On June 16, Burlington Police Officers responded to a report of Criminal Mischief at the new Dankwardt Park playground equipment. Upon arrival, officers located significant damage to the new equipment. This incident remains under investigation by the Burlington Police Department. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the Burlington Police Department at 319-671-7001 or Crime Stoppers at 319-753-6835. If you call Crime Stoppers and your information leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash reward.
Texas Man Visited by Unwelcome Guest While Driving
On June 18th, 2024, at 10:14pm, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 1700 grid of Highway 218 near 180th Street for a vehicle collision. An investigation determined a 2024 Honda CR-V driven by Navin Chander, 49, of Frisco, Texas, was travelling southbound on Highway 218 near 180th Street, when a deer struck the vehicle. The vehicle sustained disabling damage due to the collision. Airbags did deploy. Estimated damage to the vehicle was $5,000. No injuries reported.
***A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.***
Garbage Collection Changes Coming to New London Starting July 1
There will be a change in garbage collection for residents in New London.
Starting July 1st, 2024 the City of New London, Iowa will be switching garbage collection providers from WEMIGA to Waste Management. Customers should receive a postcard in the mail this week with the details of change in service.
A 96 gallon cart will be delivered to all residential customers homes starting the week of June 24th, 2024. Commercial Customers will receive either a 96 gallon cart or 2-4 yard dumpster.
Service with Waste Management will start MONDAY July 1st, 2024. The regular pickup day for the entire city will be on MONDAYS.
If customers find they need more than one 96-gallon cart once the service starts, they may request an additional cart for $12.00 per month for residential and $20.00 for commercial.
If you have any other questions regarding the service or do not receive your cart by the end of the day on 6/27/2024 please contact Kasi Howard at 319-367-7702.
3 Counts of Sexual Abuse for Ottumwa Man
An Ottumwa man was arrested Tuesday morning for multiple sex abuse charges.
On June 18, 2024, at approximately 9:35 a.m., Alex Michael Simmers-Stephens, age 32, was arrested at his residence located at 308 McPherson, Ottumwa. Simmers-Stephens was arrested on warrants for three counts of Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree, all Class “C” Felonies. These charges involve three different victims who reported being assaulted by Simmers-Stephens.
The dates involving when these allegations took place are May 6, 2022; March 2, 2024; and April 4, 2024; at various locations in Ottumwa.
Simmers-Stephens is being held in the Wapello County Jail with a $30,000 cash only bond.
Sports, June 19th
High School Baseball
Offense was the name of the game last night in New London as the Panthers and Tigers combined for 33 runs. A strong wind to left field led to a J.C. Sitar two-run blast to get Mt. Pleasant on the board in the top of the first inning. The Panthers appeared in control after adding a run in the top of the second inning, but the Tigers responded by batting around in the bottom of the second and scoring six runs, including a two RBI double off the bat of Memphis Watson.
The Panthers and Tigers traded two runs in the third and a run in the fourth, which still kept New London in front 9 to 7 heading into the 5th inning. A leadoff double by Payson Coleman set the tone for the inning as he would gather two more hits before the end of the inning. Every starter would finish with an RBI in the 5th inning for the Panthers as they put up 16 runs. An RBI single by Gage Burden would cement the final score of 23-10 in favor of Mt. Pleasant.
One of the senior leaders for the Panthers Payson Coleman, who tabbed two RBIs in the win and got the rally started, talked about his team’s success at the plate,
“You know, we’ve really, I think we’ve swung it well all year. It was one of those tonight that we knew that coming into this game with playing Fairfield last night, that this was easily one we could have dropped and we just, you know, couldn’t show up. And you know, just because they didn’t have a winning record just. You know, didn’t want to drop this game, so we knew coming in that we were gonna have to put it on him. And you know, we struggled on the mound a little bit. And in the field. But our bats were there all night. And, you know, we’ve been working every day in the cage getting our swings in and it showed tonight.”
New London will stay at home to take on West Burlington on Friday, June 21st, at 5:30 pm.
Mt. Pleasant will host Fairfield tomorrow, June 20th, at 7:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 7:15 pm.
Fairfield fell to Mid-Prairie last night 12-6. Sam Weaton went 1 for 3 with two RBIs for the Trojans.
Winfield-Mt. Union will host West Burlington tonight at 5:30 pm.
West Burlington snuck away with a one-run win against Danville last night 5-4. Brock Thuleen and Isaac Beard tallied two RBIs apiece as they notched five of the seven team’s hits. The Bears will face off against Mediapolis tomorrow, June 20th, at home at 5:30 pm.
Van Buren County will take on Wapello tonight at 5:30 pm on the road.
Mediapolis will travel to Highland tonight at 5:30 pm.
Central Lee lost to Burlington Notre Dame last night 11-4. Brayden Wyrick led the Hawks with two RBIs. Central Lee will face off against Hillcrest Academy on the road today.
Burlington Notre Dame will host Regina Catholic tonight at 7 pm.
High School Softball
West Burlington utilized a 12-run second inning to put Danville away after three innings, 18-1. The Falcons will square off against Winfield-Mt. Union tonight at 6 pm on the road.
Winfield-Mt. Union fell to Pekin last night 6-4. Jessi Renken finished 2 for 3 with a triple in the loss.
Van Buren County’s offense woke up late in the game to down Mediapolis 12-6 last night. The Warriors scored 11 of their 12 runs in the final three innings, while shutting down the Bulldogs. The Warriors will compete against Wapello tonight at 5:30 pm on the road.
Mediapolis will take on Highland tonight at 7 pm on the road.
Central Lee lost to Washington 12-2 last night. Isabella Salazar slugged two doubles and brought home six RBIs for the Demons, while Colbie Greiner added two RBIs towards the win. The Hawks will take on Holy Trinity Catholic tomorrow, June 20th, in a doubleheader with game one at 5:30 pm.
Holy Trinity Catholic smacked New London last night 12-2. The Tigers will stay on the road to face off against Louisa-Muscatine tonight at 5:30 pm.
WACO scored their season high in runs last night, but it was not enough as Columbus exited with the win 19-7. The Warriors will travel to Winfield-Mt. Union tomorrow at 6 pm.
Mt. Pleasant will travel to Cardinal tonight at 7 pm.
Fairfield will face off against Washington tonight at 7:30 pm at home.
High School Cross Country
Mt. Pleasant’s optional summer runs officially get underway this week. The runs are a great way to get in shape and to run with others. The runs are available for 7th through 12th graders and 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 could not stop the cascade of runs last night, losing 17-9 against the O’Fallon Hoots. Merrick Mathews finished 3 for 6 at the plate with a team leading three RBIs. The Bees will finish their matchup from June 13th against the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp that was halted in the 5th inning with the Bees up 11-10 tonight and then start another game against the Pistol Shrimp at the conclusion of game one.
The Clinton LumberKings’ 9th inning rally ended up one run short of forcing extras as the Pistol Shrimp came out on top 4-3 last night. RJ Sherwood rocked a two-run homer to left field for the LumberKings. Clinton will get their rematch tomorrow, June 20th, at home at 6:30 pm.
This Day in Sports History
1943 – NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers merge to become the Steagles.
1999 – Stanley Cup, Marine Midland Arena, Buffalo, NY: the Dallas Stars edge the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 in triple overtime for a 4-2 series win; Brett Hull clinches the series with infamous “No Goal” ruling.
1970 – Jim Bouton’s controversial baseball diary “Ball Four” is published.
Anna Woodsmall
Anna Marie Woodsmall, 93, of Salem passed away on Monday, June 17, 2024, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.
Graveside Services will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Kossuth Cemetery, Mediapolis, Iowa, with Pastor Jeff Duffy officiating. A memorial has been established in her memory. According to Anna’s wishes cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com
Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for her arrangements.
Henry County Fair Exhibit Deadline July 7th
Henry County Fair – Exhibitors entering projects/livestock at the Henry County Fair must be entered by JULY 7TH! NO late entries will be accepted.
Iowa State Fair – Exhibitors intending to participate at the Iowa State Fair must pay entry fees and complete forms in FairEntry by JULY 1ST!
Click the link: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/henry/county-fair and go to General Information for each website and help sheets.
James VanWinkle
James L. VanWinkle, age 47, of Washington, Iowa, passed away suddenly on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Mercy One Hospital in New Hampton, Iowa.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 21, 2024 at the United Methodist Church in Washington with Pastor Anthony DeVaughn officiating. Visiting hours will begin 2:00 p.m. Thursday, June 20th at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will be present to receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Interment will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Memorials have been established for his children’s future education funds. Online condolences may be sent for Jim’s family at www.jonesfh.com
Jim was born January 19, 1977, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, the son of Richard and Becky (Swailes) Van Winkle. He was an accomplished student and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1995, attended Southeastern Community College in Burlington, Iowa, and later graduated from the University of Iowa and later received his Doctorate from the University of Iowa School of Pharmacy.
Jim worked as a Nuclear Pharmacist for two years and later worked as a Hospital Pharmacist at the Ottumwa Regional Hospital and was the Director of Pharmacy at the Washington County Hospital and currently director at the Van Buren County Hospital. He served as a preceptor to many pharmacy students from the University. Jim was a pioneer and part owner of a pharmacy consulting firm JJRx whose mission was to improve the world of pharmacy. He was extremely gifted in problem solving and generating solutions in areas that other colleagues would not identify. Jim’s brilliant mind, dedication, and compassion combined set him apart in the pharmacy industry.
He was united in marriage to Kristin Kalvig on June 3, 2006, in Nashua, Iowa, and to this union three children were born. He cherished the time spent with his family and attending the many activities his children were involved in. He enjoyed writing, fishing, sailing, target shooting and helping his father-in-law farm. His vast interests led him to become a family renowned meat smoker, drone master, and a walking genealogy book of his family’s ancestry. His passion for travel led him all over the country and world. He loved to tinker with the settings on his camera to capture memories of his family and the many sights he visited. He loved cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes and especially the women’s basketball team. He served on the advisory committee for the deaf and hard of hearing and was on the Legislative Advisory Committee for Iowa Pharmacy Association. He will be surely missed by all who knew him.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church. Jim is survived by his wife Kristin Van Winkle; children, Madison, Lincoln and Quincy VanWinkle of Washington; parents, Rick and Becky Van Winkle of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; brother, Dan (Kira) Van Winkle and their children Grady and Cooper of Ottumwa, Iowa; Parents-in-law, Rex and Kathy Kalvig of Ionia, Iowa; and brother-in-law, Michael (Jill) Kalvig and their children Christopher, Elizabeth, Adrienne and Andrew of Nashua, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James L. Van Winkle please visit our Sympathy Store.