Constance Louise Simmons Tarrence

Constance Louise Simmons Tarrence, 74, of New London, died Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at Parkview Home, Wayland, Iowa.  She was born in Burlington on November 6, 1950 to Virgil and Henrietta Mable Lee Simmons.  On March 17, 1990 she married Darrell Tarrence; he died September 29, 2019.

Connie was a 1969 graduate of New London High School and attended New London Christian Church.  She worked for the Department of Human Services and retired from the correctional facility in Mt. Pleasant where she worked in central records. She enjoyed time with her grandkids; shopping; McDonald’s coke; Reese’s peanut butter cups and all chocolate; decorating for the holidays and socializing with her many friends.  She loved the traditions of Christmas and family picnics and get togethers.

She is survived by her children, Jodi (Walt) Jackson and Mike (April) Raines, both of New London; grandchildren Amber (Serj) Dacin, Peyton (Korte) Maddy, Cameron, Michael and Riley Raines; great-granddaughter Michelle Dacin; and step children, Steve (Patti) Tarrence, Traci (Daryl) Thomas, Debi Sanchez and Mike (Nicky) Tarrence.  Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters Joan Lance and Carol Bunkley; and her brother Ken Simmons.

According to her wishes her body has been cremated and inurnment next to her beloved husband, Darrell will be held at 9:00 am, May 3, 2025, at Burge Cemetery, New London. A Celebration of Life will follow at 10:00 AM at New London Christian Church.  A memorial has been established for New London Jr. Baseball Association. Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Iowa Weekly Fuel Report As of March 26

Iowa Weekly Fuel Report

DES MOINES, Iowa (March 26, 2025) – The price of regular unleaded gasoline rose 5 cents, averaging $3.03 across Iowa according to AAA.

Crude Oil Summary

  • The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $2.94 per barrel and is currently priced at $69.83.
  • Brent crude oil rose by $3.27 and is currently priced at $73.84.
  • One year ago, WTI crude sold for $82.41 and Brent crude was priced at $85.91.

Motor Fuels

  • As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.03 across Iowa according to AAA.
    • Prices rose 5 cents from last week’s price and are down 29 cents from a year ago.
    • The national average on Wednesday was $3.15, up 5 cents from last week’s price.
  • Retail diesel prices in Iowa held steady this week with a statewide average of $3.33.
    • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.78 in Iowa.
    • The current Iowa diesel price is 28 cents lower than the national average of $3.61.
  • Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
  • The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.20 for U87-E10, $2.43 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.38 for ULSD#2, $2.63 for ULSD#1, and $1.96 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

  • Natural gas prices were down $.26 at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $3.89 MMbtu.
  • Propane prices averaged $1.64 per gallon in Iowa.
  • Home heating oil prices had a statewide average of $2.86 per gallon.

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission to Hold Full Board Meeting on March 27

West Burlington, IA – The Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission (SEIRPC) will convene for a Full Board meeting on March 27, 2025, at 12:00 PM. The meeting will take place at 211 N. Gear Ave., Suite 100, West Burlington, IA, with a virtual attendance option available via Zoom.

The agenda includes a presentation of the Leland McCosh and LeRoy Meyer Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to regional development. In addition, board members will review the Director’s Report, meeting minutes, financial reports, and claims as part of the consent agenda.

Key business items include:

  • Approval of the Teamster 238 Agreement for FY2025-FY2026

  • An update on the FY2026 Consolidated Transit Application

  • Discussion of the Draft FY2026 Transportation Planning Work Program (TPWP)

The meeting will also provide an opportunity for public input during the Matters from the Floor segment.

The meeting will be chaired by Schleisman, with contributions from Norris and James on various agenda points.

For those unable to attend in person, the meeting can be accessed via Zoom at this link or by calling (312) 626-6799 (Meeting ID: 878 0097 9973).

The SEIRPC plays a vital role in regional development, transportation planning, and public infrastructure projects across Southeast Iowa.

Sports, March 26th

High School Track

The Washington boys’ team will host the Steve Roth Relays tomorrow, March 27th, with Fairfield, Mediapolis, Wapello, Mt. Pleasant, Danville, West Burlington/Notre Dame, Columbus, WACO, and Winfield-Mt. Union all competing. 

The Danville, Fairfield, Mediapolis, New London, WACO, Winfield-Mt. Union, West Burlington/Notre Dame, and Mt. Pleasant girls’ teams will meet up in Burlington for the Falcon Relays on April 1st. 

College Signings

A pair of Panthers will be heading off to Davenport to continue their athletic careers at St. Ambrose University in the fall. Payton Walker was the first to sign his National Letter of Intent yesterday to play football for the Bees. 

Walker was a star on the gridiron for Mt. Pleasant, compiling 180.5 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions on defense, while rambling for 1,100 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in his three years at the varsity level. He took home 1st Team All-District linebacker this past season, the position he plans to play at St. Ambrose. He plans on studying Sports Management as he eyes a career as an Athletic Director. Walker gives the credit to the Panther program for wanting to continue his football career,

“Oh, it’s just been amazing. Probably the best four years of my life right here playing football here. My best memories are with the guys out there on that field. So, I kind of realized that as soon as I was having fun out there, I just wanted to keep doing it for as long as I can.”

After practice, Ava English held her announcement that she would be joining the Bees track and field team as a thrower. English has added on to the Panther throwing legacy after attending the state championship for shot put in her sophomore season, finishing in 16th place with a toss of 34 feet and 11.75 inches, despite having shoulder surgery during the offseason. It was through that adversity that she was pushed towards St. Ambrose,

“I kind of just had my heart set on St. Ambrose,” said Ava English. “I had shoulder surgery in 2022 and so I went to my physical therapist. I was like, ‘this is what I want to do.’ Where do you recommend? She’s like St. Ambrose. So, I decided. ‘OK. St. Ambrose or nothing.’ St. Ambrose or SCC. So, I went, and toured and I was like, this is it. This is. This is going to be my home.”

English has an early season mark of 34 feet and 6.75 inches through the indoor season, as her goal for her senior campaign is a return trip to Des Moines for the state championships.

High School Basketball

The 2025 Pizza Ranch All-Star Game is scheduled for Saturday, March 29th, at Dallas Center-Grimes High School with three of our local players and a coach making the trip to compete. 

On the girls’ Southeast team, WACO’s Ella Huisenga, who ranked 2nd on the team in points and 1st in rebounds, earned a spot and accompanying her will be her coach Lisa Graber. The Southeast squad will face off against the Northwest team for the first round at 10:45 am.

On the boys’ Southeast team, a pair from the Southeast Iowa Super Conference South Division will join forces in West Burlington’s Mason Watkins and Luke Hellige of Holy Trinity Catholic. Watkins and Hellige both finished within the top 10 in the state in points per game and as their respective program’s all-time leading scorer. The Southeast and Northwest will square off for their first round matchup at noon. 

Southeastern Community College                                                     

The softball team will host a doubleheader against Marshalltown Community College today.

The baseball team will hit the road today to take on Ellsworth Community College in a doubleheader. 

College Basketball

Iowa State’s Audi Crooks was named one of the 50 finalists for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-America team yesterday. For the season, Crooks averaged 23.4 points per game, which led the Big 12. Crooks was named Third Team All-America by the Associated Press and the USBWA as she was the first Cyclone sophomore to be named to an All-America team by either outlet. 

March Madness

The KILJ bracket challenge, sponsored by The Press Box and Wiley’s Interior Furnishings and Design, is officially underway with nearly 50 brackets submitted with the top three set to receive prizes. 

The standings have been updated through the first two rounds. For a look at the top 10 breakdown, follow this link: KILJ Bracket Challenge Standings

The standings will be updated after the Elite Eight, Final Four, and championship matchup. The Sweet 16 will be back in action tomorrow, March 27th.

This Day in Sports History

1917 – Stanley Cup Final, Seattle Ice Arena, Seattle, WA: the Seattle Metropolitans (PCHA) beat the Montreal Canadiens (NHL), 9-1 for a 3-1 series victory; becoming the first US team to win the Stanley Cup.

1952 – 14th NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: Kansas beats St. John’s, 80-63; first tournament to have a true “Final Four” format.

1979 – 41st NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: Michigan State beats Indiana State, 75-64 for their first National Championship; marks the start of the rivalry between future Hall of Famers Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Additionally, it was the highest-rated game in the history of televised college basketball.

Sweet Tooth Wins West Burlington Woman $10,000

Carol Gerst – IA Lottery

A West Burlington woman’s craving for something sweet led to a $10,000 Iowa Lottery win.

Carol Gerst stopped at Casey’s to redeem a free candy bar and had planned to buy a scratch ticket at another store. But she decided to keep things simple.

“I’m not going to two gas stations. I’ll just go to Casey’s,” she said.

Gerst and her son, Caleb, went to the Casey’s at 501 E. Mount Pleasant St. in West Burlington, where she picked up a Reese’s Sticks bar and a Ruby Red Crossword scratch ticket.

She scratched the ticket while running errands and quickly realized she had won something. To confirm, she scanned it with the Iowa Lottery mobile app.

“It says $10,000,” she said. “And I’m saying, ‘No, I think there’s a mistake!’”

It turns out she had forgotten to scratch one letter—an “H”—which made all the difference. That single letter pushed her winnings up to the $10,000 prize, which she claimed Tuesday at the Iowa Lottery’s regional office in Cedar Rapids.

Gerst, 76, works at a facility that cares for residents with special needs. She plans to use her winnings for a home repair, to surprise friends with a little extra cash, and to treat herself.

“At my age, we are having fun with any bonus, anything extra. This is fun money for me!” she said.

Ruby Red Crossword is a $30 scratch game featuring 16 top prizes of $300,000 and 47 prizes of $10,000, with overall odds of 1 in 2.29.

For more details on the game and remaining prizes, visit ialottery.com.

Dan Nguyen

Dan Nguyen, 61, of Mt. Pleasant, died Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at his residence in Mt. Pleasant.

Dan Van Nguyen was born November 25, 1963 in Nhu Trang, Vietnam. He was the son of James Alfred Harris and Mai Thi Nguyen. Dan was united in marriage to Ly Thi Nguyen.

Dan was a longtime employee at the former Alaniz Company, now Innovaire.

In his spare time, one of Dan’s favorite activities was karaoke.

Dan is survived by his wife, Ly of Mt. Pleasant;  a daughter, Thao Nguyen and a son Hieu Nguyen, both of Seattle, WA; his father, James Harris of Seattle and his mother, Mai Thi Nguyen of Vietnam.

Private family services will be held.

Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main Street, Mount Pleasant, IA.

Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

Ottumwa Man Sentenced to 125 Months in Federal Prison for Firearm Charge

DES MOINES, Iowa – An Ottumwa man was sentenced today to 125 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a felon.

According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, in early 2024, Nolan Ryan Rork, 19, was on probation with the State of Iowa. In April 2024, Rork removed his electronic ankle monitor. In June 2024, law enforcement located Rork. While fleeing, Rork threw his backpack, which had two loaded firearms and more than 60 grams of methamphetamine.

After completing his term of imprisonment, Rork will be required to serve a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office and the Ottumwa Police Department.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

Henry County Supervisors Meeting March 27, 2025 9 a.m.

Henry County Supervisors

100 E Washington St Ste 202

Mt Pleasant IA  52641

Fax: 319-385-3601 

  Chad White, Vice-Chair               Marc Lindeen, Chairman               Steven Detrick, Member    

           319-385-0759                                 319-385-0760                                     319-385-0761________                       

AGENDA

Board of Supervisors Office

March 27, 2025

9:00 a.m.

  1. Approve Agenda
  1. Approve Minutes
  1. Approve Claims
  1. Engineer, Jake Hotchkiss Weekly Update

FY 2026 IDOT Budget and Five-Year Construction Program Presentation

Motion – FY 2026 IDOT Budget and Five-Year Construction Program

  1. P&Z, Joe Buffington, Recommendations from P &Z Commission Board

Alternative Energy Overlay District

  1. Joe Buffington, Rolling Hills Subdivision Sec 27, Center Township
  1. General Assistance, Sarah Berndt Monthly Updates

Approve Updates to Henry County General Assistance Policy

  1. Discussion on Changes to Henry County’s Website
  1. Discussion on the Step Repair at 106 E Clay St. Building
  1. Public Comments