Bobby Phillips

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 at 10:35 am CDT

Bobby Wray Phillips, 88, of New London, died Monday, December 11, 2023 at New London Specialty Care.  He was born in Bellflower, Missouri on March 11, 1935 to Arthur Wray and Mae Juanita Stansbery Phillips.  He graduated from Ainsworth High School and then joined the National Guard.

Bobby was a lifelong farmer in the New London area.  He was baptized in the Lutheran faith.  His favorite past-times were bowling, golfing and fishing.

Survivors include his brother Kenneth (Janaan) Phillips of Cedar Rapids; two sisters, Frances Wiesner of Des Moines and Kathryn Osier of Mt. Pleasant; and many nieces and nephews.   He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Shirley and brother Dennis Phillips.

According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and a private family burial will be held at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington at a later date.  Cards and memorials may be sent to Elliott Chapel, One Redbud Lane, New London, Iowa 52645.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Skilled Care Unit Reopening in January Needs Nurses

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 at 9:53 am CDT

The Klein Center, Great River Health’s long-term care facility, will be re-opening their skilled care unit in January of 2024.  They are actively recruiting for registered nurses (RN) and certified nursing assistants (CNA) to staff this newly opened unit.

A job fair will be held on Thursday, December 14, from 2:30-6:30 p.m. and on Friday, December 15, from 7:30-11:30 a.m. at the Klein Center. RN’s and CNA’s interested in applying for a position are encouraged to attend this event. The event will consist of open interviews with hiring professionals, a tour of the facility and a chance to meet the Klein Center team.

“We are excited to be able to reopen our skilled care unit to meet the growing need for this service line in our community.  We’re looking for compassionate and dedicated professionals – whether you’re new or a seasoned RN or CNA, if you’re passionate about quality care, we want to meet you! The Klein Center is committed to fostering a positive and supportive work environment and we invite you to come and experience the Klein Center difference,” expressed Beth Fleming, Vice-President of Post-Acute Care and Administrator of the Klein Center.

Skilled care refers to skilled nursing or rehabilitation services, provided by licensed health professionals like nurses and physical therapists, ordered by a doctor. A skilled care unit provides 24-hour medical care and supervision for residents with chronic health conditions.

The Klein Center is located at 1307 S. Gear Avenue in West Burlington. For more information, please call 319-768-3768 or visit www.greatriverhealth.org/careers to apply.

Two Dead in Ottumwa House Fire

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 at 7:50 am CDT

The Ottumwa Fire Department was requested to fight a house fire on Woodland Avenue in Ottumwa on Saturday. Around 7:30pm, firefighters arrived on scene and fought the fire for about eight hours.

Some members of the household made it out safely. Two people were killed as a result. The names of the victims have not been released as of yet.

The State Fire Marshall has been requested to investigate the cause of the fire.

Extension of Proclamation Good News for Farmers

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 at 6:25 am CDT

Governor Kim Reynolds signed an extension of the proclamation relating to the weight limits and transportation of grain, fertilizer, and manure.

The proclamation is effective immediately and continues through January 11, 2024. The proclamation allows vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage, stover, fertilizer (dry, liquid, and gas), and manure (dry and liquid) to be overweight (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit for the duration of this proclamation.

This proclamation applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa (excluding the interstate system) and those which do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight, do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code § 321.463 (6) (a) and (b), by more than 12.5 percent, do not exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds, and comply with posted limits on roads and bridges.

 

Ottumwa Police Department Participate in “No Shave November” Raise Funds for Young Girl with Leukemia

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 at 6:13 am CDT
Every year members of the Ottumwa Police Department participate in No Shave November as part of a fundraiser. It is that time again. This year marked our 9th annual No Shave November event.
This was by far the biggest and best year to date. This year we were able to branch out into other communities and sponsors along with new sponsors in Ottumwa. Saturday morning we were able to present the family with a huge check in the amount of $6.635!
This year we raised funds for 4 year old Khinley. Below is a quick narrative about Khinley, her family and her story.
“Khinley Jo has a unique story that starts out with we thought she had allergies the beginning of June, and with two Dr. visits and some blood work June 28th 2023 we received the news that she has T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, and upon her admission to Iowa stead Family children’s hospital they took a chest X-ray and found a mass/tumor the size of a football taking up the space in her chest over her right lung, and pushing on her heart.
Within 12 hours of being admitted to the pediatric oncology unit, she was rushed down to the PICU, because she could no longer keep her oxygen level up by herself, and they risked losing her airway and not being able to intubate her as the mass/tumor was laying over her airway, and if she stopped breathing the mass/tumor could crush her heart, the artery’s around it, and her collapse her right lung. The next 24 hrs. were the most nerve racking as the Drs. had a long road to figure out how to sedate her without making her too sleepy so her mass/tumor wouldn’t crush the vital organs.
Friday June 30th she underwent successful procedures and came out like the champion we know her to be. On top of getting a PICC line placed, and a lumbar puncture done, within a few hours they noticed her kidneys were failing and needed to be placed on dialysis, they kept her lightly sedated and put a dialysis catheter in and she received dialysis for 48 hrs. After we found the kidney failure we noticed her chest was swelling, and she ended up needing a chest tube as well, and then she spent over a week in the PICU and 4-5 weeks in the pediatric oncology unit at the university of Iowa.
They did her bone marrow aspiration a couple of weeks ago, and said it came back negative and that means we can start phase two of treatment because she is now in remission, but that doesn’t mean we are close to the end of treatments, they quoted us a 2 and a half year treatment plan for the cancer she has.
As of right now we go to the hospital/ clinic once a week for chemo, and then give chemo meds at home, some weeks we have to go Monday- Friday. I quit my job back in April after working for ORHC for 14 years to stay home with our kids, my husband Taylor Selix works at Cargill for 12 years, and just joined the Centerville Police Department as a reserve officer.
We have 4 kids Tucker – 16, Kharley- 11, Khinley-4, Maverick-2. Khinley has a Facebook group if you would like to join to keep up on updates for her. Khinley Jo’s Journey.”

Iowa State Fair Board Election Results

By Yorke Prough · Monday, December 11th, 2023 at 1:14 pm CDT

During the annual State Agricultural Convention, held December 10, 2024 in conjunction with the Association of Iowa Fairs Conference, elections were held for positions on the Iowa State Fair Board of Directors.

As outlined in Iowa Code, county fair delegates representing six geographic districts in Iowa elect two board members to serve two-year staggered terms on the Iowa State Fair Board. Directors re-elected by their districts are Alan Brown, Hampton (North Central); John Harms, Monticello (Northeast); C.W. Thomas, Guthrie Center (Southwest); Randy Brown, Osceola (South Central); Darwin Gaudian, Primghar (Northwest); and Curtis Claeys, Grand Mound (Southeast).
Board Officers re-elected for 2024 are as follows:
President: Darwin Gaudian, Primghar (Northwest)
Vice President: Curtis Claeys, Grand Mound (Southeast)
Treasurer: Deb Zumbach, Coggon (Northeast)
Jeremy Parsons, Des Moines, was re-appointed as Board Secretary.

Other Iowa State Fair Board Members include:
Tennie Carlson, Stratford (North Central); Gary Van Aernam, Exira (Southwest); Deb Zumbach, Coggon (Northeast); Jo Reynolds, Indianola (South Central); and Gary McConnell, Bloomfield (Southeast) and VerDon Schmidt, Everly (Northwest). Board Members by office held are Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds (represented by Lt. Governor Adam Gregg); Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig (represented by Grant Menke); and Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen (represented by Andrea Welchans).

Christmas with the Governor

By Yorke Prough · Monday, December 11th, 2023 at 7:52 am CDT

Governor Kim Reynolds and First Gentleman Kevin Reynolds invite Iowans and their families to join them for Christmas at Terrace Hill on Sunday, December 17, from 1:00-3:00 pm.

Guests are encouraged to explore the historic property and enjoy several activities including photos with Santa Claus and the first family, ornament decorating, carolers, Christmas cookies and a letter-writing station to send correspondence to deployed Iowa National Guard service members.

At this year’s event, as an additional way to say “Thank You” to our men and women who are currently deployed, Terrace Hill will be collecting donations for deployed service members.

The event will conclude with Governor Reynolds reading No Company for Christmas, a story which centers around Terrace Hill and was written by local children’s author, Susan Maupin Schmid, with illustrations created by local artist, Tara Gartin.

Tickets are $25 per individual or $50 per household + processing fees and must be purchased in advance. To purchase tickets, call their office at 515-281-7205.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Terrace Hill Partnership, the non-profit organization that supports necessary conservation and restoration projects at Terrace Hill. Last year’s event raised over $5,000 that went toward the upkeep of the 154-year-old building and grounds.

Enhance Henry County Community Foundation Meeting Tuesday

By Yorke Prough · Monday, December 11th, 2023 at 7:52 am CDT

The Enhance Henry County Community Foundation is planning a celebration ceremony and announcement of their nineteenth grant-making awards and results. The event will be held December 12th in the Union Block building on the north side of the Mt. Pleasant square at 11am. Grant recipients, county elected officials and the public are encouraged to attend.

 

The Enhance Henry County Community Foundation applied, received, and was awarded $158,914 in County Endowment Funds. Under terms of the award 75% of the funds shall be awarded to county not-for-profits, communities, and charities.

 

A special grantmaking committee of the foundation has been busy receiving and evaluating grant applications. 42 grant applications were received totaling over $534,000. The Enhance Henry County Community Foundation is actively seeking contributions and gifts to build the grantmaking capacity of the new foundation.