Gasoline prices have dropped for the first time in weeks, now averaging $3.27 per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline after dropping 6 cents this week from last. This also makes them 3 cents cheaper than a year ago, and 28 cents less than the national average.
Diesel prices have continued their trend of minimal movement, lowering by a single penny for a statewide average of $3.77, which is 7 cents less than 12 months ago. The current Iowa diesel price is 26 cents lower than the national average of $4.03.
Natural gas prices missed the memo and rose 12 cents at the Henry Hub reporting site and are currently prices at $1.84/MMbtu.
Henry County Supervisors
Vote for two Dan Cook (Republican)
2332 210th St
Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641
319-931-0093 dan.cook88@yahoo.com Steven B. Detrick (Republican) 1730 Hickory Hill Ln PO Box 194
Salem, IA 52649
563-340-0732 detrickstevenb@gmail.com David Muhs (Republican)
2217 Dakota Ave
Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641
319-931-0663 muhsd@yahoo.com Chad A. White (Republican)
1855 200th St
Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641
319-931-2802 t566white@gmail.com
Henry County Auditor
Vote for one
Robin D. Detrick (Republican)
2207 323rd St
New London, IA 52645
319-931-6079 rdetrick42@gmail.com
Henry County Sheriff
Vote For One Richard A. McNamee (Republican)
1898 305th St
Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641
319-931-1862 richmc444@hotmail.com
Nearly half a century after her remains were discovered, the identity of the young woman previously known as “Lincoln County Jane Doe” has finally been unveiled. Through a multi-agency partnership leveraging the latest forensic DNA technologies, her name and origins have been determined, bringing long-awaited answers in a case that had gone cold for over four decades.
In March 1978, human remains were discovered in the Mississippi River near Elsberry, Missouri. Lincoln County Missouri authorities retrieved the body and transported it to the St. Louis County Medical Examiner’s Office. An autopsy revealed the victim to be a white female who was believed to be between the ages of 30-40. The cause of death was identified as drowning. No signs of trauma were present, and the manor of death was classified as ‘undetermined’. Based on the level of decomposition, it was estimated that she had died approximately four months prior to discovery.
Few clues were available to identify the victim at that time. She was wearing a cat’s eye ring and had a tattoo that appeared to say “Dee” on her left forearm. Despite extensive efforts by investigators at the time, the woman’s identity could not be established. She was laid to rest in the Troy Missouri City Cemetery, memorialized by a headstone marking her grave as ‘Lincoln County Jane Doe’. Details of the case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) in 2009 as UP5295.
The pivotal breakthrough in the case came in October 2023, when the remains were exhumed through a collaborative effort involving the Lincoln County Coroner’s Office, local and regional partners, and the Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) Anthropology faculty and students. SEMO’s osteological and dental analysis revealed that the victim was likely a teenager at the time of her death – significantly younger than the initial estimate between 30-40 years old from the 1978 autopsy report.
SEMO Anthropology professor Jennifer Bengtson and her undergraduate students applied chemical analyses to the poorly preserved remains. They identified and selected the most promising samples to submit to Othram for DNA extraction. Despite the challenging condition of the evidence, Othram’s Genome Sequencing aided in the successful extraction of DNA. A comprehensive genealogical profile was built and Othram’s genealogy team was able to generate new leads.
With this new information, the Lincoln County Coroner’s Office was able to make contact with an individual who stated they had a close family member matching the description of Jane Doe who had mysteriously disappeared from Ottumwa, Iowa in late 1977.
Upon having this preliminary information suggesting a potential match; the Lincoln County Coroner’s Office contacted the Wapello County Iowa Sheriff’s Office. Wapello County Sheriff’s Office Investigators began looking into the disappearance and worked to obtain a familial DNA reference sample from the potential family member. The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office submitted the DNA sample to Othram and subsequent testing confirmed a match. After 46 years “Lincoln County Jane Doe” was finally reunited with her family when she was identified as 15-year-old Helen Renee Groomes from Ottumwa, Iowa.
On April 1st, Wapello County Sheriff’s Office Investigators traveled to Troy, Missouri and interviewed Helens family, traveled to Helen’s gravesite, examined her autopsy report, and consulted with the Lincoln County Coroner’s Office and SEMO Anthropology Director Dr. Bengston.
The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office is currently trying to find all the missing pieces to this 46 year old puzzle. However very limited information is currently known about her disappearance. Helen and her family lived in Ottumwa, Iowa but frequently traveled to stay with family in Des Moines, Iowa.
The Wapello County Sheriff’s Office would like to speak with anyone that has information related to the disappearance of Helen or who might have been friends with her in 1977. Please contact the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office Investigation’s unit with any information.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously by emailing crimetips@wapellocounty.org
Iowa has approximately 585 Cold Case’s; this case serves as a perfect example of the necessity to follow through and continue them. It’s important to remember that every victim deserves justice and every family needs answers. In Helens case a group of professionals passionate about their work pursued new techniques and modern technology to send Helen home to her family
By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024 at 3:01 pm CDT
City Hall/Council Chambers
PO Box 155
218 W Main St
Wayland, IA 52654
Phone: 319-256-3276
Fax: 319-256-3279
Regular Meeting Agenda Wayland City Hall @ 7:30 P.M.
MAYOR: Chet Fort
COUNCIL: Caylon DeVaul,
Kathie Grimm, Jamie Roth,
Chad Rohe, Travis Shelman
CLERK: Beverly Conrad
TREAS: Terry Kaufman
ATTORNEY: Lynch Dallas
April 3, 2024
1. Roll Call
2. Consent Agenda
Note: These are routine items and will be enacted by one motion without separate discussion unless a Council member requests an item be removed for separate consideration.
a. Minutes of March 20 & Special Meetings March 27, 2024
b. Bills for Payment/CD Renewal
c. Treas. Report
d. Clerks Budgetary Report
e. Utility Dept. Report
f. Police Dept. Report
g. Firefighter Dept. Report
h. Building Permits
3. Citizen Forum
The Mayor and City Council welcome comments from the public for items not listed on the agenda. You are asked to state your name and address for the record and to limit your remarks in order that others may be given the opportunity to speak. The Order of Business is at the discretion of the Chair. No action will be taken.
4. Unfinished Business
a.
b.
5. New Business
a. Set Public Hearing Date of May 1, 2024 FYE24 Budget Amendment #2
b. Renewal Permit App-Class C Liquor License (LC) –Corner of Main Bar & Grill (timely filed)
c. Review/Award 50/50 Sidewalk Program Bids
Great River Health will be hosting an evening of career exploration on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The event will run from 5-7 p.m. at Catfish Bend Event Center, 3001 Winegard Drive, in Burlington, Iowa. The event titled Purpose in Partnership: Great River Health Career Exploration, is a free event and the public is invited to attend.
The evening will provide job seekers as well as those interested in finding out more about healthcare careers an opportunity to meet with healthcare professionals. Career Fair attendees will have an opportunity to experience healthcare jobs firsthand with Virtual Reality simulators. Open positions will have on the spot interviews. Door prizes and light refreshments will also be part of the evening’s event.
For more information, contact Great River Health Human Resources at 319-768-3750.
John William Kemper, 66, of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 4:14 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison, Iowa.
He was born on October 10, 1957, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Delbert Lee, Jr. and Dorothy Maxine (Stowe) Kemper. On April 20, 1991, he married Mindy Jane Wilcox in Donnellson, Iowa.
He is survived by his wife: Mindy; daughter: Holly (Rob) Conlee of Ankeny, Iowa, their children: Nicholas and Caitlyn Conlee; son: Shawn (Erica) Kemper of West Point, Iowa, their children: Kyle, Kaiden and Arabel Kemper; son: Shane Kemper of West Point, Iowa, his children: Hailey, Ronin and Abrahm Kemper; daughter: Katelynn (David) Snook of Donnellson, Iowa, their children: Abby Snook, Alayna Figert, Reagan Figert and Ethan Snook; siblings: Kevin (Val) Kemper of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Leea (Joe) Brown of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Angie (John) Haley of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa and Cheryl (Kevin) Elmore of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two children: Jessica Lee and Lucas Richard.
John was a 1977 graduate of Central Lee High School, where he played basketball. He served in the United States Navy. He worked as a correctional officer for the Iowa State Penitentiary for thirty years retiring in 2012. In 1987, John was awarded “Outstanding Correctional Officer of the year.” He was the longest sitting President of AFSCME Local #2989, where he negotiated several state contracts for the Union. He was named Honorary Colonel of the Iowa State Militia by Governor Vilsak in 2003. John enjoyed attending the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion, attending gun shows (as he was a gun enthusiast), hunting, fishing, watching basketball, riding his bike, wood working, eating sweets and drawing stick figures on notes to his family. He was an avid selfie taker, of which he would then send to family and friends. Most of all, John loved spending time with all of his family, especially his children and grandchildren whom he was very proud of.
A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Donnellson United Methodist Church in Donnellson. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2024, at the church with Pastor Padma Templeton officiating.
A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, April 14, 2024, at the Lee County Fairgrounds Learning Center in Donnellson.
A memorial has been established in his memory for the Tri State Gun Club for gun safety training.
Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com
Joshua Michael Bergen, convicted of Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury, Willful Injury Causing Bodily Injury, and Burglary 3rd Degree in Louisa County, as well as Escape of Felon in Des Moines County, failed to report back to the Burlington Residential Facility as required yesterday.
Bergen is a 30-year-old, 5’5″, 169-pound white male. He was admitted to the work release facility on Jan. 18, 2024.
Persons with information on Bergen’s whereabouts should contact local police.
With this new information, the Lincoln County Coroner’s Office was able to make contact with an individual who stated they had a close family member matching the description of Jane Doe who had mysteriously disappeared from Ottumwa, Iowa in late 1977.