Local Lakes Receive Funding from Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, DNR

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, August 8th, 2024 at 7:53 am CDT

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources announced today that eight Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Districts will receive $273,489.81 in water quality cost-share funding from the Publicly Owned Lakes program to help protect and enhance nine public lakes in Iowa.

Jointly administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Publicly Owned Lakes program provides cost-share funding to landowners for conservation practices on private land within watersheds above public lakes and reservoirs. Eligible practices include soil conservation and water quality practices that reduce nutrient loss and sediment delivery to Iowa’s public lakes. These resources complement additional efforts by the state and other public and private partners to enhance and protect water quality in Iowa lakes and other surface water.

Each year, a percentage of funding the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship receives for soil conservation cost-share goes toward protecting the water quality of publicly owned lakes in Iowa.

The funding will allow for targeted conservation practices, including cover crops, water and sediment control basins, terraces, grade stabilization structures, and other proven practices. The adoption of these practices, implemented through landowner cost-share and state investment, will help protect these lakes for the enjoyment of all Iowans and those who visit our state.

The following lakes were selected for cost-share funding this year:

Lake Geode

Des Moines County Soil and Water Conservation District

Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District

$19,162.50

 

Big Hollow Lake

Des Moines County Soil and Water Conservation District

$7,469.10

Sports, August 8th

By Slaten Swords · Thursday, August 8th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Football

Winfield-Mt. Union’s 7th through 12th graders will practice from 5 to 7 pm tonight and tomorrow, August 9th.

WACO will have their football practice starting at 5 pm. 

Fairfield’s camps will conclude tonight with the high schoolers scheduled from 4 to 6 pm and 5th through 8th graders following from 6 to 8 pm. All camps are held at the high school practice fields.

Coe College hosted a camp for Mt. Pleasant and West Liberty last night, allowing for the teams to get some extra reps against a different opponent and for head coach John Bowlin the camp provided insight for his young squad,

“So, during our camp week, we get to be a little more physical here and you know we weren’t going to the ground or anything, but we were getting those reps not against ourselves; really great reps just for what we’ve done. You know, we’re two days in and we put in just a limited amount of things, but getting to see where we’re at on that and you know we start the week next week. So, it’s to us, it’s really beneficial just to see it against somebody else and be able to go a little bit more live.”

The two teams will participate in another camp on Friday at 5:30 pm at West Liberty.

Van Buren County will be having an informational meeting tonight at 5:30 pm in the classroom directly across from the wrestling room at the high school. Football camp for the high schoolers continues through Friday with a 7 am start time.

High School Volleyball

Mt. Pleasant will be hosting their volleyball camp tonight with 5th through 8th graders practicing from 4 to 5:30 pm and high school players going from 6 to 8:30 pm at the high school gym.

The Panthers will be traveling to Des Moines for a team camp tomorrow, August 9th.

High School Cross Country

New London will start practicing on Monday, August 12th, at 9 am and runners must have a current physical and signed concussion form.

Junior high runners are encouraged to join the high school practices for extra conditioning as their first practice is scheduled for Friday, August 23rd, at 4 pm.

Danville will be having an informational meeting tonight at 6:30 pm at the high school chorus room about the upcoming season. You will get to meet the coaches, learn about the team expectations, and get details about a practice schedule.

If you are unable to attend, then you can email Coach Gourley at lucas.gourley@danvillecsd.org.

Fairfield will have voluntary practices today and tomorrow at 8 am at the high school. Practices will officially get underway at 7:45 am on August 12th at Waterworks.

Iowa Football

The Hawkeyes will be hosting their annual “Kids Day at Kinnick” on Saturday, August 10th. The open practice will begin at 11 am with the gates opening at 10 am. Team members will be signing autographs for kids around 10:30 am along the front of the west and south stands. Admission is free for all fans.

Award Watch Lists

Iowa State is going to have a fun offense with Abu Sama III being put on the Doak Walker Award watch list and now Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel being named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list; the award given to the best wide receiver in the nation. 

Noel hauled in 66 receptions last season to the tune of 820 yards and seven touchdowns. Higgins reeled in 63 receptions for 983 yards and six touchdowns, including a 214-yard performance in the Liberty Bowl against Memphis. 

Another receiving threat for the Cyclones could be looking to grab some hardware as Isaiah Alston has been put on the Comeback Player of the Year Award watch list. Alston played in just four games last year, averaging 29.6 yards per catch with two touchdowns in his limited action.

The injury bug hit the University of Iowa last year, leading to tight end Luke Lachey and quarterback Cade McNamara also being named to the Comeback Player of the Year Award watch list. 

Lachey was knocked out for the season in game number three, finishing the year with 10 receptions for 131 yards. In his career, he has 662 yards and four touchdowns.

McNamara played only five games last season, collecting 505 yards and four touchdowns in his first season with the Hawkeyes. 

Prospect League

REX had the bases loaded in the top of the 9th inning, but Jared Herzog tabbed back-to-back strikeouts to claim the Prospect League Championship for the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp, 4-2. Herzog pitched six innings of relief, allowing only one hit and striking out 11. 

This Day in Sports History

1950 – Florence Chadwick swims the English Channel in a record time of 13 hours and 23 minutes.

1976 – The Chicago White Sox took the field wearing shorts instead of traditional baseball pants during the first game of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals. Despite winning the game 5–2, the shorts were such a disaster the White Sox dressed in pants for the 2nd game, which they lost 7–1.

1992 – The original US ‘Dream Team’ wins the basketball gold at the Barcelona Olympics 117-85 over Croatia; features superstars Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen, Charles Barkley, and Patrick Ewing.

David Gnann

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, August 8th, 2024 at 6:04 am CDT

David George Gnann 93, of the Kensington in Fort Madison, Iowa, formerly of Nauvoo, Illinois, passed away at 5:12 a.m. Wednesday, August 7, 2024.

He was born on December 11, 1930, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Merle and Arlie (Marzolf) Gnann. On September 3, 1950, he married Shirley Ann Boston in Nauvoo, Illinois. She preceded him in death on September 1, 2010.

 

He is survived by his three daughters: Debra C. (Byron) Shanks of Greenville, Illinois, Andrea Deon Lung of Niota, Illinois, Shanna Danette (Jae) Yun of St. Louis, Missouri; three sons: Dana G. (Maureen) Gnann of Fort Madison, Iowa, Douglas (Diane) Gnann of Wever, Iowa, Dennis (Margie) Gnann of Wever, Iowa; sixteen grandchildren; thirty great grandchildren; sister-in-law: Linda Gnann of Nauvoo, Illinois; brother-in-law: Larry (Jane) Boston of Livermore, California. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Shirley; brother: Donald Gnann; sister: Dorothy (George) Swift and granddaughter: Bethany Gnann.

 

David was a graduate of Nauvoo High School. He served in the Army National Guard. He retired from the Union Electric Keokuk Power Plant. David was a member of Madison Baptist Church in Fort Madison. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and enjoyed watching Westerns on television, old tractors and helping his children and grandchildren.

 

A visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Schmitz – Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Nauvoo, Illinois.

 

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Schmitz – Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Nauvoo, with Pastor Jesse Gnann officiating.

 

Burial will be at the Nauvoo City Cemetery with full military rites presented by the Hancock County Honor Guard.

 

A memorial has been established in his memory for Southeast Iowa Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

 

Schmitz – Banks & Beals Funeral Home is Assisting the family with arrangements. On-line condolences to the family may be left at www.sbbfuneralhome.com.

Jeff Weikert

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, August 8th, 2024 at 6:03 am CDT

Jeff Weikert, 63, of Wapello, passed away on Monday, August 5, 2024 at his home.  A Celebration of Life will be held at later date.  A memorial has been established for the family.   Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservices.com.  Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello are caring for Jeff’s family and his arrangements.

Jeffery Scott Weikert was born on March 28, 1961 in Muscatine, the son of Willis and Marilyn (Brei) Weikert.  Jeff was a 1980 graduate of Muscatine High School.  On June 5, 1982 he was united in marriage to Angela K. Strause in Muscatine.   Jeff worked as crane operator for his parents’ business, Weikert and Son’s Scrap Yard.  He then worked for DW Welding and most recently for S&J Tube in Wapello.  He loved the outdoors and racing; enjoyed fishing and hunting.  He was involved with the Izaac Walton League of Louisa County, Louisa County Conservation and Ducks Unlimited.  He volunteered at the Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge.

Jeff will be deeply missed by his wife, Angie; his sons, Jacob Scott (Jessica) Weikert of Colorado Springs and Jonathan Lloyd Weikert of Wapello; granddaughters, Allison Kay and Katherine Lynn Weikert; siblings, Linda Shouse of Walcott and Michael (Elsie) Weikert of Muscatine; nephew, Mike Weikert, Jr.; in-laws, the McDaniel and Stalkfleet families; special friends, Terry and Madeleine Eagle, the Sarasota Sunny Bunch, Jeff Jack and the Poole family.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Melvin.

 

Karen Alvine

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, August 8th, 2024 at 6:01 am CDT

Karen A. Alvine, 81, of Burlington, died Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at her residence.

A funeral service for Karen will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at the Swedesburg Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Reverend Mark Youngquist, Pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Swedesburg Lutheran Cemetery.

The family will greet friends 1 hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Friends may also come from 12 Noon until 7 PM on Friday, August 9 to Kimzey Funeral Home and sign the register book. The family will not be present at that time.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the family for charities to be determined later.

The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant, is caring for Karen and her family.

Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.

Access Energy Cooperative Annual Member Meeting “People Make the Difference”

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, August 7th, 2024 at 11:41 am CDT

The annual Access Energy Cooperative meeting took place on Tuesday, and an exciting night of fun was had by many.

People Make the Difference

“At Access Energy Cooperative, we exist simply to provide for our members’ needs. It is people who make the difference – the cooperative difference for safe, reliable, efficient service,” stated Kevin Wheeler, General Manager/CEO, during his report to the members of Access Energy Cooperative at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Members at McMillan Park in Mt. Pleasant on August 6th.

Jennifer Lynn Handling and Revolution put on a great show for the evening. Mt. Pleasant Hy-Vee served a great meal, accompanied with homemade ice cream from Hinterland Dairy of Donnellson. Kids enjoyed inflatable activities from Fields of Fun, pony rides by Windy Acres, and Drive-a-Tractor by the Proennecke brothers and Dick McGohan. Henry County Public Health and the Henry County Sheriff’s office displayed information and interacted with members in addition to cooperative and our power supplier employees providing information on electrical safety, SmartHub, energy efficiency, and demand.

“Access Energy Cooperative thoroughly and sincerely appreciates the assistance and participation from every individual and organization who helped make this meeting happen for our members, including those unseen like Quality Equipment, Mt. Pleasant VFW, Staats, Midwest Old Threshers, City of Mt Pleasant, Lance Refuse, Yotty’s Golf Cars, United Rentals, Printgroup, former employees and spouses of employees, Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative and Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. employees who helped,” adds Kimberly Davis, Director of Member Services and Public Relations for the cooperative.

Following reports from the cooperative officers and Mark Viguet from Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc., during the business portion of the event, election results were reported by the cooperative attorney. Marvin Larson was elected in district one to serve a three-year term. In district two Larry White was elected for a three-year term, and Jerry Barker was elected for a two-year term. William “Bill” Benjamin was elected for a three-year term in district three.

Drawings were held for prizes, including the Grand Prize of a $250 bill credit, won by member Robert Kessel. Dividend checks for 2024 totaling $1,235,090 were available for members to pick up at the meeting. For those who were unable to make it to the meeting, checks will be mailed out the week of August 26th.

Following the meeting, during the annual reorganizational meeting of the board of directors, the following were elected as the officers of the Access Energy Cooperative Board of Directors: President Marvin Larson, Vice President David Hollingsworth, Secretary Michael Holtkamp, and Treasurer Robert P. Smith.

Iowa Healthiest State “Active Early Care Challenge” Details Here

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, August 7th, 2024 at 10:12 am CDT

This year, the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative is introducing a new social media challenge—the Active Early Care Challenge! Early care centers who complete the challenge will have the chance to win money, gain access to additional free resources, and free 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! Items.

If you’re interested in entering the challenge as an early care site, download the challenge bingo card, register a free walk as part of the Healthiest State 14th Annual Walk, and must be a registered 5-2-1-0 Healthy Choices Count! site. 5-2-1-0 site registration is free, learn more and register here.

  • Complete the given activities and take pictures or videos as you do them!
  • As the activities are completed mark them off on your card!
  • Make sure you tag them so they see your posts!

The challenge opens August 1st, and centers have until September 25th to complete the challenge. The challenge winners will be announced via social media and notified via email by the end of the day, Wednesday October 2nd.

Prize

Two sites will be randomly selected from those who shared a bingo on social media, and will be awarded $500 to help fund healthy habits or a healthy initiative at their early care center. The winning sites will be required to share a project update within one year of the funds being awarded, showcasing how the prize money was utilized. All centers who completed a blackout will be given a free 5-2-1-0 swag bundle!

Have questions? Find the official rules document and resources to take on the challenge below. Please reach out to info@iowahealthieststate.com with any questions regarding the Healthiest State Annual Walk or its related challenges!

Renelda Pieper

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, August 7th, 2024 at 9:51 am CDT

Renelda M. Pieper, 97, of the Kensington in Fort Madison, formerly of Houghton, passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at the Kensington.

She was born on September 25, 1926 in West Point, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Emma (Kuhljuergen) Holtkamp. On October 4, 1952, she married James Pieper at St. James Catholic Church in St. Paul, Iowa, he preceded her in death on December 18, 2000.

She is survived by four sons: David Pieper of Donnellson, Iowa, Ken (Donna) Pieper of Donnellson, Iowa, Frank (Rhonda) Pieper of Donnellson, Iowa, and Jay (Rhonda) Pieper of Ely, Iowa; two daughters: Elaine (Mark) Hammer of Baxter, Iowa and Rita (Alan) Beers of Ainsworth, Iowa; nine grandchildren: Ryan (Rebecca) Pieper, Elizabeth (Bobby) Kennedy, Sarah (Regan) Lawson, Renee (Jed) Marshall, Brent (Darcey) Pieper, Scott (Erin) Pieper, Katherine Pieper, Ben Pieper, and Tyler Beers; six great grandchildren: Leelah Lawson, Isabelle and Liam Marshall, Case, Callie, and Penelope Pieper; and one sister-in-law Marcella Holtkamp.

 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jim; son Donald; four brothers: Alex, Dennis, Adrian, and Francis Holtkamp; two sisters: Sr. Annina and Sr. Annelda Holtkamp; daughter-in-law Rosalie Pieper; and one grandson Matthew Pieper.

 

Renelda was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and St. John’s Altar and Rosary.

 

A visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 12, 2024, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Houghton, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with a Christian wake service following at 6:30 p.m.

 

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Houghton with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.

 

Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery in Houghton, Iowa.

 

Memorials have been established in her memory for St. John’s Catholic Church.

 

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