MVL Sun — 3.6.25

Tipping fees increase, recycling encouraged as Linn County landfill nears capacity

Solid Waste Agency wants to educate residents about reducing waste

Reece Dolezal, Avery Arens and T.J. Hall

For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

Mount Vernon and Lisbon residents should expect higher tipping fees and new recycling procedures at the Linn County Landfill, which is nearing capacity.

“We’re going to be full in February 2037,” Joe Horaney, deputy director for the Linn County Solid Waste Agency, said at a Lisbon City Council meeting Feb. 24. “And that’s not thinking if we have another Derecho 2.0, another Flood of 2008.”

Horaney told the council about new tipping fees that start July 1:

• Regular landfill waste will increase by $2 per ton, to $50 per ton.

• Bulky wastes will also increase by $2, making it $80 per ton.

• There is also a $2 increase for yard and wood waste, which will add up to $32 per ton.

• The biggest increase in fees will come from commercial recycling. It will increase $15 per ton to $115 per ton. Regular, non-commercial recycling rates will state the same.

Recycling contamination causes higher fees

Horaney sees contamination as the main issue for the commercial recycling increase, as many people are recycling materials that can’t be recycled. The landfill takes recycling at their multiple recycling areas or their Resource Recovery Building, depending on your recycling load.

Although there is no charge for recycling batteries, there will be a change in how Linn County Solid Waste Agency takes in those batteries.

In the past, residents were told to just throw alkaline batteries away, but now Horaney says to just bring all batteries to them. Horaney wants residents to stop throwing alkaline batteries away and to save them until you bring them to the landfill for sorting. This is because of the resemblance between alkaline and lithium-ion batteries.

“We have anywhere from two to three fires a week in the landfill because of those lithium-ion batteries that get in there,” Horaney said.

Prayerful opposition

Governor’s passage of anti-trans bill pushes prayer vigil

Nathan Countryman

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com

Liam Halawith

The Daily Iowan

A prayer vigil was held Friday, Feb. 28, the same day as Gov. Kim Reyn-

olds signed a bill that stripped civil rights protections for transgender Iowans from Iowa code.

Pastor Lori Wunder of Mount Vernon First Presbyterian Church said the impromptu prayer vigil idea came to her as she was watching the news that morning, and needing to react to what she was seeing. She contacted fellow pastors

Community mourns passing of Monster

K-9

Nathan Countryman

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com

The “bestest boy.”

A dedicated officer with the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department who served seven years.

of

of Seeds of Faith

and

about holding an event open to the community to vent and build community. The call went out into the com

“An absolute powerhouse.”

“A great loss to the community.”

Those were just some of the accolades that poured out following the news of Monster’s passing Tuesday, Feb. 25.

Mayor Tom Wieseler kicked off Monday, March

Save money by recycling mattresses

Horaney also introduced a new program for mattress recycling. It usually costs $20 to take a mattress to the landfill, but it can only cost $10 per mattress if residents take their mattresses to Willis Dady Homeless Services in Cedar Rapids. The program was made to help create jobs for the homeless while also saving space at the landfill. This program is marked as the only mattress recycling program in Iowa. Willis Dady Works, at 800 1st Ave NW in Cedar Rapids, accepts mattresses Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

MV fire responds to rural Marion fire

Home considered complete loss

munity to show up at the rainbow steps outside Mount Vernon First Presbyterian Church at 5 p.m.

And more than 40 citizens in the area did just that to meet ecumenically and discuss the impact of the bills in the community.

One of the lessons Wunder learned while in Germany was the simple importance of keeping community going during a time of oppression.

“One of the things people told me is that oppressors were ready for people to fight back, to react to them,” Wunder said. “What they weren’t ready for was prayers and candles and non-violent opposition.”

Joe Jennison shared that one of the things that had happened on Wednesday of this week was a trans individual needing a safe space to cry after the legislative advanced some of those bills forward.

“May we all be that safe space for individuals moving forward,” Jennison said.

August Tweito spoke about how Mount Vernon was the community that they have felt safe and at home in as a trans man. They attended Cornell College and have worked at a number of local businesses and feel themselves. They encouraged everyone to embrace the parts of them that aren’t traditional gender roles and champion those parts that make them unique instead of being ashamed of them.

He then sang “Let It Be.”

Mandy Moellering, education director and youth group director at United Methodist Church, told those in attendance that children, grandchildren or any who attend the youth group activities of the three churches will always be accepted, sacred and celebrated for who they are.

“Your children are safe

The Linn County Solid Waste Agency is partnering with other foundations to recycle books, CD’s and textiles, Horaney said.

“With textile recycling, we’re partnering with St. Vincent DePaul of Cedar Rapids, and they’re taking things they can use and giving it to people that need it.” Horaney said.

New landfill space needed

The Linn County landfill is expected to reach full capacity by February 2037, but it is required to remain open until June 30, 2044. The landfill filled faster than expected because of debris from natural disasters.

To prepare for this transition, the Solid Waste Agency has introduced Forward 2044, an initia-

Mount Vernon fire department was one of many agencies who responded to a rural Marion fire Tuesday, Feb. 25.

According to Sgt. James Gales of Linn County Sheriff’s Office, first responders were dispatched to 1354 Martin Creek Road in rural Marion for a fire.

Upon arrival of emergency personnel, the fire had spread to the second floor of the residence. The family dog was in the attached garage in a

here,” Moellering said.

Uthe said that people need to remember it’s not just the actions against trans individuals that are advancing in the legislative session. Bills are also reducing Medicaid availability and targeting the books in public libraries.

“The most important thing is you can not lose heart,” Uthe said. “You all give me hope by coming together as a community like now.”

Jan Moore, a Begindergarten teacher at Mount Vernon Community Schools encouraged everyone to recite with her “No matter how big, no matter how small, we can all make a difference in our world.”

Mayor Tom Wieseler explained that the City of Mount Vernon may not take more direct stances than the DEI position and flag ordinances they’ve already passed, noting Gov. Kim Reynolds stance against Winneshiek County Sheriff Office for not participating in ICE activities in their county.

“The city is working on a childcare initiative that might require funding from the governor, and we don’t want to lose out on those opportunities by taking a forceful stance on this issue,” Wieseler said.

The group set Friday, March 14, at 5 p.m. as a next meeting date for continued discussion for those who missed the Feb. 28 session and need that community.

Governor signs bill stripping civil rights protections into law

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law that will strip civil rights protections from transgender Iowans on Friday, making Iowa the first state in the nation to remove a protected class from its civil rights code.

Her signature comes

tive that focuses on finding a new waste facility and exploring other disposal options.

Another goal that Horaney discussed with the council was bringing awareness to waste disposal. The Linn County landfill takes in 600 tons of garbage daily, according to the Forward 2044 website.

“People think about garbage once a week when they have to put out their cans, and nobody’s thinking about what’s going to happen 15 years down the road,” Horaney said.

Linn County Solid Waste Agency is open to going out, educating, and speaking to people on proper recycling and disposal. “Keep talking about our future because we’re planning for that,” Horaney said. “But in the meantime, we’re here, we’re serving Lisbon, all of Linn County.”

pen and was successfully removed by deputies. The family members of this residence had left for work and school around 7:30 a.m.

The fire is believed to have started on the first floor near the kitchen and dining room area of the residence.

Other agencies responding included Linn County Sheriff’s Rescue, Marion Fire, Springville Fire, Martelle Fire, Anamosa Fire, Central City Fire and Area Ambulance.

less than 24 hours after the bill was passed by the Iowa House and Senate and a little over a week after the bill was introduced. It also ends nearly 20 years of civil rights protections for transgender Iowans after a Democratic trifecta enacted those protections in 2007.

The law, Senate File 418, removes gender identity as a protected class from the Iowa Civil Rights Act which would open transgender Iowans up to discrimination in housing, finances, employment, education, and public accommodations.

Reynolds said the bill is about safeguarding the rights of women and the “biological differences between men and women.”

“In fact, it is necessary to secure genuine equal protection for women and girls,” Reynolds said of the bill Friday. “It is about the biological differences, and that is all.”

Republicans in the statehouse argued the bill was necessary to protect laws they’ve enacted in previous legislative sessions that targeted transgender people. They include a 2023 law banning transgender people from using the bathroom aligning with their gender in public schools and a 2022 law that banned transgender people’s participation in school athletics.

“Unfortunately, these common sense protections were at risk because, before I signed this bill, the Civil Rights Code blurred the biological line between the sexes,” Reynolds said in a video message on Facebook. “I know this is a sensitive issue for some, many of whom have heard misinformation about what this bill does. The truth is that it simply brings Iowa in line with the federal Civil Rights Code, as well as most states.”

The law will also define sex, gender, male, and female in Iowa code and

would require birth certificates to reflect an Iowan’s sex at birth. It would also prohibit Iowa schools from providing instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation to students in grades kindergarten through grade six.

Reynolds said that despite the change to the civil rights code that all Iowans are “children of God, and no law changes that.”

“We all agree that every Iowan, without exception, deserves respect and dignity,” Reynolds said. “What this bill does accomplish is to strengthen protections for women and girls, and I believe that is the right thing to do.”

With Reynolds’ signature the bill will become law and make Iowa the first in the nation to remove a protected class from their state civil rights

code, LGBTQ+ advocates say.

“This isn’t leadership. It’s a shameful display of power used to crush the most vulnerable Iowans,” said Becky Tayler, the executive director of Iowa Safe Schools, an advocacy group focused on LGBTQ+ youth and education, said in a news release Friday. “Governor Reynolds has made it clear — her version of ‘freedom to flourish’ is only for those who fit her narrow, outdated vision. If there is one message to send to Governor Reynolds, it is this: transgender Iowans have always existed and will always exist.

Gender identity, along with sexual orientation, was added as a protected class to the Iowa Civil Rights Act in 2007 when Democrats controlled the governor’s office and the state legislature. Volume

52314

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

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

STAFF

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

Lisbon City Council approves downtown reinvestment grants

Development Group director

The CDG continues to upgrade your Mount Vernon-Lisbon website. Below are a few updates you should be sure to check out!

• Shop. Dine. Discover. section now has a dropdown menu for aforementioned items, as well as Lodging and Rental Venues.

• Business Resources is a new header highlighting grants supported by the CDG, reference documents managed by the CDG, as well as Small Business Resource links.

• Coming Soon: Main Street Iowa Open 4 Business Grant Application!

Accuracy on our web page is critical for our community members, business owners, and guests! Please reach out to provide updates to your business or restaurant, to share quality photos, or content ideas by emailing director@visitmvl.com.

Mother-daughter duo opens Starlight Yoga & Reiki in Lisbon Changes continue on Visit MVL website

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

The Lisbon City council approved downtown reinvestment grants for three businesses in downtown Lisbon.

Luke and Casey Krall, owners of 110 E. Main Street and 114 E. Main Street had two of the grants approved.

For the business at 110 E. Main Street, the couple is looking to replace electrical panels and siding on the exterior of the business that has deteriorated. The project had an estimated cost of $9,000 and was eligible for $5,400 in reimbursement from the city.

For 114 E. Main Street, the couple are looking to tear off and replace the roof as well as do some siding work to the building The project cost was estimated at $16,928.58 and the couple were approved for the maximum of $10,000 for the reimbursement funds for the project.

Nina and Gary Scott, owners of StArt in Lisbon were seeking a replacement for their awning on front of their building.

Nina explained that the former red awning was spray painted black and will be replaced due to the awning being weathered.

The cost is estimated at $2,040, and the project was eligible for 1,224 in reimbursement from the city.

With approval of these three projects, the city has $3,376 in downtown reinvestment grants left in the fiscal year.

Lisbon water, sewer rates increasing

City also advancing language to changing water and sewer rate ordinances

Lisbon’s water and sewer rate increases are slated to increase by 3 percent again this year.

The city’s budgeted expenditures in the water rate will spend approximately $22,000 more than the city is taking in due to proposed upgrades to water mains in the city, increasing from prior 4 inch mains in the community.

The city’s budgeted expenditures for sewer are $2,500 less than revenues this year. The city paid down some sewer bond debt rate early this year as well.

The city also approved an ability to increase water and sewer rates by resolution moving forward. The language change allows the city to increase water and sewer rates by 3 percent each year as long as the revenues are not higher than 25 percent of expenditures. If revenues are higher than expenditures, water or sewer rates will not increase that year.

Christina Eicher, city clerk, said many communities are moving to similar language in their own water and sewer ordinances.

City budget hearing set for Monday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m.

Lisbon’s city budget hearing will be Monday, March 24, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Lisbon City Council chambers.

A mother-daughter duo is bringing their passion for healing to Lisbon with the launch of Starlight Yoga & Reiki earlier this month, offering yoga classes, reiki, and dance movement therapy.

Sarah Thompson said this new venture is the realization of a longtime dream she and her daughter, Hannah Johnson, have shared — creating a space to offer healing services and connect with the community.

“Everyone that we’ve spoken to about what it is that we’re doing, they’ve been very excited about the fact that we are doing this in Lisbon, in a smaller community,” Thompson said. “That we’re bringing something that normally only those in larger communities have easy access to.”

Thompson said she designed her yoga classes to be accessible to all skill levels, with a special emphasis on welcoming and encouraging beginners.

“My primary focus in yoga is making it accessible for all bodies,” Thompson said. “Often, yoga is presented in the terrain of those who are very thin, those who are very flexible. And I enjoy working with those who are in large bodies and those who are beginners.”

Another key motivation for opening the studio was Johnson’s recent graduation from Lesley University in Massachusetts, where she earned a master’s degree in dance movement therapy — a practice that uses guided movement and expres -

sive dance to support emotional, mental, and physical well-being, helping individuals process emotions and connect with their bodies.

“Your first language is movement. The very first thing that you communicate with is movement in your body, even when you’re a child or a baby,” Johnson said. “We are communicating so many different things that we’re just not aware of, and we are holding and storing emotions in our bodies.”

Johnson explained that dance movement therapy addresses the connection between mind and body, an element of healing that other forms of self-care often overlook.

“For example, talk therapy only focuses on the mind, and then things like normal gyms only focus on the physical,” Johnson said. “We really wanted to connect that mind and body, because your mind affects your body, and your body affects your mind.”

After earning her master certification last year, Thompson is also excited to offer individual sessions of Reiki — a gentle, energy-based healing practice that originated in Japan.

“It’s really unlocking energy channels that exist within your body to help your body heal itself,” Thompson said, adding that reiki is often used to alleviate stress, reduce pain and increase an overall feeling of wellbeing.

Thompson is also offering oracle card readings, a reflective practice that provides insight, guidance, and inspiration through intuitive card interpretation.

“My style is really to tap in to the energy of the cards and the messages

that come through the symbols associated with them,” Thompson said.

Adding to the excitement of the studio, Thompson and Johnson said, is their mother-daughter bond, which has translated into a supportive working relationship as business partners.

“A lot of times when people hear working with family, they think of all the sitcoms where there’s a lot of funny instances and arguments,” Johnson said.

“And that’s couldn’t be further from the case. My mom and I work really well together, and we lift each other up.”

In addition to working with her daughter, Thompson said another highlight of opening the studio has been the welcoming reception by the Lisbon community.

“Something that we feel very proud of is that we’re part of the community,” Thompson said.

“We’ve been working with local vendors for all of our things as we’re working

on opening,”

The studio, located on Main Street in Lisbon between Indulgence Salon and Lisbon Insurance, has done a soft opening throughout the month of February, with their grand opening last weekend. The center is also holding a sound bath event Saturday, March 8, in their studio space.

“The greeting that we’ve gotten from our neighbors here on Main Street in Lisbon has been just really wonderful,” Thompson said.

The studio offers three yoga classes a week — two on Wednesday evenings and one on Thursday mornings. They also offer six weekly dance movement therapy classes Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons with specific sessions for toddlers, children, teens, and adults. Reiki and oracle card readings are available upon request. More information can be found at starlightyogalisbon.com

OPINIONS

Watch out for eggs, meteors and Elon Musk

Living in Iowa

It promises to be a grim Easter this April with egg prices already over $6 a dozen, Elon Musk running the country and no redemption in sight for our immortal souls. But calm down. Sure, we appear to be heading into the Apocalypse. But don’t blame the egg. Eggs are still an incredible bargain—now hear me out. Harvard Health Publishing reports that eggs contain healthy nutrients including lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health and choline for the brain and vitamins A and B and D. One large egg contains 6 grams of protein and is the basis for the US Department of Agriculture’s standard for daily protein requirement (that is, when we used to have a USDA). The publication also points out that the cholesterol in one or two eggs eaten daily does not endanger heart health, reporting, “…research has shown that most of the cholesterol in our body is made by our liver—it doesn’t come from cholesterol we eat.”

Sure, egg prices are currently soaring because of the avian flu (and, okay, some price gouging) but look at the history of the cost of eggs. In 1980, a dozen eggs cost 84 cents. Adjusting for inflation, that translates to $2.78. Ten years later, in 1990, eggs cost $1.10. Adjusting for inflation, that is just $2.39 a dozen. What other product can you think of that shows that kind of market stability?

Because of the bird flu epidemic, more than 166 million chickens have been slaughtered to contain the virus, amounting to about a 12 percent reduction nationwide. Egg prices are high now because of supply and demand. If that seems shocking, look at egg prices during the “gold rush”. Back in 1849, miners in the California gold fields didn’t have grocery stores or even railroads supplying food and other goods to those outlying areas. An egg—that is ONE egg cost $3. Adjusting for inflation, that’s a whopping $83.94! For one egg. (Eight bucks for a dozen eggs at the Hy-Vee doesn’t sound so bad now, does it?) Also, a pound of cheese was $25 ($699.53), five pounds of flour was $13 ($363.76) and a shovel was $36 ($1,007.33). The current price of $7 for a dozen eggs in Iowa City figures out to 58 cents for one egg. (It’s cheaper than cat food.) An adult could literally survive on one egg a day, probably for months. Be honest, what else could you live on for 58 cents a day?

Americans love to fix problems. We are eager to fix the egg crisis and we want to do something about that meteor that is whizzing toward Earth. The planet-killer meteor, named 2024 YR4 is definitely coming our way. NASA (now renamed Musk National Exploding Rockets) had calculated the odds of it hitting Earth at around three percent. They have since re-calculate the risk to be less than one percent. Well, all right. I guess we’re safe from eggs and meteors for now. There’s got to be something else to worry about.

SUN EDITORIAL

Monster will be missed, as will a lot of experience at MVLPD

One of the hardest stories to write came Tuesday, Feb. 25, when we broke the news of Monster’s passing.

Monster was a beloved K-9 unit for the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department. Seven years ago, when he was first brought to the community, there were donations collected by area elementary school students for that animal. For those who encountered Monster when he was on duty, if you weren’t his target, he was a great dog. Neighbors of the Moel family have shared how lovely that dog was, well behaved. A delight to be neighbors to.

We may not ever know what happened to cause Monster to end up from his home on West Market Street and over at the ponds south of Brothers Market.

But the grief felt by everyone in the police department and community on breaking that news that a search was called off Tuesday morning because the lost was found deceased was real.

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department is also going to be losing more than 70 years of law enforcement experience this year. Officer Jeff Frankfurt officially retired from the department Tuesday, Feb. 25, drawing to a close a career in law enforcement that lasted more than 30 years. He was one of the officers who was recruited to Lisbon and transferred

GUEST COLUMN

over to the joint Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department, and knew about policing in a small town.

Chief Doug Shannon also announced his plans to retire at the end of July, drawing to a close a nearly 35 year career in law enforcement, most of it here in Mount Vernon. Shannon has been a huge advocate for first responders of all types, not only serving as police chief but sitting on our local Emergency Management Association board and helping with the Lisbon-Mount Vernon Ambulance Service’s board as well.

One of the biggest accomplishments for Shannon may have been the combined law enforcement coverage that we see in the communities of Mount Vernon and Lisbon today. For our two communities pooling resources, we’ve been able to have 24/7 law enforcement coverage with a robust police department and reserves officers. As the city council attested, that there isn’t a huge amount of controversy in the department or them making headlines for anything but doing their jobs in keeping us safe comes from the way the department is managed.

We know the search for the next chief will involve the communities of Mount Vernon and Lisbon working together to find the right candidate in the next few months.

How is SELCC impacted by reduction in government funding?

Nicole McAlenadar Director of Southeast Linn Community Center

In this time of uncertainty regarding government funding, many supporters of Southeast Linn Community Center have reached out with concerns about impacts on the organization. While we do not receive any direct federal funding, we do benefit from funded programs through our partner organizations. Essential services such as Meals on Wheels and USDA food for our food pantry depend on government support. Changes to these programs would directly impact our services. Proposed cuts to assistance programs such as SNAP would severely harm the neighbors we serve.

One of those crucial services feeds our senior neighbors. Horizons provides the meals we deliver to Meals on Wheels clients and serve at Linn Lunch Bunch. Last fiscal year we distributed 6,033 meals to seniors in Lisbon and Mount Vernon. If federal funding for those meals ends we would need an additional $54,000 to continue the service. That would be over 25% of our annual budget. Another federal program is the USDA food that we receive for free from our food bank, HACAP. This is our best source of protein and dairy for the food pantry. Without this food we would struggle to provide healthy food options to our neighbors.

The uncertainty and fear of losing essential supports falls especially heavy on those who are already struggling. Iowa

is in a hunger crisis. Here at home, over 10% of the Mount Vernon Lisbon community uses the food pantry. While pantry services are important, SNAP (formerly food stamps) is the most efficient and effective tool for fighting hunger. We’re particularly concerned with the proposed legislation at both the state and federal levels that would significantly cut SNAP benefits. Over the last few years in Iowa, we’ve clearly seen that cuts to SNAP directly correlate with much higher reliance on food pantry services. While SNAP participation in Iowa is at a 17-year low, our costs to stock the shelves at the pantry have increased 645% over the last five years. If SNAP or other assistance programs see additional cuts or restrictions during this hunger crisis, the strain on the food pantry system will be enormous.

Our organization is determined to continue all of our programs and services no matter what challenges may come. In many ways, these last few weeks have reminded us of March 2020. The uncertainty, the difficulty of finding reliable information, and the constant fear make every day difficult. However, in 2020 we saw our community rise up in support and find new ways to care for our neighbors. We are grateful to be a part of such a generous community. Year after year, our largest source of financial support is donations from individuals right here in Mount Vernon and Lisbon. My hope is that today’s challenges will lead to even greater empathy and a stronger support system here in our wonderful community.

Stand up for what is right

C. Sherene Hansen Player

The past month has felt like a bad dream, except that we’ve been living through it. Each day we’ve experienced new Executive Orders, cuts to various programs, announcements that a geographical area is going to be renamed, notifications

that departments are being closed and thousands of jobs are being eliminated, immigrants are being deported, etc. This is only the proverbial tip of the iceberg of what has happened since January 20. And yet, in the midst of this wave of cost cutting by a “department” that isn’t

even official because only Congress can establish a Federal department, President Trump sees no problem in attending the Super Bowl at an estimated cost of $20 million and the Daytona 500 at an estimated cost of $5 million. This is a classic example of “Do as I say, not as I do.” I can’t remember a time

in my life where there was a period of time where so many planes crashed in just one month. But look at the FAA jobs that have been cut. California has just experienced horrific fires and a new fire season will be upon us soon, but thousands of wild land wildfire jobs have just been cut. I worry even more for my daughter who will be fighting those fires this summer with less support. Many of us are preparing our tax returns right now and it was

just announced that thousands of IRS employees have been fired. How will these returns be processed?

I am a federal employee and right now my job is still secure. I am a field representative for the US Census Bureau conducting Census Surveys. Most people don’t understand that the Census Bureau still operates beyond the Decennial Survey that happens every ten years where every citizen in the United States is counted. Surveys are conducted to get a better idea of what is happening in America. Each month I receive about 30 cases where I go and conduct a survey with households throughout Linn County and other nearby areas.

Most people are not aware of this work that the Census Bureau does. Sadly, many people aren’t even knowledgeable that the Census happens every ten years, even though it is in the Constitution and has been happening since the 1700s. The Census Surveys have been happening since the 1970s as a way to get statistical information about Americans. Everything is

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Five things I accomplished last week

Dear HR@opm.gov

You asked for 5 things that I accomplished this last week. I did a lot more than this but you asked for just FIVE, so here goes:

1. I sat with someone whose house in Ukraine was destroyed by bombs in the war;

2. I sat with a person who is terrified their grandmother will be deported even though she has lived here all of her life;

3. I called my representatives daily in support of following The Constitution, saving Democracy and sending you, Mr. Musk, back to South Africa;

4. I donated to special election candidates (1 in in NY and 2 in FL on April 1st) who care about Democracy and the Rule of Law;

5. I boycotted all the people, stores, networks, media, brands, and corporations that support this coup d’etat.

confidential and the data gathered helps public officials, planners, and entrepreneurs assess the past and plan for the future such as planning for hospitals and schools, support school lunch programs, improve emergency services, build bridges, and inform businesses looking to add jobs and expand to new markets.

However, with the recent aggressive actions of ICE, acting under Trump’s eagerness to “solve the immigration problems,” I have found difficulty in doing my work. At many homes, people are reluctant to open the door to speak with me. Prior to my arrival, they would have received mailings from the Census Bureau about the Census Survey they have been selected to complete, so they know a little bit about why I have come to their door. Unfortunately, Trump has created so much fear in our nation and so they are worried about answering their door to a stranger.

Let me be clear, in the situations where people finally do answer their door to me and we are able to talk, I have found

In closing, if you are looking to cut something, might I suggest looking in the mirror, and starting with the monster you see reflected back. He’s costing us trillions.

Sincerely yours, A citizen (unlike you) and a patriot (unlike you)

Karla M Steffens Mount Vernon

Intended Consequences

When I was in high school, many years ago, I joined one of the Explorer Club programs which were popular in the 1970s. It was basically a program meant to encourage curiosity, creative thinking, and community appreciation in our youth through hands-on activities. The intended consequences of these programs were to encourage young people to become thoughtful and confident civic-minded adults. The group I belonged to would meet monthly in the home of

that the people are here legally. They are just so worried that ICE might come to their door and not ask questions and not allow them to speak for themselves. I’m sure that this is not the America that they were expecting when they went through so much to get here. They are probably feeling like they left their home countries only to feel like they are right back where they came from.

I keep thinking of the words from the poem “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus. It is at the base of the Statue of Liberty. Everyone should read the entire poem; it is powerful. Lazarus refers to the Statue of Liberty as the “Mother of Exiles.” When we are hurt or discouraged, don’t we all just want to go to our mother for help? At the end of the poem are the famous lines and what this “mother” will do, what our country should do for all exiles and refugees:

“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming

a National Park Service Ranger in the Quad Cities. We would learn about the ranger’s job and them embark on such activities as cleaning up park trails or working at deer check stations, where we would record the number and ages of the deer the hunters would bring in, (we could tell the approximate ages of the deer by looking at the teeth).

What I remember most about those days was the passion with which our ranger leader, (sadly I can no longer remember his name), took us under his wing and shared with us his love of the park and the joys and trials his job afforded him. It sparked in me my own love of nature and the sciences. So much so, in fact, that I went on to receive a biology degree from Iowa State University. In the end, instead of becoming a park ranger myself, I learned that what I really enjoyed was working in a laboratory. My career eventually took me to the University of Utah, where I worked in the research lab of a world-renowned

Ranked choice voting discussed at Learn with League event

Nathan Countryman

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com

Kehry Lane with Better Ballot Iowa presented at the Mount Vernon-Lisbon unit of the Linn County League of Women Voters “learn with the league” event about ranked choice voting Wednesday, Feb. 26. More than 25 citizens attended the event.

Lane explained his reason for getting involved In Better Vote Iowa and promoting ranked choice voting was to help voters build more consensus as opposed to the caustic nature of our politics currently.

As an exercise, Lane asked attendees to rank their preference of ice cream flavors between strawberry, chocolate, blueberry and lime sherbet on different colored Post-It notes. When people had them arranged in their preferential order, those votes were then sorted to find when they had a majority of vote recipients. Chocolate had 12 of 25 responses on the first ballot, while blueberry was the lowest vote recipient and knocked out of the election, so those voters second choices were then picked to find a majority winner. That gave chocolate the overall win

in just one round.

When it came to what people disliked about current elections, attendees said the continuation of polarization and extremism, the two-party system, the power money has over the election, people being siloed from information.

Lane then asked what people would want to see in politics if they could change them. People identified public financing, a shorter campaign cycle, ability for more parties to make it to the ballot, more cooperation and compromise to be seen and respectful communication.

Lane said many of the things people want to see in politics could be achieved by ranked choice voting.

“The majority of elections across the United States are uncompetitive,” Lane said. “The districts favor incumbents of any party, so when they get in power they stay in power. It leads to many people wondering what’s the point of an election if the outcome is already a given?”

Adding to that issue, is the party primary systems, which funnel choices down from multiple candidates to one strong candidate.

“Only 10 percent of voters in a party take part in voting in the primary,” Lane said.

With districts so safe for candidates, it

leads many who were voted in not to feel accountable to all of their constituents.

With many Iowans aligning themselves as independents and not tied to a party, it also forces them to sit on the sidelines when those primary elections whittle down alternative choices they may have liked.

“It leads to Urban Republicans, rural Democrats and those supporting a third-party candidate to feel underrepresented,” Lane said.

With limited choices and uncompetitive elections, new and different ideas that people want to see happen get crowded out and negativity gets awarded in the current system. A two party system really is not designated to handle more than two strong candidates in any election, so when you have more than two candidates with strong showings, things quickly go awry. That leads to run-off elections if certain people do not meet thresholds, which equate higher costs for elections.

With ranked choice voting, more candidates end up campaigning in a general election. Voters rank candidates based on their preference.

Lane said as human beings, we already do this in our own lives on a day to day basis, like when we are shopping in a chip

shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” I’ve said it before; when we start rounding up people that we feel don’t measure up as Americans, then we are no better than the Nazis who rounded up their Jewish neighbors because they didn’t like their way of life. Let us not go down that path; we know its outcome. We are better than this. Think about how fearful your ancestors felt as they first arrived in the United States. Because of their courage and sacrifice, you are here today.

The next four weeks could be even more momentous or they could start to calm down. It’s hard to say. What I do know is that it is our duty to stand up for what is right. When we see fraud and injustice, it is our obligation to call it out for what it is. When we see someone in need, we shouldn’t look away or think that someone else will take care of it. We may only be one, but we can make a difference. Let us stand for the right.

cardiologist who pioneered the use of beta blockers in patients with heart failure.

From what I can tell, the intended consequence of decreased funding for the National Park Service is a reduction in taxes. I won’t pretend to know just how much that reduction is. And I know there are people who could use a tax break.

Here’s the thing: we can’t really quantify the true effects that the continued downsizing of the National Park Service will have. Of course, there are the obvious ones we can all think of. And it’s true that I was just one of many researchers and doctors who studied the role of beta blockers in heart failure. But, If you or a loved one is or are taking a beta blocker, (and if you or they have heart failure you most likely are), then in some small way you can thank a Ranger of The National Park Service.

Jana Klein Mount Vernon

aisle and choosing our preferred chips. Ranked choice voting is no different than an instant run-off election, as the results are tabulated until a candidate has he majority of support from all voters.

Lane said that voting machines in 97 of Iowa’s 99 counties would be compatible with ranked choice voting, it would just require updating software and educating the electorate about the changes. The bill is currently one the legislature hasn’t put in as a priority, and in order for it to move forward, more people need to discuss moving ranked choice voting forward.

“We’re not out to ruin everyone’s day, we’re out to make things better,” Lane said. “But we need you. We need lots of volunteers to help get this talked about at the state.”

When Lane was asked why people may be opposed to this, Lane said usually it is incumbents who worry about the change.

When it comes to the election machines, Lane said the change would impact the software inside the machines, not the machines themselves.

“We’ll still want paper ballots so that all elections can be audited,” Lane said. There would be a slight cost for each ranked choice voting election for those specialists to oversee it, but the cost would be minimal compared to the cost of run-off elections.

Lane said there are some who already are buying in on supporting the election, but the organization is looking to get more between now and when this officially gets more momentum in the state.

Mount Vernon advances 42 events to state individual speech

Mount Vernon High School individual speech team earned 42 Division 1 ratings and four Division 2 ratings at District Individual Speech Contest at Central DeWitt Saturday, March 1. Those earning Division 1 ratings will advance to State Individual Speech contest at North Scott High School in Eldridge Saturday, March 15. The team is coached by head coach Tawnua Tenley and assistant coaches Grant Freeman, Amy White, Trevor Baty and Mary Horst.

Earning Division 1 ratings were:

• Claire Thuerauf in poetry “Who She Was by Claire Thuerauf”

• Allie Teague in acting “A Thousand Seconds”

• Elliott McNulty in after dinner speaking “FLAP” and solo improvisation

• Penelope Vig in after dinner speaking “One Direction’s Sixth Member” and solo musical theater “I Can’t Read”

• Grant Tucker in after dinner speaking “Coach George”

• Mae Krapfl in after dinner speaking “Real Elf Lives of the North Pole” and storytelling in “Not Your Typical Dragon”

• Michael Covington in solo improvisation and storytelling “Muncha, Muncha, Muncha”

• Cait O’Connor in solo improvisation

• Bella Hasley in literary program “Memory”

• Emery Willems in solo musical theatre “My Grand Plan” and in review “Warrior Cats”

• Skye Rodman in solo musical theatre “Suppertime”

Lisbon earned 1 Division 1 ratings at district individual competition

Lisbon’s Individual Speech team earned 14 Division 1 ratings and one Division 2 rating at District Individual Speech contest at Central DeWitt Saturday, March 1. Those earning Division 1 ratings will advance to State

Lisbon competes at conference individual speech contest

Lisbon’s Individual Speech team participated at Conference Speech Contest at East Buchanan Monday, Feb. 24.

Calendar

and expository address Realism Portraits for Dummies.”

• Will Turner in radio news announcing

• Summer Bowie-Smith in review “Seedship” and in prose “Unpopular Gals

• Cyrus Johnson in storytelling “The Contractor’s Tale” and solo musical theatre “The Impossible Dream”

• Everett Marshall in spontaneous speaking

• Natalie Thuerauf in public address “Remarks on the Shootings in Newton, CT” and in acting “Captain Everything”

• Korah Jo Robinson in public address “Gender Equality is Your Issue, Too”

• Emara Perreault in public address “The Perils of Indifference”

• Skye Rodman in expository address “Realism Portrait”

• Norah Weber in poetry “A Dreamer is What She Was by Norah Weber”

• Megan Teage in literary program “Wild Beauty”

• Edith Dawson in literary program “Constant Rearrangement” and spontaneous speaking

• Renee Vig in original oratory “Respect”

• Danny Dye in acting “Birthday Burrito”

• Lyn Bauer in acting “All-Natural Addiction”

• Ellah Shook in original oratory “Emotional Detachment” and in prose “Tucked In”

• Bella Hasley in solo improvisation and in literary program “Memory”

• Owen Francois in prose “There Will Come Soft Rains”

• Teagan Finn in prose “All the Bright Places”

• Marlena Rodenberg in solo musical theatre “Last Midnight”

• Carrie Bybee in expository address “Navigating through Navigation”

• Natalee Glaister in poetry “Type 1 Warrior by Natalee Glaister”

Earning Division 2 ratings were:

• Meg Dye in review “How to Train Your Dragon”

• Fenn Jones in review “Animal Crossing New Horizons”

• Grant Tucker in spontaneous speaking

• Marlena Rodenberg in poetry “One of Us”

Individual Speech contest at North Scott High School in Eldridge Saturday, March 15.

Earning Division 1s include:

• Bryce Boots, solo musical theater

• Joey Watson in acting and solo musical theater

• Gracie Cummings in acting

• Sawyer Feldman in radio news announcing and prose

• Caroline Morris in reviewing and expository address

• Peyton Appel in reviewing and after dinner speaking

• Rachel Bartels in storytelling

• Payton Curtis in storytelling and spontaneous speaking

• Caleb Ross in expository address

Earning Division 2 ratings include:

• Gracie Cummings in solo musical theater

Earning Division 1 ratings were:

• Peyton Appel, reviewing

• Rachel Bartels, storytelling

• Bryce Boots, solo musical theater

• Gracie Cummings, acting and solo musical theater

• Payton Curtis, spontaneous speaking and storytelling.

• Sawyer Feldman, radio news announcing and prose

• Joey Watson, acting and solo musical theater

Earning Division 2 ratings were:

• Peyton Appel, after-dinner speaking

• Caroline Morris, expository address and reviewing

Girls next to hit the MVLCT stage

Get ready for a show that will warm your heart and leave you laughing out loud! Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theatre presents Calendar Girls, the heartwarming comedy by Tim Firth, based on the true story of a group of women who raise money for charity by posing in the nude for a calendar. What begins as a bold act of courage turns into a global sensation, inspiring others to embrace body positivity and live authentically.

With themes of friendship, loss, and self-confidence, this production promises to make you laugh and feel empowered. Directed by Kerry Covington, seen in MVLCT’s Perfect Arrangement last summer, the show features a talented cast delivering both humor and heart.

Performance Details:

• Dates: April 4-5 & 11-12 at 7:30 p.m. and April 6 at 2 p.m.

• ASL Date TBA

• Venue: FSCC Uptown Theatre (221 First Street NE, Mount Vernon)

• Order tickets at https://mvlct.booktix.com/

Cast for the production includes Jenn Pearson as Chris, Carole Martin as Annie, Liz Erenberger as Cora, Braden rood as Celia, Susie Burns as Jessie, Tiffany Zarifkar as Ruth, Brian Tanner as John, Jeremy Ebble as Rod, Kim Novotny as Marie, Mehrdad Zarifkar as Lawrence/Liam, Julie White as Brenda/Elaine and Kristi Keast as Lady Cravenshire.

Ticket price is $25 for adults, with student and senior discounts available.

Mount Vernon wins WaMaC East Conference Individual speech contest

Mount Vernon competed at the WaMaC East Conference Individual speech contest Monday, Feb. 24 at Marion. Mount Vernon claimed the trophy this year at Marion for the conference and had several students place at the event.

Placing in centers were:

First places – Edith Dawson in spontaneous speaking, Emma Hoffman in review, Korah Jo Robinson in public address, Michael Covington in solo improvisation, Natalie Thuerauf in acting, Norah Weber in poetry, Renee Vig in original oratory, Skye Rodman in expository address, Summer Bowie-Smith in prose

Second place – Cait O’Connor in solo improvisation, Mae Krapfl in storytelling, Mya Stoner in expository address, Natalie Thuerauf in public address, Penelope Vig in after dinner speaking, Summer Bowie-Smith in review Third place – Carrie Bybee in expository address, Ellah Shook in original oratory, Emara Perreault in public address

Fourth place – Mae Krapfl in after dinner speaking, Natalee Glaister in poetry, Owen Francois in prose, and Penelope Vig in solo musical theater

Earning Division 1 ratings were:

• Allie Teague in acting “A Thousand Seconds”

• Bella Hasley in literary program “Memory”

• Carrie Bybee in expository address “How GPS Works”

• Edith Dawson in literary program “Constant Rearrangement” and spontaneous speaking

• Ellah Shook in original oratory “Emotional Detachment” and prose “Tucked In”

• Emara Perreault in public address “The Perils of Indifference”

• Emma Hoffman in review “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy”

• Korah Jo Robinson in public address “Gender Equality is Your Issue, Too”

• Lyn Bauer in acting “All-Natural Addiction”

• Mae Krapfl in after dinner speaking “Real Elf Lives of the North Pole” and storytelling in “Not Your Typical Dragon”

• Meg Dye in review “How to Train Your Dragon”

• Megan Teage in literary program “Wild Beauty”

• Michael Covington in solo improvisation

• Mya Stoner in expository address “Head, Heart, Hands and Health”

• Natalie Thuerauf in acting “Captain Everything” and public address “Remarks on the Shootings in Newton, CT”

• Norah Weber in poetry “A Dreamer”

• Owen Francois in prose “There Will Come Soft Rains”

• Penelope Vig in after dinner speaking “One Direction’s Sixth Member” and solo musical theater “I Can’t Read”

• Renee Vig in original oratory “Respect”

• Skye Rodman in expository address “Realism Portrait”

• Summer Bowie-Smith in prose “Unpopular Gals” and review “Seedship”

• Danny Dye in acting “Birthday Burrito”

• Elliott McNulty in solo improvisation

• Everett Marshall in spontaneous speaking

• Marlena Rodenberg in poetry “One of Us”

• Teagan Finn in prose “The Audition”

Earning Division 2 ratings were:

• Bella Hasley in solo improvisation

• Cait O’Connor in solo improvisation

• Claire Thuerauf in poetry “Who She Was”

• Grant Tucker in after dinner speaking “Coach George” and spontaneous speaking

• Natalee Glaister in poetry “Type 1 Warrior”

• Skye Rodman in solo musical theatre “Suppertime”

• Will Turner in radio news announcing

• Elliott McNulty in after dinner speaking “FLAP”

• Emry Willems in review “Warrior Cats” and solo musical theatre “My Grand Plan”

• Fenn Jones in review “Animal Crossing New Horizons”

• Marlena Rodenberg in solo musical theatre “Last Midnight”

Orman Thomas Rouse “Tom,” aged 91, of State Center, passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 6, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church (422 4th Street) in Colo, with Father Richmond Dzekoe officiating. Visitation will be at the church beginning at 9 a.m. Following the service, the burial with military honors will take place at Murphy Cemetery in rural Nevada.

Tom was born Dec. 7, 1933, in Hopkinton the beloved son of Chester Whipple and Florence (Gerlich) Rouse. He graduated from Clarence High School in 1951 and was united in marriage to Ramona Mae Nelson on Sept. 12, 1953, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Lisbon,. Tom enlisted in the United States Army serving from Aug. 3, 1955, until his honorable discharge on May 31, 1957. He graduated in 1964 from Iowa State University with a degree in engineering which led him to a career at the Iowa DOT as a Right-ofWay Agent.

Tom and Ramona lived in Colo, Oxford Junction, Princeton, Mo., and State Center. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Colo American Legion and AAA (Area Agencies on Aging) serving as past president. Tom enjoyed playing card games including rummy, pitch, cribbage, solitaire and kings corner. He was proud to teach his grandkids and great grandkids how to play cards and everything that went along with it. Tom also enjoyed farming in northern Missouri, attending cattle sales and driving the Amish folks where they needed to go. He loved to be able to support his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in all their activities. He is survived by his loving children: Mary Kathleen (Lonny) Flack of Nevada; Ellen Kristine (Jack) Moel of Lisbon; and Thomas (Jeanette) Rouse of Springfield, Mo. He was a proud grandfather to six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and recently 2 great great-grandbabies. He is also survived by his sister Gladys (Rouse) Whipple Hurtis. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his cherished wife Ramona Mae Rouse in 2019; two grandsons: Carl Jason Stromberg and Bradley Christopher Flack; and his siblings: Chester Rouse, Anne (Rouse) Goldsmith Fetz, Mary (Rouse) Brinkman, Betty (Rouse) Christopherson, Ray Rouse, John Rouse, Mike Rouse and Jeanne (Rouse) Maher.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or Unity Point Hospice in memory of Tom.

Arrangements are being handled by Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home in Nevada. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.rasmussonfh.com.

Mitchelann “Mickey” Woods, 83, passed away Feb. 19, 2025, at Living Center West, Cedar Rapids. Private family services were held with Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids. There will be a Celebration of life later this year.

She was born Jan. 12, 1942, in Honolulu, Hawaii during the WWII attack on Pearl Harbor. She graduated from Lisbon High School, class of 1961. Mickey was Mount Vernon’s local artist. She is best known for painting the mural at the local pizzeria, Algier’s Pizza Palace and the Historical Mt. Vernon billboard, which is located at the town’s City Hall. Her motto was “There is not a surface on this planet that can’t be painted. Be creative, the World is your canvas.” She was married Aug. 18, 1964, in Cedar Rapids, to Charles John “Chuck” Woods. They had three children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mickey is survived by her daughter Jill (Todd) of Winterset; sons Kenneth (Barb) of Lisbon and Keith (Jenni) of Mount Vernon; six grandchildren Whitney (Abe), Wesley (Bella), Kyle, Nathan, Renae, and Lydia; two great-grandchildren Lilianna and Gianna; her sisters Melanii Vislisel and Nancy Hanger.

She was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents, her parents, her husband Chuck, her brother Michael D. Torrence.

A special thank you to the staff at Mercy Medical Center, Hospice of Mercy and Living Center West for their loving care for Mickey.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com

Elva Bertha Wolrab, 98, longtime resident in the Mount Vernon community, passed away peacefully on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at Legacy Senior Living in Iowa City, surrounded by family.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2025, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon. Family will greet friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Private family inurnment will take place at the Mount Vernon Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Elva’s name to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 600 Fifth Avenue SW, Mount Vernon, IA, 52314. Home & Cremation Services in Marion, IA, is assisting Elva’s family. Please share your memories on her tribute wall at www.murdochfuneralhome.com, under obitu aries.

Elva was born Oct. 25, 1926, in Lu Verne, the daughter of Fredrick Herman and Martha Augusta (Behnkendorf) Hintz. She graduated from Lu Verne High School in 1944 and Des Moines School of Beauty in 1945. Elva moved to Mount Vernon in 1946, where she met Francis Wolrab. They married in 1947 and shared 71 years together. Fran cis passed in 2018.

Elva is survived by children Vicky (Michael) Petruzz iello, Jacklyn Moore, Gail Logan, Glen Wolrab and Jill (Bill) Clark; 16 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; cousins, nieces and nephews. Elva was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Martha; siblings Lloyd, LeRoy, Lula, Elda and Edna; husband Francis; daughter Janette Wolrab Blinks; grand son Thomas William Floyd and special cousin Selma Behnkendorf Riedel.

Elva was a proud Iowa farm girl who grew up in Kossuth County, IA on a dairy farm that she lovingly called “the house on the hill.” There, family would help her father prepare and deliver fresh milk to residents of Lu Verne in a two-wheeled wagon pulled by horses. Elva learned to tap dance at the age of 7 and in later years gathered with family at barn dances where her father played the violin.

As a homemaker, Elva cherished country living and raised six children amongst flower and vegetable gardens, often canning vegetables to feed her family through the winter. Elva was noted for her cooking and baking. Family especially loved her rice pudding, kolaches and rhubarb pie. Elva was a 4-H leader, devout member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and its women’s organization, the Pris cilla Guild. After her children were raised, Elva worked at a local daycare and loved taking care of babies and tod dlers. She also enjoyed the relationships she formed with their families. Elva was a wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many. She will be deeply missed.

The family would like to thank Legacy Senior Living for their loving care while Elva resided there and St. Croix Hospice for its compassionate assistance. A special thanks to Rev. Sean Hansen, Pastor, St. Paul Lutheran Church, for his visits to Elva during her final days and hours.

Spring break movie planned for March 19 at Cole

Summer Camp: A Musical Caper March 11 at MVPAC

Welcome to Camp Runamok and the whackiest summer camp experience you could ever wish for! Join the Mount Vernon fifth grade class as they perform Summer Camp: A Musical Caper by John Jacobson and Mac Huff on Tuesday, March 11 at 7 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center.

Put away your technology and allow this nostalgic romp to take you on a journey of finding a place to belong, through the mighty highs and comic lows of Summer Camp.

Mount Vernon Schools community blood drive

Mount Vernon High School will be holding a blood drive Thursday, March 13, from 2-6 p.m. at the Mount Vernon High School commons, 731 Palisades Road, Mount Vernon.

For patients in need, donated blood can change everything. Blood products are used to help people –our friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers – as they treat cancer, chronic diseases, and traumatic injuries. And they are only possible with the help of volunteer blood donors like you.

Sign up at: https://login.bloodcenter.org/donor/ schedules/drive_schedule/132435 or call ImpactLife at 800-747-5401 to make your appointment.

Take a (spring) break at Cole Public Library and on Wednes-

Based on the book of the same name by Peter Brown, follows Roz, a robot stranded on an uninhabited island who must adapt and build friend-

Thrilling and heartfelt, this Oscar nominated movie features the voices of Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, is rated PG and is an hour and 43 minutes long. Snack and drink provided. Contact me at (319) 895-5940 or gchamberlain@cor-

Feb. 24 – Medical, 100 blk Seventh St SE, Mount Vernon

Feb. 24 – Agency assist- alarm, Linn Co

Feb. 25 – Agency assist- accident, Linn Co

Feb. 25 – Medical, 500

Feb.

MV girls ready for another state bout

Ryan Suchomel Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com

Every super hero origin story is unique. The Mount Vernon 2025 girls’ basketball team has one, too.

No. 1 Mount Vernon opened Class 3A state tournament play Monday, March 3, against West Marshall (19-5). Their semifinal game would be 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 6, against either Cherokee (223) or Estherville-Lincoln Central (21-3).

The 3A championship is at 8 p.m., Friday, March 7. Wherever they finish, it is a long way from where they started.

In 2021, Mount Vernon girls’ basketball went 1-20. Rough days.

Coach Nate Sanderson was hired to revive the program. He had success building programs at LouisaMuscatine and Springville.

“I spent the year before (MV) as an assistant at North Linn, and I had a ton of fun there, but I missed being a head coach,” Sanderson said. “Mount Vernon had a great culture and a small-town feel. A great girls’ basketball league and a strong athletic culture. It was a great opportunity.”

Sanderson had some good athletes to start with. Of course, that included future Volleyball Player of the Year Chloe Meester.

To that point, volleyball was still her primary concern.

And despite the Mustangs improving to 12-11 her freshman year, her future on the court was not set in stone. A lot of elite volleyball players end up playing that sport through the winter, too, with a club, instead of playing high school basketball.

“My freshman year was hard on me, mentally,” Meester said. “I wanted to quit after that year. But my friends all made me stay out.”

Meester was just a reserve and scored just seven points -- total – as a freshman.

As a sophomore, Meester averaged 9.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. As a team, Mount Vernon finished 16-8.

“My freshman year I wasn’t really big on basketball,” Meester said. “It became more important … not equal (to volleyball) … but basketball became more important to me.”

And Sanderson was happy to have her.

“Her talent is unique,” he said. “She is one of the best volleyball players in the country. And she has shown it is possible to play both sports at a high level.”

And talent? Sure. But also, a sense of bubbly optimism.

“She is a fun person to be around,” Sanderson said. “She’s a leader. Chloe is hugely instrumental in making our environment what it is. She makes it fun for everyone.”

And that has been key for Sanderson, who tries to make basketball practice the best part of the day for his players.

“We just want to continue to play basketball and have fun,” senior Eryn Jackson said. “Just be with our teammates.

“Close friendships are what gets you the championship.”

During Meester’s sophomore year Mount Vernon also got its first look at Taylor and Courtney Franck, who as freshmen, showed they would be differencemakers.

Then Mount Vernon had a new face arrive. Sydney Huber joined the team as a junior after playing two years at Cedar Rapids Xavier. Her sophomore year with the Saints she averaged 9.1 points per game.

“I didn’t know much about Mount Vernon,” Huber said. “I knew Chloe through club volleyball, but that was all. I didn’t know anyone else.

“But when I got here, everyone was so nice to me. It made it easy for me to fit in. It was a great program and culture. Everyone is a great teammate and everyone likes each other. Everyone wants one another to get better.

“That’s why we’ve been successful.”

Huber averaged 12.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game as a junior.

“She was like the perfect piece for us,” Sanderson said. “Her skill set, her ability to shoot the ball. She’s another reliable ball handler. She solidified our press break. She’s an even better rebounder.

“A Swiss army knife that can do so many things for us. We wouldn’t be where we are without all the things she’s brought to the table.”

And just as important as her on-court skills?

“She just loves basketball so much,” Sanderson said. “She loves to practice. She loves to shoot. She does it year-round. It is fun to coach someone that loves it that much.

“The example she’s set, her work in the offseason … she’s been a great addition to the program.”

The Franck twins moved into full-time starting roles as sophomores, as Meester and Huber led the way offensively. (Of course, Peyton Simpson and Brynlee Rassmussen had big roles as seniors.)

Mount Vernon finished 22-4 and reached the state tournament for the first time since 2016. They lost in the 3A semifinals to ELC.

That set up this season. A No. 1 ranking and a 22-1 record, with a 22-game winning streak.

The Franck twins have gone from defensive specialists to all-around terrors.

“Courtney and Taylor have spent a ton of time playing and getting better,” Sanderson said. “We are averaging 4 or 5 less turnovers than last year. They both improved their perimeter shooting. They play faster. They bring so many different things to the table.”

And the piece de resistance was the addition of freshman Savanna Wright.

“I say often about Savvy, we knew she was going to be good, but we didn’t know she’d be this good, this early,” Sanderson said. “She is a lot of fun to be around and fit right in from day one.”

The Avengers have assembled. And now they have their final week playing together.

The week before that week, Sanderson took them to practice at Shoot 360 in Cedar Rapids, CarverHawkeye Arena, and Cornell College. They spent one day just playing laser tag at Dragon’s Lair Family Adventure Center in Cedar Rapids and got ice cream after.

“There are nine days off in 3A,” Sanderson said, referring to the time between qualifying for state, and playing at state. “We do some things out of the ordinary and try to mix it up a little bit.”

At Wells Fargo Arena, Mount Vernon is topranked in 3A, and the top seed. The Mustangs are the favorites, much like they were this fall at the 3A volleyball tournament (which the Mustangs won).

“Obviously there is some pressure on us,” Huber said. “But if we handle it the right way, it’s good. We’re the team that everyone wants to be. We just have to play like we know we can.”

Mount Vernon season ends to Keokuk Chiefs

Ryan Suchomel Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com

There’s not a lot of players than can push future Northern Iowa offensive lineman Joe Briesemeister, who is 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, off the block.

But Keokuk’s 6-foot-11, 250-pound junior Jaxon Clark is one.

Clark and the Chiefs got pushy, and pushed the Mustangs out of the Class 3A postseason 51-47 on Thursday, Feb. 27, in Mount Vernon.

“It was a game of swings,” junior Kellen Haverback said. “We hit, they hit back. Those are fun games to be in.

“They had a great game plan. They got the ball inside and he’s a stud.”

Clark, who is getting

looks from Big Ten schools, piled up 18 points and 13 rebounds for Keokuk.

More importantly, he had seven points in the final quarter as the Chiefs stayed one step ahead of the Mustangs.

“Every possession matters,” Briesemeister said. “And we just threw too many away tonight.”

It was a one-point game at halftime, 27-26, and a two-point game after three quarters, 40-38. The Chiefs leading both times. But Mount Vernon led with two minutes to play, 47-46, after a Haverback 3-pointer.

But Clark scored in the paint to retake the lead for Keokuk.

Senior AJ McDermott had his shot blocked by Brenton Hoard on the next trip down the floor. Hoard hit 1-of-2 at the foul line, and

then Briesemeister missed a 3-pointer at the other end.

Clark hit a pair of free throws with 10.7 seconds left to provide the final margin.

“Our guys competed really hard,” Mount Vernon coach Derek Roberts said. “(Clark) is unbelievable. He is everything everyone talks about. Our gameplan was surrounded around him.”

In the end, the Mustangs just didn’t shoot it all that well. They were 20 of 54 overall (37 percent), and 5 of 22 from 3-point range (22.7 percent).

“I think we got great looks,” Haverback said. “But sometimes at key moments, it doesn’t fall. We trust our guys. We trust them to shoot it, and sometimes it doesn’t fall.”

Briesemeister didn’t dominate the paint like he usually does with Clark in the lane, but still finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds.

“I just gave it my best,” Briesemeister said. “It’s not like football. You can’t just hit them. You’ve got to work around the rules of basketball. He’s great. His positioning; sealing off. So, it was a battle all night.”

Haverback had a gamehigh 21 points.

“We had some open looks that just didn’t go down,” Roberts said. “That’s how it happens, sometimes. They just made one more play than we did.”

Keokuk (17-7) advanced to

face No. 3 Knoxville (23-0) in a Class 3A substate final Monday, March 3.

Mount Vernon earned the right to face Keokuk after downing Fairfield 66-57 in a Class 3A quarterfinal game Monday, Feb. 24, in Mount Vernon.

The Mustangs led 14-12 after one quarter and never gave up the lead, even as the Trojans (6-16) made it close in the final quarter.

Briesemeister had 22 points and nine rebounds, followed by Haverback with 17 points and Luke Rushford with 12 points.

Mount Vernon finished 17-6.

“I think expectations of people in the community is that the basketball team is going to be about .500 this year,” Robert said. “We had a lot of sophomores playing, and we played just two games with our entire roster. It was just sudden change after sudden change.

“I’m really proud of our guys. We overachieved a little bit. Credit to the guys.”

The Mustangs will miss their seniors, but return their No. 2 scorer, Haverback, and several sophomores that played quality minutes (Luke Rushford, Seth Rushford, Stratton Ellyson and Maddox Thede).

“We had our own goals, and I think we wanted more,” Haverback said. “We’ll be ready for next year.”

11, Drake Anderson 1-5 0-0 2, Tramell Smith 6-11 0-0 12, Jaxon Clark 7-15 4-9 18, Bode Beagles 0-0 0-0 0, Chayce Smith 0-1 0-0 0, Drew Campbell 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 20-49 5-11 51. Mount Vernon (47) – Luke Rushford 2-9 0-0 4, Kellen Haverback 8-22 0-0 21, AJ McDermott 3-4 1-2 7, Stratton Ellyson 0-2 0-0 0, Josef Briesemeister 5-14 1-2 11, Cole Thurn 1-2 0-0 2, Maddox Thede 1-1 0-0 2, Brogan Meyer 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 20-54 2-4 47. Keokuk 11 16 13 11 – 51 Mount Vernon 8 18 12 9 – 47 3-point goals – Keokuk 4-16 (Barnes 2-5, Hoard 2-4, Anderson 0-2, Smith 0-3, Clark 0-2),

Former Lisbon coach Smith entering Hall

Former Lisbon wrestling coach Brad Smith is among the inductees for the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame 2025 class.

Smith, who had two coaching stints at Lisbon, plus a stretch at Iowa City High and, this past year, at Clear Creek Amana, owns the most dual wins in Iowa coaching history with 717 over 46 seasons. He also has the most traditional championships (12), most individual champions (64) and most four-time state champions (5).

He is already in the Illinois Wrestling Hall of Fame (1991), Lisbon Athletics Hall of Fame (2002), Glen Brand Hall of Fame (2004) and the Iowa High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame (2011).

Smith was also an NCAA Champion at the University of Iowa.

The ceremony is April 14 in Cresco. For more information, visit iowawrestlinghalloffame.com or Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame on Facebook.

Meester gets grant for volleyball club

Mount Vernon senior Chloe Meester, the Iowa Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year, awarded Mount Vernon Volleyball Club a $1,000 grant.

Every Gatorade Player of the Year receives a grant to donate to a “social impact partner.”

The money will help the MVVC buy new uniforms.

Wrestling Teams this weekend.

For the boys, state champion Jase Jaspers was the area pick at 144 pounds, and Ethan Woods, who placed third at state, was the selection at 285. Both are seniors.

For the girls, two-time state champion Libby Dix, senior, was the selection at 190 pounds, and freshman Kate Martin earned the nod at 105 pounds. Martin placed fourth at state.

Spring

4 yr. old/AK ~ 6th Grade

Registration Deadline: March 7, 2025

Coaches meeting: March 18 at 6:30pm

Remember: Without coaches, the program cannot happen. We need you. . . Thank you!

The Mount Vernon girls’ basketball team made it to the state tournament players on the team include Alivia Truitt (No. 3), Quinn Pershing (No. 4), Eryn Jackson (No. 5), Savanna Wright (No. 10), Taylor Franck (No. 11), Lucy Wischmeyer (No. 14), Chloe Meeester (No. 20), Sophia Meester (No. 21), Courtney Franck (No. 22), Sydney Huber (No. 23), Rylee Rasmussen (No. 24) and Ella Wilson (No. 25).

The Mount Vernon girls’ wrestling team were second place at the girls’ state wrestling tournament overall, with six wrestlers representing the team. Kate Martin (105), Kaylee Kintzel (155), Gracie Pinckney, Addie Whisner, Kiersten Swart and Libby Dix were the wrestlers. Libby Dix repeated a first place finish, Swart finished second and Martin finished fourth. Pinckney finished fifth and Whisner finished sixth.

MOUNT VERNON & LISBON

Representing the Mount Vernon boys’ wrestling team at state tournament in 2025 were Cooper Krob (106), Jake Haugse (120), Jase Jaspers (144), Mikey Ryan (150), Will Goodlove (157), Cooper Hird (165), Jaxon Anderson (175), Caysen Curran (190), and Ethan Wood (285). Jaspers placed first, while Wood and Ryan placed third.

Representing the Lisbon boys’ wrestling team at the state tournament in 2025 were Jack Gogel (106), Cael Stricker (113), Wesley Sadler (120), Cade Happel (126), Tiernan Boots (150), Gage Holub (165), Caleb Brown (175), and Jacob Walerius (215). Boots made it to the podium for Lisbon with a second place finish, while Stricker had a sixth place finish and Sadler was seventh overall.

Lisbon senior Lillian Gaiser, (120 pounds), and freshman Emma Dietsch represented Lisbon at the girls’ state wrestling tournament in early February. Gaiser was the first to place for Lisbon at the wrestling tournament with an eighth place finish.

on or about January 12, 2025: You are hereby notified that on February 7, 2025, the Last Will and Testament of James Edward Lee, deceased, bearing date of September 14, 2010 , was admitted to probate in the abovenamed court and that Laura Beth Lee was appointed Executor of the estate. Any action to set aside the will must be brought in the district court of said county within the later to occur of four months from the date of the second publication of this notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice to all heirs of the decedent and devisees under the will whose identities are reasonably ascertainable, or thereafter be forever barred.

Notice is further given that all persons indebted to the estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned, and creditors having claims against the estate shall file them with the clerk of the above-named district court, as provided by law, duly authenticated, for allowance, and unless so filed by the later to occur of four months from the date of the second publication of this notice or one month from the date of mailing of this notice (unless otherwise allowed or paid) a claim is thereafter forever barred.

Dated February 13, 2025.

Laura Beth Lee, Executor of Estate 230 Gaddis Boulevard Waiford, IA 52351

Christopher L. surls, ICIS#: AT0007796 Attorney for Executor Dendinger Law Firm, PLC P.O. Box 390 Tipton, IA 52772

Date of second publication – March 6, 2025

Published in the Sun March 6, 2025.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

MOUNT VERNON, IOWA PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION

MARCH 12, 2025 6:30 PM Mount Vernon’s Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a Public Hearing on March 12, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. for consideration of a proposed amendment to the Zoning Overlay Map and US Highway 30 Overlay District to Mount Vernon, Iowa. A copy of the proposed amendment is available at the City Clerk’s office, 213 First Street NW, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, 52314. Individuals wishing to attend via Zoom may contact City Hall at (319) 895-8742 at least one day in advance of the meeting. Published in the Sun March 6, 2025.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

CITY COUNCIL OF MOUNT VERNON, IOWA

MARCH 17, 2025 6:30 PM Mount Vernon’s City Council will con-

duct a Public Hearing on March 17, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. for consideration of a pro-

posed amendment to the Zoning Overlay Map and US Highway 30 Overlay District to Mount Vernon, Iowa. A copy of the proposed amendment is available at the City Clerk’s office, 213 First Street NW, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, 52314. Individuals wishing to attend via Zoom may contact City Hall at (319) 895-8742 at least one day in advance of the meeting. Published in the Sun March 6, 2025.

CITY OF LISBON REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

FEBRUARY 24TH, 2025

CALL TO ORDER: The City Council of Lisbon, Iowa, met in regular session on February 24th, 2025, at 7:00p.m. with Mayor Doug O’Connor presiding. The following City Council members were present: John Bardsley, Mike Williams, Nathan Smith, and Rick Scott. Kevin Steele was present via zoom. OTHERS PRESENT: Christina Eicher, Drayton Kamberling, Travis Bagby, Doug Shannon, Casey Krall, Joe Horaney, Avery Arens, Natalia Scales, Nina and Gary Scott, TJ Hall Jr., and Reece Dolezal. Becky Hess and Dave Schechinger were present via zoom.

CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Williams, seconded by Scott to approve the consent agenda consisting of minutes for February 10th and list of bills. Motion carried 5-0. Nina and Gary Scott spoke about their grand opening for their new craft store. They have closed the escape room and are working to convert it to a craft store/ fix it shop. Joe Horaney with Linn County Solid Waste Agency presented their yearly update.

Motion by Scott, seconded by Bardsley to approve the Downtown Reinvestment Grant application for 141 E Main. All Ayes. Motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Smith, seconded by Scott to approve the Downtown Reinvestment Grant application for 110 E Main. All Ayes. Motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Smith, seconded by Bardsley to approve the Downtown Reinvestment Grant application for 114 E Main. All Ayes. Motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Williams, seconded by Bardsley to approve the Historic Preservation CLG Annual Report. All Ayes. Motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Williams, seconded by Smith to approve Resolution 08-2025 authorizing partial early redemption of Sewer Revenue Bonds, Series 2018A. Roll call vote. Ayes: Bardsley, Steele, Smith, Williams, and Scott. Absent: None. Nays: None. Motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Smith, seconded by Scott

to go into public hearing for Changes to Chapter 92 Water Rates and Fees at 7:21pm. All Ayes. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Smith, seconded by Bardsley to go out of public hearing at 7:23pm. All Ayes. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Scott, seconded by Smith to approve the first reading of Ordinance 012025 Update to Chapter 92. Roll call vote. Ayes: Bardsley, Steele, Smith, Williams, and Scott. Absent: None. Nays: None. Motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Smith, seconded by Williams to go into public hearing for Changes to Chapter 99 Sewer Rates at 7:24pm. All Ayes. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Smith, seconded by Williams to go out of public hearing at 7:25pm. All Ayes. Motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Smith, seconded by Williams to approve the first reading of Ordinance 02-2025 Sewer Rates. Roll call vote. Ayes: Bardsley, Steele, Smith, Williams, and Scott. Absent: None. Nays: None. Motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Smith, seconded by Williams to set a Public Hearing for Budget Statement for March 24th at 6:30pm. All Ayes. Motion carried 5-0.

The council received the following reports from city departments: City Engineer Dave Schechinger –working on Well 5 chemical building plans.

Public Works Director Travis Bagby – working to install new shelves at the library, flooring needs support work that was quoted by 2T Construction, City Administrator Brandon Siggins approved the work.

Parks & Recreation Director Drayton Kamberling – working on sponsorships for the soccer portion of the sports complex, Easter planning and preparing for spring soccer season.

Council congratulated all wrestlers attending state and acknowledge the young interns in attendance out the council meeting. Four students from the University of Iowa who are interning with the Sun Newspaper attended the meeting. New yoga studio opening downtown this weekend, following new state legislation being discussed, and reminded citizens of openings coming up on several city boards. Mayor O’Connor thanked city crews for their efforts during the last snow fall. Mayor Doug O’Connor adjourned the meeting at 7:35pm. Christina Eicher, City Clerk Doug O’Connor, Mayor Published in the Sun March 6, 2025.

CITY OF LISBON LIST OF CLAIMS

FEBRUARY 24TH, 2025

VENDOR NAME DESCRIPTION AMOUNT AAA PEST CONTROL PEST CONTROL 50 ACCESS SYSTEMS LEASING COPIER LEASE

Pets For Sale

Shih Tzu’s & Chishi Puppies. Fluffy, healthy. Parents on site. Vet checked & vaccinated. $900 & up. 563-210-5843

Wanted To Rent

Young, growing & hardworking family searching for acreage with home & building(s) for 4-H animals to rent, maybe buy. Fixer upper is fine. Prefer Mt Vernon/Lisbon area. References available. Thank you. 563-210-5843.

Wanted

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

Miscellaneous

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. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move.

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

Miscellaneous

Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-844-376-4154.

3’s council meeting with this statement:

The morning of Feb. 25 was a very sad day for the Mt. Vernon and Lisbon community, who lost a popular friend, a sad day for all City staff, who lost an employee, for all police staff, who lost a fellow officer and for Officer Moel, who lost a family member,” Wieseler said. “I know resources like the department chaplain will be made available to our officers but do what is necessary at this painful time. You, as our police department, lead the pack of the helpers in our community. Let us now be the helpers for you as you all grieve the loss of Officer Monster. Monster was a trusted partner, faithful friend, fearless by nature and loyal by choice.”

The search for Monster

A notice went out to the community early Tuesday, Feb. 25, that Monster had been missing since 10:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, when he went missing from the Moel household in Lisbon after an evening bathroom break

Members of the Mount-Vernon-Lisbon Police Department and Linn County Sheriff’s Office had searched most of the evening and early morning, utilizing drones and other methods, trying to locate the K-9 officer throughout the evening.

As the sun came up, and the dog had still not been located, the department asked for help from citizens and numerous other first responders to aid in the search.

Hundreds of volunteers and first

responders scoured the community to look for the dog.

At roughly 10:15 a.m. Tuesday morning, Lisbon Fire Department members spotted something at a partially frozen pond at 900 Willow Lane, one of the ponds south of Brother’s Market in Lisbon.

Monticello Police Department utilized a drone to confirm what crews were seeing was Monster. Mount Vernon Fire Department was paged from searching in other locations to help in recovering Monster’s body, utilizing the department’s ice rescue gear. The body was taken to Frey Pet Hospital in Cedar Rapids shortly after being recovered.

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police chief Doug Shannon thanked the outpouring of support and resources from the community to aid in the search for Monster Tuesday, Feb. 25, in Lisbon.

“We know Monster meant a lot to people in the community,” Shannon said.

Other departments that assisted throughout Tuesday morning included Monticello Police Department, Jones County Sheriff’s office and multiple animal rescues including Paws of Hope and Fur Fun Rescue, as well as countless citizens.

“I would like to extend our thanks to Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Iowa State Patrol, Monticello Police Department, Cedar County Sheriff’s Office, Mechanicsville Police Department, Mount Vernon Fire Department, Lisbon Fire Department, Lisbon-Mount Vernon Ambulance, Mount Vernon & Lisbon city staff, Frey Pet Hospital, and the many citizen volunteers who assisted in the search or have reached out to express

their support,” Shannon said, in a press release after the incident.

Monster, Shannon said, was nearing his 7-year anniversary for the department and the department would have been looking to retire the officer in the near future, as he was nearing 10-years of age.

“Monster has just been a paramount part of our police department, and he is going to be greatly missed,” Shannon said. “He really touched every one he came in contact with, and it’s made for some heavy hearts in our department today.”

One of his favorite activities was playing fetch with tennis balls, especially in the police office throughout the day.

Monster’s history with the department

Monster joined the police department officially in September 2018. Officer Steve Moel said working with a K-9 officer was a lifetime dream come true.

Monster’s arrival to the community was thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Mount Vernon and Lisbon communities, which raised the money for the dog’s training and equipment.

Monster, when he joined the department, was a 3-year-old Dutch Shepherd dual trained in narcotics procedures and tracking missing people or fleeing suspects.

In an interview with the Sun in October 2018, Shannon explained that Monster would aid the department by providing the department in more efficiency in dealing with drug location,” as well as helping officers “ability to track fleeing suspects or search a wide area more efficiently.”

MVLPD’s Jeff Frankfurt retiring

“He really shared what being a police officer in a small town police department is like,” Ford said. “That you have to see many of these people again and again every day.”

Nathan Countryman

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

Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department officer Jeff Frankfurt retired Tuesday, Feb. 25, drawing a nearly 35 year in law enforcement to a close.

Frankfurt began his law enforcement career in 1991 and served at Monticello, Anamosa, Lisbon and then Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department.

Chief Doug Shannon said Frankfurt came to Lisbon after he was heavily recruited by fellow officer Amy Ford.

“Jeff has been a great addition to our department since he arrived,” Shannon said.

Jeff’s son, David, is a member of the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department reserves and also serving as part of the Cedar Rapids Police Department. Shannon said the legacy Frankfurt is leaving for the department is great.

Ford said she learned so much from Frankfurt about the importance of police work when she joined the Anamosa Police Department in 2007.

In 2017, shortly after Ford had joined the Lisbon Police Department, she recruited Frankfurt to join the small town police department.

Ford said the most important lesson she has learned from Frankfurt is to “pick yourself up and move on after anything, because it will al buff out in the end.”

Frankfurt thanked Ford for recruiting him to the Mount Vernon and Lisbon communities, which he said have been some of the best departments to work at in his career.

“I’ve loved having the opportunity to work alongside my son these past few months,” Frankfurt said.

Frankfurt said he always tried to do the best he could with the abilities he had at times as an officer.

Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun

Right: Mount Vernon Lisbon Police Department chief Doug Shannon presents officer Jeff Frankfurt with a plaque of his retired police badge.

Moel explained that when working with Monster, when he was tracking something, his behavior changes, and the changes can be very subtle.

“If you aren’t aware of the change, you can actually hamper him finding the suspect,” Moel said.

Growing up, Moel helped his family train beagles and Labradors for hunting. Working with Monster, however, requires a completely different skill set.

Moel said he was looking forward to bringing Monster to Mount Vernon schools.

“He has a very friendly and playful demeanor when he’s not working,” Moel said.

Celebrating Monster

Monster’s remains were returned to the department Thursday, Feb. 27, with first responders from the community giving the officer the honor of a departed officer’s return.

A memorial celebrating the officer will be held Saturday, March 8, at 9 a.m. at the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department. Donations in honor of monster can be made to MVLPD-K9.

Shannon said that the department will look to replace Monster as a K-9 officer in the future, but how soon that happens is undetermined. The annual K-9 golf outing fundraisers the department have and will continue to hold have been put in place for keeping that officer program going for the department.

“Please keep our department and Officer Moel and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time,” Shannon said. “K9 Monster will be deeply missed by all of us.”

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, March 6

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 “The Nexus of Climate Change and Health” by Peter Thorne, LBC, 1 p.m.

Mount Vernon High School orchestra concert, Mount Vernon High School Performing Arts Center

Friday, March 7

Mount Vernon School Board special meeting, Mount Vernon School District office, 7 a.m. Bingo, Southeast Linn Community Center, 10-11:30 a.m.

Linn Lunch Bunch, Southeast Linn Community Center, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 8

Lisbon Library presents signature Saturdays writer’s workshop with Molly Biskupic, Lisbon Public Library, 10 a.m. to noon Lisbon Dance Clinic show, Lisbon Lions Den, 7 p.m.

Monday, March 10

Movie matinee for adults “Conclave,” Cornell College Cole Library Room 108, 1 p.m. Lisbon City Council, Lisbon City Hall, 7 p.m. Lisbon FFA Chapter meeting, Lisbon High School, 6:30 p.m.

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

Pastor Andrew Bee

Services live streamed at Living Hope Global Methodist Church’s YouTube page

Sundays at 9:45 a.m. Sun.: 9:45 a.m. — In-person worship.

Seeds of Faith Lutheran Church, ELCA

798 Brenneman Lane, 455-2599

(Off Hwy. 30 on eastern edge of Lisbon) www.seedsoffaithlutheran.org/

Pastor Erika Uthe

9 a.m. — In-person worship. Services also livestream via Seeds’ Facebook Page.

BERTRAM

United Methodist Church

319-365-8077

Rev. Darwin Moore, Pastor Sun.: 10 a.m. — In-person worship service

MARTELLE

Christian Church Sun.: 10:30 a.m. — in person worship service Services also stream online at Martelle Christian Church’s YouTube page.

United Methodist Church Sun.: 10:30 a.m. Worship service. No Sunday school.

SPRINGVILLE

United Methodist Church

Sun.: 9 a.m. Worship service. Wed.: 6:30 p.m. Praise service

Faith Christian Fellowship

Pastor 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 Middle and High School Choir All-Sing, Mount Vernon High School Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, March 11

Lego Club, Cornell College Cole Library 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.

Mount Vernon Fifth Grade Musical, Mount Vernon Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, March 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, March 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 “Iowa Civil Rights” by Jacqueline Hunter, LBC, 1 p.m.

Mount Vernon Schools Impact Life Blood Drive, Mount Vernon High School, 2-6 p.m. Mount Vernon Schools District roundtable meeting, Mount Vernon High School library, 6 p.m.

Across

1 First U.S. prez to be born outside the original 13 Colonies

4 Airport transports

8 The film “Airplane!,” e.g.

13 Cry in a horror film

14 Challenge for an interpreter, perhaps

16 Result of a leadoff walk

17 “Sic vita ___” (“Such is life”)

18 Mercenary

20 DEF, on a phone

22 Bemoan

23 Groundbreaking medical procedure first accomplished in 1967

27 Region bordering India and China in Risk

29 Nestlé Purina PetCare brand

30 Level

31 Only about 10% of Americans have one

32 Tiny bit

34 Shakers in the woods

35 Suffix with social

38 Focus of a product development test

40 Govt. agency for retirees

41 They might sound the alarm

43 In-the-works software versions

45 Score endings

46 El ___

47 Caresses

51 “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” police captain

52 Has a clouded mind

54 Append

56 Turn left or right, say

57 Uncertainties of life ... or a feature of four answers in this puzzle?

61 Supermodel Carangi

62 Personal style

63 Throat lozenge additive

64 This is “plagiarism or revolution,” per Gauguin

65 Emerged

66 Walks, for one

67 Anti-vaping ad, e.g.

Down

1 Singer with the 1972 album “Young, Gifted and Black,” informally

2 Quantity on a farm

3 Catch

4 Clamps in a shop

5 Big fuss

6 Zip

7 Cover some ground?

8 1040, e.g.

9 Pays for a hand

10 Connects with an ex, e.g.

11 Holds within

12 Suffix with methyl

15 Children’s author who wrote “And the only reason for being a bee that I know of is making honey”

19 Work on a sub?

21 Grandson of Eve

24 Newspapers, collectively

25 Delicate fabric

26 Fictional prison guarded by Dementors

28 Canyonlands National Park feature

31 Division of the Dept. of Labor

33 Plunks (down)

34 Pidgeon, Hawke or Crowe

35 Rash reaction?

36 Play a bogey- free round, maybe

37 TV character who said “Doing the right thing is never the wrong thing”

39 Chillax

42 Deep-pocketed types

44 Stick at a roast

46 Zoo Atlanta’s Lun Lun or Yang Yang

48 Separation in some relationships?

49 Possible answer to “Whose?”

50 Rock layers

52 Cousin of a haddock

53 One can be fixed or liquid

55 Base for a proposal?

57 Hagen in the American Theater Hall of Fame

58 Switch positions

59 Cleverness

60 U.S. org. that operates a cryptology museum in Maryland

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.

Whitetails Unlimited donates to Lisbon Fire Department

Whitetails Unlimited donated $1,000 to the Lisbon Fire Department. A reminder as well – Lisbon Fire Department’s spring fundraising event is set for Saturday, March 22 at Tin Roof Hideaway and Event Center north of Lisbon. Contact Lisbon to donate.

and

Find

yo ur plac e in