Access Energy Cooperative has announced the availability of six $1,500 scholarships. Qualifying High School Seniors who will be going on to post-secondary education and whose parents or legal guardians are members of the cooperative are eligible. The application deadline is March 15, 2025, and you can visit www.accessenergycoop.com for more information.
Sports, December 28th
High School Basketball
Taking a quick look at our conference standings as the season looks to return from a two-week hiatus, starting with the Southeast Conference (SEC).
Starting on the girls’ side, Fort Madison sits atop the SEC with a 3-0 record as they have kept all conference foes under 40 points for the season. Burlington, Keokuk, and Washington are all tied for second with 2-1 records, but the Grayhounds did pick up a last-second win against the Chiefs. Fairfield and Mt. Pleasant are still looking for their first win in conference play.
On the boys’ side, Washington is the only undefeated team in the SEC, while Fort Madison’s win over Burlington evened their records at 2-1. Keokuk defeated Fairfield, leaving the Trojans and Mt. Pleasant at the bottom of the standings looking up at 0-3.
For a full breakdown and stat leaders, follow this link: SEC Standings
Moving over to the Southeast Iowa Super Conference (SEISC), the girls’ North division is headlined by Columbus, who is 6-0 to start the year in the SEISC with five of their wins coming by double-digits.
The boys’ North division has WACO looking to reclaim the crown after two years with a 5-0 record in conference play, including two one-possession victories. Winfield-Mt. Union is right behind with a 4-1 record.
Moving over the South Division for the boys, West Burlington is again proving to be the team to beat with an unblemished record to start the season, but threatening their top spot is Holy Trinity Catholic and Burlington Notre Dame, who have each only dropped one game.
For the girls’ teams of the South, Holy Trinity Catholic won’t receive any style points but the Crusaders will certainly accept a perfect conference record. Also undefeated in SEISC play is Mediapolis as the Bulldogs have five wins by 40 points or more this season. The two are set to face off on January 7th.
For a full breakdown and stat leaders, follow this link: SEISC Standings
High School Wrestling
The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union and Mediapolis boys’ teams will participate in the Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont tournament on January 4th.
The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team will host an invitational on January 2nd with New London in attendance.
The Van Buren County boys’ team will compete at the Ottumwa Invitational on January 11th.
WACO will compete in a dual tournament on January 4th at BGM.
Fairfield will host a quad on January 7th with Wapello making the trip.
The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will travel to Highland for the Gary Curtis Invitational on January 11th.
The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team will compete in the Megan Black Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Invitational on January 3rd.
High School Bowling
Mt. Pleasant will host Washington on January 9th.
Southeastern Community College
The #20 men’s basketball team will take on Western Iowa Tech at home on January 8th with tip-off scheduled for 7 pm.
College Football
#18 Iowa State will face off against #15 Miami in the Pop Tarts Bowl today at 2:30 pm in Orlando.
Iowa will take on #19 Missouri for the Music City Bowl on Monday, December 30th, in Nashville at 1:30 pm.
College Basketball
The #3 Iowa State men’s team will start conference play against Colorado on Monday, December 30th, at 8 pm on the road.
The Iowa men’s team will take on New Hampshire on Monday at 6 pm at home.
The #22 Iowa women’s team will compete at home on Sunday, December 29th, against Purdue at 2 pm.
The Iowa State women’s team will face off against Kansas on Wednesday, January 1st, at home at 2 pm.
This Day in Sports History
1905 – Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States is founded. Later renamed to the NCAA.
1958 – “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” The Baltimore Colts win the 26th NFL championship against the New York Giants 23-17 at Yankee Stadium in the first ever sudden-death overtime playoff game in NFL history. 17 future members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame were involved in the game.
1975 – “The Hail Mary,” with 32 seconds left in the NFC Divisional Playoff Game, Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach throws a legendary 50-yard touchdown pass to Drew Pearson to defeat the Minnesota Vikings, and the “Hail Mary” play is born.
Anneliese Bihn
Anneliese Bihn, 89, of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 3:33 p.m. Thursday, December 26, 2024 at her home.
She was born on June 16, 1935 in Dohren, Germany, the daughter of Anton and Helene (Meyer) Schene. On April 23, 1966 she married William Joseph Bihn Jr. at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Quincy, Illinois.
Survivors include her son Paul Bihn; two daughters: Delores Ulbricht and Mary Batley; eight grandchildren: Caleb, Michael, Elisabeth, Makayla, Teresa, William, Joseph, and Colton; and three great grandchildren: Matthew, Novalynn, and Charolette.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband William; and two grandchildren: Rylan Bihn; and Matthew Ackley.
Anneliese was a member of St, Boniface Catholic Church in Farmington, and the St. Boniface Altar and Rosary Society. She enjoyed crocheting, cooking, and spoiling her grandchildren.
A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2025 at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Farmington.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2025 at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Farmington with father Dan Dorau as celebrant.
Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Fort Madison.
Memorial have been established in her memory for St. Boniface Catholic Church or Southeast Iowa Regional Home Health and Hospice
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com
Halvor Lensgraf – Pending
Halvor Lensgraf, 91, of Mt. Pleasant, died Friday, December 27, 2024 at his residence.
Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com
MPCSD InMotion Show Choir 2025 Competition Schedule
InMotion Show Choir
Show Choir Preview Performance January 12 at 2:00 pm at MPCHS
2025 Competition Schedule
January 18: A Touch of Class at Benton
February 8: Hosting Music in Motion at MPCHS
February 22: Ascension at Indianola
March 1: Central Connections at Central Lee
March 8: Stars in the Spotlight at Fort Madison
Edward Paul Hoyle
Edward Paul Hoyle, 52, of Fairfield, passed away Wednesday, December 25, 2024 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.
Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 30, 2024 with a visitation for family and friends held from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 31st at First Baptist Church in Fairfield. Burial will be at Wright Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Camp Courageous and sent to the family at 2417-200th St. Fairfield, Iowa 52556.
Arrest Made After Fatal Christmas Day Shooting in Burlington
On Wednesday December 25th, around 7:35pm, the Burlington pm 7 Burlington fire department responded to a residence in the 1800 block of Madison avenue regarding a possible shooting victim.
Upon arrival, first responders located an adult male, identified as 44-year-old Burlington resident, Anthony DeCarlo Campbell.
Throughout an investigation, a suspect was Identified and placed under arrest for murder in the first degree. The suspect, Eric Christopher Rios, 46-year-old from Burlington, is being held on NO BOND pending his court appearance.
This investigation is considered ongoing and anyone with information regarding the case is encouraged to call the greater Burlington area crime stoppers at 319 753 6835.
Old Threshers Foundation Honors Long Time Member Joyce Dennison For Her Service
The Old Threshers Foundation recently honored Joyce Dennison, a longtime board member for her 27 years of service on the board of directors. Joyce Dennison’s board term expired this November at the annual meeting.
During her 27 years, Joyce served as secretary of the board while working with Executive Director Paul Anderson. Joyce also shared some of her time as a member of the marketing team for the Old Threshers Foundation.
Joyce stays busy in the community still, as she is part of P.E.O. Chapter NZ, Tri T chapter DD, Questers, and a book club called Women’s Club and Coderie.