Jefferson County Iowa District Court Sentences Adam Joseph Mckinney 10 Years For Sexually Motivated Crimes Against a Minor

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at 6:28 am CDT

On Monday, January 6, 2025, ADAM JOSEPH MCKINNEY was sentenced in Jefferson County, Iowa District Court to a ten year term of incarceration for a sexually motivated crime which took place in 2016 in Jefferson County, Iowa.

The Defendant was originally charged with Sex Abuse in the Second Degree, but convicted of Enticing a Child under 13 years of age, a Class C felony pursuant to Iowa Code 710.10. Mckinney pled guilty to perpetrating sexually motivated acts upon his adopted daughter, who was 6 years of age at the time of the offense.

Jefferson County Attorney ,Chauncey T. Moulding was quoted saying,

“This case was complicated by the significant passage of time between the criminal conduct and the report of the crime, coupled with the extremely young age of the victim at the time of the offense. The fact that a case this old was able to be brought to criminal charge, conviction and sentence is a testament to the diligence of the investigation, along with the strength of the minor victim who was willing to come forward 8 years after the abuse to ensure justice was done.”

Mckinney will be required to undergo sexual offender treatment while serving his ten year term of incarceration, be subject to lifetime sex offender monitoring upon release from prison, and be subject to a lifetime special sentence.

This matter was investigated by the Fairfield, IA Police Department, with the assistance of the Mahaska County, IA Sheriff’s Office, the Roswell, NM Police Department, and the New Mexico Fifth Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in Multi-species Backyard Flock in Clinton County, Iowa

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at 6:08 am CDT

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in a multi-species backyard flock in Clinton County, Iowa.

This is Iowa’s first detection of H5N1 HPAI within domestic birds in 2025. H5N1 HPAI is a viral disease that affects both wild and domestic bird populations. H5N1 HPAI can travel in wild birds without those birds appearing sick, but is often fatal to domestic bird populations, including chickens and turkeys.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is strongly encouraging Iowa poultry producers and dairy farmers to bolster their biosecurity practices and protocols to protect their flocks and herds.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) asks those who find five or more sick or dead flocking birds within a week to report their findings to their local wildlife biologist or state conservation officer. Do not approach or bring home wild or migratory birds that appear sick or are deceased.

Gina Marie Hayes

By Hayden Douglas · Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at 5:52 am CDT

Gina Marie Hayes, 57, of Fort Madison passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Gina was born on November 3, 1967, in Geneseo, Illinois. She was the daughter of Helen Cope.  Throughout her life she was always there to serve others. Gina had a huge heart, one that was giving, compassionate, and forgiving. She loved to talk with anyone and knew no stranger. She enjoyed puzzles and crosswords on her downtime. Her true passion and purpose in her life was to be able to care for those who needed it most. She was a true humanitarian during her time here on earth. Just as Hebrews 6:10 says, “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

Gina was united in marriage to Michael A. Hayes for 25 years. Gina had three children, Christin Munson (Brad), Daniel Munson (Sara), and April Broadhurst (Kevin). Gina had her beloved grandchildren Nevaeha, Ava, Norah, Victoria, Isabel, Elijah, Victor, Philip, Hailey, Evelyn, Nicholas, Olivia, Payton, Marshall, Haylee, Adara, Cameron, and Noah. She had support through her mother and stepfather, Helen Cope and Jim Bowers, and her in-laws Carl and Sharon Hayes. She had two brothers, Ronald (Hickory) Finley and Rusty (Theresa) Hood. She also survived aunts, uncles, cousins, and nieces and nephews.

Gina was preceded in death by her grandparents, Eugene and Helen Finley and her uncle Terry Finley, one sister, Tina Anderson and one brother, Randy Hood.

A celebration of Gina’s life will be held and announced at a later date. Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.  Burial of her ashes will be in the North Cemetery in Geneseo, Illinois.

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

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

Prep Basketball: Two Local Squads Find Themselves in the IHSAA’s Top 10

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at 12:06 am CDT

IHSAA- The Iowa High School Athletic Association released their first edition of the boys’ basketball rankings for all four classes on Monday, January 6th, and a pair of local teams claimed a spot in the top 10 for their respective classes.

Class 2A

Western Christian is the top team in Class 2A, despite being tied with #5 Unity Christian with the greatest number of losses in the top 10 with both yielding two losses. Grand View Christian took a brief hiatus from the state tournament last season, but has appeared to find their footing, boasting a 9-0 record and the #4 spot.

West Burlington also enters 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).

So far, the Falcons’ most notable win came against Holy Trinity Catholic in a 68-59 final. West Burlington will be tested on Tuesday, January 7th, against Burlington Notre Dame in a road matchup.

Class 1A

It is the usual suspects sitting atop the rankings with Marquette Catholic, Madrid, and St. Edmond grabbing the top three spots, respectively, with unblemished records. #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 that loss to West Burlington. Beyond that, Holy Trinity Catholic has tabbed 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.

Holy Trinity Catholic will travel to Mediapolis on Tuesday with their next big game occurring on January 17th against West Burlington in a rematch from earlier in the season.

Sandra Pope

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 1:26 pm CDT

Sandra Pope, 85, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2024 in Huntley, Illinois. She was born October 1, 1939, in Burlington, Iowa, to Alfred and Edith Wilke Wasson. She graduated from Danville Iowa High School in 1957 and AIB College of Business in Des Moines, where she was a member of Alpha Iota Sorority.

Sandra had a distinguished career as an Executive Secretary and later as a realtor, earning honors such as the RE/MAX Hall of Fame award. She was a dedicated volunteer for organizations including the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, Sparrow’s Nest, and the McHenry County Food Bank.

Sandra cherished time with family and friends, enjoyed reading, playing the piano, scrapbooking, and cheering on Chicago sports teams.
She is survived by her children, Jeffery Pope, Lori (Wolfgang) Stange, Kelli (Philip) Claps, and Ryan (Jennifer) Pope; grandchildren, Gunter Stange, Deiter Stange, Allie Brazelton, Addison Claps, and Lydia Pope; her sister, Carolyn (Dick) Horn; nephews, Rick (Esther) Horn and David (Kristy) Horn; and many cousins.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2025 from 4 until the time of service at 7pm at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake, Illinois. On Saturday, January 11, procession will leave at 9:30 am from Elliott Chapel, New London, for a graveside service at 10am at Jaggar Cemetery, rural Danville.  Pastor Jacob Yocum will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, or The Senior Care Volunteer Network in Crystal Lake.

Sandra will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and love for those around her. Please visit www.davenportfamily.com or www.elliottfuneralchapel.com  to leave a fond memory of her on her tribute page.

Henry County Public Health Board Meeting Jan 8th

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 12:30 pm CDT

January 8th, 2025 12:30 p.m.

Henry County Public Health- Conference room

Mount Pleasant, Iowa

Agenda

  1. CALL TO ORDER
  2. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES 11/20/2024*
  • ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT
    1. Statistics
  1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
  2. PUBLIC HEALTH REPORT
  3. Re-appointment of members Dr. T. Moeller and L. Roth
    1. Nomination of chairperson and vice chairperson*
  • Signatory authority*
  • BUDGET review and approval*
  1. Review bylaws and conflict of interest statement*
  2. OLD BUSINESS
  3. NEW BUSINESS
    1. Approve change of job description for K. Carr*
    2. Approve change of job description for A. Riley*
    3. Other new business
  • ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ADJOURNMENT
    1. NEXT MEETING

Late Night Traffic Stop Turns To Police Chase Through Mount Pleasant Neighborhoods

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 12:00 pm CDT

On January 4, approximately 2:15 in the morning, Mount Pleasant police attempted to traffic stop on a silver 2015 KIA Sedona operated by Tylor Ward of Mount Pleasant at the intersection of Grand Ave and Maple Leaf Drive for multiple traffic violations.

Tylor fled from the stop at a high rate of speed, accessing 60 miles an hour in a 25 mile an hour zone on Maple Leaf Drive. Tylor continued to flee at a high rate of speed through residential streets until he crashed into a legally parked 2016 KIA Sorento in the 1100 block of East Madison Street. Tylor then fled on foot but was apprehended by officers in the 100 block of Brazelton street.

Upon investigation it was learned that Tylor was operating the Sedona without the permission of the owner. Both vehicles sustained disabling damage, and the Sedona had airbags deploy. The Sedona was impounded and searched with permission of the owner where two bottles of liquor were located that were later learned to have been stolen by Tylor from Casey’s just before he was pulled over in the traffic stop.

Tylor was transported to the Henry County jail, where he’s booked on the following charges: eluding criminal mischief second degree operating without owner’s consent, interference with official acts, theft in the fifth degree, and multiple traffic citations.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department was assisted in the investigation by the Henry County Sheriff’s office and Breuer’s towing. Criminal charges were merely accusations and defended as innocent until proving guilty.