Pursuit Details

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, August 31st, 2022 at 10:45 am CDT

On August 30th, 2022, at approximately 12:31PM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist the Iowa State Patrol with a vehicle pursuit north of Mt. Pleasant.  The vehicle was located by deputies just north of Mt Pleasant and refused to pull over.

A subsequent investigation into the pursuit identified the offender as Ethan Howard, 24, of Ossian Iowa.  Howard formerly lived in the Donnellson area.  Howard has been charged with Eluding and Driving While Barred, both Aggravated Misdemeanors.

Iowa State Patrol Reports Single Vehicle Fatality

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, August 30th, 2022 at 12:48 pm CDT

A Batavia woman was killed in a single vehicle accident  Monday morning on Libertyville Road.  According to the Iowa State Patrol,  Ruth Ellene Pickard, was traveling eastbound near Juniper  Ave, at Cedar Creek, when she lost control going around a curve. The vehicle ran off the side of the road, and went airborne before rolling and then hitting a tree.

Iowans can begin requesting absentee ballots for November general election today

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, August 30th, 2022 at 12:47 pm CDT

DES MOINES – Iowans can begin requesting absentee ballots for the November general election starting today, Secretary of State Paul Pate announced. State law allows Iowans to request absentee ballots beginning 70 days before an election. County auditors will begin mailing absentee ballots to those that requested them starting October 19. That is also the first day Iowans can vote in-person for the November 8 election.

 

“It’s important to have a plan when it comes to voting,” Secretary Pate said. “You have multiple options available. If you plan to vote by mail, go ahead and send your absentee ballot request form in now. That will make it easier for you and your county auditor when it comes time to cast your ballot.”

 

Absentee ballot request forms are available on the Secretary of State’s website. Voters need to download the form and mail it to their county auditor. Providing a phone number or email address on the form is encouraged, but not required.

 

Military members stationed outside the U.S. and overseas citizens can also begin requesting absentee ballots for the November general election. That request form is available by clicking here.

 

For more information to help prepare for the general election, Iowans are encouraged to visit VoterReady.Iowa.gov.

Christee Kaye Samuelson

By Theresa Rose · Monday, August 29th, 2022 at 4:57 pm CDT

Christee Kaye Samuelson, 77, of Fairfield, Iowa, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2022 at Jefferson County Healthcare Center, Fairfield.  A graveside service and burial of cremains will be at 2:00PM Thursday September 1, 2022 at Upland Cemetery South of Lockridge.

            Christee was born December 25, 1944 in Mason City, Iowa to Carl and Helen Marth.  She graduated from Mason City High School in Mason City, Iowa in 1963.  She married William Hungerford on July 16, 1963 and they were later divorced.  She married Dwayne Samuelson on December 31, 1977 in Cooper, Iowa.  Christee and her husband were members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fairfield.

Christee’s hobbies included playing cards on her computer, crocheting, reading books and most importantly spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband and parents, stepfather, Walter Matzen; a son, Carey Hungerford; a grandson, Jeremy Hungerford; and two sisters, Dixie Marth, Alta Jane Lekwa and Mary Marth Stanley.

Christee is survived by two daughters, Teresa Hungerford and Angela Samuelson of Fairfield, Iowa; four grandchildren, Maci Hungerford, Amber Samuelson, Angel Samuelson and Amelia Samuelson; one great grandson, Logan Hungerford; as well as extended family and friends.  She was dearly loved by her family and will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Christee’s honor may be made to Hospice Compassus and brought to the graveside service or mailed to the family at 507 West Monroe Avenue, Fairfield, IA 52556.

HEDRICK MAN CHARGED WITH 20 COUNTS OF FELONY SEX ABUSE

By Theresa Rose · Monday, August 29th, 2022 at 4:31 pm CDT

On the afternoon of Friday, August 26, 2022, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation agents, assisted by the Iowa State Patrol, arrested 31-year-old Matthew Robert Reynolds of Hedrick, Iowa. Reynolds’ arrest came at the conclusion of an investigation which began in the fall of 2018 and resulted in the filing of 20 total felony-level sex abuse charges against Reynolds across Jefferson and Keokuk Counties. Reynolds is currently in custody at the Keokuk County Jail (Sigourney).

In Jefferson County, Reynolds is charged with five (5) counts of Sex Abuse 3rd Degree (all Class C Felonies).  In Keokuk County, Reynolds is charged with fourteen (14) counts of Sex Abuse 3rd Degree and one (1) count of Sex Abuse 2nd Degree (a Class B Felony).

Although criminal charges have been filed, this continues to be an ongoing criminal investigation conducted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Criminalistics Laboratory, the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office, the Keokuk County Attorney’s Office, and the Office of the Iowa Attorney General.

A criminal charge is only an accusation, and criminal defendants are innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Jason Schwartz

By Theresa Rose · Monday, August 29th, 2022 at 4:00 pm CDT

Jason R. Schwartz, 42, of Rome, died unexpectedly Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at the Henry County Health Center Emergency Room after collapsing at home.

Open visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm Tuesday August 30 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main Street, Mt. Pleasant. There will not be a formal funeral service. On-line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Jason Ray Schwartz was born April 24, 1980 in Huron, South Dakota, the son of Krista Ranae Mills. He moved to Mount Pleasant as a young child. on May 11, 2018 at Crane’s Pond in Mount Pleasant he was united in marriage to Gina Jo Diane Hand.

Jason was employed by Stewart Services, a landscaping company. He loved video games and math puzzles of all sorts (especially Suduko). He and Gina bonded over many things, primarily their love of cats and their interest in wolves.

Those thankful for sharing in Jason’s life include his wife Gina, daughter Hather and mother Krista Mills, all of Rome.

Ronald Leo Rice

By Theresa Rose · Monday, August 29th, 2022 at 3:21 pm CDT

Ronald Leo Rice, 83, of Danville, died Sunday, August 28, 2022 at Legacy Gardens in Iowa City.  He was born August 11, 1939 in Burlington to Edward Walter and Carmen J. Peterson Rice.  On November 21, 1963 he married Janey May Gosney.

Ron graduated from Augusta High School.  He retired after thirty years at Champion Spark Plug in Burlington; was a lifelong farmer; and owned a successful fish-farming business called “County-Line Channels”.  He was the first president of the Iowa Wild Turkey Federation; was secretary for many years; was instrumental in the restoration of the wild turkey population in Iowa; and enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He served in the army during the Cold War in Germany and departed just before the Vietnam conflict.

Survivors include two sons David (Juanita) Rice of Montgomery, Michigan and DeWayne Rice of Danville; eight grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and daughter Donna Rice Barr.

According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and there will be no formal services.  Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting the family with arrangements.  Cards may be sent to Rachel K. Bierbrodt at 14192 Des Moines Henry Avenue, Danville, Iowa 52623.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.