2022 2nd Quarter Year in Review

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, December 28th, 2022 at 2:10 pm CDT

As second quarter began the Van Buren County Community School district board of directors set plans in motion for a new activity center. The School Board met in special session and voted to build the center estimated to cost approximately 6 million dollars. The activity center will be an addition to the existing school building. It will include a second gymnasium, a new wrestling room, 2 classrooms, an area for batting cages and turfed flooring for athletic practices, 2 restrooms and an office with a meeting room. The project will begin late this summer and is expected to be finished by August of 2023.

The highlight of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance Annual Banquet was the announcement of Robb Gardner as the 2022 Citizen of the Year. Other awards this year included The Fellowship Cup receiving the Humanitarian Award; Melinda Huisinga receiving the Ambassador of the Year; and Lori White as the Volunteer of the Year. This was the 80th Annual Banquet for the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce.

Interviews began in April for a new director of curriculum and instruction for the Mount Pleasant School District.  Current director Katie Gavin announced the month before that she would be moving on.  Supt. John Henriksen received 21 applications for the position.

Mount Pleasant Municipal Utilities Manager Jack Hedgcock informed his Board of Trustees of his plans to retire before the end of the year.

MD Orthopaedics in Wayland announced the company had been acquired by OrthoPediatrics Corp, an Indiana-based public company founded to serve the unmet needs of children with orthopedic conditions. The Mitchell family said this is an exciting opportunity for them to join forces with another company equally focused on pediatric orthopedics.

 

A fight, two shots fired and one person injured in an incident that began around 8:30 pm April 12 near the Iowa Wesleyan University campus. On 4/12/22 at approximately 20:33 hours, the Mt Pleasant Police Department was dispatched to the W Broad St. and N Jackson St area for a call of a large fight. While enroute officers were notified of shots fired.

a Mt. Pleasant High School student not an Iowa Wesleyan student, was injured but it appears his condition is not life threatening.

As a result of the investigation the following people have been charged:

Decobi Davis age 19 formerly from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. –

Reckless Use of a Firearm resulting in serious injury, a Class C felony and Participating in a Riot, an Aggravated Misdemeanor.

Joseph McNeese age 19, formerly of Texas,- Participating in a Riot, an Aggravated Misdemeanor.

James Williams age 21, formerly of Chicago IL,- Participating in a Riot, an Aggravated Misdemeanor.

De’kunta Mason Jr age 19, formerly of New Orleans, LA, -Disorderly Conduct a simple Misdemeanor

J’cauri Morris age 19, formerly of Houston, TX. -Disorderly Conduct a simple Misdemeanor

Vernell Trent age 18 of Mt Pleasant. – Disorderly Conduct a simple Misdemeanor

There will also be four local juveniles charged with Disorderly Conduct a simple Misdemeanor.

 

 

During the second quarter of 2022 it was decided both Willard Miller and Jeremy Goodale will be tried in adult court for the murder of Fairfield High School teacher Nohema Graber. Judge Shawn Shower denied requests from both to be tried as juveniles. The teens are charged with first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. In his ruling in the reverse waiver hearings for each Judge Shower said“the Defendant has the potential for rehabilitation. However, the juvenile court simply has too little time to rehabilitate the Defendant for a crime of such magnitude and of the nature described in the minutes of testimony.”  Goodale’s trial was set for August 23. Miller’s trial was scheduled for November 1. At the time the two trials were planned for the Jefferson County Courthouse. However, before the year was over trial dates and locations would change.

 

Week of 5-23

During a May meeting the New London School Board presented three Friend of Iowa Public Education awards. Receiving the awards were Janni Fitzpatrick, Senator Jeff Reichman and Representative Joe Mitchell.  The New London School Board hopes to make the award presentation annually.

 

June 21 at 8 am a grain silo collapsed at the AgriWay Grain Elevator in Yarmounth killing one person. Rescue operations continued all day thru the night into the next day as first responders worked to find the body of the missing employee.

Henry County Board of Supervisors Meeting Agenda

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, December 28th, 2022 at 2:07 pm CDT

AGENDA

 December 29, 2022

Approve Agenda

Approve Minutes

Swearing In of Newly Elected Officials

9:00 Sarah Berndt, CDS Monthly Updates

9:30 Walt Jackson, EMA Director to Discuss FY24 Budget

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

 

Colleen June  Kirchner

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, December 28th, 2022 at 2:03 pm CDT

Colleen June  Kirchner, 94, formerly of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at the Addington Place in Fort Madison, Iowa.

She was born on December 14, 1928, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of George and Esther (Swanson) Reu. On September 7, 1947, she married Willis Kirchner in Donnellson, Iowa,

She is survived by her four children: Larry (Maureen) Kirchner of Gretna, Louisiana, Peggy (Robert) Crawmer of Fort Madison, Iowa, Susan (David) Chaney of Donnellson, Iowa and Merry (John) Spohnheinmer of Carrollton, Texas; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-four great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; two brothers: David (Wanda) Reu of Donnellson, Iowa and Richard (Deanna) Reu of Donnellson, Iowa. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters: Darlene Mecalf and Pauline Blacksmith.

Colleen was a member of Saint Paul’s United Church of Christ and a seventy year member at the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a 1946 graduate of Donnellson High School. She worked as a private secretary for Sheaffer Pen Company through World War II and the Central Lee School District in the Argyle building for fifteen years as a secretary. Colleen lived life full of travel and adventure. She instilled this in her children.

Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation. Per her wishes, no services will be held.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorial donations to your local food pantry.

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

Grace Parker (final arrangements)

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, December 28th, 2022 at 2:01 pm CDT

Grace Elizabeth Parker, 58, of New London, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, died Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at her home.  She was born August 2, 1964 in Iowa City to John Carl and Sharon Kay Wittstock Parker.  She was a graduate of Mediapolis High School and earned her CNA at Southeastern Community College.  She married George Manchur and they later divorced.

She worked in home health care and on the line at Lomont Molding in Mount Pleasant.  Grace was a volunteer at Old Threshers; enjoyed watching the birds and squirrels; loved animals, especially her cats; and loved watching soap operas!

Survivors include her father of New London; sister Kelly Parker of Wyaconda, Missouri; nieces Jackie (John) Brown of Wayland and Leanna (James) Ravelin of New London; and nephews Dustin (Savanna) Ravelin of West Burlington and Phillip Hillman of Wyaconda.  She was preceded in death by her mother; sister Lisa May Parker; and nieces Rebecca Parker and Rebecca Hillman.

According to her wishes, her body has been cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Louise Collora Trueblood (final arrangements)

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, December 28th, 2022 at 10:51 am CDT

Louise Collora Trueblood, 104, died Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at her home in rural Wellman.

Louise was a Valentine’s Day baby, born February 14, 1918, in Mount Pleasant, the daughter of Clarence and Ethel (Taft) Smith. She graduated from Mount Pleasant High School and attended the Burlington Beauty Academy. Mount Pleasant was Louise’s home for nearly all of her life. In 1945, Louise married Samuel Collora, to this union they were blessed with three children. Samuel died in 1956. Louise married Richard Trueblood in 1975, he died four years later. Louise was an extremely hardworking woman, raising three kids on her own and holding various jobs. She owned and operated Pine Crest Grocery, Gas Station, and Cabins. She was a beautician for the Mental Health Institution, as well as had a salon in her home. She later worked for Emerson Electric, Vega Industries, and Beavers Market. Louise was a member of the JS Sewing Club, Questers, Coatery Book Club, China Painting Club and the Congregational Church of Mount Pleasant. Louise’s family was very important to her and she loved them dearly.

Louise is survived by her children; Karen (Nile) Kennedy of St. George, UT, Evelyn (Allan) Barnes of Mount Pleasant, Sam (Judi) Collora of Mount Pleasant; stepchildren Ronnie (Mila) Trueblood of Mount Pleasant, Donald (Angie) Trueblood of Ladson, SC, Mike (Susan) Trueblood of Oceanside, CA, Deanna (Joe) Smelkal of Omaha, NE; 12 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, a great great grandchild, 8 step grandchildren, many step great grandchildren; brother Wendell T. Smith of Mount Pleasant, and sister Beverly (Allen) Griggs of Washington.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Samuel and Richard; five brothers Edward Smith, Carroll Smith, Walter (Pauline) Smith, Paul (Verna) Smith and Wendell (Margaret) Smith; two sisters Emma Jane (Devon) Hedges and Kathryn (Robert) Hannum and a great grandchild.

Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 31, 2022, at the Revival Sanctuary (former Congregational Church) in Mount Pleasant. Burial will follow in the Forest Home Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Mount Pleasant Fire Department. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Louise and her family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Daily Jail Count

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, December 28th, 2022 at 9:10 am CDT

Henry County Jail

In the interest of keeping Henry County residents informed, the Henry County Sheriff’s office has requested KILJ post the daily jail count. During the jail referendum campaign it was publicized that the jail would be able to house additional inmates from surrounding counties and this would generate revenue for Henry County.

 

Date:   12-28-2022______

 

   25_    Henry County Inmates

 

 

   36     Out of County Contract Inmates              

 

  61       TOTAL

2nd Quarter Sports of 2022

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, December 28th, 2022 at 7:55 am CDT

Quarter 2 Review

After getting out to a strong start, the second quarter is about keeping the momentum up to head into the break with a considerable lead and Southeastern Iowa did just that. Iowa Wesleyan started April off with officially naming Jake Kadel, a New London native who wrestled at the University of Iowa, the head coach of the wrestling program after a strong performance by the women’s team anchored by freshmen Mia Palumbo and Adaugo Nwachukwu, who was named Iowa Wesleyan’s Female Athlete of the Year. Additionally, he coached six Scholar All-Americans in Adaugo, Palumbo, Alaina Sunlin, Zoi Smith, Joanna Vanderwood, and Destiny Campbell. In terms of high school wrestlers, Notre Dame’s Blaine Frazier committed to Indiana after his 53-0 senior season that ended in an individual and team State Championship. Quniten Aney of Mediapolis also committed to Luther College after his 163-25 career record. Iowa Wesleyan kept the theme of competing well in athletics as their golf program fielded three CAC Golfers of the week in Aubrey Duncan, Trace White, and Brevin Wilson, who received the honor twice. Additionally, the Iowa Wesleyan baseball team qualified for the CAC tournament as they played one of the most difficult schedules in the NAIA.  At the track prep level, we saw Mt. Pleasant win the Timm Lamb Relays thanks to the 4×400 relay team of Andi Scott, Kenna Lamm, Tristian Shull, and Bailey Jalas who took the top spot, and Jadan Brumbaugh taking first at shot put and third at discus. And Danville taking WACO’s Ekstand Relays as Ty Carr zoomed to three first place finishes in the 800, 1600, and the sprint medley. Tennis saw the Mt. Pleasant boys team win three straight matches to start April with Owen Vansickel and Lou Schimmelpfennig leading the Panthers. And Savana Walls and Malena Yocum led the girl’s team to their first win of the season in late April. Lastly, we saw a coaching hire and retirement as Central Lee hired Taylor Hickey to lead the girls’ basketball team after helping Jay Baldwin to a 26-18 record over the last two years and after 30 years at the helm, Mitch Wachs stepped down as head coach of the Winfield-Mt. Union girls basketball team. He helped the team to two state championships and amassed 412 wins, which is 74th all-time in Iowa girls’ basketball.

For the month of May, we saw some excellent high school tennis play and student athletes representing Southeastern Iowa go to state for Track and golf. But before state, there’s conference championships and we look to the Burlington Greyhounds winning the boys golf SEC championship with Tomas Rascon having led the way shooting a 74. The New London girls golf team took the SEISC title winning by almost 80 strokes. Taylor Phillips had a fantastic day shooting an 82 for the Tigers. Sophie Malott, Saige Barron, and Emma Nye all placed within the top-11 for the Tigers in the blowout win. New London also had success in boys track winning the SEISC South title as they won 9 events on the day. Mediapolis took the North title one-upping the Tigers 9 events by taking 10 events including four relays. Washington ran away with the SEC title in boys track with Mt. Pleasant finishing in second place. Will Davidson captured two wins for the Panthers in the 200-meter dash and 110m hurdles. On the girl’s side of the SEISC, Pekin took the North Title, while Burlington Notre Dame won the South after winning seven events. Danville was the runner-up with Kenna Furnald winning the long jump and Alexis Dietsch winning the 400-meter hurdles. The Mt. Pleasant girls track team was unstoppable for most of the season and that remained true in the Conference Championship with the Panthers taking the title after seven individual event winners. Jadan Brumbaugh, the Iowa State commit, continued throwing heavy things far winning the shot put and discus. Abby Blint showed off her endurance by winning three events and Kenna Lamm paced the 100-meter sprinters. We’ll hear from some of these names in a bit for State competition, but first we take a quick look at prep tennis as Tyce Bertlshofer won the SEC crown for the Burlington boys’ team. Tim Cam for the Panthers finished in 4th. Savana Walls and Melanie Olivas were quite the duo for Mt. Pleasant as they were named All-Conference for doubles as they managed to finish in 3rd place at the Class 1A Regional tournament, making them alternatives for state. On the topic of state, Jadan Brumbaugh dominated at state winning both the shot put and discus with a Class 3A state meet record throw of 47 feet and 5.5 inches and the 15th farthest throw in state history with the discus of 151 feet, 10 inches. Kade Benjamin won the high jump for New London, and Carter Allen collected a 2nd place finish in the discus with a throw of 155 feet and 6 inches for the Tigers as New London collected a State Championship for the boys in Class 1A, spoiler it is not the last State Championship for the Tigers. For girl’s golf, Sami Wibben was the lone Panther to make it to State, while New London and Washington represented Southeast Iowa as a team.

Iowa Wesleyan added their own recognition as well with Sage Bonner and Cristian Cordero for the Tiger baseball team both being named Conference All-Tournament after racking up five hits during the CAC tournament. Additionally, Blake Beaber was named Continental Athletic Conference Coach of the Year for the Tigers baseball team after his 21-win season, which was the most since 2012 for Iowa Wesleyan. Luis Ayesa, Cristian Cordero, and Derek Marrufo were also All-Conference players. Bri Hunter was named the North Star Athlectic Association Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Meet as she won the shot-put catapulting her to Nationals. The Tigers had two big announcements as the former Winfield-Mt. Union Wolve Lane Scorpil signed with the Tigers to wrestle and Brittany West was hired after her senior season, which saw her set two records, to be an assistant coach for Coach Williamson.

Baseball and softball were in full swing for the month of June when we saw the New London Tigers baseball team turn in a perfect 23-0 record to end the month. Their perfect season does not end here but it will start Quarter 3 followed by the start of the fall season as the Year in Review is sponsored by Two Rivers Bank.

Molly Dockendorff (final arrangements)

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, December 28th, 2022 at 5:52 am CDT

Molly Lou Dockendorff, 81, of Middletown, formerly of Danville, died Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at her home.  She was born April 12, 1941 in Burlington to Kendall Victor and Marjorie Nellie Nuss Stevens.  On April 4, 1964, she married William LaMonte “Monte” Dockendorff in Burlington; he died May 26, 1995.

She was a graduate of Danville High School and was a member of Danville United Methodist Church where she was a Sunday school teacher, participated in Bible Studies, and was a member of United Methodist Women.  She was a member of the OES where she served as Grand Matron.

She worked as a carhop at Dogs & Suds in Burlington; IAAP; The Dixon Tribune in Dixon, California; and was a secretary at Burlington Medical Center Emergency Department and the Klein Center.

Molly enjoyed reading, spending time with family, and watching House, Murder She Wrote, and NCIS. Her doggie Cole was a great companion.

She is survived by her daughter Jacque Davis of Mt. Union; grandchildren, Caitlin Davis of Burlington, Macayla Davis of Tiffin, and Seth Davis of Mt. Union; great-grandchildren Rilynn and Raeleigh Caulfield; sisters Darlene Spencer of Burlington and Sandra Avritt of Henderson, Nevada; and many nieces and nephews.  Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son Brian and great-grandson Riley Caulfield.

The funeral service for Mrs. Dockendorff will be at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at the Danville United Methodist Church with Pastor Jacob Yocum officiating.  The family will receive friends at the church beginning at 10:00 until the time of the service.  Following the service her body will be cremated with inurnment at Jaggar Cemetery next to her beloved husband and son.  A memorial has been established for her great-grandchildren’s education.  Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.