SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORT

By Hayden Douglas · Friday, January 17th, 2025 at 5:50 am CDT

SOUTHEAST

Big Hollow Lake
Unsafe ice conditions.  The ice is still thin.  Ice is thickest at the boat ramp bay.  Nearly everywhere else is much thinner.  Some thicker ice on the south side where it is shaded from the sun.

Lake Belva Deer
Use caution.  Ice conditions are improving with the colder weather.  Still some spots of thin ice.  Not much angler activity yet.

Lake Darling
Use extreme caution.  Nobody has been out fishing yet.  Ice thickness is about 6 inches on the campground arm.  Ice thickness is about 4 inches by the main ramp.  Geese and swans are keeping a spot open just west of the middle of the lake. Lots of thinner spots; highly variable ice conditions. Bluegill – No report: A couple of anglers have been out and drilled test holes and then left.

Lake Geode
Unsafe ice conditions. Ice is still  thin. Ice thickness is less than 4 inches in most spots.

Lost Grove Lake
The ice conditions continue to improve at the lower end of the lake; still use caution.  Most activity is at the west end of the lake.  Bluegill – Fair.  Anglers are catching some bluegills toward the west boat ramp around the flooded timber.

For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Janet Sue Rippenkroeger

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, January 16th, 2025 at 12:46 pm CDT

Janet Sue Rippenkroeger, 75, of New London, died Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington.  She was born March 27, 1949 in Oakville, Illinois to Wilbur and Helen Rose Hangartner Seggerman.  She attended Winfield schools and was a member of Heritage Baptist Church in Burlington.

She married David Mathews in 1965; they later divorced.  On May 7, 1988, she married Darrell Long; he died March 10, 2015.  She married Randy Rippenkroeger February 10, 2017 at Heritage Baptist Church.

Janet worked in housekeeping at the Harlan Hotel in Mt. Pleasant and retired after twenty-seven years at Heatilator.  She enjoyed mini-vacations; watching the hummingbirds at her kitchen window; was a good cook and loved to eat Randy’s fresh caught fish; she adored her cats Izzy and Midnight; but most importantly, she loved her grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband, Randy; two daughters, Kimberly (Terri) Hester-Mathews of Winfield and Lindsey Wagner of Mt. Pleasant; step-children, Christie  (Harley) Davidson of Donnellson, Randy (Patricia) Rippenkroeger of Ft. Madison, Gary (Robin) Long of New London and Michael Cain of Croton, Iowa; twelve grandchildren, Paige, Kylie, Madelyn, Adriana, Courtney, Alayna, Rylan, Nicholas, Maci, Damion, Lincoln and Ellie; two great-grandchildren Braydon and Amelia; Brothers Eddie (Charlene) Seggerman of Mt. Pleasant, Leslie (Jean) Seggerman of Roanoke, Illinois, Myron Seggerman of Seattle, Washington, and Greg (Penny) Seggerman of Texas; sisters Beverly (Jeff) Rodgers of Bettensport, and Janel Finneman of South Dakota.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Willy; and infant sister Joella.

The funeral service for Mrs. Rippenkroeger will be held at 1:00 PM, Monday, January 20, 2025 at Elliott Chapel, New London.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 with the family present to greet friends from 11:00 until the time of the service.  Burial will follow at Sheridan Cemetery, Mt. Union.  A memorial has been established to assist the family. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

The Henry County Historic Preservation Commission Honors Larry D. Roth

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, January 16th, 2025 at 12:02 pm CDT
Left to right are: Judy Rawson, Cathie Schreiner, Caroline Lehman, Larry D. Roth, Joel Garretson, Johanna Crawford, Mary Savage, and Pat White

 

The Henry County Historic Preservation Commission met Wednesday January 15 at the Henry County Courthouse.  Attending were Commissioners Judy Rawson, Cathie Schreiner, Caroline Lehman, Larry D. Roth, Joel Garretson, Johanna Crawford, Mary Savage, and Pat White.

Retiring Commissioner Larry D. Roth was awarded a certificate of appreciation from the Commission and Board of Supervisors for his 11 years of dedicated service, representing the northwest portion of Henry County including Wayland and Trenton.

 

 

The Commission reviewed their goals and accomplishments in year 2024 and developed a new work plan for 2025.  The Commission plans to spend the majority of its efforts this year toward the development of a guide book for all the historic sites and places in Henry County to help promote and stimulate tourism.

As a Certified Local Government, the Commission will hold its annual meeting with the Board of Supervisors on February 13, followed by a regular monthly meeting.

Prep Girls’ Basketball: Time Change for Mt. Pleasant versus Danville on January 20th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, January 16th, 2025 at 10:22 am CDT

Mount Pleasant, IA- The Mt. Pleasant and Danville girls’ basketball teams are scheduled to face off in a non-conference showdown this upcoming Monday, January 20th, at Mt. Pleasant High School but it will be at a different time.

The Junior Varsity game will still begin at 5:30 pm, but they will only play two quarters. This will usher in the Varsity game tip-off time to be between 6:00-6:15 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show 15 minutes before game time.

The Panthers are currently 2-1 on the season against the Southeast Iowa Super Conference-South Division with wins against Burlington Notre Dame and New London, while the Bears have dropped both contests against the Southeast Conference by an average of 33 points.

Although, Danville did beat Mt. Pleasant last year 76-34 in the midst of their 19-game winning streak.

Henry County Public Health & Healthy Henry County Offers “Newborn Home Visitor Program”

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, January 16th, 2025 at 8:32 am CDT

Henry County Public Health & Healthy Henry County offer all mothers with newborn babies that live in Henry County a free home visit to share information on health, safety, parenting, growth and development, community resources and assistance with referrals.

Telephone reassurance is also available.

Home visits are free of charge. Services include Assessment of the infant, Weight check,  Postpartum assessment, Assist with feeding concerns, & Provide resources and information for new parents.

You can contact Mandi Morin with Henry County Public Health at 319-385-0779.

Mount Pleasant Citizen of the Year & Community Impact Award Nominations Are Now Open

By Hayden Douglas · Thursday, January 16th, 2025 at 8:29 am CDT

Each year the members of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce are invited to nominate a person for Citizen of the Year.  Nominees should be citizens living and/or working in Henry County and who have had a significant impact on the community through their volunteer and charitable activities.

Chamber Director Rachel Lindeen tells more about it.

Also seeking nominations for Community Impact Award.  Nominees for the Community Impact Award should be a business, non-profit organization or event in the Henry County area. The award will be given on the basis that made Henry County community a better place to work, live and play in the past 12 months.

 

Both awards will be presented at the MPACC’s Annual Banquet on March 27, 2025. If you would like to nominate someone for either award, please contact the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance office by February 19, 2025.

Sports, January 16th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, January 16th, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Basketball

New London will take on Moravia at home tonight with game one at 6 pm. 

Fairfield will compete against Pekin tonight with the doubleheader starting at 6 pm.

Mt. Pleasant will face off against Burlington on the road tomorrow, January 17th, 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.

Winfield-Mt. Union will tango with Hillcrest Academy tomorrow with the boys playing at 7:30 pm, following the girls’ game. 

Burlington Notre Dame will host New London tomorrow with the doubleheader starting at 6 pm.

Columbus will take on Highland tomorrow with the girls’ teams tipping-off at 6 pm. 

Wapello will venture to Lone Tree tomorrow with a 6 pm start time. 

Danville will compete against Central Lee tomorrow at home with game time at 6 pm. 

WACO will stay on the road tomorrow for a showdown against Louisa-Muscatine with the girls’ tipping-off the night at 6 pm. 

West Burlington will face off against Holy Trinity Catholic on the road with the girls’ starting off the night at 6 pm tomorrow. 

Van Buren County will travel to Mediapolis tomorrow for a doubleheader scheduled to start at 6 pm. 

High School Wrestling

The Van Buren County boys’ team will take on Highland tonight for a dual. 

The Fairfield boys’ team will compete in a triangular tonight at home. 

Mt. Pleasant will duel Washington tonight on the road. 

The WACO boys’ team will host Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union and New London tonight for a double dual. 

The Wapello boys’ team will host a meet tonight at 6 pm with Mediapolis making the trip. 

The WACO girls’ team will host a meet with Mediapolis, Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union, and Van Buren County making the trip tonight. 

The Wapello girls’ team will participate in the Cascade Tournament tonight.

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team will travel to Lone Tree tonight for a triangular. 

High School Bowling

Fairfield will host Burlington today.

Mt. Pleasant will take on Fairfield on January 23rd at home. 

Southeastern Community College

The men’s basketball team will take on Indian Hills Community College on Saturday, January 18th, at 7 pm on the road. 

NAIA Basketball

In the latest NAIA men’s basketball rankings, William Woods University jumped up into the top 25 at the #23 slot with a 13-2 record on the season. Former Iowa Wesleyan head coach and current Owls head coach Jordan Ashton has his team firing on all cylinders, averaging 80.6 points per game while keeping their opponents to just 63 points. 

The team is aided by a couple former Tigers with Francis Okwuosah leading the team with 15 points per game to go along with seven rebounds, while Henry Shannon is cashing in for 12 points per game on over 50% shooting from the field. 

College Basketball

The #2 Iowa State men’s team claimed a top ten win last night against #9 Kansas in convincing fashion 74-57. Curtis Jones had a phenomenal game, cashing in for 25 points as Joshua Jefferson collected a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. The Cyclones will play West Virginia on Saturday, January 18th, at 4 pm on the road. 

The Iowa men’s team will stay on the west coast to compete against UCLA tomorrow, January 17th, at 8 pm. 

The Iowa women’s team will take on Nebraska at home tonight at 6 pm. 

The Iowa State women’s team will face off against #20 West Virginia on Sunday, January 19th, at noon.

This Day in Sports History

1966 – Chicago Blackhawks’ right wing Bobby Hull scores 4 goals (his 17th career hat trick) in a 6-5 loss to the New York Rangers; becomes the first player in team history to score 300 goals.

1966 – Chicago was granted an NBA franchise to be called the Bulls, becoming the third NBA franchise in the city, after the Chicago Stags (1946–50) and Chicago Packers/Zephyrs (now Washington Wizards).

2020 – Former Sacramento State softball player Alyssa Nakken becomes the first woman to hold a coaching position on a MLB staff when named an assistant by the San Francisco Giants.