• First place – Autumn Zaehringer (portrait with frame)
• Second place – Hannah Dighton (colorful frog)
• Second place and people’s choice –Elizabeth Niemczyk (girl with rabbit)
• Third place – Stacey Fett (owl and moon)
• Third place – Emma Larson (dog photo)
• Third place – Casey Kasparek (teddy bear)
• Artist’s choice – Eliza Nelson (colored self portrait)
• Honorable mentions – Hannah Brockmeyer and Alex Barnett (phoenix), Kasia and Kim Dean (colorful giraffe), Rebecca Skalsky (photographer), Kassie Morlan (woman with wavy hair), Mike Larson (Support Your Family), Mary Campbell (Statue of Liberty), Katie Hughes (colorful cake), Gloria LaPointe (woman on swing), Charlotte Woosley and Jonathan Winkler (Stardew Valley), Jan Clarke and Judy Murray (violin), Martina Frost (Jokers), McKenna Guillaume (Amtrak train).
Nathan Countryman | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Left: Autumn Zaehringer works on her first-place piece at Chalk the Walk. Right: Hannah Dighton’s second place winning colorful frog.
Matt McGowan | For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Stacy Fett works on her owl and moon chalk art piece. Fett owns Blue Koi Fine Art and also works as an administrative assistant for a moving company in Iowa.
Leah Patterson | For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun Eliza Nelson finishes some details on her piece at Chalk the Walk Sunday, May 4.
Leah Patterson | For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Top: Elizabeth Niemczyk puts final touches on her people’s choice and second place piece at Chalk the Walk. Above: Casey Kasperek touches up his third place winning teddy bear drawing at Chalk the Walk Sunday, May 4. Left: Chalkers work at finishing the community art piece Sunday, May 4 in uptown Mount Vernon.
Mustang Moon earns multiple awards
IHSPA Contest Winners. Front (from left) Brighton Bybee, Audrey Vaughn, Lydia Marshall, Eva Bishop, Emily Giel, Kade Kaiser, middle row (from left) Nathaniel Lewis, Kaia Swaim, Mavrik Schweer, Jakob Yock, Cooper Krob, Colin Boehler, Sarabell Steil, Katherine Bauer, Renee Vig (back, from left) Beckett Johnson, Eastin Whisner, Lucy Wischmeyer, Owen Wheat, Koen Wiebel, Maddox Thede, Alexander Briesemeister, Cayden Scheil, and John Bishop IV. Absent from photo: Cyrus Cannon, Isabel Govea, Polly Hinrichs, Watson Krob, Cole McDermott, Jayden Pyatt, Thomas Rhomberg, Dylan Robinson, Reid Rolland, Luke Rushford, Seth Rushford, Avery Thurn, Xander Wegner.
Publication up for News Team of Year award
The Mustang Moon placed in several categories in the spring contests for the Iowa High School Press Association.
“The Mustang Moon is one of 15 Iowa Schools, five from each class size, who are named “News Team of the Year” Finalists,” said advisor JoAnn Gage. “
Those news teams will compete to be one of five News Teams of the Year, which will be announced in October.
Placing first were: Lydia Marshall for infographic “Freshmen and their experience;” Renee Vig for sports feature photo “Volleyball Celebration;” Lucy Wischmeyer, Mavrik Schweer, Kaia Swaim, Isabel Govea and Eastin Whisner for video story “Volleyball State Champions 2024;” Renee Vig for photo story “Mount Vernon Advances to the
True crime book is being discussed
Ella McEntaffer
For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
MOUNT VERNON — Judge CJ Williams has had a long career in Iowa, in both law and writing. But for Williams, who was born in Mount Pleasant, it almost never happened.
“My high school counselor told me that I would never make it in college and suggested trade schools,” said Williams. “I ignored him, applied myself my senior year in high school, and attended the University of Iowa where I earned my bachelor’s and law degrees with high honors.”
“My career has been a series of fortunate events,” said Williams. “There were no lawyers in my family history and I never planned on a legal career.”
After excelling in law school, Williams did a judicial clerkship under a federal judge in Washington D.C.
“While there, I watched two attorneys from the United States Department of Justice argue a case before my judge,” said Williams. “I decided I wanted to be as good as them, so I went to the Department in Washington where I worked in the Narcotics and Dangerous Drug Section for two years.”
From there Williams spent some time in private practice, before rejoining the Department of Justice as an Assistant United States Attorney. Williams became a United States Magistrate Judge in 2016, and in 2018 he was nominated and confirmed as a United States District Court Judge.
Semifinals After 3-0 Win Against Mid-Prairie;” Emily Giel for feature photo “Smile of A Queen;” Lydia Marshall for environmental picture “Drum Major Clare Nydegger;” Cyrus Cannon, Watson Krob, Xander Wegner for entertainment for “Mount Vernon Boys Basketball Promo;” Kade Kaiser for news photo “Hyping Up for Homecoming;” Lydia Marshall for web story design “Freshmen and Their Experience;” Mavrik Schweer, Kaia Swaim, Lucy Wischmeyer for podcast “Interview with #1 Ranked Wrestler in Iowa, Libby Dix;” Mavrik Schweer, Polly Hinrichs for multimedia story sports “Mustangs Make History Once Again: Mount Vernon Girls Wrestling Places 2nd as a Team, and Puts 5 on the Podium;” Brighton Bybee for column/opinion “Expanded Kirkwood Access: Why we should expand the number of Kirkwood courses students have access to” Placing second were: Brighton Bybee for infographic “School Safety in Iowa: PostPerry What is being done, and can be done, to protect us, and students like us across Iowa?;” Lucy Wischmeyer for sports feature photo “Coach and Gunnar;” Avery Thurn for photo story “Mustangs Win Regional Duals: Mount Vernon Will Compete in Back-toBack 2A State Wrestling Duals;” Eva Bishop for personality profile “Sheep, Sewing, and Service: Mya Stoner’s 4-H experience;” Kade Kaiser for feature photo “Laughing Through the Parade;” Tommy Rhomberg, Seth Rushford, Koen Wiebel, Colin Boehler, Luke Rushford, Owen Wheat for entertainment “Poker Prodigy;” Audrey Vaughn for news photo “Thumbs Up!;” Eva Bishop, Kade Kaiser for the multimedia story feature “2024 Homecoming Parade Brings Joy
“I’m in court presiding over hearings or trials almost every day,” Williams said. “When I’m not in court, I’m researching and writing judicial opinions.”
Besides judicial opinions, Williams fills his time writing in other genres.
“I first began writing in law school when I published a law review article in 1988,” said Williams. “I have since published 16 additional law review articles, with my 18th one accepted for publication and will come out this fall.”
William said he has previously tried fiction writing, but gave up that genre “except for a couple short stories published in the Washington Post when [he] lived there in 1990-92.”
Overall, William’s main genre of writing is legal based. He published his first book, a legal textbook, in 2016. Williams also has a second legal textbook published, two other published books for practicing lawyers, with a third that will be coming out later in the year.
A Monster in Mount Pleasant is William’s first book in the true crime genre, and is based off the murders committed by Monte Seager in Mount Pleasant in 1978 and 1979.
“Mount Pleasant was my home town,” said Williams. “I knew the victims, and the murderer.”
Each book takes about two years on average to write, with A Monster in Mount Pleasant taking about 2.5 years to complete. A large part of the process is going through the piles of data and evidence associated with the case.
“I went through court files and police records, visited the key sites, and interviewed more than a score of people involved, including prosecutors, police officers, witnesses, classmates, victims’ family members, and the murderer himself,” said Williams.
Williams has a unique perspective on the topic, due to his first-hand experience with the story and his deep background in the legal field. Williams was classmates with one of the three victims, and coworkers with another.
“Though we may never be able to fully comprehend how someone can commit such brutal murders, know-
to the Community;” Renee Vig for sports action photo “Girls Basketball Wins State Championship;”
Placing third were: Alex Briesemeister, Cole McDermott, Jayden Pyatt, Reid Rolland, Maddox Thede, and Jakob Yock for video story “2025 Freshman Basketball Team;” Lucy Wischmeyer for photo story “The Mustangs Trample over Mount Pleasant in Homecoming Win;” Lydia Marshall for feature photo “A Dazzling Victory;” Sarabell Steil for editorial cartoon/comic strip “Year-Round School Should Not Be Allowed;” Seth Rushford for news photo “Drone Alone;” John Bishop, Cooper Krob, Beckett Johnson, Nathaniel Lewis, Cayden Scheil for podcasting “The Mustang Moon Podcast: Brawlstars;” Audrey Vaughn, Kade Kaiser for the multimedia story feature “Hyping Up for Homecoming: Friday’s Pep Assembly Gets Students Excited;” Avery Thurn for sports action photo “State Champion Wrestler Jase Jaspers;”
Honorable mentions went to: Avery Thurn for sports feature photo “Mustangs Win Regional Duals;” Lucy Wischmeyer for sports feature photo “Chloe Lynner Can Fly;” Dylan Robinson for reviews “Top Five Hangout Locations in Mount Vernon,” Kade Kaiser for photo story “2024 Homecoming Parade Brings Joy to the Community;” Lucy Wischmeyer for photo story “Mustangs Win First Outdoor Volleyball Match;” Lydia Marshall for feature photo “Reaching for the Stars One Last Time;” Katharine Bauer for editorial cartoon/comic strip “Keep Kids Safe: Don’t Minimize Bus Driver Training!;” Lucy Wischmeyer for sports action photo “Mount Vernon Wins over Benton;” Renee Vig for sports action photo “Mount Vernon Mustangs Defeat Marion Wolves;” Seth Rushford for sports story game or season recap “Mount Vernon HS Mustangs Sophomore Basketball Team Clutches a Win Against Marion.”
ing something of Seager’s background will at least give us some insight as to what led him to the point where he thought he had the right to take the lives of innocent people,” Williams said.
Williams also worked to tell the story in a way that he felt portrayed the crimes in an accurate light, while taking the time to honor the victims that lost their lives as a result of the violence.
“My goal in writing the book was to focus on the victims, show that they were blameless and innocent, explain Seager’s background and his motive, and get the truth out about the killings,” said Williams. “In contrast to many true crime books, I intentionally avoided aggrandizing the murderer and sensationalizing the violent acts themselves.”
The book reading will be held May 20, 6:30 p.m., at the Cole Library in Mount Vernon. At a previous talk Williams gave regarding the book, 275 people attended. Williams hopes that the book will leave a lasting impact on the local community and beyond.
“I hope the audience learns more about the victims and the murderer, and come to understand that bad things happen to good people,” said Williams. “I hope they also walk away with the understanding that, though evil exists, the vast majority of people are good.”
Contributed photo
CDG announces event sponsorhips
The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group (CDG), a Main Street Iowa organization, is thrilled to announce its sponsorship of the Nitty Gritty Antique Festival and the Rhubarb Botanicals Farmers Market for 2025.
“This year has been one of transition for the CDG and our volunteers. Along with welcoming a new director, we’ve had four festival committee chairs step down since July. As a volunteer-led organization, this situation prompted the CDG Board to review all events under our umbrella for 2025,” stated executive director Jessie Thurn.
The Nitty Gritty Committee recently announced changes to the locations of their July 4 event, after parting ways with the CDG as the event organizer. The CDG received a request to sponsor the event, which was unanimously approved.
“It was a challenging conversation with the Nitty Gritty committee members in January regarding the CDG stepping back from organizing the festival. Nevertheless, we are excited to sponsor their efforts and look forward to seeing how this change positively impacts their success.”
The CDG is also pleased to support the Rhubarb Botanicals Farmer’s Market by sponsoring two vendor spaces for their 22-week market.
“A key part of the CDG mission is to enhance the quality of life in the communities we serve. When the opportunity to sponsor and collaborate with Rhubarb Botanicals arose, we knew we wanted to make it happen,” Thurn said. “We are eager to promote our organization and the communities we represent at a few of the markets. We believe the consistent presence of the markets will benefit the health of our community members and attract new visitors to our towns.”
Mount
Vernon Lions Club
The Mount Vernon Lions Club met Wednesday, April 30 at the Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center. Kevin Driscoll introduced the speaker, Tom Wiesler, the mayor of Mount Vernon. The mayor spoke extensively on the child care initiative that has been proceeding in Mount Vernon and Lisbon and how important that is to the future of the community,
The next Lions club meeting will be the Spring steak fry at Kernoustie Golf Club on May 28.
Richard George Club Reporter
STUDENT BRIEFS
MV local participating in Central College internship
Central College student Kayden Pendergrass of Mount Vernon is participating in a spring 2025 internship with Central College in Pella. Pendergrass, business manage ment major, is in the Central Class of 2025.
Central is dedicated to connecting students with internship experiences to gain career skills, expand their network and build their resume.
MV local recognized by IBNA
Joziphene Luneckas-Broomhall of Mount Vernon was recognized at the Iowa Broadcast News Association’s annual conference in April.
Luneckas-Broomhall received second place in political coverage.
KWAR, the college’s radio station, received second in the overall excellence category, and the Knight Vision staff earned a third-place finish in political coverage for their election special.
KWAR is advised by Pam Ohrt, and Knight Vision News is advised by Ron Johnson. Lucas Wendland is the broadcast engineer. Wartburg student media is under the guidance of the Wartburg College Department of Journal ism and Communication, chaired by Penni Pier.
Bijou, T-Mobile hold public reception
Nathan Countryman
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
nathan.countryman@mvlsun.com
T-Mobile and Bijou Movie Theater held a public reception for the $50,000 grant that the theater received from the Hometown Challenge.
Owner Kelli Kennon-Lane revealed the first phase of work to the outside of the theater, which will be installing an outdoor movie screen. The projector for that screen has arrived this week, and work will be going to paint the wall on the east side with a color conducive to outdoor movies.
“These movies will be free screenings held in our community, with people encouraged to bring their own seating to enjoy,” Kennon-Lane said.
Her husband, John, is working on the electrical upgrades for the exterior of the building needed to power that projector.
Alexandra Rambo will be completing a mural on the other side, focused on a prairie tableau and some of the animals you might find in a prairie, tying in with the natural plantings that Kennon-Lane will also have around the building.
A new sign and awnings were recently installed to the building, and a privacy fence will soon be installed on the east side of the property before the additional work on the exterior is completed.
Tariq Abuomar from T-Mobile said he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be there representing T-Mobile for this project.
“With these grants, we’re wanting to be part of the communities we’re supporting, and this project was one of them that means a lot to the community,” Abuomar said. “It’s a perfect example of why we want to be here.”
Jennison said this grant goes back to Mount Vernon’s long history of Community Development grants that Mount Vernon and Lisbon have received, totaling more than $750,000 that have benefited the community.
Mayor Tom Wieseler said that this project was a success for the community, and a long time coming for the work to the space.
“We have 50,000 reasons to be thankful today,” Wieseler said.
Cole Corner
Cathy Boggs Cole Library
April showers bring new fiction books at Cole
Many new book titles are released in the spring. Have you been waiting for a favorite authors latest title? At Cole Public Library I have ordered many new fiction titles for our collection- some authors will be familiar and some will become new favorites. You will find these titles in the Browsing Room. They are, in no particular order:
May 11: 9am-2pm
May 12: 8am-8pm
April
April
May 1 – Theft, 380 Old Lincoln Hwy, Mount Vernon
May 1 – Suspicious vehicle, 700 blk Eighth St NW, Mount Vernon
May 2 – Suspicious vehicle, 500 blk W. Market St, Lisbon
May 2 – Motorist assist, business 30, Mount Vernon
May 3 – Alarm, 500 blk Davis Dr, Mount Vernon
May 3 – Medical, 600 blk First St SW, Mount
May
May
May
May
Joel Kellar | Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun Members of T-Mobile, the Lane family (owners of the Bijou), Joe Jennison and others supplying work to the project at the end of the reception at the Bijou. Work has started on some of the projects the grant supplies.
SPORTS Mount Vernon names new girls’ basketball coach
Ryan Suchomel Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
Mount Vernon didn’t have to look far to find a new girls’ basketball coach.
Jacob Misener was right there on the bench.
The Mustangs promoted their assistant coach to the head job Monday, a few weeks after Nathan Sanderson stepped down following a Class 3A championship season.
“Jake’s life and his family life is all about basketball,” Mount Vernon activities director Matt Thede said, adding the hire is pending school board approval on Monday. “He lives and breathes
basketball. It is really exciting for our kids to have someone like that.”
Misener has been waiting for his first top job. He’s been an assistant under Sanderson at Mount Vernon for four seasons, and an assistant at Mount Mercy for nine seasons – two with the women, seven with the men.
And his day job is running Shoot 360, a year-round basketball training facility in Hiawatha.
“My wife (Mount Mercy Hall of Famer Emily Greiner) and I have been waiting patiently for close to a decade,” Misener said. “It has always been a goal of mine to run our own program. But I’m picky and choosy.”
With Mount Vernon, Misener is taking
over a program that went 26-1 this past season and brings a 25-game winning streak forward into the 2025-26 season.
“It’ll be great to have a background with the girls,” Misener said. “I’m not starting fresh with a brand-new place. It is a readymade program. I believe in what we’ve been doing the last few years. It works. I’ll do my best to put my own spin on it.”
Misener, a Cedar Rapids Kennedy grad, played college ball at Mount Mercy, helping take the Mustangs to the NAIA tournament twice.
“I’ve been all basketball since I can remember,” Misener said. “I’m excited for this new challenge. I’ll do the job the best I can. Mount Vernon has been incredible. Nothing but awesome, excellent people.”
MV girls win Pacha Relays, MV and Lisbon boys tie for fourth
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
Both Mount Vernon and Lisbon track teams competed in the Anamosa Co-Ed on Tuesday, April 29.
The Mount Vernon girls won the 12-team meet, scoring 151 points to top second-place Mid-Prairie by 10 points.
Nice conditions led to some personal bests for the Mustangs, including Sam Schoff in the 800, 2:23.36, good for first, Lucy Wischmeyer in the 200, 28.00, good for fourth, Edith Dawson in the 1,500, 5:06.20, good for fourth and Annabelle Smith in the 400 hurdles, 1:13.73, good for fifth.
With good results up and down the roster, the Mustangs also won some gold. Libby Dix won the shot put and discus. Cali Whitaker won the 200 and ran legs on the winning sprint medley and distance medley.
The Lisbon girls were ninth. Their best performance was a silver in the 4x100 with Brynn Epperly, Quinn Roos, Addie Clark, Brynnley Patterson in 52.33 seconds.
The Mount Vernon and Lisbon boys tied for fourth at Anamosa. Central DeWitt won the team title.
Mount Vernon Coach Ryan Whitman was impressed by their 4x200 relay finishing in 1:33.40, good for third place. That includes Logan Stanerson, Jakes Lee, Erik Lamb and Colin Bentley.
Grady Olberding and Dawson Scheil finished 2-3 in the 3,200.
“I keep telling he guys, we keep taking the steps to where we need to be at,” Whitman said.
Lisbon got gold from Tiernan Boots in the 100 (11.02), who also ran a leg on the winning 4x100 with Quinn Coleman, Dakota Clark and Chase McFarlane (43.43).
4x100 – 1. Lisbon (Coleman, Clark, Boots, McFarlane) 43.43;
Boys team scores – 1. Central DeWitt 138; 2. Denver 131;
Lisbon 69 and Mount Vernon 69; 6. (tie) Anamosa and Monticello 48; 8. Independence 46; 9. West Liberty 38; 10. Springville 22; 11. Central 11. Winners, MV, Lisbon placewinners Shot put – 1. Burke Berry (MP) 54-8.25; 7. Hayden Jackson 42-8.25. Discus – 1. Lincoln Schneiter (M) 156-5; 5. Andrew Dix (MV) 134-8; 7. Henry Reiling (L) 131-10.
High jump – 1. Brady Kurt (I) 6-0; 3. Erik Lamb (MV) 5-10; 4. Justin Snyder (L) 5-8; 5. Luke Paulus (MV) 5-8. Long jump – 1. Cooper Small (CD) 21-5.
400 hurdles – 1. Addison Merritt (S) 1:08.00; 3. Sorell Telecky (MV) 1:11.83; 5. Annabelle Smith (MV) 1:13.73. 1,500 – 1. Leah Koehler (M) 4:59.12; 2. Kiersten Swart (MV) 4:59.35; 4. Edith Dawson (MV) 5:06.20. 4x100 – 1. Mid-Prairie 51.79; 2. Lisbon (Epperly, Roos, Clark, Patterson) 52.33; 6. Mount Vernon
–
4:34.24.
He connected with Sanderson through backyard whiffleball, of all things. Sanderson mentored Misener first, then brought him to the bench first at LinnMar, then at Mount Vernon.
“Jake is going to be great,” Sanderson said. “He has tremendous positive energy and is great in practice. He does a great job putting the time in and the kids love being around him.
“The program will be in good hands, that’s for sure.”
Thede said it was a natural fit and easy decision for the interview committee.
“Jake had an incredible relationship with the girls and extensive basketball knowledge,” Thede said. “It was a double bonus, for sure.”
The Mount Vernon boys track team also competed in the Pacha Relays on Thursday, May 1, in Tiffin.
The Mustangs placed second behind only the host school (CCA).
“We scored quite a few points and set quite a few PRs,” Mount Vernon coach Ryan Whitman said. “We’re really coming into shape of where we want to be at the end of the season. It felt like a big step.”
The 4x800 team of Seamus O’Connor, Chasen Caskey, Grady Olberding and Dawson Scheil won in 8:02.06, which is among the best times in Class 3A.
The 4x200 of Holden Hlavacek, Logan Stanerson, Jaks Lee, and Colin Bentley finished fifth in 1:32.44, but also took another step forward.
“We are finding the best combinations, and they are coming together,” Whitman said. “I just feel good about where we’re at.”
Pacha Relays
Boys team scores – 1. Clear Creek Amana
Ryan Suchomel
Anamosa Co-ed
3. Mid-Prairie 120; 4. (tie)
(Martin, Donatti, Pershing, Hale) 54.56. 4x400
1. Maquoketa Valley 4:12.24; 2. Mount Vernon (Rupe, Pershing, Schoff, Swantz) 4:16.25; 7. Lisbon (Clark, Mayhew, Mollenhauer, Jarchow)
Photos by Linda Lako | For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Top: Mount Vernon’s Cayden Scheil and Graham Vavricek run in the 3200 meter at Clear Creek-Amana.
Vernon’s
jump at Clear Creek-Amana.
Mount Vernon’s Stanley Krob takes part in the long jump at Clear Creek-Amana.
LISBON BOYS’ GOLF
Lisbon boys’ top East Buchanan, Midland
Ryan Suchomel Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
It really isn’t a secret how Lisbon senior Tyler Sauser has improved his golf score from his junior to senior season. He played golf. A lot of golf.
“I was coming to the course two times a day,” Sauser said during a recent meet at Kernoustie Golf Course. “I was out here about every day in the summer.
“I also went to the Ozarks for a week. And I worked on a golf simulator.”
The senior is leading the Lions and averaging 40.03 strokes per round. As a junior, he averaged 44.99 strokes.
“He's out golfing every single day,” Lisbon boys’ coach Dylan Hastings said. “In the summer, he’s out golfing. That’s what it takes to be as good as he is.
“That’s a testament to him putting in the time. That’s the thing with the game of golf. If you want to be good at it, you’ve got to learn how to work at it.”
On Tuesday, April 29, Sauser carded a 2-over 37 to earn medalist in a dual against East Buchanan at Kernoustie. The Lions won the dual, 171 to 185.
The day before, Lisbon beat Midland 167 to 194 at Kernoustie. Sauser and senior Evan Coleman tied for medalist with 39.
On Wednesday, April 30, Lisbon won the four-team Maquoketa Invitational at the Maquoketa Country Club. Sauser was the meet medalist with a 75.
The Lions closed the week with a win over EdgewoodColesburg on Friday, May 2, at Woods Edge Golf Course in Edgewood, 171 to 194. Sauser led with a 39.
Lisbon keeps winning not only because Sauser keeps shooting well, but because he’s helping the younger Lions shoot well.
“He’s a leader out there on the course,” Hastings said. “He does a great job with the younger guys. Helping clean
LISBON GIRLS’ GOLF
Lisbon girls’ golf picks up three wins
Ryan Suchomel
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
ryan.suchomel@mvlsun.com
The Lisbon girls’ golf team has rolled off three wins this past week with a unique 1-2 punch.
A Mount Vernon senior, Eryn Jackson, and a Lisbon freshman, Kyla Kahl. Jackson averages 44.28 strokes per nine, and Kahl averages 45.65 strokes per nine.
“Both ends of the spectrum, right?” Lisbon coach Andy Kahl said. “Actually. I think of it as a positive. The freshman is kind of learning form the senior. Eryn has bene a great leader and leads by example. It works out really great.”
On Monday, April 28, Lisbon beat Midland, 182 to 249. On Tuesday, April 29, Lisbon beat East Buchanan, 175 to 186. Both were at Kernoustie Golf Course.
Then on Friday, May 2, Lisbon topped EdgewoodColesburg, 181 to 231, at Woods Edge Golf Course.
Each time, Jackson was medalist. Kahl has been medalist this season, but not this week.
“Kyla is just a hardcore golfer, so that really helps me,” Jackson said. “It keeps me competitive and it keeps me trying to shoot the best I can.
“Also, I’m there for her to help bring her up.”
Jackson has stretched the senior leadership skills she learned in volleyball and basketball to golf. She also credits Kaylie Kelchen doing it for her last season.
“I had to step into that role,” Jackson said. “I always try to be positive and if she doesn’t have a great shot, I just tell her ‘You’ve got this; you’re good.’”
That’s part of what has helped Jackson, too, according to Coach Kahl.
“Her consistency is much better this year,” coach Kahl said. “Maybe in earlier years, she’d have a bad hole, and she’d blow up. Now you see less of that. She’s more
up some of their mechanical things.
“And it is just his knowledge because he has golfed just about every course around here that we’re going to golf. “
And the big tournaments are coming up. Conference, districts, and beyond?
“We could (advance to state),” Sauser said. “We just have to have one good round. That’s all it takes. “
Sauser said his biggest improvement from junior to senior year has been his driver. Without any weight room work, Sauser gained 20 to 30 yards. “It is all about the swing,” Sauser said.
Hastings likes another aspect of his game.
“His attitude,” Hastings said. “You’ll never see him be frustrated or flustered. If he makes a bad shot he knows to flush it and move on.
“I’ve never seen anybody in the game of golf that gets frustrated and shoots better.”
LISBON (175) – Eryn Jackson 40, Kyla Kahl 42, Carie Johnson 43, Avery Thurn 50, Grace Bausch 50, Abby Bock 51. East Buchanan (186) – Piper Reck 41, Brooklyn Kelchen 44, Sammi Isham 48, Kate Dolan 53.
Lisbon 181, Edgewood-Colesburg 231
LISBON (181) – Eryn Jackson 41, Kyla Kahl 45, Carie Johnson 45, Abby Bock 50, Avery Thurn 50. Edgewood-Colesburg (231) – Lauren Kirby 46, Claire Hemann 60, Izzy Lange 61, Chloe Everett 61.
Jami Martin Trainor | For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun Lisbon golfer Tyler Sauser hits the ball during a golf meet at Kernoustie Golf Club against Eaton Valley High School on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
Photos by Maddie Willis | For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Top: Lisbon’s Ellie Beaty putts it in. Above left: Lisbon’s Avery Thurn lines up her shot. Above right: Lisbon’s Grace Bausch lines up her shot
Mount Vernon, Lisbon to miss police chief Doug Shannon in retirement
Local
officials and citizens reflected on Shannon’s impact on the community.
Colin Votzmeyer
For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
MOUNT VERNON, Iowa — Doug Shannon’s days once included responding to life-and-death medical emergencies and brutal car wrecks. But when he wakes up on Aug. 1, he’ll have nothing to do. And it’ll be bittersweet.
After 35 years in law enforcement, the Mount Vernon-Lisbon police chief still waves hello to every car and citizen he drives by on his patrol. But he knows his retirement is around the corner, effective July 1 for a month of paid leave before his official resignation. And he’ll miss the Mount Vernon community most.
“It’s going to be probably a culture shock for me, just like, ‘Oh, I don’t have any responsibility. Every day is a Saturday now,’” Shannon said. “I think everybody needs to do something that they’re passionate for, whether you’re paid for it or not, and help other people. It’s the community aspect of why we do what we do.”
The Mount Vernon City Council, albeit with hesitation and reluctant groans, unanimously approved Shannon’s resignation at its Feb. 19 meeting, making him a retired man come Aug. 1.
The Mount Vernon native for years had thought about the move, especially as Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System — or IPERS — drives the timeline. With IPERS financial benefits maxing out at 30 years, Shannon’s 55th birthday in June will satisfy the requirement for him to retire.
But satisfaction with the work he’s done has motivated it too.
“It’s truly been an honor and privilege,” Shannon said at the meeting of his service to the city. “All the city staff have been great. I told them 100 times — the last eight years have been the best years of my time in Mount Vernon … It’s been an amazing career. I’ll miss it for sure, miss the people, miss the activities. But it’ll be nice to do a lot more fishing.”
Upon studying criminal justice at Kirkwood Community College, a friend who was an officer at the Mount Vernon Police Department introduced Shannon to its reserve police officer program. That ultimately motivated him to pursue certification as a full-time officer through the Cedar Rapids Police Academy.
After a year with the Belle Plaine Police Department, Shannon took an opening in Mount Vernon in 1993 and stuck by the town ever since. From patrol officer for four years to sergeant for 18 more, Shannon was promoted to police chief in 2015. Now retiring after 10 years in that role, Shannon’s three decades in law enforcement come with wisdom and appreciation.
“You’re going to see people at their worst; you’re going to see people have the most amazing experiences you could have anywhere as well, so it’s the best of the best and the worst of the worst,” Shannon said. “It’s a rewarding experience as well. So when you take all of that in, it’s really, truly why I’ve enjoyed it. I still enjoy what I do. It’s helping others.”
To serve and protect
On his routine bike rides, Greg West of Mount Vernon always looks both ways
before crossing the street. This time was no different, both sides of the road clear for him to go. But upon entering the road, he’d somehow missed the Ford Explorer hurtling toward him.
Before West could dodge it, the car clipped his back tire, sending him flying 32 feet from the collision. He blacked out. Upon coming to his senses, the first face he saw was then-Mount Vernon police officer Doug Shannon.
Concussed, an open fracture in his left pinky, and a cracked jaw that required 80 stitches across his face — in the moment, West writhed in pain. But Shannon stayed calm.
“He was talking to me and just holding my head until the ambulance got there,” West said. “[He was] just talking to me and just trying to relax.”
West’s wife, Stephanie, was at home for their son’s overnight birthday party when Shannon called her, patiently letting her know Greg had been in an accident but
Shannon reached out to chat over lunch, answer any questions she had, and outline his vision for her that included a K-9 for the department.
“There’s the book of ordinances and all of that kind of stuff, but in terms of how you navigate through this, nobody really tells you all of that stuff,” she said. “You do have, hopefully have, mentors that have been part of that. They give you advice and that kind of thing. But anyway, that stood out to me.”
So, reflecting on her work alongside
that he was OK and looking to speak with her.
“I think every time you see Doug, he almost has a calming presence about him,” Greg West said. “He’s always professional … I couldn’t tell you how many times I thanked him and the ambulance crew afterwards because it was just — in retrospect you get a better vision of it, and [I’m] just profoundly grateful for the care that I had that day.”
Making work a gift
That incident was 11 years ago. Since then, Greg fully recovered, Stephanie was elected to the Mount Vernon City Council, and Shannon was promoted to police chief.
In his 10 years of service in the role, Mount Vernon has developed into the definition of a tight-knit small town. Now, the city in a brighter place, Shannon is retiring. And those around him are reflecting on it in bittersweetness.
When Stephanie West was first elected to the Mount Vernon City Council,
Shannon in the position, Stephanie West called it a “gift.” She recalled a friend in an exercise class similarly telling her, “Doug is the best boss I’ve ever had.”
“The people that work for him truly respect him and also like to work with him, and as a city council member, I feel like he’s always done a very good job to keep us informed,” Stephanie West said. “If we were to turn something into an ordinance, we need to know — what does that mean to actually have to enforce that ordinance? And so he would provide us input as we were making decisions, which was really, really valuable.”
Mount Vernon Mayor Tom Wieseler felt the same, grateful for Shannon’s work over the department upon hearing other mayors’ complaints of their officers engaged in tasing bouts and high-speed chases.
“He’s very even-tempered and even keel and didn’t get too wound up about anything but still reacted appropriately,” Wieseler said. “We didn’t have officers being cowboys … They’re serious. They’re very professional.”
In one of his first true encounters with Shannon, Wieseler quickly appreciated the work he does as police chief. Wieseler had just been elected to Mount Vernon’s city council when Shannon offered to take him to a firearm simulator in Cedar Rapids.
“That was his — Doug’s — way to educate me a little bit about what goes on in their world as a police officer carrying your gun, like, holy smokes,” he said. “How lucky I am that we respect law and order, respect the blue, and I respect the officers up one side and down the other. But [I’m] not trying to micromanage them either. They are appropriate.”
Grief, milestones, and progress
An example Wieseler noted came not quite in a life-or-death situation but one equally as tragic.
Let out from his handler’s home on a bathroom break at 10 p.m. on Feb. 24, Monster — the Mount Vernon-Lisbon police K-9 — disappeared. The resulting search with drones and first responders caught nothing — until 12 hours later when Monster was found dead in a pond in the 900 block of Willow Lane in Lisbon.
“If you were ignoring him, he was very good about invading your personal space,” Shannon said. “He would come up — you’d be typing a report, or officers were working on their computers — and your arm goes flying because he comes up and sticks his head right underneath your arm.”
Monster had been with the department since 2018, its first full-time K-9 officer, purchased with donated funds. He was trained in drug detection, officer protection, and suspect apprehension but was also a friendly face in schools and at festivals.
“We’ve been grieving for sure,” Shannon said. “It’s quiet around the office. We’re missing the activity that Monster brought. But on the same token, we’re honoring him and will honor him and his service to our community, and the community will miss him for sure.”
Shannon kept Wieseler informed throughout the process, handling it with a professionalism that included a lineup of the local firetrucks and police officers to transport Monster’s cremains to the police station.
And when the department honored Monster’s life, 200 people attended the service. So Wieseler prepared a statement, and Shannon stepped up to help him.
“I couldn't have read the statement; I would have fallen apart,” he said. “But Doug read my statement, and he was able to keep his composure and did a good job with that … That was pretty monumental.”
Arguably, Shannon’s biggest milestone was his consolidation of the Mount
Colin Votzmeyer | For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Chief Doug Shannon poses for a portrait next to one of the department’s squad cars. Parts of Shannon’s daily duties include patrolling the jurisdiction and waving to whoever passes by.
Colin Votzmeyer | For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Chief Doug Shannon works at the computer in his office between patrol. Even while on call, Shannon coordinates community outreach and policing with the people around him.
The Board met in session at the Linn County Jean Oxley Public Service Center. Present: Chairperson Meisheid, Vice Chairperson Running-Marquardt and Supervisor Scheetz. Board members voting “AYE” unless otherwise noted. Chairperson Meisheid called the meeting to order. Motion by Meisheid, seconded by Running-Marquardt to approve minutes of April 23, 2025 as printed. Motion by Running-Marquardt, seconded by Scheetz to approve claims dated 4/25/25 for payroll deduction checks #71017639 - #71017643 in the amount of $12,778.14, ACH in the amount of $61,969.39, an EFT wire in the amount of $765,371.66 and a Ceridian ER Funds Trust Wire in the amount of $2,156,670.41, for a total of $2,996,789.60. Supervisor Meisheid read Proclamation: National Correctional Officers Week, May 4-10, 2025. Motion by Meisheid, seconded by Running-Marquardt to adopt said Proclamation. Supervisor Meisheid read Proclamation: National Nurses Week, May 6-12, 2025. Motion by Meisheid, seconded by
Running-Marquardt to adopt said Proclamation. Motion by Meisheid, seconded by Running-Marquardt to open public hearing on the Status of Funded Activities (SOFA) for the Linn County 3rd Fire District generator project, funded in part through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) provided by the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Alyssa Comer, ECIGOG, stated that the purpose of this hearing is to consider the status of funded activities for the Linn County 3rd Fire District Generator Project, as assisted by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program (Contract #20-DRI-013).
As required for this hearing, it is noted that:
For a general description of accomplishments to-date, a CDBG Disaster Recovery Generator Installation contract in the amount of $53,000.00 was awarded to the Linn County 3rd Fire District from the Iowa Economic Development Authority for the installation of a generator at the Fire Station located at 700 South Iehl Street in Central City, with a release of funds issued on May 6th, 2024. A pre-construction meeting was held on November 14th, 2024, and construction began on March 17th, 2025.
For a summary of funding of the activity and source of funds, and total funds spent thus far by source, the total project cost is estimated at $59,900. Through April 24th, 2025, a total of $2,786.97 has been invoiced and paid for project service delivery and newspaper publications. $45,000 has been invoiced and paid for the project costs, the construction items include materials and labor for concrete and generator installation.
For a general description of the remaining work, project construction is almost complete. The remaining work on the project includes required monitoring and site visits conducted by the Iowa Economic Development Authority, installation of the transfer switch and generator startup.
For a general description of changes made to the project budget, performance targets, activity schedules, project scope, location, objectives or beneficiaries, no changes have been made.
Motion by Meisheid, seconded by Running-Marquardt to close public hearing.
David Thielen, LCCS Dir., presented a Vacancy Form Request for a temporary part-time Direct Support Staff for Options of Linn County Community Services to fill a staffing position for someone currently on an extended FMLA. The Board will approve Wednesday.
Motion by Running-Marquardt, seconded by Scheetz to move the following three agenda items to the regular agenda on Wednesday: Discuss and authorize the Chair to sign Fiscal Year 2026 Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) Secondary Road Budget; Discuss and authorize the Chair to sign revision 2.0 of the 2025 Secondary Road Five-Year Construction Program with the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT); and Discuss and authorize the Chair to sign Fiscal Year 2026 Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) Secondary Road Five Year Construction Program.
Todd Kruse, Linn County Assessor’s Office, presented the 2025 Slough Bill exemptions. There are 38.51 acres less than the 2024 exemptions. Motion by Meisheid, seconded by Running-Marquardt to approve the 2025 Slough Bill exemptions as presented. Charlie Nichols, Planning & Development Dir., discussed resolutions of Support for Twenty40 Building Concepts for Multi-Family and Single-Family Workforce Housing Tax Credit applications. This is an economic incentive program run by the State of Iowa. Applicants need a resolution of support and a local match. They have already approved tax abatements and that counts as a local match. The Workforce Housing Program homes are not affordable but not luxury either. This is a letter of support from the county when they submit their application to the state. Motion by Meisheid, seconded by Running-Marquardt to adopt Resolution 2025-4-67 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A LETTER OF SUPPORT TO TWENTY 40 BUILDING CONCEPTS INC – DOWS FARM AGRI-COMMUNITY FOR A MULTI-FAMILY WORKFORCE HOUSING TAX CREDIT APPLICATION
WHEREAS, Twenty 40 Building Concepts Inc (the “Developer”) is proposing to undertake a multi-unit residential development project on property located North of Mt Vernon Road and East of Dows Road, Linn County (the “Property”) and is applying for Workforce Housing Tax Credit (WHTC) funds through the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA); and WHEREAS, the project consists of 21 (twenty-one) market-rate loft style residential units (the “Project”); and WHEREAS, the WHTC Program requires the County to provide local match of not less than $1,000 per dwelling unit associated with the Project, which local match can be satisfied through a property tax exemption or rebate; and WHEREAS, the County has established economic development programs that guide the use of financial assistance and aid in achieving the economic development objectives of the County; and WHEREAS, the Project qualifies for the County’s Local Match – Economic Development Program which provides a 10-year 100% Abatement incentive program which is estimated to be $682,000 in total taxes (the “County Incentive”); and WHEREAS, the County Incentive as authorized by this Resolution meets the requisite match requirement as required by the WHTC program. NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by Linn County, Iowa, that the County hereby expresses its support of an application on behalf of the Developer to IEDA for WHTC funds and providing local match funds under the Local Match – Economic Development Program as provided for herein. Motion by Meisheid, seconded by Running-Marquardt to adopt Resolution 2025-4-68
A RESOLUTION APPROVING A LETTER OF SUPPORT TO TWENTY 40 BUILDING CONCEPTS INC – DOWS FARM
AGRI-COMMUNITY
cepts Inc (the “Developer”) is proposing to undertake a multi-unit residential development project on property located North of Mt Vernon Road and East of Dows Road, Linn County (the “Property”) and is applying for Workforce Housing Tax Credit (WHTC) funds through the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA); and WHEREAS, the project consists of 15 (fifteen) Single Family residential units (the “Project”); and WHEREAS, the WHTC Program requires the County to provide local match of not less than $1,000 per dwelling unit associated with the Project, which local match can be satisfied through a property tax exemption or rebate; and WHEREAS, the County has established economic development programs that guide the use of financial assistance and aid in achieving the economic development objectives of the County; and WHEREAS, the Project qualifies for the County’s Local Match – Economic Development Program which provides a 10-year 100% Abatement incentive program which is estimated to be $920,000 in total taxes (the “County Incentive”); and WHEREAS, the County Incentive as authorized by this Resolution meets the requisite match requirement as required by the WHTC program.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by Linn County, Iowa, that the County hereby expresses its support of an application on behalf of the Developer to IEDA for WHTC funds and providing local match funds under the Local Match – Economic Development Program as provided for herein.
Nichols also discussed an amendment to the Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) contract 20-DRH-020 increasing project delivery funding by $8,276 for Dows Pocket Neighborhood housing project. Construction has taken longer than they originally thought due to finding rock when digging. They are asking for the funds to be shifted from construction to admin to cover the extra admin costs due to the length of the construction period.
Motion by Meisheid, seconded by Running-Marquardt to approve and authorize the Chair to sign an amendment to the Community Development Block GrantDisaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) contract 20-DRH-020 increasing project delivery funding by $8,276 for Dows Pocket Neighborhood housing project
Public Comment: Kirsten Running-Marquardt, 3515 Fieldstone Place SW, CR, stated that today at 5 p.m. at IBEW405 there is a worker’s Memorial Day service naming those who have passed at their job sites. It is a humbling event dedicated to honoring those and their families who have lost their lives in the last year and is open to the public.
Motion by Meisheid, seconded by Running-Marquardt to approve Employment Change Roster (detail is available upon request).
Motion by Meisheid, seconded by Running-Marquardt to enter into a closed session pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(k) to discuss information contained in their custody that are confidential records pursuant to section 22.7(50).
TODD E. TAYLOR, Linn County Auditor By: Amanda Brown, Deputy Auditor
Approved by:
BRANDY Z. MEISHEID, Chairperson Board of Supervisors Published in the Sun May 8, 2025.
CITY OF LISBON
REGULAR COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
April 28th, 2025
CALL TO ORDER: The City Council of Lisbon, Iowa, met in regular session on April 28th, 2025, at 7:00p.m. with Mayor Doug O’Connor presiding. The following City Council members were present: John Bardsley, Nathan Smith, Kevin Steele, Mike Williams and Rick Scott.
OTHERS PRESENT: Brandon Siggins, Drayton Kamberling, Travis Bagby, Jacob Lindauer, and Doug Shannon. Lisa Burch with YTT was present via zoom.
CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by Scott seconded by Smith to approve the consent agenda consisting of minutes for April 14th, 2025, and list of bills. All Ayes. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Scott, seconded by Williams to approve payment to Linn Haven Land Improvement LLC in the amount of $18,367.02 for grading at the sports complex. All Ayes. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Scott, seconded by Smith to approve Resolution 15-2025 Approving Hiring Summer Help. Roll call vote. Ayes: Bardsley, Steele, Smith, Williams, Scott. Absent: None. Nays: None. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Smith, seconded by Williams to approve Resolution 16-2025 Approving Board Members. Roll call vote. Ayes: Bardsley, Steele, Smith, Williams, Scott. Absent: None. Nays: None. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Smith, seconded by Williams to approve Resolution 17-2025 Approving Martin Meadows Plat. Roll call vote. Ayes: Bardsley, Steele, Smith, Williams, Scott. Absent: None. Nays: None. Motion carried 5-0.
The council received the following reports from city departments:
Public Works Director Travis Bagby –working with engineer on well #5, French drain placed at city park near Junction Auto, spot filled concrete at water valves, flow testing this week at the park, Novak park play equipment has been installed.
Parks & Recreation Director Drayton Kamberling – Easter event was a success, spring soccer is mid-season with summer sports coming fast, mowing/weeding, thank you to public works for installing the playground equipment.
Library – Ad out for new child/assistant librarian position.
Police Department – drug collection event was a success.
Ambulance Director Jacob Lindauer
– Its CPR class season, staff vacations planned, grant funding event.
City Administrator/Fire Chief Brandon Siggins – 409 is expected this week or next, water main project review with engineer and Brecke, sinkhole on S Jackson, nuisances, and work with attorney. Please like/follow the Fareway Facebook page, they will be having open interviews at City Hall on May 14th from 12-7pm. May 8th – 13th there will be flaggers and closed sections of the railroad, look for postings for details. 150th planning for an August 10-17th event, May 21st 7pm is the next planning meeting. Second council meeting in May lands on Memorial Day, we will cancel the meeting unless a need arises. Motion by Smith, seconded by Bardsley to go into closed session at 7:16pm at the request of Travis Bagby for her annual review pursuant to Code of Iowa Section 21.5(l)(i). All Ayes. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Smith, seconded by Williams to go out of closed session at 8:00pm. All Ayes. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Scott, seconded by Bardsley to give Public Works Director Travis Bagby a $2,500 bonus in reference to his performance evaluation. Roll call vote. Ayes: Bardsley, Steele, Smith, Scott, and Williams. Absent: None. Nays: None. Motion carried 5-0. Mayor Doug O’Connor adjourned the meeting at 8:03pm. Christina Eicher, City Clerk Doug O’Connor, Mayor Published in the Sun May 8, 2025.
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Lisbon’s downtown holds tight to its roots while looking to the future
Longtime businesses, new growth, and a rich history shape the steady evolution of Lisbon, Iowa’s downtown district.
Jackson Miles
For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun
A warm welcome on Main Street
LISBON — When Rebecca Hess first opened Canton Studios along Lisbon’s Main Street in 1995, she didn’t expect a crowd. Yet within minutes of unlocking the door, she had a customer — and within hours, the store buzzed with locals curious to see what was new.
“They just came pouring in,” Hess said. “People were swinging their feet on my benches, eating candy, and just chatting. It was like the whole town showed up to say hi.”
Nearly 30 years later, Hess is still there, and so is much of Lisbon’s historic downtown. While small businesses remain a core part of the community’s identity, change is slowly but surely making its way down Main Street.
Lisbon is seeing steady, managed growth, according to City Administrator Brandon Siggins. New developments are on the horizon, and long-term residents like Becky Bunting, a seventh-generation Lisbon native, are watching closely, hopeful that the town’s charm and history remain central to its future.
Recent developments in downtown Lisbon reflect a blend of tradition and progress. From new residential projects to evolving local businesses, the town is managing growth while staying true to its roots.
From Yankee Grove to historic hub
When Lisbon was founded in 1848 by Christian and Elizabeth Hershey, it was little more than a grove of trees known as Yankee Grove. Over the next century, it grew into a charming community: home to multiple grocery stores, a hotel, a newspaper, and even an interurban trolley that ran through Main Street before shutting down in 1928.
Bunting, who volunteers at the Lisbon History Center, remembers a downtown area filled with shops and neighbors gathering in storefronts.
“This place used to have a lot of businesses,” she said. “We used to have everything in this town. You could get everything you needed right here, hardware, groceries, shoes, you name it and you knew everybody by name.”
Shifting economies, steady heart
But like many small towns, Lisbon’s business landscape has shifted over time. As larger cities like Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, both about 20 miles away, expanded, some of Lisbon’s businesses faded away. COVID-19 added another layer of disruption, slowing foot traffic and challenging long-time owners.
Even so, Hess says the community’s support never truly wavered.
“It’s not the same as it was, but people here care,” she said. “They want this town to thrive.”
As Lisbon’s downtown continues to evolve, the economic landscape is shifting in meaningful ways. Between 2018 and 2023, the number of businesses on Main Street grew modestly from 71 to 77. However, the types of businesses have seen a notable transformation. Retail businesses, which once dominated, dropped from 49%
to 37% of total businesses, while service providers now make up nearly half of the district’s commercial landscape.
The town’s dining scene, represented by restaurants and bars, also experienced a decline. Gwen’s, for instance, a local favorite, used to be open almost every day; however, today, it is only open on Thursday evenings. Despite this, Lisbon’s culinary offerings remain a vital part of its charm. In terms of employment, the number of jobs in Lisbon’s downtown decreased overall, though there was a shift toward more stable, full-time positions, reflecting the changing dynamics of the workforce.
Investing in the past, building for the future
One of the most encouraging signs of Lisbon’s growth is the substantial reinvestment in the downtown area. Since 2008, private investment in rehabilitating historic buildings has nearly doubled, from $9.7 million to over $18 million. This financial commitment to preservation speaks to the town’s dedication to maintaining its heritage while positioning itself for the future.
Additionally, the town has seen a surge in community involvement. The number of volunteer hours increased by nearly 17,000, showing the town’s active, hands-on approach to preserving and improving its downtown district. This surge in volunteerism, often led by residents who care deeply about the town’s future, has helped revitalize the area through clean-up efforts, fundraising, and hands-on work.
In recent years, Lisbon’s downtown has experienced noticeable changes that speak to the town’s ability to balance tradition with growth. Residential and commercial developments have been ongoing, and the local government is committed to ensuring the downtown area remains a key point of focus.
Siggins, the city administrator, points to several developments that highlight Lisbon’s future-focused growth.
“I think we’re doing a really good job at school,” Siggins said. “In the last 10 years, I think they probably had three expansions. So, we’ve grown our staff here at the city level. So that’s all good, positive. Our enrollments up at the school, the populations up here. So, yeah, I think it’s just a slow and steady growth, and that’s really what you want.”
In the past two years alone, Lisbon has seen new housing projects like the Spring Meadows development, which added over 50 new homes. Siggins also said one of the most recent projects is the closing of Brothers Market and the opening of Fareway, which will provide more jobs for the area.
“Lisbon is really good at supporting its businesses,” Siggins said. “And there’s not a lot of coming and going. Really, it just seems like there’s more and more coming all the time. It helps because that means you’re growing.”
Local grants fuel downtown renewal
A significant driver of downtown revitalization comes from local grant programs, such as the Lisbon Historic Preservation Commission’s (HPC) Downtown Reinvestment Program. The city also benefits from the Community Development Group’s (CDG) BIG Grant, which has supported various businesses in Lisbon and Mount Vernon, helping them improve and preserve the historic charm of the area.
Siggins highlighted the importance of these efforts.
“We have a downtown reinvestment grant, we have a BE (business enhancement) Lisbon grant, and we always send that information out,” Siggins said. “There’s differ-
ent things that we try to do for our businesses to keep them thriving... Anytime that we can be of help to them, we always mention to them, if there’s something we can do for you, let us know.”
Celebrating 150 years with tradition and pride
The town’s small-town charm is still front and center, with traditions like the annual Sauerkraut Days festival drawing thousands from across the region. This year marks the 150th anniversary of Lisbon’s incorporation, which will be commemorated during the festival with historical displays and a weekend full of community events. The festival, which has taken place almost every year since 1909, with exceptions during WWII, serves as both a nod to Lisbon’s rich history and a celebration of its ongoing vitality.
“We’re proud of our history,” said Bunting. “But we’re also looking forward to the future. This town has always been about bringing people together, and that’s what we want to continue.”
A town that stands together
Along with the growth of Lisbon’s housing and commercial developments, there has also been an increasing demand for services and amenities that appeal to new residents, many of whom are moving in from larger cities. Siggins noted that while Lisbon’s population has hovered around 2,500 for several years, there has been an uptick in younger families looking for a quieter lifestyle without sacrificing proximity to major urban areas.
“The biggest thing we need is we need foot traffic, and we need to have a reason for people to come here,” Siggins said. “If you can get unique businesses... that will bring more people into town, which is going to bring other businesses as well.”
As Lisbon looks ahead, the city’s leaders are focused on maintaining its affordable housing options and keeping downtown vibrant.
Even as Lisbon carefully steps into the future, its downtown area remains a reflection of its roots: a place where business owners greet customers by name, where history is remembered, and where the small-town spirit endures.
“You can feel it,” said Hess, the downtown business owner. “There’s a heartbeat here that’s never going away.”
As Lisbon celebrates its 150th anniversary, its residents are united in their commitment to preserving the town’s unique character. From its legacy of tight-knit community bonds to its modern growth efforts, Lisbon is a community in transition, one that has successfully balanced the need for change with a steadfast commitment to its past.
For Bunting, the future is bright.
“This town has a history of standing together. No matter what changes, that’s something that will never fade.”
Jackson Miles | For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun Inside of Canton Studios looking toward the street.
Jackson Miles | For the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Sun Downtown Lisbon main street today.
Sun archives
Construction starting on what would now be Lloyd Table Company
