On June 5, 2024, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a multiple motor vehicle accident resulting in property damage. An investigation determined Norma Werkheiser of Kewanee, Illinois was operating a maroon 2019 Toyota Highlander at the intersection of US Highway 78 and US Highway 218. Werkheiser failed to yield the right of way from a stop sign causing a collision with Steven Bonar of Burlington Iowa who was operating a black 2015 Ram 1500 traveling northbound on US Highway 218. Damage to both vehicle was in excess of $1,500 and Werkheiser was issued a citation for failure to yield the right of way.
Irene Jacobsmeier
Irene Jacobsmeier, 94, of Salem, Iowa, formerly of Mt. Hamill. Passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington, with her family by her side. 
She was born on February 7, 1930, in Mt. Hamill, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Eleanor (Hunold) Joachim. On October 1, 1949, she married Joseph J. Jacobsmeier at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Houghton. He preceded her in death on September 17, 2000.
She is survived by her three daughters: Pat (Richard) Hatfield of Houghton, Iowa, Jane (Randy) Morrow of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Angie Kruse (Al Waterman) of Burlington, Iowa; eight grandchildren; Zach Jacobsmeier, Kayla Scott, Chris Hatfield, Ryan Hatfield, Jacob Morrow, Jesse Morrow, Ashley Lemke, Max Jacobsmeier; eleven great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law: Gretchen Joachim and Laverne Jacobsmeier. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Joe; two sons: Mike and Tony; grandson: Isaac Jacobsmeier; two brothers: Lester and Jerry Joachim; sister: Joanne Jacobsmeier; daughter-in-law: Linda Jacobsmeier and son-in-law: Don Kruse.
Irene was a ninety year resident of Mt. Hamill. She drove a school bus for over thirty-five years. She was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, the West Point American Legion Auxiliary and the Mt. Hamill Sunshine Girls. Irene enjoyed socializing with others and most of all, she loved spending time with her family.
A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Saturday, July 13, 2024, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Houghton, Iowa.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at at St. John’s Catholic Church at 12:00 noon, Saturday, July 13, 2024, at St. John’s Catholic Church with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.
Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery, Houghton, Iowa.
Memorials have been established in her memory for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, Houghton Fire and Rescue or St. John’s Cemetery.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com
Pat White Wins Martha Hayes Preservationist of the Year Award
Congratulations to Pat White who has received the Martha Hayes Preservationist of the Year Award during the Preserve Iowa Summit. The submission, which was written by Joy Lapp, calls White a dedicated volunteer and acknowledges her work on multiple historical organizations, such as her efforts to preserve Iowa Wesleyan memorabilia.
White, who has been called “Mount Pleasant’s Unofficial Historian” accepted the award on Thursday’s award ceremony, which saw multiple projects, including the Hotel Manning in Keosauqua, recognized for their preservation efforts.
Suspect arrested in relation to Washington, IA shooting
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reports that during the course of the investigation a suspect was identified and interviewed. The suspect had been located and arrested on June 4th, 2024, on outstanding warrants from Washington County for Probation Violation on an original charge of Theft in the 2nd Degree and Operation Without Owner’s Consent. They were being held in the Washington County Jail on a cash bond. An interview at the Jail followed and subsequent charges were filed. Mitchell Ryan Martinez (19) of Washington was charged with Dominion or Control of a Firearm by a Felon, Attempted Murder, Going Armed With Intent, and Intimidation with a Dangerous Weapon. Martinez remains in custody at the Washington County Jail. The bond listed on the new charges is $100,000 cash only.
***A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
May 29th, 2024
At approximately 12:45 AM on May 29th, 2024, the Washington County Communications Center received a report of a disturbance at 2705 Airport Rd., Washington. It was determined that one subject had suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The subject was transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City by Washington County Ambulance personnel and is in stable condition. Personnel from Washington EMS, the Washington Police Department, Washington County Conservation, and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation also assisted the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at the scene. The incident is under investigation and anyone with any information concerning the incident is urged to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 319-653-2107.
2nd RAGBRAI Townhall Around the Corner
RAGBRAI is the talk of the town with thousands of cyclists riding into Mount Pleasant for an overnight stop on Friday, July 26th. This surge of tourists will be hungry and looking for entertainment after riding over 84 miles from Ottumwa and 3160ft of elevation. Vendors are still welcome, but the deadline is approaching quickly. That deadline is June 15th. To find out more, www.mtpleasantragbrai.com
There was an informational town hall meeting in April* which provided interested citizens with plenty of facts surrounding RAGBRAI overnight. Rachel Lindeen, Mt. Pleasant Chamber, has confirmed that there will be another meeting coming up towards the end of the month as preparations ramp up. That meeting is slated for Wednesday, June 26th, in Central Park. Bring a lawn chair!
Unleaded and Diesel Both Down This Week Across Iowa – Weekly Fuel Report
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
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
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.