Iowa DNR: Asks for Survey Participation

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, July 12th, 2025 at 6:25 am CDT

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has started the annual Wild Turkey Production survey.  During July and August wild turkey sightings are recorded to estimate this year’s nesting rates and nest success.

Participation is easy – just note the date and county in which the turkey was seen, if it was an adult female or adult male – males have beards on their breast – and if and how many poults (baby turkeys) were present. The survey is available online at www.iowadnr.gov/turkey, then click on Wild Turkey Survey.

Annual population surveys conducted by the DNR are an important component of managing the wild turkey. Turkey populations can fluctuate annually across all regions of the state.

 

Area Meetings – Monday, 7/14/25

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, July 12th, 2025 at 6:22 am CDT

The Mt. Pleasant Community School District School Board will meet in regular session on Monday, July 14th at 6pm in the high school media center.  Items to be discussed at the meeting include elementary section size, superintendent search process, and staff survey report.  The complete agenda can be found at MTPCSD.org/board.  This meeting is open to the public.

 

The New London City Council will meet in regular session on Monday, July 14th at NL city office, 112 W. Main Street.  This meeting begins at 6pm and is open to the public.

Storm Recap – Friday Night

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, July 12th, 2025 at 6:19 am CDT

A line of severe storms moved across Iowa yesterday afternoon and evening producing strong winds, small hail, and VERY heavy rain. Strong winds over 60 mph were seen with some of these storms.

The West Point Police Department reported several trees were downed in Donnellson last night during the series of thunderstorms, high winds and heavy rain.  Clean up has been underway.  The Lee County Fair in Donnellson was certainly affected by the thunderstorms. The storm cells in Southeast Iowa seemed to come at the area one right after the other.  Mt. Pleasant Municipal Utilities reported brief power outages last evening; however, restoration was quick and all had power by 8:30pm

Much of Keokuk lost power at about 8:30pm on Friday night with ETA of restoration by 4:30 this morning, and Ft. Madison also received a pounding.  Reports from Winfield included streets flooding, including Central Avenue.  A power pole was knocked down at Hwy 78 & Marsh Avenue in Winfield last evening and citizens lost power. Hail was reported north of Morning Sun last night.

Rainfall totals from last night vary according to location in southeast Iowa. The National Weather Service reports that Mt. Pleasant received around 3 inches of rain, while a listener who is south of MP on Iowa Avenue recorded 6.85 inches of rain.  North of Mt. Pleasant, the rainfall totals are just over 3 inches.

 

During the storm activity on Friday afternoon, the Mt. Pleasant Police Department responded to and investigated 3 collisions: Washington at Main Street, an accident was reported in the 1300 block of Grand Avenue and another in the 300 block of E. Henry Street.  The MPPD also investigated a tree that had fallen into wires in the 100 block of Exchange Street.

 

Thursday 7/10/25 Fatality – Louisa County

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, July 12th, 2025 at 6:17 am CDT

37-year-old Kathleen Leanne Hayes of Morning Sun was killed in a crash on Thursday, July 10th in Louisa County, according to the crash report published by the Iowa State Patrol.

Just before noon on Thursday, a vehicle, driven by Hayes, collided with a freight tractor semi at the intersection of County Roads G52 and W66 approximately three miles south of Cotter along the Highway 92 detour route. The driver of the vehicle failed to yield at a stop sign, pulling into the intersection, where it was struck on the driver’s side by the semi.

The crash remains under investigation.

 

Gladys Josephine Ranney

By Allison Jacobs · Friday, July 11th, 2025 at 5:29 pm CDT

Gladys Josephine Ranney age 97 formerly of Packwood passed away in Sigourney, Iowa.

There will be a private family gathering celebrating her life at a later date.  Memorials may be made to the family and mailed to Jodi Milligan, 402 Suellen Street, Richland, Iowa 52585.  Behner Funeral Home is helping the family with arrangements.

Gladys was born March 18, 1928, in LeMars, Iowa to John and Elvina Bourne.

Gladys moved to Iowa Falls when she was younger. Later she met Donald Ranney. They married November 3, 1946 and raised their daughter Diane. They lived most of their life in Marshalltown but decided to move to Packwood to be close their daughter Diane (Lee).

Gladys loved to flower garden, bake, doing jigsaw puzzles and her word-finds. Her chocolate chip cookies never lasted long around the grandchildren. She loved working at Fannie Mae and Hallmark and spending time with family. Later in life she enjoyed her Fridays with daughter Diane when they would get their hair done at Miss Kitty’s, go shopping, and grab lunch. She enjoyed visiting with her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Left to share her memories are her grandchildren Michael (Sheila) Vokoun, Jodi (Matt) Milligan, Michelle (Mike) Hoy, Teri (Mike) Miller and Traci (Todd) Hoefler, her great grandchildren, Nathaniel, Nicholas, Neil, JJ (Addi), Josh (Tefna), Jade (Michael), Andrea, Erica, Danielle (Charles), Lee, Daphne (Chase), Rhyan and Hayden and her great-great grandchildren Garett, Graci, Ainsley, Jase, Braxton, Charlotte and soon to be Viola. Her brother Richard (Pat) Bourne and sister Eileen Ramey.

Gladys was proceeded in death by her husband Donald Ranney, her daughter Diane Stone, her parents John and Elvina Bourne, and her brother Robert Bourne.

John Ollis Miller

By Allison Jacobs · Friday, July 11th, 2025 at 4:24 pm CDT

John Ollis Miller, 86, of Marion, died Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids.  He was born January 27, 1939 in Kirksville, Missouri to Louis and Fern Miller.  On September 29, 1957 he married Mary Lou Toft.

He was a 1957 graduate of New London High School, served in the US Army, and was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Marion.

John worked as a construction supervisor for NorthWestern Bell, later known as US West.  He was a member of NW Bell Pioneers in which he was active for twenty years; he was a leader for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion during his tenure at US West.

John won many awards in marketing; volunteered through the church and was a church sponsor.   He enjoyed his family, his neighbors, genealogy, woodworking and his tool collection.

He is survived by his wife Mary; two sons Bradley (Manny) Miller-Garcia of Davenport and Craig (Barb) Miller of North Oreton, Ohio; five grandchildren, Sara Ealey, Seth, Owen, Audrey, and Scott Miller; and two great-grandchildren, Lelan and Ridge Ealey.  Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Steven J. Miller and grandson John Miller.

The family will greet friends at a luncheon at Elliott Chapel, New London beginning at 11:30 am, Monday, July 14, 2025.  Immediately following the luncheon will be a 1:00 PM graveside service with his grandson Seth Miller officiating.  Military rites will be presented by the Henry County Honor Guard.  A memorial has been established and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Lynn E. Hitchings – PENDING

By Allison Jacobs · Friday, July 11th, 2025 at 6:47 am CDT

Lynn E. Hitchings, 82, of New London, died Thursday, July 10, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospital, West Burlington.  Arrangements are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London.

Robert V. Hays

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, July 9th, 2025 at 11:16 am CDT

Robert V. Hays, 80, of Morning Sun, passed away on Friday, July 4, 2025, on the farm in Morning Sun.  Visitation will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Mediapolis.  Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the Sharon RP Church.  Burial will be in the Sharon RP Church Cemetery with full military rites.  Following the committal service, a time of food and fellowship will be held at the church.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established at the funeral home in memory of Robert.  Online condolences may be left at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

Robert Veale Hays was born on February 9, 1945, in Morning Sun, Iowa the son of John Milford and Margaret (Beck) Hays.  He was a 1963 graduate of Mediapolis High School and graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in engineering.  Robert proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.  He was united in marriage to Leslie Giles in Texas who passed on March 3, 2000.  Robert later was united in marriage to Debra Kay Barker on December 29, 2005, in Glenwood, Iowa.  Robert was a Civil Engineer for Peter Kiewit, serving as Unit District Supervisor.  He was a member of the Sharon RP Church and the Morning Sun American Legion. Robert enjoyed collecting tractors and antiques, tinkering, visiting with family and friends and spending time with his great granddaughter, Kelby.  He was a wonderful, caring and generous husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend.

Robert will be deeply missed by his wife, Debra of Morning Sun; his children, Denine Greco of Council Bluffs, Troy Gillam of Council Bluffs, Kaleb Hays of Council Bluffs and Kelsey Hays of Des Moines; grandchildren, Marina Greco of Omaha,  Amanda Greco of Omaha, Mariah Greco of Omaha; great grandchildren Kelby Greco, Lavinia Greco and one on the way; nephew, John Hays of Washington and nieces, Kathy (Barry) Heilman of Yarmouth and Becky Hays of San Diego.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, John Hays and Bill Hays and niece, Peggy Hays.