Unleaded and Diesel Both Down This Week Across Iowa – Weekly Fuel Report

By Yorke Prough · Thursday, June 6th, 2024 at 6:57 am CDT

Looking at the weekly fuel report, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.23 across Iowa, which is a 4 cent drop from last week and 12 cents less than last year. The national average on Wednesday was $3.50, down 8 cents from last week’s price.

Retail diesel prices in Iowa fell 4 cents this week with a statewide average of $3.54. Last year at this time, prices averaged $3.67 in Iowa.  The current Iowa diesel price is 30 cents lower than the national average of $3.84.

Natural gas prices rose 2 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently priced at $2.73/MMbtu.

Tips for saving energy on the road or at home are available at energy.gov and fueleconomy.gov.

Sports, June 6th

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

High School Baseball

Van Buren County was defeated by Highland last night 5-3. Central Lee will host Van Buren County tonight at 5:30 pm. 

West Burlington was shutout by Hillcrest Academy last night 10-0. Brock Thuleen had the lone extra base hit for the Falcons with a double. Mason Helmuth notched two RBIs for the Ravens. The Falcons will face off against Mediapolis tomorrow, June 7th, at 5:30 pm. 

Mt. Pleasant will host Keokuk tonight at 7:30 pm. Head coach Brent Broeker knows the Panthers will be challenged at the plate,

“They got one arm left, so we’ll be, you know, we’re not. We’re not taking them lightly at all. And that was the kid to be Burlington. So, it’s nice that it’s at home and we won’t have to travel on Thursday. So, hopefully we can come out with that, that sweep of Keokuk.”

Winfield-Mt. Union will take on Highland tonight at 5:30 pm at home.

Fairfield will play Burlington tonight at 7 pm on the road. 

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

New London will hit the road to face off against Danville tomorrow, June 7th, at 5:30 pm. 

Burlington Notre Dame will travel to Fort Madison tomorrow at 7:30 pm. 

High School Softball

Winfield-Mt. Union defeated Holy Trinity Catholic last night 7-3. Quin Smith pitched the complete game for the Wolves allowing only three hits and three runs along with smacking a home run at the plate. The Wolves will take on Highland at home tonight at 5:30 pm. 

Holy Trinity Catholic will host Lone Tree on Monday, June 10th, at 5:30 pm. 

New London fell to Wapello last night 13-0. Ada Boysen threw six innings of shutout ball, notching 12 strikeouts for the Arrows. The Tigers will square off against Danville tomorrow, June 7th, at 7 pm. 

Danville lost to Louisa-Muscatine last night 12-2.  

Mediapolis grabbed the win over Columbus last night 13-5. Avery Crear, Payton Harris, Avalynn Prall, and Rachel Martin each knocked in two RBIs for the Bulldogs. Mediapolis will face off against West Burlington tomorrow at 7 pm at home. 

West Burlington clobbered Hillcrest Academy last night 15-2. Paige Kramer went a perfect 4 for 4 with five RBIs in the winning effort. 

WACO will take on Pekin tonight at 7 pm on the road. 

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

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

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

High School Softball Rankings

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union released their third set of rankings for the season and our three local teams remained ranked with two improving their position.

In Class 4A, Burlington kept their position from last week’s rankings of 11th after going 6-0 to start their season. The Grayhounds have outscored their opponents 38 to 1 as Saydee Plummer has thrown a no-hitter and two one-hitters so far this season while notching 62 strikeouts. Plummer also leads the team at the plate with a 0.444 average with two home runs and six RBIs. 

Class 3A saw Washington move up two spots in the rankings to 9th on the list. After dropping two tough matchups to #7 Assumption and Class 5A’s #14 Bettendorf, the Demons dominated Fort Madison by a combined score of 20 to 5. Washington boasts a team ERA of 2.24 and a team batting average of 0.392 with Leighton Salazar hitting 0.556 with 13 RBIs.

West Burlington also jumped up in the rankings to #14 in Class 3A. The Falcons are 9-0, having scored at least 10 runs in seven of their matchups. Shona Anderson leads the team with two home runs and 14 RBIs with a 0.480 batting average. 

High School Basketball

Pending board approval, Fairfield will have a new girls’ basketball head coach patrolling the sideline in the winter in Jerrod Belzer. With nearly a decade of experience as an assistant basketball coach, along with holding the head coach responsibilities for girls’ and boys’ cross country and girls’ track and field, Belzer’s coaching philosophy is expected to build up the Trojan tradition on the hardcourt. 

Belzer takes over the Trojan program that has had back-to-back losing seasons after nine consecutive winning seasons. 

Prospect League

The Burlington Bees were unable to stop the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp’s late surge, losing 8-7 after 10 innings. Reese Moore led the squad with three RBIs. The two will have their rematch tonight in Burlington at 6:30 pm. 

The Clinton LumberKings fell to the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes last night 8-7. Cougar Cooke slapped a home run and tabbed five RBis in the loss. The LumberKings will compete in a doubleheader tonight on the road against the O’Fallon Hoots. 

This Day in Sports History

1923 – Edgar Wallace became the first British radio sports reporter, when he made a report on The Derby for the British Broadcasting Company, the newly founded predecessor of the BBC.

1971 – Willie Mays hits all-time record 22nd extra inning home run. 

2018 – LeBron James eclipses Michael Jordan’s record (109) for most 30-point games in NBA playoff history in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 110-102 Game 3 Finals loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Wendel Eugene Luko

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 at 8:57 pm CDT

Wendel Eugene Luko, 67, of New London, died Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loved ones.  He was born December 31, 1956 in Bloomfield to Robert Eugene and Merlene Maxine Guinn Luko.  On March 27, 1976 he married Kerry Beavers at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant.

He attended Bloomfield Schools and was a 1975 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School.  He was a lifetime farmer and for thirty years worked as a secondary roads maintainer operator for Henry County.

His favorite thing was spending time with his grandchildren and attending their activities. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and mushroom hunting; building anything; crafting with leather and deer antlers; farming and gardening; raising animals; playing cards; cooking and grilling; and spending time at the Henry County Fair with his daughters and grandchildren with their 4-H projects.  He loved to be busy, especially doing something for his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of New London; daughters Michelle (Cameron) Gardner   of Salem, Wende (John) Smyth of Mt. Union; four grandchildren, Kiersten (Chris) Smyth, Katelynn (Tristan) Gardner, Dalton (Keisha) Gardner, and Landon Smyth; two great-grandchildren, Kolton and Wendel Gardner, and one on the way; sister Wava Jarr of Fairfield; nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.   He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Russell and Doyle Luko.

Visitation for Mr. Luko will be June 13, 2024 at Elliott Chapel, New London, beginning at noon with the family greeting friends from 4:00 – 7:00 pm.  A Celebration of his life and a light lunch, will begin at noon on June 14th at the Mt. Pleasant VFW with a time to share “Wendel” stories. Rev. Court Fisher will officiate.  According to Wendel’s wishes, his body has been cremated and inurnment will be held at a later date. Memorials have been established for EveryStep Hospice and the New London Trap Club.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Wendel’s family would like to thank everyone who supported him and his family through his courageous battle with cancer.  Whether rides, cards, food, attending his benefit, cleaning out his driveway, or bringing firewood, words cannot express our gratitude.  He was so loved and will be so missed.

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.