Joyce Ann Westerbeck, 75, of New London, died Thursday, May 15, 2025 at the University of Iowa Hospitals. Arrangements are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London.
Abrahan Rios and Justin Schulte Headline All-Region Awards for Southeastern Community College Baseball
West Burlington, IA- The Iowa Community College Athletic Association Conference (ICCAC) has released the Division II All-Region Baseball teams and Southeastern Community College’s head coach Justin Schulte took home Coach of the Year honors for the second consecutive season, while Abrahan Rios was named Defensive Player of the Year.
In his 20th season at the helm for the Blackhawks, the three-time Coach of the Year winner led the team to his second consecutive ICCAC regular season title with a 29-4 record after being voted to finish third in the conference this season and needed only three more outs to finish as conference tournament champs.
Additionally, under his leadership, Schulte helped SCC fly as high as being ranked 3rd nationally and currently sit in 6th with a 48-13 record. If the Blackhawks earn an at-large bid for the NJCAA World Series, then it would be their third straight appearance.
Abrahan Rios was a force at the plate with a 0.294 batting average and had the ability to push across runs with 34 RBIs for the season, but he also possessed an elite glove. Rios committed only two errors in 52 games and recorded 228 outs in ICCAC play, which ranked second in the conference.
The Blackhawks had five players earn a spot on the All-Region First Team and Second Team, along with one Honorable mention.
Michael Farina took home First Team infielder. The sophomore ranked 5th in the conference in batting with an 0.379 average as he also slashed 0.497 on-base and 0.612 slugging. He also managed to crush eight home runs and tally 21 doubles on the year, which helped bring home 82 runs. He also sported a 0.959 fielding percentage.
In the outfield was Jackson Petsche, as his 0.985 fielding percentage ranked 8th in the ICCAC. Additionally, he produced a slash line 0.374/0.494/0.632 with his nine home runs leading the team. Petsche accumulated 66 RBIs for the season.
The Blackhawks got strong seasons on the mound from two freshmen in starting pitcher Keaton Fenn and relief pitcher Zach Moorman. Sophomore Owen Thomson also took home First Team honors as a relief pitcher.
Earning a spot on the All-Region Second Team was: Rios as a catcher, Efrain Osorio as a utility, Caleb Klein as an outfielder, Trey O’Neil as a relief pitcher, and Maddux Frese as a starting pitcher. Andrew Hamlett was an Honorable Mention as a starting pitcher.
Up Next
SCC will find out if they are in the NJCAA World Series on Tuesday, May 20th, after 4 pm when they announce the brackets and matchups.
Lucille (Gault) Humphreys
Lucille Gault was born on February 4, 1932, in Washington, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Bertha (Strothman) Gault. Lucille was a 1949 graduate of Crawfordsville High School, and went on to graduate from Iowa State Teacher’s College earning a bachelor’s degree with a major in Home Economics. On June 20, 1953, Lucille was united in marriage to Robert Humphreys at the Crawfordsville Federated Presbyterian Church. Lucille began her teaching career at Springville and then went on to teach at Wyman Consolidated School. Once her children were born Lucille was a homemaker and farm wife. Her family being the dearest to her as she was always involved in their activities and supporting them in all they did. As well as being very involved within her community, being a member of Wyman Community Club, United Methodist Women, she was organist and pianist for over 30 years at the Winfield United Methodist Church and past president and member of Chapter GT P.E.O. Lucille enjoyed sewing, gardening and was a great cook.
Lucille will be deeply missed by her children, Dr. Chris (Michelle) Humphreys of Stone Lake, Wisconsin, Anne (Vern) Dengler of Iowa City, Lynne Humphreys of Coralville, Paul (Lynn) Humphreys of Winfield and Mary Kay (Kevin) Rappenecker of Crawfordsville; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Lucille was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert on February 2, 2017 and sister, Dr. Joyce A. Gault.
Prep Girls’ Soccer: Burlington Finds a Spot in the Class 2A Rankings for the First Time in 2025
Prep Girls’ Soccer- The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) released their seventh edition of the season’s top 15 rankings and for the first time this year one of our local teams has landed a spot on the exclusive list.
Class 1A
They are untied upon and undefeated, thus, Denver sits atop the rankings with a perfect 14-0-0 record. The only other team without a loss in the top 15 is #12 Maquoketa with a 9-0-1 record, but their strength of schedule hinders their resume. Bishop Heelan and Assumption round out the top three.
St. Albert was the one team to fall down the list from #9 to #14 as they lost three games in-a-row, including a 1-0 loss to #6 Treynor at their home field. The Saintes bounced back on Tuesday night with an 8-2 win over Logan-Magnolia, but they will be tested on Saturday, May 17th, against #2 Bishop Heelan.
Class 2A
Waverly-Shell Rock entered the season as the team to beat and the best anyone has been to do is force a 0-0 tie—shoutout to Class 1A’s #10 Center Point-Urbana. This highlights a bigger issue for opposing teams, no one has scored against the Go-Hawks this season, including the defending champions and #2 Dallas Center-Grimes.
North Polk is ranked 3rd in the class but moving down the list the records start to take a bit of a turn from #9 through #14. #9 ADM, #10 North Scott, #11 Bondurant-Farrar, and #14 Indianola all have the displeasure of playing in incredibly tough neighborhoods, resulting in records hovering around 0.500.
The most interesting choice to still rest in the top 15 is Pella. The Dutch deal with both Class 2A and Class 3A talents, which includes a recent 3-1 win over Indianola. However, Pella sports just a 4-6-1 record for the season.
An argument can be made that Fort Madison deserves to be on the list with a 12-1-2 record for the season, outscoring their opponents 74 to 5 in their wins. Especially since they hold an 0-1-1 record against the new #15 team:
Burlington finds their way onto the list for the first time this season, sporting an 11-2-2 record for the year. One of their losses was a shutout against Assumption last Friday 4-0. Beyond the loss, the Grayhounds secured their fourth straight season of at least sharing the Southeast Conference crown, third consecutive year sitting alone on the throne.
Senior Hunter Pender leads the squad in points (50), goals (19), and assists (12), while their goalie tandem of Traeh Pender and Kimberly Nelson sport a save percentage of 83.8%, allowing just 11 goals on the year.
Class 3A
The top five remained unchanged and only #10 Muscatine fell out of the top 8 as the Muskies lost to Davenport Central 4-2 this past Tuesday. Ames’ hiccup against Southeast Polk ejected the Cyclones out of the top 15. The Rams replaced them and hopped up two spots to #11 as they defeated #13 Dowling Catholic and currently ride a five-game win streak.
Despite Pleasant Valley having gone winless in their last five games and currently holding on to a 4-8-2 record, the Spartans cling on to the top 15 by rounding out the list.
More Information
Class 1A Regional soccer will be ready to commence their first round of action of Monday, May 19th.
For a full look at the rankings, follow the provided link: 7th Edition of Girls’ Soccer Rankings
Prison inmate Shawn King dies
MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa – Shawn Demetric King was pronounced dead at 9:50 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at the Minimum Live-Out of the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility. King was 53 years old at the time of his death.
King had been serving a five-year term for crimes from Scott County. His sentence began on Jan. 12, 2024.
The Fellowship Cup Launches Summer Lunch Program for Henry County Youth
Mount Pleasant, IA — As summer approaches, The Fellowship Cup is once again stepping up to support local families through its Summer Lunch Program, providing much-needed food assistance to Henry County students 18 years old and younger.
Beginning Monday, June 9, families will be able to pick up weekly lunch supplies at The Fellowship Cup Community Room, located at 203 N Jefferson Street in Mount Pleasant. Pickup times are scheduled every Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The program, also referred to as the Summer Sacks Lunch Program, offers groceries and food supplies intended to help families prepare a week’s worth of lunches. However, participants should note that the Fellowship Cup does not prepare the lunches—families are responsible for assembling the meals themselves and ensuring the supplies last through the week.
To enroll a student, parents or guardians must either call The Fellowship Cup at (319) 385-3242, or submit a completed registration form to the Fellowship Cup office. The registration form requires basic student information including names, schools, address, and parent contact details. Forms can be dropped off or mailed to:
203 N Jefferson Street, Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641.
For more information, contact The Fellowship Cup directly or visit their location during regular business hours.
Henry County Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, May 20th at 3:30 P.M.
The Henry County Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 20th at 3.30. at the USDA Office, 709 S. Iris Street, Mt Pleasant. Tentative agenda
Items include approve minutes, watershed report, and cost share payments and other district business.
Those needing special accommodations should call the office @ 319-385-2824 ext. 3.
Jet Stop Adds Diesel Fuel at Houghton Location
Jet Stop has announced a new fuel option now available at its Houghton location—diesel fuel.
This addition aims to better serve the needs of local drivers and truck operators who rely on diesel-powered vehicles.
The expansion is part of Jet Stop’s ongoing commitment to convenience and service across southeast Iowa.
With diesel now available in Houghton, area residents and travelers have another accessible stop for their fueling needs.
Keep an eye out for more updates from Jet Stop as they continue enhancing their offerings to meet customer demand.