Iowa Subcommittee Likes The Phone Free Car Bill

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 at 6:02 am CDT

A bill driving has cleared a Senate subcommittee to make it illegal to be handling or scrolling on a cell phone while driving in the state of Iowa.

Two women from Mount Pleasant were at the subcommittee’s hearing yesterday (Wednesday) to urge lawmakers to act.

In 2023, Judi Collara’s 30-year-old daughter Kristi was hit at an intersection by a texting driver who didn’t see the light was red, and In 2022, Berta Pearson’s 20 year old grandson was setting up a construction zone on the Mississippi River bridge at Burlington when he was hit and killed by a driver checking an app on her cell phone.

Waukee Police Chief Chad McCluskey (muh-KLUSS-kee) spoke on behalf of the Iowa Police Chiefs Association at yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) hearing. “We have to do something,” he said. “We can’t let more kids die just because somebody thought they needed to be on that silly phone.”

Earlier this month, Governor Reynolds used part of her Condition of the State address to again call on lawmakers to pass this law, saying motorists may only use cell phones in voice activated or hands-free mode while driving.

Iowa Subcommittee Clears Phone Free Car Bill

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 at 6:00 am CDT

A bill driving has cleared a Senate subcommittee to make it illegal to be handling or scrolling on a cell phone while driving in the state of Iowa.

Two women from Mount Pleasant were at the subcommittee’s hearing yesterday (Wednesday) to urge lawmakers to act.

In 2023, Judi Collara’s 30-year-old daughter Kristi was hit at an intersection in Mount Pleasant by a texting driver who didn’t see the light was red, and In 2022, Berta Pearson’s 20 year old grandson was setting up a construction zone on the Mississippi River bridge at Burlington when he was hit and killed by a driver checking an app on her cell phone.

Waukee Police Chief Chad McCluskey spoke on behalf of the Iowa Police Chiefs Association at yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) hearing. “We have to do something,” he said. “We can’t let more kids die just because somebody thought they needed to be on that silly phone.”

Earlier this month, Governor Reynolds used part of her Condition of the State address to again call on lawmakers to pass this law, saying motorists may only use cell phones in voice activated or hands-free mode while driving.

William “W.C.” H. Cole

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025 at 4:01 pm CDT

William “W.C.” H. Cole, 79, of New London, died Thursday, January 16, 2025 at his home.  He was born March 11, 1945 in Burlington to Richard William and Faith Lois Eilers Cole.  He married Patti Tweedell Rheinschmidt; she died November 11, 1979.

He was a 1963 graduate of Linn-Marr High School and attended Iowa Wesleyan College.  Bill served in the Army in Vietnam as a medical Corpsman.  Upon returning, he lived in San Francisco and taught driver’s ed.

He was a very good craftsman and worked as a carpenter for Harold Cole Construction. He was a Jack of All Trades and could do anything.  Bill enjoyed Nascar races; watching the sci-fi channel and old westerns; loved joking around; spending time with family; and hanging out at Camel Joe’s Garage.  He was a very kind, good natured free spirit.

Bill is survived by his cousins Tom Cole, Kristin Needham and Tara Willman; and a host of friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and close cousins.

According to his wishes, his body has been cremated.  A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, January 31, 2025 at Burge Cemetery, New London with military rites by the Henry County Honor Guard.  A memorial has been established. Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Master Gardeners Winter Seminar

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025 at 3:54 pm CDT

Des Moines County Master Gardeners are hosting their Winter Seminar on March 1st.

Keynote Speaker Jim Kessler is presenting about “Why Native Plants Matter to All of Life”.

This seminar will be a day-long event with 3 breakout session with 15 guest presenters!

To sign up click the link: https://go.iastate.edu/CINEYK

Prep Wrestling: WACO’s Louden Huisenga, Cael McCabe of Fairfield, and Burlington Notre Dame’s Kaiden Dietzenbach in the Final 15 for the Dan Gable Mr. Wrestler of the Year

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025 at 3:47 pm CDT

Prep Wrestling- IAwrestle and Iowa Corn in coordination with the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association (IWCOA) has released the top 15 wrestlers for the Dan Gable Ms. and Mr. Wrestler of the Year Awards and southeast Iowa has three competitors in the running.

In Class 1A, WACO’s Louden Huisenga is a strong contender for the award at the 190-pound weight class. He is in the midst of back-to-back undefeated regular seasons with a 25-0 record against fellow 190-pound contenders.

The senior has won the 60th Willard Howell Invitational, the Regal Wrestling Invitational, the Gary Curtis Invitational, and most recently the WACO Invite. He’s also picked up two wins in the 215-pound weight class, with 12 of his wins coming via fall.

He is looking to avenge his 2nd place finish at state last year.

Over in Class 2A, Kaiden Dietzenbach of Burlington Notre Dame is back in the top 15 after being placed on the list last year. The Nike is continuing his reign of terror on the area in the 138-pound weight class with a perfect 27-0 record, so far through his senior campaign.

He finished in 1st place at the Cliff Keen Independence Invitational, the Fort Madison Invitational, and the Farr Jebens Invitational. Dietzenbach has pinned 15 of his opponents and won by technical fall in seven other matches.

Dietzenbach has enjoyed an illustrious career at Notre Dame, placing at the state tournament each of the past three years. But a second-place finish last year still has him without an individual title and that’s something he plans on changing this year.

Fairfield’s Cael McCabe is also up for the award in Class 2A as the junior boasts a 22-2 record in the 113-pound weight class. McCabe has won the Bob Murphy and Bill Van Horn Invitationals this season.

His two losses come to two ranked wrestlers in Class 3A in the 2nd ranked Braxton Hutchinson of Burlington in the 106-pound weight class and the 3rd ranked Dylan Munson of Cedar Rapids Prairie of the 113-pound weight class.

McCabe lost the title in the 106-pound weight class last year to finish with the silver.

Fans can vote once per list at Facebook.com/IAwrestle for their favorite wrestler in each category until February 9th, when the list will be narrowed down to the top 7. The next round of voting, from February 10th to February 23rd, will determine the top 3 finalists, with the winner announced at the banquet on February 27th at the Fareway Conference Center in Boone, Iowa, on February 27th at 11:30AM.

Please note, the fan vote winners will count as one vote towards the IWCOA’s committee votes in each round. (For example: Wrestler A received enough fan votes to place second in the poll, but that does not guarantee them to move on to the next round. IWCOA has selected 12 coaches and officials to serve on the committee. The fan vote is the 13th vote.)

Dan Gable, Mark Ironside and Alex Marinelli will be handing out the awards.

The two runner-up student-athletes in each class will each receive finalist award plaques. A duplicate Wrestler of the Year trophy and duplicate Wrestler of the Year runner-up plaques will be provided to each high school where finalists attend, for permanent placement in the high school trophy case.

Janice Faye (Tortat) McTee

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025 at 3:28 pm CDT

Janice Faye (Tortat) McTee, 74, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away on Sunday December 29, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

She was born on March 5, 1950, in Mt. Pleasant, the daughter of Frank and Jo Anne (Baker) Tortat.

Janice was united in marriage to William “Bill” McTee on March 1, 1979.  From this union, 3 children were born, Tedd, Nick and Melissa.  

A passionate and skilled crafter, Janice’s talents in sewing and creating beautiful items were widely appreciated. She lent her skills to numerous marching band, show choir, and theatre productions and lovingly made receiving blankets and stockings for babies born at Henry County Health Center. Janice was an active member of her community, participating in the Squaw Bowling League, Women of the Moose, Master Gardeners, and the Mt. Pleasant Music Boosters.

 Janice’s warmth, creativity, and dedication to family and community will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Those thankful for sharing in her life include her children who she was devoted to,  Tedd McTee of Chicago, Illinois, Nick (Frances) McTee, of Wilmington, North Carolina and Melissa McTee of Greendale, Wisconsin, a proud grandmother to two beloved grandchildren, Delphia JoAnne Stapleton and Barrett William McTee.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Jo Anne Tortat, as well as her siblings Darlene and George.

A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2025 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Mt. Pleasant Moose Lodge. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mt. Pleasant Music Boosters. Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for her arrangements.

Carlene L. Miller

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025 at 3:05 pm CDT

Carlene L. Miller, 78, of Ft. Madison, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, died Friday, January 17, 2025 at River Valley Place of Ft. Madison.

Carlene was born December 6, 1946 in Mt. Pleasant. She was the daughter of Carl Joseph and Beulah Edith (Miller) Hallowell. She attended school in Mt. Pleasant. On March 28, 1966 at the Bible Missionary Church in Mt. Pleasant, Carlene was united in marriage to Roy W. Ingwersen, Sr. The couple later divorced.

Carlene was a Certified Nurses Assistant at Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant. In addition to working with the patients at the hospital, Carlene also took care of the sanitation and sterilization of the operating suites. Later in her career, Carlene was a CNA at Sunnybrook in Mt. Pleasant.

In her spare time, Carlene was a gifted quilter. She produced many quilts for family members and friends.

Those thankful for sharing in Carlene’s life include her four children: Carl (Joni Hummell) Ingwersen  of Mt. Pleasant, Roy W. (Molly) Ingwersen, Jr. of Mt. Pleasant, Chad (Angela) Ingwersen of Eldrige, IA and Angel Ingwersen of Winfield; 9 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

Her parents, former husband, sister Rosemary Marley and daughter-in-law Sylivia Ingwersen precede Carlene in death.

An open visitation and graveside memorial funeral service will be held at a later date. The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, is caring for Carlene and her family. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

Explosion On The Production Line At Middletown American Ordinance Ammunition Plant

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025 at 3:04 pm CDT

An explosion occurred around 9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, in the ammunition production area of the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (IAAAP).

Justine Barati, Chief of Public and Congressional Affairs for Joint Munitions Command in a written statement released this morning (Jan. 22). “Producing ammunition is a dangerous business. Many safety protocols are put in place to ensure operators are exposed to as little danger as possible. Today’s incident shows the effectiveness of those protocols.”

No injuries were reported, and the incident is under investigation.