MVL Sun — 02.06.25

Pole barn a total loss

No one injured in fire

Nathan Countryman

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

On Thursday January 30, Linn County Sheriff’s Deputies along with Linn County Sheriff’s Rescue 57, Mount Vernon – Lisbon Police Department, Lisbon-Mount Vernon Ambulance Service, Mount Vernon Fire Department, Lisbon Fire Department, Ely Fire Department, Marion Fire Department and Cedar Rapids Fire Department E-6 were dispatched to 1574 W. Mount Vernon Rd for a structure fire.

According to Devin Rinderknecht of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, upon arrival, emergency responders discovered a pole building on the property was fully engulfed in flames. No persons were injured in this incident.

According to Jake Buster of the Mount Vernon Fire Department, responders operated in a defensive strategy to rapidly bring the fire under control from the exterior. MVFD relied on mutual aid departments for water and staffing during the incident and traffic control around the scene. The extended driveway and rural location drove a unique tactic for water supply, including using water tankers to shuttle water from the nearest hydrant at the Caseys on Hwy 13 and Mount Vernon Rd. The incident took less than two hours as crews diligently searched for and extinguished any hotspots.Mount Vernon Road was closed to one lane during portions of the evening, with law enforcement providing traffic control during those segments.

Emergency responders worked to put out the flames but the pole building and its contents were a total loss.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and this incident is still under investigation.

Celebrating 5 years

Nathan Countryman

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

The Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center capped off a full week of activities celebrating the center’s five-year anniversary with a party for members and

community.

There were cupcakes from Frosted Cupcakes for everyone, as well as ice cream.

Nine-square, bean bag toss and monkey bike races were some of the activities on the main floor of the center for the day. Youth were also allowed to participate in an obstacle course on the rock climbing wall for the day as part of the celebration.

Other events for the week included a pickleball mixer on Thursday, Jan. 30, from 9 to 11:30 a.m., followed by a potluck from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The LBC opened its doors in late January 2020, just prior to the pandemic, and membership rates continue to grow annually for the center.

| 2

Mount Vernon schools receive funding for ag classes

Nathan Countryman

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

The Mount Vernon Community School District received a number of donations for their ag and natural resources education program moving forward.

At January’s board meeting, Tim Keegan presented an update on the funding the district has received to offer the program, including a $5,000 per year donation from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation for the class.

“In October we started talking with a few community members about their interest in donating to jump start an Ag & Natural Resources education program within the district,” Keegan said. “Since then, there have been more than $180,000 pledged in total over the next five years.”

Those donations, Keegan said, will all be funneled to the Mount

Vernon Community School District Foundation to support the programs.

The goal for the district was to have more than $200,000 pledged over the next five years, which will allow the school to use funds on developing this career and technical education field of study.

“We are very excited about the jump start in financial support of an ag education program the district has received and want to thank the initial donors,” Keegan said.

Ag and natural resources programs are offered at 2,800 schools in the state of Iowa.

“Mount Vernon School District is in the minority, not offering nor ever having a

program,” Keegan said. “Neighboring districts like Lisbon, Clear Creek-Amana, Center Point-Urbana, and Cedar Rapids Prairie have all recently offered programs with great success and increase in student involvement.”

The state has seen six new programs initiated across the state since September 2024, many in urban areas.

Keegan said that with school finances being very tight, it is hard to launch a new program or initiative without seeking outside donations.

“We feel getting this commitment not only shows the support for an ag and natural resources program from the community, but also gives the school the flexibility to move forward at a faster pace that might not take

place otherwise,” Keegan said.

The school is looking to offer a few classes centered around ag and natural resources in the 2025-26 school year.

“This curriculum will most likely be taught by current staff that will apply for a voucher through the state for certification,” Keegan said. “At this time, partnering with a neighboring school district does not appear feasible due to scheduling conflicts. Our goal is to grow the program internally. This will allow us to develop and understand the student interest.”

The long-term goal for the district is to have a full time instructor for the Ag and Natural Resources curriculum that can also facilitate the FFA club program associated with this curriculum.

Cornell’s Big Event to feature bbno$

Canadian rapper and singer-songwriter bbno$ will visit Cornell College to headline Cornell’s annual Big Event on Feb. 15 in the Richard and Norma Small Athletic and Wellness Center (the SAW).

Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. with Cornell’s Pop/ Contemporary Ensemble opening the concert and bbno$ (pronounced “baby no money”) taking the stage at 8 p.m. The concert is free for Cornell students, staff, and faculty with their Cornell ID. Campus community members planning to attend must reserve a free ticket online with the access code provided by the Student Activities Office via email. The general public must purchase a ticket online for $10.

“Students at Cornell are in for an unforgettable experience this year with an artist like bbno$ headlining,” said Student

Activities Coordinator Nicole Casal. “It’s the perfect chance for the campus and the local community to come together and enjoy an incredible night of music. It’s an opportunity you won’t want to miss!”

Bbno$ is best known for his single, “Lalala,” released in 2019 and peaked at No. 10 on the Canadian Hot 100. He’s also known for his 2021 hit, “Edamame” and for collaborations with American rapper Yung Gravy.

A team of student leaders and college staff, including Student Senate, Performing Arts and Activities Council, Greek Council, KRNL, Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and the Engagement and Leadership Office, collaborate to organize the event, with help from Facilities, Campus Safety, and Bon Appétit. Dozens of students will volunteer on the concert day to ensure everything runs smoothly.

In the past Cornell has welcomed other big names such as rapper Wakka Flocka Flame, rapper Bryce Vine, comedian Vanessa Bayer, recording artist Daya, and Indie pop band AJR for The Big Event.

No outside food or drink, weapons, or bags are permitted in the gym for The Big Event. Visitors should expect a security

screening at the entrance of the SAW. Parking is available on the street or in the lot next to the building. The Big Event is made possible each year through The Williams Fund and Student Senate. The Williams Fund was established by Life Trustee Richard Williams ’63 and his wife, Marlene, to bring special events to campus.

What: Cornell’s Big Event

When: February 15 - doors open @ 6pm, show starts @ 7pm

Where: Richard and Norma Small Athletic and Wellness Center

Admission: Free for Cornell students, faculty and staff with ID, $10 for general public

Volume 156 I

Phone: 319-895-6216 news@mvlsun.com

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

STAFF

Publisher Jason Brummond jason.brummond@dailyiowan.com

Editor Nathan Countryman nathan.countryman @mvlsun.com

Sports Ryan Suchomel ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com

Reporting Intern Joel Kellar

Advertising Sales Paul Rowland paul.rowland@mvlsun.com

Office/Sales Assistant Rochelle Ferguson rochelle.ferguson@mvlsun. com

Production Manager Heidi Owen heidi.owen@dailyiowan.com

Business Manager Debbie Plath debra.plath@dailyiowan.com

Official Newspaper: Mount Vernon, Lisbon, Bertram, Linn County, Mount Vernon Community School District, Lisbon Community School District

The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun (USPS 367-520), a division of The Daily Iowan, is published weekly every Thursday by Student Publications, Inc., 100 Adler Journalism Building, Room E131, Iowa City, Iowa 52242. Periodicals Postage Paid at the Mount Vernon Post Office and additional offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun, 108 1st St SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314. Subscriptions: Contact Rochelle Ferguson at 319-895-6216 or rochelle.ferguson@mvlsun.com for additional information. Subscription rates: Linn and adjoining counties – $55 annually; elsewhere in Iowa – $75 annually; out of state – $85 annually.

Copyright 2025 Mount VernonLisbon Sun, a division of The Daily Iowan and Student Publications, Inc. All articles, photographs and graphics, both in print and online editions, are the property of Student Publications, Inc., and may not be reproduced or republished without written permission.

mvlsun.com

Budget discussions continue at Lisbon

Parks

and recreation, general fund, TIF and LOSST

funds discussed

Nathan Countryman

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com

The budget for next fiscal year continues again at Lisbon, with parks and recreation, general fund, TIF and LOSST funds discussed.

Parks and recreation

Parks and recreation director Drayton Kamberling said he expects $9,000 in new revenues this year, as the sponsorship of the different fields at Lisbon’s sports complex moves forward this year.

“We’ll have a list of the sponsors for every field located at the pavilion,” Kamberling said.

Other funds saw minor upticks, with the parks budget slated to have roughly $7,000 in new expenditures for the year. A good portion of the new expenses is salaries. Recreation will also see an increase of roughly $10,000 for the year. Kamberling said those expenses are because the community is providing more recreation activities, which in turn draws increased revenues. Primarily, offering programs to younger members.

Halloweentown’s budget and the budget for basketball were both increased for the year by $500, Halloweentown due to the number of people who attend and new equipment needed, basketball due to increasing numbers.

General fund

The main increase for the general fund is increasing the amount for street lights for the city. The Iowa League of Cities is also asking for council members to attend more training opportunities, and the city is saving money for that in the budget. The building fund will reflect the repairs to the exterior of Lisbon City Hall, primarily fixing the windows that happened this past fiscal year. That project was covered by insurance.

TIF

The main expenses in TIF include the Budget Blinds tax refund and downtown rehabilitation grants.

LOSST

Paying for the new pumper truck for Lisbon’s fire department is the most significant increase for LOSST. Roughly $250,000 from this year’s fund will go towards the new pumper truck, paired with money from the fire department’s capital improvement plan and general budget. The chassis for the new truck is expected to arrive in February, with the final engine arriving in winter 2025.

Cell phone stipends approved

Nathan Countryman

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com

Lisbon City Council approved cell phone stipends for employees this year, with $50 being sent for Christina Eicher, Brandon Siggins, Travis Bagby and Drayton Kamberling.

City administrator Brandon Siggins explained he was asking for the $50 stipends for those four employees, as they are more apt to use their cell phones as mobile hot spots.

“We all need internet access at times to do our jobs,” Siggins said.

As well, the phone stipends will be paid quarterly moving forward, so they are not taxed.

Council member Rick Scott was in favor of all cell phone stipends being paid increasing to $50, but Siggins said he was only interested in changing the stipends to $50 for those using mobile hot spots or data plans with their phone.

Linn County outdoor warning siren system restored after equipment repair

Siren technicians identified a degraded component that required replacement to fully restore the outdoor warning siren system to operational status. Extensive testing was completed to improve reliability and prevent past false alarms. We appreciate the communities feedback and encourage reporting any issues to Linn County Emergency Management Agency.

The Linn County outdoor warning siren system is tested monthly, with the test taking place on the first Wednesday of the month at 8:45 a.m. The test consists of a computer-generated voice announcement, “This is a test. There is no emergency”. Followed by an audible, short up and down wailing and a steady wailing alert.

Bagby said he is not interested in carrying two separate phones.

Salary increases approved for Lisbon city staff

The council also established a 4 to 4.5 percent increase for city staff, which will go into effect July 1 of this year.

City administrator Brandon Siggins said he was interested in having the increases for salaries be approved now as opposed to later in the budget process, as it helps him establish the budgeting process.

Consumer price index was at a 3.2 percent increase in December 2024.

Council member John Bardsley said that he would like to see employees increases be above that average, and suggested 4 percent increase.

Council member Rick Scott motioned to approve no higher than 4.5 percent, no lower than 4 percent as the rates for staff salary increases this year. The motion passed unanimously.

Linn County Emergency Management Agency also encourages residents to sign up for Alert Iowa, the State of Iowa’s official emergency notification system. Through Alert Iowa, local officials use a single, statewide notification system that provides local control of how and when to disseminate emergency and public safety messages to residents. Residents can learn more about the system and sign up for alerts on the Iowa Department of Homeland Security website: https://homelandsecurity.iowa.gov/ alert-iowa/.

If you have any questions regarding the operation of the Outdoor Warning Siren System within your community, please contact the Linn County Emergency Management Agency at 319-892-6500.

Public hearing slated for water sewer rates Feb 24

A public hearing is slated to be held for increases to water and sewer rates for Monday, Feb. 24. City administrator Brandon Siggins was asking for the ordinances to be changed for water and sewer rates to schedule an increase of roughly three percent annually. If the expenditures do not increase by 25 percent for either fund, the rates would not increase that year.

A three percent rate increase for water and sewer rates is roughly $1.77 per month or $23.70 per year. The increase of three percent generates roughly $12,000 annually.

Council member John Bardsley agreed, noting the city let those rates slide a few years in a row and eventually paid for that.

Sports complex bids are out — Next discussion March 10

Bids are out for the grading for phase two of the sports complex. The council will award those bids at the March 10 meeting. Grading is expected to be completed by July 15 at the field.

Bids for the baseball diamonds are due by Feb. 19, and will be discussed at the March 10 meeting as well. Those projects are expected to begin construction July 26 and be completed by Nov. 30, 2026. Final seeding will take place in the spring of 2027, with the whole project slated to be completed June 2027.

OPINIONS

Who are you calling an old mastodon?

Living in Iowa

Dan Brawner

The playwright George Bernard Shaw once wrote, “You don’t stop laughing when you grow old; you grow old when you stop laughing.” It’s one of those greeting cardtype sayings that sound good until you stop and think about it. Then it gets disturbing. It’s like that movie Speed in which, if the bus Keanu Reeves is driving falls below 50 miles an hour, it blows up. So keep laughing. No pressure.

We admire and value old stuff—antique furniture, old shoes, mastodons. In 2022, a Wayne County resident came across a mastodon leg bone (femur) which recently led to unearthing the creature’s skull and part of a tusk. Radiocarbon dating placed the discover at around 13,600 years old. Iowa archeologists were all excited and happy about it. But did they criticize the Wayne County mastodon for having too many wrinkles? For moving slower than a regular live elephant? Did they sneer at it for having only one remaining tusk? No, scientists and the public love the Ice Age mastodon because it is old.

Maybe if Joe Biden had been 13,000 years old, he might have gotten more respect in his last year as president. At 82, Biden was mocked for walking like a marionette. He sometimes stumbled in his speech and lost his train of thought. Still, he was running the United States at the time.

At 91, Charles Grassley is the oldest sitting US senator. And he’s not always sitting. He’s working. Lately, he’s been angry at Trump for firing the Inspectors General and he isn’t quiet about it either. Unlike Biden, nobody has told Grassley he has to retire.

FAA rules state that airline pilots must retire by age 65 for the safety of passengers. My dad was still driving his truck at age 93. Sure, sometimes he was driving in the wrong lane toward oncoming traffic and would leave his left turn signal on for hours. When Dad passed, nobody ever drove his old truck again. It had so many quirks and homemade fixes, nobody else even knew how to get it started. The great supreme court justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. retired at age 90 (it seems funny to keep the “Jr.” at that age). When Holmes retired, the nation was deprived of the wealth of knowledge and wisdom he acquired over his lifetime.

At 78, Donald Trump is at that odd age when he may be too old to be trusted with the nuclear codes or sharp scissors and too young to be fussed over by archeologists. We smile indulgently when he rattles on about immigrants who eat cats and dogs and refers to the fictional cannibal Hannibal Lector as “a great man.” He’s terrified by sharks and germs. He is so protective of his fragile hairdo, carefully engineered to appear youthful, that once during a photo shoot for a magazine, when the director said he had to take off his sweater, Trump had his Loro Piana cashmere pullover snipped off of him rather than risk mussing up his hair.

Maybe it’s nothing to worry about that Trump is growing old. But have you noticed that he never laughs?

SUN EDITORIAL

Ag and natural resources classrooms a good CTE option

We live in rural communities. Many of our students in these communities are used to seeing corn fields, soybean fields and other options.

We have many community supported agriculture (CSA) farms in our communities, or massive farms that have their wares for sale during the farming season at locations like Kroul Farms in rural Mount Vernon or the farmers market held at Morning Glory Farms.

We have community gardens that many citizens contribute time and energy to each year, producing local produce for Southeast Linn Community Center.

And while the number of youth who grow up on farms has reduced due to consolidation of farms, we still have active 4-H Programs in our community who share projects in both agriculture and other areas at county fairs every year.

As Mount Vernon Schools realized like Lisbon before them, it seems odd that the district wasn’t offering ag and natural resources classes. As a career and technical education aligned area, it makes sense for the classes to be offered locally. As Keegan pointed out in an interview following the school board meeting, there are many districts

Replacing an outdated laptop

offering these classes now, several of them neighboring and sometimes competing with Mount Vernon.

And Mount Vernon found as the community finds many times when they ask for support for something they believe should be offered- people came through for the development of a program over the next several years with more than $180,000 in donations to the Mount Vernon Community School Foundation to help support the start of the program.

Like Lisbon when they started their own ag and natural resources classes a few years ago, Mount Vernon will start small with a few classes and grow by the number of students interested what the program looks like in the future, up to starting a potential Future Farmers of America program like Lisbon has done with Springville.

Starting any new program, especially in times of tight budgets for schools, is never easy, but offering students more opportunities to explore at the high school level what they want to do in their future is something that is beneficial, period. Especially when there are so many careers in agriculture in our state students would have more exposure to.

you know how often those two letters are used in passing? On-screen keyboard has helped me in the interim, by using it to type the g or h in any word I’ve been misspelling. But it does cut down on my productivity on that laptop, I’m not going to lie.

The quotation mark also became a key on that laptop that didn’t function, nor the left shift key. Which just added to issues and workarounds to get things to function while investigating how to potentially clean under the keys.

A few weeks ago I was watching a streaming movie on the laptop, and I got a warning that my battery was critical. It was plugged into the wall, so I thought it was charging. Turns out, the battery that had been there for five years had reached that critical “I’m no longer charging/holding a charge” and was ballooned. So, I ordered a replacement battery from a seller on Amazon.

When the first battery arrived and I replaced it, it did not apparently have a charge in it. And the laptop did not recognize the new battery in the laptop. So I let the seller know, and they sent me another.

Nathan Countryman

For the past month, my personal laptop has developed a range of quirks.

It started with the g and h keys of the laptop no longer registering when I typed. Or, as was the case before they failed, requiring me to maneuver my fingers in such a manner. Do

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

As the person who asked about the lead in our water at the recent meeting with city officials at the LBC that was reported in the January 23 (pg. 3) of the Sun, I would like to offer some clarifications. The origin of the lead in our home’s water is the water main that serves our neighborhood, not the line that connects our home (built in the 1980s), to the main. The State Hygienic Lab determined that a sample from our home showed .01 milligrams of lead per liter of water with the “actionable” level being .015. In other words, our water was .005 milligrams short of being “actionable.”

My understanding from the meeting was that EPA standards as to what an “actionable” amount of lead in

That one the laptop identifies as existing, but it is not charging or getting a charge. With the laptop essentially being plugged into the wall at all times, it did not serve it’s purpose as a laptop any further. It isn’t very mobile, at the very least.

So, I went into the New Year and a portion of my tax refund buying a laptop that will serve as a replacement and allow me to play a few video games I hadn’t gotten around to.

Which means that I’ve spent a good deal of time moving old folders over to an external hard drive and then to the new hard drive of the new laptop. Or, if it isn’t critical, to the external hard drive itself…

drinking water is, varies politically. What I was told by the State Hygienic Lab is that any amount of lead in drinking water is not good.

It is also my understanding that 750 letters were sent to residents suggesting that their home’s water be tested. We were asked to share our results with the City, which we did. I am curious as to what percentage of letter recipients followed through with the suggestion, what levels of lead were found in different neighborhoods, and if there is any ongoing correspondence/communication with the State Hygienic Lab.

Juanita Andersen

Under the Golden Dome: C.R. Casino bill first challenging of the season

Rep. Cindy Golding House District 83

“I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Iowa and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of representative according to the best of my ability so help me God.”

The State of Iowa Oath of Office that you see above is what every elected Representative and Senator pledged when we were sworn in on January 13, 2025. It is the same pledge I took in January 2023. I take this oath seriously. This seems to be a “no-brainer” but it’s harder than you might think. I have promised to do this to the best of my abilityso help me God. That is the challenging part.

We are blessed and have sought God’s help, but then we must be willing to look at legislation with those guidelines.

We will be taking up some very difficult issues in this session. I promise my constituents that I will fulfill this role to the best of my ability, with God’s help.

In the House:

One of our first priorities is to determine school

funding. In preparation for the discussion, I have spoken with several of the school superintendents in District 83.

They have provided insight into the challenges they are facing and gave input for ideas to maximize available funds.

Another hot issue is the Cedar Rapids Casino. The Racing and Gaming Commission is scheduled to hold its meeting on February 6 to determine if the license will be approved.

NOW - there has been a bill advanced that would put a moratorium on any additional casinos for 5. years. The prior 2 year moratorium expired in 2024.

This bill is being fast-tracked through the Housepossibly in just a few days. Contact me if you would like more information about HF144.

Committee Reports:

Local Government :

We had a presentation about the flood in Northwest Iowa and the recovery underway.

Bills have been assigned that will be voted next week.

Judicial Appropriations:

We reviewed the proposed budget and began discussions on priority evaluations.

Natural Resources:

Stay tuned - bills have been assigned and will be discussed next week.

Local News:

Some of the best days at the Capitol are when I have the opportunity to visit with young people from my district. The FFA students filled the Rotunda and shared their stories of excitement and concerns for the future of agriculture in Iowa.

I also had an unexpected visit with one of Iowa’s future Nurse leaders. I’m proud to say she related to my son-in-law and an exceptional young lady. An exciting event for the whole family is happening February 8th. See below for information and how to buy tickets. There will be a silent and live auction with items ranging from $1 to $$$. Come join the fun!

A Founding Father’s Quote for today “Hold on, my friends, to the Constitution and to the Republic for which it stands. Miracles do not cluster, and what has happened once in 6,000 years, may not happen again. Hold on to the Constitution, because if the American Constitution should fail, there will be anarchy throughout the world.”

-Daniel Webster-

How will you choose to get involved? It is an honor to serve as your Representative. Please stay in touch!

Go to CindyGolding.com or e-mail me at cindy.golding@legis.iowa.gov or call me at 319-360-1028

Newly elected legislators join Republican legislative interveners, signaling growing support for private property rights in Iowa

Today, the Republican Legislative Interveners for Justice (RLIJ) announced the addition of newly elected legislators to their growing coalition. The group, which has been at the forefront of protecting private property rights and opposing the use of eminent domain for the proposed carbon pipelines in Iowa, continues to expand its influence to now include 43 Iowa legislators from both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

“We are thrilled to welcome these newly elected legislators,” said Representative Helena Hayes, one of several founding members of the Legislative Interveners. “Because these legislators choose to stand boldly with us, their actions showcase a personal commitment to protect private property rights.”

New RLIJ Members include:

Senator Doug Campbell

Representative Judd Lawler

Representative Craig Williams

Representative Samantha Fett

Representative Sam Wengryn

Representative Jennifer Smith

Representative Travis Sitzman

Representative Jason Gearhart

Current RLIJ members include:

Senator Kevin Alons, Senator Rocky De Witt, Senator Jason Schultz, Senator Lynn Evans, Senator Jesse Greene, Senator Dennis Guth, Senator Mark Lofgren, Senator Sandy Salmon, Senator David Rowley, Senator Jeff Taylor, Senator Cherielynn Westrich, Representative Eddie Andrews, Representative Brooke Boden, Representative Steve Bradley, Representative Mark Cisneros, Representative Zach Dieken, Representative Dean Fisher, Representative Tom Gerhold, Representative Dan Gelbach, Representative Cindy Golding,

Linn County Earns Resilient Iowa Communities Award

Linn County is among the first recipients of the Resilient Iowa Communities Award established by the University of Northern Iowa’s Center for Energy & Environmental Education. The awards recognize communities of all sizes engaging in best practices in the six categories of buildings and energy, land use, transportation, environmental management, economics and community development, and environmental equity and inclusion. Award recipients can achieve gold, silver, or bronze status in these six best practice categories. Linn County earned gold status in two categories: Land Use and Community & Economic Development.

Linn County’s Accomplishments

Linn County’s key initiatives include strengthening flood resilience, engaging in comprehensive land use and conservation planning, and fostering regional economic development through collaboration. Specific examples include Linn

County’s work with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIS) Community Rating System. The County’s work with NFIS allows residents to receive a reduction in the cost of their flood insurance premiums. In addition, Linn County has developed a comprehensive future land use plan. This planning identified Critical Natural Resource Areas (CNRA) and environmental impacts in the Linn County zoning code. The intent of CRNA areas is to direct development to areas without designated critical natural resources.

The County has also demonstrated leadership by creating a sustainability department and integrating sustainable practices into other departments and outside partners. This work includes establishing a strong partnership with the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG), Emergency Management Agency (EMA), and local municipalities. The voter-approved Water & Land Legacy bond has allowed the Linn County Conservation Board to expand

Representative Helena Hayes, Representative Bob Henderson, Representative Steve Holt, Representative Heather Hora, Representative Tom Jeneary, Representative Bobby Kaufman, Representative Josh Meggers, Representative Jeff Shipley, Representative Henry Stone, Representative Charley Thomson, Representative Mark Thompson, Representative Skyler Wheeler, Representative Derek Wulf

Since their founding, the Republican Legislative Interveners have been actively involved but most recently, they filed a lawsuit against the Iowa Utility Commission. “The growing strength of this group of lawmakers reflects Iowans’ united commitment to safeguarding property rights,” said Senator Doug Campbell, a newly elected member. “We will continue this fight, combining the proven experience of our seasoned colleagues with the fresh energy and determination of the new members.”

conservation initiatives that protect natural areas and create more recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.

Other accomplishments include completing a climate action plan, creating a resiliency coordinator position to address extreme weather preparedness, adopting a Renewable Energy Overlay Zoning District that encourages and supports the orderly development and use of alternative and renewable energy sources like wind and solar, and managing a Food Systems Council that works to make Linn County’s food systems resilient and accessible. Much of this work includes public involvement on committees, which means Linn County residents are helping Linn County create a sustainable future.

“The Linn County Board of Supervisors showed great vision when they dedicated staffing toward creating a resilient future. That vision, in combination with great leadership and teamwork across County departments, has allowed Linn County to be a leader in sustainable work. I celebrate the ingenuity and look forward to continued progress into the future,” Linn County Sustainability Director Cara Matteson said.

The University of Northern Iowa’s Center for Energy & Environmental Education announced the winners of their first annual Resilient Iowa Communities Award for 2024 during a ceremony at the state Capitol last week.

Award Winners

• Linn County – Gold status in both Land Use and Community & Economic Development

• City of Ames – Gold status across all six best practice categories including buildings and energy, land use, transportation, environmental management, economics and community development, and environmental equity and inclusion.

• City of Bloomfield – Silver status in Buildings & Energy, Environmental Management, and Transportation as well as gold status in Community & Economic Development

• City of Meservey – Bronze status in Community & Economic Development

“It was a great day celebrating these cities and counties who are committed to taking tangible steps in making the communities they serve a more sustainable and resilient place to live,” said Ashley Coffin, director of the Center for Energy at UNI. “They are great examples of how progress can be made in a variety of ways no matter the community size. We hope to see more Iowa communities follow their great example and submit applications to have their own communities recognized in 2025.”

Mount Vernon, Lisbon fare well at state jazz competition

Mount Vernon and Lisbon both fared well at the state jazz competition at Mount Vernon Monday, Jan. 27.

The Lisbon Jazz Ensemble was awarded a Division I rating, the group’s fifth consecutive Division I rating. That is also a school record for Lisbon.

Mount Vernon’s Swingin’ Stangs also had a Division I rating at state. This is the band’s 10th straight Division I rating.

Both Lisbon and Mount Vernon have jazz nights coming up in the future, with Lisbon’s Roarin’ Jazz Night scheduled for Friday, Feb. 14 at the Lisbon Auditorium.

Mount Vernon’s Java Jazz night is slated for April 14 in the Mount Vernon High School gymnasium.

Both schools will also participate in the KCCK Corridor Jazz project again this year. A concert at Voxman Music Building is scheduled for March 11 at 6:30 p.m.

The Lisbon High School Band was also selected by the Iowa Bandmasters Association (IBA) as the feature 2A Concert Band.

This is equivalent to a state championship in any other sport. The band will perform at the 2025 IBA Conference in Des Moines May 16 at 3 p.m.

Linn County Historic Preservation Commission Now Accepting Grant Applications

The Linn County Historic Preservation Commission is now accepting grant applications from non-profit organizations for its annual Historic Preservation Grant Program. Application information is available on Linn County’s website at LinnCountyIowa. gov/746/Historic-Preservation-Grant-Program. There is $28,800 in grant funding available this year.

On Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 4 p.m., the Historic Preservation Commission will host an in-person grant clinic at the Jean Oxley Linn County Public Service Center for those interested in learning about the Preservation Grant process or who have questions about their project. A virtual grant clinic will also be held via Microsoft Teams on Saturday, March 1 at 10 a.m. If you are interested in attending the virtual meeting or have questions or concerns about the application format, please contact the Planning & Development Department at 319-892-5130.

Applicants must be a non-profit organization located in Linn County. Individuals are not eligible. Due to legal restrictions, Iowa Code Section 331.901(5), organizations under ecclesiastical or sectarian management or control are not eligible for Linn County grant funds. Completed applications are due March 28 by 5 p.m. This is a competitive grant program.

Projects must be designed for the purpose of collecting or preserving historical materials, artifacts, places, or structures, including National Register of Historic Places nominations; maintaining a historical library or collection; conducting historical studies or research; issuing educational publications (not membership newsletters); providing public lectures of historical interest; or otherwise disseminating knowledge of the history of the area to the public.

Lisbon’s 150th birthday celebration planning

This year is Lisbon’s 150th Birthday. We are looking to put together a committee of volunteers to be part of the planning process for our community celebration. The kickoff meeting for this will be Wednesday Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. at Lisbon City Hall. The first meeting will be focused on hearing different ideas that people have for our celebration. As a group we will decide that night on the next steps and the next meeting dates and times. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Brandon at lisboncityadmin@cityoflisbon-ia. gov

MV Schools registration fair

On Tuesday, Feb 25, Mount Vernon High School will host the following student/family informational events: Registration Fair - 4 - 6:30 p.m.

Mount Vernon High School teachers will be available for question/answer sessions for all families of current ninth, 10th and 11th grade students regarding course selections for the 2025-2026 school year. Current high school students will register for 2025-2026 courses online in early March.

Eighth grade registration night6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the PAC

For current eighth graders and their families. We’ll talk about registration and courses for next year, high school processes and other opportunities. If you’re unable to attend, the Power Point used at the meeting will be uploaded to the MVCSD website after the event. Please note that there is a fairly quick turn- around to meet the course request deadline. All requests will be due in the High School office by Friday, March 7. MVHS Staff will be available following this meeting (until 8:00 pm) for further question and answer for eighth grade families.

Sweetheart Dance

Mount Vernon Post Prom Committee and Mount Vernon Student Council are hosting a “Sweetheart Dance” for preschoolers through fourth graders Sunday, Feb. 16, from 2-4 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Middle School. Tickets are $40 each for a child and a special grown-up in their lives. A $5 charge for each additional child. Tickets include flower, sweet treats, dancing, a photo booth, face painting, games and prizes.

Space is limited. Order tickets at https://bit.ly/ mvsweetheartdancetickets.

Southeast Linn Community Center formal wear drive

Southeast Linn Community Center is holding a formal wear and accessories clothing drive until Feb. 14. All items must be clean and under five years old. A shopping date will be held for local students during the first half of March.

Cornell College grad receives posthumous Grammy award

Cornell College graduate and Iowa native Leo Beranek ’36, widely considered the pioneer of modern acoustic technology, will receive the 2025 Technical Grammy Award on Feb. 1.

Leo Beranek ’36 worked his way through college with jobs that included several on campus: wiring Rood House and installing a radio antennae system in Merner Hall.

His posthumous award is part of the Special Merit Awards ceremony honoring music industry legends one night prior to the 67th Grammy Awards. The Technical Grammy is given to those who have made contributions of outstanding technical significance to the recording field. Others being honored at the ceremony include Prince, Taj Mahal, The Clash, and Frankie Valli.

Beranek grew up in Solon and Mount Vernon, Iowa, graduating from Cornell College in 1936. He was a renowned acoustician, inventor, professor, and entrepreneur whose expertise laid the foundation for modern acoustical engineering, particularly in noise control and concert hall acoustics.

He died in 2016 at age 102. In its obituary, the New York Times called Beranek “a sought-after acoustics genius.”

Beranek met with fortune at the beginning and end of his Cornell career. Just before enrolling he withdrew his life’s savings from a Solon bank, which closed the following day in the midst of the Great Depression. As an upperclass student, he helped a motorist with a flat tire on Highway 1 in Mount Vernon, who guided him to a full scholarship at Harvard.

Beranek turned that chance encounter into a Harvard Ph.D. and then taught acoustic engineering at Harvard and M.I.T. for more than 30 years. During World War II he was approached by the U.S. Air Force to figure out why pilots of long-range bombers were getting so exhausted in the air and why commu -

nication was so difficult in the cockpit. He solved both problems at Harvard’s Electro-Acoustic Laboratory, where his groundbreaking work led to the development of the anechoic chamber, a revolutionary space designed to absorb all reflections of sound and isolate external noise, allowing the gathering of uncompromised acoustic data.

For his efforts in World War II, Beranek won the Presidential Certificate of Merit, and for his lifetime of achievements, he won a National Medal of Science, the nation’s highest honor for achievements in science and technology.

He authored 12 books, including the classic “Acoustics,” a cornerstone reference for students and professional engi -

neers. Renowned for his expertise, he served as an acoustical consultant for concert halls around the world, including Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Acoustics Today ended its obituary of Beranek by lauding his character: “… he is most reverently remembered by the acoustics community for the tireless support and encouragement he generously gave students and professionals alike. At a special Tribute Session celebrating Leo’s 100th birthday in 2014, speaker after speaker shared tales of how Leo was instrumental in helping his or her career. Leo was infallibly thoughtful, prompt (always on time), well organized, and courteous.”

Mary Beth “MB” Freeman, 61, died peacefully at home with her husband Glenn by her side on Jan. 25, 2025, after a nearly 5-year struggle with bile duct cancer.

MB was born August 23, 1963 in Schenectady, New York to Nancy Blaicher Pollock and Orland Edward Pollock. After Schenectady, the family moved to New Jersey and finally to Dayton, Ohio where MB graduated from Oakwood High School. She attended the University of Kentucky and spent a semester in Spain before transferring to Hood College in Frederick, Maryland where she met the love of her life, Glenn Freeman. The two wed on Oct. 10, 1987 and moved to Vermont, then to Minneapolis where they spent a wonderful decade. They later moved to Gainesville, Florida, and in 2004, they moved to Cedar Rapids before eventually settling in Mount Vernon, Iowa, where MB felt warmly loved and truly at home. She worked at the Kirkwood Community College bookstore for many years before her illness forced her to retire in 2021. She was an active volunteer, especially enjoying her years on the Mount Vernon Area Arts Council and a long stint as volunteer coordinator with the Mount Vernon Chalk the Walk Festival.

MB had an irreverent, sarcastic side, and she could be honest to a fault, but she was big-hearted, generous and deeply loving. She was most at home in the outdoors. She hiked, kept a beautiful garden, canoed, and most importantly was a lifelong birder. Any day she had free time would find her out on a trail with binoculars in hand. She was a wonderful baker who loved to give bread as gifts. She was also a fabulous host who loved to throw parties, always centered around good food, drink, and laughter. Her hugs were legendary, and even if you just met her, you got one (admittedly even if you weren’t a hugger). She loved music, especially jazz, blues and the rhythms of New Orleans, and she always proudly supported local music. MB managed to find great joy in even the little day-to-day things around her. She had a great sense of humor and loved wordplay, a fan of the sounds of language, particularly alliteration. When she was sad, she liked to say “little ladle.” No, seriously, try it.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and her brother-in-law Gilbert Hester. She is survived by Glenn, her husband of 37 years, brother Jim Pollock of Colorado, sister Peggie Pollock of North Carolina, niece Ashley Zahedi of Colorado and nephews Justin and Tom Pollock, both of Texas.

Per her wishes, her body has been cremated, and no service or celebration is planned at this time. Instead, she requests that those so inclined spend 15 minutes in silence in a favorite outdoor spot listening to the wind and the birds.

Condolences may be submitted on IowaCremation. com under “obituaries.” Donations in MB’s memory can be made to the Holden Cancer Center at the University of Iowa or the Nature Conservancy, or any charity you believe in. She and Glenn would like to thank the amazing teams that have supported them over these long years and became like family. At the University, particular thanks go to Dr. Hemming, Dr. Berg, Dr. Fei, Emma, Lydia, and Mimi; at the Iowa Hospice of Johnson County, special thanks to Jill, Amber, and Chelsey. They also want to express deep gratitude to the Mount Vernon “Secret Santas” whose recent support was overwhelming. You proved yet again what a great town Mount Vernon is!!

teenager as well as the Mount Vernon Bank until her marriage to Charles Blinks on June 30, 1948. Helen went back to work at the Mount Vernon Bank after she and Charles purchased their farm in 1963. As a bride Helen was warmly welcomed into the Lisbon farming community, where she and Charles started their family. She also worked as a bookkeeper for Johnson Oil and then Sargent’s Accounting Services. At almost 80, Helen started a new career as a House Mother at Chi Omega Sorority in Iowa City.

Upon her marriage to Charles, Helen joined the First Presbyterian Church where she served as an elder and as the treasurer for many years. Charles passed in January 1971 due to a car accident. After Charles death Helen married Roy Meeks on Dec. 31, 1971, until his passing on February 8, 1999.

Helen was an active member of the Farm Bureau Women, Jolly Workers and Club 11. She also served on the Linn County Extension Board. Helen was a charter member of East Iowa Heirloom Quilters and a 40-year member of a small group called Sew and Blow.

She loved playing cards, fishing, horses, bowling, going to the casino and eating grilled hot dogs or brats. Helen was also known for her wonderful kolaches and was more than happy to teach all how to make them. She won an award for her peach pie. Her amazing award-winning pies were a hot item at church auctions.

Helen loved to spend time with friends and her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grand children. Surviving children are: Thomas (Leah) Blinks, Sharon (John Hulick) Jamison, Linda (Keith) Burge, Dan (Meredith) Blinks, Barbara Mozingo, Diane (Edwin) Hung. She will also be missed by 18 loving grandchildren; 40 cherished great-grandchil dren and 29 great great grandchildren; siblings Linda (Larry Richardson) Nost, Joan Hasse (sister in law) and Kenneth Peterson along with many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husbands, Charles Blinks and Roy Meeks; Warner and Marie Peterson (parents), Albert and Emily Blinks (Parents in law), Ruth Peterson (sister), Baby Doug (son) , David Blinks (brother in law), Jim and Betty Peterson (brother and sister in law), Cliff and Sherlee Peterson (brother and sister in law), Marilyn Peterson (sister in law), Ed Nost (brother in law), September Blinks (daughter in law) Charles Andrew (Andy) Blinks (Son), Jim Mozingo (son in law), John and Maxine Blinks (brother and sister in law), Neil Goodspeed (brother in law) Gage Laper ( grandson); Sarah Wolfe (granddaughter). Helen was known for her beautiful smile and person ality. She had fun wherever she was with friends and family of all ages.

Interment will be at a later date in the Mount Vernon Cemetery.

Memorials in honor of Helen may be given to First Presbyterian Church, 301 First St NW, Mount Vernon, 52314 or Mount Vernon Alumni Association, 525 Pal isades Rd, Mount Vernon, IA 52314. (online donation – MVAlumni.org)

Those unable to attend may watch church services via You Tube (FirstpresMV) or Facebook (firstpresmv) livestream

Cole Corner

Cathy Boggs Cole Library

Get your puzzles ready to exchange: Puzzle Swap is returning

Back by popular demand is the Cole Public Library Puzzle Swap.

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

STUDENT BRIEFS

Carthage College fall 2024 dean’s list

Tessa Baty from Mount Vernon was named to the Carthage College fall 2024 dean’s list. Students must obtain a GPA of 3.5 or above to make the list.

Loras College fall 2024 dean’s list

How does the Puzzle Swap work? Monday, February 17 through Friday, February 21, you may drop off your The puzzles need to be 500 pieces or larger, complete, new or gently used, with all pieces in a Ziploc bag inside the original For every puzzle you turn in, you will receive a ticket to exchange for a new-to- you puzzle at the Swap on Saturday, February 22 from noon – 4 p.m. on the

During the drop-off dates, you can bring puzzles that you would simply like to donate (without exchanging for others) if they meet the same criteria. Please note that we won’t be taking puzzles on the day of the Swap–it will So look through your puzzles and choose some to swap

Thursday, February 6th: 8:00-4:30

Friday, February 7th: 8:00-4:30

Saturday, February 8th: 10:00-4:00

Sunday, February 9th: 12:00-5:00

Monday, February 10th: 8:00-10:00

Tuesday, February 11th: 8:00-10:00

Wednesday, February 12th: 8:00-10:00

Thursday, February 13th: 8:00-10:00

Helen M. Meeks received her wings Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, with family by her side in Mount Vernon. Memorial Services will be held Friday, Feb. 7, at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Mount Vernon with visitation following services.

She was born on June 22, 1928, in Mount Vernon to Warner and Marie (Chamberlin) Peterson. Here she attended Mount Vernon schools and was the last living member of the 1946 graduating class. Helen worked at the Meredith Drug Store as a

Laila Moellering of Mount Vernon was named to the Loras College fall 2024 dean’s list. Students must obtain a GPA of 3.5 or above to make the list.

Upper Iowa University fall 2024 dean’s list

Jacqueline Senft of Mechanicsville and Julia White of Mount Vernon were named to the Upper Iowa University fall 2024 dean’s list. Students must have earned a GPA of 3.5 or above to make the list.

Augustana College fall 2024 dean’s list

Lydia Benesh, a business administration-management and theatre generalist major of Mount Vernon, was named to Augustana College’s fall semester dean’s list. Students must have earned a GPA of 3.5 or above to make the list.

Jan. 30 – Agency assist- disturbance, Linn Co

Jan. 30 – Agency assist, 100 blk Lincoln Dr NE, Mount Vernon

Jan. 30 – Agency assist- fire, Linn Co

Jan. 30 – Animal control, 1200 blk business 30, Lisbon

Jan. 31 – Disturbance, 100 blk First St SE, Mount Vernon

Jan. 31 – Agency assist- fire, 900 blk business 30, Lisbon

Jan. 31 – Medical, 200 blk E. First Ave, Mount Vernon

Jan. 31 – Warrant, 100 blk Fourth St SW, Mount Vernon

Feb. 1 - – Medical, 200 blk School St, Lisbon

Feb. 1 – Accident, 700 blk E First St, Mount Vernon

Feb. 1 – Car unlock, 300 blk business 30, Mount Vernon

Feb. 1 – Agency assist- animal control, Linn Co

Feb. 1 – Welfare check, 700 blk Palisades Rd SW, Mount Vernon

Feb. 1 – Agency assist- fire, 1200 blk Palisades Rd SW, Mount Vernon

Feb. 2 – Alarm, 300 blk business 30, Lisbon

Feb. 2 – Medical, 100 blk Lincoln Dr, Mount Vernon

Feb. 2 – Medical, 100 blk Third St NE, Mount Vernon

Feb. 2 – Disturbance, 700 blk Palisades Rd SW, Mount Vernon

The Family of Robert G. Lehr

wishes to express our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love and support shown during our recent loss. Your kind words, cards, calls, text messages, food, tributes, remembrances, memorial contributions, and presence at Bob’s Visitation and Celebration of Life brought great comfort during this difficult time. Special appreciation to Bob’s pallbearers, Jonah Light, Matt Kohl, Matthias Kohl, Dan Sedlacek, and Derek Sanders, as well as, the honorary pallbearers, his nephews.

Marcia Lehr

Tami and Derek Sanders

Ryan Suchomel

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com

There was history being made all over the place for the Mount Vernon and Lisbon girls’ wrestling programs on Friday, Jan. 31, at the Class 1A State Qualifier in Solon.

Mount Vernon won the team title for the first time in program history, and sent six wrestlers to the state tournament this week in Coralville.

“That’s the story of our team this year,” Mount Vernon Coach Trevor Trende said. “So much adversity. Everyone is battling something. Our girls rose up and became champions.”

Lisbon, in its first season of having its own girls’ program, had two wrestlers qualify for state – senior Lillian Gaiser, who placed first at 120 pounds, and freshman Emma Dietsch, who placed second at 145 pounds.

Gaiser pinned her way through the tournament. In the championship, she was trailing No. 8 Saidee Hamilton of Tipton 3-1 after two periods, got her in a headlock in the third period, and recorded the pin (5:36).

“I’ve got to do, what I’ve got to do,” Gaiser said of her thoughts entering the third period. “It’s the last period, so go big or go home. I had to do it. If it don’t do it. I have to go home.”

Dietsch had a different path. After getting beat in the finals by Addi Whisner of Mount Vernon by technical fall, 16-0, she had to bounce back in a wrestleback.

(A wrestleback occurs after the finals to determine a true second-place finish when the second- and third-place finishers didn’t wrestle in the semifinals.)

Dietsch pinned Mardie Berry of Mid-Prairie in the first period (1:24), to secure her spot at state.

“That’s a tough thing to do, and for a freshman to do it, nonetheless,” Lisbon Coach Seth Hall said. “That’s a big spotlight match after a tough loss.”

Mount Vernon also had a wrestler who had to prove it in a wrestleback. No. 3 Gracie Pinckney lost in the finals to No. 2 Layna DeMoss of Benton by decision, 9-4.

“I felt a little disappointed, but that’s the best I’ve ever wrestled and I felt good afterwards,” Pinckney said. “I knew I had that girl (Sophia Stephan of Cascade). I went out there confident.”

Pinckney pinned Stephan in 59 seconds.

“She wrestled all summer at high-level tournaments,” Trende said of Pinckney. “Something like this wasn’t going to phase her. I knew she was going to come back refocused.

“If you are going to take anyone to go to war with you, I’ll choose her every time.”

Kate Martin at 105 and Kaylee Kintzel at 155 both also finished second, but didn’t have to wrestleback. That was a good thing for Kintzel, who hurt her arm in her finals match against No. 3 Lizzy Wolf of Benton and would’ve had to forfeit.

Trende hopes she’ll be okay to wrestle at state.

Ryan Suchomel

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com

Let’s focus on the positive.

Mikey Ryan and Ethan Wood won WaMaC titles Saturday, Feb. 1, at the conference meet at Benton Community High School in Van Horne.

Top-seeded and ranked No. 2 in the state at 150 pounds, Ryan won by pin in the quarterfinal and by technical fall in the semifinals. That set up a final against No. 5 Nile Sinn of Williamsburg.

“He’s a great competitor in all sports; a great guy,” Ryan said of Sinn. “It is

Then there were the title winners. Kiersten Swart (110), Whisner (145), and Libby Dix (190) all went undefeated at the SQM and punched their tickets to state.

No. 3 Swart beat No. 4 McKenna Rogers of Solon in the finals 7-4, a week after topping her 1-0 at the WaMaC Tournament.

“I tried to be more offensive today, which I think worked out for me,” Swart said. “I got a few points in the first period, which helped me out.”

Swart led 7-1 after two periods, then held on to win.

“I told Kiersten that she keeps aging me every time she wrestles,” Trende said. “She keeps learning, winning, and improving.”

Whisner had two pins and a technical fall on the night.

“She just wrestled phenomenal tonight,” Trende said.

Speaking of phenomenal, defending state champion Libby Dix remained undefeated with three pins, including in the final over No. 6 Teagyn Hartz of West Branch (3:11).

“Libby is a great leader and a great wrestler,” Trende said. “We’re soaking in these moments. It’ll be her last state tournament. These girls look up to her as a peer, as a leader, and as a teammate.”

No. 3 Mount Vernon won the team title with 189 points. No. 6 Solon was second with 179. Lisbon was seventh with 100 points.

That state tournament is Thursday and Friday at Xteam Arena in Coralville.

“I’m excited,” Swart said. “We have so many going, it is awesome and super exciting.”

Kasey

in a

Friday,

Chris Umscheid

tangles with Benton Community’s

round

Above: Carly Elliot takes down Solon’s Layla Knazze in the quarterfinals of 100-pound competition Friday, Jan. 31, in a Class 1A Regional Tournament at Solon High School. Elliot pinned Knazze in 4:23.

Class 1A State Qualifier

Team scores – 1. Mount Vernon 189; 2. Solon 179; 3. Mid-Prairie 159; 4. Central DeWitt 129; 5. Benton Community 128; 6. Cascade 103; 7. Lisbon 100; 8. Tipton 88; 9. Louisa-Muscatine 70.5; 10. Union Community 59; 11. West Branch 57; 12. Durant 53; 13. Northeast 43; 14. Cedar Rapids Xavier 36; 15. Maquoketa 29; 16. Tri-County 15; 17. Camanche 10; 18. North Cedar 0. MOUNT VERNON 100 – Carly Elliott, 2-2, third. 105 – Kate Martin 2-1, second. 110 – Kiersten Swart, 3-0, first. 115 – Rose Pisarik, 0-2. 120 – Lexi Glaza, 1-3.

tough when you know each other like that. We’ve been wrestling since my freshman year, and it is a battle every time.”

Ryan hit two takedowns in the first period for a quick 6-2 lead. He expanded that to 10-3 after two periods, and won by major decision, 13-4.

“He wrestled him really well,” Mount Vernon Coach Vance Light said. “He kind of opened the gap from last year, and that is always good.”

“It felt good,” Ryan said. “I was happy with my attacks. If I’m getting to my attacks, nobody can stop me, I think. If I get to my stuff, good things happen.”

Top-ranked and top-seeded Wood didn’t need multiple attacks in his final at 285 pounds. Just one attack.

Wood got into Owen Pettlon of West Delaware a few seconds into the match, used a lat drop to take him to the mat, turned him, and pinned him in 26 seconds.

“That guy charged into Ethan and went right into his wheelhouse,” Light said. “That was a mistake.”

Wood reached the finals with a pin in the quarterfinals and a 9-2 decision over Grant Wilson of Solon in the semifinals.

Now, the bad news.

No. 4 Mount Vernon was missing

several starters, including top-ranked junior Jase Jaspers at 144, and had to use some JV wrestlers in their lineup.

The Mustangs finished sixth in the team race with 152 points. Williamsburg won it all with 225.5 points, 30 points ahead of second-place Independence and No. 7 West Delaware (195.5). No. 10 Benton was fourth and Clear Creek Amana was fifth.

“With Jase out, that’s some pretty big points, right there,” Light said. “Williamsburg was tough. I’m not sure we could have caught them.”

Light said the wrestlers were missing with illness or injury, and hoped to have

them back for the regional dual Tuesday, Feb. 4, at Davenport Assumption, or the Class 2A District Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 15, at Ballard.

“Our young guys wrestled well,” Light said. “They did about as well as you can ask them to do.”

Will Goodlove (157) placed third and Jake Haugse (120) and Caysen Curran (190) placed fourth. Andrew Dix (215) placed fifth and Nolan Mercer (132), Caleb Keegan (165) and Jaxon Anderson (175) placed sixth. Keegan got hurt in the semifinals, and had to injury default his

LISBON BOYS’ BASKETBALL

final three matches.

“We don’t really have our full team right now, but our guys went out and competed,” Wood said. “We’re battling though it.”

“We’ve just got to keep coming together,” Ryan said. “As a team and individually. Try to get as many guys through to state as we can.”

On Thursday, Jan. 30, Mount Vernon lost a home dual to Alburnett, the No. 1 team in Class 1A. The Pirates won, 51-22. The Mustangs were short-handed that night, as well.

WaMaC Tournament

Team scores – 1. Williamsburg 225.5; 2. Independence 195.5; 3. West Delaware 195.5; 4. Benton Community 191; 5. Clear Creek Amana 173; 6. Mount Vernon 152; 7. Solon 135.5; 8. (tie) Grinnell 66.6 and South Tama County 66.5; 10. Center Point-Urbana 49.5; 11. Vinton-Shellsburg 46; 12. Marion 45. MOUNT VERNON

106 – Cooper Krob, 1-2. 113 – Matthew Goodlove, 0-2. 120 – Jake Haugse, 2-2, fourth. 126 – CJ Martin, 1-2, seventh.

132 – Nolan Mercer, 2-3, sixth. 138 – Chasen Caskey, 1-2.

144 – Stanley Korb, 0-2. 150 – Mikey Ryan, 3-0, first. 157

– Will Goodlove, 3-1, third. 165 – Caleb Keegan, 1-3, sixth.

175 – Jaxon Anderson, 4-2, sixth. 190 – Caysen Curran, 2-2, fourth. 215 – Andrew Dix, 3-2, fifth. 285 – Ethan Wood, 3-0, first.

Alburnett 51, Mount Vernon 22 132 – Nolan Mercer (MV) dec. JJ Callahan 4-3. 138 –Preston Klostermann (A) tech. fall Chasen Caskey 17-2 2:29. 144 – Cooper Franklin (A) pinned Stanley Krob :44. 150 – Mikey Ryan (MV)

LISBON GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Ryan Suchomel

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com

The Lisbon boys’ basketball team was fighting the flu bug last week, but still managed to emerge with a pair of wins, beating Easton Valley, 61-46, on Tuesday, Jan. 28, and topping North Cedar, 83-32, on Friday, Jan. 31.

Against Easton Valley, the Lions cleaned up their rebounding in the second half to pull away from the River Hawks in the Lions’ Den.

Grayson Wollum led a balanced scoring attack with 16 points. Jackson Powers had 15 points and Daylin Schaefer had 14 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

Against the Knights in Stanwood, Lisbon got out fast and led 50-21 by halftime.

Wollum had 27 point and eight rebounds, Power had 19 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists and Schaefer had six points, seven rebounds and five assists. Ian Whittenbaugh added 12 points.

Lisbon (12-5) has four games left in the regular season including a game against Tipton on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 1:30 p.m., rescheduled from December.

“We are hoping to be healthy the last couple week of the regular season,” Lisbon Coach Levi Montague said.

MV BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Lisbon boys pick up a pair of wins Mustang boys trot over Hawks 72-36 Lisbon girls rally against North Cedar

Ryan Suchomel

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com

Sometimes you need a get-right game.

Mount Vernon boys’ basketball doubled up West Delaware 72-36 on Tuesday, Jan. 28, to stop a two-game losing skid.

The Mustangs, who started 8-0 in WaMaC play, had dropped road games at Marion and Solon the previous week.

“We got together as a team and talked about stuff,” senior center Joe Briesemeister said. “We just had a few things to work out. We’ve had guys hurt, and guys sick. We tried to get everybody back together and on the same page.”

It was clear things were working. Mount Vernon built a 52-15 half -

time advantage over the Hawks. The Mustangs had no turnovers in the first two quarters.

And the Mustangs put an exclamation point on a dominating half when junior Kellen Haverback, leading a fast break, passed the ball off the backboard to a leaping Briesemeister, who dunked it home.

“We’ve practiced it two or three times, and we had the opportunity,” Briesemeister said. “I called ‘backboard’ ahead to him, and he put it in the perfect spot for me, and it went down.”

Coach Derek Roberts credited the dominant first half to defense. The Hawks had 14 turnovers and shot just 5 for 20.

“It is always defense, for us,” Roberts said. “We came out tense, moving well, anticipating. Our

guys really put in the work in practice.

“As a team we did a good job of taking care of the basketball and looking for each other. Share the sugar. Basketball is pretty fun when you do that.”

Briesemeister finished with a team-high 19 points, all in the first half.

Haverback added 12 points, and Brogan Meyer had 10 off the bench.

The good times, didn’t last, however, as the Mustangs lost Friday, Jan. 31, to Center Point-Urbana, 82-76 in triple overtime.

Now Mount Vernon (12-4, 9-3) is just a halfgame ahead of CPU and Solon in the Wamac East.

That’s with six games to go. That includes a Saturday, Feb. 8, trip to Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines to take on Fort

Lisbon girls’ basketball continues to find its way without their top scorer, Morgan Sauser, who is out with injury.

The Lions did rally for a win at North Cedar on Friday, Jan. 31, winning 49-38.

Emma Pleasant had 11 points, 15 rebounds, five steals and three assists in an all-around effort. Kamryn Kahl had 11 points and eight rebounds.

More importantly, Lisbon had just 12 turnovers.

In a 59-28 loss to Easton Valley on Tuesday, Jan. 28, the Lions had 30 turnovers.

Pleasant had 13 points and eight rebounds and Kyla Kahl had seven points and six steals for Lisbon (7-12).

Madison in a non-conference game, and a Wamac cross-division game against Clear Creek Amana on Tuesday, Feb. 11, in Xtream Arena in Coralville.

“Those games are in the past,” Briesemeister said of the losses. “We learn from them and move on.

We’ve had a few rough games, but everyone has rough games. We’re working, and trying to get some momentum going into the postseason.”

LISBON BOYS’ WRESTLING

Lisbon second at Tri-Rivers tournament

Ryan Suchomel

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com

As anticipated, the Tri-Rivers Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 1, at North Linn High School ended up becoming a lot of matches where Lisbon had to square off against Alburnett.

The No. 2 Pirates came out on top overall, winning the team title with 286 points and crowning six champions, but Lisbon was not far behind, finishing second with 227.5 points with five champions.

North Linn was a distant third with 111.5 team points and no champs.

The Pirates finished either first or second at 13 of the 14 weight classes.

“I thought our guys did pretty good against them,” Lisbon Coach Aaron Helmrich said. “We had six matches against them in the finals, and we won five of them.”

Either a Lion or a Pirate won every weight class but three. Maquoketa Valley won 190 and 215 pounds, and Starmont won 285.

Lisbon champions included Jack Gogel (106), Cael Stricker (113), Wesley Sadler (120), Carter Gadberry (132), and Tiernan Boots (150).

Most weights featured a round robin format, rather than a tournament format, but all five Lisbon champs beat the Alburnett wrestler at their weight.

No. 8 Gogel pinned Jaxson Port in 3:33.

Stricker beat No. 3 Atlee Dewitt by decision, 4-2.

No. 10 Sadler beat No. 9 Owen Henriksen, 7-1.

Gadberry beat JJ Callahan, 6-4.

No. 3 Boots topped No. 7 Reece Klostermann, 12-5

“I think you can talk about momentum,” Helmrich said. “Once Jack got the pin, that built a little momentum.”

Helmrich also was happy that junior Elliott Mohlman, thrust into the starting spot at 138 pounds, ended up placing third.

Cade Happel (126) was runner-up, losing to No. 2 Rowdy Neighbor. Luke Robinson (144) and Jacob Walerius (215) joined Mohlman as third-place finishers.

On Thursday, Jan. 30, Lisbon beat West Branch in a non-conference dual, 51-18, in the Lions’ Den.

“That’s how you win big duals,” Helmrich said. “Our guys that got beat, other than one, didn’t give up any bonus points. We wrestled their tough guys hard, then our guys did what they are supposed to do.”

No. 13 Lisbon was scheduled to take on No. 24 Westwood, then if they win, No. 4 Jesup on Tuesday, Feb. 4, in Jesup. The winner heads to state duals Feb. 8 at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Jesup won last season, 48-24.

“We were up there last year,” Helmrich said. “Hopefully we can turn that around.”

Add to that some illness and injury -- the Mustangs played without their starting point guard one game, and without their starting center in another, the previous week.

“We have so many great players,” senior Sydney Huber said. “We are learning to adjust on the fly. And I think that was good. We got to work on different things.”

Everyone was back to face the Hawks. Freshman Savanna Wright looked recovered, scoring a team-high 18 points, including four 3-pointers. Senior post Chloe Meester added 14 points and nine rebounds, and Huber had 12 points.

“Savanna is just so hard to stay in front of,” Sanderson said. “We set some screens for her up top, but she didn’t really need it.”

When these teams played in December, the Mustangs got out to 26-7 lead after one quarter. The Hawks made them work a little harder this go-round.

It was tied 14-14 near the end of the first quarter before Wright hit two of her 3-pointers, and Meester added a bucket in the paint during an 8-0 run.

Then, right before half, Huber and Wright made shot attacking the basket to put Mount Vernon up 35-24 at intermission.

“We went to zone more in the second half, and that really helped us slow down (Brooke) Krogmann,” Huber said. “We know she’s their main option, all the time, so we just had to do our best to contain her.”

The six-foot post finished with a gamehigh 22 points and 11 rebounds for West Delaware.

(as the first game),” Sanderson said. “We just took a different path.”

Mount Vernon took apart No. 14 Center Point-Urbana, 61-38, on Friday, Jan. 31, in Center Point. The game started at 9 p.m., due to the boys playing triple-overtime.

With Meester in early foul trouble, the Mustangs leaned on their zone defense again. Up 35-23 at half, Mount Vernon won the fourth quarter, 13-6.

“We were finally able to get our transition game on-track, scoring on a number of beautiful passing sequences,” Sanderson said.

Meester finished with 20 points and Huber added 17 points.

The win earned the Mustangs a share of the WaMaC East Division title.

Mount Vernon (17-1) has three regular-season games left. They traveled to Independence on Monday, Feb. 3, and host Marion for Senior Night on Friday, Jan. 7.

Then they get a little razzle-dazzle by playing No. 12 (4A) Clear Creek Amana in Xtream Arena on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

“We’re in a really good spot right now,” Huber said. “Teams are coming back at us with stronger game plans. It is not going to be as easy as last time.”

ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com

Late January gets to be a little bit of a grind, in terms of high school basketball. Still, the No. 1 Mount Vernon girls’ basketball team has survived and thrived, and Tuesday, Jan. 28, they handled West Delaware 67-40 in Mount Vernon.

“The season starts feeling a little long,” Mount Vernon coach Nathan Sanderson said. “You can’t see the postseason pairings yet. It is the second time through the schedule, and teams learned from the first game, and are trying to take thing away.”

“We emphasized keeping the ball out of Krogmann’s hands,” Sanderson said. “She still scored 22. We weren’t going to shut her out, but we wanted to make her work.”

The zone seemed to do its job, as the Mustangs won the third quarter, 16-7. They led by 20, 51-31, going into the final quarter.

“We more or less got the same margin

Iowa high schools encouraged to participate in new GWC Future Hunger Fighters Program

Food insecurity impacts nearly every community, and one Iowa State professor is on a mission to empower high school students to address this issue.

Walter Suza, adjunct associate professor of agronomy and George Washington Carver Endowed Chair, is leading the George Washington Carver Future Hunger Fighters Program in collaboration with writing specialist Erin Todey, assistant director of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program at Iowa State University, to engage Iowa high school students in developing innovative solutions to food insecurity challenges.

Students must work in teams to write essays identifying a hunger-related issue in their community and proposing a way to address it. The winning teams will be awarded funds to make those projects

a reality.

Students in Ames High School’s Students Helping to Eliminate Poverty and Hunger Club are the first to take part in the program and will submit their essays in May. Eight teams have registered to participate, and each received a participation gift to help reduce school lunch debt for their high school’s study body.

Collin Reichert, Ames High School science teacher and advisor of the Students Helping to Eliminate Poverty and Hunger Club, said the program challenges students to be practical in their proposed solutions while considering financial and other constraints in implementing the projects. He has encouraged his students to contact local community experts to learn how existing food insecurity programs could be improved.

“As an educator, I think the type of

thinking required to address food insecurity has great academic benefits while simultaneously developing the character of students,” Reichert said. “By partnering with community experts, students come to have a more nuanced understanding of the challenges that need to be overcome to accomplish our societal goals. This understanding of the real challenges in tackling hunger, I feel, is where student creativity can be best applied.”

Suza hopes the project will honor and celebrate the legacy of George Washington Carver and inspire students to make a difference in their community.

“We should all take pride in the outstanding leadership these students are showing in addressing hunger in our community,” Suza said. “Their passion and initiative are truly inspiring and provide hope for a brighter future.”

Ames High School students shared the inspiration behind their involvement in the program, speaking about the impact it will have on their lives and community.

“I’m participating because it seems like a great way to connect with the community around us,” said Laura, an Ames High School student. “I definitely want to be involved in this topic throughout my college and post-college years, so this is a great experience to begin getting inspired by my community.”

“This gives me a sense of purpose and satisfaction from figuring out real world logistics,” added David, an Ames High School student. “I also get to meet people who care deeply about others and the state of the community.”

To get involved with or participate in the program, contact Suza by emailing wpsuza@iastate.edu.

New Report Reveals Iowa Must Focus on Increasing the Tobacco Tax to Reduce Death and Disease from Tobacco Use

American Lung Association

“State of Tobacco Control” report releases Iowa grades for tobacco control policies, outlines steps to reduce burden of tobacco

A new report from the American Lung Association urges Iowa lawmakers to focus on increasing the tax on all tobacco products to reduce the overwhelming human and financial burden of tobacco use.

The 2025 “State of Tobacco Control” report evaluates state and federal policies on actions taken to eliminate tobacco use and recommends proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies to prevent nicotine dependence and protect kids

In the 2025 report, Iowa received the following grades:

• Funding for State Tobacco Prevention Programs – Grade F

• Strength of Smokefree Workplace Laws – Grade B

• Level of State Tobacco Taxes – Grade F

• Coverage and Access to Services to Quit Tobacco –Grade D

• Ending the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products – Grade F

“In addition to grading Iowa’s tobacco control policies, this year’s ‘State of Tobacco Control’ report

examines the tobacco industry’s increasingly aggressive actions to addict a new generation to tobacco and hinder proven public policies to prevent and reduce tobacco use,” said Kristina Hamilton, Director of Advocacy at the American Lung Association in Iowa. “Here in Iowa, we are seeing industry lobbyists working to stop or weaken proven effective policies. The industry is also appealing to youth by introducing new products like e-cigarettes that mimic smartphones, kid-friendly flavors and flavored nicotine pouches that are heavily marketed by social media influencers.”

Hamilton added: “In 2025, policymakers in Iowa must focus on increasing the tax on all tobacco products, including finally taxing alternative nicotine products.”

Increasing taxes on all tobacco products, including alternative nicotine products (or e-cigarettes), is one of the most effective ways to reduce tobacco use, especially among youth. Multiple studies have shown that every 10% increase in the price of cigarettes reduces consumption by about 4% among adults and about 7% among youth. Iowa should increase its tax on cigarettes, which has not been done in 18 years, and impose an excise tax on e-cigarettes.

The 2025 “State of Tobacco Control” report urges Congress to provide additional funding to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) so they can enforce against and remove all illegal e-cigarettes the tobacco industry has introduced to the market.

Federal Grades Overview

The 2025 “State of Tobacco Control” report grades the federal government in five areas:

• Federal Government Regulation of Tobacco Products – Grade C

• Federal Coverage of Quit Smoking Treatments

– Grade D

• Level of Federal Tobacco Taxes – Grade F

• Federal Mass Media Campaigns to Prevent and Reduce Tobacco Use –Grade: A

]• Federal Minimum Age of Sale for Tobacco Products to 21 – Grade: A

To learn more about this year’s “State of Tobacco Control” grades and sign the petition, visit Lung.org/ sotc.

Get involved and help the mission of the American Lung Association. The Fight For Air Climb Des

Moines is coming up on Sunday March 30. Learn more at FightForAirClimb. org/DesMoines.

of Middle School Soccer

The following community members spoke in support of a middle school soccer program: Jessica Bartelt

Jake Krob

Jill Wilkins

Isaac Weddington

Brock Slaymaker Chad Rhupe Nate Grosse

• Superintendent Report Superintendent Leeman presented on the following topics:

1) District Roundtable Follow Up

2) Fleet Update

3) Surveys/Goals for 2024-25

4) Insurance Update

5) Kirkwood College Credit Info

6) Powerschool Message

• Recognition of Farm Bureau and Agricultural Program potential Director Keegan provided information on research and work he has done relating to an ag program in the district.

The Linn County Farm Bureau presented a pledge of support for the program in the district.

• Information and Action Items

• Program Division

• Presentation by Elementary “News Team”

Teacher Kari Martin presented to the Board a video detailing the “News Team” at the elementary.

• Approval of Board Policy Reviews/ Revisions

Move for the approval of the board policy revisions, as presented.

Motion made by: Jeremy Kunz

Motion seconded by: Lance Schoff

Voting:

Unanimously Approved

• Approval of Board Policy Second Readings

Move for the approval of the board policy second readings, as presented.

Motion made by: Lance Schoff

Motion seconded by: Jeremy Kunz

Voting:

Unanimously Approved

• Personnel Division

• Approval of New/Amended Contracts

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

Motion made by: Suzette Kragenbrink

Motion seconded by: Jason Clark

Voting:

Unanimously Approved

• Administrative Division

• Approval of Public Hearing Date for the 2025-2026 School Calendar

Motion for the approval of the establishment of the Public Hearing date for the 2025-26 school year calendar to be held on Monday, February 10, 2025, as presented.

Motion made by: Kristi Meyer

Motion seconded by: Suzette Kragen-

brink

Voting:

Unanimously Approved

• Approval of MVCSD Foundation Board of Trustees

Motion for the approval of the listed members to serve as the Board of Trustees of the MVCSD Foundation, as presented.

Motion made by: Tim Keegan

Motion seconded by: Kristi Meyer

Voting:

Unanimously Approved

• Board Report

• Reports

Director Keegan talked briefly about an upcoming half court shot contest put on by the Booster Club.

Principal Steve Brand briefly updated the Board on J-Term.

• Unfinished Business

• Consent Agenda

Motion for the approval of the consent agenda, as presented.

Motion made by: Suzette Kragenbrink

Motion seconded by: Lance Schoff

Voting: Unanimously Approved The Board recess at 7:37 PM. The Board returned at 7:49 PM.

• Greeter - Suzette Kragenbrink

• Approval of Minutes

• Bills

• Financial Report

• Open Enrollments

• Resignations

• Out of State Trip Requests

• Agreements

• School Board Calendar

• School Board Meeting, Monday, February 10, 2025- 6:30 pm in HS Library

• School Board Meeting, Monday, March 10, 2025- 6:30 pm in HS Library

• School Board Meeting, Monday, April 14, 2025- 6:30 pm in HS Library

• VIII. Move to Closed Session as provided in Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(i) of Open Meetings Law for Superintendent Performance Discussion (Roll Call Vote)

Motion to move in to Closed Session as provided in Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(i) of Open Meetings Law for Superintendent Performance Discussion. Roll call vote was taken.

Motion made by: Tim Keegan

Motion seconded by: Suzette Kragen-

brink

Voting: Rick Elliott - Yes Jeremy Kunz - Yes Jason Clark - Yes Tim Keegan - Yes Suzette Kragenbrink - Yes Kristi Meyer - Yes Lance Schoff - Yes

Moved into Closed Session at 7:49 PM.

Moved out of Closed Session at 9:26 PM.

• Meeting Adjournment

Motion for adjournment.

Motion made by: Kristi Meyer

Motion seconded by: Jason Clark

Voting: Unanimously Approved Adjourned at 9:26 PM. Published in the Sun February 6, 2025.

JANUARY

CITY OF LISBON REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

JANUARY 27TH, 2025

CALL TO ORDER: The City Council of Lisbon, Iowa, met in regular session on January 27th, 2025, at 7:00p.m. with Mayor Doug O’Connor presiding. The following City Council members were present: John Bardsley, Kevin Steele, Nathan Smith, and Rick Scott. Mike Williams was absent.

OTHERS PRESENT: Brandon Siggins, Drayton Kamberling, Travis Bagby and Doug Shannon.

CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Smith, seconded by Bardsley to approve the consent agenda consisting of minutes of January 13th, list of bills, and liquor licenses for Dollar General and Family Dollar. Motion carried 4-0.

Budget requests were presented for Parks, Recreation, General, TIF and LOST. Motion by Smith, seconded by Scott to approve payment to Poly Vinyl Roofing, Inc. in the amount of $23,667.00 for library roof repairs. All Ayes. Motion carried 4-0. Motion by Smith, seconded by Scott to approve Resolution 02-2025 Appointments. Roll call vote. Ayes: Bardsley, Steele, Smith, and Scott. Absent: Williams. Nays: None. Motion carried 4-0. Motion by Bardsley, seconded by Smith to approve Resolution 03-2025 Fund Transfers. Roll call vote. Ayes: Bardsley, Steele, Smith, and Scott. Absent: Williams. Nays: None. Motion carried 4-0. Motion by Steele, seconded by Bardsley to approve Resolution 04-2025 Cell Phone Stipends. Roll call vote. Ayes: Bardsley, Steele, Smith, and Scott. Absent: Williams. Nays: None. Motion carried 4-0. Motion by Scott, seconded by Bardsley to approve Resolution 05-2025 Salaries FY26 with 4.5% cost of living increases. Roll call vote. Ayes: Bardsley, Steele, Smith, and Scott. Absent: Williams. Nays: None. Motion carried 4-0. Motion to go into public hearing at 7:32pm for Budget Amendment #2 for FY25 by Smith, seconded by Scott. All Ayes. Motion carried 4-0. Motion to go out of public hearing at 7:35pm by Bardsley, seconded by Smith. All Ayes. Motion carried 4-0. Motion by Smith, seconded by Scott to approve Resolution 06-2025 Approving Budget Amendment #2 for FY25. Roll call vote. Ayes: Bardsley, Steele, Smith, and Scott. Absent: Williams. Nays: None. Motion carried 4-0. Motion by Scott, seconded by Smith to

set a public hearing for changes to Chapter 92 Water Rates for February 24th, 2025. All Ayes. Motion carried 4-0. Motion by Smith, seconded by Bardsley to set a public hearing for changes to Chapter 99 Sewer Rates for February 24th, 2025. All Ayes. Motion carried 4-0.

The council received the following reports from city departments: Public Works Director Travis Bagby – work continued on the building at the sports complex, repaired three water main breaks last week. Parks & Recreation Director Drayton Kamberling – snow removal, sponsorships, boys’ basketball and soccer prep. Police Chief Doug Shannon – Officer Eicher has completed 3 weeks of academy with 12 more weeks to go.

City Administrator Brandon Siggins

– abstract complete with a closing on the barns soon, sports complex bids coming out tomorrow for grading then next will be ballfields, budget work, final plans for chemical feed building. Thank you public works crew for work completed on the watermain breaks, reminder for citizens to sign up for Nixle and follow our Facebook page for city updates.

Council congratulated school teams and thanked public works for their work on the watermain repairs.

Mayor Doug O’Connor adjourned the meeting at 7:55pm. Christina Eicher, City Clerk Doug O’Connor, Mayor Published in the Sun February 6, 2025.

CITY OF LISBON LIST OF CLAIMS 1-27-2025

VENDOR NAME DESCRIPTION AMOUNT ACCESS SYSTEMS LEASING EQUIPMENT

For Rent

Apartments for Rent

LINCOLN SQUARE LOFTS –APARTMENTS FOR RENT Now accepting applications! 1-Bedroom Apartment (No Loft): Available 4/1/25. 2-Bedroom Apartment (No Loft): Available as soon as 3/1/25. For more information or to request an application, email info@thelincolnsquarelofts.com.

Wanted

WANTED: JUNK APPLIANCES. Will pick up for free. Farm clean-up, batteries. Will buy junk cars. 319-331-8122

Help WantedGovernment

POLICE OFFICER: Indianola Police Department will begin taking applications for the positions of Police/Patrol Officer starting 1/6/2025. Obtain applications by visiting https:// indianolaiowa.applicantpro. com/jobs , choose Police Officer. Deadline 2/7/2025 EOE

Miscellaneous

Does your basement or crawl space need some attention? Call Thrasher Foundation Repair! A permanent solution for waterproofing, failing foundations, sinking concrete and nasty crawl spaces. FREE Inspection & Same Day Estimate. $250 off ANY project with code GET250. Call 1-866-5541730

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 7-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-855-954-5087 today to schedule a free quote.

CHURCHES

MOUNT VERNON

St. Paul Lutheran Church L.C.M.S.

600 Fifth Avenue South

Pastor: Rev. Sean Hansen www.splcmv.org; send e-mail to info@splcmv.org

Sun.: 9:30 a.m. In-person worship

Please refer to our website or contact the church directly for additional worship information.

First Presbyterian Church

301 1st St. N.W. www.firstpresmv.com

319-895-6060

Pastor: Rev. Lori Wunder

Sun.: 9:30 a.m. in-person worship.

Online services stream beginning at 9:20 a.m. on Facebook

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Rev. Andrew Awotwe-Mensah, parish priest

Sun.: 8 a.m. Mass

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Justus Hallam, Bishop

Meeting at: 4300 Trailridge Rd. SE, Cedar Rapids Sun.: 11:30 a.m. in person services. Also an option for digital worship services.

United Methodist Church

Pastor Vicki Fisher

www.umcmv.com

Sun.: 8:30 a.m. Praise Worship

11 a.m. Traditional worship

Both worships available online at UMCMV.com

An LGBTQ affirming congregation

Community Bible Church

940 W. Mount Vernon Rd. www.mvcbc.org, 895-6269

Teaching Pastor Brandon Glaza

Discipleship Pastor Dennis Fulkerson

Youth Pastor Stephen Thomas Sun.: 9:30 a.m. In-Person Worship Service

Wed. - 6 p.m. Encounter and Youth Group

Linn Grove Presbyterian

2000 Linn Grove Rd., Mt. Vernon

Pastor Carla Burge

Sun: 9 a.m. in-person worship, masks requested Also, weekly readings, prayers and sermons are posted on the church’s Facebook page.

Baha’i Faith

Nina Scott, Group Secretary, 319-270-9230

CrossLife Community Church

Pastor Erik Bennett

Sun.: 10:30 a.m. – In-person worship service. Services also livestream on Facebook page.

LISBON

Living Hope Global Methodist Church

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Thursday, Feb. 6

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group Community leaders breakfast, Cornell College Thomas Commons, 7:30 a.m.

Story Time, Cornell College Cole Library Browsing Room, 9:30 a.m.

Fiber Friends, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10:30 a.m.

Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center Adult speaker series “Creating Childcare Solutions” by Mount Vernon Lisbon Childcare Solutions Group, LBC, 1 p.m. Lisbon Library Board Meeting, Lisbon Library, 7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 7

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.

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theater presents “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” First Street Community Center Theater, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 8

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theater presents “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” First Street Community Center Theater, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 9

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theater presents “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” First Street Community Center Theater, 2 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 10

200 E. Market St., 455-2000 livinghopegmc.org

Interim Pastors

Services live streamed at Living Hope Global Methodist Church’s YouTube page Sundays at 8:45 a.m. Sun.: 8:45 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 Joseph Bielema

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

Mount Vernon High School Jazz Choir competition, Mount Vernon High School Performing Arts Center, 1-10 p.m.

Mount Vernon School Board meeting, Mount Vernon High School, 6:30 p.m.

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

Tuesday, Feb. 11

Lego Club Cornell college Room 108, 3:30 p.m.

Yarn squad, Cornell College Cole Library Room 326, 6:30 p.m.

Learn to play bridge, Cornell College Cole Library Room 410, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 12

Cards Southeast Linn Community Center, 10-11:30 a.m.

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

Learn to play bridge, Cornell College Cole Library room 108, 1 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 13

Story Time, Cornell College Cole Library Browsing Room, 9:30 a.m.

Fiber Friends, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10:30 a.m.

Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center

Adult speaker series “Wildland Sentinel: Field Notes from an Iowa Conservation Officer” by Erika Billerbeck, Mount Vernon Lisbon Childcare Solutions Group, LBC, 1 p.m. Cornell College Department of Music presents “Brahms and His Admirers: A Faculty Recital,” Cornell College Armstrong Youngker Hall Ringer Recital Studio, 7 p.m.

Across

1 First in a series 5 Pixel rival 10 Snap

14 Average Joe’s name (that’s not Joe)

15 Bases loaded, e.g.

16 Iris’s location

17 Temporary cover of a sort

18 Epic with the line “Come, friend, you too must die”

19 Festival covering

20 Start of a quip by comic Steven Wright

23 Summer abroad

24 Sounds of refreshment

25 King’s ___

27 Adjust on the timeline

29 Pressure cooker sound

31 Producer of an explosion

32 ___ Robinson, mother of Michelle Obama

34 Deep notes

35 Middle of the quip ... and a hint to eight squares in this puzzle

38 French buds

40 Plotted

41 Up to, informally

42 Low pair

44 Beyond cross

48 Drink featured in the Elvis film “Blue Hawaii”

50 Govt. prosecutors

51 Besides

52 End of the quip

56 Actor Jannings

57 Youngest golfer to score below his age in a P.G.A. Tour event

58 White Sox or Red Sox player, informally

59 Runner’s assignment

60 Cricket segments

61 Miller option

62 Flower whose name means “flame” in ancient Greek

63 Lead-in to maniac

64 Troublesome threes, e.g.

Down

1 “Jeopardy!” offering

2 12-time Olympic swimming medalist Ryan ___

3 Worn at the edges

4 Prefix with sexual

5 Possible response to “Where are you?”

6 Craft kit fabrics

7 “Right away, boss!”

8 Comedian Trevor

9 “___ Game” (1986 Hugo Award winner)

10 Cot alternative

11 Wear out one’s welcome, say

12 Achilles, for two

13 Muesli bit

21 Underworld figure

22 Is in the past

26 Chain parts: Abbr.

28 Singer Tori

29 Head liners?

30 Choquequirao inhabitant

33 “Let ___!”

34 Urban addr. specification

35 Like cuisine with lumpia and longganisa

36 “Looks that way, unfortunately”

37 Minimal

38 Bread box?

39 Noxious

42 “Qué ___?” (“How’s it going?,” in Spanish)

43 Only U.S. president buried in Washington, D.C.

45 Home of Firenze

46 They have nine players

47 Get released

49 Early text messager

50 One of a Disney septet

53 Root of resentment, at times

54 Reckon

55 Word before and after an ampersand, in the grocery

56 Maker of toys for girls and boys

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.

Mount Vernon Student Wins 2025 Corridor Jazz Art Contest

high school jazz bands produced by Iowa’s Jazz Station.

“We had a record number of entries this year, so the competition was especially stiff,” says KCCK general man-

Cornell students bring past Olympics events to life

Students in one Cornell College classics course stepped back in time to understand the origins and evolution of many popular athletic competitions that we still enjoy watching and competing in today.

Students in Sport and Spectacle in Ancient Greece and Rome filled the Small Athletic and Wellness Center (the SAW) Arena on Dec. 5 of Block 4 to demonstrate six Ancient Olympic events that are nearly 2,700 years old: footraces, long jump, wrestling, boxing, javelin, and discus. Students completed projects and presented the similarities between the Olympic events back then and the Olympic games of today.

“In each instance, the groups explained how the event is done today and compared it with how it was done in antiquity,” said Professor of Classical and Modern Languages John Gruber-Miller. “The differences are surprising and the presentation really turns skill level and understanding up a notch.”

Students ran down the track to experience footraces and the unique way they held their arms when they started, and they practiced jabs as part of the boxing demonstration.

Jaylan Bradberry ’26, a kinesiology major, and Nate Jacobson ’27, a physical education major, worked together with two others to present about boxing. The two Cornell basketball players demonstrated hits that were acceptable back in time and even showed how athletes would wrap their hands for a match.

“For our project, we talked about 688 BCE, which was the first Olympics to include boxing,” Bradberry explained. “Back then, there were no breaks or rounds in Ancient Greece. You just go until someone loses or until somebody quits. Now you have rounds and there’s a points system.”

The project in the SAW wrapped up the first half of the block, which focused on Ancient Greece. The second half of the class focused on Ancient Rome.

“I think it’s really beneficial to do this on the block plan–just the simple fact that you can do these presentations and

ager Dennis Green. “One panel member remarked that the quality of the submissions just gets better and better each year.”

The Corridor Jazz Project features the top jazz bands from Jefferson, Kennedy, Prairie, Xavier and Washington High Schools in Cedar Rapids; Linn-Mar and Marion in Marion; City High and West High in Iowa City, Anamosa, Center-Point Urbana, Clear Creek-Amana, Independence, Liberty, Lisbon, Mid-Prairie, Mount Vernon, Solon, West Branch, West Liberty, and Williamsburg. West Liberty is new to the program in 2025.

Evelyn will receive a $100 cash prize from KCCK-FM.

Receiving Honorable Mention in the contest were these students:

• Valeria Amaya, Marion

• Kassy Conway, North Linn

• Archie Fisher, City High

• Mya Furnish, Linn-Mar

• Gavin Hatcher, Linn-Mar

• Ava Kerns, Kennedy

• Duncan Spain, Marion

• Hayley Speidel, Kennedy

• Charlee Tyo, Marion

• Owen Voelker, Marion

Evelyn’s original piece, as well as those receiving Honorable Mention will be exhibited during the Corridor Jazz Project concerts, March 10 at the Paramount Theatre, and March 11 at Voxman Hall of Music, University of Iowa.

The Corridor Jazz Project is a jazz education and mentoring program created by KCCK-FM. The program matches each high school’s top jazz band with a professional jazz player, who performs as a guest soloist with the band. The subsequent recordings have been collected and will be released as a downloadable album and CD.

Jazz 88.3 KCCK is the public radio station operated as a part of the community outreach of Kirkwood Community College.

all the reading and actually have time to comprehend it. Whereas, if you had five other classes, you would have to skim through and pick out certain stuff just to get it done,” Jacobson said.

Maddie Pulis is on the Cornell women’s wrestling team. She was excited to present about wrestling in Ancient Greece with her group.

“Currently, there’s Greco-Roman wrestling, which is only international,” Pulis said. “It’s not as popular as the other two styles–folkstyle and freestyle–but it is the most similar, by far, to Ancient Greek wrestling because it’s mostly upperbody throws and a lot of upper-body strength.”

She also enjoyed learning about the spectacle part of athletics in Ancient Greece and understanding how sports were used for everything from entertainment to religious ceremonies.

The students were surprised to learn about the similarities and differences of each sport and to demonstrate it to their peers. And while they might have been doing research on their laptops and phones, they got a glimpse into what life was like thousands of years ago.

“I hope through this project the students realize that seemingly simple sporting events actually involve specialized technique,” Gruber Miller said. “I hope this hands-on experience will help them understand the event from an insider’s point of view.”