Grants Available For Trees To Be Planted at Disadvantaged Iowa Schools

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, January 8th, 2025 at 5:49 am CDT

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has recently received funds for disadvantaged schools to plant trees.

The IRA Trees for Schools Grant provides reimbursable grants to eligible public and private schools and school districts to purchase trees, mulch and supplemental watering when school is not in session (June – September). Eligibility is determined by 25 percent or higher free and reduced lunches and/or schools in communities eligible through the Forest Cover and Socioeconomic Assessment Tool.

A total of $105,000 in funds are available to help increase and diversify tree canopy on school grounds, encourage students to take an active part in planting trees, and increase the benefits trees provide to students. Grant funding up to $5,000 per project is competitive and non-match.

The application and requirements are available online at www.iowadnr.gov/urbanforestry.

Applications are due by 4 p.m. on March 21, 2025. Award recipients will be notified by April 1.

Marian Louise Luedtke

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, January 8th, 2025 at 5:36 am CDT

Marian Louise Luedtke, 77, a resident of Grimes, Iowa, formerly of Fairfield,

passed away Saturday, January 4, 2025 at her sister’s home in Iowa City, surrounded by family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Evergreen

Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Carnegie Museum, McElhinny House

Foundation, or First Lutheran Church and mailed to the family at 809 SW

Timberview Dr., Grimes, Iowa 50111. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting

the family.

Louise was born February 23, 1947 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the daughter of

John and Marian (Powers) Kellogg. The family moved to Matteson, Illinois where

Louise was raised. While attending Iowa State University, she met Gene Luedtke.

They were married July 26, 1969 in Park Forest, Illinois. They celebrated 50 years

of marriage prior to his death August 18, 2019.

Louise worked for many years as the secretary for First Lutheran Church and then at First Christian Church. Louise was a member of PEO, Fairfield Women’s Club, Wit and Wisdom Club in Fairfield, Iowa State Alumni Association, and the Grimes Golden Group.

Louise enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and

performances, sewing, quilting, gardening, and watching Iowa State athletics.

Those left to honor her memory include her children, Nathan (Julia)

Luedtke of Waynesboro, Virginia and Meghan (Brandon) Jones of Grimes, Iowa;

five grandchildren, Nicholas Luedtke, Avery Luedtke, Holly Luedtke, Molli Jones

and Maddyn Jones; sisters, Martha (Eddy) Waldschmidt of Iowa City and Mary

(Eivind) Nilsen of Lake Stevens, Washington; brothers, John (Diane) Kellogg of

Essex Junction, Vermont, Craig (Ginia) Kellogg of Wenatchee, Washington, and Bob (Laura) Kellogg of Flower Mound, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents.

Online condolences may be made to Louise’s family by viewing her obituary

at www.behnerfh.com.

 

Dennis Don Wilkins

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, January 8th, 2025 at 5:34 am CDT

Dennis Don Wilkins, 84, of West Point, Iowa, passed away at 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, Iowa.

He was born on December 11, 1940, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Don D. and Dorothy M. (Slee) Wilkins. On September 26, 1964, he married Kathleen Rider at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Farmington, Iowa.

He is survived by his wife: Kathy; children: Tom (Donna) Wilkins of Pleasantville, Iowa, Jani (Greg) Wickett of Humboldt, Iowa, Deb (Kevin) Nimke of Eldridge, Iowa; grandchildren: Brant Wilkins, Aaron Wilkins, Mason (Taylor) Wickett, Ryder Wickett, Grant Nimke and Derek Nimke. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law: Ed and Garnett Rider; brothers: Craig and Gene; sister-in-law: Pat and granddaughters: Grace Nimke and Sydney Nimke.

Dennis was 1959 graduate of Donnellson High School. He worked as a surveyor for Lee County Secondary Roads and Santa Fe Railroad. After retiring, he helped Kathy as a custodian at Marquette/Holy Trinity Catholic School. He enjoyed being around the kids so much that he made it a permanent position. Dennis thoroughly loved music and always had a radio on wherever he was. He particularly enjoyed country music and anything sung by Elvis Presley. Dennis was very creative and would often pen a rhyme to add in family and friends birthday cards. Halloween was his favorite holiday and he would often dress up to scare the neighborhood kids during treat or treat night. He thoroughly enjoyed carving pumpkins and giving them away. Dennis was an avid sports fan and watched just about any sporting event on television. He especially loved the Iowa Hawkeyes and St. Louis Cardinals. Dennis loved his dog, Zoie, as she was his best friend. Above all else, Dennis loved following his children’s and grandchildren’s activities. He was their biggest fan.

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

A visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 10, 2025, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. that evening.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point with Father Dan Dorau officiating.

Burial will be at Evangelical Cemetery in Donnellson at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established in his memory for Holy Trinity Catholic School or West Point Fire and Rescue.Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. On-line condolences to the family may be left at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com

Henry County Board of Supervisors Jan 9th meeting

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at 7:15 pm CDT

AGENDA
Board of Supervisors Office
January 9, 2025
9:00 a.m.

1.Approve Agenda

2.Approve Minutes

3. Approve Claims

4.Jake Hotchkiss Engineer Weekly Update

5. Resolution #2-2025 Construction Evaluation

6. Resolution #3-2025 County Official Bonds Approval

7. Resolution #4-2025 Approve Anderson Abatement of Taxes

8. Resolution #5-2025 Approve Noble Abatement of Taxes

9. SEIRPC Board of Directors Appointment for Private Sector

Public Comments

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors’ Sub-Committee Updates

The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in Regular Session on Wednesday, January 8, at 5:30pm

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at 12:34 pm CDT

The Mount Pleasant City Council will meet in Regular Session on Wednesday, January 8, 2025,
at City Hall, 307 E. Monroe Street, second-floor meeting room at 5:30 p.m.
AGENDA
1. Roll Call.
2. Consent Agenda: To the Public -All items with an asterisk(*) are routine
by the City Council and will be enacted by one motion and a roll call of the Council members.
There will be no separate discussion of items unless the Mayor, a Council member
or citizen so request, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and
will be considered in its normal sequence on the Agenda.
3. Receive & file communications.
4. Approve agenda.
* 5. Approve minutes of previous meetings.
*6. Approve payment of bills.
*7. Receive report of Officers including Resolution No. 2025-01 approving December 2024
transfers.

8. Old Business-
a) Approve the renewal of a Class E Retail Alcohol License for Wal-Mart Inc #784
located at 1045 N Grand Avenue.
b) Approve the renewal of a Class C Retail Alcohol License, Special Class A Beer
Permit, Outdoor Service and Catering for The Grange Public House and
Brewery LLC at 129 S Jefferson Street.

9. New Business

a)Approve new vehicle for Public Works Department.

b)Approve the appointment of Drew Schumacher, Director of Public Works to TEA
-21 (Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century).

c) Resolution approving Task Order No. 4 with McClure Engineering for the
Excluded Area Taxi lane Project related to the Airport Taxi lane Hangar Project.

D) resolution improving task order number five with McClure engineering for box hanger rehabilitation project,

E) approve change order number one for the hanger roof rehabilitation project

F) resolution approving supplemental task order related to task order number two for the hanger roof rehabilitation project, G) approve demolition bid for 207 South. Marion,

H) approve new cigarette permit for Iowa wine and spirits at 109 South Jefferson St.

10. public forum,

11. adjourn to meeting in regular session on Wednesday, January 22 of February at 5:30pm

Melvin Leo “Shorty” Moeller

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at 6:41 am CDT

Melvin Leo “Shorty” Moeller, 84, of West Point, Iowa passed away Saturday evening, January 4, 2025.  Shorty was born May 2, 1940 to Joseph and Cecilia (Geers) Moeller of Pilot Grove, Iowa.  On September 8, 1962, he married Maureen Christina Steffensmeier.  He was a 1958 graduate of St. James High School, St. Paul.  He served in the National Guard. He was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, West Point, and of the Knights of Columbus.  He served on the West Point Utility Board, the Sweet Corn Festival Committee, and St. Mary’s Parish Council, as well as volunteering for numerous charities.  Shorty was a farmer, and he worked hard, always making sure the farm was taken care of.  He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and later in life, he enjoyed playing golf with his friends at Green Acres.   He shared his love of stories for the outdoors with everyone he knew, and he did not know a stranger.  Shorty was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who loved spending time with his family. Through the years, he was his children and grandchildren’s biggest fan in all their activities. He will be greatly missed by all who know him.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Maureen Moeller; his children: Dean (Judy) Moeller, Amy Mueller (Brad Vandenberg), and Ann (Bernie) Abolt; grandchildren: Megan (Wes) McGraw, Mitch (Sarah Grace) Moeller, Stephanie (Kurt) Winnike, Abby (Justin) Mehmert, and Austin (Amanda) Abolt; step grandchildren, Tara (Gavin) Sides and Jason (Jaime) Mueller; sixteen great grandchildren; siblings: Kenny (Jean) Moeller, Mary Moeller, Jeanice (Mark) Schwartz, Coleen (Gene) Dingman, and Joyce (Bruce) Maupin; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law Dan Mueller, granddaughter Amanda Lynn Moeller, and brother Eugene “Mick” Moeller.

His family will greet friends from 9:00 – 11:00 am Friday, January 10, 2025 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, West Point, Iowa.  A Memorial Mass will begin at 11:00 am Friday, January 10, 2025 at the church, with Reverend Dan Dorau as Celebrant.  Shorty donated his body to the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program.  Following their studies, his body will be cremated and a private family Catholic Committal Service and burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery, West Point.  A memorial has been established for Lee County Hospice or Holy Trinity Catholic Schools.  Barr Memorial Chapel is honored to serve the Moeller family, and an online guest book may be found at www.barrmemorialchapel.com.http://www.barrmemorialchapel.com

Sports, January 7th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Basketball

Mt. Pleasant defended their home court last night with a sweep of New London as the girls’ team demolished the Tigers 52-14 behind Abby Carthey’s 14 points, while the boys’ team handled business, whining 66-27 as Aiden Humble cashed in for 16 points. New London was led in scoring by Mylee Miller with eight points and London Franklin, tabbing 14 points. Boys’ head coach Eric Rawson was excited to capture the team’s first win of the season, but knows his team has a lot of room for growth,

“Yeah, got the monkey off of our back, you know. The big thing is, you know, with this group, we’ve only been on the court for a little over a month and a couple days. You know, we’re eight games in as a group. We’re young in that regard. So, you know to finally get one is nice. But again, you got to kind of treat them just like your losses. You can’t get too high. Can’t get too low and we’ll enjoy it and we’ll get right back to work tomorrow and get a tough Fairfield team on the road on Friday.”

Danville will compete against New London tonight on the road with the night starting at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm. 

Fairfield split their matchup against Centerville last night with the girls’ team falling 60-35 and the boys’ team showcasing the offense for the second game in a row to win 70-68. The Trojans will host Mt. Pleasant on Friday, January 10th, 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. 

The Central Lee girls’ team lost to Burlington last night 63-20. Van Buren County will take on Central Lee at home tonight with the first game at 6 pm. 

Both WACO squads will look to keep their win streaks going tonight against Wapello with game one at 6 pm. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Pekin tonight with the girls’ team tipping off at 6 pm. 

Burlington Notre Dame will take on West Burlington tonight with the girls playing at 6 pm. 

Columbus will host Louisa-Muscatine tonight with game one at 6 pm. 

Mediapolis will tango with Holy Trinity Catholic tonight with the girls playing at 6 pm at home. 

High School Boys’ Basketball Rankings

The Iowa High School Athletic Association released their first edition of the boys’ basketball rankings for all four classes yesterday and a pair of local teams claimed a spot in the top 10 for their respective classes.

In Class 2A, West Burlington entered the list at #6 with a perfect 9-0 record. The Falcons have perhaps been more impressive than a season ago, averaging 82 points per game on 55% shooting from the field with a point average point differential of 34.3. West Burlington still boasts one of the best collections of guards in the state with seniors Mason Watkins (29.3 points per game), Quincy Collins (18.6 points per game), and Kobe Davis (10.8 points per game).

In Class 1A, #6 Holy Trinity Catholic may not have a perfect record, but they have certainly earned the respect of their peers.

The Crusaders are 6-1 on the season with the team tabbing four wins by double digits and a 55-54 squeaker past the Notre Dame Nikes. Luke Hellige has continued dominating defenses, averaging 25.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game as Adam Sobczak dishes out 8.4 assists per game and 2.9 steals per game.

High School Wrestling

Fairfield will host a quad tonight with Wapello making the trip. 

The New London boys’ team will travel to Durant on Thursday, January 9th, to compete in a meet.

Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union will compete at the Ottumwa Invitational on Friday, January 10th. 

The Mt. Pleasant, Mediapolis, Van Buren County, and WACO girls’ teams will compete at the Highland tournament on Friday.

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team will travel to Maquoketa for a tournament on Saturday, January 11th.

The Mt. Pleasant and WACO boys’ teams will travel to Highland for the Gary Curtis Invitational on Saturday.

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will host Washington on Thursday, January 9th. 

Southeastern Community College

The #20 men’s basketball team will take on Western Iowa Tech at home tomorrow, January 8th, with tip-off scheduled for 7 pm. 

College Basketball

The #3 Iowa State men’s team will compete against Utah tonight at 7 pm at home. 

The Iowa men’s team will host Nebraska tonight at 7 pm. 

The #23 Iowa women’s team will take on Illinois on Thursday, January 9th, at 6 pm on the road.

The Iowa State women’s team will face off against Arizona State tomorrow, January 8th, at 7:30 pm on the road. 

This Day in Sports History

1899 – Walter Camp publishes his first All-American football team in Collier’s.

1927 – The Harlem Globetrotters play their first game in Hinckley, Illinois.

1972 – The LA Lakers defeat the Atlanta Hawks 134-90 for their 33rd straight win. The longest winning streak in major professional sports.