The Mount Pleasant InMotion show choir travels to Keokuk tomorrow for their second competition of the season. After a very successful home invitational last weekend, it seems excitement surrounds the group as they continue their charge this season.
The group, comprised of freshmen through seniors, and led by director Makenzie Kauffman-Ho is sure to put on a great show. According to the program, you can catch InMotion at 1:50pm on Saturday at the Keokuk High School. They are sandwiched between the only other 3A groups, Springfield and Fort Madison. Tickets are $10 for adults and children under 5 are admitted for free.
Margaret Anna Johanson, 85, died Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at New London Specialty Care in New London after an extended illness with stiff person syndrome.
Margaret was born June 21, 1938, as the second oldest of seven children to Philip A. and N. Lucile (Pontzius) Evans on a farm outside of Winfield. She graduated from Olds High School in 1956. On June 24, 1959, she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart Marvin Johanson in Memphis, Missouri. They were blessed with 64 years of marriage. They made their home in the Brighton community. Margaret worked at the calendar factory in Washington before opening an auto repair shop with her husband. Later moving to Washington where she operated a daycare. She greatly enjoyed spending time with family, square dancing, playing cards and watching Jeopardy daily with Marvin and their dachshund Maci.
Margaret is survived by her husband Marvin of Mount Pleasant; son Wayne (Barb) Johanson of Muscatine; grandchildren: Amber (Isaac) Schulte, Fauna (Mike) Fry Jr., Josh Lemon, Jordan Lemon, Levi (Kayla) Lemon all of Muscatine; and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Philip and Lucile Evans; brothers, Edward Evans, William (Corky) Evans, Morris Evans, Ralph (Bingo) Evans; and sisters, Lucile Self and Phyllis Plummer.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 16, 2024, at the Olson-Powell Chapel and Crematory in Mount Pleasant. Pastor Earl Swigart will officiate. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of service on Friday. A memorial fund has been established for PAW Animal Shelter in Fort Madison. The Olson-Powell Chapel and Crematory is caring for Margaret and her family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com
A merger between two banks in our area has been made official.
Pilot Bancorp, Inc., the holding company of Pilot Grove Savings Bank, announced the signing of an agreement to merge Wayland State Bank with Pilot Grove Savings Bank.
This agreement is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval which is anticipated to occur in the 2nd quarter of 2024. The completed merger is expected to take place during the 3rd quarter of 2024.
This will create an estimated combined asset value of just shy of one billion dollars, at $942 Million. Wayland State Bank operates banks in Wayland, Winfield, and Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
Matt Morrison, Pilot Grove Savings Bank President and CEO commented, “We are delighted to welcome Wayland State Bank into the Pilot Grove Savings Bank family. It is rare to find a bank whose dedication to customer service and traditional banking values mirrors that of Pilot Grove. Our like-minded approach can only serve to produce a seamless transition for both the employees and customers.”
Wayland State Bank has been committed to the community, customers, and employees, for over 90 years. Led by a dedicated and progressive board of directors, they have become aware that more opportunities are available to enhance the value of Wayland State Bank to their communities.
They are very fortunate to join forces with a partner that allows us to fulfill that vision. “Pilot Grove will enable us to combine our strengths to form a team of community minded, experienced bankers who share a common value in providing innovative financial solutions and pledging our resources to promote agriculture, small business and home ownership,” CEO Robert Meyer said. “Our top priority is to make this transition as seamless as possible for our customers and employees.”
“The Pilot Grove team is excited to work with the employees and customers of Wayland State Bank,” Morrison said. “Banking rural Iowa communities is not only a specialty of Pilot Grove Savings Bank but a commitment. We are confident everyone will appreciate our focus on successful banking relationships and community growth.”
About Pilot Grove Savings Bank:
Pilot Grove Savings Bank was established on May 12, 1911, when 23 investors collectively pooled $10,000 to form the foundation of the bank. Beginning in a modest building on the sole street in Pilot Grove, Iowa, the institution’s journey has been marked by resilience and growth. Over the decades, the Home Office in Pilot Grove witnessed significant expansions, reflecting the bank’s commitment to accommodating its expanding services. Branch offices sprouted in neighboring towns, with notable additions in Houghton (1980), Donnellson (1983), West Point (1992), Mount Pleasant and Packwood (2000), Winfield (2004), Fort Madison (2011), Keokuk (2013), Fairfield (2014), and West Burlington (2020). Today, with over 100 employees, Pilot Grove Savings Bank remains steadfast in its founding values of trust, loyalty, and commitment, poised to embark on a new chapter through this merger with Wayland State Bank.
Scammers work awfully hard to take your money during tax season. Do not give out any personal information over the phone, which includes your bank account information.
A general rule of thumb, if you get a call that sounds too good to be true, it more than likely is.
Computer scams are ramping up in popularity as well. Make sure not to give out information or purchase gift cards as a form of payment.
According to the IRS website, scammers often impersonate the IRS by phone, email, or even in person. There are multiple ways to stay vigilant against these schemes.
The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. Typically, the IRS first mails a paper bill to a person who owes taxes.
If you are suspicious of a potential scam, please report these to the IRS. Do not click on any links, reply, or take any other actions that may put you at risk. There are specific ways to pay taxes. The agency will not leave pre-recorded, urgent, or threatening messages on an answering system. They will never threaten to bring in police, call for immediate payment with a prepaid debit card, gift card, or wire transfer, or ask for checks to third parties. Finally, the IRS will not demand payment without giving the taxpayer an opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
Criminals can fake or spoof caller ID numbers to appear to be anywhere in the country. Scammers can even spoof an IRS office phone number or the numbers of various local, state, federal or tribal government agencies. Again, report scam calls to the IRS.
A disturbance broke out around 7:23pm on Monday, January 22nd in Keokuk. Officers with the Keokuk Police Department arrived on scene to 416 Burke Street just three minutes later.
A thorough investigation revealed that 84-year-old Gary L. Rockenbach received injuries during a physical altercation with his son, Craig L. Rockenbach. Allegedly, the assault took place after a disagreement over food.
The Lee County Ambulance Service arrived on scene at 7:31 after being requested by the officers, and Gary was transported to a medical facility at that time.
Craig Rockenbach was arrested at 7:34 p.m. for Assault Causing Bodily injury, a serious misdemeanor. He was transported to the Lee County Jail.
One week later, the Keokuk Police Department received additional information in regard to the internal injuries that Gary Rockenbach suffered. The Lee County Attorney’s Office was given this new information, and the original charge was amended and changed to Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury, a class C felony.
Gary Rockenbach succumbed to his injuries in a medical facility and the police department was made known on February 1st. This is an ongoing investigation, and an autopsy has been requested to determine the cause of death.
An arrest is merely an accusation supported by probable cause and all defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted in a court of law.
The price of regular unleaded gasoline fell 4 cents, averaging $2.83 across Iowa according to AAA.
Crude Oil Summary
The price of global crude oil fell this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $1.82 per barrel and is currently priced at $73.82.
Brent crude oil fell $2.54 and is currently priced at $79.14.
One year ago, WTI crude sold for $77.14 and Brent crude was at $82.92.
Motor Fuels
As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.83 across Iowa according to AAA.
Prices fell 4 cents from last week’s price and are down 47 cents from a year ago.
The national average on Wednesday was $3.15, up 1 cent from last week’s price.
Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 3 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.54.
One year ago, diesel prices averaged $4.22 in Iowa.
The current Iowa diesel price is 40 cents lower than the national average of $3.94.
Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $1.97 for U87-E10, $2.27 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.49 for ULSD#2, $2.77 for ULSD#1, and $1.79 per gallon for E-70 prices.
Heating Fuels
Propane prices averaged $1.59 per gallon statewide.
Home heating oil prices averaged $2.94 per gallon statewide.
Natural gas prices fell 15 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $1.97/MMbtu
Deloris Nadine Watznauer, 93, of Fort Madison, Iowa, passed away at 12:45 a.m. Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at the West Point Care Center in West Point.
She was born on August 12, 1930 in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Harry and Anna (Moncrief) Davolt. On June 25, 1949, she married Floyd Leo Watznauer in Fort Madison, Iowa. He preceded her in death on April 26, 2023.
She is survived by her son: Randy (Judy) Watznauer of Fort Madison, Iowa; daughter: Rhonda (Duane) Burkhardt of Carlisle, Iowa; several nieces, nephews and sister-in-laws.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Floyd; five sisters: Evelyn Taylor, Laura Ewing, Deloma LaFontaine, Ruth Freeman, Mary Hughes; six brothers: Harry, Harold, John, Floyd, James and Raymond Davolt.
Deloris was a 1948 graduate of Fort Madison High School. She worked at Sheaffer Pen Co., Blue Grass Dairy, Fisher Pharmacy and Easter Foods. She was a member of Holy Family Parish in Fort Madison. Deloris enjoyed reading, traveling, playing cards, watching the Chicago Cubs and most of all, spending time with her family.
Her body has been entrusted to Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.
A graveside service will be held at a later date at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Fort Madison, Iowa.
Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Fort Madison.
Memorials have been established in her memory for Compassus Hospice or PAW Animal Shelter.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
