Jefferson County Woman Missing, Search Continues

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, March 9th, 2026 at 8:20 am CDT

Authorities in Jefferson County are continuing their search for a missing Vedic City woman who was last seen Friday night.

Seventy five year old Mary Anne Falk was last seen just before 10 p.m. on March 6 leaving her residence on foot in the 1700 block of Jupiter Avenue in Vedic City. Her direction of travel is unknown.

Falk is described as approximately five feet two inches tall and weighing about 160 pounds. She was last seen wearing yellow pants, a white T shirt, and purple and pink shoes.

Jefferson County Sheriff Bart Richmond said Monday morning that search efforts are ongoing as authorities continue organizing additional search areas outside of locations that have already been checked.

On Sunday afternoon, an aircraft from the Iowa State Patrol conducted a flyover of the Vedic City area using thermal imaging technology as part of the search effort. As of late Sunday afternoon, Falk had not yet been located.

Officials had earlier asked anyone involved in search efforts or in the surrounding area to remain in their vehicles while the aircraft conducted its sweep.

Anyone with information about Mary Anne Falk’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 641-472-3576.

Authorities say they will continue to provide updates as the search progresses.

Sports, March 9th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, March 9th, 2026 at 6:47 am CDT

Girls’ State Basketball

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union finished up the 2025-26 season over the weekend with three new champions being crowned.

The Class 4A championship featured a Cinderella story in #5 Carlisle upsetting #2 Dallas Center-Grimes, 38-36, in their first ever appearance in a state championship game. Macy Comito, the Iowa State commit, led the floor with 17 points, as she was voted captain of the all-tournament team.

In Class 2A, #2 Rock Valley splashed a state tournament record 14 three pointers to take down the defending champions #1 Hinton, 67-57. Haevyn Ranschau set her own state tournament record by hitting nine threes for 29 points, as she was named captain of the all-tournament team.

Lastly, #2 Newell-Fonda collected their program’s fifth state championship and fourth in the last eight years after defeating #1 Bishop Garrigan, 64-56, in the Class 1A title game. Ellie and Quinn Sievers each netted 16 points in the winning effort, as Ellie was named captain of the all-tournament team. 

Girls’ High School Basketball

A handful of local athletes will be participating in the Larry Niemeyer Senior Girls All-Star basketball tournament scheduled for Saturday, March 14th.

In Class 2A, Danville’s Alaina Gourley will play on the Gray Team with their game at 1 pm.

Over in Class 3A, Adalyn Long of Washington will join a trio from the Southeast Iowa Super Conference in Kenna Sandoval of Central Lee and Grace Holsteen and Ellah Wagenbach of Mediapolis on the White Team. They will play at 10:30 am. 

Lastly, Kendra Boatman of Keokuk and Burlington’s Mylee Stiefel will join sides for the Gray Team in a combination of Class 3A/4A/5A talent. They will square off at 9:15 am.

Boys’ Postseason Basketball

For the Class 1A State Tournament, #4 Burlington Notre Dame will face off against #5 Bellevue tomorrow, March 10th, with tip-off at 3:45 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 3:30 pm. 

Other Class 1A matchups include: #1 St. Edmond facing off against #8 Woodbine, #2 MMCRU taking on #7 Boyden-Hull, and #6 Marquette Catholic looking to upset #3 Bishop Garrigan.

The Class 3A quarterfinals will tip-off the state tournament today with #1 Ballard facing off against #8 Gilbert at 10:30 am. 

High School Track and Field

The Indoor Track and Field season will start today with boys’ teams from all around the state heading to the UNI-Dome for the A.D. Dickinson Relays. The girls will compete tomorrow, March 10th.

Southeastern Community College

The men’s basketball team lost the Region 11 championship to Indian Hills Community College over the weekend, 66-52. Jaleel Donley netted 20 points in the losing effort. The Blackhawks went 17-13 for the season.

The baseball team finished the weekend with a 1-2 record after defeating Crowder College 8-3 and losing two one-run contests to Crowder College, 5-4, and Northeastern Oklahoma AM College, 11-10. The Blackhawks will host Anoka-Ramsey Community College today for a doubleheader. 

The softball team will travel to St. Louis Community College on Monday, March 16th, for a doubleheader.

College Basketball

The #9 Iowa women’s team earned their sixth trip to the Big Ten Championship over the last eight seasons after taking down Michigan, 59-42, in the semifinals; however, the Hawkeyes were denied by the #1-seed UCLA in the title game, losing by a lopsided 96-45 final. Ava Heiden finished the pair of games with a combined 31 points. The Hawkeyes and Cyclones will now wait for the Selection Sunday Show on March 15th at 7 pm to realize their postseason fate.

The Iowa men’s team pushed #9 Nebraska to the limits, forcing the Cornhuskers into overtime, but ultimately fell 84-75. The Hawkeyes were led by Cooper Koch and Kael Combs, as they each nabbed 18 points. Iowa will take on either Maryland or Oregon at 11 am on Wednesday, March 11th, to begin their path in the Big Ten Tournament. 

The #6 Iowa State men’s team needed a dominant second half to bury Arizona State, 86-65, over the weekend. The Cyclones outscored the Sun Devils 49 to 24 in the second half after trailing by four at the halftime break. Five Cyclones finished the day in double figures. Iowa State earned a bye in the Big 12 tournament and will play on Wednesday at 11:30 am. 

This Day in Sports History

1904 – Brandon’s Lester Patrick becomes 1st hockey defenseman to score a goal.

1979 – MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn orders baseball to give equal access to female reporters.

1993 – Pittsburgh Penguins begin an NHL record 17 game winning streak.

Mount Pleasant Man Charged With Murder

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, March 9th, 2026 at 6:24 am CDT

A woman is dead following a shooting late Saturday night in Burlington, and a Mount Pleasant man has been arrested and charged with murder.

Burlington Police say officers were called just before 11:20 p.m. to Chavy’s Bar and Grill on Agency Street for a report of a shooting.

When officers arrived, they found a woman suffering from what appeared to be a single gunshot wound. She was transported to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington but later died from her injuries.

Authorities say the victim’s name is being withheld until family members have been notified.

Police have charged 22-year-old Kaysean A. Rice of Mount Pleasant with second-degree murder, reckless use of a firearm, and intimidation with a dangerous weapon.

Investigators say Rice was later located by Mount Pleasant Police on East Washington Street in Mount Pleasant and taken into custody. Police say he also had an active warrant for violation of a no-contact order.

Rice was transported to the Des Moines County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.

Burlington Police say the shooting appears to be an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Burlington Police Department or Des Moines County Crime Stoppers.

Southeast Iowa Man Killed in Accident Saturday Morning

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, March 9th, 2026 at 6:23 am CDT

A southeast Iowa man is dead following a single-vehicle crash early Saturday morning.

The Iowa State Patrol says the crash happened shortly after midnight in the northbound lane of Highway 34 near mile marker 44 in Henry County.

Authorities say a Chevy Malibu driven by 26-year-old Jaden Eugene Williams of Eddyville left the roadway for unknown reasons. The vehicle struck an embankment and was launched into a bridge.

Williams was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was transported to Olson-Yoder Funeral Home.

Officials did not indicate whether Williams was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The Iowa State Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Mount Pleasant Police Department and EMS, and the Henry County Medical Examiner.

Severe Weather in the Forecast for Tuesday, March 10th

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, March 9th, 2026 at 6:23 am CDT

Repeating rounds of thunderstorms with heavy rainfall Tuesday evening may produce some flash flooding according to the National Weather Service. 1 to 3 inches of rain may be possible and could cause flooding in low-lying areas, roads, fields, and basements as well as contribute to rising river levels. As of now the prediction for tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds increases as storms grow stronger late afternoon Tuesday into the evening hours.

03.09.2026 4.39 AM CDT - DssPacket

Joan Elizabeth Menke

By Allison Jacobs · Monday, March 9th, 2026 at 6:14 am CDT

Joan Elizabeth Menke, 93, of West Point, Iowa, passed away at 1:43 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Southeast Iowa Regional Health and Hospice in West Burlington, Iowa.

She was born on June 11, 1932, the daughter of Gerald and Anna (Fullenkamp) Wheeler Sr. On December 29, 1957 she married Arthur William Menke at St Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point, Iowa. He preceded her in death on January 29, 2017.

Survivors include two daughters: Jennifer (Roger) Fullenkamp of West Point, Iowa, Marisue Menke of Minnetonka, Minnesota; two sons: Sam (Suzanne) Menke of Donnellson, Iowa, Charlie (Linda Johnson) Menke of Dunlap, Illinois; six grandchildren: Alex (Brianna) Fullenkamp, Josh (Kaitlyn) Fullenkamp, Trevor (Christine) Menke, Brice (Teja Fischer) Menke, Ellie Menke, Mitchell Menke; and 5 great grandchildren:

Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; three brothers; and two sisters.

Joan was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point. A former member of the St Ann’s Circle Daughters of Isabella and the West Point Library Book Club. Joan was an avid Bridge and Euchre player. She enjoyed puzzles and spending time with her family especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 P.M. Wednesday March 11, 2026 at the Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point where the family will receive friends from 4:30 to 7:00 P.M. A parish rosary will be recited at 5:00 P.M. and a Christian Wake service will be held at 6:30 P.M.

The  Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday March 12, 2026 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point with Fr. Dan Dorau as Celebrant.

Burial will be in in Calvary  Cemetery in West Point.

A memorial has been established in her memory for the West Point Library Book Club or the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House.

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

March 9, 2026 – March 15, 2026

By Slaten Swords · Sunday, March 8th, 2026 at 11:14 am CDT
03/09/26
David Sutherland
03/09/26
Jaime Ackles
03/10/26
Diane Dunsmore
03/11/26
Deb Heitmeier
03/11/26
Debbie Heitmeier
03/11/26
Doris Grilliot
03/11/26
Sheri Millard
03/11/26
Amy Dehart
03/12/26
Amanda Brothersen
03/12/26
Jackie Sefton
03/12/26
Phil Hassenfritz
03/12/26
Carolyn Jensen
03/12/26
Michelle Rosell
03/13/26
Sandy Shanahan
03/13/26
Kali Hudson
03/13/26
Dave Hassenfritz
03/13/26
Sam Collora
03/13/26
Paula Lauer
03/13/26
Terry Mabeus
03/14/26
Cora Arnold
03/14/26
Jodie Meeker