Incident Near Lee County Line Results in Charges

By Theresa Rose · Monday, November 1st, 2021 at 2:38 pm CDT

On October 29, 2021, at approximately 12:20AM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office they received reports of a vehicle that had driven off the roadway, and a male subject was laying down along the roadway near the Lee County / Henry County line on U.S. Highway 218. Deputies found a vehicle and male subject near the intersection of 335th Street/Highway 218 in Henry County.

After an investigation, it was found that Eric Quinten Novak (38 years of age) of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, had been driving his 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada southbound on Highway 218 and drove off into the westside ditch along the roadway. Novak struck a barbed wire fence after driving off the roadway. He then drove the vehicle back through the fence in an attempt to leave the scene, but the vehicle became stuck in the ditch.

Novak was found lying on the shoulder of the roadway by motorists. After deputies arrived, Novak was processed for a suspected O.W.I. due to being under the influence of narcotics.

Novak was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to the Henry County Jail without incident where he was later charged with O.W.I. First Offense (Serious Misdemeanor), Possession of a Controlled Substance Third Offense (Class D Felony), and Criminal Mischief in the Fifth Degree (Simple Misdemeanor). Novak also received citations for no valid driver’s license, no insurance, failing to maintain control of a motor vehicle, and open container by a driver 21 years old & older.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office assisted with this investigation.

Stop Results in Multiple Charges

By Theresa Rose · Monday, November 1st, 2021 at 2:34 pm CDT

On October 30, 2021, at approximately 2:19AM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office performed a traffic stop near the intersection of 200th Street and Henry/Des Moines Avenue near Mount Union, Iowa, on a vehicle that had wrong matching plates displayed. After an investigation, it was found that the driver, Nicholas Lee Mehaffy (30 years of age) of West Burlington, Iowa, was operating a motor vehicle with a suspended Iowa driver’s license. Mehaffy was subsequently charged with Driving with a Suspended Driver’s License (Simple Misdemeanor) and Operating Without an Ignition Interlock Device (Simple Misdemeanor). Mehaffy was given a written warning for Fraudulent use of a Registration. The New London Police Department assisted with this traffic stop.

Prep Football: WACO Rides Defense, Ground Game to Dominant Win

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, November 1st, 2021 at 11:27 am CDT

Martensdale — WACO used four interceptions and seven rushing scores rolling to a 50-8 win over Martensdale-St. Mary’s in the second round of the 8-Player playoffs last night.

The win sets the fifth-ranked Warriors up for a date with No. 6 Audubon, who defeated top-ranked Montezuma last night.

Junior running back Simeon Reichenbach got the party started for WACO with a pair of first quarter rushing scores.

Isaac Oswald added two of his own, while fullback Jon Rice scored three times — including two in the salt in the wound third quarter.

Leading 29-8 at halftime WACO jumped the Blue Devils in the third for scores on three consecutive drives set up by two Martensdale-St. Mary’s turnovers on downs.

Mason Miller set the Warriors up for two short field drives in the first half with two interceptions, while Drew Diers and Clayton Miller each had one.

Martensdale’s lone score, a 40-yard run by sophomore Kade Mullins, came at the 5:00 mark of the first quarter.

The rest of his six carries went for 15 yards.

The game was played with running clock from the third quarter on.

WACO’s next matchup will be Thursday, November 4th.

The KILJ family of networks — either 105.5 or 98.5 — will have coverage of that matchup with Audubon.

Prep Cross Country: Danville-New London Takes Second at State

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, November 1st, 2021 at 11:26 am CDT

Fort Dodge — Ty Carr ran 16:34.96 for fifth place overall as the Danville-New London Bears took second in the Class 2A Boys Cross Country meet in Fort Dodge on Saturday.

Last year’s state champions, Danville-New London was bested only by Tipton.

Alexander Julian ran 17:03.59 for 15th overall while Rylan Martin finished 29th.

Seth Bailey finished in 17:43.57 placing 48th overall.

Western Christian, Oelwein and Des Moines Christian rounded out the top-five team scores.

In Class 1A, Winfield-Mount Union’s Gabe Hemsworth finished in 18:54.04.

That was 105th in the Class 1A field.

College Football: Wesleyan Nabs First North Star Win

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, November 1st, 2021 at 11:26 am CDT

Burlington — ]Iowa Wesleyan quarterback Gavin Esquivel threw for 306 yards and one touchdown as the Tigers earned their first North Star conference win, 21-10 over Presentation College.

Freshman running back Hezekiah Hunter ran for 145 and two touchdowns while his backfield mate Kam Cole ran for 82 yards.

Damien Tanelus was Esquivel’s top target hauling in five catches for 73 yards.

David Timmons had the lone touchdown reception — his from 30 yards out.

The win moves Wesleyan to 2-7.

The Tigers will play in their final home game next week, Saturday, November 6th, against Waldorf University in Burlington, Iowa at Bracewell Stadium.

It will be Senior Day for the Tigers.

Kick is set start for 2:00 p.m.

Prep Volleyball: State Volleyball Gets Underway Today

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, November 1st, 2021 at 11:25 am CDT

Cedar Rapids — The 2021 Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union State Volleyball tournament gets underway today with action all day at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse.

The slate gets underway in Class 5A where:

No. 1 Iowa City Liberty vs. No. 8 Johnston

No. 4 Cedar Falls vs. No. 5 Dowling Catholic

No. 2 Pleasant Valley vs. No. 7 Ankeny Centennial

No. 3 Ankeny vs. No. 6 Urbandale

4A will also play their quarterfinal matchups this evening.

The bracket is as follows:

No. 1 Western Dubuque vs. No. 8 Bishop Heelan

No. 4 Xavier vs. No. 5 Marion

No. 2 North Scott vs. No. 7 Bondurant-Farrar

No. 3 Waverly-Shell Rock vs. No. 6 Oskaloosa

Sports, Monday, November 1st

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, November 1st, 2021 at 11:24 am CDT

Prep Football: WACO Rides Defense, Ground Game to Dominant Win:

WACO used four interceptions and seven rushing scores rolling to a 50-8 win over Martensdale-St. Mary’s in the second round of the 8-Player playoffs last night.

The win sets the fifth-ranked Warriors up for a date with No. 6 Audubon, who defeated top-ranked Montezuma last night.

Junior running back Simeon Reichenbach got the party started for WACO with a pair of first quarter rushing scores.

Isaac Oswald added two of his own, while fullback Jon Rice scored three times — including two in the salt in the wound third quarter.

Leading 29-8 at halftime WACO jumped the Blue Devils in the third for scores on three consecutive drives set up by two Martensdale-St. Mary’s turnovers on downs.

Mason Miller set the Warriors up for two short field drives in the first half with two interceptions, while Drew Diers and Clayton Miller each had one.

Martensdale’s lone score, a 40-yard run by sophomore Kade Mullins, came at the 5:00 mark of the first quarter.

The rest of his six carries went for 15 yards.

The game was played with running clock from the third quarter on.

WACO’s next matchup will be Thursday, November 4th.

The KILJ family of networks — either 105.5 or 98.5 — will have coverage of that matchup with Audubon.

Prep Cross Country: Danville-New London Takes Second at State:

Ty Carr ran 16:34.96 for fifth place overall as the Danville-New London Bears took second in the Class 2A Boys Cross Country meet in Fort Dodge on Saturday.

Last year’s state champions, Danville-New London was bested only by Tipton.

Alexander Julian ran 17:03.59 for 15th overall while Rylan Martin finished 29th.

Seth Bailey finished in 17:43.57 placing 48th overall.

Western Christian, Oelwein and Des Moines Christian rounded out the top-five team scores.

In Class 1A, Winfield-Mount Union’s Gabe Hemsworth finished in 18:54.04.

That was 105th in the Class 1A field.

College Football: Wesleyan Nabs First North Star Win:

Iowa Wesleyan quarterback Gavin Esquivel threw for 306 yards and one touchdown as the Tigers earned their first North Star conference win, 21-10 over Presentation College.

Freshman running back Hezekiah Hunter ran for 145 and two touchdowns while his backfield mate Kam Cole ran for 82 yards.

Damien Tanelus was Esquivel’s top target hauling in five catches for 73 yards.

David Timmons had the lone touchdown reception — his from 30 yards out.

The win moves Wesleyan to 2-7.

The Tigers will play in their final home game next week, Saturday, November 6th, against Waldorf University in Burlington, Iowa at Bracewell Stadium.

It will be Senior Day for the Tigers.

Kick is set start for 2:00 p.m.

Prep Volleyball: State Volleyball Gets Underway Today:

The 2021 Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union State Volleyball tournament gets underway today with action all day at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse.

The slate gets underway in Class 5A where:

No. 1 Iowa City Liberty vs. No. 8 Johnston

No. 4 Cedar Falls vs. No. 5 Dowling Catholic

No. 2 Pleasant Valley vs. No. 7 Ankeny Centennial

No. 3 Ankeny vs. No. 6 Urbandale

4A will also play their quarterfinal matchups this evening.

The bracket is as follows:

No. 1 Western Dubuque vs. No. 8 Bishop Heelan

No. 4 Xavier vs. No. 5 Marion

No. 2 North Scott vs. No. 7 Bondurant-Farrar

No. 3 Waverly-Shell Rock vs. No. 6 Oskaloosa

Dean Delmar Wurtzel

By Theresa Rose · Monday, November 1st, 2021 at 11:16 am CDT

Dean Delmar Wurtzel, 82, of New London died Friday, October 29, 2021 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.  He was born May 20, 1939 in Waukon, Iowa to Delmar and Carrie Anderson Wurtzel.

He graduated from high school in Waterville, Iowa.  On November 30, 1963, he married Teresa Ann Palmer in Burlington.  For more than thirty years, he worked at General Electric in Burlington.

He was a member of Long Creek United Methodist Church and enjoyed volunteering at the church. In his younger years he was quite a baseball player and was a huge fan of the Cubs and Packers.  Following retirement, he loved helping a local farmer.

Survivors include his wife of New London; daughters, Kendra Lyons of Davenport, Regina Wurtzel of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and Wendy (Ryle) Roseke of Lowden, Iowa; six grandchildren; one great-grandson; siblings, Norb (Helen) Wurtzel, Jean (Jim) Gruber, Bob (Kay) Wurtzel, Ronnie (Marge) Wurtzel and Donnie (Julie) Wurtzel; nieces and nephews.  His parents preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 pm, Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at Elliott Chapel, New London with Pastor Dan Baker officiating.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 am, with the family greeting friends from 11:00 until the time of the service.  Cremation has been accorded and inurnment will follow at Long Creek Cemetery, rural Danville.  A memorial has been established for the Des Moines County Humane Society.  Online condolences may be shared at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.