Prep Cross Country: IATC Slots the WACO Boys’ Team Inside the Top 5

By Slaten Swords · Monday, October 13th, 2025 at 12:03 pm CDT

Prep Country- The Iowa Association of Track Coaches (IATC) released the penultimate team and individual rankings as our local teams gear up for their conference meets. As the number of meets slows down, runners were ousted from the rankings.

Class 3A

As one of our few local teams to have multiple meets last week, Washington’s Andrew Rees, whose reemergence into the top 25 allowed for his team to latch onto the top 20 last week, moved three spots into the top 20 up to #19.

Rees took home the gold medal at the Hillcrest Academy Invitational and secured a faster time at the Bob Mudd Lynx Invitational over the weekend for a 2nd place time of 16 minutes and 34 seconds.

Akin to their top runner, the Demons pulled 1st place at Hillcrest and narrowly fell to Solon for the silver medal at the Bob Mudd Invitational. The effort proved to not be enough to keep the team ranked as the Demons were left out of the top 20.

Unfortunately, Iris Dahl for the Washington girls’ team was knocked out of the individual rankings after not running at Hillcrest and grabbing 10th place at their meet over the weekend with a time of 20 minutes and 24 seconds.

Staying on the girls’ side, Mt. Pleasant’s Avery Fedler collected another gold medal for her young career at the Mediapolis Invite, but her time of 20 minutes flat was slower than her typical marks, leading to the Panther being knocked down at spot from #6 to #7.

In the same tone, Fort Madison’s Avery Rump helped lead the Bloodhounds to a team victory at Centerville this past week with a 2nd time of 19 minutes and 10 seconds. That time did result in Rump tumbling from #11 in the rankings to #13. The team consistency kept the Bloodhounds at #5 in the rankings.

The Fort Madison boys’ team took 1st place as a team at Centerville, but the Bloodhounds backpedaled to #16 in the rankings, two spots back from where they started last week.

Class 2A

The Mediapolis boys’ team defended their home turf well as the Bulldogs not only won the meet by 21 points, but also had their top two runners finish within four seconds of one another for 1st and 2nd place.

#9 Simon Wendel stayed put in the rankings after claiming the gold with a time of 16 minutes and 34 seconds, while Will Schmidgall, with his best time of the season at 16 minutes and 38 seconds, leapfrogged up the rankings to #15 from #17.

The Bulldogs were awarded with a three-spot climb in the rankings to #13.

Class 1A

The WACO boys’ and girls’ teams continue to prove themselves to be the top brass of the conference. At the Mike Jay Invitational, the WACO boys’ team grabbed the victory with east as four of their top five runners finished within the top 10.

Anchoring the Warriors was Jude Dykstra’s mark of 16 minutes and 52 seconds, which was good enough for 1st place and four step climb in the rankings from #10 to #6.

After getting Locken Henderson back after missing the first half of the season, the WACO boys’ team can be a squad that contends for the state championship as the IATC slots them at #4.

The Columbus boys’ team barely held onto their spot in the top 10 at #10 after claiming 2nd place at the Mike Jay Invitational. The Wildcats lack a superstar, but their team consistency more than makes up for that.

WACO’s Josie Dykstra moved up on the girls’ side after clocking a time of 20 minutes and 51 seconds for 2nd place at the Mike Jay Invitational. The Warrior is now ranked #23.

Van Buren County’s Lincoln Bainbridge was taken out of the top 30 as the Warriors did not have a scheduled meet and despite a 3rd place finish at the Mediapolis meet, Alaina Gourley of Danville, who found her way into the rankings for the first time since September 1st, was ousted from the top 30.

As stated in the previous paragraph, Van Buren County did see their team standings slide slightly after a week without a race with the boys’ team slinking back from #12 to #14 and the girls’ team moving back one spot to #8.

B. Wayne Boeding

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, October 13th, 2025 at 10:37 am CDT
B. Wayne Boeding, 69, of Keokuk, Iowa, passed away at 8:26 p.m. Saturday, October 11, 2025 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.
Born November 23, 1955 in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Eugene A. and Doris A. (Abolt) Boeding. On October 30, 1998 he married Danielle Roberts in Keokuk, Iowa.
Survivors include his wife Danielle; two sons: Caleb (Tara) Bones and Declan Boeding; mother Doris Boeding of West Point, Iowa; two brothers: Steve (Sherry) Boeding of West Point, Iowa and Ken (Delain) Boeding of Danville, Iowa; sister Sandra (Tom) Klesener of West Point, Iowa. Sisters and brother-in-law: Brenda Boeding, Erica Martin, Cathy Roberts, Rhonda Perry, and Bret Roberts. Nieces and nephews: Amanda (Travis) Merta, Sam (Shari) Boeding, Shane (Lydia Chaddick) Boeding, Kyle (Stephanie) Boeding, Katie (Thomas) Linkfelter, Jeremy (Amy) Klesener, Jesse Klesener, Jacob (Akina) Stukey, Phillip (Kelly) Culpepper, and Andy (Sarah) Farnsworth. Also surviving are several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father; and brother Jerry.
Wayne graduated from Fort Madison High School, he retired from J.I. Case where he was known as “Plain Wayne”. He was a member of U.A.W. Retirees. He was a very social person, he never knew a stranger, he enjoyed watching the river from his front porch, bingo, raising chickens, his antique International tractors, and watching his sons grow.
His body has been deeded to the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point with Father Dan Dorau as officiating.
Burial will be at a later date in Calvary Cemetery in West Point.
Memorials have been established in his memory.

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

Janet Winnifred Hendrickson Klein

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, October 13th, 2025 at 8:31 am CDT

Janet Winnifred Hendrickson Klein, 104 of Mount Pleasant passed away on October 7, 2025, at Park Place of Mount Pleasant.

 

Janet was born on February 7, 1921, in Washington, Iowa, the daughter of the late J W and Rubye (Lee) Hendrickson.  She lived in Gladwin before moving to Richland, Iowa.  On August 9, 1939, she eloped to Palmyra, Missouri to marry Frank V. Klein.  They met while attending Parsons College in Fairfield. Frank and Janet lived in Fort Madison for 49 years before his death in 1988. 

 

Janet was instrumental in starting a school in Fort Madison for special needs children, while serving on the Lee County School Board from 1956-1957, being the first elected woman to hold the position.

 

She loved to tat, crochet, quilt and sew.  She loved gardening and after her husband retired, they moved to the country near Donnellson where they took up golfing after many years of working and raising a family. 

 

Those thankful for sharing in her life include her children, Bryan (Rose Ann) Klein, of Rockvale, Tennessee, and Jack (Cathy) Klein, of Mission, Texas, her grandchildren, Sylvia, Sherri, Kurt, Beth, Todd, Kelly and Eric, her great grandchildren, Lisa, Matthew, Brittany, Jacob, Adina, Nicolas, Taylor, Tila, Antonio, Connor, Noah, Logan, Lucas, Emma and Raquel and her great-great grandchildren, Christian, Raylynn, Remi, Lilly, Katelyn, Lucious, Melody, Colt, Luke, Lilith, Jack and Charlotte and one great-great-great granddaughter, Kinsley along with her two sisters, Lugene Krieger, of Winfield and Catherine Betty, of Fairfield.

 

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Frank, one brother, George, one sister Wanda and twin daughters, Sally and Susan and daughter, Janet Kay.

 

A Celebration of Janet’s life will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant with Reverend Court Fischer officiating.  Burial will be in the Oakland Cemetery in Fort Madison, Iowa.  A memorial has been established in her memory.

 

 

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

 

The Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant is honored to serve the family with love, comfort and dignity as we celebrate the life of Janet Klei

Rep. Jeff Shipley Named Chair of Iowa House International Relations Committee

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, October 13th, 2025 at 8:08 am CDT

Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley (R-New Hartford) has announced that Representative Jeff Shipley (R-Birmingham) will serve as Chair of the Iowa House International Relations Committee for the upcoming 2026 Legislative Session. 

“I am honored for this opportunity provided by Speaker Pat Grassley to serve as Chair of the International Relations Committee,” said Shipley. “I am excited for the chance to present the great state of Iowa to the world. I look forward to continuing the work to build the Iowa House’s relationships with other countries.” 

Shipley is currently serving his fourth term in the Iowa House. The 2026 Legislative Session is scheduled to convene on January 12, 2026. 

 

Fairfield Chamber Hosting Candidate Forum October 15

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, October 13th, 2025 at 8:08 am CDT

The Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Candidate Forum on Wednesday, October 15, at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, sponsored by Freeman Kevenides Law Firm. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., with the program starting at 5:00 p.m. 

The schedule includes a social hour (5:00–5:30 p.m.), followed by the mayoral forum with Connie Boyer and Doug Flournoy (5:45–6:45 p.m.), a Fairfield Schools bond session with Superintendent Zach Wigle (6:45–7:15 p.m.), and the Ward 2 council forum with Paul Gandy and Matthew W. Johnson (7:15–8:15 p.m.). 

Mendy McAdams, Chamber Executive Director, will moderate. The event is free and open to the public, with civility expected throughout. 

For details, contact the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce at 641-472-2111 or visit FairfieldIowa.com 

Calling All Southeast Iowa Youth Hunters

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, October 13th, 2025 at 8:07 am CDT

Next Saturday, young hunters have a chance to experience the thrill of the hunt at the Youth Pheasant Hunt, hosted in partnership with the Aldo Leopold Pheasants Forever Chapter. 

This event is open to children ages 15 and under, offering a safe and fun environment to learn about pheasant hunting and wildlife conservation. 

Space is limited, so be sure to RSVP by calling 319-753-5808. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to connect with nature and sharpen your hunting skills! 

New London City Council Meets Monday to Review Ordinances and Property Sales

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, October 13th, 2025 at 8:07 am CDT

The New London City Council will hold its regular meeting on Monday, October 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the City Office, 112 West Main Street, with Mayor Kirk Miller presiding. 

The meeting will include a public hearing on Ordinance #86, which updates stop and yield requirements, and Resolution #475, regarding the potential sale of city property in the South Pine Street Urban Renewal Area to H & A Contracting, LLC. 

Other business includes amendments to agreements with Q3 Contracting and Joshua and Kelsey Bradley, discussion of repairs at 507 South Walnut Street, and consideration of playground equipment funding from Oktoberfest. New business items feature street closures, fire department job descriptions, approval for residents to keep chickens, and the Annual Urban Renewal and Financial Reports for fiscal year 2024–2025. 

The next regular meeting is Monday, November 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. 

Mount Pleasant Mayoral Forum & School Board Forums This Week

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, October 13th, 2025 at 8:06 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant School Board Election Candidate Forum will take place on Wednesday, October 15th at 6:00 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Community High School, 2104 South Grand Avenue. Hosted by the Government Relations Committee and KILJ Radio, the event will allow voters to learn more about the candidates seeking to serve on the Mount Pleasant Community School District Board. The public is encouraged to attend and hear candidates discuss their priorities and plans for the district’s future. 

The following evening, on Thursday, October 16th at 5:30 p.m., the focus will shift to city leadership with the City of Mount Pleasant Mayoral Candidate Forum. That event will be held in the Civic Center Meeting Room, located at 307 East Monroe Street, and is hosted by the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance Government Relations Committee.
This forum offers Chamber of Commerce members a chance to hear directly from mayoral candidates about their goals and vision for Mount Pleasant. 

Both events aim to promote civic engagement and provide the community with valuable insight before Election Day November 4th.