Grief Share is a 13-week program that offers hope and healing after the death of a loved one and has been billed as the number one grief recovery program in the world. At Grief Share, you find support, direction and guidance while learning practical tips for navigating your grief and hearing from experts in the field of grief recovery. The New London Christian Church at 2770 New London Road is hosting a Grief Share program starting on February 5th – April 30th. The group meets every Wednesday from 6pm – 7:30pm. There is no cost for this program, and you can pre-register at www.griefshare.org
Great River Health Scholarships Available
Great River Health announced the availability of Auxiliary Scholarships and applications are now open. The 2026 scholarships are available for graduating high school students, and for those continuing their education. In the past two years, over $50,000 has been awarded to local students. Great River is proud to support students taking their next steps toward healthcare careers and have opportunities for internships, job shadowing in more. Please access www.greatriverhealth.org/student-opportunities for more information!
Sports, January 3rd
High School Basketball
Mt. Pleasant was swept by Keokuk last night, losing 66-36 in the girls’ game and 69-41 in the boys’ game. Kynlee White and Abi Shelangoski each scored seven points for the Panthers, while Aiden Humble led the boys’ team with 16 points. Boys’ head coach Eric Rawson knows it was the fundamentals that cost his team last night,
“So, tonight, I thought we did a nice job on Clark. He’s a kid that’s averaging 35 and 17, I think, and we held him at 23 and got him in foul trouble, but we just couldn’t throw it into the ocean tonight. We missed 20 free throws and we got down early in the first quarter, like 19 to 3. So, we’re just kind of clawing back in it, and again, when you’re missing 20 free throws, you’re not gonna win any games.”
Mt. Pleasant will hit the road to take on New London on Monday, January 5th, with game one at 6 pm.
Mediapolis swept Central Lee last night with the girls’ team clobbering the Hawks 62-29 and the boys’ team sneaking out with a 59-54 victory after scoring 27 points in the 4th quarter. Grace Holsteen cashed in for 28 points in the winning effort.
Central Lee will take on Van Buren County on Tuesday, January 6th, with game one at 6 pm on the road.
Mediapolis will face off against Holy Trinity Catholic on Tuesday with the night starting at 6 pm on the road.
Holy Trinity Catholic handled New London last night with the girls’ team winning 54-22 and the boys’ team coming out on top 53-30. Layne Rung led the effort with 22 points.
Burlington Notre Dame split their night with Danville with the girls’ team falling 44-34 and the boys’ team cruising to a 72-38 final. The Nikes will compete against West Burlington on the road on Tuesday with the girls tipping-off at 6 pm.
Danville will continue their road trip today against English Valleys with the day starting at 3 pm.
West Burlington swept Van Buren County last night with the girls’ team outdueling the Warriors 64-59 and the boys’ team throttling Van Buren County 81-39.
West Burlington will fly to Wapello today with the girls’ playing first at 4:30 pm.
Winfield-Mt. Union split their showdown with Wapello last night with the girls’ team losing 53-18 and the boys’ team winning a low-scoring affair, 38-33.
The Columbus girls’ team snuck out with a 43-42 victory over WACO last night. The Wildcats will play Louisa-Muscatine on Tuesday at 6 pm.
WACO will host Winfield-Mt. Union today with the night tipping-off at 4:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregames show at 4:15 pm.
Fairfield will travel to Burlington on Monday with the first game tipping-off at 6:15 pm.
High School Wrestling
The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team wrestled at the Megan Black Invitational last night and the Wildcats were led by Jada Moats’ 2nd place finish in the 190-pound weight class after going 2-1 for the night. Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union will compete in the WACO tournament on Monday, January 5th.
The Mt. Pleasant, Van Buren County, Fairfield, and Mediapolis girls’ teams will compete in the Keokuk Invite today.
The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team will hold the Nike Duals today.
The Mediapolis boys’ team will participate in the EBF Invitational today.
High School Bowling
Mt. Pleasant and West Burlington will get back to action with the Louisa-Muscatine Invite today.
Southeastern Community College
The women’s basketball team will travel to Iowa Lakes Community College today at 1 pm.
College Basketball
The #10 Iowa State women’s team will be tested at home tomorrow, January 4th, against Baylor with tip-off at 2 pm.
The #14 Iowa women’s team will travel to Northwestern on Monday, January 5th, for tip-off at 7:30 pm.
The #25 Iowa men’s team will get back to Big Ten play when they take on UCLA tonight at home at 5 pm.
The #3 Iowa State men’s team clobbered West Virginia last night 80-59. Milan Momcilovic collected a game high 26 points in the win. The Cyclones will take on Baylor on the road on Wednesday, January 7th, at 7 pm.
This Day in Sports History
1981 – Golfer Johnny Miller wins the sport’s first $1 million tournament when he beats Seve Ballesteros in a playoff in the inaugural Million Dollar World Challenge at Sun City, South Africa.
1983 – Dallas running back Tony Dorsett sets an NFL record with a 99-yard touchdown run in a Cowboys’ 31-27 defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings. There were only 10 Cowboys on the field.
1993 – “The Comeback”, quarterback Frank Reich leads the Buffalo Bills back from a 32-point deficit to defeat the Houston Oilers 41-38 in overtime in a wild card playoff game; the second largest comeback in NFL history.
Klein Center, West Burlington Faces $10,000 Fine
The Klein Center in West Burlington is facing a potential $10,000 fine after a long-term care resident died after being put to bed while struggling to breathe. The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing has proposed the fine. That fine is being held in suspension while the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services determines whether a federal penalty will be imposed in place of the proposed state fine.
According to state inspectors, the staff at the Klein Center failed to perform a proper assessment and failed to intervene when a female resident with Down syndrome coughed, choked and vomited during the evening meal on Dec. 5, 2025. The resident continued to struggle to breathe and was coughing when put to bed. The woman’s oxygen levels had dropped and she was no longer responsive. The staff called 911 but pronounced the woman dead a short time later.
In May 2025, Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center’s Klein Center was fined $500 by the state for resident abuse. Three staff members were aware of a CNA’s verbal abuse of staff, but didn’t report it, in part because they had to work with her regularly.
Federal records indicate that during the past three years, Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center’s Klein Center has been fined once by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The facility has a three-star, or average, overall rating from CMS
Winfield: Early Morning House Fire on Friday
The Winfield Fire Department and the Henry County Sheriff’s Department responded to a house fire just after 1:00am on Friday morning in the 1180 block of Louisa Henry Avenue. Four people escaped the fire which was reported as accidental and no one was injured.
A tanker had to be called in due to the rural location of the fire and the home was a total loss. Wapello, Morning Sun and Columbus Junction fire departments assisted.
Danville City Council Meeting 01/05/26
The Danville City Council will meet in regular session on Monday, January 5th in Danville City Hall, 105 W. Shepherd Street. Call to order is at 5:30pm and items on the agenda include: appointments by the mayor, actions by the council for 2026, director reports and other items as the council holds their first meeting of 2026. This meeting is open to the public.
Accident Led to Drug Arrest: Jefferson County Sheriff Office
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department investigated an accident on Sunday, December 28th on Highway 34 East of Batavia. Derek Lankford, 30 of Ottumwa lost control of his vehicle while travelling westbound and ended up in the ditch, rolling the vehicle, and striking a cement culvert. Lankford and a passenger sustained minor injuries in the accident. According to the sheriff’s office, 16.57 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found in the vehicle following the execution of a search warrant. Upon release from the hospital, Lankford was arrested and charged with a control substance and drug tax stamp violation, driving while barred, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Sandra Lee (Troutman) McIntosh
Sandra Lee (Troutman) McIntosh, 83, of Farmington, Iowa, passed away at 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Southeast Iowa Hospice House in West Burlington, Iowa.
Sandra was born on January 17, 1942, in Kirksville, Adair County, Missouri, the daughter of Lloyd George and Virginia Ellen (Proper) Troutman. On June 18, 1961, she married Ronald Lee McIntosh at the Methodist Church in Farmington, Iowa. He preceded her in death on August 19, 2020.
Sandra graduated from Bonaparte High School. She was a member of the Farmington United Methodist Church and the Ottumwa Kennel Club.
Sandra loved dogs, especially Yorkshire Terriers and other toy breeds, and was active in raising and showing them in various American Kennel Club dog shows. Along with her husband, she managed SanRon Kennels, which over the years produced multiple champions and one international champion.
Sandra also loved horses, and she and her husband raised American Quarter Horses and Appaloosas for many years.
In her later years, Sandra enjoyed painting and experimenting with different painting styles. She became quite skilled at Dutch Pour painting and created dozens of dynamic and abstract patterns using acrylic paint. She loved taking painting classes at Holly’s Flippin Out store with her friends and family.
Sandra also loved mushroom hunting, antiques, going to auctions, playing cards, and spending time with her family.
Survivors include one son: Todd Brian McIntosh of Princeton, Texas; one daughter: Gina Rae Lanman of Farmington, Iowa; three sisters: Marcia Ann Hendrichsen, Deborah Mae Levens, and Alica Kay Garnett; one sister-in-law: Donna Mae Hamberg; seven grandchildren: Brian McIntosh, Daniel McIntosh, Deborah Adam, Jessica Messier, Mark Lanman Jr., Taryn Hattan, Timmy Hattan, nine great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, one daughter: Tina Renee Hattan, and one great-grandchild.
Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. A memorial has been established in her memory and can be mailed to the family at: Schmitz Funeral Home, P.O. Box 22, Donnellson, Iowa 52625. Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.