18, 1950, she was united in marriage to Ralph W. Burge at the country home of her parents NE of Mechanicsville where they ended up living/farming the majority of their lives and were blessed to share 63 years together. One daughter Bonnie was born to this union. Together Ralph and Helen farmed near Lisbon before moving to her parents farm in Jones County in 1958. They enjoyed many great years of crop & livestock farming there until, due to health problems, they were forced to cut back. They then continued to enjoy gardening and their goat and chicken projects. Helen enjoyed doing crafts, as well as cooking, and particularly baking cookies, and making her special fudge for others.
She was a member of the Olin St. Paul United Methodist Church. She organized “The Olin Ambulance Boosters” and was the president for twenty years.
Helen loved all the things this earth could produce from everything in the garden, to the sweet corn patch, flowers, animals, crops and more. Many neighbors, family and loved ones reaped the rewards of that hard work and labor with the vegetables, watermelon, muskmelon, corn, eggs, fudge, popcorn balls and baked goods that she shared with everyone. She may never have had a lot, but she always made sure that everyone else had all she could give. Over the years together they opened their home and hearts to many and the life lessons that were learned, shared and the hard work ethic taught will live on for generations to come. Above all her family was the most important thing to her, there is nothing she wouldn’t do for them and always made them feel special and loved.
Helen is survived by her daughter, Bonnie (Ron) Cook of Mechanicsville; granddaughter, Kellie (Jason) Arduser, Monticello; great-grandchildren, Kyle and Kayla Arduser both of Monticello; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and all the boys, who over the years helped on the farm.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, Harold “Skip” Bernet, and Glenn Bernet; in-laws, Roy and Clara Burge; and sisters-in-law, Mabel Simon, Hilda Minor, and Maxine Walton, their husbands and two nephews, Gary Walton & Sam Minor.
Helen and her family would like to say a very special thank you to her personal in-home care workers for their dedication and care over the years. Your care, compassion and friendships meant so much to all of us and can not be measured.
MV-L CDG announces dates for Community Leaders Breakfasts for 2024-2025
The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group (CDG), a Main Street Iowa organization, will once again offer quarterly Community Leaders Breakfasts throughout the school year. Attend this public event to hear updates from Lisbon and Mount Vernon City Halls, Lisbon and Mount Vernon schools, Cornell College, local service groups, and businesses.
The CDG Community Leaders Breakfasts will be held from 7:30-9 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 and Thursday, April 10, 2025. All meetings in the series will take place at Cornell College Thomas Commons, Smith Dining Room. A buffet breakfast will be available at a cost of $ 8.82 per guest, plus tax. Please note that Bon Appetit Cornell College is cashless and accepts debit and credit cards.
Free parking at Cornell is available behind Thomas Commons and on First Street. All are welcome and no RSVP is required.
Labor Day closures slated for community
Business 30 repaving project begins Tuesday, Sept. 3
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Lisbon and Mount Vernon City Halls will be closed Monday, Sept. 2, in observance of the Labor Day holi day. Area banks and Mount Vernon and Lisbon Schools will also be closed.
The Lisbon Fire Department will be hosting its annual pancake breakfast Monday, Sept. 2, from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice, milk and coffee are on the menu. Proceeds from the breakfast will help purchase needed equipment for the department.
The Mount Vernon City Council meeting originally scheduled for Monday, Sept. 2, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, Sept. 3, 6:30 p.m. at the Mount Vernon City Hall.
Motorists should also remember the road resur facing of Business 30 from the roundabout in Mount Vernon to the eastern city limits in Lisbon will offi cially begin Tuesday, Sept. 3.
The Mount Vernon swimming pool will hold lap swim from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., open swim from 12:30 to 5 p.m., and water aerobics from 5 to 5:45 p.m.
The annual dog swim will take place Tuesday, Sept. 3, from 3:30 to 7 p.m.
The cost is $5 per dog, with one dog allowed per adult. No children under 10 years old will be allowed in the pool area. Dogs are allowed to swim, not humans. Owners must provide a paper copy of rabies certifi cate from their veterinarian. Funds raised benefit the Nancy Doreen Huffman Dog Park.
The last day of operation for the Lisbon Splash pad is currently set for Saturday, Aug. 31.
Linn County Solid Waste Agency will be closed Mon day, Sept. 2, due to Labor Day.
Most Linn County governmental offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2, in observance of Labor Day.
Cole Corner
Cathy Boggs Cole Library
Sun, Gazette newspapers in new location at Cole Library
The following services will continue to operate:
• Juvenile Detention and Diversion Services
• Mental Health Access Center
• The Sheriff’s Office will be closed; however, continuous operations will be available for routine and emergency responses. This includes the Patrol Division, Communications Division and the Correctional Center. In an emergency, always dial 911.
Vehicle registration renewals and property taxes can be paid online at any time at iowataxandtags.org.
Loren and Barbara celebrated their 50th year of marriage on the17th of August.
We would like to thank our friends and relatives for all the cards, messages, etc.
You helped make our anniversary extra special!
Loren & Barbara Pike
Cole Public Library is now managing the subscription
If you are one of our newspaper readers and you no longer see them on the third floor – don’t panic. The newspapers are now located in the Browsing Room on
The current copy will be face out and the back issues will be under the shelf clearly labeled. This is where our magazines are also located. Magazines can also be found using the Libby app on the library’s Bridges link found
Thursday, August 29: 8am-11pm
Friday, August 30: 8am-5pm
Saturday, August 31: 10am-4pm
Sunday, September 1: 12pm-11pm
Monday, September 2: 8am-11pm
Tuesday, September 3: 8am-11pm
Wednesday, September 4: 8am-11pm
Thursday, September 5: 8am-11pm
Ave SW, Mount Vernon
Aug. 22 – Welfare check, 100 blk business 30, Lisbon
Aug. 22 – Car unlock, 600 blk First St SW, Mount Vernon
Aug. 23 – Agency assist- accident, Linn Co
Aug. 23 – Welfare check, Green Ridge Rd, Lisbon
Aug. 23 – Agency assist- missing (found) person, Johnson Co
Aug. 23 – Alarm, 400 blk business 30 SW, Mount Vernon
Aug. 24 – Car unlock, 100 blk First St SE, Mount Vernon
Aug. 24 – Citizen assist, 300 blk W. South St, Lisbon
Aug. 24 – Car unlock, S. Hwy 1, Mount Vernon
Aug. 25 – Agency assist- traffic hazard, Linn Co
Aug. 25 – Traffic hazard, 600 blk First Ave SE, Mount Vernon
Aug. 25 – Medical, 500 blk First St SE, Mount Vernon
Aug. 25 – Car unlock, 200 blk First St SW, Mount Vernon
Helen Burge
New coach, new era for MV FB
Brad Meester stepping in as coach for team
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
It is a new era for Mount Vernon football.
Coach Brad Meester took over the program this spring, replacing Lance Pedersen, who took a job with Clear Creek Amana.
Meester, a former NFL player who was an assistant under Pedersen for several years, is enjoying his first head coaching job.
“It has been absolutely awesome,” Meester said. “I didn’t realize how many things you have to deal with, like emails, spreadsheets, handing out equipment … a little of everything. You take that stuff for granted as a position coach. You don’t realize how much you have to do and organize. All the little details.”
Meester said it has been great to have the same coaches return as assistants.
“That’s been unbelievable,” Meester said. “The group has been together for several years and I fully trust them.”
On the field, Mount Vernon returns a lot of talent from a team that went 9-2 last season, losing to Williamsburg 38-35 in the quarterfinal round of the 3A playoffs. (The Raiders went on to win the 3A title, and never had a closer game.)
The 2024 team starts up front, with one of the most dominant defensive fronts in the state. It includes Ethan Wood (6-5, 235), Joe Briesemeister (6-6, 230), Nova Lane (6-4, 235) and Tyler Williams (6-1, 240), all of whom are drawing interest from college coaches. Wood has already committed to North Dakota State.
“These kids are big and fast,” Meester said. “They are athletic and they can run. They will be fun to watch. They are full of energy and they get after it a little bit.”
Of course, last year’s offense was piloted by strongarmed quarterback Joey Rhomberg, who is now at Dubuque University. Rhomberg threw for 2,349 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Taking over at QB will be junior Kellen Haverback. Meester didn’t want to give anything away prior to a Week 1 game at Monticello on Friday night, but it doesn’t seem like the Mustangs will have to drastically
change their offense in 2024.
“Kellen does an unbelievable job,” Meester said. “He’s been in our system. That’s helped with the learning curve.
“No one knew what Joey was going to be able to do until he stepped out there and did it. We’ll find out Friday what Kellen can do.”
And while Mount Vernon said goodbye to top rusher Jackson Hird (822 yards) and top receiver Evan Brase (1,042 yards), there is plenty of talent returning.
Cooper Hird ran for 360 yards as a freshman and Watson Krob (17 catches, 244 yards) and Jase Jaspers (37, 496) showed talent as sophomore.
“We’ve got some good depth,” Meester said. “We have a decent amount of guys back, and some other guys just stepping into roles.”
Meester mentioned that seniors AJ McDermott and Cole Thurn are two players who have emerged during the fall.
The preseason rankings are still coming out, but
expect Mount Vernon to be in the mix.
“I don’t know what people are thinking, and it doesn’t matter to us,” Meester said. “We’re going to focus on what we do. I know people say that all the time, but we are.
The district remains Davenport Assumption, Fort Madison, Keokuk, Washington and Mount Pleasant.
After Monticello, the other non-district games include Union, Benton Community, and Hwy. 1 rival Solon.
“It should be a fun group to see,” Meester said. “We’ll get after it.”
Mount Vernon Football
Brad Meester (first season)
2023: 9-2, 5-0 Class 3A District 4, lost in quarterfinal round of playoffs to Williamsburg, 38-35
Sun file photos
Above: A group of Mount Vernon players try to stop a Solon Spartan from advancing down the field in play last season.
Left: Mount Vernon’s Kellen Haverback (No. 8) holds on to a scrambling defender in play last season, as teammates Ethan Plotz (No. 5) and Jackson Jaspers (No. 21) come to assist.
Lisbon FB gearing for a return to state
Offseason work helps fill gaps in team from last season
Ryan Suchomel Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
Lisbon football understood the assignment.
The Lions lost some big boys on the line following the 2023 season in which they finished 9-1, won a district title and advanced to the second round of the Class A playoffs.
“We knew what we were losing,” Lisbon coach Dylan Hastings said. “We had guys step up this offseason. Weight room attendance was extraordinary. The boys showed up ready to work.
“We’ve got about 43 kids on the roster, some of the highest numbers since I’ve been here. We’ve had a good fall camp and are getting ready to rock and roll.”
Lisbon did graduate three starting offensive linemen, including Jonah Reiling, who is now playing at North Dakota.
Back are seniors Evan Coleman and Jacob Walerius.
“We have guys that are going to step into those roles,” Hastings said. “We told them early on we want you guys to compete for those spots. Expectations are still high.” Expectations might be high for senior quarterback Dakota Clark. He returns after a productive junior season when he threw for 806 yards and ran for 584 yards. He scored 29 total touchdowns passing and running.
Clark was a 62.1 percent passer (64 of 103) and had nine interceptions.
“He was a player for us last year, and he’s only gotten more comfortable with our offense,” Hastings said. “I’m really excited to see him this year. He’s so natural with the ball in his hands.
“He’d probably tell you he’d rather have the ball in his hands running, but he spent a lot of time this summer throwing the ball, making the reads. If he helps the offense click a little more, that helps a ton.”
Clark is just one Lion who has been part of the past two state championship track seasons. That speed translates well to football.
“There’s no secret to what we do and what we’ve got at Lisbon,” Hastings said. “We’re fast. No doubt about it. We’ve
always been a fast school and we’ll use that to our advantage.”
Senior Tiernan Boots ran for 186 yards and three touchdowns, and caught 16 passes for 192 yards last season.
Senior Gage Holub did a little bit of everything. He kicked field goals, punted and also caught nine passes for 168 yards and three touchdowns.
The Lions also have some emerging talents. Seniors Grayson Wollum (6-foot-7) and Daylin Schaefer (6-3) might be better known for their skills on the basketball court, but could really prove to be impact weapons this fall on the football field.
“Grayson is a great athlete, and a weapon we are excited about,” Hastings said. “He can high point, and track the ball well, and his stature allows him to play over the top of guys.
“Daylin is a basketball guy at heart, so I’m really excited to get him on the football field. He can run, jump and catch. He’s an athlete.”
Hastings also mentioned 6-3 junior Chase McFarlane. “He’s been a kid that you’ve watched develop over time, and he’s going to help us once he fully develops,” Hastings said.
On the defensive side, Walerius returns as the leading tackler from 2023, with 48 total stops, including 10 tackles for loss. Hastings has been working to add a little grit to go along with the speed.
“We want to be a fast team, but we want to be a physical team, too,” Hastings said. “I told the boys we’ve got to work at that.”
Despite the second-round playoff exit, Lisbon opens as a Top 10 team, and the favorite to repeat in District 5.
“We have a bull’s eye on us,” Hastings said.
The district includes Columbus and Pekin, two teams Lisbon battled last year.
“Columbus brings back size and speed; they’ve got a good thing going on down there,” Hastings said. “Pekin, you can tell their kids have bought in to what they are doing.”
Fortunately for the Lions, they host both teams at Walmer Field.
Lisbon opens the season Friday against Durant in Lisbon (7 p.m. kickoff). The Lions beat the Wildcats, 42-0, last season in Durant.
Lisbon Football
Coach: Dylan Hastings (Sixth season) 2023: 9-1, 8-0
Class A District 5, lost in second round of playoffs to East Buchanan, 38-7.
Returning starters: Tiernan Boots, sr., RB/DB; Dakota Clark, sr., QB/DB; Gage Holub, sr., WR/LB/K/P; Jacob Walerius, sr., OL/LB.
Other returning letterwinners: Evan Coleman, sr., OL/DL; Quinn Coleman, sr., WR/LB.
Jennifer Tischer | Contributed photos
Top: Lisbon senior Grayson Wollum pulls down a pass over a North Cedar defender in scrimmage Friday, Aug. 23.
Center left: Lisbon senior Gage Holub pushes for a few more yards in play during a scrimmage with North Cedar Friday, Aug. 23.
Center right: Lisbon senior Daylin Schaefer (No. 28) breaks away from a tackle from a North Cedar player during scrimmage Friday, Aug. 23.
Bottom left: Lisbon sophomore Cael Stricker (No. 14) attempts a tackle on a North Cedar player during the scrimmage Friday, Aug. 23.
Bottom right: Lisbon sophomore Leon Rogers tries to deflect a pass to a North Cedar player during a scrimmage Friday, Aug. 23.
Below: Youth participate in a game of 9-square at the back to school bash at Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center Wednesday, Aug. 23.
Right: Families are completing the get ready for the school year activities in Mrs. Hoppenworth’s preschool classroom Wednesday, Aug. 23
LISBON
Photos by Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Landon (center) gets his school supplies squared away at his desk in Mrs. Schmid’s (left) classroom at back to school night.
Far left: Eliza drops off her art supplies for the school year in one of the totes in Mrs. Hoppenworth’s class.
Left: McKenna gets her school supplies in her desk in Mrs. Wagner’s classroom at back to school night.
Photos by Joel Kellar| Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Far right: Quinn Alger eats a walking taco at the Back to School Bash. The walking tacos were provided by the Lisbon parks and recreation committee. Right: Jolee Donaldson sits at her desk for the beginning of the school year. Donaldson will be in preschool this fall. Below: (Left to right) Griffin and Michelle Olsen drop off Griffin’s supplies in his first grade classroom at the Lisbon back to school night.
Left: (Left to right) Connelly and Michelle Olsen drop off the supplies in Griffin Olsen’s desk. Back to school night turns into a family event for many.
Below, left to right: Julianna, Kayla, and Carlos Lerma load up their walking tacos at the Back to School Bash.
People carry supplies into their kids’ classrooms during the Lisbon back to school night.
Gracie Poduska drops off a pink folder for the new school year.
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. 29
Story Time, Cornell Public Library Byerly Room, 9:30 a.m.
Fiber Friends, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10:30 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 30
Bingo, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10-11:30 a.m.
Linn Lunch Bunch, Southeast Linn Community Center, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 31
Viva Mount Vernon, uptown Mount Vernon, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, Sept. 1
Creatives Connect, Cole Library Room 108, 2-4 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 2
Labor Day. Cole, Lisbon Library, Lisbon City Hall, MV City Hall, Lisbon and MV schools Closed for holiday.
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 Build up
6 Adjective that’s been called “one of the most hated words in the English language”
11 Pilates class equipment
15 Pike relative
16 Prefix meaning “straight” or “correct”
17 Like some accounts
18 Big name in cosmetics
19 Gave credit where credit was due, say
20 Singer who coaches on “The Voice,” familiarly
21 *Nabisco cookie brand
23 English town known for its mineral springs
24 Either parent of Zeus
25 *Major fantasy sports platform
26 Feature of “woulda,” “coulda” or “shoulda”
29 Ones doing impressions
31 Head off
32 Totally perplexed
34 Meadow call
37 Finishes in grand style, like the answers to the starred clues?
41 Scroll holder
42 British unit of mass
43 “___ Doone”
44 Creates buzz for
46 Get more of the same, maybe
48 Currency units in Nepal and Sri Lanka
51 How children’s books are often read
52 Union gain?
Lisbon Firefighters Pancake breakfast, Lisbon Fire Department, 6:30 a.m. to noon. Touch a truck event at Lisbon uptown, 8 a.m. to noon.
Tuesday, Sept. 3
Lego Club, Cornell college Room 108, 3:30 p.m. Yarn squad, Cornell College Cole Library Room 326, 6:30 p.m.
Mount Vernon City Council, Mount Vernon City Hall, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 4
Cards, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10-11:30 a.m.
Linn Lunch Bunch, Southeast Linn Community Center, 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, Sept. 5
Story Time, Cornell Public Library Byerly Room, 9:30 a.m.
Fiber Friends, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10:30 a.m.
53 *Willa Cather novel set in 1880s Nebraska
58 Had too much, for short
59 Aptly named two-time Super Bowl M.V.P.
60 Hardship
61 *Slogan in the 2016 Republican presidential primary
62 One of 11 in “The Twelve Days of Christmas”
63 Present, for one
64 Son of Zeus
65 Digression of sorts
1 ___ Douglas-Home, former British P.M.
2 Hit the ball well, in baseball slang
3 Not a fan of
4 Symbols of sovereignty
5 Views, as the future
6 Specialty espresso drink
7 Hunter in the night sky
8 Wee
9 The whole ___
10 Browning who directed 1931’s “Dracula” 11 Transforms 12 Juvenile rebuttal
13 Out of bounds
14 Exciting in a noisy or violent way
22 Counsel: Abbr.
23 Musical aptitude
25 “That’s right”
26 George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire,” for one
27 Songwriter Novello
28 Plant in the allium family
29 Speller’s clarification
30 First actor to portray a Bond villain (Le Chiffre, 1954)
33 Many basketball buckets
34 Teller of tales
35 Oscar-winning Hathaway
36 Gelatin substitute in vegan recipes
38 Org. that delivers
39 Classic children’s song about a lark
40 Was neighbors with
44 Rocks out to heavy metal, say
45 Fine-grained wood
47 One of four in Earth’s history
48 Spanish region with a namesake wine
49 Anesthetized
50 Academy newbie
51 Ran
53 ___ Day and the Knights, band that performs “Shout” in “Animal House”
54 Nickname for un padre
55 Criminal group
56 R.S.V.P. convenience
57 Rigid bracelets
66 Outlines Down
59 Belgian town known for its mineral springs
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.
Discussion and Consideration of V&K Invoice #51357 – 3 – 4th Street NW Reconstruction Project – Council Action as Needed. The next four invoices are for engineering services related to ongoing projects that have been approved by Council. Motion made by Rose, seconded by West to approve V&K invoice #51357-3 in the amount of $29,153.32. Motion carries. Discussion and Consideration of V&K Invoice #51361 – 2 – Hwy 1 Reconstruction Project – Council Action as Needed. Motion made by West, seconded by Andresen to approve V&K invoice #513612 in the amount of $40,073.31. Motion carries.
Discussion and Consideration of V&K Invoice #51362 – 2 – 2024 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project – Council Action as Needed. Motion made by Rose, seconded by Engel to approve V&K invoice #513622 in the amount of $9,038.78. Motion carries.
Discussion and Consideration of V&K Invoice #51367 – 2 – Public Works Salt Shed Project – Council Action as Needed. Motion made by Tuerler, seconded by West to approve V&K invoice #51367-2 in the amount of $8,415.99. Motion carries. Discussion and Consideration of Future Art Allocations for the Sculpture Trail – Council Action as Needed. The Parks and Recreation Board has voted to officially recommend that $10,000.00 be allocated every other year for trail art along the sculpture trail. They are asking the City to allocate the $10,000.00 from LOST III until it sunsets in 2034 (approximately $50,000). Bob Campagna, Parks and Recreation Board Chair and member of the Sculpture Trail Committee, explained to Council that having this support from City Council will help with getting grants for future funding. The Sculpture Trail Committee is currently acting on fundraising as well but does not have specific financial information available. The advantage to having a long-term commitment is it provides additional community support for private fundraising and grant writing. Nosbisch explained that if Council voted tonight to allocate $10,000.00 every other year,
it is nothing more than a symbolic vote. Today’s Council cannot vote to guarantee future dollars for future Councils, unless they voted to give the entire $50,000.00 at one time. The Mount Vernon Area Arts Council will still need to come before Council each time funds are requested. As stated in previous discussions, Tuerler and Andresen do not totally agree with using LOST dollars for sculpture art due to the number of other Parks and Recreation projects that need to be completed. Engel felt that having a sculpture garden helps promote and shape culture in the community. Rose made a motion to approve officially recommending $10,000.00 be allocated every other year for the trail along the sculpture garden to sunset with the LOST III funds in 2034. Motion seconded by Engel. Nosbisch reiterated that tonight’s vote is strictly symbolic and each time funds are requested it would need to come back before Council for approval. Voting yes: West, Engel, Rose. Voting no: Andresen, Tuerler. Motion passes. Discussion and Consideration of JEO Invoice #153225 – Downtown Streetscape Project – Council Action as Needed. Included with the $36,427.20 invoice is a progress report from JEO Consulting Group. Motion made by Engel, seconded by West to approve Invoice #153225 from JEO Consulting Group in the amount of $36,427.20. Motion carries. Reports to be Received/Filed. Full reports can be found on the City website under the August 19, 2024 Council packet.
Mt. Vernon/Lisbon Police Report
Mt. Vernon Public Works Report
Mt. Vernon Parks and Rec Report
Cole Library Monthly Report
Reports of Mayor/Council/Administrator Mayor’s Report. Mount Vernon is featured in this month’s Midwest Living magazine. There will be a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at the Cottonwood Apartments site. Thursday at 1:00 p.m. there will an inaugural check presentation from the Mount Vernon Community Betterment Group to the Mount Vernon Elementary School Kids in Need Program. Last Friday, Wieseler traveled with Alliant Energy and Linn County Conservation representatives to tour the interurban trail.
City Administrator’s Report. Full report can be found on the City website under the August 19, 2024 Council packet.
As there was no further business to attend to, the meeting adjourned, the time being 7:36 p.m., August 19, 2024.
Respectfully submitted, Marsha Dewell City Clerk Published in the Sun August 29, 2024.
BERTRAM CITY COUNCIL
BERTRAM CITY HALL
AUGUST 7, 7 P.M.
The regular meeting of the City of Bertram was held on the August 7, 2024 at 7:07 pm at City Hall. Mayor Scott Flaherty presided over the meeting. Council members present were Louise Hall, John Klimek, Bill Mulholland and Jim Unzeitig. Absent Mayor Scott Flaherty and Council member Chris Price and City Attorney Kevin Shea.
Hall made a motion to approve the agenda as posted. MSB: Unzeitig Aye: Hall, Mulholland, Klimek, Unzeitig. Motion passed. Sheriff’s Report – 11 calls of service minutes met.
Prior Meeting Minutes: July 10, 2024. Bills/Warrants for Payment.
Treasurer’s Report.
Payee Purpose Amount: Alliant Energy
High Point $20.38,Alliant Energy City Well
$159.94,Alliant Energy City Hall $59.76,Alliant Energy City Park $20.38,Alliant Energy Streetlights $511.47,Anthony Vislisel P&K Midwest Tractor Parts $31.02,Casey Business Mastercard Fuel $250.18,Future Line Truck Bodies Parts $7.51,Jared J. Vogeler Operations $400.00,Keystone Labs Annual Water Testing $1,081.00,Keystone Labs Water Testing$17.50,Linn County Sherriff Sherriff Services $3,276.00,Orkin Pest Control $52.00,Schnoor Bonifazi Engineering Surveying Right of Way $5,800.00,That Girl Tree Service Walnut tree, Prune Limbs, Dead ash tree
$3,625.00,Thomas Schmitt Reimbursement Parts $36.01,Verizon Wireless Internet/Phone $88.00,Visa-Berry Payroll Services $83.46,Visa-Kuehl Printer Toner/ Timeclock punch cards $58.98,Visa-Wilson Credit -$15.33,IPERS Payroll IPERS
$576.94,IA Dept of Revenue State Taxes $54.14,Berry, Lisa Payroll $319.50,Kuehl, Raven Payroll $187.61,Schmidtt, Thomas F Payroll $1,014.08,Vislisel, Anthony Payroll $523.96,Visilsel, Stephanie Payroll
$47.33. Total Bills $18,286.82. BegfundBalan,Deposits,Disbursements,EndFund,TotalFundBalances.Gener al$701,473.73,$952.83,$7,850.53,$ 694,576.03,$694,576.03,$694,576.03. RoadUse Tax$206,922.01,$3,060.79,$0.00,$20 9,982.80,$209,982.80,$209,982.80.LOST $254,339.93,$4,290.64,$0.00,$258,630.5 7,$258,630.57,$258,630.57.Building Fund$17,812.22,$0.00,$0.00,$17,81 2.22,$17,812.22,$17,812.22.ParkRenova tion$5,500.00,$0.00,$0.00,$5,500.00, $5,500.00,$5,500.00.ARPAFund $43,361. 66,$0.00,$0.00,$43,361.66,$43,361.66,$ 43,361.66.Wa ter$22,963.49,$17.36,$706.18,$22,
274.67,$22,274.67,$22,274.67.Deposits$700.00,$700.00,$700.00,$700.00.To tal$1,253,073.04,$8,321.62,$8,556.71 ,$1,252,837.95,$1,252,837.95.
Email service Purchase: Mayor Flaherty stated our email setup is not in line with Right to Freedom of Information Act. GoDaddy is the least expense but emails sent outside of Service will not be encrypted. Treasurer Berry and Clerk Kuehl stated only encrypted emails I send come encrypted from other others so will be encrypted when replying. GoDaddy: $1,477.44, CDW: $2,520.00, Encompass: $2,100.00, Unzeitig makes a motion to approve using GoDaddy as email service. MSB: Hall. Aye: Hall, Klimek, Unzeitig. Nay: Mulholland.
City Council Recording: Mayor Flaherty discussed having the Council Meetings recorded. Council Member Hall stated not all citizens have internet to access the recordings. Council Member Unzeitig Do we have to make tapes and then store them forever? Mayor Flaherty stated he would need to check with City Attorney Kevin Shea. Council Member Unzeitig: Is anyone specifically requesting recordings? Mayor Flaherty: Some citizens have stated they were unaware of what was going on. Council member Unzeitig stated we have minutes and they are posted. Not moving forward with recording meetings at this time.
Hazard Mitigation Plan Committee: Mayor Flaherty, we need to setup a committee will assist with keeping FEMA Funding. Committee needs to be 3 person minimum and need to schedule meeting. Volunteers: Scott Flaherty, John Klimek, Bill Mulholland. Since this is Mayor and 2 council members Clerk is checking to see if minutes will need to be taken.
Tree Removal Bids: Skylark Tree removal Bid. D&D Service: $2,150.00 hauls tree away, That Girl Tree Service: $2,000.00 doesn’t do stump grinding., Franks Tree Service: $2,100.00 does stumps but leaves tree. Klimek makes motion to use D&D Tree service, so tree is hauled away as well. MSB: Hall. Aye: Hall, Klimek, Mulholland, Unzeitig. Motion passes.
Shop wall Contractor Bids. Mayor Flaherty shop wall was damaged when city vehicles were being moved around. Insurance suggested getting multiple contractor quotes to see if repair will be more than deductible to decide if a claim should be filed. Council Member Unzeitig will gather quotes.
Correspondence: Council Member Hall asked if That Girl Tree Service will be paid? Clerk Kuehl stated the invoices were included in the unpaid bills that the council approved, so payment will be sent. Council Member Hall: Questions about replacing fence/tree line at high point park where the trees are being removed. Suggested lilacs as an option. Council Member Klimek asked when does the City of Cedar Rapids/ Tree Forever give out free trees. Mayor Flaherty believes it is coming soon. Treasurer Berry will verify but believes a donation of $100 was given to plant trees at the park. Needs to make sure proper space is given for mowing. Chad Dummermuth will remove tree stumps for free. Council Member Mulholland: Have pins been placed where stakes are on Hilltop, as stakes will disappear. Council Member Hall yes pins have been placed as well. Council Member Mulholland: Does the city have space for citizens to use a firepit? Mayor Flaherty: The city does not due to insurance liability. Open to public: Terry Fett: Wanting to know progress of Permit for Detached Garage is. Mayor Flaherty stated is on it and needs to have Board of Adjustments setup meeting. Council Member Mulholland: Wants to know what is going on with Council Member Price. Council Member Klimek stated Council Member Price is aware of city business he is reading agendas and minutes and has been out of town and had an appointment today. Mulholland Makes motion to adjourn. MSB: Unzeitig. Aye: Hall, Mulholland, Klimek, Unzeitig. The motion passed by unanimous vote at 7:45 pm. Raven Kuehl, City Clerk Published in the Sun August 29, 2024.
PUBLIC NOTICE OF STORM WATER DISCHARGE
The City of Mount Vernon plans to submit a Notice of Intent to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to be covered under an NPDES General Permit No. 2, Storm Water Discharge Associated with Industrial Activity for Construction Activities. The storm water discharge will be from site grading and installation of underground utilities and PCC pavement for Glenn Street and Minish Avenue located in the NW 1/4 Section 15, Township 82N, Range 5W, Linn County. Storm water will be discharged from one (1) point source(s) and will be discharged to the following streams: grassed waterways to unnamed tributary to Spring Creek to Cedar River.
Comments may be submitted to the Storm Water Coordinator, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 502 E 9th St, Des Moines, IA, 50319. The public may review the Notice of Intent from 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, at the above address after it has been received by the department Published in the Sun August 29, 2024.
CLASSIFIEDS
For Rent
2 bedroom duplex for rent in Lisbon. Attached garage. Laundry hookups. Small yard. $950 per month. 319310-5898
Apartment for Rent uptown Mt. Vernon. 2 bedrooms. No Smoking. No Pets. 319-2708600
For Sale - Pets
When veterinary care is unavailable or unaffordable, ask for Happy Jack® animal healthcare products for cats, dogs, & horses. At Tractor Supply ® & Bomgaards ® (www.happyjackinc.com).
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Help Wanted
Help
worker from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm (1 position)
Contact: Mallory Gerber at mgerber@mvcsd.org
Talent Show held in Ash Park Historic Neighborhood
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
It was a night full of music, dance and dad jokes at the annual talent show held on the Guy and Ann Booth porch in the Ash Park Historic Neighborhood.
The event was started almost a decade ago after Sherene Player and their family came to the neighborhood, and encouraged people to share their talents—big or small—to the audience of neighbors.
A potluck meal always follows the annual event.
The event is usually held in the days before school starts for the year and has become a ground for new neighbors to meet their additional neighbors in the district as well.
Player commented after the fact that the talent show also serves as a way for the community to better see talents develop, like that of Vivian Andresen’s piano playing going from a simple song like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” to more complex piano arrangements this year. Andresen is also going to be part of the percussion in middle school band this coming year.
Roch Player and Guy Booth closed the evening out with a number of dad jokes.
Player said it is a simple way for other communities in Mount Vernon or Lisbon to also get to know your neighbors. No talent is too small not to share at the event, and all it requires is a willing neighbor to host the event for a select period. The show Monday was over by 8 p.m., with kids in the neighborhood utilizing the Booth’s land for community games.
Linn County earns awards for excellence in financial reporting
The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada has awarded Linn County the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the County’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting for its Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023. This is the 35th consecutive year Linn County has received this recognition for its ACFR and the 26th consecutive year Linn County has received this recognition for its PAFR.
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial
reporting. The award signifies that Linn County demonstrates full disclosure of its finances.
The 12-page PAFR is a shorter, less technical summary of Linn County’s financial condition compared to the 100-plus page ACFR. The PAFR gives residents easy-to-understand financial information and highlights Linn County’s accomplishments and major initiatives of the past year. Linn County produces the PAFR as part of its ongoing commitment to keep residents informed about the County’s finances and to be accountable for the receipt and expenditure of public funds.
A panel of judges reviews each report and evaluates them based on a set of industry standards.
Linn County earned the Triple Crown Medallion by achieving all three GFOA awards for fiscal year 2023: the Certification of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, the Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award, and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. These awards reflect the County’s commitment to maintaining excellence in financial management and accountability to taxpayers, which is part of Linn County’s strategic plan.
Copies of Linn County’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, Popular Annual Financial Report, and annual budget are available on Linn County’s website at LinnCountyIowa.gov or by calling 319-892-5000.
Sherene Player | Contributed photo Danny Dye plays trombone while his daughter Evelyn performs a ribbon dance at an early act at the talent show.
Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Left: Vivian Andresen performs a piano solo at the talent show.
Below: Ashton performs a piano solo at the talent show.
Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Right: Guy Booth delivers some jokes he found in books at Cole Library.
Above: The crowd takes in some of the dad jokes from Guy Booth at the talent show.
Mount Vernon residents encouraged to help spread seeds in October
Plants from wanted native species needed for the road north of First Street
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
The Mount Vernon Sustainability Group’s prairie rehabilitation project continues in the area north of First Street —near the gazebo— in planting prairie seeds.
Darrow Center, of the sustainability committee, is asking for people to help disperse or plant seeds for native plants beginning in October.
Lists of the wanted native species to be planted include:
Purple Prairie Clover - Dalea purpurea New England Aster - Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Smooth Blue Aster - Symphyotrichum laeve
Butterfly Milkweed - Asclepias tuberosa
Prairie Onion - Allium stellatum
Ohio Spiderwort - Tradescantia ohiensis
Anyone who is dispersing seeds is asked to do so from the top of the hillside on the north side of First Street overlooking the gazebo.
The City of Mount Vernon will also use donor funding to purchase native seeds that will also be dispersed along that stretch of hill.
“Along the roadside is vulnerable to rainwater washing seeds down the hillside, and vulnerable to road salt from snow plowing,” Center said. “Additional seeds [dispersed by volunteer seed enthusiasts] along the top of the road will increase chances of survival of the eventual native plants.”
The prairie rehabilitation project along that stretch of First Street is a multiple-year project for the sustainability group. The goal is to reintroduce native plants to our community: to help with soil quality and erosion, to encourage plant diversity and pollinator habitat, and to eliminate the need for mowing.
If people have questions about this volunteer opportunity — please contact the Sustainability Committee.
Good Neighbors Iowa
Gretchen Reeh-Robinson, the Pet Nanny, is asking those who do not use pesticides or lawn killers to post a sign from Good Neighbor Iowa, an initiative in the state to recognize less pesticide uses.
Those who are not utilizing pesticides and want to post a small sign about the non use of pesticides are encouraged to contact Reeh-Robinson at 319-535-1033 and leave a voicemail.
“I’m happy to deliver in Mount Vernon and Lisbon. The signs I have say Healthy Pet Zone: No lawn weed killers used here, in turquoise green. Also, Good Neighbor: No lawn weed killers used here, in yellow and purple.”
Whitetails Unlimited grants $65,000 to Catch-A-Dream Foundation
This past year, Whitetails Unlimited has granted more than $65,000 for the Catch-A-Dream Foundation. The majority of these funds come from WTU’s Dream Sheds program. Since the inception of Dream Sheds in 2012, Whitetails Unlimited has provided grants totaling more than $780,000 to the Catch-A-Dream Foundation.
The Dream Sheds concept began when Mark and Terry Drury, who have produced extraordinary hunting videos and television shows for over 30 years as Drury Outdoors, approached Whitetails Unlimited with an innovative idea. They had collected a large number of exceptional shed antlers from their properties in Iowa and Missouri and were willing to donate them to use as a fundraiser for a worthy cause. Working with WTU, the Catch-A-Dream Foundation was identified, and the program came together.
Catch-A-Dream is a national, charitable foundation, that provides once-in-a-lifetime dream hunting and fishing trips to children across the United States and Canada, age 18 and younger, who suffer from life-threatening illnesses. Through these adventures, and exposure to outdoors-minded people who care, the program instills in these children a message of encouragement at a time when they need to know that hope does exist. For more information about the Catch-A-Dream Foundation, visit catchadream.org.
in both miles and minutes. Leveraging this technology allows Iowans to identify child care vacancies on their way to work, while also factoring in other potential stops they make along the way.
Gov. Kim Reynolds unveiled a new, first-of-its kindin-the-nation, website called Iowa Child Care Connect (childcareconnect.iowa.gov) to help Iowans more easily find child care availability near their homes, where they attend school or near parents and caretakers work places.
“Using Iowa’s Child Care Connect, Iowa parents will be able to locate any open child care spots in their neighborhood or along their route to work-- almost in real time,” Reynolds said. “This new innovative solution is just one way we are meeting the critical child care needs of working families in our state. Iowa Child Care Connect is a game changer and I am so proud of all the partnership and work that has gone into its creation.”
Iowa HHS, in partnership with Iowa State University and Resultant, a data and technology consulting firm,
developed the Iowa Child Care Connect website platform with a focus on child care availability mapping for Iowans. This project is one of the recommendations brought by the Governor’s Child Care Task Force.
“As a working mom of young children, I understand firsthand and know the challenges of what working parents face in finding available and affordable child care,” said Kelly Garcia, director of Iowa HHS. “We are thrilled to provide this new, easy-to-use tool that will meet working Iowa parents right where they are and expand accessibility to open child care slots.”
Iowa Child Care Connect was intentionally created with the flexibility to adapt and change for the needs of Iowans, leading to a sustainable, long-term solution. This platform was built using a well-known mapping system that has the capability to calculate trip times
Yock’s Landing celebrating two years of deck, new land
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
Editor’s note – Yock’s Landing was one of two properties impacted by expanding property lines in uptown.
Kelly Yock at Yock’s Landing said this year marks the second-year anniversary of the completion of their deck in the back of the property. They also expanded property when the opportunity came up at the city council.
When Yock’s Landing built the deck behind the building, that wasn’t a cheap process. It cost them roughly $80,000 in expenses to build said deck, and Kelly said they built the space around existing buildings behind their building. Kelly had an agreement with Sam Jennison of Sing A-Long Bar and Grill about space used under their deck as well.
Later that year, the dilapidated apart-
ment buildings at the back of their building were removed by Greg Raupp and Jude Smith in an agreement with the City of Mount Vernon. Yock said she had assumed when the buildings were demolished, their property immediately expanded.
“We hadn’t realized until it came up that we didn’t own that land where that apartment had stood previously until the matter came up earlier this year,” said Kelly. “We decided to purchase the property.”
Yock’s Landing has held events during Heritage Days in the past, and Kelly said they are always communicative with their neighbors and have permission from the city before those parties are held.
“We’ve only used the space twice in the past, but we may utilize it in the future,” Kelly said.
The bar is also looking to utilize the new space as parking, which has become an issue in the uptown.
Parents or other caretakers searching for openings are able to filter vacancies by specific criteria such as type of child care setting, age ranges, hours of operation, rating level and Child Care Assistance availability. Iowa Child Care Connect can also serve as a valuable and essential tool in emergency situations. First responders will be able to use the child care search information to make sure all children in a specific area are safe and accounted for during an emergency.
In addition to Iowa Child Care Connect, Iowa is leading the nation in launching public dashboards with data showing near-real-time and historical data of child care vacancies, supply, and demand which can be filtered by local, regional or statewide data. Iowa HHS will use the data to understand supply and demand trends and local officials, employers and other entities can utilize the data to help plan for future child care needs in their communities or other planning efforts.
Riniker daycare donates $1,814 to elementary playground
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
The Riniker daycare lemonade stand has had another record year, raising $1,814.69 in the three days the stand was open in late August. The children from the daycare made a presentation of their proceeds Wednesday, Aug. 21 to Washington Elementary principal Kate Stanton. Stanton said she will be looking at playground equipment that can be added to the playground at Washington Elementary with this donation this year.
“A huge thank you to you guys for this donation,” Stanton said.
First distribution of community betterment funds
Benefits Washington Elementary Kids in Need program
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
The first distribution from the Mount Vernon Community Betterment funds was disbursed just ahead of the start of the school year, and will benefit the Kids in Need program for Mount Vernon Community School District.
Mount Vernon school nurse Jenna Wear explained the fund helps to provide resources to students in need in the school district, whether that be food or snacks, or personal hygiene items or other needs for students.
Mayor Tom Wieseler explained the parameters for the distribution for the community betterment funds was to contribute to a non-profit group in the community where these dollars would make a difference this year.
The community betterment funds were established by Les and Katrina Garner last year, and a committee comprised of Wieseler, Peter Rian, Amanda Rhomberg, Colette Nakielski, and Taryn Kuntz meets annually to discuss contributions to the community. There is a separate endowed fund for the community and one to be distributed from now.
Les Garner said his hope is — with Mount Vernon
establishing a fund of its own —will encourage other communities in Linn County to establish their own and help their communities in the future.
“Our roots are here in this community, and we were glad to develop the seed money for these charitable funds,” Les said.
Wieseler said the community is very fortunate to have the generosity of people like the Garners establish these funds.
“When people ask why I like being mayor, it’s events like this and the groundbreaking Wednesday where I can point out it’s good to be this community,” Wieseler said.
Mount Vernon superintendent Matt Leeman also thanked the community for this donation.
“People don’t know how impressive the generosity of this community really is,” Leeman said.
Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Above: Jenna Wear (center) talks about what types of donations Kids in Need was bolstering before the school year, including school supplies, snacks and personal hygiene items. Alongside her are Megan Krapfl (right) and Amie Roberts (Mount Vernon Community School District Foundation)
Left: (back, from left) Tom Wieseler, Megan Krapfl, Jenna Wear, Matt Leeman (front, from left) Les Garner, Katrina Garner and Amie Roberts at the distribution of the first community donation for the Washington Elementary Kids in Need program made Thursday, Aug. 22.
