Henry County Public Health Department will be in New London on Monday, October 21st from 4:00pm – 5:30pm at the Community Center. Citizens can get their flu and/or COVID-19 vaccines and no appointment is necessary. Updated Moderna shots for anyone age 12 and older are available. High-dose flu shots are available for ages 65 plus. Those receiving vaccines are asked to bring insurance cards. Please contact Public Health with questions: 319-385-0779.
Local High School Football Scores (Week 7)
8-Player
(4-3) Winfield-Mt. Union 68, (0-7) Mormon Trail 8
(7-1) WACO 60, (1-6) English Valleys 12
(7-0) #8 Iowa Valley 74, (1-7) HLV 36
(3-5) Moravia 36, (1-6) New London 20 (Game played on Saturday)
Class A
(7-0) #4 Lisbon 50, (4-3) Danville 7
(3-4) Highland 41, (0-7) Louisa-Muscatine 7
(4-3) Columbus 48, (1-6) Van Buren County 7
(6-1) Pekin 57, (2-5) Wapello 0
Class 2A
(6-1) West Burlington/Notre Dame 49, (4-3) Albia 7
(3-4) Mediapolis 49, (3-4) Davis County 20
(4-3) Mid-Prairie 48, (4-3) Central Lee 14
Class 3A
(3-4) Mt. Pleasant 34, (3-4) Keokuk 27
(2-5) Assumption 34, (5-2) Washington 6
(6-1) #10 Mt. Vernon 56, (0-7) Fort Madison 7
(2-5) Fairfield 33, (0-7) South Tama 29
Class 4A
(3-4) Clinton 34, (2-5) Burlington 32
W55 – Franklin Avenue Update
The Henry County Engineer has announced an update to the construction on W55 – Franklin Avenue.
The contractor will have the majority of the milling operation complete today. Weather permitting, starting Monday, October 14th the contractor will be doing patching on multiple sections of Franklin Avenue and prep work for paving. Later in the week the contractor will start asphalt work on the shoulders.
The department encourages people to use the posted detour route as flaggers and pilot cars will be used for this operation. Please use caution and expect delays
Connie Woodsmall – Pending
Connie I. Woodsmall, 73, of Mt. Pleasant, died Thursday, October 10, 2024 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.
Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant.
Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com
Two Arrests Made in Sexual Abuse Case
Two arrests were made in Burlington after police were made aware of a sexual abuse.
Sherry Chamblee, 59-, and 57-year-old Wayne Chamblee, were both arrested on Tuesday by the Burlington Police Department. Sherry was charged with second-degree sexual abuse while Wayne was charged with two counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a child, and one count of third-degree sex abuse by force.
There will be a hearing at the Des Moines County Courthouse on Friday, October 18th.
Kathleen Berry
Kathleen Melinda “Kathy” Berry, 64, of Argyle, Iowa, passed away at 4:17 a.m. Thursday, October 10, 2024, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison, Iowa. 
She was born on March 28, 1960, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Robert L. and Alice J. (Geigley) Berry.
Survivors include her siblings: Jeff Berry of Argyle, Iowa, Terry (Bob) Conlee of Argyle, Iowa, Steve (Carrie) Berry of Burlington, Iowa; nieces: Laura (Rob) Conlee – Russell, Jennifer (Ryan) McMillan, LouAnna (Jeremy) Bryant, Amanda (Charles) Holloway; nephews: Will (Amy) Conlee, Rob (Holly) Conlee, Robert (Marie) Berry; special friend: Linda Derr and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Kathy was a 1978 graduate of Burlington High School. She enjoyed crafts, woodworking and spending time with her nieces, nephews, friends and family.
A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday, October 18, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson (no family will be present).
A private family service will be held Saturday, October 19, 2024, with Tony Keefe officiating.
Burial will be at Evangelical Cemetery in Donnellson.
A memorial has been established in her memory for the Central Lee Foundation.
Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
Stephen Smyth
Stephen Albert Smyth, 78, of New London, died Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Des Moines.
Stephen was born July 4, 1946 in Burlington, IA. He was the son of Horace Frederick and Frances Cecila (Maddox) Smyth. He attended school in Lockridge and Fairfield.
Stephen was called to the service of his country during the Vietnam War. He entered the United States Army on July 29, 1964 at Camp Dodge in Des Moines. He was stationed with the 33rd Battalion of the 7th US Army Division . He served as a mechanic in general vehicle repair, which also included tank retrieval and repair. He was honorably discharged as a Tech Sergeant on July 20, 1967 at Fort Hamilton, New York.
On November 30, 1968 in Mt. Pleasant, Stephen was united in marriage to Patricia Ann Rich. The couple later divorced. On October 3, 1980 in Kahoka, MO, Steph was united in marriage to Linda Lou McDowell Starr.
For 30 years, Stephen was an overhead crane operator for the Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad yards in West Burlington. He liked to hunt and fish. He also enthusiastically collected eagle memorabilia and Budweiser steins and mugs. A man with a generous heart, Stephen was often the first to assist a friend in need, and the last to want any recognition of the help he offered.
Those thankful for sharing in Stephen’s life include his wife of 44 years, Linda of New London; their children – John Smyth and wife Wende of Mt. Union, Michael Smyth and wife Beth of Mt. Pleasant, David Smyth of New London, Susie Carter and husband Dennis of New London, Robin Willey of Mt. Pleasant, Brett Starr (Sonya Brown) of Mt. Pleasant, Shaun Blythe and wife Tracy of Mt. Pleasant and Brittani Beeding and husband Daniel of Wapello, IA; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; a sister, Joyce Rauscher of Mt. Pleasant, and sisters in law Agnes Smyth of Niles, IL and Gretchen Liechty of Mt. Pleasant. Stephen is also survived by his cat, Mimi.
His parents, daughter Susan Starr, and brothers Paul, Daniel and John Smyth, precede Stephen in death.
Per his request, there will be no public service. His family will gather later to celebrate his life. Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant. Burial will be at a later date in the Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant.
Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the New London Trap Team. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com
Joyce Garretson – Pending
Joyce Garretson, 99, of Salem, died Thursday, October 10, 2024 at her 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.