Brien Kelly, age 71, of Washington, Iowa, died Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospital.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, 3079 Henry Des Moines Avenue, Danville, Iowa, with Pastor Joseph Brown officiating.
Online condolences may be sent for O. Brien’s family at www.jonesfh.com.
Larry M. McDaniel, 81, of Farmington, Iowa, passed away at 7:20 a.m. Thursday, April 3, 2025, at the Clark County Nursing Home in Kahoka.
He was born on June 9, 1943, in Davis City, Iowa, the son of Jehu Franklin and Dorothy Mae (Still) McDaniel.
He is survived by several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and cat: Fuzz Butt.
Larry was a bronze star recipient while he served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He earned his bachelor’s degree and worked for the Iowa Department of Corrections. He also owned and operated Black Hawk Antiques. Larry enjoyed antiquing, shooting, collecting military and Native American items.
Per his wishes, his body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
A memorial has been established in his memory and can be mailed to the family at: Schmitz Funeral Home, P.O. Box 56, Donnellson, Iowa 52625.
Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
Jack L. Whitten, 88, a resident of Fairfield, passed away, Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City due to complications with diabetes.
Graveside services celebrating his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 14, 2025 at Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield with Pastor Frosty Van Voorst officiating. Memorials may be made to the family in care of 1708-C Linden Dr. Fairfield, Iowa 52556. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family.
Jack was born March 18, 1937 in Packwood, the son of Marion and Mabel (Nordeen) Whitten. He graduated from Packwood High School in 1954. Jack married Patricia McGuire, April 4, 1959 at Sacred Heart Church in Ottumwa. They recently celebrated their 66th anniversary.
Jack worked for the Iowa D.O.T. from 1954-1964 and then owned and operated Jack’s market in Packwood from 1964-1967. He then worked for Jefferson County as an assistant engineer until his retirement in 1999. Jack and Pat were foster parents for 33 years.
Those left to honor his memory include his beloved wife of 66 years, Pat Whitten; daughter, Lynn (Dan) Kane of Fairfield; grandchildren, Travis (Reesa) Starr of Fairfield, Taylor (Amber) Starr of Riverside, Iowa, and Dalton (Jess) Kane of Coralville; great-grandchildren, Axl and Corbin Starr, Bentley and Winston Starr, and Baby Girl Kane on the way; step-grandchildren, Kadie (Mike) Archer of Griffin, Georgia, and David (Alex) Kane of Libertyville; and step-great-grandchildren, Alizabeth and Jaycie Archer.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Laura Starr; son, Timothy Whitten; brothers, Chick, Bob, Ev, and Gib Whitten; and sisters, Dorothy Hahn and Alberta Condon.
Online condolences may be made to Jack’s family by viewing his obituary at www.behnerfh.com.
Murphy Funeral Home
Box 347
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa 52641
Ruth Ebersole, 95, of Mount Pleasant passed away on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Park Place in Mount Pleasant.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant. Graveside Services will be held at a later date.
Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant is caring for Ruth and her family.
High School Track
Mt. Pleasant, WACO, Fairfield, and Wapello competed in the Demon Relays last night and here’s some of the highlights. On the girls’ side, Washington won the meet with 151 points over Mt. Pleasant’s 121.3, as the two teams jockey for the conference crown. For the Panthers, Alex Scott won the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.67 seconds and the 200-meter dash with a mark of 26.45 seconds. For the relays, the Panthers took the 4×100, 4×200, and the sprint medley.
WACO’s Carlee Lunsford won the 800-meter run with a time of 2 minutes and 31 seconds; the Warriors also nabbed the distance medley crown. Lilly Bergren of Fairfield took the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 16.42 seconds. Wapello’s Natalee Marks finished in 9th place in discus with a throw of 77 feet and 9 inches.
On the boys’ side, Washington also took home the crown with 98 points as Fairfield finished in 4th place with 70 points. WACO took 7th place with 55 points followed by Mt. Pleasant with 48 points.
Fairfield’s lone win of the day occurred in the long jump with Eli Zillman leaping 19 feet and 10 inches, but the Trojans finished in 2nd place in four events.
WACO’s Hayden Shelman sprinted to a time of 23.47 seconds to win the 200-meter dash, while Jude Dykstra paced the 1600-meter run with a time of 4 minutes and 43 seconds.
Mt. Pleasant’s Avin Truong led the pack with a gold medal time of 15.47 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles, which helped the Panthers nab the win in the shuttle hurdle relay.
Wapello’s Kolton Small finished in 3rd place in the discus with a heave of 147 feet and 5 inches.
The Co-Ed Falcon Relays ran yesterday and the Mediapolis boys’ team took the title with 159 points, while the Mediapolis girls’ team shared the crown with Louisa-Muscatine with 140 points apiece.
On the boys’ side, Mediapolis showed off the speed, winning the 4×100 and 4×400 meter relays, along with the endurance, taking the distance medley relay. Gannon Gun hopped his way to the gold in the 110-meter hurdles. In the field events, Henry Luttenegger leapt 19 feet and 8.75 inches for the win in the long jump and Lathan Keller took the high jump with a height of 6 feet and 2 inches.
Winfield-Mt. Union collected 119 points to finish in 2nd place as a team with Kohlby Newsom taking 1st place in the 400-meter dash with a time of 51.19 seconds and the 1600-meter run with a time of 4 minutes and 37 seconds. The Wolves won the sprint medley and shuttle hurdle relays. Lastly, Cooper Buffington won the discus with a throw of 126 feet and 3 inches.
West Burlington/Notre Dame finished in 3rd place as a team and helping the Falcons fly was Landry Haberichter’s 1st place time in the 100-meter dash of 11.27 seconds. The Falcons also won the 4×200 meter relay, while Logan Hamma grabbed the win in the 400-meter hurdles with a sub-one minute time.
New London’s Gavin Strawhacker won the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.81 seconds. Nick Powell grabbed 1st place in the 800-meter run for Danville, which led to the victory in the 4×800 meter relay.
On the girls’ side, Mediapolis was led by Kira Messer’s 1st place time of 13.39 seconds in the 100-meter dash. Avery Crear leapt 4 feet and 10 inches in the high jump for the victory. The Bulldogs won the 4×100 and finished in 2nd place in 10 total events.
Danville finished in 3rd place with 105 points. Alaina Gourley won the 400-meter dash for the Bears with a sub-one minute time. The Bears won the 4×200 and sprint medley relays.
Winfield-Mt. Union had Kynlee Buffington take the 200-meter dash and long jump with a leap of 16 feet and 5.5 inches. Josie Nelson won the 100-meter hurdles. West Burlington/Notre Dame grabbed 1st place in the distance medley and shuttle hurdle relays, while Kaitlyn Kipp paced her way to the gold in the 3000-meter run. New London’s Megan Lee had the best finish for the Tigers, launching the shot put 28 feet and 4.25 inches for 2nd place.
Columbus, Danville, and Mediapolis will travel to compete in the Eastern Iowa Track and Field Festival tomorrow, April 12th, at Iowa City West High School.
The Mt. Pleasant, New London, Danville, Mediapolis, Van Buren County, Winfield-Mt. Union, Fairfield, West Burlington/Notre Dame and Central Lee girls’ teams will participate in the Pen City Relays on Tuesday, April 15th.
The Wapello boys’ team will host their own relays on Tuesday with Danville, Mediapolis, West Burlington/Notre Dame, and Winfield-Mt. Union making the trip.
The New London boys’ team and WACO will compete in the Lisbon Opener on Tuesday.
High School Tennis
The weather postponed yesterday’s matchups.
The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team will host Fairfield on Monday, April 14th.
The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will square off against Burlington on Thursday, April 17th, on the road.
The Fairfield boys’ team will take on Davis County at home on Tuesday, April 15th.
High School Golf
Winfield-Mt. Union dueled Columbus yesterday, splitting their matchup. The Wolves boys’ team won 167-211 as Justin Knipfer led the way with a 9-hole score of 40 (+4). Ryan Coil carded a 44 for the Wildcats. On the girls’ side, Columbus won via forfeit as Kinlee Brown shot a 53 for the Wildcats. Winfield-Mt. Union had Kellee Milks finish the day with a 52.
Winfield-Mt. Union will tangle with Wapello on Monday, April 14th, on the road.
Columbus will head to Danville on Thursday, April 17th.
Danville was swept by Burlington Notre Dame yesterday with the girls’ team losing 216-245 and the boys’ team falling 172-208. Marley Garland led the girls’ team for the Bears, carding a 56, while Alex Holtkamp led the boys’ team with a 47 through nine holes.
Danville will host Van Buren County on Monday.
Central Lee took on Holy Trinity Catholic yesterday and the girls’ teams ended the night in a draw, shooting 241-apiece, while the Hawks boys’ team defeated the Crusaders 162-192. On the girls’ side, Holy Trinity Catholic’s Elizabeth Griffin paced the field with a 48 followed by Central Lee’s Marie Young’s 57. Carter Jones carded a 38 for the Central Lee boys’ team.
The Holy Trinity Catholic boys’ team will host the Lee County Golf Classic today with Central Lee in attendance.
The Central Lee girls’ team will square off against Burlington Notre Dame on Monday at home.
The Holy Trinity Catholic girls’ team will face off against George-Little Rock on Monday on the road.
The boys’ SEC meet took place in Fort Madison yesterday and Washington took the meet with a team score of 163 as Rajan Roth led the way for the Demons, shooting a 36. Fairfield finished in 2nd place with a 168, while Mt. Pleasant took 4th place with a 176.
The next boys’ SEC meet will take place in Keokuk, while the girls’ teams will travel to Fort Madison on Monday.
Mediapolis will square off against Louisa-Muscatine today at home.
WACO will travel to Hillcrest Academy today.
New London will host Central Lee on Tuesday, April 15th.
High School Soccer
The WACO boys’ team lost to Hillcrest Academy last night 6-2. The Warriors will host Danville on Monday, April 14th, at 4:30 pm.
The Mediapolis girls’ team fell to Tipton last night 2-1, while the boys’ team handled business against Danville, smacking the Bears 6-1. The Bulldogs will take on Wapello at home on Monday with girls playing first at 5 pm.
The Wapello boys’ team was steamrolled by Highland last night 10-0.
Mt. Pleasant executed a conference sweep of Fairfield last night with the boys’ team winning a tight contest 3-2 and the girls’ team taking their contest 5-1. Ian Richards scored both goals for the Trojans in the boys’ game. Charice Auwerda added on to her historic career for the Panthers, breaking the program’s career point mark as she netted a hat trick and currently sits at 182 points. Auwerda was quick to give the credit to her teammates,
“You know what? Like, I honestly can’t do it without my teammates. They’ve been really nice to me. It’s just really a big family and I really can’t do it without them.”
Girls head coach Chris Davis was pleased with how his team navigated a physical conference showdown,
“We’ve been working a lot on physicality, wanting to play strong, play tough and always play through the ball. No backing down, just it’s all about mentality. We got to give it our all.”
Mt. Pleasant will square off against Washington on Monday with the boys at home starting at 4:30 pm and the girls on the road at 5 pm.
Fairfield will compete against Fort Madison on Monday with the girls at home and the boys traveling to the Baxter Sports Complex.
The Columbus girls’ team was unable to clip Mid-Prairie, falling 4-1 last night. Janelle Jimenez scored the lone goal for the Wildcats. The boys’ team will hit the road on Monday to take on Highland, while the girls’ team will have a road contest against Tipton on Tuesday, April 15th, with both games at 5 pm.
The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team could not stop Monmouth-Roseville last night, losing 6-1. Lexi Korschgen scored a goal off a Kyleigh Kniffen assist. The girls’ team will face off against Fort Madison tonight on the road at 5 pm, while the boys’ team will travel to Solon tonight at 5:30 pm.
Central Lee will be back in action tonight at 5 pm with the girls’ team facing off against Washington at home and the boys’ team competing against Sigourney Keota on the road.
Southeastern Community College
The softball team will square off against Iowa Western Community College at home tomorrow, April 12th, in a doubleheader with game one at 1 pm.
The baseball team had their 14-game win streak snapped last night by Des Moines Area Community College, losing 8-0. The Blackhawks are back in action tomorrow for a home doubleheader against Iowa Western Community College with game one at 1 pm.
This Day in Sports History
1921 – KDKA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania broadcasts the first radio sporting event, a boxing match between lightweights Johnny Ray and Johnny Dundee.
1966 – 30th US Masters Tournament, Augusta National GC: Jack Nicklaus becomes the first back-to-back Masters champion winning an 18-hole Monday playoff against Tommy Jacobs and Gay Brewer.
1989 – First playoff goal scored by a goalie, Ron Hextall of the visiting Philadelphia Flyers shoots into the Washington Capitals empty net while his team is short handed in a 8-5 win.
During this week’s Supervisors meeting Jake Hotchkiss provided a detailed report on road department activities, including resurfacing projects and contract hauling. Crews have been working intermittently, with hauling operations wrapping up soon in Winfield and shifting north of New London. Old Highway 34 continues to receive attention with culvert work and ditch shaping, while crews prepare for a preconstruction meeting next week in Jefferson County.
Jake talks Dust control sign-ups & Salem Stop signs.
Franklin Avenue recently received rumble strips, and ADA sidewalk improvements are being completed in Salem. Jake also noted that he will be attending the National Association of County Engineers conference next week in Schaumburg, Illinois, where the Washington County Engineer will be installed as president if N.A.C.E
Conservation Department Update
Conservation Director Caleb Waters shared a robust update on park and campground preparations, expressing gratitude to volunteers assisting with cleanup after recent windstorms. Campgrounds are on track to open next Tuesday, pending the arrival of holding tanks for the dump station. Until then, some work remains on electric pedestals and water hookups.
Playground fundraising efforts continue to thrive, now approaching $50,000 in donations. ITC Midwest plans to contribute $2,500, a significant boost for the project. Meanwhile, a new story walk trail in partnership with the public library will soon offer a nature-themed reading experience along a new trail system.
The conservation team is also preparing for several upcoming events:
Although the dump station project has hit a slight delay due to a manufacturer’s family emergency, the team remains optimistic and currently within budget. Caleb also announced the Americorps volunteers will return this summer.
Waters confirmed volunteers are properly covered through liability releases and clarified the AmeriCorps crew will be housed in two cabins while the remaining units stay open to the public.
Final Notes
With road improvements moving forward, park projects taking shape, and regional collaborations growing stronger, the county is entering spring with momentum.
Firefighters responded to a field fire just outside Crawfordsville Thursday afternoon after a caller reported flames in a cornfield behind a residence.
The Crawfordsville and Ainsworth Fire Departments were dispatched to the scene shortly after 12:30 p.m. The Olds Fire Department was also initially alerted but later disregarded once the situation was under control.
Thanks to the quick response of local crews, the fire was successfully extinguished before it could spread further. No injuries or property damage were reported.
The cause of the fire has not been publicly identified.
