Prep Cross Country: WACO’s Josie Dykstra Resets the School Record

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 at 10:47 am CDT

Sigourney, IA- WACO and Columbus were invited to Sigourney last night for a cross country meet and the Warriors saw a school record fall again after all the runners had crossed the finish line.

Despite the broken record, English Valleys claimed the top spot in both the girls’ and boys’ meets with Anna Luers outpacing her competition by a full 30 seconds with a time of 20 minutes and 52 seconds, which also helped the Bears claim the team title.

On the boys’ side, Gage Heyne claimed 1st place with a time of 16 minutes and 52 seconds as he was one of three members of English Valleys to finish in the top ten with Isaac Frazier claiming 7th and Evan Koehn taking 10th. But there were not enough members for a team score.

The Columbus boys’ team was the one to take the team gold with six runners finishing within the top 15, including four in the top 10. Ty Muniz led the pack with a time of 17 minutes and 20 seconds, which was good enough for 2nd place.

Ryan Vila and Cade Storm finished 5th and 6th with time of 18 minutes and 34 seconds and 36 seconds, respectively. Elias Gonzalez Bravo was he last Wildcat to finish in the top 10 with a time of 19 minutes and 4 seconds, giving him 9th place.

On the girls’ side for Columbus, the Wildcats finish in 4th as a team with 90 points. Isabel Rendon was the top finisher, claiming 10th place with a time of 22 minutes and 37 seconds. Naveiah Garza was the next finisher in 28th place.

WACO’s Josie Dykstra raced to a new school record for girls’ cross country last night with a time of 21 minutes and 54 seconds, which was good enough for 6th place. For Dykstra, this comes a week after she set the new school record.

Deedra Graber was the next Warrior to finish with a time of 31 minutes and 56 seconds, taking 35th place.

On the boys’ side, Tristan Luitjens was the first Warrior to finish in 21st place with a time of 21 minutes and 10 seconds with Keiran Luitjens taking 27th place with a time of 22 minutes and 9 seconds.

WACO’s next meet will take place on Tuesday, September 17th, at Knoll Ridge Country Club. The Wildcats will compete at Rodeo Park Trail on Thursday, September 19th.

Darnell Jones of Ottumwa Pleads Guilty to Six Charges, Including Sex Trafficking a Child

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 at 9:32 am CDT

An Ottumwa man was sentenced on September 6, 2024, to 40 years in federal prison for sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion of two victims, sex trafficking of one child, enticement and attempted enticement of two minors, and using the internet to facilitate prostitution after pleading guilty to all six charges in April 2024, roughly a week before his trial was scheduled to begin.

According to public court documents, from 2018 to 2023, Darnell Keith Jones, 32, victimized at least five individuals—two children and three adults—throughout parts of Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana, including in the areas of Ottumwa, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Chicago. Jones successfully sex trafficked one adult and one child. To cause his victims to engage in sex acts in exchange for money, Jones used physical assaults, harassment, and threats.

He also acted like a boyfriend to his victims, attempting to convince victims that they could demonstrate their loyalty and love by completing sex acts for money. Among other things, Jones threatened a victim with a knife, hit a victim with a brick, and choked and strangled victims with such force that his victims lost consciousness or even urinated. Jones raped one victim and attempted to rape another. Jones admitted that he drove his victims to locations where they completed sex acts for money and that he used various internet websites to advertise the adult victims.

Jones coerced and attempted to coerce two female children to engage in illegal sexual conduct, including prostitution. One child was just fourteen years old, and Jones used text-message communications to persuade the child to engage in prostitution and to engage in sex acts with him.

“This case and many similar cases have a lifelong impact on the victims, which is not something the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office takes lightly,” said Wapello County Sheriff Don Phillips. “Local, state, and federal agencies worked together towards the common goal of ensuring justice for the victims and protecting the community. I will always make sure the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office does our part in combating human trafficking in the State of Iowa.”

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This criminal case was investigated jointly by the Ottumwa Police Department, Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations.

Wapello County Sheriff’s Office Detective Aaron McConnell, Ottumwa Police Department Investigator Jeremy Tosh, and Ottumwa Police Department Investigator Caleb Mitchell served as case agents, with assistance from Special Agent Hai Tran, of Homeland Security Investigations and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Kyle Essley and Laura Roan prosecuted the case.

 

Calvary Baptist Church to Host Health Fair for Older Adults through Henry County Public Health

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 at 8:57 am CDT

Henry County Public Health is planning its first ever health fair for older adults to be held on Wednesday October 2nd from 9-11:30am at Calvary Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant. Seniors will be able to receive their flu and COVID vaccines and take advantage of free health screenings for hearing, blood pressure, falls, and depression and anxiety. Various community organizations will be set up to share resources and information about services in Henry County. There will also be free refreshments and door prizes.

“Older adult health came up as a priority in our last community health survey so we thought this was a great way to provide preventive screenings and information about local resources to seniors, along with the convenience of getting their flu and COVID vaccines.” states Amy Martin, Public Health Nurse. “Preventive screenings are important as they can help detect signs of health problems early.”

Calvary Baptist Church is located at 803 E. Maple Leaf Dr. in Mt. Pleasant. For more information and updates visit HealthyHenryCounty.org/senior-health, Facebook.com/HealthyHenryCounty or call Public Health at 319-385-0779. This senior health fair is sponsored in part by the Enhance Henry County Community Foundation and Hy-Vee.

Henry County Residents Vote to Fund EMS

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 at 8:54 am CDT

On Tuesday, September 10, Henry County residents voted in favor of the Emergency Medical Services Tax in a special election. This tax will provide the additional funding for Henry County Emergency Medical Services to respond to area emergencies and transfer patients to appropriate levels of care.

“On behalf of the Henry County Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Henry County residents who voted yes for the Emergency Medical Services Tax. Our gratitude also goes out to our EMS Support Committee who helped spread the word about this important vote, and to organizations and elected officials throughout Henry County that supported this measure through resolutions, letters of support or community hearings,” commented Joel Prottsman, Henry County Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Memorial Hospital Board of Trustee Chair. “The passage of this measure ensures additional funding that will guarantee that Henry County EMS will continue to serve the emergency healthcare needs of county residents.”

Unlike fire and police, the State does not consider EMS an essential service. Funding for EMS is limited unless the Henry County Board of Supervisors and public took action. In June, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution declaring Henry County Emergency Medical Services (HCEMS) as an essential county service. The next step was for county residents to vote at a special election on September 10 to approve a tax levy for EMS programming.

Continue reading “Henry County Residents Vote to Fund EMS”

Sports, September 11th

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Football

Mt. Pleasant will stay at home to compete against Tipton on Friday, September 13th, at 7 pm for Military Appreciation Night. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm. 

West Burlington/Notre Dame will go against West Liberty on Friday at 7:30 pm at home.

WACO will celebrate homecoming this Friday at 7 pm against Winfield-Mt. Union. 

New London will host Iowa Valley on Friday at 7 pm.

Fairfield will face off against Washington on Friday at 7:30 pm on the road. 

Danville is back at home to take on Pekin on Friday at 7 pm.

Van Buren County will host Highland on Friday at 7 pm for their home opener. 

Central Lee will take on Durant on Friday at 7 pm at home.

Mediapolis will attempt to upset Regina Catholic on Friday at 7 pm on the road. 

Columbus will hit the road to face off against Lisbon at 7 pm on Friday. 

Wapello will compete at home against Louisa-Muscatine on Friday at 7 pm. 

High School Volleyball

Wapello defeated WACO handily last night 25-9 in the first and second sets and 25-20 in the third set. Mila Jordan finished with 13 kills and an ace in the win. The Arrows will compete against Winfield-Mt. Union on Tuesday, September 17th, at 7:30 pm at home. 

Winfield-Mt. Union traveled to Pekin last night and exited with a 3-1 victory, taking the first two sets 25-20 and 25-17 before winning the fourth set in dominating fashion 25-9. Kynlee Buffington led the team with 14 kills and four blocks, while Madisen Kellogg tallied 34 assists. The Wolves will host WACO tomorrow, September 12th, at 7:30 pm. 

In an attempt to avenge their loss to West Burlington in the championship game of their tournament over the weekend, Burlington Notre Dame won the second set 25-21 to even the match. However, the Falcons soared to a 3 to 1 victory, taking the third and fourth sets 25-17 and 25-21. Madelyn Hamelton and Brenna Beggs each collected 14 kills in the win as Taryn Snodgrass tabbed 46 assists.

Van Buren County swept New London last night 25-11, 25-6, and 25-13. The Warriors will take on Burlington Notre Dame tomorrow on the road at 7:30 pm.

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

Central Lee and Mediapolis battled last night, but the Bulldogs won in straight sets 26-24, 25-21, and 25-23. Bryn Wright had 22 assists and Ellah Wagenbach led the Bulldogs with 10 kills in the win. Taylor Jones grabbed 16 kills and an ace for the Hawks. The Bulldogs will host Danville tomorrow at 7:30 pm. 

Mt. Pleasant and Fort Madison each entered last night looking for their first conference victory of the season and it was the Panthers who captured the victory in front of the home fans in a narrow sweep 25-22, 25-20, and 25-22 against the Bloodhounds. 

The first set started with the Panthers running off with a 6 to 0 lead, but the Bloodhounds would not go away without a fight, tying the game at 21 before Mt. Pleasant finished the job. Addison Clark picked up five of her eight kills in the first set.

In a similar situation, set two saw the two go back-and-forth before the Panthers rallied to the tune of a 9 to 3 run to take a 24 to 16 lead as Kynlee White notched three of her four kills in the set. Nevertheless, Fort Madison staged a small comeback, winning the next four points before an errant hit ricocheted off the sound speaker in the gym to claim the second set.

Finally, the Panthers held off the Bloodhounds last rush with Savannah Slobodnik capturing five of her seven kills in the final set along with a block assist. Assistant coach Hattie Rowan, who stepped in for head coach Logan Wall last night, talked about the senior’s performance,

“Well, I mean, she’s a leader and she showed me that last year. So, I was very excited for her, especially this game. I think you’re going to see more of that because she’s really a light on our court.”

Abby Carthey generated 26 assists and an ace in the win. The Panthers will compete in a tournament at Wilton on Saturday, September 14th. Coach Rowan is hoping the win last night will help the team’s confidence going into the rest of the season,

“I told them at one point I said, ‘you know, we might bend, but just don’t break,’ because I feel like, you know, we’re trying to get over that mental hump. And I think we got over that for the most part. So, I hope we keep that going with tougher teams, easier teams, so.”

Fairfield and Keokuk split the first two sets before the Trojans rambled away with victory, winning the third set 25-15 and the fourth set 25-6. Faith Jones totaled 40 assists as Lily Bergren hammered home 20 kills and notched two aces in the win. Fairfield will compete in a tournament at Williamsburg on Saturday.  

High School Cross Country

Fairfield will host their invitational tomorrow, September 12th, with Burlington Notre Dame, Central Lee, Danville, Holy Trinity Catholic, Mediapolis, Mt. Pleasant, Winfield-Mt. Union, Van Buren County, and New London all attending. 

High School Cross Country Rankings

The Iowa Track Coaches Association released the third edition for the team rankings yesterday and here’s where our local teams ranked.

In Class 3A, Fort Madison found their way onto the list for both the boys’ and girls’ teams with the boys’ being ranked 11th and the girls’ placed at 13th.

The Mediapolis boys’ team, headlined by Will Schmidgall, was ranked #18 for Class 2A. 

For the boys’ teams in Class 1A, #13 Jackson Shacklett leads the #4-ranked Danville team, while #14 Van Buren County is anchored by #7 Lincoln Bainbridge. 

Lastly, the Danville girls’ team was ranked 12th in this week’s rankings. 

Southeastern Community College

The volleyball team will face off against Des Moines Area Community College tonight at 7 pm on the road. 

College Football

Iowa will attempt to get back on track against Troy at home on Saturday, September 14th, with kickoff at 3 pm. The broadcast will be on KILJ 105.5 FM.

Iowa State is on a bye week.

This Day in Sports History

1951 – Florence Chadwick becomes the first woman to swim the English Channel from England to France. It takes 16 hours and 19 minutes.

1966 – Johnny Miller becomes the first New York Yankee to hit a home run on his first MLB at bat; his second home run came on his final MLB at bat in 1969.

1983 – Pittsburgh running back Franco Harris runs for 118 yards in a Steelers 25-21 win at Green Bay to become only the third player in NFL history at the time to rush for 11,000 yards.

Harold Munson

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 at 5:57 am CDT

Harold W. Munson, 96, of Fairfield and formerly of the Lockridge community passed away on Sunday, September 8, 2024, surrounded by his family in Fairfield.

  A Celebration of Harold’s life will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Fairfield, with Pastor John Kermott, Pastor Dan Munson, and Ted Munson officiating.  The family will receive friends on Saturday at the church from 3 p.m. until the service time.  Graveside service will be held at Maple Hill Cemetery on September 15, at 1:30 p.m. in Birmingham, Iowa.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in Harold’s memory may be directed to First Baptist Church in Fairfield or to Dayton Oaks Camp.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

 Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for his arrangements.

Van Buren County Community School District Special Election Results

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 at 5:56 am CDT

Below are the results from the Van Buren County Community School District special election on September 10th. The measure did not pass.

UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – Special VBCCSD Debt Service Levy Election 2024   Van Buren County, Iowa   September 10, 2024
  Absentee Central East North Southwest Total
Total registered voters   1 ,339 1,312 1,319 823 4,793
Total # voting 154 457 505 526 278 1 ,920
% Grand Total Voting (includes Absentees)   34.13%       40.06%
Total # Provisional Ballots   0 0 0 2 2
PRECINCT: Absentee Central East North Southwest Total
Shall the Board of Directors of the Van Buren County Community School District in the Counties of Davis, Henry, Lee and Van Buren, State of Iowa, be authorized to levy annually a tax exceeding Two Dollars and Seventy Cents ($2.70) per Thousand Dollars ($1 ,OOO), but not exceeding Three Dollars and Seventy-Five Cents ($3.75) per Thousand Dollars ($1 ,000) of the assessed value of the taxable property within said school corporation to pay the principal of and interest on bonded indebtedness of said school corporation, it being understood that the approval of this public measure shall not limit the source of payment of the bonds and interest, but shall only operate to restrict the amount of bonds which may be issued?
 
Yes 37 171 30 56 43 337
No 117 286 468 470 233 1574

 

Henry County Special Election Results

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, September 10th, 2024 at 9:09 pm CDT

The 2024 special election on September 10th has wrapped up, with all ballots counted up just after 9:00pm, one hour after polls closed. The EMS measure has passed with a resounding 92% of the votes. A total of 2273 residents voted in favor, with 200 voting against. Below are the full results provided by the Henry County Auditors Office.

Unofficial Results
2024 Henry County Special Election
PUBLIC MEASURE KB
YES NO PAGES CAST UNDER OVER TOTAL PAGES CAST
Absentee 1001 55 1062 5 1 1056
Precinct 1 187 20 207 0 0 207
Precinct 2 129 26 155 0 0 155
Precinct 3 229 42 271 0 0 271
Precinct 4 MP1 98 7 105 0 0 105
Precinct 5 MP2 109 4 113 0 0 113
Precinct 6 MP3 134 11 145 0 0 145
Precinct 7 MP4 116 14 130 0 0 130
Precinct 8 85 11 96 0 0 96
Precinct 9 185 10 196 1 0 195
TOTAL 2273 200 2473
PASSED 92%
PUBLIC MEASURE UQ
YES NO PAGES CAST UNDER OVER TOTAL PAGES CAST
Absentee 0 0 0 0 0 0
Precinct 3 1 19 20 0 0 20
TOTAL 1 19 20
5%