Ronald Dale Bjorklund (final arrangements)

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, January 25th, 2022 at 11:55 am CDT

Ronald Dale Bjorklund, 75, of New London, died Sunday, January 23, 2022 at his home.  He was born July 25, 1946 in Alexandria, Minnesota to Lloyd Andrew and Helen Marie (Aslagson) Bjorklund.  On January 21, 2015, Ronnie suffered a stroke that altered his life and ability to communicate.

For many years, Ronnie worked as a car detailer.  As a youth, he mowed yards and plowed gardens for folks in town.  He was an excellent pool player and played on several leagues, enjoyed car races, flea markets, the pigeon show, fishing at East Lake Park, watching westerns on Grit Channel, and he was quite a practical joker.

Ronnie is survived by six siblings: Bonita (Gene) Kerr of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri; Gloria Detrick of Mt. Pleasant; David (Debby) Bjorklund of Ankeny, Iowa; Deborah (Rusty) Antel of Columbia, Missouri; Sharon Bjorklund of New London; and Tamara (Michael Harris) Bjorklund of New London; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Thomas and Phelan; and brothers-in-law John Williams and Jim Detrick.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Elliott Chapel, New London with Pastor David Mixon officiating.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM with the family present to greet friends beginning at noon until the time of the service.  The family requests that masks be worn.  Burial will follow at Burge Cemetery, rural New London.  A memorial has been established for New London Fire and Rescue.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Michael Gene Coleman

By Theresa Rose · Monday, January 24th, 2022 at 9:49 pm CDT

Michael Gene Coleman, 57 of Keosauqua passed away on Friday January 21, 2022 at the Van Buren County Hospital.  In accordance with his wishes his body has been cremated.  A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Friday January 28, 2022 at Pedrick Funeral Home in Keosauqua with Larry Shipley officiating.  Burial of cremains will be at Forbes Cemetery in Keosauqua.  Gifts to a memorial to be designated later by the family may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the family at 622 West Jackson Street, Centerville, IA 52544.  Online condolences may be left at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com

Michael was born on August 27, 1964 in Fairfield to Donald Huffman and Verna Mae McCarty Coleman.  He spent all his life in in Van Buren County and graduated from Harmony High School in the class of 1985.  Michael had worked at Riverside Plastics an, the glove factory both in Bonaparte.  After a car accident left him partially disabled, he worked on fixing lawn mowers and small engines from his home and a small shop in Fort Madison.

Left to cherish his memory are two brothers, Donald Coleman of Michigan and Ronald Coleman of Minnesota, a sister, Linda Douthart (Rick Cole) of Centerville and many other extended family members and friends.

 In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Carol Douthart and Connie Allen, two brother, William M. Douthart Jr. and Terry Coleman in infancy.

Southeast Iowa Farm Show Returns to Fairfield Arts & Convention Center

By Theresa Rose · Monday, January 24th, 2022 at 4:41 pm CDT

FAIRFIELD — The Kenny Norton Southeast Iowa Farm Show returns to Fairfield Arts &
Convention Center Saturday, February 26th from 9 am to 3 pm. Admission to the Farm Show is
free and open to the public.
Now in its seventh year, the show has become one of Iowa’s top ag expos, featuring the latest in
machinery, seed technology, grain handling, and more. Sponsors and exhibitors in
agri-businesses throughout Southeast Iowa will be showcasing their latest technology and
making connections with the community. Lunch will be available for purchase from 11 am to 2
pm, served up by the Jefferson County Beef Producers, and there will be activities for children
and families throughout the day.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is scheduled to speak at 12 pm on the current state of
agriculture in Iowa and what the industry can expect in the future. Secretary Naig’s presentation
is also free and open to the public.
“It’s really important to us to be able to showcase Southeast Iowa business like this,” says
Fairfield Arts & Convention Director Lindsay Bauer. “Fairfield has this amazing backbone in the
ag industry and getting to partner and support local leaders this way is great.”
The Farm Show will be followed by a performance by country music icon Wade Hayes at 7:30
pm that evening. Tickets to the Wade Hayes concert are $18-$39 and are available to purchase
at fairfieldacc.com or by calling the Box Office at (641) 472-2787.
The Southeast Iowa Farm Show is supported by sponsorship by many area business leaders.
This year’s Presenting Sponsors include Community 1st Credit Union, Jefferson County Farm
Bureau, Jefferson County Supervisors, Iowa State Bank, Pilot Grove Savings Bank, and State
Farm: Agent Shawn McCarty.
Businesses interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at this year’s expo can contact
events@fairfieldacc.com for more information.

Henry County Supervisors Meeting Agenda

By Theresa Rose · Monday, January 24th, 2022 at 4:38 pm CDT

AGENDA

 

January 25, 2022

 

Approve Agenda

 

Approve Minutes

 

9:00 Jake Hotchkiss, Engineer Weekly Update

Motion to hire Assistant to County Engineer

Motion to hire Summer Intern

 

9:30 Public Health FY23 Budget Presentation

 

10:00 Recorder FY23 Budget Presentation

 

10:30 Attorney FY23 Budget Presentation

 

11:00 Caleb Waters FY23 Budget Presentation

 

Other County Business as time allows

 

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

Girls Wrestling: Blint 7th, McNamee DNP at Girls State Tournament

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, January 24th, 2022 at 1:08 pm CDT

Coralville — Abby Blint and Ella McNamee made history again for Mount Pleasant, competing in this weekend’s Iowa Girls High School Wrestling championships.

Blint placed 7th in the 115-pound bracket while McNamee showed out well despite not placing.

Blint won her consolation 7th place match by fall over Mount Vernon’s Maddie Plotz to get onto the podium. She started her weekend with a pair of fall wins before running into trouble in the championship quarterfinals.

Blint dropped a SV-1 decision 7-5 to North Cedar’s Adison Musser, knocking the Panther senior to the consolation bracket.

Ella McNamee won her first match of the tournament by fall in 3:46 before being defeated via fall in the second round.

In the consolations McNamee picked up a duo of wins — one by major decision — before falling in the consolation quarters by 7-4 decision to to Ava McNeal of Lewis Central.

Girls Wrestling: IGHSAU Sanctions Girls Wrestling

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, January 24th, 2022 at 1:07 pm CDT

KILJ — The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Board of Directors have voted unanimously to sanction girls wrestling as the organization’s 11th sport.

The vote was made at the IGHSAU’s January 12th board of directors meeting and was announced prior to the start of the championship round of the Girls State Wrestling Tournament Saturday in Coralville.

The first IGHSAU-sanctioned season will take place during the 2022-23 school year.

To date, 58 schools have committed to sponsoring girls wrestling programs in Iowa.

The latest data from Trackwrestling.com shows 1,018 girls participating in high school wrestling, represented by over 185 Iowa schools.

Prep Wrestling: Weekend Roundup

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, January 24th, 2022 at 1:05 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant 6th in Williamsburg 

The Mount Pleasant wrestling team placed sixth in the six-team Raider Invite in Williamsburg on Saturday.

Carson Coleman finished second individually at 126 to lead Mount Pleasant.

He was beaten in the finals by Zach Westercamp of Fairfield.

Gannon McNamee and Bowen Davis were third place finishers for the Panthers, as well.

Western Dubuque won the team title.

New London Goes 4-1 at Steinkamp Duals

Dominic Lopez went 5-0 with three falls and technical fall as the New London wrestling team went 4-1 at the Steinkamp Duals in Winthrop on Saturday.

The Tigers earned wins over East Buchanan, Edgewood-Colesburg, Jesup and Sumner-Fredericksburg while falling to Waterloo West on criteria.

Gage Burden was undefeated in five duals with two falls.

Josh Glendening and Trent Wilkerson also had unblemished weekends for New London.

Notre Dame Rolls in Alburnett

Notre Dame had seven individual champions as the third-ranked Nikes cruised to the team title in Alburnett.

Carter West, Blaine Frazier, Tate O’Shea, Isaiah Fenton, Sam West, C.J. Walrath and Kayden Dietzenbach all were crowned victors.

Alburnett was the team runner-up while Dike-New Hartford placed third.

WACO Third at L-M Invite

WACO placed third and Mediapolis 7th at this weekend’s Louisa-Muscatine Invite.

Jonah Clark won the 220-pound title to led WACO’s attack. He pinned Burlington’s Julian Perez-Hall to win it all.

Kris Boone was second at 170-pounds for the Warriors as well.

Mediapolis’ Quinten Aney was, no surprise, an individual champion at 138 pounds.

Aney earned a fall, tech fall and a major decision in his finale.

It was his 150th career victory.

Prep Basketball: Panthers Sweep Central Lee Saturday

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, January 24th, 2022 at 1:04 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant 49, Central Lee 35

Dewon Trent scored 15 points as Mount Pleasant took care of Central Lee 49-35 Saturday at Panther Gymnasium.

Aaiden Ashton added 13 points while Dylon Hagans poured in a season-high eight.

The win moved the Panthers to 5-9 on the year.

They’ll get a date with Keokuk on Friday night.

Mount Pleasant 50, Central Lee 36 (Girls) 

Andrea Lopreato had 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead Mount Pleasant to a 50-36 win over Central Lee Saturday.

Kenna Lamm chipped in with 11 for the Panthers. Jadan Brumbaugh had six, as well.

The Panthers evened their ledger at 8-8.

They’ll now be off until Friday when they battle Keokuk.

Other Saturday finals:

  • Burlington 63, No. 7 Clear-Creek Amana 40
  • Danville 64, West Central 34
  • WACO 67, New London 48
  • E-B-F 76, Mediapolis 45
  • No. 1 Fort Madison 71, West Hancock 52