Warmer Temperatures Assisting Iowa Farmers – Crop Progress and Condition Report

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, June 11th, 2024 at 7:47 am CDT

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.

“Summer heat is arriving just in time to give crops a good boost,” said Secretary Naig. “Weather outlooks into the second half of June, when farmers are completing important field applications and baling hay, indicate warmer temperatures and better chances of showers and thunderstorms.”

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

Warm and drier weather throughout the State allowed Iowa farmers 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 9, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Planting and replanting of corn and soybeans and spraying were limited due to wet field conditions.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 5 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 13 percent surplus.

Corn planting is nearly complete with 89 percent emerged, 9 days behind last year and 2 days behind the 5-year average. Corn condition rated at 73 percent good to excellent. Ninety-two percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, equal to the 5-year average. Seventy-five percent of the soybean crop has emerged, 9 days behind last year and 1 day behind the average. Soybean condition rated 73 percent good to excellent. Emergence of the oat crop is nearly complete with 59 percent headed, 8 days ahead of the average. Oat condition rated to 81 percent good to excellent.

Seventy percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed, 1 week behind last year. Hay condition rated 81 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 76 percent good to excellent.

Sports, June 11th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, June 11th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Baseball

Fairfield split their road doubleheader against Washington last night, losing 5-4 in game one and dominating game two 16-1. Caden Allison and Luke Konczal each tabbed an RBI in game one, but three errors by the Trojans led to four unearned runs for Washington. Game two saw Fairfield bat 0.500 as a team with Allison notching four RBIs and Dain Burkhart grabbing three RBIs in the win. The two will finish the series on Thursday, June 13th, at 7:30 pm in Fairfield. 

Battling for the top spot in the conference, Mt. Pleasant also slipped in game one against Burlington last night, falling 17-1. Five errors spelled disaster for the Panthers in game one. Nevertheless, the Panthers responded in game two with a dominant 12-3 win over the Grayhounds as Payton Walker pitched 6.2 innings, allowing only two earned runs while striking out 11. Head coach Brent Broeker talked about his team’s effort after the game,

“You know, I thought we came in kind of flat tonight and. You know when you’re leading the conference, you got the bullseye on your back and Burlington came in right to play, and we didn’t, and they pretty much painted it to us. So, it was good to see the boys bounce back. Game two finally wake up a little bit. We did catch a break with Zahner going down on his first double. So, we got to face a little bit different pitches that we probably should have seen in game two, but I thought our boys did a good job putting the bat on the ball and putting up enough runs to keep them so they couldn’t catch us.”

The Panthers will host Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont tomorrow, June 12th, at 7:30 pm. 

Danville lost to Highland last night 8-6. The Bears will take on Van Buren County tonight at 5:30 pm on the road. 

Winfield-Mt. Union and Van Buren County mirrored themselves for 8 innings before the Wolves put up two runs in the 9th inning to eventually win 7-5 last night. Isaiah Meek led the Warriors with three RBIs in the contest.

Winfield-Mt. Union will square off against Danville tomorrow at 5:30 pm at home. 

Mediapolis defeated Hillcrest Academy last night 4-1 to win their fourth game in-a-row. Mediapolis will face off against Central Lee at home tonight at 5:30 pm. 

New London will square off against Burlington Notre Dame tonight at 5:30 pm on the road. 

West Burlington will play Louisa-Muscatine tomorrow on the road at 5:30 pm. 

High School Baseball Rankings

The Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association released their fourth round of rankings for the season and despite Burlington Notre Dame losing their first game this past weekend the Nikes still sit atop of the Class 1A standings.

The Nikes’ strength lies in their consistency on offense as six of their offensive starters have tallied at least 10 RBIs on the season with Spencer Brent leading the team with 18 RBIs. Additionally, the team’s pitching staff touts a 1.38 ERA.

High School Softball

Mt. Pleasant had an opportunity to upset Burlington last night after the Panthers scored the first two runs of game one. An Emma Starr single and Keagyn Coleman walk led to a two-RBI double by Addison Clark; however, the Grayhounds scored two runs of their own in the second inning to tie the game, then the game stalled as Myah Starr and Saydee Plummer went toe-to-toe from the circle until Burlington executed on a mistake and scored eight runs over the final three innings to win 10-2. Lilly Hand had three RBIs for Burlington.

Game two did not go Mt. Pleasant’s way as defensive miscues led to Burlington piling on and winning 18-1. Kylie Hill picked up the win in the circle and four RBIs at the plate. Emma Starr finished with four hits on the night and two runs scored between the two games. The Panthers will look for revenge on the road on Thursday, June 13th, at 7:30 pm. 

Fairfield dropped both games to Washington last night 13-3 in game one and 10-6 in game two. Isabella Salazar and Emery Walton each collected four RBIs between the two games for the Demons as Salazar also got the win in the circle for game one, striking out three. The Trojans will host Washington on Thursday at 7:30 pm. 

Van Buren County smacked Winfield-Mt. Union last night 12-2. Callie Kracht finished the night with a triple and two RBIs. The Wolves will take on Danville tomorrow at 5:30 pm at home. 

Danville will travel to Van Buren County tonight with first pitch at 7 pm. 

Holy Trinity Catholic pitched a shutout against Lone Tree last night, winning 4-0. West Burlington will take on Holy Trinity Catholic tonight at 5:30 pm on the road. 

Central Lee will square off against Mediapolis tonight at 7 pm on the road. 

WACO will take on Louisa-Muscatine tonight at 5:30 pm at home. 

Prospect League

The Burlington Bees will play tonight on the road against the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp at 7:05 pm.

The Clinton LumberKings will take on the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes tonight at home at 6:30 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1950 – 50th US Open Men’s Golf, Merion GC: 16 months after being severely injured in an auto accident, Ben Hogan wins in an 18-hole playoff in what is later dubbed the “Miracle at Merion.”

1959 – Charlie Sifford becomes the first African-American to play in the US Golf Open. 

1992 – Tracy Austin at the age of 29 is the youngest inductee of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Jack Samuels

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, June 11th, 2024 at 5:56 am CDT

Jack Samuels, 91, of Wapello, passed away Sunday, June 9, 2024 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello. Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at the Wapello Methodist Church.  Burial with Military Honors will be in Wapello Cemetery.  Memorials have been established for the Wapello Methodist Church and Wapello Fire and Rescue. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservices.com.

Jack LeRoy Samuels was born on February 12, 1933 in Morning Sun, the son of Raymond Henry and Alice May Hupp Samuels.  Jack graduated from Wapello High School in 1950.  In May of 1953 he became a member of the US Army and spent two years in Camp Chaffee, Arkansas serving his country with a rank of Corporal.  On May 2, 1953 he married Shirley Ann Fletcher in Iowa City.  Following his discharge from the Army, they settled on a farm west of Wapello, Iowa and remained in that area until his earthly life ended.   Jack farmed in Wapello raising cattle, sheep, hogs and crops.  He grew sorghum and popcorn which he shared with family and neighbors.  But he was most famous for his trip to Michigan when he brought back delicious peaches which were enjoyed by many.

Jack was a member of the Wapello Methodist Church where he served as an usher and taught Sunday School.  He served as leader of the Wamaco 4-H Club, was a member of the Louisa County Cattlemen’s Association, was a Wapello Township Trustee, a 50-year member of the International Order of Odd Fellows and served as Grand Master. He was a member of Gideons International and served as a church speaker for the organization.

Jack will be deeply missed by his wife of 71 years, Shirley; daughter, Debra (Ralph) Smith of Burlington; sister, Doris Samuels MacEachern of Wapello; brother, Larry Samuels of Sigourney, Iowa; cousins; nephews; nieces; step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Keith, Charles and Lester Samuels

Dr. Lloyd Steffensmeier

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, June 11th, 2024 at 5:54 am CDT

 Dr. Lloyd A. Steffensmeier, D.C., 91, of Laguna Vista, Texas, passed away Friday, April 26, 2024, at his residence .

 

Lloyd Anthony Steffensmeier was born on June 14, 1932, the son of Bernard “Ben” and Rose Umthun Steffensmeier. Growing up on the family farm with nine brothers and sisters, he learned to make and fix everything from furniture to machinery. He graduated from St. James School in St. Paul, Iowa in 1950.

 

Lloyd was working construction when he was drafted into the army on September 16, 1952. After basic training, he went to Korea with the 555th field artillery battalion. Attached to a gun crew, Lloyd was usually a “handy man” doing maintenance and repair on the guns. In his spare time, he built things with the lumber from the wooden shell boxes. On July 14, 1953, Lloyd and several others in his unit were injured during an attack by North Korean and Chinese soldiers. Lloyd spent five months recovering in Tokyo before returning to his unit. He received a Purple Heart and an honorable discharge with a 50% disability pension from the military.

 

Growing up, Lloyd received chiropractic care and had an older brother and a brother-in-law who were both chiropractors and this influenced his decision to be a chiropractor. After he was discharged from the army, he enrolled at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa.  As a student at Palmer in the 1950s, Lloyd designed, produced and sold portable adjusting tables. He graduated in 1957 as a Doctor of Chiropractic. In 1960 Lloyd set up a Chiropractic practice in Mount Vernon, Iowa, where he continued making chiropractic tables and soon founded Lloyd Table Company. Lloyd designed tables for his own needs at first, but as he learned new chiropractic techniques and met other chiropractors, he developed tables to fit their needs. By 1972 Lloyd Table Company moved to a larger facility in Lisbon, Iowa. The company continued to expand and develop new tables for various chiropractic techniques. He received many awards; in 2010 he received the Parker Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his countless contributions to the advancement of the chiropractic profession. When asked what he wanted to be remembered for, Lloyd said “just what I have been doing…making the best tables…. helping chiropractic to be spread across the world.”

 

Lloyd married Colette Lecler on June 14, 2015. He retired and they moved to Texas in 2020. Lloyd died at home after a short illness.

 

Lloyd is survived by his wife: Colette; two step-children: Michelle Lecler and Stive Lecler, Texas; his brother: Paul (Phyllis) Steffensmeier, Fort Madison, Iowa; his sister: Annette Nares, Davenport, Iowa; and 33 nieces and nephews.

 

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 14, 2024, at St. James the Less Catholic Church in St. Paul, Iowa, with Father Dan Dorau officiating.

 

Burial will be at St. James Cemetery in St. Paul with military honors.

 

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

Barrier Broken After Intoxicated Illinois Man Loses Control of Truck

By Yorke Prough · Monday, June 10th, 2024 at 10:22 am CDT

An Illinois man was charged with an OWI after he drove through a center barrier on the Highway. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office reports that Christopher Sargent of Burnside, Illinois, lost control of his vehicle in the 2700 block of Highway 61 southbound on Saturday at 7:29pm. He then drove through the median and the center barrier causing approximately $5000 in property damage and disabling damage to the truck.

Sargent stated that he did not know what happened or how he got to where he was. He was then charged with an open container, an OWI, failure to maintain control, and failure to maintain registration plates.

Keith Grimm

By Yorke Prough · Monday, June 10th, 2024 at 9:58 am CDT

Keith Grimm, 79, of Wapello passed away on Friday, June 7, 2024 at Keosauqua Health Center.  A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2024  at the Louisa County Izaak Walton, 10892 County Road X61, Wapello.  Private Family Graveside Service will be held in Port Louisa Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for a brick to be placed at the Grandview Vietnam Memorial Wall, a flag at the Wapello Cemetery in Keith’s memory and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.     Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservices.com.  Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Service of Wapello are caring for Keith’s arrangement and his family.

Keith Grimm was born on June 15, 1944 in Wichita, Kansas, the son of Clyde and Frances (Zoglman) Grimm.  Keith was a 1962 graduate of Wapello High School.  He proudly served his country in the United States Navy serving on the USS Hancock.  On February 19, 1966, Keith was united in marriage to Carla Cross at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Columbus Junction.    Keith was a Sheet Metal Worker for Local Union 91.  He enjoyed horses, old time farming equipment, fishing, hunting and especially talking about his grandchildren.

Keith will be deeply missed by his children, Angie Ketcham of Muscatine, Amy (Rich) Lugo of Wapello, Josh Grimm of Lewiston, Idaho, Jebediah (Robin) Grimm of Wapello and Julie Grimm of Wapello; grandchildren, Nic (Danielle) Stratton, Alex (Anthony) Longhurst, Lucee Lugo, Macalister Lugo, Joe Lugo, Teresa (Travis) Vick, Zachary Grimm, Logan Grimm, Chase Grimm, McKenna (Ian) Poe, Morgan Grimm, Kasey Grimm, Kaleb Grimm and Tucker Tipps; great-grandchildren, Natalie Stratton, Lilly Longhurst, Alaina Longhurst, Oliver Longhurst, James Longhurst, Henry Longhurst, Tristan Vick, Copper Vick, Nova Vick, Maverick Vick and Vayda Poe; sister, Cheyrel (Mike) McConahay of Russell, Iowa; sister-in-law, Cindy Grimm of Letts and nieces and nephews.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Carla on November 6, 2021; son-in-law, Ray Ketcham; brother, Dick Grimm and sister, Sandie Hook.

Iowa Project Aware Coming Through Mount Pleasant and Southeast Iowa July 7-12th

By Yorke Prough · Monday, June 10th, 2024 at 8:43 am CDT

The state’s largest volunteer river cleanup event, Iowa Project AWARE, is excited to celebrate 21 years of beautifying Iowa waterways and spreading watershed awareness. Over 300 volunteers will be heading to Southeast Iowa to clean up 75 miles of the Skunk River this July 7-12.

 

This year, volunteers and organizers aim to surpass 1 million pounds of trash removed from Iowa rivers. As part of Iowa Project AWARE’s mission to improve and protect the environment and natural resources, organizers limit contributions to landfills by recycling 81% of all river finds, including 228 tons of scrap metal and nearly 7,000 tires.

 

Volunteers will embark by canoe on the Skunk River in Richland and make their way southeast to Burlington over the course of five days. Volunteers will load their canoes with trash by day and tent camp and participate in educational programs by night. Speakers from around the state are coming to present on the unique features of the Iowa River, covering topics such as birding programs with renowned birder Kelly McKay, river and lake management with Claire Hruby (Drake University), insights into the Iowa Mussel Blitz with Scott Gritters (Iowa DNR), and the history of the Ho-Chunk Tribe presented by Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Bill Quakenbush, who will also showcase his traditional dug-out canoe!

 

As volunteers paddle their way down to Mount Pleasant from July 11-12, campers will stay on the outskirts of the city at Oakland Mills Water Works Area. Caleb Waters, Executive Director of Henry County Conservation, stated, “The Henry County Conservation Department would like to express our support for Project AWARE as they continue to improve Iowa’s water quality through annual river cleanups. When the canoes pass through, there is an immediate and visible difference as tires, bottles, and other debris are removed. The group also encourages long-term change by emphasizing stewardship of public lands and a deeper understanding of a river’s flora and fauna.”

 

Slots are still open if you are interested in joining the cleanup efforts. Registration can be found on their website at www.iowaprojectaware.org

Camp at Old Threshers During RAGBRAI

By Yorke Prough · Monday, June 10th, 2024 at 8:30 am CDT

Calling all campers! RAGBRAI is right around the corner and that means camping, and you don’t have to go far to find a great spot. The Old Threshers Campground will be open for camping that Friday evening July 26th, and registered riders can reserve a spot for $50. This is a 30amp site with shared water. Non-registered riders can also reserve a spot for $70. Registration closes on July 12th, so hurry and get your reservations in.

Accepted forms of payment include Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. Call 319 385 8937 to reserve today! As well as a camp site, there will be restrooms, showers, and food and fun on the grounds that night.