Rep. Collins Announces Reelection Bid

By Yorke Prough · Monday, February 26th, 2024 at 2:40 pm CDT
Today, Rep. Taylor Collins filed for re-election to Iowa House District 95, encompassing parts of Des Moines, Henry, and Muscatine counties, and all of Louisa county.

“Since being sworn in last January I’ve kept my promise to be a strong, conservative voice for Southeast Iowa at the state capitol,” said Rep. Collins. “I’m proud to stand on my record as a fiscal watchdog, furthering tax cuts for my constituents, and keeping bureaucrats in state government on watch. I’ll continue my commitment to prioritize education over indoctrination and protecting the innocent life of the unborn.”

Rep. Collins was elected to the Iowa House in November 2022 and, shortly after, was appointed to serve as Vice-Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, the committee charged with crafting the state’s $8 billion budget. Rep. Collins also serves on the Judiciary, State Government, and Education policy committees, and on the Education Appropriations Subcommittee.

“Despite the challenges our country is facing, due to incompetent leadership in Washington D.C., Iowa has charted a common sense course and Iowans are better off because of it,” said Rep. Collins. “I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished over the last year, but more work remains in order to ensure Iowa is the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Speaker of the House Pat Grassley (R-New Hartford) praised Collins’s work in the House.

“In just his first term in the Legislature, Rep. Collins has become a valued member of the House Republican Caucus,” said Speaker Grassley. “He has stepped up as Vice Chair of the Appropriations committee to ensure that Iowa’s budget funds the priorities Iowans value and trims the fat. Rep. Collins has proven to be a committed representative for his district and I look forward to continuing to work with him in the Statehouse.”

Before his election to the legislature, Rep. Collins previously served in state government as a Policy Advisor to Governor Kim Reynolds and Senior Advisor to Lt. Governor Adam Gregg. Outside of the legislative session, Rep. Collins manages his family’s farm operation, with some acreage dating back over 150 years. Rep. Collins is a proud member of the Iowa Farm Bureau.

Rep. Collins holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Iowa State University, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Drake University, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Drake University. Rep. Collins, and his wife Savannah, reside in Mediapolis.

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Welcome to Medicare Seminars Hosted by Great River Health

By Yorke Prough · Monday, February 26th, 2024 at 2:38 pm CDT

The Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) will present the following Welcome to Medicare seminars at Great River Health locations. The seminars will cover:

  • Medicare Parts A and B benefits
  • Prescription drug benefits (Part D)
  • Medicare Advantage plans
  • Medicare supplement insurance
  • Identifying Medicare fraud, errors and abuse

The seminars will be offered at these times and locations:

 

Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, Fort Madison

Wednesday, March 22, 2024 – Registration deadline: Wednesday, March 13, 2024.

10 to 11:30 a.m.

Willard and Canella Conference Room(s)

5445 Avenue O, Fort Madison (lower level-east side of building)

To make a reservation, call 319-768-3342.

Henry County Health Center, Mount Pleasant

Tuesday, April 2, 2024 – Registration deadline: Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Wednesday, June 5, 2024 – Registration deadline: Wednesday, May 22, 2024

6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Health Education Center

407 White Street, Mount Pleasant

To make a reservation, call 319-385-6774.

Prep Football: Keokuk’s New Head Coach Marvin McNutt is Aiming for the Moon

By Slaten Swords · Monday, February 26th, 2024 at 11:03 am CDT

(Photo Courtesy of Keokuk’s Marketing Specialist Jessica Martin)

Keokuk, IA- It is not often that a former NFL player is hired to be the head coach of a high school football team; it is beyond rare that a former NFL player seeks out an opening at a high school, but Keokuk was the beneficiary of this seldom seen move.

Zach Summers, the Athletic and Activities Director, was the one to reveal the news that Marvin McNutt had been the one to pick Keokuk and understood the team,

“…And he knows our kids by name.”

When the inevitable question popped up of “why Keokuk?” new head coach McNutt had a simple answer,

“…One of my favorite quarterbacks is from here, James Vandenberg,” said McNutt. “I also recruited from here for Coe [College], these kids are special and so is this area.”

McNutt was an All-State athlete in football, baseball, and basketball at Hazelwood Central High School before joining the Iowa Hawkeyes football program. He was a team captain in 2011 and a part of Kirk Ferentz’s Leadership committee from 2007-2011.

With the help of Vandenberg, McNutt ended his collegiate career as the all-time leader in receiving touchdowns and yardage, single season and career, before becoming the 194th pick in the NFL draft for the Philadelphia Eagles. He bounced around the league for three seasons before becoming a head coach for the Cedar Rapids Titans in Indoor Football League in 2017.

After serving as the general manager in 2018, McNutt moved on to become the wide receiver coach at Coe College until 2022. He coached two All-Conference receivers in his first two seasons.

(Photo Courtesy of Keokuk’s Marketing Specialist Jessica Martin)

He talked with the varsity, junior varsity, and middle school football players that attended the press conference afterwards as his goal for this program is a State Championship,

“I’m not going to just coach you like high school or college players, I’m going to coach you for the NFL.”

McNutt ended his press conference with this last note,

“…Let’s see where we can take this program, we will shoot for the moon and land next to the stars.”

The Chiefs finished last season with a 4-5 record as they have collected just three winning seasons over the past 16 seasons. Keokuk will start the season on the road against Ottumwa on August 30th at 7:30 pm.

Mary Menke

By Yorke Prough · Monday, February 26th, 2024 at 10:00 am CDT

Mary Jo Menke passed away on January 5, 2024. Her graveside services will be on Saturday, March 2nd at 12:00 noon at Calvary Cemetery in West Point, Iowa. There will be a luncheon immediately following at the American legion in West Point. We invite all family and friends to join us in celebrating Mary Jo’s life on March 2nd and look forward to seeing as many of you as can make it. Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point  is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Red Flag Warning – Do Not Burn Today

By Yorke Prough · Monday, February 26th, 2024 at 9:51 am CDT

If you were planning on burning today, put that on the backburner. A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 9:00am to 6:00pm, with a Do Not Burn Warning. Very low humidity, gusty winds, and warm temperatures in the 70s (record highs) will lead to very high to extreme fire behavior.

 

From record highs to snow in just one day, that’s the Midwest. A strong cold front will move in Tuesday night, with a possible dusting of snow and cold wind chills.

 

So a recap, do not burn today due to that red flag warning, but enjoy the beautiful weather in the 70s this afternoon. Tomorrow, you can burn, but you might have to bundle up in layers to do so due to the temperature reaching into the teens.

Robert King – Pending

By Yorke Prough · Monday, February 26th, 2024 at 9:36 am CDT

Robert D. King, 90, of Rogers, Arkansas, and formerly Salem, Iowa died Friday, February 23 at “The Blossoms in Rogers” , in Rogers, Arkansas. Arrangements are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London.

InMotion Takes First! Grand Champions for Showchoir Group in Central Lee

By Yorke Prough · Monday, February 26th, 2024 at 8:28 am CDT

On Saturday, InMotion Showchoir had an incredible day at the Central Lee Invitational. They placed 2nd in another competitive 3A class, earning the 2nd highest score out of all groups/classes in daytime competition. Following their pattern for the year, each performance they have upped the ante, which earned them both best vocals and grand champions in finals competition! This is the groups first grand champions trophy this year. Congratulations to InMotion, your 2024 Central Connections Grand Champions.

Mt. Pleasant Jazz Bands Spend Day at Coe College Jazz Summit

By Yorke Prough · Monday, February 26th, 2024 at 8:27 am CDT

The Middle and High School Jazz Bands were among 97 bands to compete at the Coe College Jazz Summit in Cedar Rapids that stretched over three days.  Mt. Pleasant’s Jazz 2, directed by Laura Westfall, placed third in Class 3A Second Bands. Meanwhile a 7&8th Grade Jazz Band member, Jack Henriksen on tenor sax, was one of five to receive Honorable Mention Performer recognition.