Barbara Starr

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, June 25th, 2024 at 8:58 am CDT

Barbara Ann Starr, 80, a resident of Wayland, Iowa, passed away Monday, June 24, 2024 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 27th, 2024 at Cottonwood United Methodist Church in rural Wayland. Burial will be held at a later date at Cottonwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Cottonwood United Methodist Church or Cottonwood Cemetery. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family with arrangements.

Barbara was born March 17, 1944 in Oxnard, California, the daughter of Dorothy and Ray Arbogast.

Barb worked for McCleery-Cummings Company in Washington. She enjoyed reading and spending time with her grandchildren.

Those left to honor her memory include her children, Scott (Tammy) Starr of Wayland, Candi Starr of Washington, Rex Starr of Lockridge, Cori (Ron) Kuntz of Wayland, and Billie Jo (Darrin) Bruegge of Fairfield; 13 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren; siblings, Georgia Fort of Wayland, Tom Arbogast of Wayland, Cathy Rich of Brighton, and Tim Arbogast of Wayland.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Ray Arbogast, and Harry White; and great-grandson, Hunter.

Online condolences may be made to Barb’s family by viewing her obituary at www.behnerfh.com

Sports, June 25th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, June 25th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Baseball

Mt. Pleasant hosted Fort Madison last night and handled business, winning 10-0 in game one and 11-3 in game two. Head coach Brent Broeker talked about his team’s success after the contest,

“Yeah, you know, I thought our kids played well tonight defensively, you know, we played pretty well offensively we struggled when they brought a new kid in, but you know you took about a thing and then we started swinging it again. So, you know, we put up a lot of runs and our pitchers threw pretty well tonight. Walker and Zach in the first game and then Benny threw a great game in game two, so all around I thought we played pretty well.”

Everyone got involved at the plate between the two games with Cooper Coleman tabbing three RBIs and a double, Zach Newton bringing home two runs, and Payton Hagans slugging an RBI triple. The starting pitchers had phenomenal games as well with Ben Newton tossing 6 innings and striking out eight in game two and Payton Walker and Zach Newton combining for four strikeouts and a no-hitter in game one. Hunter Cresswell hit a home run for the Bloodhounds.

Mt. Pleasant will head up to Waterloo tomorrow, June 26th, to take on Kee and Columbus Catholic with their first game at 4 pm. 

Van Buren County lost to Hillcrest Academy last night 8-3. Lucas Fett and T.J. Jirak each tabbed an RBI in the loss. The Warriors will travel to West Burlington tonight at 4 pm. 

West Burlington was defeated by Lone Tree last night 8-2. Brock Thuleen slugged two doubles and finished with an RBI in the loss.

Central Lee made the trip to the Field of Dreams last night to take on Pekin and what a dream it was as the Hawks smacked the Panthers 12-2. Hunter Edlin and Cory Jones paced the team with three RBIs apiece as Chase Johnson clubbed a solo home run. The Hawks will celebrate their senior night against New London tonight at 5:30 pm.

New London and Highland competed in a 10-inning marathon and it was the Huskies that finished with the victory 13-12 last night. Gavin Menke-Bailey swatted a home run and led the Tigers with three RBIs. 

Danville defeated Wapello last night 4-2. 

Burlington Notre Dame will square off against Danville tonight at home at 5:30 pm. 

Fairfield swept Keokuk last night 8-6 in game one and 13-4 in game two. Caden Allison pushed across six RBIs between the two contests. Fairfield will square off against Centerville tonight at 5:30 pm on the road. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will take on Wapello tonight on the road at 5:30 pm. 

Fairfield will square off against Centerville tonight at 5:30 pm on the road. 

Mediapolis will compete against West Branch tomorrow at 7 pm on the road. 

High School Baseball Rankings

The Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association released their sixth edition of their rankings yesterday and Burlington Notre Dame remained in 2nd in Class 1A behind Akron-Westfield with a 21-3 record.  

The Nikes dominated their last week of competition with a 4-0 record as they outscored their opponents 39 to 6 in that span. Their team batting average and slugging percentage rank inside the top 10 in the state, while their 1.97 team ERA is tied for 7th amongst all teams this season.

High School Softball

Danville was squashed by Wapello last night 15-0 as Ada Boysen tallied 13 strikeouts in the circle for the Arrows. The Bears will take on Fort Madison tomorrow, June 26th, at 7 pm. 

Mediapolis could not stop scoring last night as the Bulldogs defeated Winfield-Mt. Union 16-3. Avery Crear and Payton Harris both went yard as they combined for five RBIs for the Bulldogs. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will celebrate their senior night tonight against Wapello at 5:30 pm. 

Mediapolis will hit the road to face off against Holy Trinity Catholic tonight at 5:30 pm. 

Holy Trinity Catholic fell to Hillcrest Academy last night 5-2. 

West Burlington handled Lone Tree last night 12-2. Madelynn Knapp led the squad with four RBIs in the win. The Falcons will host Van Buren County tonight at 4 pm.

Van Buren County jumped on Columbus for 11 runs in the second inning to secure their 14-0 victory. Callie Kracht and Kylee Roen each tabbed three RBIs in the win. 

Central Lee will celebrate their senior night tonight against New London at 5:30 pm. 

New London lost to Highland last night 17-0. 

Mt. Pleasant was swept by Fort Madison last night 8-1 in game one and 13-3 in game two. Keagyn Coleman had the only RBI in game one and Chaley Cook finished 3 for 3 in game two with an RBI. The Panthers will take on Davis County on the road tomorrow at 7 pm. 

WACO will travel to Lone Tree tonight at 6 pm. 

Fairfield will take on Centerville tomorrow at 7:30 pm on the road. 

High School Cross Country

Mt. Pleasant’s optional summer runs, available for 7th through 12th graders, are scheduled Monday through Thursday. The runs will often be led by upperclassmen as coaches may not be present for every run.

On Mondays and Wednesdays the runs will start at 6:30 am at the Old Threshers Museum Theatre and on Tuesdays and Thursdays they will be at Saunders Park by the swimming pool at 7 pm. 

If you have any questions, contact Coach Murray at 319-850-0867. 

Prospect League

The Burlington Bees will hit the road to face off against the Cape Catfish tonight at 6:35 pm. 

The Clinton LumberKings lost a heartbreaker last night to the Lafayette Aviators 9-8 after surrendering five runs in the bottom of the 9th inning. Blake Timmons crushed a three-run home run in the loss. The LumberKings will take on the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp tonight on the road at 7:05 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1903 – Boston Beaneater Wiley Piatt is the only 20th-century pitcher to lose two complete games in one day, falling to Pittsburgh 1-0 and 5-3. 

1976 – Texas Ranger Toby Harrah became the only shortstop not to handle a fielding chance in a doubleheader.

2021 – Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola ties Tom Seaver’s 51-year old MLB record of 10 consecutive strikeouts, in 2-1 loss to the Mets in New York.

David Curtis

By Yorke Prough · Monday, June 24th, 2024 at 4:05 pm CDT

David A. Curtis, 84, of Mt. Pleasant drove to his final destination on Saturday June 22, 2024 from Bickford of Burlington.

David was born in Decatur, Illinois, and was a navy Vietnam veteran. He drove semi-trucks for 30 years, 23 of them for Walmart Transportation out of Mt. Pleasant. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and watching car and motorcycle racing on tv.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda; son, Peter, daughter Mandy, and grandaughter Amelia.

David was preceded in death by his parents, sister, and brother.

According to his wishes no service will be held and cremation has been entrusted to the care of Iowa Cremation. Online condolences may be sent to www.IowaCremation.com

One Dead After Arson in Ottumwa

By Yorke Prough · Monday, June 24th, 2024 at 10:23 am CDT
On June 23, 2024, at approximately 3:32 a.m., the Ottumwa Police Department received a 911 call regarding a structure fire at 220 W. 5th, Ottumwa. It was reported that people were still inside the residence during the initial call to dispatch. Ottumwa Fire Department and Police Department personnel both responded to the incident.
The investigation into this incident determined that someone had caused the fire inside of the apartment building. Two persons were present inside the structure when the fire was discovered. One person escaped the fire through a third floor window and the other person did not escape and died as a result of this incident.
The victim was identified as Ernest James Wilson, age 59, of 220 W. 5th, Apartment 4. A suspect was identified and later found by police.
At 9:10 a.m., the Ottumwa Police Department arrested Ashley Dawn Lankford, age 31, of Ottumwa with Arson 1st Degree, a Class “B” Felony.
This incident remains under investigation by the Ottumwa Police Department, the Ottumwa Fire Department, and the State Fire Marshall’s Office for the State of Iowa.
Lankford is being held in the Wapello County Jail with no bond.
**ADDITIONAL CHARGES**

On June 24, 2024 at approximately 6:00 p.m., the Ottumwa Police Department filed additional charges on Ashley Dawn Lankford. Lankford was charged with the following new offenses:
• Murder 1st Degree, a Class “A” Felony
• Attempt to Commit Murder, a Class “B” Felony
• Criminal Mischief, 1st Degree, a Class “C” Felony
• Animal Abuse- Causing Death, an Aggravated Misdemeanor
This incident remains under investigation by the Ottumwa Police Department, the Ottumwa Fire Department, and the State Fire Marshall’s Office for the State of Iowa.
Lankford is being held in the Wapello County Jail with bail set at $1,000,000 cash.
Please note the following pursuant to recent Supreme Court rulings: “A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

Much Needed Cooler Temperatures Moving in Later This Week

By Yorke Prough · Monday, June 24th, 2024 at 9:50 am CDT

It will be another hot start to the week, especially throughout today with triple digit heat index readings possible in our area. Highs will be in the 90s, and with high humidity, expect a very hot day. There is a slight risk for some storms to become severe after midnight, with damaging winds and large hail.

Thankfully, cooler weather is on it’s way. Highs in the mid to low 80s, Wednesday through Saturday, with increasing chances of rain.

If you plan to spend time outdoors this afternoon and evening, be sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and take frequent breaks in shaded areas or in an air conditioned building. Also, be sure to look before you lock! Don`t leave your pets or kids in parked vehicles.

 

Henry County Home to Many Great Parks

By Yorke Prough · Monday, June 24th, 2024 at 9:47 am CDT

Summer is here and hopefully that means kids are getting along together at home and spending quality time with one another. If that’s not the case, consider taking them to one of our many places in Henry County that will let them burn off all their energy for free.

Mount Pleasant is home to Cranes Pond, East Lake park, Mapleleaf, and recreational trails, if you think a long walk might be what they need. Maybe teach them a new game in pickleball, which you can do for free at the courts at the Middle School.

Wayland has a ball field, as well as an outdoor track at the high school. If you’re in Salem, check out the ball fields on East School Street. The Winfield-Mt.Union school has a disc golf course, playground, and outdoor track, while the activity park 110 N Olive St has sand volleyball, horeshoes, a gaga ball pit, and more. The city park has ADA playground equipment, a gazebo, and walking path.

Rural Henry County has multiple parks and trails, such as the Trenton City Park, Olds park, and even Geode State Park.

Get your kids out of the house this summer and teach them about the real joys in life, which they can find right here in Henry County.

Iowa DNR Urges Iowans to Stay Out of Streams Amid Flooding

By Yorke Prough · Monday, June 24th, 2024 at 9:46 am CDT

Following heavy rainfall throughout Northern Iowa, the DNR encourages Iowans to stay out of streams until the waters recede. Heavy rain has inundated several areas of Iowa and led to multiple wastewater discharges, flooded waterways in northwest Iowa, and park closures across the state.

The DNR Field Office in Spencer was notified early this morning of several wastewater bypasses and animal feeding operation discharges in Lyon, Sioux, Dickinson, O’Brien, Osceola, and Clay counties. Currently, the department is unaware of impacts to municipal drinking water supplies or fish kills. DNR staff will continue to monitor these situations and assist impacted communities.

Heavy rainfall can overload wastewater collection systems and underground sewer pipes carrying sewage to a treatment plant. With sewage pipes overwhelmed, excess water has nowhere to go and can back up into basements through floor drains. Bypassing can lower the water level and alleviate pressure in the collection system, keeping sewage from backing up into basements, which could present health risks.

Due to heavy rainfall, rivers and lakes in Northern Iowa are unsafe for swimming or boating. Fast currents, floating debris, hidden obstacles, and the potential of bacteria make these areas dangerous. Boaters and paddlers should plan ahead as additional areas may become unsafe as flood waters move downstream.

Sports, June 24th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, June 24th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Baseball

Danville and Hillcrest Academy were locked in a contentious weekend matchup until the Ravens pushed across eight runs in the 4th inning to secure a mercy-rule win 12-2. Noah Horn and Jaden Bauer each notched an RBI for the Bears.

Danville will take on Wapello tonight at 7 pm. 

Burlington Notre Dame’s late surge led to a 3-1 victory over Burlington over the weekend. Isaiah Crow had a game-high two RBIs. The Nikes will square off against Danville tomorrow, June 25th, at home at 5:30 pm. 

Van Buren County traveled to Moravia over the weekend to compete against the host team and North Mahaska. The Warriors fell to the Mohawks in game one 8-1. Izaak Loeffler tabbed a double in the contest. 

Game two featured a balancing act on the scoreboard as Van Buren County scored one run an inning through the first three frames to lead 3 to 0; North Mahaska answered by scoring a run an inning in the next three frames to tie the game at 3. It took an extra inning before the Warriors pushed across the winning run to take the game 4-3. Lucas Fett finished with an RBI off of two doubles. 

Van Buren County will host Hillcrest Academy tonight at 5:30 pm. 

Mt. Pleasant will square off against Fort Madison tonight at home in a doubleheader with game one at 5:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:15 pm. 

Fairfield will travel to Keokuk tonight for a doubleheader with game one at 5:30 pm. 

Central Lee will take on Pekin tonight at 4 pm at the Field of Dreams. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will square off against Mediapolis tonight at 5:30 pm on the road. 

New London will look to get back in the win column tonight against Highland at 5:30 pm at home. 

West Burlington will host Lone Tree tonight at 5:30 pm. 

High School Softball

Fairfield finished up their weekend slate of games at Solon, capturing a 6-4 win over the Spartans but losing 11-3 to Williamsburg. The Hollanders led the charge in the win with Savannah tabbing two RBIs and scoring three runs while Olivia brought home a run. Lilly Bergren and Faith Jones notched the RBIs in the loss. 

Fairfield will travel to Keokuk tonight for a doubleheader with game one at 5:30 pm. 

Danville fell to Hillcrest Academy over the weekend 14-5. The Bears will take on Wapello at home tonight at 7 pm. 

Mediapolis will face off against Winfield-Mt. Union tonight at home at 6 pm. 

West Burlington will face off against Lone Tree tonight at 7 pm at home. 

New London will take on Highland tonight at home at 7 pm. 

Central Lee will host Pekin tonight at 7 pm. 

Van Buren County will compete against Columbus tonight at 7 pm at home. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will face off against Hillcrest Academy tonight at 5:30 pm at home. 

Mt. Pleasant will host Fort Madison tonight for a doubleheader with game one at 5:30 pm. 

WACO will travel to Lone Tree tomorrow, June 25th, at 6 pm. 

High School Cross Country

Mt. Pleasant’s optional summer runs, available for 7th through 12th graders, are scheduled Monday through Thursday. The runs will often be led by upperclassmen as coaches may not be present for every run.

On Mondays and Wednesdays the runs will start at 6:30 am at the Old Threshers Museum Theatre and on Tuesdays and Thursdays they will be at Saunders Park by the swimming pool at 7 pm. 

If you have any questions, contact Coach Murray at 319-850-0867. 

Prospect League

The Burlington Bees struggled in their weekend homestand, losing 12-7 to the Alton River Dragons and 17-6 to the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp. Cooper Donlin led the Bees with three RBIs over the weekend. Burlington will hit the road to face off against the Cape Catfish tomorrow, June 25th, at 6:35 pm. 

The Clinton LumberKings swept the weekend, defeating the Catfish 6-5 and the Lafayette Aviators 9-6 last night. Clay Jacobs finished the weekend with three RBIs. The LumberKings will take on the Aviators today on the road. 

This Day in Sports History

1922 – NFL club Chicago Staleys renamed itself the Chicago Bears by team founder, owner and head coach George Halas.

2010 – In the longest match in tennis history, John Isner defeats Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon after 11 hours and 5 minutes of play over 3 days.

2017 – World record for highest altitude football match ever played at 18,799ft on Mount Kilimanjaro by Volcano FC and Glacier FC; the game was put on to raise awareness and highlight the inequality between male and female sports.