Author: Yorke Prough

On Saturday, InMotion Showchoir had an incredible day at the Central Lee Invitational. They placed 2nd in another competitive 3A class, earning the 2nd highest score out of all groups/classes in daytime competition. Following their pattern for the year, each performance they have upped the ante, which earned them both best vocals and grand champions in finals competition! This is the groups first grand champions trophy this year. Congratulations to InMotion, your 2024 Central Connections Grand Champions.

The Middle and High School Jazz Bands were among 97 bands to compete at the Coe College Jazz Summit in Cedar Rapids that stretched over three days.  Mt. Pleasant’s Jazz 2, directed by Laura Westfall, placed third in Class 3A Second Bands. Meanwhile a 7&8^th Grade Jazz Band member, Jack Henriksen on tenor sax, was one of five to receive Honorable Mention Performer recognition.

A Burlington man has been charged after a search warrant was executed at 1113 S 3^rd Street on the 23^rd.

The Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force has been investigating a report of Jordan Blint manufacturing Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in the Burlington area.  During a search of the residence, evidence of a DMT lab was located, as well as large quantities of Methamphetamine, Marijuana, and Pharmaceuticals.

Jordan Blint was placed under arrest and charged with outstanding warrants for No Insurance, Driving Under Suspension, Operation of a Non-Registered Vehicle and Fail to Appear for Theft 4th, and Two counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance – DMT.

Blint was additionally charged with:

Possession with Intent to Deliver – Methamphetamine, Over 5 grams (Class B Felony)

Possession with Intent to Deliver – Marijuana (Class D Felony)

Possession with Intent to Deliver – Schedule II Pharmaceuticals (Class C Felony)

Possession with Intent to Deliver – Schedule IV Pharmaceuticals (Aggravated Misdemeanor)

Three Counts of Iowa Drug Tax Stamp Violations (Class D Felonies)

Manufacturing a Controlled Substance – DMT. (Class C Felony)

The Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force was assisted by the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol Tactical Team, Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office and the Burlington Police Department.

This investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

On Sunday Afternoon, Wapello Fire and Rescue was requested to an area in the Iowa River floodplain north of Wapello for a report of a control burn that was out of control.

Upon arrival, crews found a 40-acre area that had been mostly burned, and fire that spread to a large area of remote timber land owned by the State of Iowa. The Morning Sun and Grandview Fire departments were requested as assistance. Fire crews contained the fire to the timber area and prevented the fire from spreading to an adjacent area with 500 acres of grassland and an additional 220 acres of timber.

As of yesterday evening, the fire was contained to an approximately 120-acre area of mostly timber. There are many dead trees in this area that remain on fire and are surrounded by burnt vegetation. The fire has generated a significant amount of smoke and with the wind having switched to the north, the smoke is currently carrying into Wapello and is creating extremely smoky conditions. The burning trees are inaccessible to fire equipment and will most likely continue to burn for several days.

Air quality should improve today with winds out of the southeast. Firefighters will continue to monitor the situation as the week unfolds. Be advised that the smoke is currently causing visibility issues on US 61 from inside Wapello to approximately one mile north of the city limits.

Two Central Lee Middle School students will travel to Washington D.C. in April for their scholastic abilities. Addison Hohl and Caedon Newton were named National Stem Challenge Champions and will join 127 other project finalists from across the nation for the first ever National Stem Festival, put on the Department of Education.

There were 2,549 applications spanning grades six through 12 from across the United States. From that group, they narrowed down the applicants to 288 finalists.

The 2024 National STEM Challenge is a competition for students in grades six through 12, presented by the U.S. Department of Education and EXPLR, an organization focused on providing middle and high school students with virtual and hands-on learning resources. The National STEM Challenge encourages students to design a STEM project using scientific methods or engineering design processes.

The Legislative session is well and truly in full swing, with the funnel deadline last week. Representative Taylor Collins, District 95 (Mediapolis), spoke about the current happenings in the general assembly, which includes the passage of State Supplemental Aid (SSA). According to Collins, this provides close to $150 million dollars for public schools and $3.8 billion to School Foundation Aid. This also shows an increase of $229 per student from the previous year.

Collins also spoke about public safety, which is a major focus this year. He is working on a three-strike rule, which would see people face long prison terms if they have three forceable felonies.

He also mentioned that they are beginning the conversation on tax reforms, to make sure Iowans can keep as much of their money as possible.