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Wayland Man Facing Domestic Abuse Assault Charge Following Disturbance
A Wayland man is facing several charges following a reported disturbance late Friday night.
According to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the 200 block of South Pearl Street in Wayland at approximately 11:10 p.m. on May 15th for a disturbance report.
Following an investigation, authorities say 37-year-old Larry Whittemore of Wayland was identified as the primary aggressor in the incident.
Whittemore was arrested and charged with Domestic Abuse Assault – First Offense, a simple misdemeanor; Interference with Official Acts, a simple misdemeanor; and Assault on Persons in Certain Occupations, an aggravated misdemeanor.
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that a criminal charge is merely an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Burlington Man Facing Charges After Early Morning Burglary Sunday
A Burlington man is facing burglary charges following an investigation into an overnight break-in on Sunday morning.
According to the Burlington Police Department, officers responded around 7:57 a.m. Sunday to the 500 block of Summer Street after receiving a report of a burglary that had occurred overnight. Officers spoke with the victim, who also provided security camera footage from the incident.
Police say officers reviewed the footage and identified the suspect as 30-year-old Tremaine McElrath of Burlington. Officers later traveled to the 300 block of Angular Street to speak with McElrath.
Following further investigation, McElrath was arrested and transported to the Des Moines County Jail. He has been charged with Burglary in the Second Degree and was being held on bond.
Authorities remind the public that a criminal charge is merely an accusation and that all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Mt. Pleasant’s Charlie Bohnenkamp Commits to a Second Chance at Wrestling with Southeastern Community College
Mt. Pleasant, IA- The Panther wrestling program has been on the rise the last several years and helping them get to that point was Charlie Bohnenkamp, who signed his letter of intent to join Southeastern Community College (SCC), a program just getting its start.
Reflective of his new program, Bohnenkamp is also looking for a new start in West Burlington,
“Well, like, honestly, my senior wrestling year didn’t go exactly as planned, and there’s a lot of regret there, and, like, the way that the whole season went, I’m just hoping for another last shot, if that makes sense, you know? Like, I’m hoping to make up for anything that happened with my senior year and anything I regret with that. And it’s right close to home.”
Bohnenkamp has gone 25-32 the last two seasons, as a late surge his junior campaign saw the Panther collect a win against Burlington to help seal Mt. Pleasant’s first conference banner in over a decade and later finish 4th at districts.
Unfortunately, that momentum did not follow him into his senior season, as he posted a 14-12 record and Mt. Pleasant finished third in the conference. Nevertheless, the true test of a competitor is how they respond to adversity and Bohnenkamp is ready to take advantage of the opportunity,
“Yeah, it’s nice because SCC is giving me a second chance. I’m thankful for that. I mean, I love wrestling. I like wrestling. Like, it’s something that makes me a better person every day, and I hope that it will continue to make me better.”
Though he is excited for the move to the collegiate level, Mt. Pleasant will always be a fond memory,
“Well, Mount Pleasant, that’s my family. Like, I love everybody on that team. That was—it was the hardest thing, say goodbye. And luckily, I don’t have to say goodbye to the sport now. But I’ve just—I’m thankful that I’ve been surrounded by such good people all through high school…And the coaches are great. I’ve loved my coaches all four years of high school.”
Bohnenkamp will be looking to earn a one-year degree in collision repair. He will also be joined by two teammates: Jefferson Avalos Ramirez and Juan Lopez.
Ottumwa Community Mourning Loss of Recent Graduate Following Sunday Night Crash
The Ottumwa community is mourning the loss of a recent Ottumwa High School graduate following a fatal crash Sunday night.
According to the Ottumwa Police Department, the two-vehicle crash happened around 9:15 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. Highway 34 and Roemer Avenue. Investigators say 18-year-old Ashlin Knuth of Ottumwa was driving west on Roemer Avenue when her vehicle was struck on the driver’s side by a northbound pickup truck driven by 21-year-old Nathaniel Hart of Ottumwa.
Emergency crews from the Ottumwa Fire Department and ORMICS worked to free Knuth and an 18-year-old male passenger from the vehicle. Both were transported to Ottumwa Regional Health Center, where Knuth later died from her injuries. Hart was not injured. Authorities say the crash remains under investigation, and it is not yet clear whether seat belts were being used. 
In a message shared with students, staff, graduates, and families, Ottumwa Community School District officials expressed their sorrow over the loss of Knuth, a member of the Ottumwa High School Class of 2026.
Superintendent Michael McGrory and Ottumwa High School Principal Shelley Bramschreiber said the “Bulldog family is hurting” alongside Ashlin’s classmates, friends, teachers, coaches, and loved ones. The district encouraged anyone struggling with grief to seek support through the Ottumwa High School Counseling Office, the school’s Brain Health Room, Gateway High School counselors, or through Your Life Iowa’s 24-hour support services.
Graduated seniors who may need support are also being encouraged to visit Ottumwa High School during regular school hours, where counselors, administrators, and staff will be available.
School officials are asking the community to keep Ashlin’s family and all those impacted by the tragedy in their thoughts during the difficult days ahead.
Illinois Man Sentenced Following Burlington Child Enticement Sting
A Cambridge, Illinois man was sentenced on May 13, 2026, to 125 months in federal prison for attempted enticement of a minor.
According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, Christopher L. Rutherford, 55, messaged with two undercover officers who posed as underage teenagers on Facebook and exchanged messages about meeting to engage in sex acts. Rutherford made plans to meet up with one of the undercover officers at Walmart in Burlington where he was arrested.
After completing his term of imprisonment, Rutherford will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the resources tab.
Child Injured in Mount Pleasant Dog Attack
A three-year-old child was injured Tuesday afternoon after being attacked by two dogs in Mount Pleasant.
According to Mount Pleasant Police Chief Lyle Murray, officers were dispatched at approximately 4:30 p.m. on May 13 to the 600 block of North Jackson Street following reports of the attack.
When officers arrived, they found the child with her mother suffering from a head wound. Police say the two dogs involved had already been secured in separate vehicles.
Officers provided first aid at the scene until crews with Henry County Ambulance arrived. The child was then transported to the hospital for treatment.
Police say the owner of the dogs later transported the animals to All Gods Creatures, where the dogs were impounded.
The owner has been cited for having vicious animals and is scheduled to appear in court on May 19th.
Louise M. Cordes
Louise M. Cordes, 79, of Fort Madison, IA, formerly New London passed away at 12:01 AM on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at The Kensington.
She was born on February 14, 1947 in LeMars, IA to Warren and Catherine Christeson Laneville. Louise was a dental assistant in Waterloo after high school and then was a homemaker. She married Jim Cordes on January 5, 1979 in Mt. Pleasant and he passed away on April 26, 2020. Louise was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant. She enjoyed golfing, baking, gardening, making greeting cards and was very well known for her homemade salsa. Louise was a strong supporter of the New London Tigers Booster Club. 
Survivors include one daughter, Mary (John) Phillips of San Tan Valley, AZ; two sons, Steve (Lori) Sproul of Ft. Madison and Joseph (Kelsey) Cordes of Queen Creek, AZ; seven grandchildren, J.W. (Blaire) Phillips, Shelby (Troy) Henning, Drew (Lizzete) Nolting, Meghan (Mark) Farlinger, A.J. (Sarah) Nolting, Anika Sproul and Hudson Cordes; seven great grandchildren; three brothers, Edward Laneville, Donald (Debbie) Laneville and Daniel (Tammy) Laneville; numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister, Virginia Kliphouse and sister-in-law, Caroline Laneville.
A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 11 am at St. Alphonsus Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant with Rev. Ross Epping officiating. The family will meet with friends from 4-6 PM on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory in Fort Madison. A memorial has been established for St. Alphonsus Catholic Church or the Mt. Pleasant Golf and Country Club and online condolences may be left at www.kinglynk.com.