Sports, November 1st

High School Cross Country

The Classes 2A and 3A state meets are now in the books and one of our local runners claimed a spot within the top 10. 

Starting with the boys’ Class 2A race, the Mediapolis boys’ team was led by Simon Wendel’s 7th place time of 16 minutes and 36 seconds. Will Schmidgall’s 17th place finish aided the Bulldogs’ 13th place accumulation.

As individuals, Cavin Denney of Notre Dame/West Burlington took 66th place with a time of 17 minutes and 48 seconds. 

On the girls’ side of the race, Hannah Ritter of Notre Dame/West Burlington led the local pack with a 39th place time of 20 minutes and 47 seconds. Central Lee’s Aubree Bunnell was five-seconds behind in 42nd place.

Moving over the girls’ Class 3A race, Washington’s Iris Dahl outpaced the Southeast Conference with a time of 19 minutes and 16 seconds, which was good enough for 20th place. Avery Fedler of Mt. Pleasant snatched 24th place with a mark of 19 minutes and 22 seconds, as she was followed in 25th place by Fort Madison’s Avery Rump. 

On the boys’ side, Washington again led the SEC pack with Andrew Rees grabbing 18th place with a time of 16 minutes and 22 seconds. Silas Hulett of Mt. Pleasant ran a time of 17 minutes and 3 seconds for 53rd place, while Fort Madison’s Riley Tripp clocked a time of 17 minutes and 15 seconds for 68th place. 

Running today for Class 1A will be the Columbus boys’ team and the Van Buren County boys’ and girls’ teams. Participating as individuals on the boys’ side, will be Locken Henderson of WACO and Isaac Shinn of Danville. On the girls’ side, WACO will have the duo of Josie Dykstra and Macie Carter participating. Additionally, Alaina Gourley was able to qualify for Danville. 

Postseason High School Football

In Class 3A Pod C, Mt. Pleasant gave West Delaware all they had but it was not enough in the Panthers’ first trip back to the state playoffs since 2010 as they fell 35-21. Ramzy Davis finished the night with two touchdowns, including a one-yard rushing score and a scoop-and-score from 25-yards out to tie the game at 14. Panther head coach John Bowlin talked about the effort showed by his team last night,

“Yeah, I think that’s been kind of our goal all year is to just come out and be a physical team with relentless effort and that’s what these guys have done, how we’ve got great leadership. Obviously, we got 12 seniors that are that you know played their last game tonight and I’m just so thankful for what they’ve done for the program and you know it shows out there on the field. I think you know they’re the ones that have got us on this track and we got to get kids that keep stepping up and buying in. And I think we will. But man, I’m really proud of those 12 seniors we have this year.”

Mt. Pleasant finished the season with a 7-3 record. 

Solon ran over Benton last night 31-6. The Spartans will host Winterset on Friday, November 7th, at 7 pm.

For Class 2A, Mediapolis was shutout 46-0 by Mid-Prairie last night. The Bulldogs claimed a 5-5 season. The Golden Hawks will take on Van Meter on Friday at 7 pm. 

In Class A, Pekin’s offense managed a paltry 45 total yards in a 21-3 loss to North Linn last night. The Panthers finished the season with a 9-1 record. 

For Eight-Player, Iowa Valley steamrolled Janesville last night 63-0. The undefeated Tigers will face off against Audubon on Friday for their quarterfinal matchup. 

Postseason High School Volleyball

In Class 5A, #1 Waukee Northwest will start off the day on Monday, November 3rd, with a noon game against #8 Indianola. #2 Ankeny Centennial will face off against #7 Iowa City West and #4 Dowling Catholic will battle with #5 Ankeny. Rounding out the quarterfinals will be #3 Pleasant Valley attempting to avoid the upset against #6 Valley.

For Class 4A, #1 Clear Creek Amana enters as the favorite as they are tasked with playing #8 Sergeant Bluff-Luton. #7 Marion will look to knock off #2 Sioux Center. #4 Dallas Center-Grimes will square off against #5 North Scott and #3 Pella will take on #6 Norwalk to round out the quarterfinals.

Class 3A will begin at 10 am on Tuesday, November 4th, with #1 Western Christian taking on #8 Mt. Vernon. #2 Davenport Assumption will compete against #7 Mid-Prairie. #4 Cherokee and #5 Humboldt will tangle, while #3 Red Oak will face off against #6 Kuemper Catholic.

The Class 1A bracket is now set with #1 Saint Ansgar taking on #8 East Mills at 6 pm on Tuesday. #4 Dunkerton, in their first ever state tournament appearance, will square off against #5 BCLUW. #2 Janesville will clash with #7 Gladbrook-Reinbeck and #3 North Tama will face off against #6 Sidney to end the night.

Over in Class 2A, #1 Denver enters as the favorite with their first match on Tuesday being against #8 Wapsie Valley. #4 Grundy Center will tangle with #5 Beckman Catholic. #7 Aplington-Parkersburg will look to upset perennial powerhouse #2 Dike-New Hartford, while #3 Hinton will contend against #6 Regina Catholic. 

Southeastern Community College

The volleyball team earned the #5-seed for the Region 11 tournament as they travel to play Northeast Community College today at 1 pm. 

The men’s soccer team will head to Spencer tomorrow, November 2nd, at 2 pm to face off against Iowa Lakes. 

College Football

Iowa State will host Arizona State today at noon. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will be on the call.

Iowa is on a bye week. 

This Day in Sports History

1913 – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish upset the Army Cadets 35–13 in a game that is considered to have marked the beginning of modern football as Gus Dorais tossed for 243 yards and two touchdowns. 

1924 – The Boston Bruins officially join the NHL, becoming the first United States based team to enter the League; the Montreal Maroons also join the NHL, but only last until 1938.

1964 – Cleveland running back Jim Brown runs for 149 yards in a Browns’ 30-17 win at Pittsburgh to become the first NFL player to exceed 10,000 career rushing yards.

SEISO KIDSYMPHONY This Weekend!

The Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra is hosting a Kids Symphony with a Halloween theme this weekend.

Kids and parents can wear their Halloween costumes to the concert and take time to meet the performers and their instruments. There will be a costume photo booth, snacks and prizes. The concert will feature music from John Williams.  Tickets may only be purchased at the door. Adults are $5, kids through college-age and season ticket holders for the Performing Arts Series can attend for free.

  • 11am – Bridge View Center in Ottumwa-Saturday, 11/1/25
  • 2pm – Chapel Auditorium in Mt. Pleasant-Saturday, 11/1/25
  • 4pm – Capitol Theater in Burlington-Saturday, 11/1/25
  • Sunday, 2pm – Fairfield Arts & Convention Center

Applications for LIHEAP Available

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services began taking applications for Low Income Heating Assistance in October and as winter moves in, Iowa residents can continue to apply through April of 2026.

To be eligible for LIHEAP in Iowa, the total household income for an applicant must be at or below 200% of 2025 federal poverty guidelines.  Applications can be submitted on-line or Community Action of Southeast Iowa is located in Burlington.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program designed to assist qualifying low-income Iowa households in the payment of a portion of their residential heating costs for the winter heating season, to encourage regular utility payments, to promote energy awareness, and to encourage reduction of energy usage through energy efficiency, client education, and weatherization.

 

Fall Back an Hour!

We fall back in time at 2am on Sunday morning as clocks turn back an hour for the end of Daylight-Saving Time.

On the first Sunday of November, clocks roll back an hour for most of the U.S. including Iowa. This means the sun will now rise earlier in the morning and set earlier in the evening.  The sun will rise on Sunday morning at 7:37am and set at 5pm.

While you’re changing clocks around the home, fire departments everywhere recommend checking and changing the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Local High School Football Scores (Week 10-Playoffs)

8-Player

(10-0) Iowa Valley 63, (6-5) Janesville 0

Class A

(9-1) North Linn 21, (9-1) Pekin 3

Class 2A

(9-1) Mid-Prairie 46, (5-5) Mediapolis 0

Class 3A

(9-1) West Delaware 35, (7-3) Mt. Pleasant 21

(10-0) Solon 31, (5-5) Benton 6

Jerry Alan Bissig

Jerry Alan Bissig, 58, formerly of Fairfield, passed away Wednesday,

October 29, 2025 at his brother’s home in Burlington, Iowa.

Funeral services celebrating his life will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, November

7, 2025 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. Visitation will be one hour prior to

services. Burial will be at Fell Cemetery in Libertyville. Memorials may be made to

First Resources Corp., Ottumwa, Iowa.

Jerry was born December 17, 1966 in Fairfield, the son of Lindley and

Charlotte (Miller) Bissig. He attended school in Fairfield and Ottumwa, graduating from Fairfield High School in 1988.

Jerry was a member of First United Methodist Church in Fairfield. He

worked at Tenco Industries.

Jerry loved listening to music, especially Elvis, John Travolta in Grease and Saturday Night Fever, The Oak Ridge Boys, Shania Twain, Lee Greenwood, and Sesame Street. He enjoyed watching TV Shows and videos, WWE wrestling and The Brady Bunch, and enjoyed his time spent at dayhab working and playing with his friends and caregivers. Jerry loved to attend dances and go bowling with his dayhab friends.

Those left to honor his memory include his brothers, Jim (Diane) Bissig of

Mason City, Iowa, and John (Mary Beth) Bissig of Burlington; nieces and nephews,

Amy (Adam) Pedersen, Brad Bissig, Kate (Zach) Dimmitt, and Evan (Taylor) Bissig,

uncle, Fred Miller, numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant sister, Susan Mae;

nephew, Gary Bissig; and aunts and uncles Bettye and Olen Bartholow and Maxine and K. Wayne Boley, and Nancy Miller.

Online condolences may be made to Jerry’s family by viewing his obituary at www.behnerfh.com.

First Mid Bancshares to Acquire Two Rivers Financial Group

First Mid Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: FMBH) and Two Rivers Financial Group, Inc. (OTCQX: TRVR) have announced a merger agreement that will expand First Mid’s footprint into key Iowa markets.

Under the agreement, dated October 30, 2025, Two Rivers will merge with First Mid in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $94.1 million, based on First Mid’s October 29, closing price of $36.80 per share. The deal will give First Mid a strong presence across central and southeastern Iowa.

Two Rivers, headquartered in Burlington, is the parent company of Two Rivers Bank & Trust, which operates 14 branches and manages $1.1 billion in total assets. Established in 1904, the institution has deep roots in Iowa community banking.

Two Rivers shareholders will receive 1.225 shares of First Mid common stock for each TRVR share. The merger has been unanimously approved by both boards and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, pending regulatory and shareholder approval.

First Mid projects the transaction will be 12.3% accretive to earnings per share by 2027, with tangible book value dilution expected to be recovered in just over two years.

“We are excited to welcome Two Rivers’ employees, customers, and shareholders to First Mid,” said Joseph R. Dively, Chairman and CEO of First Mid. “This partnership demonstrates our commitment to continued growth and geographic diversification.”

Frank Delaney, Chairman and Interim CEO of Two Rivers, said the merger aligns with the company’s community banking values. Shane Zimmerman, President and CEO of Two Rivers Bank & Trust, will join First Mid as Executive Vice President and Divisional President following the merger.

A presentation outlining the transaction is available at www.firstmid.com

Southeast Iowa Fishing Report – October 30, 2025

Southeast Iowa Fishing Report – October 30, 2025
Cooler fall weather continues to shift fishing patterns across Southeast Iowa lakes, with water temperatures dropping steadily into the low- to mid-50s. Anglers can expect fish activity to remain moderate as species feed up ahead of winter. 

Big Hollow Lake (Des Moines County) 

Water Temperature: 54°F
Ramp Condition: Useable
Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies have moved to the outer edges of flooded trees in 6–8 feet of water following recent temperature drops. Anglers should focus efforts around this structure for the best results. 

East Lake Park Pond (Henry County) 

Water Temperature: 54°F
Ramp Condition: Useable 

The fall community trout stocking and associated fishing event at East Lake Park Pond in Mount Pleasant has been rescheduled for November 14 at 10 a.m.
Rainbow Trout – Status Unsure: Trout stocking will coincide with the Nov. 14 event, offering an opportunity for families and anglers of all ages to enjoy early winter fishing. 

Lake Darling (Washington County) 

Water Temperature: 52°F
Ramp Condition: Useable 

Another notable temperature drop this week, though water clarity remains good. 

  • Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are active around tree falls and docks; 9–10 inch fish are common with a few 11–12 inch catches. Cast small jigs parallel to structure. 
  • Bluegill – Fair: Found around rock piles and brush on the north side; try worms or jigs tipped with worm. 
  • Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass activity continues in the shallows along the old willows on the north side. 

Lake Geode (Henry County) 

Water Temperature: 56°F
Ramp Condition: Useable 

Temperatures dropped again this week, affecting shallow water action. 

  • Black Crappie – Fair: Split between deep habitat and shallower willow bed edges. 
  • Bluegill – Fair: Active in shallow water near sunny willow edges; waxworms under a bobber work well. 

For more details or updates, contact the Lake Darling Management District at 319-694-2430.
(Report last updated October 30, 2025.)