Free Stay at the Des Moines County Correctional Center for Two Men Enjoying Methamphetamine over Independence Day Weekend

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 at 8:00 am CDT

The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office had a busy weekend getting meth off the streets after making two separate arrests.

On July 4th, Sheriff’s Deputies stopped a vehicle for a registration violation at Cottonwood Ct. and Vineyard St. in Burlington, IA. During the traffic stop deputies observed a passenger, James Adam Murphy, age 53, of Davenport, IA, to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. Deputies observed James pull a glass smoking pipe out of his pocket. Deputies also located a bag of methamphetamine and a container of marijuana on James.

James was placed under arrest for two counts possession of a controlled substance 3rd or subsequent offense, D Felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia. James was transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center.

The next day, Sheriff’s Deputies stopped a vehicle at Mt. Pleasant St. and Curran St. in Burlington, IA after recognizing the driver was unlicensed. Deputies made contact with the driver and positively identified him as Calvin Darnell Hill, age 52, of Burlington, IA. Deputies confirmed that Hill’s driving status was barred in the State of Iowa. Deputies were also advised that Hill had an active arrest warrant.

A Burlington Police Department K-9 unit was requested and conducted an open-air sniff around the vehicle, in which the K-9 alerted. A search was then conducted. Where a glass methamphetamine pipe, loose shards of methamphetamine, several individually packaged bags of methamphetamine, drug packaging material, and an open container of alcohol were located inside the vehicle. The total combined weight of the methamphetamine was approximately 26 grams.

Hill was placed under arrest on the arrest warrant and charged additionally with driving while barred, open container, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (B Felony), failure to affix a drug tax stamp (D Felony), and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hill was transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center.

 

Illinois Woman Picks Up Unwanted Guest During Sunday Morning Stroll Through Geode State Park

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 at 7:58 am CDT

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office reports of a single vehicle accident in Geode State Park on Sunday morning, in which the driver was intoxicated.

At approximately 5:33am on July 7th, the HCSO was notified of an accident in the 3300 grid of Racine Avenue.

An investigation into the accident determined that Linda Schrock, 70, of Stronghurst Illinois, was driving a passenger car entering Geode State Park. After failing to navigate the turn the vehicle left the roadway and entered the ditch where it struck several bushes/small trees before coming to a rest.

Observations of intoxication/impairment were observed from Linda and Standardized Field Sobriety Tests were administered.

As a result of this investigation, Linda was charged with Operating While Intoxicated and cited for Failure to Maintain Control.

Fort Madison Bridge CLOSING for Repairs

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 at 7:57 am CDT

The Fort Madison Bridge will close next month for repair, with maintenance expected to last through November. In a statement from BNSF railway, they announce the closure due to public safety as the necessary repairs are made.  This will begin August 5th and last through August 30th, with a weeklong break as the Tri-State Rodeo goes on from August 31 to September 8th. After that, repairs will continue through November 22nd.

Maintenance work will include replacing floor beams and associated stringers at six different locations on both the east and west approach. Since the bridge is owned and operated by BNSF Railway, toll revenue collected on the bridge is paying for part of the maintenance with BNSF making up the remainder of the cost. They assure that no public dollars are being used.

Sports, July 9th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Baseball

Fairfield fell to Pella 6-3 last night. Tallon Bates slugged a double and collected two RBIs in the loss.

Mt. Pleasant had their senior night spoiled last night against Davenport Central, losing 7-1. Payson Coleman had the lone RBI of the night for the Panthers. Mt. Pleasant will travel to Clark tonight at 6 pm to finish their regular season. 

High School Postseason Baseball

In Class 1A Substate 6, New London will make the trip to take on Burlington Notre Dame tonight at 7 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm. 

In Class 2A Substate 5, Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Anamosa tonight to take on the Blue Raiders in the quarterfinal at 7 pm. Head coach Nick Swanson talked about what he wants to see from his team,

“Yeah, just doing the little things. It’s kind of like our approach all year. You know, we want to make sure that we do the little things right, you know. We throw strikes. We make them earn it. You know, I’m a firm believer in, you know, baseball, anything can happen. So we’re definitely going to be ready to go.”

Mediapolis will take on Mid-Prairie tonight at 5 pm on the road.

For Class 2A Substate 6, Central Lee will face off against Pleasantville tonight at 7 pm at Pleasantville. 

In Class 3A Substate 5, Fairfield will host Keokuk on Friday, July 12th, at 7 pm. 

High School Softball

West Burlington was swept by Burlington last night in their doubleheader 10-0 in game one and 10-6 in game two. 

In a battle between two ranked opponents, Cardinal dominated the doubleheader against Central Lee last night, winning 13-1 in game one and 8-2 in game two. 

Mediapolis took on Davis County in a doubleheader last night, losing 11-0 in game one and 6-5 in game two. Delaney Griffith and Kenna Jankowski totaled two RBIs apiece. 

Fairfield will square off against Knoxville tonight at 7:30 pm at home. 

High School Postseason Softball

For Class 1A Region 6, thrilling softball was the name of the game with two games decided by defense in the final inning. 

New London appeared poised to walk off Danville after scoring five runs in the bottom of the 7th inning and having the bases loaded with one out. Nevertheless, Aubrey Nahorny had other ideas, turning an unassisted double play to seal a 9-7 win for the Bears.

Danville’s head coach Sydney Kramer was left speechless after the contest,

“You know, I’m kind of at a loss for words to be honest with you. You know, just watching the girls fight back, this is the rebuilding that we’ve been wanting to see and seeing them reach this goal this year has been everything that I think they’ve all been wanting and just hoping to see it keep going.”

Nahorny also led the Bears with two RBIs and a double. Lillie Gallup and Shaylee Brothersen each tabbed an RBI for the Tigers. New London’s head coach Emily Parks talked about her team’s effort after the game,

“We left base runners on earlier in the game, but you know, we weren’t giving up. We had goals at the beginning. We talked about it at practice yesterday. Our personal goals and our team goals, and everyone of them said that they were not going to give up. We were going until that last strike. I’m so incredibly proud of them, like they did not give up. We had people step into positions that, you know, we hadn’t really played all year. But you know, we had to do what we had to do. And I’m just so proud that they never gave up.”

Danville will travel to Twin Cedars tomorrow, July 10th, at 7 pm. 

Winfield-Mt. Union defeated Pekin 9-8 last night after Josie Nelson threw out the game tying run from center field in the 7th inning to end the game. Nelson also added two RBIs at the plate with a double as Makiah Lower picked up the win in the circle and two RBIs. 

WACO and Holy Trinity Catholic had their matchup postponed to tonight at 7 pm due to a wet field. The winner will take on the Wolves tomorrow at 7 pm. 

For Class 2A Region 5, Van Buren County will face off against Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont tomorrow, July 10th, at 7 pm at home. 

Class 3A Region 8, Central Lee will host Camanche on Thursday, July 11th, at 7 pm. 

West Burlington will compete against Mediapolis on Thursday at 7 pm at home. 

For Class 4A Region 8, Mt. Pleasant will travel to Central DeWitt on Thursday at 7 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm. The winner of the matchup will face off against Burlington in the semifinals.  

High School Cross Country

Mt. Pleasant’s optional summer runs, available for 7th through 12th graders, are scheduled Monday through Thursday. The runs will often be led by upperclassmen as coaches may not be present for every run.

On Mondays and Wednesdays the runs will start at 6:30 am at the Old Threshers Museum Theatre and on Tuesdays and Thursdays they will be at Saunders Park by the swimming pool at 7 pm. 

If you have any questions, contact Coach Murray at 319-850-0867. 

Prospect League

The Burlington Bees will host the Alton River Dragons tonight at 6:30 pm. 

The Clinton LumberKings will take on the Normal Cornbelters today.

This Day in Sports History

1877 – First ever Wimbledon tennis championship begins as it was also the first official lawn tennis tournament – men’s singles only.

1948 – Satchel Paige, 42, debuts in the majors pitching two scoreless innings for Cleveland in St. Louis.

1968 – Wilt Chamberlain becomes the first reigning NBA MVP to be traded the next season when he moves from the Philadelphia 76’ers to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Crop Report – Corn Condition Rates 76 Percent Good to Excellent

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 at 6:08 am CDT

Looking at the weekly crop progress and condition report, Iowa farmers were allowed 3.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 7th due to heavy rains in the south central and northeast portions of the state. Concerns were expressed about getting hay put up and spraying for weeds due to frequent rain.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 4 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 19 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 6 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus.

Corn silking reached 17 percent, equal to last year but 4 days ahead of the five-year average. Corn condition was 76 percent good to excellent. Soybean crop blooming reached 32 percent, 2 days behind last year but equal to the average. Soybeans setting pods reached 5 percent. Soybean condition rated 76 percent good to excellent. Oat crop headed or beyond reached 95 percent. Oats turning color reached 63 percent, 5 days ahead of the average. Oats harvested for grain was 8 percent complete, 6 days ahead of the average. Oat condition rated 79 percent good to excellent.

The State’s second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 34 percent complete. Hay condition rated 81 percent good to excellent.  Pasture condition rated 73 percent good to excellent. Feedlot conditions remain muddy due to excess precipitation and flooding.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“Many parts of Iowa experienced a wet start to July. Now, we’re hoping for some summer heat to provide a much-needed boost to our crops,” said Secretary Naig. “With the continued impacts of Hurricane Beryl influencing the weather pattern, forecasts indicate a calmer storm track for Iowa and increased chances of warmer temperatures over the next few weeks.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Louise Seberg

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 at 6:00 am CDT

Louise Seberg, 99, of Mount Pleasant, died Monday, July 8, 2024, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.

Louise was born June 14, 1925, in Mount Pleasant, the daughter of Ben and Lucile (Hough) Fenton. She graduated from Olds Consolidated High School in 1943. On March 20, 1944, Louise was united in marriage to Glen M Seberg at the Olds Congregational Church. Louise was a homemaker and proud farm wife. She was an 80-year member of Finley Chapel United Methodist Church, member of United Methodist Women, and taught Sunday School for many years. Additionally, Louise was a 59-year member of Iowa J TTT, Wayland, and the Olds American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, crafts, sewing, needle work and bowling. Louise loved to travel and especially loved to create the travel itinerary, picking up brochures everywhere she went. She was an avid Hawkeye fan. Louise was a dedicated volunteer in the Finley Chapel, and later the Olds American Legion food tent at Old Threshers. She also volunteered at the Swedish Heritage Museum in Swedesburg.

Louise is survived by son, Duayne (Cindy) Seberg of Mount Pleasant, daughter, Joyce (Ron) Deck of Moberly, MO; four grandchildren, Shelly Duwa of Washington, Chris (Sara) Seberg of Blue Grass, Ronell (Brant) Carr of Ankeny, Angie (James) Wright of Omaha, NE; and nine great-grandchildren. Louise was preceded in death by her parents and husband Glen.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 12, 2024, at Finley Chapel United Methodist Church, 1501 150th Street, Mount Pleasant. Pastor Lindsey Ford will officiate. Burial will follow in the Finley Cemetery. Visitation will be held 1:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 11, 2024, at Olson Powell Chapel & Crematory. The family will be present to greet friends beginning at 5:00 p.m. Memorial funds have been established for Iowa J TTT, Wayland, and Finley Cemetery Association. The Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory is caring for Louise and her family. Online condolences may be directed to www.olsonpowell.com

 

Prep Softball: Class 1A Brings the Excitement in the Opening Round

By Slaten Swords · Monday, July 8th, 2024 at 11:19 pm CDT

Prep Softball- Rain briefly fell before the start of postseason softball in southeast Iowa and it must have left something in the air because thrilling was the main adjective to describe the action last night.

For Class 1A Region 6, thrilling softball was the name of the game with two games decided by defense in the final inning.

In New London, it was a bitter rivalry between the Tigers and the Danville Bears that got the postseason underway with the road team getting on the board first with an RBI single by Aubrey Nahorny in the top of the first inning. Lillie Gallup knotted the game at one in the second inning with her own single.

The fourth inning was the next big surge of runs with Alivia Bauer placing down an RBI bunt single to cap off a three run fourth inning for the Bears. Shaylee Brothersen would cut the lead in half with an RBI single, 4 to 2 Danville. The sixth inning was when the wheels fell off for the Tigers, surrendering five runs, including a two RBI double for Nahorny and an RBI sacrifice for Marley Garland to give Danville a 9 to 2 lead.

Gracie Huff for Danville and Sophie Malott, the lone senior for New London, shut the other down in the bottom of the sixth and top of the seventh innings to limit the Tigers to three outs and seven runs to score.

New London’s head coach Emily Parks said after the game that she had a team meeting a couple days before the game and her team rallied behind a particular goal,

“We left base runners on earlier in the game, but you know, we weren’t giving up. We had goals at the beginning. We talked about it at practice yesterday. Our personal goals and our team goals, and everyone of them said that they were not going to give up. We were going until that last strike that last out…”

It started with a walk by Brothersen, a bloop single for Morgan Jones. Malott was plucked to load the bases with an out on the board. Megan Lee’s play in the infield induced an error. Lena Nelson worked her third walk of the game to push another run across.

A couple passed balls and errors had New London back in the game. Down 9 to 7 with the bases load only one out, the Tigers seemed destined to take back the game. Then, Nahorny came up with the play on game.

Playing third, Nahorny reeled in a tough popout and stepped on third to record an unassisted double play. Game over, Danville advanced with a 9-7 win over New London.

Like most of the crowd who witnessed the play, Danville’s head coach Sydney Kramer was speechless,

“You know, I’m kind of at a loss for words to be honest with you. You know, just watching the girls fight back, this is the rebuilding that we’ve been wanting to see and seeing them reach this goal this year has been everything that I think they’ve all been wanting and just hoping to see it keep going.”

Coach Parks had nothing but pride to share about the way her team played,

“…I’m so incredibly proud of them, like they did not give up. We had people step into positions that, you know, we hadn’t really played all year. But you know, we had to do what we had to do. And I’m just so proud that they never gave up.”

The Tigers finished the season with a 2-19 record and for Coach Parks it was an emotional goodbye to her one senior, Sophie Malott,

“So she’s my niece. Also. She gives it her all every time like you can put her anywhere on the field and she does her job. I mean, she started all five years and she has played. She was the catcher. She was third and she was short. She was pitcher, you know, she did it. She’s a huge leader on the field. Like I said, she pitched maybe a couple games earlier in the year, but you know, she was always someone that we could rely on to put up there to at least throw strikes. And, you know, she got a couple of strikeouts to end her high school career. So, what more could she ask for? But yeah, she did her part and couldn’t be more proud.”

Danville is set to hit the road against Twin Cedars on Wednesday, July 10th, at 7 pm and the team message could not be clearer,

“Confidence. Just confidence. Keeping it simple. Simple plays,” said coach Kramer. “Seeing the ball when we’re hitting, fielding the ball first. Before you know, we try to make a throw. And just settling in and gaining confidence, I think the 7th inning for us is a prime example of how far we still have to come being such a young team that the second something may slip. Instead of staying confident and sure of ourselves, we kind of start freaking out a little bit. So seeing them rebuild that confidence with that last play was, I think everything that they needed to see themselves to understand that we’re heading in the right direction.”

Elsewhere, Winfield-Mt. Union and Pekin were battling for their seasons as the Wolves clawed their way back from a 7 to 1 deficit to win 9-8. Centerfielder Jose Nelson was the hero, throwing out the tying run at home to win the contest.

Makiah Lower and Nelson, who doubled, led the offense with two RBIs apiece. Kellee Milks tabbed a double and an RBI. Aubrey Valencia and Lilly Heckethorn each notched an RBI.

The Wolves will have to wait for their opponent as Holy Trinity Catholic and WACO had their game postponed to Tuesday night at 7 pm due to a wet field. KILJ will be on the call for that matchup on Wednesday at 7 pm.

In Region 8, Highland trounced Keota 13-1. The Huskies will take on Calamus-Wheatland in a road matchup at 7 pm.

Wapello’s ace Ada Boysen notched 17 strikeouts to defeat Hillcrest Academy 6-2. The Arrows will face off against English Valleys at 7 pm on the road.

Lone Tree lost 12-10 to Springville. The Lions finished the season 12-14.

Summer Theatre Plays CANCELED for 2024 at Midwest Old Threshers

By Yorke Prough · Monday, July 8th, 2024 at 9:26 am CDT
Below is a press release from the Board of Directors of Midwest Old Threshers regarding Summer Theatre Plays:
“After careful consideration and extensive discussion, the Board of Directors of Midwest Old Threshers has made the difficult decision to cancel the Summer Theatre Plays for the 2024 season.
This decision comes after a period of declining attendance and financial challenges in recent years. Despite efforts to revitalize the Summer Theatre Plays, including programming changes and marketing initiatives, the final straw has been reached with the continued decline in audience numbers.
Midwest Old Threshers has a long-standing tradition of providing quality entertainment and educational experiences to the community, and the cancellation of the Summer Theatre Plays is not taken lightly. However, the Board believes that it is in the best interest of the organization to focus its resources on other areas that will have a greater impact and ensure the long-term sustainability of Midwest Old Threshers and the Theatre Museum.
“We understand that this decision may disappoint our loyal Toby supporters, and we share in that disappointment,” said Dr Robert Welander, President of the Board of Directors. “However, we believe it is necessary to take this step in order to position Midwest Old Threshers and the Theatre Museum for future success.”
The Board is committed to evaluate the Summer Theatre Plays and explore potential changes or improvements that could be implemented in the future.
“We remain dedicated to our mission of preserving and celebrating our agricultural heritage, and we are confident that we will emerge from this challenging time stronger than ever,” added Welander.”