David Gross

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 at 10:57 am CDT

David Lee Gross, 84, died Sunday, June 2, 2024, from complications due to the West Nile Virus.

Dave was born on October 21, 1939, in Denver, Colorado to Leland C. and Claire Y. Gross. He married Jean Claire Gallas on August 6, 1966. They have a daughter, Kirsten Anne (Eric) Heerdt of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa and two grandchildren, Russell David (Jenifer) Heerdt, Aztec, New Mexico, and Elizabeth Claire Heerdt of Durango, Colorado.

There will be a visitation on Friday, June 7th from 3-6pm at Horan & McConaty, 1091 S Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80246.

A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at Saint Michael and All Angels’ Church – 1400 S. University Blvd, Denver, CO 80210    – on Saturday, June 8th at 11:00am with a reception following the service.

In his teenage years, Dave worked at the Denver Stockyards and City Floral Greenhouses. His time at City Floral lead to a long career in horticulture with the Ball Seed Company where he was a salesman and national sales manager eventually moving to St. Charles, Illinois. He and his family later returned to Denver and City Floral, becoming part owner with Ron Brady in 1978 until his retirement in 2007. He continued to use his horticulture knowledge and skills while maintaining the landscape at St. Michaels and as an avid garden railroad enthusiast.

In his retirement, Dave and Jean traveled extensively. Dave left an indelible mark on the steam railroading community with his efforts to record the last breath of steam at various locations across the globe. His love of railroading began at 15-years-old, when he grabbed a camera and headed out on his first railfanning trip with life-long friend Jim Ehernberger. His photography and videography will forever be a part of railroading history. As a founding partner in the High Country Railroad in Golden, Colorado, one of the first members of the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club, a member of The Lexington Group, a volunteer for Midwest Old Threshers Association in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and a first-generation steam preservationist, his legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those who follow in his footsteps.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Saint Michael and All Angels’ Church, The Center for Railroad Photography or Midwest Old Threshers.

Debra Ellis

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 at 9:40 am CDT

Debra Jean (Ritz) Ellis, 70, of Wayland, Iowa, formerly of Swedeborg, Missouri, passed away Sunday, June 2, 2024, in Wayland, Iowa.

 

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 7, 2024, at the First Baptist Church, Swedeborg, Missouri.

 

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 7, 2024, at the First Baptist Church, Swedeborg, Missouri. Burial to follow in the St. Johns Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction and care of Wilson Mortuary of Salem, Missouri.

 

Debra is survived by her husband of fifty-two years: Tommy Ellis of Wayland, IA; daughter: Mindy Rich and husband Curt of Mt. Pleasant, IA; son: Tim Ellis of Swebeborg, MO; brothers: Ed Ritz and wife Carol of Wayland, IA and Mike Ritz and wife Denise of Mt. Pleasant, IA; granddaughter: Heather Schwartz; great-grandchildren: Kylie and Zayden; as well as several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends.

 

Memorial Contributions may be made in memory of Debra Ellis to help with final expenses and left with Wilson Mortuary. Memorial envelopes will be available.

 

Online Condolences may be left at www.wilsonmortuary.com

 

Summer School and Chapel Repairs the Focus for Superintendent Interview

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 at 9:01 am CDT

School is out and while this means students all around can spend hours at the pool, on technology, and with friends, some students take a few weeks over the break to catch up on schoolwork. The Mount Pleasant Community School District superintendent sat down with me for a weekly radio update, which will continue throughout the summer, and he provided information on summer school. Elementary students will join the Middle School students at the Mount Pleasant Middle School due to the transition into grade-alike, which will begin in the fall. The high school students will still meet at the highschool for summer school.

Meanwhile, the school district purchased multiple buildings that formerly were part of Iowa Wesleyan University, one of those being the Chapel. With renovations being done to the chapel currently, Henriksen was asked what the plan is for the building next school year. He would like to see choir and band concerts as soon as the district has the “go-ahead” from the city of Mount Pleasant.

Miller-Meeks Comments Following Republican Nomination in Primaries

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 at 8:58 am CDT

Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks released the following statement after securing the Republican nomination for Iowa’s First Congressional District, after defeating challenger David Poutsch.

“I am deeply honored to win the Republican nomination for Iowa’s First Congressional District. I look forward to taking our message to every Iowan in our district ahead of November. I share Iowans’ priorities for the next Congress: securing our southern border, getting inflation and the cost of living under control, tackling the mounting national debt, making sure we have strong K-12 education, and addressing escalating conflicts around the world.

“My opponent and her radical leftist agenda will continue to drive costs, keep our borders open, prioritize social politics instead of quality education for our kids and continue rampant government spending, which has led to crippling high prices and interest rates while simultaneously increasing our national debt.

“Her blind support for Democrat policies and Joe Biden’s failed agenda would mean years of financial hardship, limited opportunity for Iowans, pervasive crime in our communities, and weak support for Israel against Hamas.”

“I look forward to continuing to serve and deliver for the constituents of Southeast Iowa.”

You Can Run But You Can’t Hide: Carjacker in Burlington Gets Comeuppance in Illinois

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 at 8:56 am CDT

On June 4, 2024, at approximately 12:55 A.M. Burlington Police Officers responded to a report of an assault and the assault victim’s car being taken at 3160 Agency Rd.

Upon officers’ arrival, they met with the victim who stated he was forcibly removed from his vehicle and his vehicle was stolen by a white male. The vehicle was later called into the Warren County, Illinois dispatch center as a reckless driver.

The vehicle was located and the driver fled from law enforcement. At the end of the pursuit, the driver, identified as Eric Sparr, was arrested on Illinois charges related to the pursuit. Charges from the Burlington incident are forthcoming.

Sports, June 5th

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Baseball

Mt. Pleasant and Oskaloosa were locked in a heated contest that involved the Panthers walking it off in the bottom of the 7th to win 7-6. Mt. Pleasant held a 3-1 lead before Oskaloosa scored a run each in the fourth and fifth innings to tie the game. The Panthers responded in the bottom of the sixth inning with a Payton Hagans RBI sacrifice bunt and a passed ball gave the squad a 5-3 lead. 

However, Oskaloosa would not go down quietly as they put up three runs in the top of the seventh to lead 6-5. Down to their final three outs, Carson Andreasen singled to start the inning and Payton Walker worked a walk before Ben Newton laced a single into the right-center field gap to score the tying run and move Walker to third. An intentional walk to Zach Newton brought up Cooper Coleman with an opportunity many dream about, bases loaded in a walkoff situation,

“Going into that at-bat, I just want to put the barrel onto the ball and score that final run for the team.”

Coleman smacked the ball to the fence for an RBI single, giving the Panthers the victory. Andreasen and Payson Coleman also registered an RBI in the win. Head coach Brent Broeker talked about the win after the game.

“Yeah. You know we’re getting better at fighting all the way through. I think our guys, you know we’ve been there where we just couldn’t get it done at the end. These kids have a different mindset. They just keep battling all the way through. And tonight it paid off for us.”

Mt. Pleasant will host Keokuk tomorrow, June 6th, at 7:30 pm. 

Winfield-Mt. Union had their contest against Wapello last night postponed. The Wolves will take on Highland tomorrow at 5:30 pm at home.

Fairfield defeated Williamsburg last night 7-5. Dain Burkhart, Aiden Westercamp, and Aiden Kreuter totaled two RBIs in the winning effort. The Trojans will play Burlington tomorrow at 7 pm on the road. 

New London scored four runs in the sixth inning to fend off Central Lee last night 11-9. Michael Raines led the squad with two RBIs as Memphis Watson slashed a triple and tallied an RBI. The Tigers will hit the road to face off against Danville on Friday, June 7th, at 5:30 pm. 

Central Lee will host Van Buren County tomorrow at 5:30 pm. 

Van Buren County will compete against Highland tonight at 5:30 pm on the road. 

Mediapolis will take on Keokuk tonight at 7:30 pm at home. 

Danville will compete against BGM tomorrow at 5:30 pm at home. 

Burlington Notre Dame will host Pekin tonight at 5:30 pm. 

West Burlington will travel to face off against Hillcrest Academy today. 

High School Softball

Winfield-Mt. Union had their matchup against Wapello postponed last night. The Wolves will take on Holy Trinity Catholic tonight at 5:30 pm at home. 

Holy Trinity Catholic lost to Mediapolis last night 11-1. Avalynn Prall finished 2 for 4 with a double and a team leading three RBIs. The Bulldogs will compete against Columbus tonight at 7:30 pm on the road. 

New London will travel to Wapello tonight at 5:30 pm. 

WACO fell to Lone Tree last night 18-0. The Warriors will take on Pekin tomorrow, June 6th, at 7 pm on the road. 

Danville will face off against Louisa-Muscatine tonight at 7 pm. 

West Burlington will travel to Hillcrest Academy today. 

Central Lee will take on Van Buren County tomorrow at home at 7 pm. 

Mt. Pleasant will host Keokuk tomorrow at 7:30 pm. 

Fairfield will look to avoid the sweep against Burlington tomorrow at 7:30 pm on the road. 

High School Tennis

The 2024 State Coed tournament had their competitions yesterday and Xavier and Waukee Northwest each grabbed the gold.

In Class 1A, Xavier’s Bennett Link and Avery Link took down Claire Smock and Jack Briggs of Pella 6-3 and 6-4 in the semifinals to face off against Kate Holton and Parker Stroh of Columbus Catholic in the championship.

Stroh and Holton took the first set 6-3 but the Link duo captured the second set 7-5 and won the tiebreaker to win the championship. Smock and Briggs claimed third place over fellow Dutch Joshua Roozeboom and Bryn Higginbotham. 

Class 2A saw London Taylor and Kaden Taylor of Waukee Northwest defeat Lexi Moen and Beck Sissel of Valley to claim the gold. Katelyn Kock and Logan Sherman of Cedar Rapids Washington took third place, while Maddy Jepsen and Lucas Persson of North Scott finished in fourth. 

Prospect League

The Burlington Bees had their matchup against the Clinton LumberKings postponed last night. 

The Bees will attempt to play their first game of the week tonight against the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp at 7:05 pm on the road. The LumberKings will travel to face off against the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes tonight at 6:30 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1974 – As’ Reggie Jackson and Bill North engage in clubhouse brawl in Detroit.

1981 – Astros Nolan Ryan passes Early Wynn as all-time walk leader (1,777).

2018 – Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. was named 2017 top earning sports person by Forbes with $285 million.

Primary Election Henry County Results

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, June 4th, 2024 at 9:44 pm CDT

*Denotes winner

Republican Ticket

U.S. Congressional District 1

*Marrianette Miller Meeks – 612

David Poutsch – 385

State Senator District 44

*Adrian Dickey – 474

State Senator District 48

*Mark Lofgren – 360

State Representative District 87

*Jeff Shipley – 492

State Representative District 95

*Taylor Collins – 364

County Auditor

*Robin Detrick – 909

County Sheriff

*Rich McNamee – 965

Board of Supervisors

*Chad White – 686

*Steve Detrick – 542

Dan Cook – 427

David Muhs – 295

 

Democratic Ticket

United States Congressional District 1

*Christina Bohannan – 81

State Senator District 48

*John Dabeet – 39

State Representative District 95

*Jeff Poulter – 38

 

There were no Libertarian party candidates.

Primary Election Henry County Supervisor Results

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, June 4th, 2024 at 8:55 pm CDT

Congratulations to incumbent Chad White and newcomer Steve Detrick as they have won the primary election in Henry County for the Board of Supervisors according to the Henry County Auditor.

Henry County Supervisor
Absentee Pct 1 Pct 2 Pct 3 Pct 4 MP1 Pct 5 MP2 Pct 6 MP3 Pct 7 MP4 Pct 8 Pct 9 Totals
Dan Cook-Rep 124 35 25 68 23 29 38 19 29 37 427
Steve Detrick-Rep 147 78 43 92 25 21 33 39 40 24 542
Dave Muhs-Rep 109 16 15 45 14 21 33 15 6 21 295
Chad White-Rep 165 112 58 104 32 38 50 39 45 43 686
Write Ins 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 3
Totals 545 241 141 309 94 109 155 114 120 125 1953
342 Votes needed to win. Detrick & White winners on to General