Norma Jean Hoyer

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, February 20th, 2025 at 12:25 pm CDT

Norma Jean Hoyer, 88, of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 10:50 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, Iowa.

She was born on February 11, 1937 in Donnellson, Iowa the daughter of Orville and Agnes (Schlicher) Wagner. On January 15, 1956 she married Fred Hoyer at the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Donnellson.

She is survived by two daughters: Jenny Brown and Tammy Howe; four grandchildren: Stephanie Brown, Ashley (Jimmy) Eads, Michael Howe, and Matthew (Shawna Tungate) Howe; four great grandchildren: Karlie Howe, Myah Howe, Brantly Howe, and Corbin Howe; sister Beverly Hocker; two sisters-in-law: Judy Rosenberg and Roberta (Bob) Handler; and one great grand dog Roxy Eads. Also surviving are several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law Stephen Brown; and brothers-in-law: Donald Hocker and Roger Rosenberg.

Norma graduated from Donnellson High School. She was a member of the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Donnellson. She enjoyed going to Branson, doing word seek puzzle books, and humming birds.

A visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, February 23, 2025 at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, where the family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 24, 2025 at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson with Pastor Tony Keefe officiating.

Burial will be in Evangelical Cemetery in Donnellson.

A memorial has been established in her memory for Donnellson Fire & Rescue or St. Paul’s United Church of Christ.

Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Henry County Fair Pulls out of the Tractor Pull for the 2025 Fair

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, February 20th, 2025 at 11:50 am CDT

Alicia Yocum with the Henry County Fair, visited The Board of Supervisors to request funding for general expenses, seeking $23,000—an increase from the $20,000 granted last year.

Alicia highlighted recent improvements, including rewiring fans in the cattle barn, modifying gates, and purchasing lighter pens for the growing sheep and goat exhibits. The fair repurposed old pens by selling them to another fair.

Financially, the fair saw an increase in donations from area businesses, ending the fiscal year with a positive balance.

Plans for this year’s fair include a new Friday night event, though details remain undisclosed, and the discontinuation of the truck and tractor pull due to financial losses.

While exact attendance numbers are difficult to determine, the Saturday night demolition derby drew over 1,500 spectators.

Henry County Historic Preservation Commission Reviews Annual Report and 2025

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, February 20th, 2025 at 11:43 am CDT

Joel Garrettson, representing the Henry County Historic Preservation Commission, presented the commission’s annual report to the Board of Supervisors.

The commission, a certified local government, remains active in preservation efforts, including supporting historic sites, publishing local history books, and nominating Wayland’s Historic Residential District to the National Register of Historic Places.

For 2025, goals include developing a historic site guidebook to boost tourism, continuing preservation projects, and maintaining certified status. With six of nine commissioners up for renewal, Garrettson encouraged new member nominations. The final report will be submitted after required signatures are collected.

Electrical Fire Causes Total Loss To Morning Sun Garage

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, February 20th, 2025 at 9:01 am CDT

On Wednesday February 19th, 2025 at approximately 12:31pm the Morning Sun Fire Department was paged for a report of an electrical fire in a garage.

Upon arrival crews located a one story detached garage with heavy smoke showing. Wapello Fire Department was called for mutual aide to assist.

Crews initiated an interior attack and located an electrical box that appeared to be burning. Crews quickly brought the fire under control and ventilated the smoke from the garage.

The structure was insured at the time of the fire. No further details will be released.

Terry James Westercamp,

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, February 20th, 2025 at 8:58 am CDT

Terry James Westercamp, 54, of Bonaparte, Iowa, passed away on February 19, 2025 at Keosauqua Health Care Center following a year-long bout with cancer.

He was born on May 12, 1970 in Kirksville, Missouri to John Charles and Ethel Grace (Miller) Westercamp.

He is survived by his mother, his brother Steven (Chrissy) Westercamp, and six nieces and nephews: Grace (Brett) Baker, and Joy, Josiah, Nehemiah (Katherine), Elijah, and Noah Westercamp. Also surviving are several aunts and uncles and several dozen cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Terry was a 1988 graduate of Harmony High School and a 1990 graduate of Kirkwood Community College. As a youth Terry enjoyed working on the family farm, showing livestock at the county and Iowa State fairs, and playing sports in high school (he twice qualified for the Iowa state wrestling tournament). As an adult Terry enjoyed watching sports, coon hunting with his Bluetick hounds, and spending time with his family and friends.

His body has been entrusted to Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington with pastor Mark Caston officiating.

Burial will be at Green Glade Cemetery.

Any memorial donations will be given to the Van Buren County Iowa 4-H program.

Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Weekly Fuel Report Feb 19th

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, February 20th, 2025 at 8:57 am CDT
  • As of Wednesday, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.01 across Iowa according to AAA.
    • Prices rose 6 cents from last week’s price and are up 8 cents from a year ago.
    • The national average on Wednesday was $3.16, up 1 cent from last week’s price.
  • Retail diesel prices in Iowa rose 1 cent this week with a statewide average of $3.46.
    • One year ago, diesel prices averaged $3.84 in Iowa.
    • The current Iowa diesel price is 23 cents lower than the national average of $3.69.
  • Wholesale ethanol held steady and is currently priced at $2.16.
  • The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $2.08 for U87-E10, $2.24 for Unleaded 87 (clear), $2.37 for ULSD#2, $2.59 for ULSD#1, and $2.00 per gallon for E-70 prices.

Heating Fuels

  • Natural gas prices were up $.66 at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $4.20 MMbtu.
  • Propane prices averaged $1.67 per gallon in Iowa.
  • Home heating oil prices had a statewide average of $3.05 per gallon.

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

Friends of Conservation in Henry County Banquet Fundraiser on March 21st

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, February 20th, 2025 at 8:52 am CDT

The Friends of Conservation for Henry County are hosting their 2nd annual Banquet Fundraiser on March 21st. Several tickets options for your meal tickets.

Director of Henry County conservation, Caleb waters talks about the event.

 

Friends of Conservation in Henry County is a 503c non profit with a focus on conservation and education. We host events to get people to our parks in Henry County. You can purchase your tickets to the banquet and see auction items on their Facebook page, Friends of Conservation in Henry County, Ltd.

The banquet is March 21st, doors open at 5pm, dinner starts at 6pm at the mount pleasant gold & country club.

Sports, February 20th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, February 20th, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Girls’ Postseason Basketball

In Class 3A Region 1, #13 Mediapolis was left stunned last night as Benton pulled off the huge upset to win 50-47. Josie Hutcheson and Bryn Wright each put up 10 points in the effort. The Bulldogs finished the year with a 21-2 record. 

In Class 4A Region 4, Mt. Pleasant had no answer to Keokuk’s pressure defense, falling to the Chiefs 63-20. Paityn Ensminger led the way in scoring with six points but the real story was Alexa Fuller. In a gutsy performance the senior played on only one good leg and managed to put up five points for the Panthers. Head coach Curt Watson was emotional talking about his senior duo in Charice Auwerda and Fuller after the game,

“It’s really hard for me to talk about those two seniors because they’ve been a rock for us for four years. Alexa has had this penciled in that she was going to play in the regional game, and you know. she probably shouldn’t have, but she wanted to play, and she gave it everything she had, and she had some buckets, and I know it meant a lot to her to be on the court one last time with her teammates. Cherice is the same way; Cherice has been a great leader for four years. I mean this year, she’s really stepped up her game on the court to be more of a leader too. All the girls on her team just love them too as leaders, as young adults, they’re just super kids.”

Mt. Pleasant finished the season with a 3-19 record, while Keokuk will play Clear Creek Amana on Saturday at 7 pm on the road.

In the top half of the bracket, Burlington snuck past Fort Madison to win 39-37. The Grayhounds will take on Central DeWitt on Saturday at 7 pm.

In Class 2A Region 2, Danville will travel to Columbus tomorrow, February 21st, at 7 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.

High School Wrestling

Day one of the boys’ state tournament is in the books and 17 of our 32 local wrestlers managed to advance to the quarterfinal round. Here’s some of the highlights from the first day of action.

In Class 1A, New London’s Gage Burden executed an upset over #4 Landon Price of GT/RA by an 11-6 decision to advance to the quarterfinals against #5 Dustin Van Oort of West Lyon. He has a chance of running into Wapello’s Cohen Wolford as he faces off against #1 Dawson Youngblut of Don Bosco today in his quarterfinal matchup.

In Class 2A, Burlington Notre Dame had four wrestlers advance in the championship bracket, while the Southeast Conference had Fairfield’s Cael McCabe, Cason Miller, and Dre Smithburg, along with Washington’s Aaron Boone move on in the championship bracket. Class 3A’s Braxton Hutchinson of Burlington added on to the success of the SEC with a win to advance in the quarterfinals. 

Chasing perfect records for the season are WACO’s Louden Huisenga and Kyler Crow of Mediapolis.

If you would like to see a full breakdown of all day one action, then follow the link:

Class 1A Results: Day One Results

Class 2A Results: Day One Results

Class 3A Results: Day One Results

High School Boys’ Postseason Basketball

For Class 1A Substate 4 District 8, #4 Winfield-Mt. Union will take on #1-seed #10 Burlington Notre Dame tonight on the road. 

#3 WACO will face off against #2 Holy Trinity Catholic tonight at 7 pm on the road. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.

For Class 2A Substate 5: District 9, #4 Central Lee will travel to compete against the #1-seed #10 West Burlington tonight at 7 pm.

On the bottom half of the bracket, #3 Mediapolis will face off against #2 Mid-Prairie tonight at 7 pm on the road. 

For Class 3A Substate 6, #8 Mt. Pleasant will hit the road to take on the #1-seed #3 Knoxville and #7 Fairfield will travel to #2 Mt. Vernon for their first round of postseason action on Monday, February 24th, at 7 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call for the Panthers game with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.

High School Bowling

The state bowling tournament will begin on Monday, February 24th, in Waterloo. On the girls’ side, Keokuk will be competing as a team on Monday, while Mt. Pleasant’s Madalyn Millard and Bethany Drury will bowl individually on Tuesday, February 25th.

Southeast Iowa Playbook

New London was our school of focus for last night’s episode of the Southeast Iowa Playbook with special guests senior Gage Burden and sophomore Kane Forseen as they discussed their path to the state tournament.

If you missed the episode last night, then follow this link: New London Episode

Southeastern Community College                                                     

The men’s basketball team will travel to take on Richard J. Daley College tonight at 7 pm.

College Basketball

The #8 Iowa State men’s team will be tested in a road bout against #5 Houston on Saturday, February 22nd, at 1 pm.

The Iowa men’s team hung close with Oregon even taking a late lead in the second half but they were unable to surmount the Ducks, losing 80-78. Payton Sandfort collected 25 points in the losing effort. The Hawkeyes will take on Washington at home at 3 pm on Saturday.

The Iowa women’s team will host #3 UCLA on Sunday, February 23rd, at 1 pm.

The Iowa State women’s team put together a strong first half, allowing the squad to put the game in cruise control to defeat Huston 64-53. Addy Brown collected a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. The Cyclones will face off against #19 Baylor on Saturday at 1:30 pm on the road.

This Day in Sports History

1929 – The Boston Red Sox announce they will play Sunday MLB games at Braves Field; Fenway Park located too close to a church.

1971 – “Mr. Hockey,” Gordie Howe scores a goal and adds three assists, including his 1,800th career NHL point, in 6-5 Red Wings’ win over Buffalo in Detroit; Howe’s 1,670th game.

2011 – 53rd Daytona 500: 20-year-old Trevor Bayne, driving for Wood Brothers Racing, wins to become the youngest Daytona 500 winner.