Sports, June 8th

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, June 8th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Baseball

Central Lee won on a dramatic walk-off last night 5-4 over Fairfield. Dain Bukhart led the Trojans with two RBIs in the loss. The Hawks will take on Mediapolis on Tuesday, June 11th, at 5:30 pm on the road. 

Fairfield will compete against Washington on Monday, June 10th, at 5:30 pm in a road doubleheader. 

Mt. Pleasant traveled north to Alburnett last night and the Panthers produced another dramatic win against the Pirates 12-6. The Panthers led 6 to 1 at one point in the game before the Pirates diligently tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. Mt. Pleasant then batted around the order with multiple two RBI singles from Carson Andreasen and Payton Walker, who had one more RBI earlier in the game, helping push the game out of reach. The Panthers will host Burlington on Monday in a doubleheader with game one at 5:30 pm. 

New London handled Danville last night 12-4. Gavin Menke-Bailey swatted a home run and he and Michael Raines each notched three RBIs in the win. The Bears will travel to Highland on Monday at 5:30 pm. 

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

Burlington Notre Dame will compete in the Lancer Baseball Invitational today with their first game against North Scott. 

West Burlington was knocked around by Mediapolis last night 8-0. Brock Thuleen registered two hits in the loss. The Falcons will play Louisa-Muscatine on Wednesday, June 12th, on the road at 5:30 pm. 

Mediapolis will take on Hillcrest Academy on Monday at 5:30 pm at home. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will face off against Van Buren County on Monday at 5:30 pm on the road. 

High School Softball

Fairfield hosted the first round of their tournament yesterday and fell to Central Lee 10-5. Shanna Buford and Aubree Bunnell each clobbered a home run in the win as they combined for five RBIs. The Hawks will take on Chariton today at 1 pm. 

The Trojans will compete against Mt. Pleasant today. 

Mt. Pleasant competed against Chariton yesterday and lost 16-0. Abigail Shelangoski and Lila Cook each tabbed hits for the Panthers. 

Van Buren County was defeated by Grinnell yesterday 10-0. The Warriors will take on Cardinal today. 

West Burlington played twice yesterday, sneaking past Cardinal 4-2 and throttling Mediapolis 12-0. The Falcons will face off against Grinnell today at 1 pm at Fairfield. 

Winfield-Mt. Union defeated Columbus last night after a clutch four-run 7th inning gave the Wolves the 5-3 victory. Makiah Lower picked up the win with two strikeouts. The Wolves will compete at the BGM Triangular today with East Marshall being their first opponent. 

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

Danville will travel to Highland on Monday at 7 pm. 

WACO will take on Louisa-Muscatine on Tuesday, June 11th, at 5:30 pm at home. 

Prospect League

The woes for the Burlington Bees continued last night after losing to the Jackson Rockabillys 5-3. Cooper Donlin, Merrick Mathews, and Skyler Agnew each grabbed an RBI in the losing effort. The Bees will look to avenge their loss tonight at home at 6:30 pm. 

The Clinton LumberKings and the Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp had their offenses rolling last night, but the Pistol Shrimp walked it off in the bottom of the 10th inning, winning 11-10. Bryan Belo led the team with two RBIs. The LumberKings will compete against the Springfield Lucky Horseshoes tonight at 6:30 pm. 

This Day in Sports History

1920 – Reds’ Edd Roush falls asleep in center during a long infield argument Heinie Groh goes to wake him, but the umpire ejects Roush for delay of game.

1966 – NFL & AFL announce merger plans, one league with two divisions (NFC and AFC) starting in 1970

1989 – Pirates score 10 in 1st (their best inning since 1942), prompts Pirate broadcaster Jim Rooker to say he would walk from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia if the Pirates lost, Phillies beat them 15-11, Rooker walks at end of season.

Doug Moore Provides Answers and Recap to Closure of Iowa Wesleyan University During Generation Gap Episode

By Yorke Prough · Friday, June 7th, 2024 at 11:30 am CDT

Paul and Kadie had a special guest on Friday’s “Generation Gap” episode, to discuss happenings and circumstances surrounding Iowa Wesleyan University. Doug Moore, principal of Highland Group LLC, a Des Moines based company, has been working for the past 12 months on ensuring a smooth transition for the community of Mount Pleasant after the closure of the University. The agreement expired on May 31st, and Doug was able to provide a recap.

Moore admitted that he was expecting more issues with the properties than surfaced, one example being freezing pipes. However, he stated that the project went better than expected. The dorms were winterized and with the assistance of local contractors, many problems were avoided.

While the vast majority of buildings will be repurposed, one building that did not survive is the Old Gymnasium, and locals may have found that upsetting. According to Moore, the damage to the exterior of the property was beyond repair, and it’s fate was sealed. The pile of rubble that lays there today belongs to the demolition contractor.

Transparency has been, perhaps, the key word in the closure of the former university. With the sale of buildings happening in what seemed to be a very short period, eyebrows were raised. Doug Moore assured that the USDA received all of the proceeds from the building sales and the auction, and that they will forgive the rest of the large debt. Moore is confident that transparency was achieved, saying that in 30 years of work in liquidations, he has never seen such transparency.

He later stated that this process was no faster or slower than other liquidations. When it comes to the periphery buildings, the only bids to come were from those who purchased the buildings. Christopher Ales, along with an ownership recently purchased buildings on the east and west side of campus, and Moore believes he is an “honest and up-front guy.” He has no doubt that those properties will be repurposed into something that will benefit the community.

Whether Mount Pleasant has a university or not, Doug Moore picked up on how special this town really is, and said that he is a Mount Pleasant fan.

Arrest Made in Drug Bust in Burlington: Meth and Marijuana Seized

By Yorke Prough · Friday, June 7th, 2024 at 11:26 am CDT

The Southeast Iowa Narcotics Task Force has been conducting an in-depth investigation over the past several months into a suspected drug network operating in Burlington, Iowa. This investigation culminated in the execution of a search warrant at 312 Spring Street, Burlington.

On June 6th at approximately 1:45 P.M. officers from the Task Force, with the assistance of local law enforcement agencies, carried out the search warrant at the residence located at 312 Spring Street. This operation is part of a broader effort to dismantle drug trafficking operations within the region and ensure the safety and well-being of the community.

Tony Rettig, 57, was arrested and faces multiple charges, after methamphetamine and marijuana were seized.

Everett Gabel

By Yorke Prough · Friday, June 7th, 2024 at 10:57 am CDT

Everett J. Gabel, 86, of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 7:45 a.m. Thursday, June 6, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.

 

Born on May 22, 1938 in Donnellson, Iowa, the son of Harry and Helen (Wagner) Gabel. On June 27, 1959 he married Alice I. LaVelle at the Sacred Heart Church in Fort Madison, Iowa, she preceded him in death on February 20, 2019.

 

He is survived by two daughters: Barb (Flavian) Boeding of West Point, Iowa and Janet Hellweg of West Point, Iowa; grandson Justin (Deana) Knight of Donnellson, Iowa; brother-in-law Jack Smith; sister-in-law Dorothy Menge and several nieces and nephews.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Alice; brother Duane; and son-in-law Marty Hellweg.

 

Everett enjoyed visiting with his family and friends, raising cattle, and farming the  land, he was the third generation to farm the family farm and received the Century Farm Award in 2007. He was involved in the farming operation teaching his grandson to farm, up until the last couple years.

 

His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

 

The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, June 9, 2024 at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, Iowa

 

Burial will be in Everhart Cemetery in Donnellson.

 

Following the burial a gathering will be held at the Learning Center on the Lee County Fair Grounds in Donnellson.

 

Memorials have been established in his memory for Everhart Cemetery.

 

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

 

 

 

Missing Swimmer Found Deceased Southeast of Ottumwa

By Yorke Prough · Friday, June 7th, 2024 at 10:42 am CDT

On Thursday, June 6th, 2024 at approximately 12:45 p.m. the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office and Ottumwa Fire Department recovered (Deceased) the body of Skiller Amo, age 36 of Ottumwa, on the Des Moines River.

Mr. Amo was located just south of the Ottumwa Water Pollution Facility southeast of Ottumwa.

 

*Original post*

On Sunday, June 2nd, 2024, at approximately 4:21 p.m.; The Ottumwa Police Department received a report of an adult male subject who was last seen swimming in the Des Moines River. It was reported that the subject went swimming earlier in the day with a group of individuals in the Des Moines River near the Hwy 34 overpass bridge next to the JBS plant in Ottumwa, Iowa.

A search was conducted last night by the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office.

The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, Ottumwa Fire Department, Eldon Fire Department, and the Iowa DNR are currently still searching the river and embankments.

The identity of the missing individual is currently being withheld.

Melvena Shondel

By Yorke Prough · Friday, June 7th, 2024 at 10:40 am CDT

Melvena J. Shondel, 90, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Friday, May 24, 2024 at her home.     

A Celebration of Life will be held from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 210 S. 15th St. in Fairfield. She will be laid to rest at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Fairfield at a later date. Memorials may be made to the family or to Stead Family Children’s Hospital in care of Gail McClaran, 210 S. 15th St. Fairfield, Iowa 52556. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family with arrangements.

Melvena was born November 2, 1933 in Stockport, the daughter of William Melvin and Helen Opal (Weaver) Roberts. Throughout her life she worked at Universal, JB Plastics, and Crane Valve in Washington. She enjoyed her flowers, drinking coffee, and visiting with friends and family.

Those left to honor her memory include her daughters, Gail (Pete) McClaran of Fairfield, and Suzie (Robert) McLeod of Independence, Missouri; six grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren; sisters, Twyla (Art) Wild, Charlotte Potts, Roxanne (Denny) McDole, and Deanna (Randy) Cooksey; brothers, Howard (Kathy) Garrison and Alvin Garrison.

She was preceded in death by her parents; life-long companion, John Henry Harper; brother, Ike Garrison; sisters, Helen Wilkinson and Virgina Essary; and daughter and son-in-law, Gloria and Robert Combs.

Online condolences may be made to Melvena’s family by viewing her obituary at www.behnerfh.com

Leland Reed Service Information

By Yorke Prough · Friday, June 7th, 2024 at 8:38 am CDT

Leland Wendall Reed, 73, of Ocean Isle Beach, NC passed away on October 4, 2023, while at Angel House Hospice Care Center in Whiteville, NC.
Leland was born October 31, 1949, in Fairfield, Iowa, to the late Elvin and Lurena (Bonnett) Reed. He married Angela Schrull January 5, 1985.
Leland loved life and his pets were his children. He was loving, caring, thoughtful, fun, hardworking, and strived to do his best in everything he was involved in.
As a teenager Leland worked as a paperboy for the Fairfield Daily Ledger where he was awarded for his service and praised for his courtesy, honesty, perseverance, salesmanship, promptness and citizenship.
Leland graduated from Fairfield High School in 1968.  In 1969, he enlisted in the United States Army and served as a medic in Vietnam.  He returned to Fairfield in 1971 and decided to further his education at San Diego Community College in San Diego, CA where he obtained an Associate of Science Radiologic Technology degree in 1974. Leland worked in California, Arizona and Louisiana.
He worked as a manager of a four room Cardiac Cath Lab at Radides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria, Louisiana. He was a RRT (Registered Radiologic Technologist) and RCIS (Registered Cardiovascular Interventional Specialist).  He retired in 2010 and moved to Hudson, NC.
Leland was a woodworker and made many beautiful jewelry boxes, pens, tables, bowls and many other pieces. He was active and enjoyed many activities including water skiing, knee boarding, swimming, baseball, biking, bowling and golf. He was an avid runner and ran many 5k and 10k races. He won several bowling trophies and enjoyed playing golf with Larry, Dick, and friends. He was a fan of NASCAR, baseball, and football. He always liked a good joke and spending time with his friends.
Surviving family members include his wife Angela; siblings, Don (Maxine) Reed of Plano, TX, Dick (Mary) Reed of Fairfield, IA, Dean Reed of Dalleville, VA; sister-in-law Louise Reed of Dixon, IL; brother-in-law Edward (Jean) Schrull of Summerfield, NC; sister-in-law Ansy Schrull of Shallotte, NC and a host of loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Larry Reed, and nephew Chris Reed.
Graveside Services will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield, Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. Memorials will be given to Fairfield High School Athletic Department: Track, Bowling and Golf.  They can be mailed to Dick Reed, 207B South Gate Cir, Fairfield, IA 52556.

Neon Bathing Suits the Safe Option for Children This Summer

By Yorke Prough · Friday, June 7th, 2024 at 7:48 am CDT

Summer is a great time to relax while children splash in swim in the pool. It might be difficult to keep an eye on your children at all times, which is partly why it’s recommended to have your kids wear neon bathing suits with light colored patterns. This makes it easier to see your children and ensure that they can splash all they want if they are in your eyesight.