Prep Volleyball: HTC’s Melissa Freesmeier is a Finalist for National Coach of the Year

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, January 30th, 2025 at 2:34 pm CDT

Fort Madison, IA- The National High School Coaches Association will be awarding the National High School Athletic Coaches Association’s National Coach of the Year in 19 recognized sports categories and Holy Trinity Catholic’s head volleyball coach Melissa Freesmeier is one of the finalists.

Coach Freesmeier was nominated by Iowa’s High School Coaches Association on the basis of longevity, service to high school athletics, honors, championship years, and winning percentage. The finalists will be evaluated using a sport-specific rubric to assign points in each category.

It will be hard to trump coach Freesmeier’s resume with 18 trips to the Iowa High School State Tournament, two state championships, and 1,101 career wins in her back pocket. Furthermore, a plethora of Regional and Conference Coach of the Year honors along with being named the Iowa Girls Coaches Association Coach of the Year twice.

Additionally, the IGHSAU presented her with the Golden Plaque of Distinction back in 2019. Her squad has tabbed at least 29 wins each of the past four seasons, which included a trip to state each year with her best finish coming in 2023 with a runner-up performance.

The National Coach of the Year Awards Banquet will take place in Rapid City, South Dakota on June 25th at the Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center. The National High School Athletic Coaches Association is the oldest coaches association in the nation formed by coaches, and has been recognizing national coaches of the year since 1978.

Hy-Vee Dietitians to Offer 1,500 Free Biometric Screenings in February

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, January 30th, 2025 at 11:35 am CDT

Hy-Vee, Inc. announces today that it will provide 1,500 free biometric screenings at select Hy-Vee stores throughout its eight-state region during American Heart Month.

A biometric screening is a combination of measurements and readings that may help identify potential risk factors for chronic diseases or conditions such as heart disease, hypertension or diabetes. Hy-Vee dietitians will collect a blood sample from a finger stick that will be used to determine cholesterol levels, triglycerides and glucose levels.

Hy-Vee dieticians will also take resting blood pressure, height, weight and waist measurements, and will calculate body mass index. The entire screening process typically takes 15 to 20 minutes, and all results will be reviewed and received during the screening. Individuals must be 18 years or older to participate, and are required to fast 10-12 hours is required prior to screening. Registration is required for the free biometric screening, which can be done online.

Once registered, a local Hy-Vee dietitian will schedule a screening based on availability.

DNR to recap hunting seasons, discuss possible rule changes at Feb. 18 public meeting

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, January 30th, 2025 at 10:11 am CDT

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings where local staff provide updates on recently completed hunting seasons, discuss possible changes to hunting rules and regulations, and address other topics as requested.

Locally, the Iowa DNR will be at Starr’s Cave Nature Center, 11627 Starr’s Cave Park Road, in Burlington, on Feb. 18. The meeting begins at 6 p.m.

“We want people to come out, listen to the hunting seasons reviews, ask questions and hear directly from our staff,” said Todd Bishop, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Wildlife Bureau. “Part of the meeting will be devoted to discussing potential rule changes and collecting feedback as we work through the rules process.”

The meetings are open to the public. Comments collected from these public meetings will be considered along with other related comments received by the Iowa DNR prior to proposing changes to hunting rules and regulations. Proposed rules will be presented to the Natural Resource Commission during a regular public meeting for consideration and additional public comment.

Any person attending the public meeting and has special requirements, such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments, should contact the Iowa DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.

Sports, January 30th

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

High School Basketball

Fairfield will host Keokuk tonight with the night starting at 6 pm.

Holy Trinity Catholic will tangle with Wapello tonight on the road with game one at 6 pm.

Danville will host New London tomorrow, January 31st, for their senior night with game time at 6 pm. 

Burlington Notre Dame will make a trip across town to compete against West Burlington with the doubleheader starting at 6 pm tomorrow.

Van Buren County will face off against Central Lee tomorrow with the night starting at 6 pm on the road. 

Mediapolis will venture to Holy Trinity Catholic tomorrow with the girls tipping-off at 6:30 pm. 

WACO will hit the road to take on Columbus tomorrow with the night starting at 6 pm. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will make a trip to Wapello tomorrow with the girls playing first at 6 pm. 

Mt. Pleasant will continue their road trip tomorrow against Washington with game one at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm. 

High School Wrestling

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will face off against Burlington at home tonight.

The Mediapolis boys’ team will host a quad tonight with Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union making the trip. 

The New London and Van Buren County boys’ teams will participate in a quad at Burlington Notre Dame tonight. 

The WACO and Wapello boys’ teams will travel to Highland for a double dual tonight. 

The girls’ regional tournament will commence tomorrow, January 31st, at Williamsburg with Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union, Fairfield, Mediapolis, WACO, Wapello, Van Buren County, and Mt. Pleasant all making the trip. 

The Fairfield boys’ team will host their invite on Saturday, February 1st. 

The matchups for the boys’ regional dual has been set and scheduled for February 4th at 6 pm with the top eight teams moving on to the State Dual Tournament on Saturday, February 8th, in Coralville. 

In Class 2A at Davenport Assumption, #12 Burlington Notre Dame will face off against #11 Mount Vernon in the semifinals with the winner moving on to face #6 Assumption to see who will advance to state. 

Dan Gable Ms. and Mr. Wrestler of the Year

 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 has compiled a 25-0 record against fellow 190-pound contenders.

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.

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.

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.

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will host Burlington today.

Fairfield will celebrate their senior night tonight against Keokuk.

Southeast Iowa Playbook

Seniors Isaac Rich and Ella Huisenga of WACO joined us last night for our latest episode of the Southeast Iowa Playbook as the basketball season rapidly approaches postseason play. Rich talked about the most important lesson he has learned throughout his athletic career,

“I would say just being a leader I think is really important. You know when your team’s down, it’s really important to kind of get them pumped back up and try to get them back in the game, even when things aren’t going your way. And I think that’s a big skill in life to have as well.”

For Huisenga, it has been important for her and the team to keep morale high during a rough patch of the season,

“Yes, with the end of the season nearing, we want to finish it out on a high note of course. So having hit these past four games, it has been hard, but each game we’ve debriefed about them. And you know, our coaches encourage us to keep our heads up, to continue to watch film, to encourage each other on the courts and to push each other in. Because that’s the only way we can move forward, and we can’t dwell on the past because no way is that going to benefit us. And that is the plan we’re going to keep our heads up. And we are going to keep cheering each other on because we are our biggest enemies if we do not.”

If you missed last night’s episode of the Southeast Iowa Playbook, then follow this link: WACO Episode

Southeastern Community College

The men’s basketball team will take on Triton College on Saturday, February 1st, at 3 pm on the road. 

College Basketball

The #3 Iowa State men’s team will face off against Kansas State on Saturday, February 1st, at 1 pm at home. 

The Iowa men’s team will compete against Purdue on Tuesday, February 4th, at home at 6 pm. 

The Iowa women’s team will host USC on Sunday, February 2nd, at 12:30 pm as the Hawkeyes will retire Caitlin Clark’s Jersey. 

The Iowa State women’s team will travel to #11 Kansas State tonight at 7:30 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1936 – New owners of baseball’s Boston Braves survey newspaper journalists to pick a new team nickname, known as the ‘Bees’ in 1940 but return to the ‘Braves’ in 1941.

1971 – UCLA men’s basketball starts their NCAA record 88 game winning streak.

1990 – LA Kings center Wayne Gretzky sets an NHL record by scoring his 100th point of the season for the 11th straight season; milestone comes with an assist in a 5-2 Kings’ win over the visiting New Jersey Devils.

Washington Woman Crashes Car Into Home

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, January 30th, 2025 at 6:06 am CDT

A call was placed to the Washington county communication center just after 11am on Wednesday.

The caller stated a vehicle drove into the side of a house at 939 South 3rd Ave. in Washington. The caller reported the operator  in the Driver seat, blood coming from her face, airbag deployed.

The driver, Elizabeth Crossett of Washington was transported to the University of Iowa Hospital.

Washington Fire, Washington rescue 92a, Washington EMS, ad54, 109 and 113 responded. Moore’s towing responded to tow vehicle.

Henry County Public Health Celebrates Heart Month with Free Blood Pressure Checks

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, January 30th, 2025 at 5:43 am CDT

February is American Heart Month and Henry County Public Health wants to help you monitor your blood pressure because high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke and kidney failure. Public Health will offer free blood pressure checks on a walk-in basis every Tuesday in February from 8am-4pm. High blood pressure usually has no warning signs or symptoms, and many people do not know they have it. Measuring your blood pressure is the only way to know whether you have high blood pressure.

High blood pressure usually develops over time. It can occur because of lifestyle choices, such as not getting enough regular physical activity, dietary choices, tobacco use, and too much alcohol. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, can also increase the risk for developing high blood pressure. And high blood pressure can occur during pregnancy. Knowing your numbers is an important first step to making sure yours are in a healthy range, which is why Public Health encourages you to stop in and have your blood pressure checked if it has been high in the past or if you haven’t had it checked in a while. Let’s work together to support a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Henry County Public Health is located at 106 N. Jackson Street in Mt. Pleasant. If you have questions call Public Health at 319-385-0779 or follow them at Facebook.com/HealthyHenryCounty for the latest news.

Chair of House Higher Education Committee Requests Study on Feasibility of Establishing Baccalaureate Programs at Iowa’s Community Colleges

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, January 29th, 2025 at 11:58 am CDT

DES MOINES — Today, Rep. Taylor Collins, Chairman of the House Committee on Higher Education, sent a letter to Iowa’s Community College Presidents and Trustees requesting a comprehensive study on the feasibility of establishing baccalaureate degree programs at Iowa’s community colleges following testimony before the committee by the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees.

In the letter, Collins shared “There is unmet demand for baccalaureate education in specific disciplines, especially in rural Iowa and industries not adequately served by Iowa’s public and private four-year institutions.”

The report Collins requested will include:

  1. A detailed feasibility assessment of allowing Iowa community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees.
  2. Recommendations of the scope and structure of such programs.
  3. A cost-benefit analysis, including estimated funding needs and potential economic returns.
  4. Legislative and regulatory changes required to implement baccalaureate programs.

In the letter, Collins closed by sharing,“Evaluating the feasibility and impact of Iowa’s community colleges ability to offer baccalaureate degree programs will provide the Higher Education Committee the information it needs to thoroughly evaluate such an idea, and determine this potential role for Iowa’s community colleges.”

Gurvis Delone “Dobie” Volner, Sr.

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, January 29th, 2025 at 9:42 am CDT

Gurvis Delone “Dobie” Volner, Sr., 83, of Salem passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Dobie was born on May 31, 1941, in Black, Missouri, the son of James Ralph and Beulah M. (Prater) Volner.  He was raised by his mother and step father Paul Spears. As a young child he enjoyed spending time with his grandparents Jess and Elsie Prater.  Dobie was united in marriage to Peggy Sue Smithhart on July 8, 1974, in Kahoka, Missouri.  He worked for CECO Building Systems from 1976 until he retired in 2005.  Dobie enjoyed woodworking and hunting.

Those thankful in sharing in his life include his wife, Peggy, of 50 years, his children, Chad (Kristen) Volner, of Mansfield, Texas, Heidi (Dustin) Gensley, of Marion, Iowa and Matt Volner, his grandchildren, Korbin, Ali, Trendy, Briley, Hailey, Lily, Landon and Lincoln and his great grandchildren, Melody and Theo, his sister, Linda (Carl) Laufer of Redbud, Illinois.

Dobie is preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather, a stillborn daughter, Jodi Volner, a son, Gurvis Volner, Jr., and three brothers, Jesse Volner, James Volner and Bobby Volner and a sister, Nora Spears.  

Dobie’s family will host a celebration of his life on Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Salem Community Center.  Burial will be held at a later time in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, rural Mt. Pleasant.  A memorial has been established in his memory to EveryStep Hospice of Mt. Pleasant.  According to his wishes 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 his arrangements.