Sports, Monday, August 24th

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Five Days Away from High School Football:

We are just five days away from the Iowa High School Football season and we will have a jam-packed schedule this Friday.

On KILJ-FM on Friday, John Kuhens and Kent Bennett will have the call for Panther football versus Clear Creek-Amana.

The teams met in Week One of last year, which resulted in a Mount Pleasant 42-20 win — a game they led 35-6 after three quarters.

The Clippers are led by four-star defensive end and Wisconsin Badger recruit T.J. Bollers.

This will be the third straight year the teams meet in Week One.

In 2018, Clear Creek earned a 26-7 victory.

Iowa Makes Massive Cuts to Athletic Department:

The University of Iowa plans to cut four sports at the end of the current academic year.

Iowa President Bruce Harreld and Athletic Director Gary Barta announced the school is cutting men’s gymnastics, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and men’s tennis.

A letter from the two Friday says the decision was made after the Big Ten’s cancellation of the fall sports seasons — which resulted in lost revenue of 100 million dollars — and leaves them with an overall athletic department deficit of between 60 to 75 million dollars.

All existing scholarships will be honored through graduation for those athletes who choose to remain at Iowa.

The university will also honor the contracts of the coaches.

ISU’s Allen Named Finalist for Prestigious Academic Award:

Iowa State senior tight end Chase Allen is a nominee for the William V. Campbell Trophy, announced last week by the National Football Foundation.

Commonly referred to as the “Academic Heisman,” the Campbell Trophy is awarded annually to a senior college football player with the best combination of academics, community service and on-field performance.

The tight end is a two-time Second-Team All-Big 12 selection and heads into his senior campaign with 29 receptions, 290 receiving yards and two touchdowns in his career.

Allen is currently pursuing a graduate degree in industrial and manufacturing systems after earning his mechanical engineering degree in the spring of 2020.

All Campbell Trophy recipients must have maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or higher to be eligible.

UNI Won’t Hold Hall of Fame Outing:

UNI Director of Athletics David Harris has announced that the Panthers will not induct a Hall of Fame class for 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decision was made with the potential for inductees or their families making long-distance road trips across state lines and the current restrictions on holding large gatherings in mind.

While a virtual event was a logistical option, the department and the Hall of Fame Committee did not feel like a virtual event honored the inductees in a fashion befitting the honor.

The athletics department is planning to have an in-person hall of fame ceremony in the fall of 2021.

MLB Scoreboard (8/23):

Washington 9, Miami 3

Baltimore 5, Boston 4

Detroit 7, Cleveland 4

Tampa Bay 5, Toronto 4

Pittsburgh 5, Milwaukee 4

Minnesota 5, Kansas City 4

St. Louis 6, Cincinnati 2

Chicago Cubs 2, Chicago White Sox 1

San Diego 5, Houston 3

Los Angeles Dodgers 11, Colorado 3

Oakland 5, Los Angeles Angels 4 — 10 inn

San Francisco 6, Arizona 1

Seattle 4, Texas 1

Philadelphia 5, Atlanta 4

 

Dorothy Welcher

Dorothy Welcher, 79, of Mount Pleasant died Saturday, August 22, 2020 at her home surrounded by her family and friends.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant.  Rev. Paul Connolly will officiate.  Burial will be at a later date in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery. According to Dorothy’s wishes, her body will be deeded to the University of Iowa College of Medicine following the service.  Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church with the family present.  A Rosary will be recited at 4:30 PM followed by a Vigil Prayer Service.  The Funeral Mass will be live streamed on St. Alphonsus YouTube channel: “St. Al’s MP Livestream.”  Masks are required for attendance of the visitation and funeral mass.  A memorial fund has been established for Notre Dame High School and St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.  The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Dorothy and her family.  Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.

Dorothy was born July 13, 1941 in St. Mary’s, Iowa in Warren County, the daughter of Ignatius and Nelle (Ryan) Gehringer.  On July 9, 1966 she was united in marriage to Gary Welcher in Burlington.  They made their home in the Mount Pleasant community, where Dorothy worked as a medical secretary for Dr. Garrels and Dr. Nichols.

She was a very active member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.  Dorothy volunteered many places in the community, including Hospice.  She was always giving of her self to others through plasma donations and with Women’s Health Initiative.

Survivors include her husband Gary; 6 children: Elizabeth (Andrew) Kapust of Olympia, WA; Lesley (Brett) Holgorsen of Houston, TX; Kathleen (Jason) Fry of Mount Pleasant; Michael Welcher of Mount Pleasant; Mary (Robert) Rasmussen of Baltimore, MD; Dave (Lynn) Foulke of Eden Prairie, MN; 11 grandchildren: Ryan and Ella Kapust, Clayton and Garrett Holgorsen, Katelyn, Kirstin and Jacob Fry, Erik, Adam and Tyler Rasmussen, Brianna Foulke; 2 great grandchildren: Malachi Foulke and Chloe Rasmussen; and a sister: Louise Christian of Williamston, MI; and many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers: David and Joe Gehringer; and a sister: Geneva Morrison.

 

Mary Lou Braun Smith

Mary Lou Braun Smith, age 84 of Mt. Pleasant died Saturday, August 22, 2020 at her home surrounded by her family.

Mary was born October 3, 1935, in Burlington, Iowa. Mary was the daughter of Joseph and Agnes (Moehn) Braun. She graduated from Burlington High School and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from St. Ambrose College and her Master of Arts degree in Nursing from the University of Iowa. On February 12, 1966, she married Jack Edward Smith at St. John’s Catholic Church in Burlington, Iowa.

Mary began her career as a registered nurse at Sylvania Electric in Burlington. She then worked at several area hospitals including the Mental Health Institute, Mercy Hospital, Burlington Medical Center, Henry County Health Center and the Veteran Administration Hospital. After completing her graduate studies, she was a clinical instructor and assistant professor at the University of Iowa College of Nursing and Indian Hills Community College.

In 1985, she began working for the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, where she was a health facilities surveyor until her retirement in 1998. She was named the 1990 DIA Surveyor of the Year. Mary also helped her husband operate the family farm.

Mary was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and served on their parish council. After retirement she was an active volunteer and enjoyed golfing, bowling and traveling, especially by train. She liked to play cards and games and have coffee visits with friends. She also loved spending time with her family.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Smith of Mt. Pleasant, IA; son, Michael Smith of Iowa City, IA; brothers Richard Braun of Burlington, IA; James Braun of Dubuque, IA; sisters Carol Brandt of Burlington, IA, Sr. Kathy Braun of Burlington, IA, and Kris Cooper of Tempe, AZ.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, her parents, and brothers Daniel Braun, John Braun, and Michael Braun.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, August 27, 2020, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant.  Rev. Paul Connolly will officiate.  Burial will be in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 7:00 PM on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. The family will not be present. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed on St. Alphonsus YouTube channel: “St. Al’s MP Livestream.”  Masks are required for attendance of the funeral mass.  A memorial fund has been established for Midwest Old Threshers and St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.  The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Mary and her family.  Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.

Mary Clark

Mary Clark, 84, of Fairfield passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2020, at the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice House in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

 

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.

Ronald Lee McIntosh

Ronald Lee McIntosh, 78, of Farmington, Iowa, passed away at 11:40 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2020, at Sunnybrook in Fairfield, Iowa.

Ronald was born on October 26, 1941, in Clark County, Missouri, the son of Therman Odell and Thelma Oleva (Gares) McIntosh. On June 18, 1961, he married Sandra Lee Troutman at the Methodist Church in Farmington, Iowa.

Ron graduated from Farmington High School and the Minneapolis Drafting School.  He was a drafting engineer and carpenter. He also took lessons as a blacksmith. Ron was a member of the Farmington United Methodist Church, the American Legion, The Ottumwa Kennel Club and Farmington Jaycees and Auctioneers.

Ron served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1967 as a Staff Sergeant. Ron and Sandra raised dogs, American Quarter Horses and Appaloosas for many years. Ron showed Yorkshire Terriers and he had several champion dogs. He loved mushroom hunting, antiques, going to auctions, and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife: Sandra; one son: Todd McIntosh; two daughters: Gina Lanman and Tina Hattan; one sister: Donna Hamberg; seven grandchildren: Brian McIntosh, Daniel McIntosh, Deborah Adam, Jessica Messier, Mark Lanman Jr., Taryn Hattan, Timmy Hattan and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one great-grandchild.

His body has been in trusted to Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

A memorial has been established in his memory for the Farmington EMT’s and can be mailed to the family at: Schmitz Funeral Home, P.O. Box 56, Donnellson, Iowa 52625.

Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Early Morning Accident

On August 21, 2020, at approximately 3:21AM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the Mount Pleasant Police Department were notified of a female subject walking eastbound in the westbound lanes of traffic near Mount Pleasant. The subject was located north of the Pilot Truck Stop on an exit ramp. After an investigation it was found that the female subject, Mary Cecilia Wegmuller of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, had been operating a white, 2006, Toyota Sienna traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 34. Mary made admission statements of using a cellular device while operating the vehicle. Due to Mary using a cellular device while driving, she drove off the roadway into the median and lost control. Mary over corrected the vehicle, crossed both lanes of westbound traffic, and wrecked into a guardrail located next to an overpass. Mary wrecked the vehicle near the intersection of Hickory Avenue and U.S. Highway 34. Mary did not sustain injuries. Mary was given a citation for failing to maintain control of a motor vehicle. The vehicle was a total loss.

Car vs. Deer

On August 22, 2020, at approximately 6:11AM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a car vs. deer near the intersection of Racine Avenue and U.S. Highway 34 south of New London, Iowa. It was determined Justin William Curran of Burlington, Iowa, was driving a silver, 2016, Kia Sportage eastbound in the above-mentioned location. Justin struck a deer causing possible totaling damage to the vehicle. The estimated damages to the vehicle were anywhere between $5,000-$8,000. Justin did not sustain any injuries.

Great River Health to Further Restrict Visitors Due to Rise in COVID-19

West Burlington, Iowa, Aug. 21, 2020 – To protect the health of patients, employees and the
community, Great River Health will begin further restricting visitors Monday, Aug. 24, because
COVID-19 cases in southeast Iowa are increasing rapidly.
Great River Medical Center and Fort Madison Community Hospital, which also is part of Great
River Health, are announcing changes separately.
At Great River Medical Center, there will be no visiting in inpatient units and clinics; however,
there are a few exceptions. Visitors who are at least 18 years old will be allowed in the areas
and situations described below:
• Adult patients requiring assistance may have one visitor.
• Day Hospital, Day Surgery, Heart & Vascular Center and oncology patients may have one
visitor.
• Emergency Department – Visitors may be allowed based on the patient’s clinical situation.
• End of life when death is imminent – Patients may have two visitors.
• Nursery and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – One birth parent plus one significant other
may visit.
• Patients who have altered mental status or developmental delays who require a caregiver
to help provide safety may have one visitor.
• Patients with disruptive behavior whose family member is key to their care may have one
visitor.
• Obstetrics Unit – Only the mother’s designated support person may visit, unless COVID-19
is suspected in the mother.
• Pediatrics Unit /patients under 18 – One parent or guardian may visit.
• Women’s Health patients may have one visitor for ultrasound appointments only.
Visitors must pass a screening and stay in the patient’s room or designated visitor area.
Patients are limited to the same visitor for the entire time they are hospitalized. The hospital
cafeteria is not open to visitors.
Screening process
Visitors should use the main hospital entrance. It is open from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
weekdays, and 7:45 a.m. to noon Saturdays. At other times, use the Emergency Department
entrance. Visitors will be asked about the presence COVID-19 and recent travel, and their
temperatures will be taken.
Visitors must wear a mask the entire time they are the building. Masks are available at
screening stations.
Where to go for more information
• For more information, visit greatriverhealth.org
• For COVID-19 questions, call the Iowa Department of Public Health by dialing 211.
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