Randall White

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 at 2:28 pm CDT

Randall Bruce “Randy” White, 71, of Wever, Iowa passed away Thursday, September 26, 2024, after a long battle of lung cancer.

He was born on January 9, 1953, in Fort Madison, Iowa to the late Jesse “JB” and Marjorie “Colleen” White.

Randy was a Marine and served in many ports but the one he had the fondest memories in was from 1974-1977 when he was in Hawaii.

In his younger years, Randy loved the Rodeo! He received many trophies and belt buckles over the years and even qualified for the Finals at Fargo North Dakota.

He leaves his daughter: Heather Dykes and her three sons: Phillip King, Colton King and Jordan Sherman; two brothers: Richard and Russell White; niece: Elizabeth Stapp and her daughters: Samantha and Ashley as well as a great great niece: Remington; nephew: Richard Jr. and his children: Pace and Nora.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Randy was a United States Marine Corp. veteran. He spent his final years spending most of his time with his lifelong friends, the Harris family. His laugh was infectious says a member of that family. He loved Christmas, working on old hot rods and fishing on the Skunk River.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 4, 2024, at Keokuk National Cemetery with full military rites presented by the Keokuk American Legion, Post #0041.

A memorial has been established in his memory.

Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Disaster Proclamation to Assist in Hurricane Helene Response

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 at 10:11 am CDT

Gov. Kim Reynolds today issued a disaster proclamation to ease restrictions on the transportation of materials and repair crews passing through Iowa enroute to Hurricane Helene response.  The proclamation temporarily suspends certain regulatory provisions of Iowa Code that pertain to hours of service, weight limits, and registration requirements for electrical repair crews and drivers as part of the disaster response.

The proclamation is effective immediately and expires on October 31, 2024.

Supervisors Debate Ordinance Changes for Alternative Energy at Work Session

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 at 9:49 am CDT

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday morning for a work session. The only item discussed was the Alternate Energy Overlay District. Supervisor White voiced his frustration with the discussion over this topic not being tabled last week when he was out of town. He also asked multiple questions regarding the history of the alternate energy overlay district, such as the date that wind energy was first discussed in the county.

After watching a video of the Planning and Zoning Commission’s public hearing from September 17th, he believes that the board was “steered” by the director, Joe Buffington. This further prompted his question on why the board of supervisor’s meetings are not recorded for public use. White continued in his reservations of wind turbines, stating that we do not know the long-term effects of wind farm of this capacity. He believes the board owes it to the public not to rush this through.

One of White’s proposed changes focuses on setback measurements. “I believe that any setback measurements should be from the closest portion of a wind energy structure or equipment, regardless of what it is, to the property line of adjacent property owners.” White continues, “this would take into account the turbine blade offset from its foundation for example. This measurement would be a minimum of 3,960 ft. (3/4 mile)” During the meeting, he elaborated on this. If someone has a pond on the edge of their property, they may like to relax there. Since it is not technically a structure, the current ordinance means a turbine could be towering above. A full list of Supervisor White’s ordinance suggestions can be read here.

For the remainder of the meeting, board chair Greg Moeller read sections of the ordinance, often stopping to discuss further. The supervisors discussed multiple portions, such as the setback length, how far the turbines need to be buried after decommissioning, and signal interference to name a few.

More discussion will be had in the coming weeks. The supervisors will set a date for another work session at this Thursday’s regular meeting. Marc Lindeen, longtime supervisor, believes that they accomplished a lot at the meeting on Tuesday, and that they continue to move forward on this issue.

SEIRPC Meeting Agenda 10/03

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 at 9:41 am CDT

Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission
Full Board
October 3, 2024
Call In: (312) 626-6799 Meeting ID: 893 3450 5172
12:00 PM
211 N. Gear Ave., Suite 100 West Burlington, IA 52655

Meeting Type Full Board
—– Agenda —–
CALL TO ORDER Schleisman
Agenda Approval Board Action
Consent Agenda (Director’s Report, Minutes, Financial Report, Claims, Correspondence) Board Action

OLD BUSINESS
1. Department Reports
2. STBG Scoring Review Process
NEW BUSINESS
1. EPA Community Change Partnership Agreement
2. EPA Community Coalition Assessment Grant Resolution
MATTERS FROM THE FLOOR
ADJOURN

Wayland City Council Meeting Agenda 10/02

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 at 9:37 am CDT

City Hall/Council Chambers
PO Box 155
218 W Main St
Wayland, IA 52654
Phone: 319-256-3276
Fax: 319-256-3279

Regular Meeting Agenda Wayland City Hall @ 7:30 P.M.

MAYOR: Travis Shelman
COUNCIL: Caylon DeVaul,
Kathie Grimm, Jamie Roth,
Chad Rohe, Mike Miller
CLERK: Beverly Conrad
TREAS: Terry Kaufman
ATTORNEY: Lynch Dallas

October 2, 2024

1. Roll Call

2. Consent Agenda
Note: These are routine items and will be enacted by one motion without separate discussion unless a Council member requests an item be removed for separate consideration.
a. Minutes of September 18, 2024
b. Bills for Payment
c. Treas. Report
d. Clerks Budgetary Report
e. Utility Dept. Report
f. Police Dept. Report
g. Firefighter Dept. Report
h. Building Permits

3. Citizen Forum
The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public for items not listed on the agenda. You are asked to state your name and address for the record and to limit your remarks in order that others may be given the opportunity to speak. The Order of Business is at the discretion of the Chair. No action will be taken.
4. Unfinished Business
5. New Business
a. Res. 2024-21 A Resolution Establishing a Public Purpose for Main Street Greet &
Treat Community Event
b. Review/Approve Alliant Energy Electric Facilities Extension Agreement
(Subdivision Project) and authorize Payment
c. Approve Request for Speed Study on Hwy 78 through IDOT
d. Consider New Install Cost Share for Non-Standard Size Natural Gas Meter
6. Adjournment

Henry County Supervisors Meeting Agenda 10/03

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 at 9:35 am CDT

Henry County Supervisors
100 E Washington St Ste 202
Mt Pleasant IA 52641
Fax: 319-385-3601

Chad White, Member Marc Lindeen, Vice-Chairman Greg Moeller, Chairman
319-385-0759              319-385-0760             319-385-0761

AGENDA

October 3, 2024

1.Approve Agenda

2.Approve Minutes

3. Department Head Meeting

4.Jake Hotchkiss Engineer Weekly Update

5.Lynn Whaley, WEMIGA Update

6. Conservation, ITC ROW

7.Public Comments

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

Shop for Shelter Event on October 10th for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 at 8:55 am CDT

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October, the Domestic Violence Intervention Program and Rape Victim Advocacy Program (DVIP & RVAP) is hosting a series of events and initiatives aimed at raising awareness and providing support for victims and survivors of domestic violence.

DVIP & RVAP operates a 24/7 shelter for individuals and families fleeing intimate partner violence. Every Domestic Violence Awareness Month, they request help from the community in stocking the shelter at their Shop For Safety campaign.

DVIP & RVAP is partnering with several grocery stores in Johnson County on this event. Volunteers, board members, and staff will be onsite at each location to solicit donations for the organization’s most needed items. The goods collected at this event will provide about nine months’ worth of hygiene items, household cleaning supplies, and food for the individuals the agency serves within  each year.

Participating locations include Burlington Hy-Vee, Mount Pleasant Hy-Vee, Keokuk Hy-Vee, Washington Hy-Vee, Fort Madison Fairway.

Shop for Shelter will take place on October 10th, 2024 from 4-6 PM.

If you miss Shop for Shelter but would still like to donate goods to the cause, contact 319-359-9353 to set up a drop-off appointment.

DVIP & RVAP is also hosting other Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities, including:

Library Book Displays: Starting October 1st, public libraries across DVIP & RVAP’s eight-county service region will feature curated book displays throughout the month, highlighting books and resources that focus on domestic violence, survivor stories, and related issues. Free bookmarks offering resources and information for those in need will also be available.

Participating libraries include Tipton Public Library, West Branch Public Library, Burlington Public Library, Yohe Memorial Library (West Burlington SCC), Mount Pleasant Public Library, Iowa City Public Library, North Liberty Library, Coralville Public Library, Keokuk Public Library, Fort Madison Public Library, Keosauqua Public Library, Washington Public Library, Kalona Public Library, Williamsburg Public Library, Solon Public Library, and Marengo Public Library.

Wear Purple Day: Join DVIP & RVAP on October 17th in wearing purple to support victim-survivors. Purple is the national color used to represent those who have experienced/are experiencing domestic violence. Share photos of your purple wear on social media, tag DVIP & RVAP, and use the hashtag #PurpleForAPurpose.

“Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a great time for the community to show support for survivors,” said Alta Medea, Director of Community Engagement for DVIP. “We invite everyone to participate in these events, educate themselves about the issues victim-survivors are facing, and show their support for individuals affected by domestic violence.”

For more information about these events, visit our website at dvipiowa.org.

Sports, October 2nd

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Football

Mt. Pleasant will celebrate their Homecoming on Friday, October 4th, against Washington at 7:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm.

Danville will travel to Van Buren County on Friday at 7 pm.

WACO will celebrate their senior night on Friday at 7 pm against New London. 

Mediapolis will host Mid-Prairie on Friday at 7:30 pm. 

Columbus will hit the road to compete against Louisa-Muscatine at 7 pm on Friday. 

Central Lee will celebrate their homecoming on Friday at 7:30 pm against West Burlington/Notre Dame.

Fairfield will take on Williamsburg on Friday at 7:30 pm on the road. 

Wapello will host Lisbon at 7 pm on Friday.

Winfield-Mt. Union will face off against Iowa Valley on Friday at 7 pm at home. 

High School Volleyball

Winfield-Mt. Union and Columbus went back-and-forth all night, but the Wildcats won the five-set thriller 25-21, 20-25, 27-25, 21-25, and 15-11. Daniela Diaz finished with 34 assists, two kills, a block, and two aces in the winning effort. The Wildcats will take on Highland on October 10th at 7:30 pm at home.

Winfield-Mt. Union will compete in a tournament at New London on Saturday, October 5th.

WACO traveled to Lone Tree last night and fell to Lions in three sets (23-21, 18-21, 10-15), while being swept by Keota (21-18, 21-16). Courtney Waterhouse led the team with 10 kills, while Morgan Meyer tabbed 13 assists. The Warriors will host Hillcrest Academy tomorrow, October 3rd, at 7:30 pm. 

Mt. Pleasant had their senior night celebration spoiled last night against Fairfield 3-1 (25-19, 20-25, 25-16, 25-19). The Panthers started off on the right foot with senior Zoey Atkinson notching a kill, two aces, and a block in the first set, but Fairfield’s defense started flying around, finishing the night with eight total blocks. Trojan head coach Vicki Rebling said her team has focused on communication heading into last night’s matchup,

“We started off a little slow, it seemed like we needed to get used to each other a little bit. Our feet weren’t moving all that well. So, more communication, we always talk about and practice our mouth moves our feet. So, the more we can talk about every ball, the more our feet start to react and we get to the spots that we need to get to.”

Mt. Pleasant captured the second set after Sonya Simon, Alex Scott (3), and Atkinson combined for five aces; however, miscommunication and errors curtailed any momentum that the Panthers were gaining as head coach Logan Wall talked about after the game,

“I felt like we played well. I felt like we served well. We just got down and couldn’t find our momentum back out of some of those, those ruts. Yeah, sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn’t.”

Addison Clark led the Panthers with 11 kills with Fairfield’s Elyse Setterstrom finishing with a game high 12 kills. Despite the loss, coach Wall was more than happy to celebrate this class of seniors,

“Yeah, the senior class have really been great leaders. They don’t necessarily lead on the court, but they have gelled our team together off the court and they’re just a good group of girls and they have their sights set high for after high school. You know, a lot of them are going into the medical field and things like that. And so really just trying to mold young women that are inspired to do well out in society.”

Fairfield will square off against Williamsburg tomorrow at 7:30 pm on the road. 

Mt. Pleasant will be gearing up for the first round of the Southeast Conference tournament on Tuesday, October 8th, at 5 pm. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will take on Burlington Notre Dame tomorrow at 7:30 pm at home. 

West Burlington will compete against Central Lee tomorrow at 7:30 pm on the road. 

Mediapolis will face off against New London tomorrow at home at 7:30 pm.

Van Buren County will travel to Danville tomorrow at 7:30 pm.

Wapello will tango with Highland at home tomorrow at 7:30 pm.  

High School Cross Country

Mt. Pleasant, WACO, and Fairfield participated in the Washington Invitational last night and the Fort Madison girls’ team edged out a one-point victory over Marion, while the Demon boys’ team dominated with Tyler Alderton winning the race and the rest of the top five runners finishing within the top 10.

Starting with the girls’ race, Washington’s Iris Dahl finished in 2nd place with a time of 20 minutes and 23 seconds, as Avery Rump of Fort Madison claimed 4th place. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team finished in 5th place with 178 points followed by Fairfield with 180 points. The Panthers were led by Quintrie Lee’s 10th place finish with a time of 21 minus and 1 second. Alex Jo Steward grabbed 16th place for the Trojans.

WACO finished in 8th as a team with Josie Dykstra taking 11th place with a time of 21 minutes and 3 seconds. Katelyn Kobliska was the top runner for Burlington as she finished in 45th place.

In the boys’ race, Fairfield totaled 134 points for 4th place, followed by Burlington, Mt. Pleasant, and WACO, respectively. Aaden Regur was the top runner for the Trojans as he grabbed 18th place. Burlington was headlined by Sam Kotleba and Aaron Morehead as they took 13th and 14th place, respectively.

Mt. Pleasant had Locken Henderson finish within the top 10 in 7th place with a time of 17 minutes and 37 seconds. Lastly, WACO’s Jude Dykstra grabbed the bronze with a time of 17 minutes and 1 second. 

Mt. Pleasant, WACO, Wapello, and Fairfield will travel to Hillcrest Academy on Saturday, October 7th. 

Danville traveled to Williamsburg yesterday and the girls’ team placed 11th out of 17 teams with 301 points, while the boys’ team clinched 6th place out of 19 teams with 191 points. 

In the girls’ race, Alaina Gourley led the charge for the Bears with a 10th place time of 19 minutes and 48 seconds. Abby Arnett was the next to finish for Danville with a time of 22 minutes and 2 seconds, which placed her in 60th.

In the boys’ race, Jackson Shacklett notched a time of 16 minutes and 24 seconds, nabbing him 6th place overall. Nick Powell and Isaac Shinn finished one after the other in 34th and 35th place, respectively. 

Danville, Columbus, and Van Buren County will compete at Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Course on October 10th.

Van Buren County hosted their invitational last night with both their boys’ and girls’ teams dominating as they each finished the team golds and the individual golds. Rylee Phillips with a time of 21 minutes and 36 seconds took 1st place followed by Kayley Snowgren grabbing the silver. Lincoln Bainbridge, Landry Loeffler, and Kayden Farris all got on the podium with the trio finishing 1st through 3rd place, respectively.

Mediapolis, Central Lee, Holy Trinity Catholic, West Burlington/Notre Dame, and Wapello will participate in a meet hosted by Winfield-Mt. Union tomorrow, October 3rd.

Southeastern Community College

The volleyball team will stay at home to compete against North Iowa Area Community College tonight at 7 pm. 

College Football

#16 Iowa State is back at home on Saturday, October 5th, at 6:30 pm, taking on Baylor. KILJ 98.5 FM and AM 1130 will have the broadcast. 

Iowa will square off against #3 Ohio State on the road at 2:30 on Saturday. KILJ 105.5 FM will have the call. 

This Day in Sports History

1916 – Pitching in his 3rd start in 5 days, Philadelphia Phillies right hander Grover Cleveland Alexander ties the MLB record with his 16th shutout of the year in a 2-0 win versus the Boston Braves.

1950 – Bob Shaw of the Chicago Cardinals sets an NFL record with 5 touchdown receptions in a 55-13 win against the Baltimore Colts.

1994 – Miami head coach Don Shula faces off against Cincinnati head coach and his son David in the first-ever NFL meeting between father and son; the Dolphins defeat the Bengals, 23-7.