Kenny Messer

By Theresa Rose · Monday, December 26th, 2022 at 9:04 pm CDT

Kenneth “Kenny” Messer, 81, of Wapello, passed away on Sunday, December 25, 2022 at Wapello Specialty Care.  Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at the Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral and Cremation Service of Wapello.  Private family burial will be held at a later date.    Visitation will be from 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at the funeral home.    A memorial fund has been established at the funeral home in memory of Kenny. Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

Kenneth Lester Messer was born on December 16, 1941 in Conesville, Iowa the son of Ralph and Gladys (Tisor) Messer.  Kenny was a 1960 graduate of Wapello High School.  While in high school Kenny began working as a meat cutter at the meat locker in Wapello.   Kenny worked many years as a meat cutter both in Wapello and in Florida.  After returning to Wapello in 1989 from Florida Kenny began working at Grimm Plastics where he worked until his retirement in 2010.  Kenny enjoyed fishing, car races, photography, playing cards, poker and pool.

Kenny will be deeply missed by his son, Mark (Julie) Messer of Washington, Iowa; two grandchildren, Jenna and Landon Messer; siblings, Donald (Linda) Messer of Wapello, Barbara Reid of Wapello and Nancy Stephens of Wapello and several nieces and nephews.

Kenny was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Keith “Red” Messer and son, Karl Messer.

AEA Board Seat Open

By Theresa Rose · Monday, December 26th, 2022 at 4:00 pm CDT

The Great Prairie Area Education Agency is accepting Candidacy submissions for a new Board Member to serve from March of 2023 to December of 2025. This seat on the Board represents District 6, which is Fairfield, Pekin, WACO, Winfield-Mt. Union & a portion of the Ottumwa CSD

The new Board Member will be selected by February 21st. Anyone who is a resident and elector of District 6 may seek election to the AEA Board according to Iowa law. With an exemption for members of a local community college board of directors or local school employees.

Anyone interested in declaring candidacy must file a Statement, and a link to that website can be found here or the Great Prairie AEA offices in Burlington or Ottumwa Ottumwa. The deadline for filing is January 27, 2023.

AEA Board of Directors meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center.

Dennis Swarthout

By Theresa Rose · Monday, December 26th, 2022 at 5:08 am CDT

Dennis Swarthout, 72 of Salem, died Sunday, December 25, 2022, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.  Funeral services are pending at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel.

 

Donna Colton

By Theresa Rose · Saturday, December 24th, 2022 at 4:11 pm CDT

Donna Colton, 93, of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of New London, died Friday, December 23, 2022 at Addington Place, Mt. Pleasant. Arrangements are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London.

 

Henry County Supervisors Meeting Agenda

By Theresa Rose · Friday, December 23rd, 2022 at 2:49 pm CDT

AGENDA

December 27, 2022

Approve Agenda

Approve Minutes

9:00 Jake Hotchkiss, Engineer Weekly Update

Motion to Approve Final Plans for HMA

Old Hwy 34-Benton Ave to Jefferson County

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

Gov. Reynolds issues proclamation for ease of access to fuel for heating during blizzard

By Theresa Rose · Friday, December 23rd, 2022 at 2:47 pm CDT

Governor Kim Reynolds issued a proclamation to ease restrictions for transportation of and access to fuel used for heat during the extremely frigid temperatures during the blizzard.
 The proclamation is effective immediately and continues through 11:59 p.m. on January 1, 2023. The proclamation suspends the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code pertaining to hours of service for crews and drivers delivering propane, diesel, natural gas, and other fuels used for residential, agricultural, and commercial heating purposes during the duration of the blizzard. 

First KILJ Humanitarian Awards

By Theresa Rose · Friday, December 23rd, 2022 at 9:41 am CDT

KILJ Radio is very excited to announce the first ever KILJ Humanitarian Award.  Friday during the weekly Generation Gap program station owner Paul Dennison and manager Kadie Johannson introduced the first two recipients of this special honor. From now on each year at this time KILJ will recognize the efforts of someone who quietly goes about making this community a better place to live.  The inaugural award is presented this year to Linda Enearl and Dan Spray of Mount Pleasant. Each receives a special engraved award and $1,000 they may donate to a favorite organization.

During the special live announcement on KILJ Melinda Huisinga and Ken Brown spoke about these honorees.  Melinda spoke to Linda’s volunteer efforts at the First United Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant and with the Festival of Lights project.  Ken knows Dan thru his volunteer work with the Fellowship Cup. Ken described Dan as a great human being with a service heart who dedicates his life to the Lord.  Ken also said Dan is a great leader and asset but no one really knows how much he does for the community. Dan said he was honored and humbled.

Linda was appreciative of the honor but also encouraged others to volunteer. Melinda said Linda puts in more hours than any other volunteer helping with the annual Festival of Lights from set-up to directing traffic.  Linda also volunteers at the First United Methodist Church during Old Threshers heading up the food tent committee and running the Church’s online, sound and visual technology.

Both praised the Mount Pleasant community for the huge dedication to volunteerism.

Two Vehicle Crash On Racine

By Theresa Rose · Friday, December 23rd, 2022 at 9:20 am CDT

On December 18th, 2022, at approximately 5:18 P.M., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a two-vehicle collision in the 2100-Grid of Racine Ave.

An investigation into the accident determined that Willow Spring, 26 of Iowa City, was driving a passenger car approaching a nearby intersection. After failing to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic, this vehicle was struck by SUV traveling on Racine Ave. Both vehicles came to a stop and entered into in the ditch area of the intersection. Both drivers were transported by ambulance from the scene.

Resulting from this Willow was cited for Failure to Obey Stop Sign and Yield Right of Way. A state accident report was also completed regarding the accident occurrence.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Mount Union First Responders, New London Fire and Rescue, Henry County Health Center Ambulance, and the Iowa State Patrol.

***A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.****