Sports, January 8th

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, January 8th, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Basketball

Danville made the trip to New London last night and swept the Tigers as the girls’ team secured a 47-17 win, while the boys’ team could not miss in an 73-52 exhibition of offense for the Bears. The Danville girls’ team was led by Alaina Gourley’s 20 points, while Mylee Miller put up a team high seven points for the Tigers. 

On the boys’ side, four players finished the contest with at least 20 points as New London had London Franklin collect 22 points and Brigham Porter scored 20 points. The Bears had Jaden Bauer go off for 26 points, followed by Kessler Whaley with 22 points.  

New London will face off against West Burlington at home on Friday, January 10th, with the girls’ team playing at 6 pm.

Danville will compete against Mediapolis on the road on Friday with tip-off scheduled for 6 pm. 

In a showdown for the top spot of the Southeast Iowa Super Conference South division, the Mediapolis girls’ team continued their dominant start with a 69-42 win over Holy Trinity Catholic as the defense tabbed 21 steals. Josie Hutcheson scored 17 points in the win. On the boys’ side, the Crusaders picked up a 65-54 victory as Luke Hellige cashed in for 23 points. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will travel to Central Lee on Friday with the girls tipping off the night at 6 pm. 

The Van Buren County boys’ team lost to Central Lee last night 64-35. The Warriors will face off against Burlington Notre Dame on Friday with game time at 6 pm.

Both WACO squads continued their win streaks last night against Wapello with the girls’ winning 51-36 and the boys’ team claiming a 50-40 victory. Ella Huisenga led the Warriors with 13 points, while the boys team had Christian Stacy finish the contest with 16 points. Wapello had Macey Kuntz and Kinnick Richenberger lead their teams in scoring with 11 and 14 points, respectively. 

Wapello will square off against Pekin on Friday with game one at 6 pm at home. 

The WACO girls’ team will compete against Iowa Valley at home at 6:45 pm, while the boys’ team will face off against North Linn on the road at 7 pm with both games taking place tomorrow, January 9th.  

Winfield-Mt. Union split their matchups against Pekin with the girls’ team falling 67-36, while the boys’ team held on to win 47-45 behind Cooper Buffington’s 21 point performance. The Wolves will host Louisa-Muscatine on Friday with the night scheduled to start at 6 pm. 

The Burlington Notre Dame girls’ team clobbered West Burlington 52-31, while the boys’ team fell to the Falcons 62-47. 

Burlington Notre Dame will play West Branch tomorrow at home with the girls’ scheduled to start at 6 pm. 

The Columbus girls’ team ventured back in the win column with a dominant 47-19 showing against Louisa-Muscatine. The boys’ team was unable to complete their comeback against the Falcons in a 70-62 loss, despite scoring 32 points in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats will take on Lone Tree at home on Friday with the boys’ team scheduled to play at 7:30 pm following the girls game. 

Fairfield will host Mt. Pleasant on Friday 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

Fairfield hosted a quad last night with Wapello in attendance. The Trojan boys’ team collected a 2-1 record with a 60-24 win over Chariton and a 64-18 victory against Wapello. Dain Burkhart, Dre Smithburg, and Cason Miller each finished the night with a 3-0 record.

The Wapello boys’ team struggled, finishing the night 0-3. Cohen Wolford was the lone wrestler to go undefeated for the night. 

The Wapello girls’ team will participate in the Lancer Invitational at North Scott on Friday, January 10th, while the boys’ team will compete on Saturday, January 11th, at BGM for an invitational. 

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

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union and Fairfield boys’ teams will compete at the Ottumwa Invitational on Friday.

The Mt. Pleasant, Mediapolis, Van Buren County, Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union 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.

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 tomorrow, January 9th. 

Southeastern Community College

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

College Basketball

The #3 Iowa State men’s team routed Utah last night 82-59 for their 10th straight win. Curtis Jones collected a game-high 23 points in the win. The Cyclones will compete against Texas Tech on Saturday, January 11th, on the road at 1 pm. 

The Iowa men’s team got it done in overtime last night against Nebraska, winning 97-87. Josh Dix had a phenomenal game with 31 points, followed closely behind by Payton Sandfort with 30 points. The Hawkeyes will host Indiana on Saturday at 7 pm. 

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

The Iowa State women’s team will face off against Arizona State tonight at 7:30 pm on the road. 

This Day in Sports History

1945 – The University of Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team sets an NCAA record by holding Arkansas State to 6 points in a 75-6 win.

1955 – Georgia Tech ends Kentucky’s 129-game home basketball win streak. 

1984 – The Executive Committee of the NCAA votes to expand the championship basketball field to 64 teams starting in 1985.

Governor Kim Reynolds Issues Immediate Proclamation Lifting Restrictions On Transportation of Heating and Motor Fuels

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, January 8th, 2025 at 6:05 am CDT

With most the state of Iowa in a severe weather alert, Governor Kim Reynolds issued an immediate proclamation to ease restrictions on transportation of heating and motor fuels.

This proclamation is effective immediately and continues through 11:59 p.m. on February 6, 2025. This proclamation suspends the regulatory provisions of Iowa Code pertaining to hours of service for crews and drivers delivering propane, diesel, natural gas, and other fuels used for residential, agricultural, and commercial heating purposes.

At this time, Drivers making such deliveries can do so in their time frame to assure people are no without heat, gas or fuel during these winter storms.

Washington County 7th & 8h Grade 4-H Will Attend Region 19 4-H Trip in St. Louis

By Hayden Douglas · Wednesday, January 8th, 2025 at 5:57 am CDT

Washington County 7th-8th grade 4-H students are invited to attend Region 19’s 4-H Trip to St. Louis, Missouri April 4th-5th. 4-H students will visit the St. Louis Aquarium, Grant’s Farm, have lunch at Union Station, take a tram ride to the top of the St. Louis Arch and an overnight stay will be spent at the Challenger Learning Center participating in the Space Mission Program and Rocket Program.

Space is limited and registrations will be accepted online first come, first serve.

Registration is open until February 7 (or until trip is filled at)  https://tinyurl.com/4hStLou2025.

The final registration cost is $270 due to Washington County Extension. For more information about Region 19 7th-8th grade trip or Washington County 4-H program, contact the Washington County Extension Office at 319-653-4811.

Follow “Washington County 4-H – Iowa” on Facebook.

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