Top stories of 2022

IWU football players charged in connection with Mt. Pleasant shooting

MT. PLEASANT — Five Iowa Wesleyan University football players are among several people who are charged in connection with a large altercation that led to the shooting of a Mt. Pleasant High School student on April 12.

Decobi Davis, 19, was charged with reckless use of a firearm resulting in serious injury (a Class C felony) and participating in a riot.

Joseph McNeese, 19, and James Williams, 21, are both charged with participating in a riot, which is an aggravated misdemeanor.

Three others, De’kunta Mason Jr., 19, J’cauri Morris, 19, and Vernell Trent, 18, are each charged with the simple misdemeanor of disorderly conduct.

The minors are charged with simple misdemeanors of disorderly conduct.

Davis, McNeese, Williams, Mason, and Morris are all on the Iowa Wesleyan football team roster.

“The five students who were criminally charged related to this incident will be addressed through our university’s student code of conduct process,” a statement from Iowa Weslyean said.

According to Mt. Pleasant Police Chief Lyle Murray, a verbal altercation between Iowa Wesleyan football players and high school students turned into a large fight of 20 plus people.

According to circulating videos of the event, the crowd could be easily seen and heard from down the street.

People from the group can be seen suddenly running across the street only moments before gun shots can be heard and the video ends.

West Liberty Foods to close Mt. Pleasant facility, cutting 350 jobs

MT. PLEASANT — West Liberty Foods will close its Mt. Pleasant meat-processing and slicing facility in early May of next year, eliminating 350 jobs there, the company announced in October.

The West Liberty-based company will move and consolidate operations from this location to other facilities in Iowa, Illinois and Utah, the company said in a news release Friday.

The closure will occur in two phases, with the first on Dec. 31. Brian Melhus, general counsel for West Liberty Foods, told The Gazette 130 employees will be impacted in the first phase, with the remaining 220 employees impacted in the second phase.

All operations will cease at the plant on May 7, 2023.

Employees will be offered work at one of its other locations as well as provided with relocation and transportation services, stay bonuses — in which West Liberty Foods gives employees a bonus for not leaving the company for a set time — severance pay, re-employment services and assistance with filing unemployment claims, said Tara Lindsay, the company’s chief talent and culture officer.

Employees were told about the decision in one-on-one and group meetings, the company said.

“Respect and care for people is a core value of our company, and shutting down a plant is a tough thing to do,” said Brandon Achen, West Liberty Foods president and CEO.

“Although we are taking steps to lessen the impact on our team members, we will be eliminating the jobs of some exceptional people through no fault of their own. I want each of them to know that we value their contributions and deeply regret the need for this action.”

Jabil Manufacturing shuts doors June 30

MT. PLEASANT — The workforce of Mt. Pleasant will be changing drastically June 30 as Jabil’s manufacturing plant will close its doors permanently.

“The only thing I can confirm is we’re closing,” Operations Manager Larry Todey said on June 24.

While many workers will lose their jobs at the end of this month, the Mt. Pleasant community has made it their mission to support them in their new endeavors through the collaborative work put together by Executive Vice President of the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce Kristi Perry.

According to Mt. Pleasant Temp Associates Branch manager Jennifer Schwartz, Jabil has been working on closing since last fall.

Jabil is a manufacturing plant that offers injection molding, thin walled, tight-tolerance molding, and in-mold labeling in the plastic industry in addition to packaging solution and has provided many jobs to the area.

“Kristi [Perry] has been working hand-in-hand with Jabil as they close,” Schwartz said.

According to multiple staffing agencies Perry emailed with temp-staffing agencies and manufacturing plants throughout the Mt. Pleasant area since the fall to let them know about the upcoming change in workforce for the area.

Team Staffing Solutions Branch Manager Blake Radel agreed with Schwartz.

“We emailed Kristi our information for [the employees],” Radel said.

Schwartz elaborated that the information temp-staffing agencies were providing to The Chamber of Commerce was used to compile a flyer to give to employees this last month in an informational meeting about the plant’s impending close.

Ukraine fundraiser triples original goal

MT. PLEASANT — The War Sucks for Children fundraiser more than tripled its original fundraising goal of $10,000

According to former UNICEF employee and fundraiser participant Mike Heaton, the donations seem to be leveling out at $31,500.

When faced with tragedy and feelings of helplessness, a group of retired Mt. Pleasant teachers refused to sit back and watch as the world exploded in Ukraine.

“It really goes to show that teachers are amazing, especially when it comes to helping kids,” Heaton said. “I think the group of retired teachers in Mt. Pleasant really stepped up to help these kids. I’m really blown away by them.”

According to a U.N. official, nearly two-thirds of Ukrainian children have been uprooted by this war.

These funds will go to help them specifically.

The conflict in Ukraine does not have an obvious end in sight.

Fighting continues, Russia demands surrender from Ukraine, and families continue to live in the brokenness of this war.

Dollar General opens in Winfield

WINFIELD — In October, the highly anticipated Dollar General Store opened in Winfield at 702 West Highway 78.

“It has been a long time in the making,” Winfield Mayor Willie Bender.

“A development like this for a community doesn’t just happen overnight,” Bender said. “Years of planning and efforts have led to this day.”

Bender is grateful for the efforts of former Mayor Chris Finnell who pushed to purchase the city property used for this addition, the city council for their support, and the community for their interest and enthusiasm for bringing the store to the community.

Dollar General has finally delivered after 10 years of persistence from the Winfield community.

“At Dollar General, we believe the addition of each new store provides positive economic growth for the communities we proudly serve, and the addition of our new Winfield store highlights our commitment to deliver a pleasant shopping experience that includes great prices on quality products in a convenient location,” said Dollar General Senior Vice President of real estate and store development Matthew Simonsen. “We look forward to welcoming customers to our new store and hope they will enjoy shopping at our new location.”

According to Dollar General, the addition of the Winfield store opens the opportunity for schools, nonprofit organizations and libraries within a 15-mile radius of the store to apply for Dollar General Literacy Foundation grants.

“Since its inception in 1993, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $219 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 16.1 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy or continued education,” A dollar General Representative said.

To commemorate the opening, Dollar General plans to donate 100 new books to Winfield-Mt. Union Elementary School for the benefit students ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade.

“In partnership with the Kellogg Company, the donation will be part of a planned donation of more than 60,000 books in fiscal 2022 across the country to celebrate new DG store openings,” a Dollar General press release reads.

Dollar General will create new jobs in the Winfield community as the store is expected to employ approximately six to 10 people.

Mt. Pleasant man facing arson, attempted murder charges

MT. PLEASANT — A Mt. Pleasant man is facing arson and attempted murder charges after allegedly setting a fire inside a residence.

On Sunday, Jan. 9, at approximately 10 a.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a house on fire in the 1800 grid of Cornell Drive outside of Mt. Pleasant.

According to a news release from Henry County Sheriff Rich McNamee, the initial report started the fire started in the living room of the single-family dwelling.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office along with the Mt. Pleasant Police Department arrived on scene and began an investigation.

According to McNamee, the investigation determined James Seth Ollom, 37 of Mt. Pleasant, intentionally set fire to the inside of the residence after a family disturbance.

There were occupants inside the residence when the fire was set. All occupants were able to escape the residence with only minor injuries.

Ollom was charged with arson in the first degree and three counts of attempted murder; all charges are Class B Felonies.

MP Chamber’s Perry resigns

MT. PLEASANT — After seven years serving as the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President, Kristi Perry has submitted her resignation effective Nov. 30.

Perry will begin a new position as the Associate Warden of Administration at the Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility in December.

For the last 33 years Perry has enjoyed working the Chamber of Commerce sector, but looks forward to this new opportunity.

“It has been an absolutely pleasure to serve the area Chamber of Commerce through this role,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed working with some great members the past seven years.”

Perry has worked on many projects in the Mt. Pleasant community such as ribbon cuttings, Alive After 5 events, community engagement, helping Jabil employees with layoffs, legislative forums, and work with establishing child care in Mt. Pleasant.

“While we will miss her outstanding leadership and expertise, we are truly grateful for all she has done to grow our Mount Pleasant Chamber,” Chamber Board President Meg Richtman said in a letter to members. “She will leave an indelible mark on our business community.”

According to Richtman, the board officers will work with the ADC board leadership to form a search committee and begin the task of finding a new Executive Vice President as soon as possible.

Richtman encourages members and the community to thank Kristi for her tremendous leadership and wish her well in her future endeavors.

CARROLL — Maybe it was destiny. Maybe it was just pure heart, soul and grit.

Either way, New London (31-1) showed it on Friday at Merchants Park as the Tigers captured the programs first state baseball championship with a thrilling 8-7 victory over unblemished No. 1-seeded Remsen St. Mary’s (35-1).

A team that fell in last years quarterfinal round and lost just one senior from last years state tournament team climbed the mountain and gained Class 1A supremacy.

“I’m just so proud of the kids,” New London head coach Brad Helmerson said. “That’s the toughest bunch of kids you’ll ever coach. They don’t give up and their always there in the end. I’d never bet against them.”

You couldn’t ask much more from championship final.

After a hot start from the Hawks, New London clawed its way back on top before the championship came down to the final at-bat.

After holding a commanding 8-4 lead, the Tigers advantage began to slip away as the Hawks found themselves within one, 8-7, in the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded.

Following a walk, error and intentional walk Remsen had them loaded with just one out. New London’s back was against the wall, but they didn’t waver.

After the Hawks tried converting a squeeze bunt, which went foul, New London closer Kooper Schulte had the Hawk’s Alex Schroeder right where he wanted him.

“I just knew I needed to lock in,” Schulte said. “I threw strikes and got out of the inning. Then I got the perfect ball for the double play. Couldn’t ask for a better time, the moment was perfect.”

With an 0-2 count and a state title on the line, Schroeder sent a dribbler right back to Schulte, who threw the ball back to catcher Tucker Gibbar for the force out, who then gunned the ball to Carter Allen at first for the 1-2-3 double-play, sealing the state title.

“I was just praying in that moment that they don’t hit it in the gap,” Seth Bailey said. “If they hit the gap it’s game over and their walking away with a walk off state championship.”

Brumbaugh goes out with a bang

DES MOINES — One of the best careers in Mt. Pleasant track and field history came to a fitting end at the 2022 Iowa State Track and Field Championships.

Jadan Brumbaugh, who has dominated the Class 3A shot put scene since the state’s return from COVID-19 lockdown, continued to do so and more this weekend. Not only did Brumbaugh win her second-straight shot put title, as expected, but she added her first discus championship as well.

The discus throw came first. Brumbaugh, who wasn’t an everyday discus competitor until recently, bested a talented Class 3A field.

Brumbaugh took the lead on her second throw, launching the discus 147 feet to take a commanding lead. On her fifth throw, she would top that, throwing 151 feet, 10 inches.

“It's absolutely insane,” Brumbaugh said. “I would have never guessed two months ago when I started discus, that I would be a state champion.”

Brumbaugh’s best throw shattered not only her personal record, but also Mt. Pleasant’s school record, which she has broken time and time again over the last month.

Brumbaugh’s top rival in the discus, Katelyn Lappe of Bondurant-Farrar, threw 137 feet, 10 inches.

One day later, Brumbaugh was back at it. She came in as the big favorite in Friday’s shot put competition, having won the last two Drake Relays titles and the 2021 state championship. She added another championship and more.

Much like her performance at Drake, all six of Brumbaugh’s throws were further than any throw of any other competitor.

“It's really cool,” Brumbaugh said. “I'm really proud of myself.”

Her best throw came in her fifth attempt. Brumbaugh launched the shot put 47 feet, 5.5 inches, breaking the Class 3A state meet record.

WAYLAND — One year ago, the WACO football team stood on the field after losing a heartbreaking Class 8-Player quarterfinal 34-30 against Audubon. A year later, the Warriors were standing victorious after a blowout win, and a ticket punched to the Dome.

No. 2 WACO smashed Montezuma 52-7, ending the Braves’ season and earning a spot in Cedar Falls when the state football semifinals start up at the UNI-Dome.

“This is big,” WACO coach Chad Edeker said. “We were four points short last year, and we were not going to be short this year.”

The game didn’t exactly start out according to plan. A high-scoring Montezuma offense needed just two plays to score on its first drive, cashing in on a deep ball to start the contest, and then putting it in the end zone on a 16-yard pass from Owen Cook to Garrett Watts.

That touchdown, plus the extra point put Montezuma up 7-0. It was the first time WACO had trailed all year long.

“I told my coaches, it would be interesting to see if they come down and score, how we would respond,” Edeker said. “To come out and score 52-straight points, we responded pretty well.”

Indeed, WACO responded with a power run attack that has buried teams all year long. The Warriors broke loose on a long run by Simeon Reichenbach, and, and Louden Huisenga punched in the first score of the game to make it 7-6 after a missed PAT.

“Falling short last year was tough,” said Huisenga. “It hurt, a lot. It's emotional. We wanted it.”

The win is WACO’s 12th of the year. That ties a school record. The Warriors haven’t lost since the 2021 quarterfinals.

“This is where it all started last year,” Edeker said. “Those seniors worked their tail off all summer because we lost on this field.”