This Day in Sports History August 1st
1945 – NY Giants outfielder Mel Ott hits historic 500th MLB home run off Braves Johnny Hutchings, joins Babe Ruth and Jimmy Foxx as only the players to reach the milestone.
1957 – Gil Hodges hits his 13th MLB career grand slam, a National League record, and the last ever by a Brooklyn Dodgers player.
1994 – Baltimore shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. becomes only the second player after Lou Gehrig to appear in 2,000 consecutive MLB games, in a 1-0 win vs Twins.
Carma Sue (Mortland) Reiss, 76, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at the Hiawatha Care Center.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, August 2, 2025 at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Van Horne, with Rev. David Lingard officiating. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton. Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 PM, Friday, at the St. Andrew Lutheran Fellowship Hall also in Van Horne. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements.
Carma was born on January 27, 1949, to Bill and Enid (Boughton) Mortland, in Oskaloosa. She was baptized on April 10, 1949, and confirmed on September 4, 1977. Carma graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School with the class of 1967, and the University College of Cosmetology in 1969. She worked in retail and cosmetology before working as a Program Technician at the USDA Office. Carma married George Reiss on November 13, 1976 in Mt. Pleasant.
She was a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church where she participated in bible study and LWML. She was a member of the Van Horne American Legion Auxiliary. She also enjoyed playing cards, crafting, following her grandsons activities and the Foxy 5 get-togethers.
She is survived by her daughters, Sarah Reiss of Lincoln, NE, Heather (Shane) Mell of Vinton; 2 grandsons, Braden and Parker Mell; and her sister, Shirley (Ben) Flam of New London.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband George in 2021; daughter Elizabeth; twin sons, Brandt and Brian; and her brother, Billy Lee Mortland.
Special thanks to Pastor David Lingard and the Hiawatha Care Center for their care and support.
Online condolences www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com
Marianne Williams
Marianne Williams, 77, of New London, died Thursday, July 31, 2025 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.
Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant.
Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com
Joey L. Hochstetler passed away Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington, Iowa. A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Bethel Church in rural Wayland. The service will be available via Livestream on the Beatty Peterseim Facebook and YouTube pages. The family will greet friends from 5: to 8:00 PM at Bethel Church on Friday, August 8, 2025. In lieu of flowers or plants, donations can be made that will be given to various organizations Joey supported throughout his life such as The Gideons International and United Youth Group.
The Beatty Peterseim Funeral and Cremation service is assisting the family.
Joey Lamar Hochstetler was born in Washington, Iowa on November 25, 1952 to Harlan and Joretta Hochstetler. He was joined in marriage to Alice Schrock of Kalona on August 24, 1974. They settled in Crawfordsville where they would remain for the entirety of their marriage. They have 4 children.
Joey was in business for over 50 years working with Kent Feeds and owning and operating 4H Wood Products for much of that time. He was a dedicated member of Bethel Church where he served in many capacities including elder. He also served on the IMS School board.
Joey could often be heard singing, hardly knew a stranger and was known for his generosity and wisdom. He enjoyed traveling, his family, watching sports and telling stories. He was a hard worker but enjoyed life. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Joey is survived by wife, Alice, four children- J.B. (Carla) of Goshen, In., Timothy (Kimberly) of Goshen, In., Ilona (Matthew) Roberts of Milford, In. and Lara of Kalona, Ia; seven Grandchildren-Noah (Alaina), Mussie, Greta, Alena, Bennett, Corina and Grady; Brothers-Ledru (Sheri) and Lamonte (Val) and many beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews.
At their July 31, 2025, meeting, the Henry County Board of Supervisors tackled a wide-ranging agenda that included updates on landfill operations, changes to facility hours, designation of county voting representatives for ISAC, and a newly approved moratorium on commercial solar and battery energy storage development.
Landfill Usage Report and Hour Change Discussion
Lynn Whaley delivered the monthly landfill usage report, detailing tonnage and visitor numbers through July. While the number of users appears steady or slightly down, total landfill tonnage is up compared to previous years. Whaley attributed the increase—403.33 tons through July—to heavy rainfall, which has led to more water-heavy waste being compacted and hauled.
Recyclables accounted for 39.47 tons, while other materials such as scrap metal, tires, and CRTs were also tracked. A year-over-year comparison showed higher tonnage than in 2023 and 2024, despite similar or slightly lower foot traffic.
Whaley also proposed adjusting facility hours to reflect actual usage. He suggested shifting weekday hours from the current noon–6:00 p.m. to 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and possibly opening Saturdays earlier, around 7:30 a.m., to manage high-volume morning traffic.
Resolution 21-2025: ISAC Voting Representatives
The supervisors unanimously approved Resolution 21-2025, designating county voting representatives to the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC). The move ensures compliance with IRS requirements, as ISAC operates under 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and mandates formal designation of voting representatives.
Final Reading of Standard Penalty Ordinance
The board completed the third and final reading of the updated standard penalty ordinance, which includes a clarified section on FEMA penalties. No further changes were proposed. The ordinance was unanimously approved.
Resolution 22-2025: Moratorium on Commercial Solar and Battery Projects
The board also approved Resolution 22-2025, placing a 12-month moratorium on rezoning land for commercial solar and battery energy storage systems within unincorporated Henry County. The action is intended to give the county time to update its zoning ordinance and align regulations with ongoing revisions to the 2017 comprehensive plan.
Supervisors cited concerns over the impact of large-scale energy projects on infrastructure, the environment, and neighboring landowners. The moratorium pauses any new rezoning requests for alternative energy overlay districts until July 31, 2026, unless lifted earlier by board action.
During discussion, it was clarified that a reference to the comprehensive plan was removed from the final resolution text, but planning efforts involving public input will continue. A second work session on the issue is expected soon, and the moratorium ensures consistency as discussions evolve.
The meeting concluded with subcommittee updates and general board business. The next major item will involve revisiting the county’s wind energy moratorium in the coming weeks.
Mount Pleasant Parks and Recreation is gearing up for another season of Youth Flag Football, inviting boys and girls in grades 1st through 4th to join in a fun, team-oriented program that focuses on learning, participation, and enjoyment over competition.
The league will run from September through October, with games played Saturday mornings at the East Lake Soccer Complex. Each game consists of two 20-minute halves, and teams are expected to practice at least three times before their first game and once a week throughout the season.
This recreational league does not keep scores, emphasizing development and teamwork over winning. The program relies on parent volunteers to serve as coaches, and their involvement is critical to the program’s success. Parents interested in coaching are encouraged to include their contact information on the registration form.
Registration is open until September 3, 2025, and the fee is $20 for residents and $25 for non-residents. The cost includes a T-shirt and mouthpiece for each participant.
Families can register by submitting the completed form and payment to:
Mount Pleasant Parks & Rec, 307 E Monroe Street, Mount Pleasant, IA 52641.
For more information or questions, contact the Parks & Rec office at 319-385-1475 or email mpparkandrec@gmail.com.
Checks should be made out to Mount Pleasant Parks and Rec.
Burlington, Iowa — Get ready for a wild and wonderful nighttime adventure through the waters of Flint Creek! On Wednesday, August 13, Starr’s Cave Nature Center invites you to step into the magic of the natural world after sunset during its Night Creek Stomp program, taking place from 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM.
This free, family-friendly event offers a rare opportunity to explore the creek by headlamp, where shadows dance on the water and the nighttime chorus of frogs and insects sets the scene for an unforgettable experience.
Participants are encouraged to wear water shoes and weather-appropriate clothing, and to bring a headlamp if they have one — although a limited number will be available to borrow. Guided by nature experts, you’ll wade through the cool creek bed and discover the vibrant, hidden life that thrives after dark.
Watch for the glow of fireflies, listen for the calls of nocturnal animals, and learn about the secret nightlife of the forest in a program designed to ignite curiosity in adventurers of all ages.
No RSVP is needed — just show up and be ready to explore. For more information, call Starr’s Cave Nature Center at (319) 753-5808.
Whether you’re a nature lover, a family seeking outdoor fun, or simply looking to try something new, Night Creek Stomp promises a unique and immersive encounter with the wonders of the night.
Friday, July 18 ended the 2025 Washington County Fair successfully for many 4-H and FFA members who sold their livestock projects in the annual livestock auction. 4-H families, volunteers, and auction buyers enjoyed a pancake breakfast hosted by Washington County Farm Bureau and the Washington County Pork Producers before heading to the show ring one last time this year. 161 youth sold in the auction with a total of 296 lots sold. 75 local businesses or personal buyers purchased livestock and awarded Washington County 4-H and FFA members with their paychecks.
The Washington County Fair broke their old attendance record from 2023. For the entire six-day fair, this year breaks the 19,000-guest mark which is an increase of about 2,000 people from the 2023 fair record.
Secretary Amanda Russell commented, “Having a week of good weather helped out so much, plus we (the fair board) work really hard to bring a wide variety of entertainment which goes on all day long”. Russell said tickets are counted nightly with wristband sales added after the fair is over.
Fair board member Chris Graf added, “We would like to thank all of the exhibitors, participants, and volunteers that continue to make the Washington County Fair a success. We are honored to have welcomed over 19,000 visitors to the fairgrounds in 2025.”
The 2026 Washington County Fair will take place from July 19-24, 2026.
For more information about the Washington County Fair Association, follow them on Facebook or at www.washingtoncountyfairia.com .
