“80 With a Light Tail-Wind” RAGBRAI Discussion Heats Up as July 26th Overnight Fast Approaches

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, April 9th, 2024 at 7:48 am CDT

Last night many people filled the Heatilator Performing Arts Center, not for a concert but for a RAGBRAI townhall. Rachel Lindeen with the Mt. Pleasant Chamber was joined by Lisa Oetken with Main Street Mount Pleasant as they facilitated the evening meeting which was full of important information.

If you haven’t heard by now, RAGBRAI will be passing through Mt. Pleasant as an overnight stop on Friday, July 26th, which will see 20,000 plus riders looking for a place to lay their head. This also means they will be looking for a place to shower, entertainment, and food. The theme for the overnight stop is “Make Yourself at Home in Mount Pleasant” which is designed to showcase the charm and warmth of our quaint town. As said last night, picture a hallmark movie scene, that’s the setting they are looking for in July.

So where do all of these people sleep? Well, there’s a few answers to that question. Midwest Old Threshers campground will be the main area, with the old Iowa Wesleyan Campus and Mapleleaf also being converted into a campground for a night. If you’ve been wanting an excuse to camp on your lawn, why not allow some tired cyclists the same opportunity? Please contact Lois Roth if you’d be able to host some riders, either on your lawn or inside. Her email is ljrteach@gmail.com The cyclists will arrive sometime in the mid-afternoon and depart by 9:00am the next day.

The Downtown festival will see two bands take the stage. Blake Jack and South 35, a group from Des Moines, mainly plays country music such as Brooks and Dunn to Jason Aldean. The Spazmatics are the main act, and they bring all of the good from the 80s and leave the bad in that decade.

Shelbi Remick spoke about the need for volunteers, from greeting riders to helping in the beverage garden and giving out information, they need you. Please email info@mpiowa.org if you are interested in volunteering. Remember, it will be 80 with a light tail wind on Friday, July 26th, atleast one can hope!

Lydia Rotzinger

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, April 9th, 2024 at 6:48 am CDT

Lydia Louise Rotzinger, 59 of Wayland, died Sunday, April 7, 2024, at her home in Wayland.

Funeral Services have been set for 2:00 PM, Friday, April 12, 2024, at the Fern Cliff Evangelical Free Church with Pastors David Shreeves and Ben Linville officiating. A burial will follow at the Fern Cliff Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-6:00 PM, Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the church. The Beatty-Peterseim Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. A general memorial in the name of Lydia Louise has been established.

2.8 Days Suitable for Fieldwork Due to Weather – Weekly Crop Progress Report

By Yorke Prough · Tuesday, April 9th, 2024 at 6:39 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.

“Soil temperatures are slowly warming up, the crop insurance coverage window will soon be opening, and a more active weather pattern is helping to replenish some soil moisture,” said Secretary Naig. “This time of year, nothing can eclipse farmers’ focus on getting ready for planting once conditions are favorable.”

Another week of colder than normal temperatures with rain and snow left Iowa farmers with 2.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 7, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Minimal fieldwork was done during the week, but some producers were able to apply anhydrous, manure, and dry fertilizer. High winds prevented producers from spraying fertilizer towards the end of the week.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 14 percent very short, 35 percent short, 47 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 26 percent very short, 38 percent short, 34 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.

Oats seeding reached 32 percent complete, 6 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of the 5-year average. Oats emerged reached 4 percent complete.

There were no reports of cattle turned out onto pasture yet as pastures continue to green up. Calving was in full swing with reports of mud in some areas.

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

Sports, April 9th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, April 9th, 2024 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Track and Field

The WACO relays commenced yesterday with Van Buren County scoring the most team points on the boys’ and girls’ sides with WACO taking second place. 

On the boys’ side, Van Buren County won seven events with Bryce Moquin sprinting to a first place finish in the 100 meter dash. Lincoln Bainbridge grabbed first place in the 1600 meter run with a time of 4 minutes and 52 seconds, which defeated Riley Raines of New London by 0.6 seconds. Landry Loeffler took first in the 3200 meter run with a time of 11 minutes and 24 seconds. Tyler Stoltz won the high jump with a leap of 6 feet and 2 inches. Lastly, Cameron Stoltz heaved the shot 36 feet and 10 inches to take the gold in the shot put. 

WACO’s Chase Waterhouse won the discus with a throw of 123 feet and 5 inches. Louden Huisenga had a nice meet with a first place finish in the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 1 minute and 6 seconds, while taking second in the high jump with a leap of six feet. He also helped the team of Gage Samo, Clayton Miller, and Bryson Waterhouse take first in the 4×110 meter shuttle hurdle. 

New London’s Brigham Porter dominated the sprinting events with first place finishes in the 200 meter dash and the 400 meter dash. Riley Raines grabbed first place in the 800 meter run. London Franklin won the long jump with a leap of 21 feet, nearly two feet better than second place. 

The WACO boys’ and girls’ teams will travel to Lisbon for a meet today. 

The Mt. Pleasant, New London, Van Buren County, Mediapolis, Central Lee, Winfield-Mt. Union, and Danville girls’ teams will travel to Fort Madison for a meet today.

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team will host a meet on Thursday, April 11th, with New London in attendance. 

The Mediapolis, Danville, and Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ teams will travel to Wapello for a meet today.

The Central Lee and Van Buren County boys’ teams will travel to Fairfield for a meet today.

High School Soccer

The WACO boys’ team handed Danville their first loss of the season last night 1-0. The Warriors will host Wapello on Thursday, April 11th. 

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ team will take on Danville at home tonight with the girls’ playing on Thursday against Mediapolis on the road. 

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team scored two first half goals and relied on a couple of close saves by Eli Heaton in the second half to escape with a 2-0 win against Washington last night. Sarai Sanchez and Tori Wilson each scored a goal. 

The boys’ started the game on a similar note with two first half goals, but the Demons roared back in the second half with three unanswered goals to win 3-2. Dylan White and Jonah Zimmer scored the goals for the Panthers. Mt. Pleasant will face off against Keokuk on Thursday with the boys’ team at home and the girls hitting the road. 

The Mediapolis boys’ and girls’ teams won in resounding fashion last night with the girls’ taking their game 7-0 and the boys’ winning 11-1. The girls’ team will face off against Canton High School tonight at 5 pm. 

The Central Lee boys’ team fell to Hillcrest Academy last night 2-1. Ayden Kent scored the lone goal for the Hawks. The girls’ team will host Fort Madison tonight and the boys will host Danville on Thursday.

High School Tennis

The Mt. Pleasant girls’ team is streaking after defeating Fairfield last night in a tough conference matchup 5-4. Jana Isanta defeated Emma Wendland in singles 8-0. Mary Kate Peterson snuck out with a 9-7 win, while Bethany Drury picked up a narrow 8-6 win. The team of Isanta and Ellie Situmeang picked up an 8-1 win in doubles and Drury and Audrey Richmond won their doubles match 8-5. The Panthers are 4-0 on the season.

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team ran into a tough Fairfield squad and lost 8-1. Elijah Rynders picked up a 8-4 singles win for the Panthers against Niko Emerson. Head coach Tyler Rodgers discussed how despite the loss there were still some positives to take home. The Panthers will take on Burlington on Thursday, April 11th, with the boys’ at home and the girls on the road. 

High School Golf

The Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ and boys’ teams took on Wapello yesterday and the boys’ team narrowly exited with the win 180 to 183. Sinjin Brown was the top golfer for the Wolves with a 9-hole score of 42 (+6). Carter Loyd and Konner Kinneberg followed behind with 45s. Zach Harbison was the leader for Wapello with a 42. 

On the girls’ side, Winfield-Mt. Union also picked up the win 250 to 307. Lilly Freeman led the way with a 56 as her and Kaelyn Townsley, who shot a 59, were the only ones to finish under 60 for the day. The Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ and boys’ teams will travel to Flint Hills Golf Course today with Notre Dame and Mt. Pleasant also in attendance. 

The WACO boys’ and girls’ teams will host Lone Tree on Thursday, April 11th.

Central Lee defeated Notre Dame yesterday 179 to 194. The Hawks will face off against Van Buren County on Thursday at home. 

New London will host Wapello today. 

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ team finally got a round of golf in this season with the first SEC meet in the books, Washington has a secure lead of 145 with Mt. Pleasant trailing behind at 171. Fairfield and Fort Madison are tied at a team score of 181 with Keokuk rounding out the pack at 197. The Roth brothers were impressive for the Demons with Roman Roth shooting a 34 (-1) and Rajan Roth shooting par for the course. 

Reece Coffman led the Panthers, finishing the course with four straight pars to shoot three over for the day. Brody Engle finished with a 42 for Mt. Pleasant. Jayden Thomas was the top golfer for Keokuk with a 41. Sam Weaton finished with a 42 for Fairfield and Fort Madison’s Brady Wade shot a 43. 

For the girls’ trip to Sheaffer Park, Keokuk came out on top with a team score of 210 followed by Mt. Pleasant’s 221 and Burlington’s 224, respectively. The Panthers were led by Kylie Walderbach with a 9-hole score of 43. 

Southeastern Community College

For baseball, SCC will host Kirkwood Community College tomorrow, April 10th. 

The SCC softball team clobbered Marshalltown Community College yesterday in their doubleheader by a combined score of 35 to 5. Game one saw the Blackhawks pounce for six runs in the top of the second inning to come out on top 9-0. Lauren Summers cracked a home run and finished with four RBIs. 

Everyone produced in game two as the Blackhawks pushed across 13 runs in the opening frame to eventually go on to win 26-5. Gracie Wilt, Reaghan Millard, and Mireya Rose each collected three RBIs as Marianna Labelle led the team with four RBIs. Millard also finished with a home run in the contest. The Blackhawks will travel to Kirkwood Community College on Thursday, April 11th, for a doubleheader. 

March Madness

The KILJ bracket challenge, sponsored by The Press Box and Wiley’s Interior Furnishings and Design, is over after UConn defeated Purdue last night 75-60 after a strong performance from Tristen Newton as he cashed in for 20 points. This was the Huskies sixth National Championship and they are the first back-to-back National Champion since 2007. Zach Edey was the only source of offense for Purdue, totaling 37 points and grabbing 10 boards. 

16 people correctly picked UConn to be the National Champion in our bracket challenge. The standings will be updated later today.

This Day in Sports History

1941 – The PGA establishes Golf Hall of Fame.

1965 – First baseball game at Houston Astrodome, Astros beat NY Yankees 2-1 in exhibition as Mickey Mantle hits MLB’s 1st indoor homerun; US President Lyndon Johnson and wife Lady Bird attend.

1974 – San Diego Padres owner Ray Kroc, addresses fans “Ladies & gentlemen, I suffer with you, I’ve never seen such stupid baseball playing in my life.”

Man Arrested Over the Weekend For Driving While Barred

By Yorke Prough · Monday, April 8th, 2024 at 2:27 pm CDT

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office reports of an arrest over the weekend.

On April 6, 2024, at approximately 10:20 PM a traffic stop was conducted on 2004 red Buick Lesabre for improper registration plate lamps in the 2600-grid of Hickory Avenue near Oakland Mills.

The driver was identified as David Whiteaker, 39, Homeless, previously of Winfield, Iowa. David’s Iowa driving status was Barred with 11 withdrawals in effect. David was arrested for Driving While Barred, an Aggravated Misdemeanor and received a citation for Improper Registration Lamps.

KILJ Bracket Challenge: Standings Heading into Tonight’s Championship

By Slaten Swords · Monday, April 8th, 2024 at 10:33 am CDT

KILJ Bracket Challenge- It has been 25 days since the first round of March Madness got underway and after 13 upsets in the first round, NC State turned into the true Cinderella Story and looked to become the lowest seed to advance to the championship game, while UConn was looking to take down Alabama for a chance at a repeat.

Unfortunately for the fans of the underdog, NC State never led in the game as the Wolfpack went ice cold in the second half from the field, losing 63-50. Purdue’s Zach Edey is a double-double machine, notching his fifth of the tournament with 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Additionally, Alabama hung in for a half of play against UConn, but it was not enough as all five starters for the Huskies finished in double figures, including Stephon Castle who cashed in for 21 points.

It seems appropriate that the championship will be against two #1 seeds after the lunacy that was the first round of upsets.

Purdue is looking for their first National Championship in program history as this is their first appearance in the title game since 1969 and just their second trip to the finals.

UConn on the other hand has been one of the blue bloods of men’s basketball since the turn of the century with seven trips to the Final Four since 1999 and five National Championships including one from last year.

It will be a battle between Edey and UConn’s Donovan Clingan. Purdue’s 7’4 center, who averages a double-double on the season with nearly 25 points and 12 rebounds, will be up against the 7’2 sophomore who puts up 13 points per game. Will Clingan be able to curtail Edey in the lane?

Great storyline for the championship game, an even better one is how tight the race will be to finish in the top three for the KILJ Bracket Challenge.

Out of the 34 brackets, only eight have been eliminated from competition. Eight brackets also guessed the correct matchup for the National Championship. On average, it was a 50% success rate for picking the Final Four.

The top five went unchanged in terms of standings as Julie Leichty has predicted the last six games correctly as she was the only bracket to correctly pick all four games correctly in the Elite Eight.

Mat Wilson had the highest jump of everyone after being in 26th place through the Elite Eight, he is now in 10th place with 178 points.

Where things might get interesting is of the top ten brackets, only two selected Purdue to win. So, now we wait and see who will end up on top after tonight’s showdown.

Top Ten Brackets

Julie Leichty (Purdue): 250

Rick Bunnell (UConn): 230

Lysha Bunnell (UConn): 226

Ellyanna Bunnell (UConn): 222

Sharon Menke (UConn): 214

Allie Leichty-Hultman (UConn): 212

Karen Brimhall (Purdue): 192

Alan Buckert (UConn): 180

Jeff Broeg (UConn): 178

Mat Wilson (UConn): 178

Joseph Kessler

By Yorke Prough · Monday, April 8th, 2024 at 9:45 am CDT

Joseph Edward Kessler, 89, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Saturday, March 30, 2024 at Good Samaritan Society in Ottumwa.

Graveside services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 15, 2024 at Pleasant Plain Friends Cemetery in Pleasant Plain. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family.

Joe was born September 23, 1934 the son of Arthur and Thelma (Coil) Kessler. He served in the United States Army. Joe married Mary Britt, December 19, 1959. She preceded him in death November 1, 2018.

Joe worked as a semi driver for 20 years at Modine in Fairfield. He loved to talk to people about driving his semi. He enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting, and visiting with friends.

Those left to honor his memory include his daughter, Roberta Nicholson of Guthrie Center, Iowa; grandchildren, Cassie and Keenan Nicholson; four great-grandchildren; sisters, Marjorie McMillan of Cedar Rapids and Dixie Watson of Mt. Pleasant.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; twin sister, Josephine; sister, Marie; and brother, William.

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

Reed Haeger

By Yorke Prough · Monday, April 8th, 2024 at 9:42 am CDT

Reed Ross Haeger, 78, of West Point, Iowa, passed away at 8:24 p.m. Friday, April 5, 2024, at Birkwood Village in Fort Madison, Iowa, surrounded by his family.

Reed was born on July 28, 1945, in Oak Park, Illinois, the son of Reed “Ross” Haeger, Sr. and Mary (Phelan) Haeger. On August 10, 1968, he married Susan Teresa Hanley in Lewistown, Montana. She preceded him in death on January 15, 2024, after fifty-five years of marriage.

As a boy, Reed spent summers at his grandparents home outside of Rhinelander, Wisconsin at Haeger’s Lodge on Lake Thompson. Upon graduation from Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Reed spent a summer on the Whitetail Ranch outside of Missoula, Montana working as a ranch hand. This experience provided a lifetime of stories and a deep personal connection to the cowboy persona. Reed attended St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in education. Accepting a gift from his father upon graduation, Reed spent three months traveling Europe. Through a college roommate, he learned of and accepted a teaching position at Marquette High School in West Point where he would teach English for nine years. After teaching, Reed dabbled as a restaurateur managing the West Point Knights of Columbus, Donnellson Green Acres Golf Club and as owner/proprietor of Reed’s Pizza in West Point. He finished his full-time working career at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Middletown after twenty years. Reed and Sue purchased the Corner Tap in 1983. In August of 2023, in fine West Point Sweet Corn Festival festive fashion, they celebrated forty years in business.

From area bass fishing tournaments to weekend fishing getaways with Sue, Reed was an avid fisherman. He transitioned from water to land in the game of golf, a pastime passion he renewed with a vengeance. His dedication and knowledge for the game was intense, perhaps even driving a patron or two out of the Corner Tap with his incessant talk of it! His love of reading was evidenced by the many books that went through his hands, thousands and thousands of pages turned. Reed had not only the gift of word crafting, but with those page turning fingers, he would use his woodworking craft to spend hours in his basement making gifts for family and friends, especially his grandkids. Reed was most proud of his family. Four children, thirteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren and counting… Always the teacher, always the storyteller, lighting up at the opportunity to share with them is what he loved best.

Reed is survived by his three daughters: Kathleen “Katie” (Chris) Dailey of Terre Haute, Indiana, Jennifer “Jenny” Steffensmeier (Randy Larson) of West Point, Megan (Bill) Kruse of West Point; son: Ross (Erin) Haeger of Burlington; thirteen grandchildren: Daniel Dailey, Jack Dailey, Claire Dailey, Isaac Steffensmeier (Courtney Abolt), Rachel Steffensmeier (Julian Holmes), Sarah (CJ) Richardson, Aaron (Taylor) Steffensmeier, Nathan Steffensmeier (Larissa Ferrill), Elton Kruse (Madelyn Swigart), Owen Kruse (Katie Beach), Emmett Kruse, Liam Haeger and Gordon Haeger; two great-grandchildren: Quincy and Calvin Richardson; three sisters: Beth (Paul) Reis of Wheaton, Illinois, Jane (Greg) Zimmerman of Downers Grove, Illinois, Anne Haeger of Marion, Iowa and one brother: Mark (Julie) Haeger of Downers Grove, Illinois.

Reed was preceded in death by his parents; sisters-in-law: Sister Kathleen Hanley, CHM, Laurie Voelker; brothers-in-law: Mark Hanley, Edward Hanley, Eugene Foecke and son-in-law: Ben Steffensmeier.

A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 12, 2024,  at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point.

A time of remembrance will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday with Father Gary Beckman officiating at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point. A time of food and fellowship will be held at the West Point American Legion after the burial. Following the luncheon, a celebration of life will be held at the Corner Tap.

Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in West Point.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established in his memory for Southeast Iowa Hospice.

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