Jack LeRoy Webster, 67, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Monday, September 2, 2024 at his home.
There will be no services held at this time. Memorials may be made to the family and directed to 1602 Southview Cir, Fairfield, Iowa 52556. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family.
Jack was born July 20, 1957 in Belvidere, Illinois, the son of Roy “Bill” and Helen (Zwer) Webster. He married Linda Sue Williams in Sigourney, Iowa. They shared 48 years together. She preceded him in death February 14, 2019.
Jack was a driver for Ideal Ready Mix. He enjoyed his job at Ideal, working on his cars and he loved his dogs. Jack was a devoted and loving husband, father, and son.
Those left to honor his memory include his children, Jack J. Webster and Marie Webster, both of Fairfield.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, and son, Danny.
On August 29, 2024, at approximately 11:36AM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of suspicious activity in the 1800 block of Courtland Avenue, Mount Pleasant, Iowa. During the investigation, Clarence Lewis, 51 of Wayland, was arrested for interference with official acts (simple misdemeanor) and transported to the Henry County Jail.
A Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a single vehicle accident over the weekend. Approximately 40 minutes after midnight, the deputy arrived on scene to the 6000 block Avenue O and found a pickup truck and house fully engulfed.
After speaking with the driver, 39-year-old Ricardo Vidal of Fort Madison, the deputy believed that he was under the influence of alcohol, however, he refused to test. A search warrant was obtained, and lab results are pending.
According to the report, the vehicle was traveling eastbound on Avenue O before it went off the right shoulder, through part of a field, cutting an Alliant Energy utility wire, and finally driving into the residence. Vidal stated that he does not know what happened and that it was a freak accident. Property damage to the house was estimated at $80,000, with an additional $1500 for the utility pole wires, and the vehicle was totaled.
Both the driver and the passenger of the pickup were transported by EMS with visible injuries.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig will present the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award to the Dodds Family of Des Moines County on Thursday, September 5. The presentation will take place at an event beginning at 11 a.m. at their family farm located near New London.
Established in 1837 and recognized as a Heritage Farm (owned by the same family for 150 years) at the 2021 Iowa State Fair, Dodds Farms is operated by Brad and Tiffany Dodds. They are the parents of Ellsie and Layne. The farm has one full-time employee, Kyle Boeding, as well as five part-time employees: Evan Beckman, Erik Beckman, Lance Thomas, Ron Pilling, and Sean Wyett. Brad’s mother Joan Dodds is still actively involved in the operations of the farm. Brad’s father Herb Dodds, while retired, and his aunt, Nancy Hamann, are also both important to the ongoing success of the farm.
“To be recognized as a Heritage Farm is an amazing milestone. To keep a farm in the family for over 150 years is not easy and that’s a testament to the Dodds’ commitment to progress and innovation as well as their grit, determination and resilience. Generation after generation, the Dodds have taken good care of their land and livestock while also being deeply ingrained into their community,” said Secretary Naig. “I am pleased to present the Dodds Family with the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award.”
Livestock production has always been important to the Dodds. Today, the farm includes pork production, but previously the family operated a dairy. They maintain fully automated climate-controlled barns to ensure that their pigs are comfortable and productive. They maintain certification in the Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) program.
Manure from their pigs is used as a natural fertilizer for their crops, which include corn, soybeans, hay and wheat. They incorporate conservation on their fields to improve water quality and enhance the health of the soil. They utilize strip tillage and incorporate saturated buffers, terraces, and enroll some acres in CRP. They test for nitrogen availability prior to side-dress application to ensure that their corn is getting only the nutrients needed at an optimal time. For the past five years, they’ve been seeding cover crops, including rye and spring barley.
The Dodds Family is involved in their community through the coaching of basketball, softball and t-ball. They also are active financial supporters of their local FFA chapter.
The Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award is made possible through a partnership with the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF), The Big Show on WHO Radio and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Now in its 20th year, this award recognizes Iowa livestock farmers who take pride in caring for the environment and their livestock while also being good neighbors. It is named in memory of Gary Wergin, a long-time WHO Radio farm broadcaster who helped create the award.
Prep Cross Country- The Iowa Track Coaches Association (IATC) released their second team rankings of the season, but it is still considered a preseason ranking, despite a couple of teams already competing in their first meet going back to last Thursday.
In the boys’ Class 3A rankings, Fort Madison is ranked 14th despite having only one runner ranked in the top 30 of the latest individual rankings (#29 Jacob Shottenkirk). The Bloodhounds finished in 5th as a team at their first meet of the year in Anamosa last weekend.
The Southeast Conference remains strong in the girls’ rankings for Class 3A as #17 Washington ranks two spots above #19 Fort Madison. #14 Iris Dahl and #30 Lauren Horak helped the Demons stay above the Bloodhounds with Ellie Hellman placed at #24.
The lone local team of Class 2A is the Mediapolis boys’ team, who will begin their season today at a meet in Williamsburg. The Bulldogs enter the season ranked #15 as the team tries to run back a 6th place finish at state a year ago.
However, they will be without their top runner Owen Schmidgall, who claimed 9th at state. The Bulldogs do reclaim Will Schmidgall who placed in 33rd at state as a freshman with a time of 17 minutes and 1 second.
The Danville boys’ team enters as an early favorite for Class 1A and for good reason, being ranked 4th for the upcoming season. The Bears graduated just two members of their state qualifying team (Carter Fesler and Talan Whaley) that finished in 5th at the Class 1A state meet.
The Bears return senior Jackson Shacklett, who led the team with a 20th place finish at the state meet.
Van Buren County could cause some havoc for the Bears as the Warriors enter the season ranked 19th in Class 1A. The Warriors finish in 2nd place at their first meet of the season in Albia as Lincoln Bainbridge took 2nd place with a time of 17 minutes and 42 seconds.
The junior is looking to improve upon his 5th place finish at state last year, ending the season with a time of 16 minutes and 13 seconds. He was also joined by Landry Loeffler, a sophomore, who finished within the top 10 at the Albia meet.
Danville and Van Buren County will compete this Thursday, September 5th, at Ottumwa.
The Midwest Old Threshers Reunion was a smashing success once again with visitors from all over coming to Mount Pleasant for a long weekend of fun. The intense heat on Thursday, mixed with heavy rain on Friday, clearly did not deter the public. Speaking with Terry McWilliams, CEO of Midwest Old Threshers, the total hard ticket sale admission for this year is 35,707. Since 2016, this number of over 35,000 has remained “pretty consistent” and the past 3 years have seen 35, 36, and 37,000. Next year’s reunion dates are already planned for August 28th – September 1st, 2025.
On August 30th, at 8:08am, officers from the Burlington Police Department responded to the 1100 block of S 13th street regarding an armed male that forcibly entered a residence. When officers arrived on scene, they located an armed male subject inside with a female. After long negotiations, officers were able to gain compliance from the male suspect resulting in the female being released unharmed. Upon further lengthy negotiations, the Burlington Police Department’s Criminal investigation division secured a search warrant for the residence and an arrest warrant for the male who was identified as Clyde Graham.
The Des Moines County Tactical Response Unit executed the warrants and through further negotiations, Clyde Graham surrendered without incident at 5:15pm. Clyde Graham was taken into custody and transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Facility.
Graham was charged with the following: Two counts of False Imprisonments, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Two counts of Assault with a firearm, and Burglary in the 1st Degree.
By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024 at 9:59 am CDT
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Order of business, Regular Session
Danville City Council, Danville City Hall
NOTE: The regular session may be conducted electronically
as allowed by Iowa Code 21.8
Citizen comments: Comments must be directed to the subject under consideration. The presiding officer shall rule on the relevance of the citizen comments. Citizens making personal, impertinent, or slanderous remarks may be barred by the presiding officer from further comment before the Council during the meeting.
Call to order, 5:00 p.m.. PLEASE NOTE THE STARTING TIME
Accept or amend the agenda.
Open forum: A time set aside to receive comments from the public regarding city business. The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public on any subject pertaining to City business, including items on this agenda. You are asked to state your name and address for the record and to limit your remarks to five minutes 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.
Representatives of Danville Booster Club, presenting their request for the annual Harvest Moon Run. Action by council if needed.
Discussion and action on the request from the Danville High School Student Council and Administrative team for a homecoming parade, September 25, 2024 starting 5:45 p.m..
Ryan Gerling, City Attorney. Action to be taken on individual topics if needed.
Update on the request from Pat Walker discussing his property on North Main Street pertaining to ditch mowing.
Update on nuisance letters sent out July 17, 2024 to other property owners.
Update on 400 South Third Avenue, Lot #12, condition of the mobile home.
Update on the animal shelter invoice with the City of Burlington.
Update on the status of West Plank Road.
Update on drainage concerns on North Main Street by a local resident.
Discussion on any other items that may come up during the meeting.
6 Action on Resolution 2024-20, rescheduling and setting of public hearing to receive comments on proposed Ordinance Number 240, amending the city’s electric code.
Fire Chief/building inspector report – action by council if needed.
Approval of a firework application received from Danville Schools, setting off Booms after Danville touchdowns.
Approval of building permits.
Public Works report.
Review of emails received and sent pertaining to the potential electrical connection with Alliant Energy for emergency use only. Action if needed.
Review of the Service Rules of the Danville Municipal Electric, additions to be made to the document.
Public Works written report. Action if needed.
Approval of consent agenda.
Council minutes of August 5, 2024 (full & summary minutes).
